Guyana's Gold, Africa's Energy and Djerfisherit
Off The World Magazine #363
Economics: Guyana’s Gold, Nigeria’s Agriculture, and the Situation in Argentina
At the request of the United States government, Guyana has committed to stopping gold smuggling across the border from neighbouring Venezuela. Officials report that sanctioned Venezuelan gold is mixed with gold mined in Guyana and then sold as local production to markets in the United States, Canada, and the Middle East, among others. Gold is Guyana’s second-largest export after oil, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue in 2024. In that year, Guyana produced 434,000 ounces of gold.
Meanwhile, Nigeria and Brazil have signed a $1 billion agreement aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s agriculture, food security, energy, and defence sectors. This agreement will include the supply of mechanised farm equipment, along with the establishment of training and service centers in Nigeria. The country's agricultural sector is currently tailored to the needs of small farmers, but Nigerian authorities are seeking to transition to large-scale farming while also reforming agriculture, energy, education, and public finances, with a goal of achieving a trillion-dollar economy by 2030.
In Argentina, the unemployment rate rose to 7.9% in the first quarter of 2025, the highest level since the third quarter of 2021. Nearly 2 million people in urban areas are unemployed. The employment rate stands at 44.4%, which equates to over 13 million individuals, with 42% of the workforce engaged in informal jobs and over 36% not contributing to pension plans. Despite this, Argentina’s GDP grew by almost 6% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025 and increased by 0.8% compared to the final quarter of 2024. Private consumption also rose by nearly 3%.
Israeli Actions Against Civilians in Israel and Gaza
Israeli authorities admitted in early June that they were arming local gangs to destabilise Gaza from within. This strategy aims to reduce casualties among Israeli soldiers, create chaos, render Gaza ungovernable, and continue to deprive the population of resources. Palestinians have reported that the consequences have been catastrophic. The presence of these gangs, many of whose members had been imprisoned for crimes against their people before the conflict, exacerbates the suffering of the population. These gangs primarily operate in areas where humanitarian aid is received or distributed, often selling stolen goods on the black market at inflated prices.
Additionally, the Israeli bombings have revealed significant weaknesses in Iran’s healthcare system. The number of wounded individuals has overwhelmed hospitals already strained by years of sanctions, staff shortages, and infrastructure breakdown. This situation has forced Iranian authorities to reassign doctors from various specialities to military bases and medical facilities designated for military use. Although humanitarian goods are technically exempt from sanctions, restrictions on banking, logistics, and insurance have complicated procurement, making it slow and costly. There are critical shortages of medicines, medical devices, and essential supplies. The local pharmaceutical industry has also suffered due to these sanctions. Moreover, Iran is experiencing a mass exodus of healthcare workers who have been leaving the country for several years.
Djerfisherit, Africa’s New Ocean, and the Link Between Oxygen and the Earth’s Core
Researchers from the University of Southampton and other institutions have discovered pulsating waves of molten rock rising from deep within the Earth beneath Ethiopia’s Afar region. This phenomenon could potentially split Africa in two. These rhythmic waves of material from the Earth’s mantle contribute to the stretching and thinning of the continent’s crust, creating conditions for a new ocean to form millions of years in the future.
In another discovery, NASA scientists have found a link between the Earth’s core and life-sustaining oxygen. For over half a billion years, the Earth’s magnetic field has fluctuated in sync with atmospheric oxygen levels. Researchers believe that the planet’s swirling, molten interior may subtly influence conditions necessary for life on Earth. This connection suggests a single, hidden mechanism—possibly continental drift—that coordinates both the magnetic forces and the air we breathe.
Additionally, the discovery of djerfisherite in a fragment of the Ryugu asteroid challenges the current understanding of primordial asteroids and the evolution of the Solar System. Djerfisherite is a mineral that typically forms in hot, chemically reduced environments and has never been observed in meteorites similar to Ryugu. Its presence indicates that the Ryugu asteroid may have experienced unexpectedly high temperatures at some point or that exotic materials from other parts of the Solar System played a role in its formation.
New Drugs, Biopsies, and Therapies for the Paralysed
A study conducted by the University of Auckland and Chalmers University of Technology provides hope for patients with spinal cord injuries. Researchers have developed an ultra-thin implant that delivers gentle electrical currents directly to the injured spinal cord. This device mimics natural developmental signals to stimulate nerve healing and, in animal studies, successfully restored movement and touch sensation in rats without causing inflammation or damage.
In a significant breakthrough in nanotechnology, scientists at King’s College London have created a patch filled with nano-needles that are thinner than a human hair. This patch can painlessly extract molecular data from tissue without the need for removal or damage, thus eliminating the need for painful biopsies. It enables real-time disease monitoring, works quickly, integrates with common medical tools, and provides results using artificial intelligence. This innovation paves the way for personalised medicine and improved surgical decision-making.
Researchers at Ca' Foscari University in Venice, in collaboration with teams from Japan, China, Switzerland, and Italy, have developed an innovative method for producing and rapidly analysing a wide range of macrocyclic peptides. This research employs brewer's yeast, transforming billions of these tiny organisms into miniature fluorescent factories, each capable of producing a unique peptide with potential therapeutic applications. Their work could accelerate the development of safer and more effective drugs, potentially changing the future of pharmacy.
