GRAPHITTI
NEWS collates national and international highlights from late-breaking news,
up-coming events and the stories that will be talked about Monday:
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The
Phones 4u mobile phone shop on Oxford Street is among those expected to close
pending a decision by the administrators on whether the business can be
reopened for trading.
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1.
YOBE THREATENS SANCTIONS FOR ABSENTEE TEACHERS, STUDENTS
The
Yobe State Ministry of Education has warned that it would take stringent
measures against teachers who would fail to report to their duty posts on the
next resumption date.
The
state Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Muhammad Lamin, told the News Agency
of Nigeria (NAN) in Damaturu on Monday that the state government could no
longer afford negative attitudes capable of sabotaging education in the
area.
He
said: "Yobe State is educationally disadvantaged and cannot afford
more negative attitudes capable of sabotaging government efforts in moving
education forward.
"Government
will take stringent measures, including outright sack, against teachers
who fail to resume or abscond from their duty posts on the date of
resumption."
The
commissioner explained that some teachers and students have formed the habit of
not reporting to school, weeks after resumption.
"Last
term when I visited some schools two weeks after the schools resumed, 50 per
cent of teachers and students had not resumed.
"Henceforth,
the government will bar students who register for examinations and abscond from
the schools only to re-appear at the commencement of the examinations".
According
to him, any lesson missed by a student could not be replaced, and about 40
lessons are supposed to be covered in a week.
2.
SANCTIONS AGAINST RUSSIA COULD SPUR US$150/BARREL OIL – FORMER BP CHIEF
Western
sanctions against Russia, coupled with ongoing political instability in Libya
and the advance of ISIS militants in Iraq, could leave the global oil supply
exposed and push up oil prices to US$150 per barrel, former BP chief Tony
Hayward has warned.
The
former CEO of BP and now chairman of Glencore Xstrata said the recent boom in
US shale production has painted an unrealistic image of the world’s global oil
supply, and created a false sense in energy security.
“The
world has been lulled into a false sense of security because of what’s going on
in the US,” Hayward said in an interview with the Financial Times.
The
hydraulic fracturing boom in the US began in 2008 and has increased US crude
output by 60 percent, but Hayward warned it could wane.
“When
US supply peaks, where will the new supply come from?” Hayward said.
Instability
in oil producing countries in the Middle East, such as Libya and Iraq, in
theory would have driven up oil prices to US$150 per barrel, had it not been
for the new supply from North America.
So
far, Brent crude has fallen from about $108 a barrel at the start of the year
to about US$97 today.
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Hayward
said oil supplies from the North Sea and Alaska are nearing maturity, and the
world oil supply is dependent on new wells in places such as Russia, Iraq, and
Canada.
Rosneft's
Bazhenov field may be even larger than the North Dakota Bakken shale shelf,
which currently produces 1 million barrels of oil per day and has brought about
the shale revolution in the America.
Sanctions
may stymie output
Russia,
the world’s second-largest oil producer, outputs about 10.5 million barrels of
oil per day, shy of the record from the Soviet era.
His
comments followed decisions from the EU and US to widen sanctions against
Russia on Friday, targeting state-run and private oil and gas companies,
including Gazprom, Rosneft, Transneft, and Lukoil. They can no long obtain US
or EU technology or equipment for extracting deep water, Arctic, or shale oil.
Analysts
believe there will be no sudden shock to the Russian oil and gas industry, but
that future projects and long-term development are at risk.
“Because
of financial sanctions, the big gorillas are going to start cutting their
activities,” Hayward said, speaking about Russian companies.
The
sanctions will also create problems for Western companies like Exxon Mobil, BP,
Shell and others, who have joint ventures worth billions in Russia.
ExxonMobil,
for example, has a joint venture with Rosneft to explore Russia’s Arctic, and
also owns a 19.75 percent stake in the company.
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In
this Friday, Sept. 12, 2014 photo, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, left,
speaks to the media with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu in Ankara,
Turkey. Kerry is in Ankara to press Turkey to join an international coalition
against the Islamic State. (AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici)
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3.
DIPLOMATS FRAME STRATEGY TO COMBAT ISLAMIC STATE EXTREMISTS
U.S.
Secretary of State John Kerry says nearly 40 countries have agreed to
contribute to a worldwide fight to defeat the militants before they gain more
territory in Iraq and Syria.
4.
WHERE ISLAMIC STATE MILITANTS GET FUNDS
The
extremist group earns more than US$3 million a day from oil smuggling, human
trafficking, theft and extortion, according to U.S. intelligence officials and
private experts.
5.
EGYPT SAYS WILL BOOST SECURITY AT TOURIST SITES
Egypt
plans to increase the number of security cameras at hotels and popular tourist
destinations as part of a series of new security measures aimed at buoying the
flagging tourism sector following three years of political turmoil, the
country's tourism minister said.
