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Analyst predicts Pushd (PUSHD) to be the best investment in 2024 over the likes of Toncoin (TON) and Internet Computer (ICP)

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With the 2024 bull market confirmed, it’s time for savvy investors to unearth cryptos offering the biggest returns. Toncoin (TON) and Internet Computer (ICP) are two cryptos that have great potential. Additionally, analysts and VCs are generating plenty of excitement around the new crypto Pushd (PUSHD), a marketplace token that is currently in phase 1 of its presale. Pushd’s goal is to take on eBay and Amazon as the world’s most affordable marketplace to decentralized platforms.

This article will take a look at all three, Toncoin (TON), Internet Computer (ICP), and Pushd (PUSHD), and see which could be the best investment for 2024.

What is Toncoin (TON)?

Toncoin (TON) is a decentralized layer-1 blockchain, originally developed by Telegram but later fostered by a dedicated, independent community known as the TON Foundation. Toncoin (TON) operates on a proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus model, enhancing network scalability and reliability.

Despite these technological advancements and a strong community backing, Toncoin (TON) has experienced a flat year price-wise, but that could prove to be a good foundation for the bull run.

What is Internet Computer (ICP)?

The Internet Computer (ICP) platform is aiming to redefine blockchain architecture through advanced cryptography. Dubbed the first “World Computer,” Internet Computer (ICP) is designed to host a wide range of online systems and services, including complex web and social media platforms, without using cloud computing resources.

Despite its ambitious goals, Internet Computer (ICP) experienced a dramatic drop in value shortly after its launch. That said, the team behind Internet Computer (ICP) couldn’t have timed the launch much worse, and 2023 ended up being a very successful year; the price of ICP rose over 300% in value.

What is Pushd (PUSHD)?

Pushd (PUSHD) is a new crypto offering designed to disrupt e-commerce and bring it to Web3. Think of it as an Amazon and eBay but with a blockchain twist. This platform will enable users to seamlessly list, buy, and sell goods without the need for traditional KYC verification, offering unparalleled privacy and speed.

What sets Pushd (PUSHD) apart is that users will be able to spend or accept a variety of cryptocurrencies. Pushd has started its presale, in a significant nod to its security and trustworthiness, Pushd (PUSHD) has successfully passed its audit.

Once launched, the platform’s liquidity will be locked for life, a move that will instill confidence and guarantee safety for investors, thus mitigating the risk of rug pulls, something that has blighted the crypto space.

For those looking to capitalize on early investment opportunities, Pushd (PUSHD) presents a compelling case. Investing early in crypto projects typically offers the biggest gains, and with the token priced attractively at $0.035, it’s an accessible entry point for many.

Toncoin (TON), Internet Computer (ICP), and Pushd (PUSHD)

Toncoin (TON) and Internet Computer (ICP) offer great potential. They both launched in 2021 and could be set for big returns in 2024. However, as with all bull cycles, it’s the newest cryptos that will offer the biggest ROI, and Pushd (PUSHD) has timed its launch perfectly for investors to take advantage of cheap prices while it’s still in phase 1 of its presale.

For more information about the Pushd (PUSHD) Presale, visit their website

A Cinematic Analysis of Nigeria’s Fuel Subsidy Scam

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Nigeria spends almost twice as much on fuel subsidies (around USD 3.9 billion) as it does on health care. These incentives come with a high price, though, including less equitable resource distribution, pollution, traffic, and climate change. According to a recent survey, people who pay more or have less access to fuel are more in favor of subsidy reform. Reform is fiercely opposed by people who think the government is corrupt or incapable of carrying out compensation plans. Acceptance of change is further enhanced by reasonable national and local services as well as religious beliefs. According to the study, creating a social contract is essential for reform to be successful.

In the thought-provoking documentary, Fueling Poverty, filmmaker Ishaya Bako delves into the intricate web of corruption and greed within Nigeria’s government, specifically focusing on the Fuel Subsidy Scam of 2011. Supported by funding from the Open Society Initiative for West Africa, the documentary, produced in 2012, employs a multilingual approach to underscore the urgency of making its narrative widely accessible.

Exploring Corruption and Scandal

The documentary scrutinizes the introduction of a fuel subsidy ostensibly aimed at maintaining low fuel prices but raises poignant questions about the financial aspects of this subsidy and the longstanding scandal dating back to 1986. Bako utilizes diverse approaches, including expository, observational, reflexive, and participatory techniques, to unravel, persuade, and analyze the intricacies of the subsidy and its consequences.

