Latest news with #SilenceisGolden
Economic Times
30-06-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
World Gold Council pushes for responsible gold mining to combat criminal exploitation
The World Gold Council has said that it is ready to collaborate with governments and industry stakeholders to promote responsible gold that are sourced from Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM). ASGM refers to gold mining that is traditionally conducted by individuals or small groups using relatively simple methods and is a critical livelihood across rural communities in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, yet about 85% of it operates outside formal regulatory frameworks, making it vulnerable to exploitation by criminal gangs and liable to cause environmental degradation. As the gold price has increased significantly over the past few years, this has become an even more pressing issue. Through research, policy advocacy, and on-the-ground partnerships, WGC aims to integrate ASGM into legitimate gold supply chains while safeguarding communities and ecosystems. We invite government leaders to engage with our findings and join us in shaping a more secure, transparent, and sustainable future for gold is characterised by low capital intensity and high labour intensity, and it accounts for approximately 20% of global gold supply and supports some 20 million informal nature of ASGM presents significant governance challenges. WGC's recent report, Silence is Golden, highlights how criminal networks, armed groups, and corrupt officials exploit the sector to fund illicit activities, including terrorism and organised crime. These actors take advantage of weak enforcement, lack of transparency, and fragmented international oversight. The consequences are severe: human rights abuses, environmental harm (especially mercury pollution), and lost tax revenues. For governments, the unchecked growth of illicit ASGM poses a direct threat to national security, economic stability, and the rule of law. One of the WGC's key proposals to mitigate the negative impacts of ASGM is the development of responsibly managed mercury-free gold processing plants. These facilities have the potential to significantly improve gold recovery rates, displace mercury, enhance miners' incomes, and serve as aggregation points that enhance transparency and traceability in the gold value chain. They can also improve the ability of governments to regulate and formalise the sector and to build miners' and business can play a pivotal role in enabling the success of these solutions. This includes creating regulatory frameworks that support the establishment of processing plants, investing in infrastructure, and fostering public-private partnerships. Commercial viability must be balanced with social and environmental responsibility. By aligning national policies with international best practices, governments can help transition ASGM from a source of risk to a driver of inclusive economic can support formalisation through intelligent regulation, proper incentives and investment in enforcement, infrastructure and improved services in mining communities. Public-private partnerships are key to balancing commercial and social goals. For example, industrial miners working with responsible local small-scale miners through partnerships with entities such as the World Bank and World Gold Council, involving governments and large-scale mining companies,s can help to enact positive change
Time of India
30-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
World Gold Council pushes for responsible gold mining to combat criminal exploitation
The World Gold Council has said that it is ready to collaborate with governments and industry stakeholders to promote responsible gold that are sourced from Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM). ASGM refers to gold mining that is traditionally conducted by individuals or small groups using relatively simple methods and equipment. ASGM is a critical livelihood across rural communities in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, yet about 85% of it operates outside formal regulatory frameworks, making it vulnerable to exploitation by criminal gangs and liable to cause environmental degradation. As the gold price has increased significantly over the past few years, this has become an even more pressing issue. Through research, policy advocacy, and on-the-ground partnerships, WGC aims to integrate ASGM into legitimate gold supply chains while safeguarding communities and ecosystems. We invite government leaders to engage with our findings and join us in shaping a more secure, transparent, and sustainable future for gold mining. ASGM is characterised by low capital intensity and high labour intensity, and it accounts for approximately 20% of global gold supply and supports some 20 million occupations. The informal nature of ASGM presents significant governance challenges. WGC's recent report, Silence is Golden, highlights how criminal networks, armed groups, and corrupt officials exploit the sector to fund illicit activities, including terrorism and organised crime. These actors take advantage of weak enforcement, lack