Pride Month 2025 and a Study of LGBTQ People Playing Sports
The foreign ministries of Canada, Australia, Brazil, and several European countries issued a statement on Saturday celebrating LGBT rights. Notably, the United States, which has taken steps to roll back civil rights protections since President Donald Trump’s election, was not among the signatories. The statement called for countries to “speak and act as one to defend the rights of LGBTQI people,” which stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex individuals. Other signatories included Spain, Belgium, Colombia, and Ireland.
In June, participants from around the world gathered to celebrate Pride events, a month-long observation of the LGBTQ community that symbolises the ongoing fight for equal rights and inclusion. One of the largest events was New York’s Pride March in 2025. CBS News has prepared a photo review highlighting Pride events from around the globe.
A study of transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) teens has found that those who participate in sports experience better mental health than those who do not. Conducted by universities in the United States, the study examines the relationship between playing sports and symptoms of depression and anxiety, while also considering “social positions and experiences of prejudice-based oppression specific to sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or gender expression.” The authors of the study warn that banning transgender youth from sports could have devastating consequences for their well-being.
Crime in Chile and the Rise of Cocaine
The rise in crime is costing Chile $8.2 billion annually, which represents 2.6% of the country's GDP, according to a report by CLAPES UC. Iconic establishments like La Piojera bar in Santiago are closing earlier due to decreased customer traffic and safety concerns, with sales there down by 60%. Other businesses are offering discounts after 10 p.m. While Chile still maintains one of the lowest homicide rates in Latin America, the recent increase in crime is having a significant impact on the economy. Residents are altering their habits, often leaving earlier or even foregoing nights out altogether.
In a 2023 report, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) highlighted that the global cocaine trade is reaching unprecedented levels, with production, seizures, and usage all at historic highs. Cocaine has emerged as the fastest-growing drug market worldwide. Production has surged to 3,708 tons, a third of which comes from Colombia, where coca cultivation and yields have increased. The number of users has risen to 25 million, up from 17 million a decade ago, with the main markets being North America, Western Europe, and South America. Additionally, the market for synthetic drugs, particularly amphetamines and fentanyl, is also expanding.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, a hacker associated with the Sinaloa cartel accessed the phone data of an FBI agent in Mexico and used city surveillance cameras to track informants. This incident, which occurred in 2018, allowed the cartel to blackmail and even kill witnesses. The report indicates that advancements in technology and widespread surveillance have made it easier for criminals to identify services and their sources. In response, the FBI is planning corrective actions, including enhanced training, to address such threats.
Energy in Africa: Russian Offensive, British Resignation
Britain has withdrawn from a project aimed at transporting wind and solar power from North Africa via undersea cables, opting instead to consider other, less risky ventures. The British government will no longer support a $33 billion initiative with Morocco due to "high levels of inherent supply and security risks." This project was expected to meet about 8% of Britain's current electricity needs, providing power for approximately 7 million households.
In a separate development, Russia and Mali have signed agreements to strengthen their trade and economic ties, including collaboration in nuclear energy. The two countries have previously discussed plans to construct a low-capacity nuclear power plant in Mali, designed by Russia. Additionally, the construction of a new gold refinery, supported by Russia, began in early June.
In Egypt, the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS) has awarded four exploration blocks in the Mediterranean to international firms, which will collectively invest $245 million in drilling at least 13 new exploration wells. Egyptian authorities are also focused on increasing oil production. Among the selected companies is the Russian firm Lukoil Overseas Egypt Limited, which will conduct 3D seismic surveys and drill six exploration wells in the Arabian Desert.
Child Abuse in Haiti, Mozambique, and the DRC
In Haiti, over 1.3 million people, including 700,000 children, have been internally displaced due to violence. More than 90% of children lack access to education, and many are at risk of violence, exploitation, and trafficking. Girls, in particular, are vulnerable to sexual violence. Since the beginning of 2025, 1,600 schools have been closed, exacerbating the situation. Funding is critically low, with only 8.3% of the planned assistance needs met. Plan International is supporting families by providing psychological support, hygiene kits, and financial assistance to help warn and protect children.
In northern Mozambique, an armed group connected to ISIS has been increasingly abducting children, according to Human Rights Watch. In Cabo Delgado province, children are being exploited for forced labour, smuggling, marriage, and combat. While some have been released, many remain missing, and those who return often struggle to reintegrate into their communities. Civil society is urging the government to take action to protect minors, prosecute perpetrators, and provide support to victims. The use of children in armed conflicts is a war crime under international law.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the number of children reporting sexual violence after fleeing to Burundi has more than tripled, according to Save the Children. At least 172 cases of violence against children, primarily rape, were recorded between January and June 2025. Over 1 million people have been displaced, and cuts in humanitarian aid are limiting support for refugees. Children urgently need psychological care and protection. The organisation is calling for increased aid to ensure that victims are not left to cope with immense trauma and threats alone.