Cinematic Techniques

Bako employs a carefully crafted visual narrative, opening with a sonorous musical score and sweeping aerial shots of Lagos, setting the stage for a detailed exploration. Cinematographic techniques such as extreme long shots and medium-close shots accentuate the gravity of the themes. The intermittent use of these shots, combined with diegetic sound, establishes a compelling compositional structure, aligning with established documentary filmmaking principles.

Human Perspective and Expert Voices

The documentary strategically integrates perspectives from different strata of society. Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka becomes a powerful voice, presented with various shot types to evoke empathy and authenticity. The inclusion of clips from newspapers and the introduction of a human rights activist enhances the documentary’s credibility, although the challenge of perceptual realism versus representational realism remains a nuanced aspect.

Economic Realities and Dilemmas

Participants share their experiences of economic hardships, reinforcing the narrative with medium-close and big close-up shots. The curator navigates the complexities of presenting diverse voices, acknowledging potential biases and the challenge of distinguishing facts from ideological narratives. The incorporation of a budget estimate and the curator’s personal voice adds depth to the analysis, revealing the economic consequences of the subsidy.

Visualizing Realities

Bako employs animated scenes and varied shots of Nigeria’s landscapes to emphasize the tangible suffering caused by the subsidy. The juxtaposition of natural scenes and a debate platform featuring government officials aims to bridge potential biases, providing a multifaceted perspective on economic challenges. The cinematic point of view serves as a powerful tool in authentically presenting the harsh realities faced by citizens.

In this expository-participatory genre, Fueling Poverty transcends its role as a mere documentary, emerging as a poignant critique of political leaders’ failure to alleviate economic hardships since 1986. Bako’s adept use of cinematic techniques and diverse voices contributes to a compelling narrative that not only exposes corruption but also ignites a crucial conversation about the impact of the fuel subsidy scam on Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape.

Towards an Effective Restructuring of Nigeria for Economic Development

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The Punch published a brilliant new year editorial titled “2024: Reset Nigeria and avert the storm”, and partly wrote: “The PUNCH strongly recommends that while not neglecting others, Tinubu should attach utmost priority and give his full attention to four areas namely; the economy, security, corruption, and restructuring, the last being the most crucial for Nigeria’s survival

[….]

“Until like the defunct regions, the states become self-sustaining, productive units each with autonomous economic plans with sector-specific, job-creating targets and robust taxation and investment policies, poverty, unemployment, hunger, and insecurity will linger.

“They must be unshackled to participate fully in mining, power, railways, and ports; the template of only one government (the centre) with implementable comprehensive economic plans negates the federalism principle. It is the aggregate of the production of the central and sub-national governments that drive the economies of the United States, India, Brazil, Malaysia, Australia, and other federal countries.”

Yes, restructuring is very fundamental and the benefits are self-evident. Yet, I noted in 2017 that it may not be the magic strike to save Nigeria: “Why restructuring looks good on paper, there is nothing that says it will work. Most of the former governors are in courts fighting corruption cases. In short, restructuring will simply make it easier for them to have more to steal. In Nigeria, I am yet to see any evidence that more money will lead to more economic development. When the Paris Club money was released, some governors just got bigger cars. Their teachers were on strike, they did not care. One governor used the money to buy a mansion in excess of N500 million for a traditional ruler. Are these same governors the people that will run the post-restructured states?

“Technically, the only consolation for most people will be that their tribal men are the ones stealing their commonwealth, instead of someone from another tribe. That is the only consolation: the money belongs here and the son of the soil is the one stealing it, so be it. Except that, mere restructuring has marginal benefits.”

Nonetheless, I do support restructuring because it has a clear path to push Nigeria to evolve into a merit-based pragmatic society where honest leaders will run the show. For that to work, you will restructure with state police, state electoral systems, state banking charters, state CAC (corporate affairs commission), etc. If not, nothing will change.

Beyond Restructuring, How To Make Nigeria Great

Crypto Outlook for 2024

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The year 2024 is expected to be a pivotal one for the crypto industry, as several factors could shape its future direction and growth. Here are some of the key trends and developments that investors, traders, and enthusiasts should watch out for in the next three years.

Regulatory clarity: One of the biggest challenges facing the crypto sector is the lack of clear and consistent regulations across different jurisdictions. This creates uncertainty and risk for both users and businesses, as well as hindering innovation and adoption.

However, there are signs that regulators are becoming more aware and supportive of the potential benefits of crypto, as well as the need to protect consumers and prevent illicit activities. For example, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has recently approved the first Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF), which could pave the way for more institutional investment and mainstream acceptance of crypto.

