US World's Biggest Oil Producer By 2015 according to IEA
The International Energy Agency (IAE) says that by 2015 the United States will surpass Saudi Arabia and Russia as the world's biggest oil producer and is on track to become energy self-sufficient in two decades.
The IEA said Tuesday that for the next 10 years the recent U.S. and Canadian success with shale oil drilling and deepwater production in Brazil will reduce the role of the Middle East-dominated Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries as the world's most prominent oil producer.
But the Paris-based adviser to 28 energy-consuming nations said the U.S. position as the top world oil producer will end by the mid-2020s as resources diminish at the fields being tapped at the moment in the mid-country states of North Dakota and Texas. The IEA said Middle East countries will then provide most of the increase in the global oil supply.
In its annual World Energy Outlook, the IEA said the U.S. is moving steadily "towards meeting all of its energy needs from domestic resources in 2035." Energy self-sufficiency has long been a goal of American leaders.
Across the globe, the IEA said the demand for energy will increasingly be driven by emerging economies, and that China will surpass the United States as the world's largest oil consumer by about 2030. The report said that China, India and the Middle East will drive global energy demand one-third higher.
But the IEA said energy security throughout the world is being undermined by high prices, with oil prices averaging more than $110 a barrel since 2011.
The IEA's executive director, Maria van der Hoeven, said that such "a sustained period of high oil prices is without parallel." But the agency predicted oil will go even higher, reaching $128 a barrel by 2035.
The IEA said that while the price of oil is "relatively uniform" worldwide, natural gas prices vary widely. With huge gas production in the U.S., the IEA said American consumers and businesses pay sharply lower prices than in Europe and Japan, where much of the fuel must be imported.
China, Russia, Saudi Arabia Win Seats on UN Human Rights Council
China, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Cuba have won seats on the United Nations Human Rights Council.
The U.N. General Assembly voted Tuesday on 14 new members of the 47-seat council. The vote has upset rights groups that have spoken out against controversial candidates.
Also elected to three-year terms are Algeria, Britain, France, the Maldives, Macedonia, Mexico, Morocco, Namibia, South Africa, and Vietnam.
New York-based Human Rights Watch said candidates such as as China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, and Algeria have poor rights records at home that prevent them from being useful members of the council.
The Geneva-based U.N. Watch, which operates as a watchdog on U.N. activities overall, says allowing such nations to participate on the Human Rights Council amounts to "making a pyromaniac into chief of the fire department." It also included Cuba among the candidates to which it objects.
One of the most common complaints against these candidates is that they clamp down on political dissent. Other complaints stem from laws on organized labor, objectionable practices by security forces, and maintenance of a monopoly on power by a single political group.
Members of the Human Rights Council are elected by region. Candidates in some cases are running unopposed.
The United States is currently on the Human Rights Council. Its seat expires in 2015.
UN Approves More Troops for AU Force in Somalia
The United Nations Security Council has authorized more than 4,000 new troops for the African Union force battling militants in Somalia. This will bring the force's strength to slightly more than 22,000.
The Council also authorized the U.N. to supply Somalia's national army with food, water, fuel and other assets when it conducts joint operations with the AU force, known as AMISOM.
Britain sponsored the resolution authorizing these latest moves. London's ambassador to the U.N., Mark Lyall Grant, said AMISOM has played a huge role in weakening Somali militant group al-Shabab.
"But as recent attacks show, al-Shabab continue to pose a threat not just to Somalia but to the wider region, and now is the right time for the Security Council to act," said Grant.
Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack on a Kenyan mall in September that killed more than 60 people.
Grant said the extra troop strength will give AMISOM the ability to "regain the momentum against al-Shabab" and give greater protection to Somali civilians. He added that for long-term stability in Somalia, Somalis must take greater control of their own security.
Over the last two years AMISOM, Ethiopian and Somali government forces drove al-Shabab out of Mogadishu and other major cities.
The militant group still carries out periodic suicide attacks, and a new government formed last year remains fragile, as evidenced by reports this week that the president has asked the prime minister to resign.
Police Provides Crime Prevention Tips
The Royal Turks & Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) would like to remind the Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI) public to remain vigilant, alert and help us (RTCIPF) prevent and reduce crime in our community. Many crimes in the TCI are crimes of opportunity, and criminals often hit the easiest target. An example of a crime of opportunity is a Burglary of a Motor vehicle. A majority of these types of crimes reported indicate that the target vehicle was left unsecure.
And often times, valuable items are left inside the vehicle in plain view. The following tips are being provided as a public service, in our attempt to help the TCI public help us reduce crime in the TCI:
• Always make sure that all vehicle windows are closed tightly, and all doors and hatches are locked / secured. Activate the alarm system if available.
• Make sure that you have your vehicle / residence keys on your person or in a secure location (do not leave keys inside the vehicle)
• During the night-time hours, attempt to park the your vehicle in well-lighted areas
• Do not leave valuables in plain sight inside the vehicle.
Many people in the Providenciales area often leave passports, ID’s, and other personal identifiers inside their vehicle’s glove compartment for convenience. This is not a good idea. The thieves know this and target vehicles accordingly. Keep all identifying information on your person or in a secure location. Criminals will often look for unsecured vehicles to burglarize or steal and tend to hit easy marks or targets of opportunity.