of transparency, and fragmented international oversight. The consequences are severe: human rights abuses, environmental harm (especially mercury pollution), and lost tax revenues. For governments, the unchecked growth of illicit ASGM poses a direct threat to national security, economic stability, and the rule of law. One of the WGC's key proposals to mitigate the negative impacts of ASGM is the development of responsibly managed mercury-free gold processing plants. These facilities have the potential to significantly improve gold recovery rates, displace mercury, enhance miners' incomes, and serve as aggregation points that enhance transparency and traceability in the gold value chain. They can also improve the ability of governments to regulate and formalise the sector and to build miners' and business skills. Governments can play a pivotal role in enabling the success of these solutions. This includes creating regulatory frameworks that support the establishment of processing plants, investing in infrastructure, and fostering public-private partnerships. Commercial viability must be balanced with social and environmental responsibility. By aligning national policies with international best practices, governments can help transition ASGM from a source of risk to a driver of inclusive economic development. Governments can support formalisation through intelligent regulation, proper incentives and investment in enforcement, infrastructure and improved services in mining communities. Public-private partnerships are key to balancing commercial and social goals. For example, industrial miners working with responsible local small-scale miners through partnerships with entities such as the World Bank and World Gold Council, involving governments and large-scale mining companies,s can help to enact positive change
Edinburgh Live
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Gogglebox stars say 'oh my god' as fans slam Dermot O'Leary segment minutes into episode
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Gogglebox viewers were united in their dismay over a Dermot O'Leary segment on Friday (May 9), which left the Channel 4 stars visibly uncomfortable. The latest episode of the popular reality show saw the sofa critics watch Dermot's new gameshow, Silence is Golden, where a whopping £250,000 prize pot is at stake for an audience that must remain completely silent to win. However, silence comes at a price as contestants are tempted into speech by a troupe of comedians determined to elicit laughter. Throughout the series, Dermot is joined by three returning comedy captains, Katherine Ryan, Seann Walsh and Fatiha El-Ghorri. While watching the show on Friday, the Gogglebox cast were stunned when an elderly woman appeared on screen completely naked, in an effort to make the audience speak, reports Wales Online. Amani Rota couldn't hold back her shock, exclaiming "Oh my god!" while her sister Amira watched on in horror. Shirley Griffiths was bewildered, asking "What is that?" only for her husband, Dave, to clarify: "It's a naked woman, isn't it?" "Oh no!" said Umar Siddiqui, while Amira shared: "I'd be shouting!" Audience members at home echoed the sentiment, flocking to X (formerly Twitter) to express their revulsion. One viewer expressed their outrage, posting: "Oh my gosh! She's naked. That is filth! Why, just why would you do it and why would it be shown on TV on any show. Ugh!" while another disgruntled fan commented: "This #SilenceIsGolden is absolutely stupid." A third viewer couldn't help but express their amusement, remarking: "How are they keeping silent with that naked granny in their face!" Meanwhile, another fan said: "That show looks hilarious. Gotta watch it after this." Silence is Golden premiered on U and U&Dave on Monday (May 5) to mixed reviews from critics. While The Guardian praised the show as having "good, clean, harmless fun," The i Paper was less impressed, labelling it "embarrassingly unfunny". Ahead of its launch, Dermot voiced his enthusiasm in a statement, saying: "I'm so looking forward to Silence is Golden. When a show like this falls into your lap, you can't quite believe your luck. "Looking forward to having lots of fun with the audience, our comedians and assorted cast of regulars, all trying to make the audience laugh, gasp and giggle." Gogglebox airs on Channel 4 and Silence is Golden airs on U and U&Dave
Wales Online
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Gogglebox fans issue complaint about Dermot O'Leary segment as Channel 4 stars left squirming