Moreover, the European Union (EU) has proposed a comprehensive framework for regulating crypto assets, called Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA), which aims to harmonize the rules and standards across the bloc. These initiatives could provide more clarity and certainty for the crypto industry, as well as foster trust and confidence among users and investors.

Innovation and competition: Another factor that could drive the growth and evolution of the crypto industry is the continuous innovation and competition among different projects and platforms. The crypto space is constantly evolving, as new technologies, features, and solutions are being developed and launched.

For instance, the emergence of decentralized finance (DeFi) has opened up new possibilities for lending, borrowing, trading, and earning interest on crypto assets, without intermediaries or centralized control. DeFi has also enabled the creation of new types of tokens, such as stablecoins, which are pegged to fiat currencies or other assets, and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), which represent unique digital items such as art, music, or collectibles. These innovations have expanded the use cases and value propositions of crypto, as well as attracted more users and capital to the sector.

Adoption and integration: A third factor that could influence the future of the crypto industry is the level of adoption and integration of crypto in various sectors and domains. As more people become aware and interested in crypto, the demand for easy and convenient ways to access and use it will increase. This could lead to more integration of crypto services and solutions in existing platforms and applications, such as social media, e-commerce, gaming, entertainment, etc. For example, Twitter has recently enabled users to tip each other with Bitcoin using the Lightning Network, a layer-2 solution that enables fast and cheap transactions on top of Bitcoin.

Similarly, Facebook has announced its plans to launch its own digital currency, called Diem (formerly Libra), which aims to provide a global payment system that is accessible to billions of people. These examples show how crypto could become more mainstream and ubiquitous in various aspects of life.

The crypto industry is poised for significant growth and change in the next three years, as regulatory clarity, innovation and competition, and adoption and integration could shape its direction and development. The year 2024 could be a turning point for crypto, as it could reach new heights of popularity, legitimacy, and value.

Red Sea crisis escalates, concerns around Global Supply deepen

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The Red Sea crisis, which began in late 2023 when a coalition of rebel groups seized control of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, has escalated in recent weeks, raising concerns around global supply chains and regional stability.

The strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, is a vital waterway for international trade, especially for oil and gas shipments from the Middle East to Europe and Asia. According to the International Energy Agency, about 4.8 million barrels of oil per day passed through the strait in 2020, accounting for about 5% of global oil supply.

The rebel coalition, which calls itself the Red Sea Liberation Front (RSLF), claims to represent the interests of the marginalized and oppressed people of Yemen, Djibouti, Eritrea and Sudan, who have suffered from decades of poverty, conflict and environmental degradation.

The RSLF demands that the international community recognize its sovereignty over the strait and pay a hefty toll for using it. The RSLF also accuses Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Ethiopia of exploiting the Red Sea’s resources and interfering in the internal affairs of its neighboring countries.

The RSLF has been conducting attacks on commercial and military vessels passing through the strait, using speedboats, drones and missiles. The attacks have caused significant damage and disruption to the maritime traffic, as well as casualties among the crew members and security forces. The RSLF has also threatened to mine the strait or block it with sunken ships if its demands are not met.

The international community has condemned the RSLF’s actions and called for a peaceful resolution of the crisis. The United Nations Security Council has imposed sanctions on the RSLF’s leaders and supporters and authorized a naval blockade to prevent arms and fuel supplies from reaching the rebels.

The United States, the European Union, China, Russia and India have also expressed their support for the blockade and offered to send naval forces to assist in enforcing it. However, the blockade has not deterred the RSLF from continuing its attacks and has increased the risk of a direct confrontation between the rebels and the international coalition.

The Red Sea crisis poses a serious threat to global supply chains and regional stability. The disruption of oil and gas shipments could lead to higher energy prices and shortages in some markets, affecting economic growth and social welfare.

The crisis could also trigger a humanitarian disaster in the countries bordering the Red Sea, where millions of people depend on food imports and aid deliveries. Moreover, the crisis could escalate into a wider conflict involving regional powers such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Ethiopia and Iran, who have competing interests and influence in the Red Sea area.

The international community should intensify its diplomatic efforts to end the crisis peacefully and restore security and stability in the Red Sea region. The UN should appoint a special envoy to mediate between the RSLF and its neighbors and facilitate dialogue and cooperation on issues such as economic development, environmental protection, human rights and political reform.

The international coalition should also exercise restraint and avoid any actions that could provoke or escalate violence. The Red Sea is a vital lifeline for global trade and regional peace. It should not become a battleground for war.