Once
a prime destination, Egypt has seen its hotels, beaches and famed ancient sites
sit largely empty since the uprising that toppled President Hosni Mubarak in
2011 kicked off a period of prolonged social unrest. The number of tourists
visiting the country dropped from more than 14 million in 2010 to just 9.5
million last year, according to government figures.
In
addition to the security cameras, the government plans to introduce mandatory
background checks for tourism industry workers, Tourism Minister Hisham Zaazoua
told The Associated Press late Sunday. Egypt also will bolster airport security
and plans to implement a comprehensive system for monitoring health standards
in hotels, Zaazoua told listeners at an international conference on tourism
safety on Sunday.
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In this Sunday, Sept. 14, 2014 photo, Egyptian
Minister of Tourism Hisham Zaazoua talks to journalists at the U.N. World
Tourism Organization conference in Cairo. Egypt plans to increase the number of
security cameras at hotels and popular tourist destinations as part of a series
of new security measures aimed at buoying the flagging tourism sector following
three years of political turmoil, the country's tourism minister said. (AP
Photo/Samuel McNeil)
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Rebooting
Egypt's tourism industry, long a crucial source of revenue, could inject badly
needed foreign currency into the country's struggling economy. But convincing
tourists in the near-term to return to a country that has made headlines for
its protests and violent crackdowns since Mubarak's ouster could be a tough
task, particularly after the military removed Egypt's first democratically
elected president, Mohammed Morsi, last summer.
6.
HELP FOR HEROES CONMAN FACING UK JAIL
A
conman is today facing a prison sentence after admitting he pocketed £300,000
of donations meant for the Help for Heroes charity.
Christopher
Copeland, 51, recruited teams of workers to set up donation stations at
supermarkets around the country over an 18-month period.
The
teams would use Copeland's fleet of ex-military vehicles, in Help for Heroes
livery, and encourage shoppers to put money in charity buckets.
They
then handed the cash over to Copeland, of mid Devon, who transferred it into
his personal bank accounts.
Exeter
Crown Court previously heard the scam took place between February 1 2010 and
September 17 2011, when Copeland was arrested.
He
admitted one charge of fraud by false representation and a charge of concealing
criminal property, relating to the stolen documents.
At
a hearing in July, Judge Philip Wassall warned Copeland he faced a
"lengthy" custodial sentence.
The
fraud charge states Copeland took the donations knowing that he did not intend
to pass them on to Help for Heroes, contrary to Section 1 of the Fraud Act.
Copeland
will also face proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
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Paediatric haematologist Dr Myles Bradbury, 41,
arriving at Cambridge Crown Court where he admitted child sex offences
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7.
UK DOCTOR ADMITS CHILD SEX ATTACKS
A
children's doctor has pleaded guilty to a string of sexual offences against
cancer sufferers in his care aged as young as 11.
Dr
Myles Bradbury pleaded guilty to six counts of sexual assault and 13 counts of
engaging in sexual activity with a child.
He
also pleaded guilty to three counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in
sexual activity.
The
41-year-old paediatric haematologist at Addenbrooke's Hospital, in Cambridge,
appeared at Cambridge Crown Court today.
Wearing
a dark suit and blue tie, Bradbury also pleaded guilty to one count of
voyeurism and two counts of making indecent images of a child.
The
offences involved 18 complainants, prosecutor John Farmer said. They date back
to 2009.
Bradbury
was bailed and told he would have to sign the sex offenders register.
He
pleaded not guilty to a count of sexual activity with a child and a count of
sexual assault.
Judge
Gareth Hawkesworth said these two offences will probably remain on file.
A
sentencing date was not given but the judge said Bradbury could expect a
"substantial" custodial sentence.
8.
CHINA TO CRACKDOWN ON TRAFFICKING IN "FOREIGN BRIDES"
Chinese
police will clamp down on websites that sell men group tours to meet
"foreign brides" in Southeast Asian countries, as the practice leads
to human trafficking and prostitution, the state-run China Daily reported on
Monday.
The
newspaper noted several so-called "marriage brokerages" were active
in Vietnam, promising young women introductions to rich Chinese men from big
cities, whereas many victims ended up duped into being "sold" as
brides to villagers in rural China.
"Some
cross-border marriage brokerages or websites have been publishing tempting
advertisements to introduce Vietnamese brides for cross-border marriages, but
most involve kidnappings," Wang Ying, an official with the Ministry of
Public Security responsible for combating human trafficking, was quoted by the
newspaper as saying.
"Once
their client takes a liking to a foreign girl, they cheat her and persuade her
to have a wedding in Vietnam, then charge their male client 30,000 to 50,000
yuan (US$4,900 to US$8,150) as a service charge," said Wang.
The
newspaper said some Vietnamese girls were forced to become prostitutes in
coastal or border areas of China such as Guangdong province.
Wang
said police would be step up vigilance to counter trafficking of foreign women,
particularly at bus stations, docks, and small country roads and mountain
passes that traffickers use.
Wang
did not give an estimate of the number of women trafficked through such
marriage agencies. In December last year, police in China's southeastern Fujian
province busted a people trafficking ring, rescuing 28 Vietnamese women and
arresting 62 suspects, most of whom worked at marriage agencies.
