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wow88 Sarita Fadnavis, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis's mother, on Saturday said her son is a "favourite" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and everyone in the BJP wants him to become the next chief minister of Maharashtra. Speaking to reporters in Nagpur as the ruling coalition was on its way to win a massive victory in the assembly elections, she said her son, currently a deputy chief minister, knows how to overcome challenges. "Everyone in the party wants him to become the next chief minister. It is evident that others also wish that he takes on that role. He is indeed a favourite of prime minister Narendra Modi who regards him as a son," Sarita Fadnavis said. Her son's tireless work and people's love for him brought this victory, she said. Asked about the Opposition targeting her son over the last two years, she said, "This is precisely why he described himself as the Abhimanyu of modern times. He understands how to navigate his way through the challenges he faces." Fadnavis's political stock has soared after Saturday's results as the BJP has put up its best-ever performance in these elections. He was the chief minister of the state from 2014 to 2019. His father, late Gangadhar Fadnavis, was a leader of the Jan Sangh and later the BJP. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australia’s House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bill that would , leaving it to the Senate to finalize the world-first law. The major parties backed the bill that would make platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X and Instagram liable for fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars ($33 million) for systemic failures to prevent young children from holding accounts. The legislation was passed with 102 votes in favor to 13 against. If the bill becomes law this week, the platforms would have one year to work out how to implement the age restrictions before the penalties are enforced. Opposition lawmaker Dan Tehan told Parliament the government had agreed to accept amendments in the Senate that would bolster privacy protections. Platforms would not be allowed to compel users to provide government-issued identity documents including passports or driver’s licenses. The platforms also could not demand digital identification through a government system. “Will it be perfect? No. But is any law perfect? No, it’s not. But if it helps, even if it helps in just the smallest of ways, it will make a huge difference to people’s lives,” Tehan told Parliament. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said the Senate would debate the bill later Wednesday. The major parties’ support all but guarantees the legislation will be passed by the Senate where no party holds a majority of seats. Lawmakers who were not aligned with either the government or the opposition were most critical of the legislation during debate on Tuesday and Wednesday. Criticisms include that the legislation had been rushed through Parliament without adequate scrutiny, would not work, would create privacy risks for users of all ages and would take away parents’ authority to decide what’s best for their children. Critics also argue the ban would isolate children, deprive them of positive aspects of social media, drive children to the dark web, make children too young for social media reluctant to report harms they encountered and take away incentives for platforms to make online spaces safer. Independent lawmaker Zoe Daniel said the legislation would “make zero difference to the harms that are inherent to social media.” “The true object of this legislation is not to make social media safe by design, but to make parents and voters feel like the government is doing something about it,” Daniel told Parliament. “There is a reason why the government parades this legislation as world-leading, that’s because no other country wants to do it,” she added. T had asked for the vote on legislation to be delayed until at least June next year when a government-commissioned of age assurance technologies made its report on how the ban could been enforced. Rod Mcguirk, The Associated Press

A coalition of political enthusiasts under the aegis of the Oyo Stakeholders Forum (OSF) has endorsed the candidacy of the current Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr. Sir Zacch Adedeji, for the 2027 gubernatorial election in Oyo State. The group also made a passionate appeal to the residents of Oyo State, urging them to prepare early and rally support for Dr. Adedeji, whom they described as the ideal candidate with the requisite capabilities to further transform the state. The forum commended Dr. Adedeji’s transformative leadership at FIRS, emphasizing his proven ability to deliver economic progress and accountability—qualities they believe are essential for unlocking Oyo State’s immense potential. Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, the Convener of the Forum, Elder Jelili Akande, said: “Dr. Adedeji’s tenure as FIRS Chairman has been marked by innovation, transparency, and a focus on results. Under his stewardship, Nigeria’s tax administration system has undergone unprecedented reforms, leveraging technology to streamline processes, increase compliance, and boost revenue generation. The OSF believes these achievements serve as a blueprint for transforming Oyo State into a model of economic self-reliance.” “Oyo State needs a visionary leader who understands how to create wealth and ensure its equitable distribution,” an OSF representative remarked. “Dr. Adedeji has demonstrated this capability at the federal level, and we are confident he can replicate this success in our state.” The forum further highlighted Oyo State’s overreliance on federal allocations as a significant obstacle to sustainable development. Despite its abundant resources and industrious population, the state struggles with revenue generation, limiting its capacity to fund critical projects. According to the forum, Dr. Adedeji’s expertise in maximizing internally generated revenue (IGR) offers a sustainable solution to this longstanding challenge. “By modernizing Oyo’s tax administration system, Dr. Adedeji envisions a transparent, technology-driven framework that will expand the tax base and reduce leakages. His approach prioritizes fairness and inclusivity, ensuring that every taxable entity contributes to the state’s growth while making compliance seamless for businesses and individuals alike,” Akande said. At the heart of Dr. Adedeji’s vision for Oyo State is a commitment to transparency and accountability. According to Akande, his leadership at FIRS introduced systems that allowed taxpayers to track how their contributions were utilized—an innovation that restored public trust and encouraged voluntary compliance. ALSO READ: Speaker Abbas decries exclusion of PWDs from governance “He plans to bring this same level of accountability to Oyo State, ensuring that every kobo collected is spent on projects that directly benefit residents. Investments in healthcare, education, infrastructure, and job creation will take center stage, with a clear focus on improving the quality of life for all Oyo residents,” Akande added. Oyo State, the forum noted, is uniquely positioned to become an economic powerhouse in Nigeria, given its vast agricultural resources, emerging industrial hubs, and strategic location. Dr. Adedeji’s plan involves harnessing these opportunities by creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive. “By fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, Dr. Adedeji aims to drive job creation, boost productivity, and significantly increase the state’s revenue base. He envisions channeling increased revenue into developing critical infrastructure such as roads, schools, hospitals, and water supply systems—projects that directly impact residents’ daily lives. These developments will not only enhance living standards but also make the state more attractive to investors,” Akande said. The OSF concluded by calling for broad support for Dr. Adedeji’s potential candidacy. “His achievements at FIRS have earned him widespread respect and admiration, positioning him as a frontrunner in the race for Oyo’s leadership. The forum urges residents to seize this opportunity to elect a leader who combines vision, expertise, and integrity.” “This is not just about winning an election; it’s about redefining the future of our state,” the OSF representative remarked. “Dr. Adedeji has the track record and vision to transform Oyo into a state we can all be proud of.” Get real-time news updates from Tribune Online! Follow us on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive stories and interviews, and much more. Join our WhatsApp Channel nowClement Nwoji The partnership between the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Deposit Money Banks (DMBs), under the umbrella of the Bankers’ Committee, could not have been more effective than now when all the key drivers of the economy are being called upon to step up their games towards economic recovery. Since the inception of the present administration, precisely on 29th May, 2023, there is no doubt that the administration is confronted with the herculean task of economic recovery, having inherited a battered economy from the immediate past administration. In this much needed efforts towards salvaging the economy, the CBN has an indispensable role to play, taking into consideration that no nation thrives well, economically, without sound and focused monetary policies. Though a regulator, the CBN recognizes that it cannot do it alone, and this underscores the collaborative approach which, currently, defines its relationship with the Deposit Money Banks (DMBs).This is in recognition that the Deposit Money Banks, in Nigeria, are at the center of implementing the policies of the CBN across all touch points. Consequently, they bring the ‘cascade effect’ to bear on all policies of the CBN, particularly, in ensuring that the banking publics understand and