Gogglebox fans issue complaint about Dermot O'Leary segment as Channel 4 stars left squirming Gogglebox viewers were left speechless as the Channel 4 stars tuned into Dermot O'Leary's new gameshow on Friday night Gogglebox fans issue complaint about Dermot O'Leary segment as Channel 4 stars left squirming Gogglebox fans issued the same complaint about a Dermot O'Leary segment on Friday (May 9) as the Channel 4 stars were left squirming. During the latest instalment of the hit reality series, the armchair critics tuned into Dermot's new gameshow, Silence is Golden. The series sees £250,000 up for grabs for a studio audience to share between themselves - but they have to ensure they remain silent. While watching the show, the Gogglebox cast were stunned when an elderly woman appeared on screen completely naked, in an effort to make the audience speak. "Oh my god!" the stars screamed, while legions of viewers quickly took to X (formerly Twitter) to share their disgust. Article continues below "Oh my gosh! She's naked. That is filth! Why, just why would you do it and why would it be shown on TV on any show. Ugh!" one person wrote, with another adding: "This #SilenceIsGolden is absolutely stupid." This is a breaking showbiz story and is being constantly updated. Please refresh the page regularly to get the latest news, pictures and videos. You can also get email updates on the day's biggest stories straight to your inbox by signing up for our newsletters
The Guardian
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Silence is Golden review – Katherine Ryan would definitely kill your dog for cash
Well, here's a tricksy little proposition! What happens when you give a television studio audience a prize pot of £250,000 to share equally among themselves, then tell them that all they've got to do to get it is remain silent (any words, gasps, laughs, exclamations will lose them £5,000 or £10,000, depending on the size of the transgression) while the show throws various acts at them precisely designed to elicit such responses? You get Silence is Golden, that's what – an unexpectedly entertaining, unexpectedly nerve-jangling foray into the repression of all natural instincts in the face of relentless temptation. Presenter duties are in the safe hands of Dermot O'Leary, who both introduces the guests (the main ones in the episode available for review are comedians Katherine Ryan, Seann Walsh and Fatiha El-Ghorri) and tries to trick the audience – who are individually miked and being monitored on cameras – into making the usual whoops and cheers that typically accompany such a show. Is it a rip off of Prime Video's hit Last One Laughing (comedians trying to make each other laugh in front of Jimmy Carr), the UK's adaptation of Documental, the Japanese hit created by Hitoshi Matsumoto? Or is it a wholly coincidental invention arising from our universal understanding that an injunction against laughing in church is the fastest way to ensure we do just that? We may never know. Australian comic, singer and drag artist Reuben Kaye is the first challenge to the audience's quarter-of-a-million-pound crown, and his act is near the knuckle enough on several occasions (he says 'My erection is audible' as he stands in front of a handsome bloke who does very well to keep his counsel) to draw £30,000 worth of gasps and laughs). He also identifies the weak link – possibly the weakest link there's ever been in the history of gameshows – in the audience. That weak link is called Will. Will likes to laugh. Will, it becomes clearer and clearer, was born to laugh. If you concentrate on making him laugh, he will laugh. If you concentrate your attentions elsewhere, he will laugh. He costs the audience a fortune. They are – silently, but very powerfully – livid. Dermot wonders if they should start looking for a security escort to take him home. Will laughs. Will shouldn't. Fortunately, the group's focus is pulled from this threat to their finances by a new set of villains: those who shout out in response to Dermot's offers of cash and gifts to enrich themselves personally at the expense of the group's pot. Absolutely fiendish. Chief fiend is Lorenzo, who does it multiple times and looks unfazed by his decisions and the fact that if looks could kill, he would have been bleeding out in the aisle before he had finished the first 'Yes, please!' and pocketed the inaugural £200. I haven't seen the like since Nasty Nick made his move 25 years ago (yes, sorry) in the first series of Big Brother. It's quite thrilling in a way. A way that suggests I need to get out more, or that the next series of Traitors needs to hurry up and get here because I have appetites that need slaking. Ryan does some comedy, but her main turn is threatening a couple's dog. The couple remain silent, knowing there is no chance that a TV production will let anything happen to their pet. I mean no disrespect to the mighty Ryan here, but I have absolutely no doubt that if the cameras were not there, or if Ryan's own personal finances were involved, that dog would be in a sandwich the moment the first £5,000 was lost. The final segment identifies the strongest (Deborah) and the weakest (Will, obviously) performer in the audience and one is randomly selected to face the final challenge – but it's Will. The remaining prize money is frozen and he will win or lose it all for the group if he can just survive one minute of jokes-and-anything-else-that-might-work onslaught from previous acts. No spoilers, but Lorenzo – you'd better start sleeping with one eye open. I'm not a big fan of the bit where they bring on a naked old lady to try to winkle out laughs or exclamations of disgust as she makes her way into the audience, but other than that it's all good, clean, harmless fun. Probably. No, I'm sure Lorenzo will be fine. Silence is Golden is on U&Dave