China's
gender imbalance, the product of the government's one-child policy and illicit
abortion of female foetuses due to a traditional preference for male heirs, has
created a huge surplus of single men. The latest census showed that for every
100 female newborns there were 118 males.
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Water
and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane and President Jacob Zuma. GCIS
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9.
DEFEND ZUMA... WITH YOUR BUTTOCKS!
ANC
members and Cabinet ministers will use their buttocks to defend President Jacob
Zuma, Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane was reported as saying.
Minister
Mokonyane made the comment at the launch of a water project in Marite,
Mpumalanga, The Sowetan reported.
"The
attack is not on Zuma, but it is on the ANC. Re tlo thiba ka dibono [We will
defend with our buttocks]," Mokonyane was quoted as saying in the report.
The
minister's comments come in the wake of the fallout surrounding the security
upgrades to President Zuma's Nkandla homestead as well as the release of the
spy tapes to the Democratic Alliance. In March, the Public Protector Thuli
Madonsela found that the president had unduly benefited from the R246-million
upgrades. Madonsela recommended that the president pay back some of the costs.
Last
week, President Zuma wrote to Madonsela telling her that he disagreed with her view that her recommendations can only be reviewed by a court of law. He
was of the opinion that the Public Protector's role was similar to that of an
ombudsman and not that of a judge.
The
Public Protector has recently come under attack from the ANC over her pursuit
of Zuma. A deputy minister also recently accused Madonsela of being a CIA agent
but apologized for the comment after both the government and the ANC refused to
endorse his comments.
10.
WATERPROOF, TORNADO-PROOF AND EVEN BULLET-PROOF! INDESTRUCTIBLE SLEEPING BAG
PROMISES PROTECTION FROM EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS
A
Missouri-based inventor has invented the mother of all sleeping bags; Tuuli
Amor Tornado Shield is made from same material as bulletproof vests; Can resist
being punctured by flying debris up to 200 miles per hour
For
those living in Tornado Alley - or planning a camping trip during extreme
weather conditions - some good news may be on the horizon. A Missouri-based
inventor has just come up with a relatively inexpensive way to stay safe during
a twister: an oversized sleeping bag made from the same material as bulletproof
vests.
The
Tuuli Armor Tornado Shield is extremely versatile and can be stored anywhere, weighing
only 12 pounds when all rolled up.
It
expands to the size of a queen-sized bed in less than a minute and is large
enough to accommodate two adults and a child inside. While the sleeping bag
won't protect you from injuries from larger materials (like broken bones), it
can resist being punctured by flying debris up to 200 miles per hour, which can
be just as dangerous. Cuts and lacerations make up over 90 per cent of injuries
caused by tornadoes.
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Useful for camping during British summer time?
The bag claims to withstand tornadoes - and even bullets Inset - The Tuuli
Amor Tornado Shield when folded up. Lightweight:
The shield is versatile and can be stored anywhere, weighing only 12 pounds
when rolled up
(Photo source: Daily Mail)
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11.
JAPAN'S WHALE HUNT UNDER SCRUTINY AT IWC MEETING
Pro-
and anti-whaling countries are set to clash over Japan's intention to resume
the hunting in the Antarctic next year despite a ruling by the top U.N. court.
Japan's
controversial plans will lead the agenda at the International Whaling
Commission four-day meeting that started Monday in the Slovenian Adriatic Sea
resort of Portoroz.
Whaling
for research purposes is exempt from the 1986 international ban on commercial
whaling and Japan says it will conduct additional hunts on that basis. But in
March, the International Court of Justice ruled Japan's program wasn't
scientific and must stop.
Approval
from the IWC isn't mandatory, but any attempt by Japan to resume whaling in the
Antarctic after a one-year pause would likely face intense scrutiny over
whether it complies with the court ruling.
12.
SHOCK AS 550 UK PHONES4U SHOPS SHUT
More
than 500 Phones 4u stores were shut today after the retail chain plunged into
administration - putting 5,600 jobs into jeopardy.
The
collapse follows a shock decision by EE to join Vodafone in cutting ties with
the retailer, which sells contracts on behalf of the network operators.
Staff
were told to turn up for work today but their future looks bleak pending a
decision by administrators from PwC on whether the private equity-owned
business can be reopened for trading.
Entrepreneur
John Caudwell, who set up the operation in the 1980s before selling it for £1.5
billion in 2006, said he was "sickened and saddened" for the nearly
6,000 staff who work at the Staffordshire-based firm.
In
an interview at the weekend, he blamed the "ruthless behaviour" of
the network operators for the demise of the business.
Phones
4u said the decision by EE not to renew its current contract, which is due to
end in September next year, came as a "complete shock" and meant it
would be left without a single network partner after Vodafone said earlier this
month that it would not extend its agreement.
The company is owned by
private equity firm BC Partners and has 550 standalone stores, employing 5,596
people.
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