appreciate the various monetary policy measures being introduced to turnaround the economic fortunes of Nigeria. In the early stage of this administration, the banks played a major role in the implementation of the continued use of both the redesigned and old naira notes. This was sequel to the Supreme Court ruling of November 29, 2023, which extended, indefinitely, the continuing use of the old naira denominations: N200, N500, and N1, 000 banknotes. The banks’ roles in making these notes available, significantly, moderated the pressures associated with the naira redesign policy.Given the preeminent role of banks in cash management, the CBN, on November 13, 2024 issued a circular on, “Mystery shopping and spot-checks on cash disbursement activities of DMBs.” The circular signed by the Ag. Director, Currency Operations Department, Solaja Mohammed Olayemi, is intended to achieve two objectives: One, “monitor and prevent practices that facilitate flow of mint notes to ‘hawkers’ of Naira cash, thereby discouraging abuse of Naira and two, to “ensure that DMBs support efficient and responsible cash disbursement to the public”.The Commercial, Merchant, and Non-Interest Banks (CMNIBs) are also at the forefront of driving financial inclusion through multiple deployment of Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) at strategic locations including hotels, malls, hospitals, Companies’ premises, among others. This is further reinforced by the introduction of agent banking services, complemented by Point of Sale (POS) devices, in far remote areas difficult to locate traditional bank branches.Before the entry of Fintechs into the payment market, it was the commercial banks that drove the financial inclusion in the undeserved locations through Agency banking. Not a few banks are still showing strong presence in this segment of the market.It is to be noted that most Fintech companies are like ‘supper agents’ for commercial banks where they also operate accounts that are driving their payment businesses. Agent banking, apart from being cost effective, reduces pressure at the banks’ branches, simplifies banking processes, and makes banking services easily accessible. It also worthy to note that the Bankers’ Committee was a major sponsor of the 2nd International Financial Inclusion Conference held on 12-13 November 2024 at the Landmark Event Centre, Lagos. The theme of the conference was, “Inclusive Growth: Harnessing Financial Inclusion for Economic Development.” At the conference, the CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, was said to have stated that among other considerations, deepening financial inclusion was one of the reasons that informed the introduction of new minimum capital thresholds for banks. This, according to the apex bank governor, is to, “ensure that banks are in a position to take on greater risks in the undeserved markets and provide more loans and financial products to MSMEs, rural communities, and other vulnerable segments The Deposit Money Banks are apparently working in sync with the apex bank in its drive to mop up excess liquidity in circulation, control inflation and redirect lending into productive investments and activities.” By this, the banks support the boosting of economic activities while at the same time targeting taming the inflationary trend currently at 33.88 per cent for the month of October, 2024. The banks are upbeat in implementation of CBN Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decisions to see to the realisation of the target objectives. For instance, on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, the Central Bank of Nigeria Monetary Policy Rate (MPR – Interest rate at which CBN lends to Banks) to 27.50 per cent with an increase of 25 basis points from the previous rate of 27.25 per cent. It also retained Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR – mandatory amount of bank’s cash kept with the with the CBN) for deposit money banks at 50 per cent and for merchant banks at 16 per cent just as it retained the Liquidity Ratio (LR – Bank’s deposit liability that must be kept in liquid assets) at 30 per cent. Mindful of the financial and economic implications being targeted by the monetary policy decisions, the DMBs are ever conscious of complying with these CBN decisions on MPR, CRR and LR to achieve financial system stability and economic recovery. Through compliance with these CBN financial instruments: MPR, CRR and LR, the DMBs assist in controlling inflation, controlling quantity of money in circulation, maintaining financial stability, and influencing the economy positively.The important roles of the DMBs’ was recently acknowledged and commended at November, 2024 Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting. In a communiqué endorsed and released by Cardoso, at the end of the meeting, he stated that: “Members noted with satisfaction the continued resilience and stability of the banking system despite significant exogenous and endogenous headwinds”.”Key financial soundness indicators such as -the Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR), Non-Performing Loan ratio (NPL), Liquidity Ratio (LR), amongst others, remain strong.” In the management of the nation’s foreign exchange and foreign exchange transactions, it is mandatory for banks to promptly report to the CBN once such transaction is concretized for the apex bank’s knowledge and for further monitoring, should the need arise. The directive to this effect is as contained in a “Revised guidelines for the Nigeria Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM)” signed by the Director, Financial Markets Department of CBN, Dr. Omolara Omotunde Duke, released on November 29, 2024. Among other things, it specifically directs that, “All foreign exchange transactions completed by Authorised Dealers must be recorded on a processing system and reported to CBN within 10 minutes of the transaction. This includes all transactions completed with system participants on the Electronic Foreign Exchange Matching System (EFEMS), trades concluded with market counterparties on telephone and/or chat-based platforms, and customer transactions concluded through other acceptable channels. The details of all foreign exchange transactions concluded by Commercial, Merchant, and Non-Interest-Bearing Banks are required to be reported on a real time basis to CBN via APIs to the FXBRS system for effective monitoring of market activities.” Another area of collaboration is the recent November 5, 2024 “Guidelines on Implementation of the Foreign Currency Disclosure, Deposit, Repatriation and Investment Scheme to Commercial, Merchant and Non-Interest Banks (CMNIBs).” The guidelines reinforced an earlier Foreign Currency Disclosure, Deposit, Repatriation, and Investment Scheme Guidelines, 2024 (the “Scheme”), issued by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, on April 8, 2024. It is an upshot of Scheme introduced through Presidential Executive Order No. 15 (Modification Notice), targeted at motivating voluntary disclosure, deposit, and repatriation of foreign currencies held by Nigerians, whether within or outside the country. CBN guidelines clarifies regulatory expectations from Commercial, Merchant, and Non-Interest Banks (CMNIBs) on their participation in the Foreign Currency Disclosure, Deposit, Repatriation, and Investment Scheme, 2024, thereby enabling banks’ play active roles in managing foreign currencies by acting as participating financial institutions, responsible for processing applications, maintaining designated accounts, and ensuring compliance with the scheme’s guidelines.The banks are, equally, spearheading the control of inflation and mopping up of excess liquidity. For instance, investigations revealed that the prevailing restrictions on amount of cash to be withdrawn either from any bank branches or from ATMs are part of measures to reducing/mopping up excess cash in circulation and encouraging cashless society. Also, the banks are gradually mopping up the old naira notes as most banks often dispense new naira notes to customers.Like in every healthy relationship, the partnership between the apex bank and the Bankers’ Committee remains ‘work in progress’. So far, there is reason to believe that they are not working at cross purposes, but assiduously reinforcing the benefits of collaboration towards the economic development of Nigeria. . Clement Nwoji is a journalist and public affairs analysts based in Abuja

n , the game of Week 13 of the takes place, between two teams that at this point have a , which has sparked protests from fans for keeping the game in . However, there is a good reason for the league, a production that has been in the works for a long time and offers a to the viewer of what they see on television. The game between the and the will be with characters from the popular series , which , which will be available on . What is The Simpsons Funday Football? According to , it is "a real-time animated football game featuring the Bengals and the in the iconic world of The Simpsons, using Sony's Beyond Sports technology". Characters from the series will face off at in a "fully immersive viewing experience for fans with the Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys, during ESPN's Monday Night Football game". When and what time is The Simpsons Funday Football broadcast? The Simpsons Funday Football will air live on , on , and on mobile devices with NFL+. It will also be available to stream and on demand on Disney+ What will be seen on television in the 'animated' match? The novelty of this broadcast is that each of the Bengals and Cowboys players will have their own and will perform each of the plays from the original game in real time thanks to the tracking technology of the NFL's , from Sony, and also every run, pass, touchdown and more from the real game will be seen on the screens of just as they happen and of course on the alternative broadcast. And if you were wondering, , while , and will conduct sideline interviews, all while .

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