In conclusion, RTCIPF encourages the TCI public to join us in our efforts to reduce crime and hold those responsible for crimes accountable. Anyone witnessing suspicious behavior should notify 911. The caller should provide as much detailed information as possible (description of suspects and vehicle, specific behavior, direction of travel, etc.) Persons can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1-800-8477. Tips can also be submitted anonymously on either www.crimestoppers.tc or on Facebook as a fan of Crime Stoppers TCI. All tips are received in the USA. Please visit our web site at www.tcipolice.tc or www.facebook.com/RTCIPF for more information.
Woman's body found near shallow grave of T&T man
The police have found a body in an area where the remains of a Trinidadian man, reported missing three weeks ago, was found.
The police say are awaiting confirmation as to whether or not the body found is that of his female companion.
They said the woman was in the company of Keron Fraser, whose body was found in a shallow grave behind a housing scheme in Spanish Town on Sunday.
Fraser disappeared on October 18, two days after he arrived in the island.
He rented a vehicle soon after he arrived and headed towards an undisclosed location in the central parish of Clarendon.
The police said they would continue to question two men, whom they detained after they intercepted the rented vehicle a few days after Fraser’s disappearance.
Bloodstains were also found in the vehicle.
Novak Djokovic beats Rafael Nadal to win World Tour Finals
Novak Djokovic retained his ATP World Tour Finals title with a convincing win over world number one Rafael Nadal.
The Serb, who lost the top ranking to Nadal last month, won 6-3 6-4 at the O2 Arena in London.
Djokovic, 26, extended his unbeaten run to 22 matches as he claimed the season-ending title for the third time.
He will now head to Belgrade, where Serbia take on the Czech Republic in the Davis Cup final from Friday.
Nadal might have earned the year-end number one ranking after his remarkable return from injury in February, but Djokovic denied him a first ATP Finals title and laid down a marker for battles to come in 2014.
"It's the highest quality of tennis that you have next to Grand Slams, because every match that you play, you play against a top 10 player every second day," said Djokovic. "Especially this year, with back to back Paris Bercy tournament and London, wasn't easy for sure.
"I am very proud of the way that I managed to recover and perform better and better as the tournament went on.
"I had the tough three setters against all of the opponents in my group, and then I managed to raise the level of tennis in the semi-finals and finals when it mattered the most."
Nadal paid tribute to the crowd for the vibrant atmosphere they created.
PepsiCo makes big investment in India
PepsiCo, the US food and drinks giant behind the Pepsi-Cola, Walkers Crisps and Tropicana brands, is to invest $5.5bn (£3.4bn) in India by 2020.
The company said it planned to expand the range of products it sells in the country, and increase its manufacturing and distribution capability.
India is one of PepsiCo's largest global markets.
Chief executive Indra Nooyi said: "India is a country with huge potential."
PepsiCo, which has net revenues of more than $65bn, said there would be "a particular focus on rural expansion", with investment in selling and delivery infrastructure and an expansion of its collaborative farming programme.
The company, which also owns the Quaker and Frito-Lay brands, estimates that the investment will create more than 100,000 jobs, to add to the 200,000 it says it has already helped create since first investing in the country in 1990.
Its Indian business currently generates about $159m in annual sales for the group.
"We've built a highly successful business in India over the course of many years and we believe we've only scratched the surface of the long-term growth opportunities that exist for PepsiCo and our partners," said the Indian-born Ms Nooyi.
The government has been trying to encourage foreign direct investment by opening up the country to competition, in the teeth of sometimes fierce public opposition.
Marks and Spencer opened its largest Indian store in Mumbai on Monday, while Unilever has said it will increase its stake in Hindustan Unilever from 52% to as much as 75%.
India's annual economic growth rate has slowed to about 5%, its lowest rate for 10 years.
Congo, M23 Fail to Sign Peace Deal
A Ugandan official says the Democratic Republic of Congo has called off the signing of a peace deal with rebel group M23.
The Congolese government and the rebels were scheduled to sign a document in the Ugandan town of Entebbe Monday. But Ugandan government spokesman Ofwono Opondo said in a Twitter message that the DRC delegation had, in his words, "aborted the signing."
Envoys from the United Nations, African Union, Europe and the United States expressed regret that an agreement was not signed Monday. In a statement, the envoys said the two sides have not expressed any differences on substantive points within the draft document.
M23 said last week that it was laying down its arms, after the Congolese army seized the last of the group's strongholds in Congo's North Kivu province.
The group consists of fighters who joined the Congolese army in a 2009 peace deal but later defected after complaining of poor treatment.
Last week, officials said the sides were set to sign a peace deal that would lay out the process for demobilizing rebel fighters, with some likely to be re-integrated into the Congolese army.
M23 earlier had asked for amnesty for its leaders, while the Congolese government said it wants the leaders be returned to the DRC to stand trial. The issue was expected to be a serious stumbling block to a peace agreement. However it is not clear whether it contributed to Monday's delay.
Eastern Congo has been ravaged by years of fighting between the government and various rebel groups, who compete for control of the area's rich mines.
The Congolese army recently got the backing of a 3,000-soldier U.N. "intervention brigade," authorized to undertake offensive operations against the rebels.
Congo has accused neighboring Rwanda and Uganda of supporting M23, an allegation both countries deny.
Adele 'turns down' £12 million contract 'to replace Cheryl Cole' as the face of L'Oreal
She was on the verge of ousting Cheryl Cole as the face of L’Oreal, but Adele has reportedly stunned the French cosmetics brand by walking away from a lucrative deal worth £12 million.
The 25-year-old Oscar-winner was said to be embroiled in negotiations regarding a potential contract that would’ve seen her join a L’Oreal celebrity stable that already includes Penelope Cruz, Eva Longoria and Jennifer Lopez.
But despite lengthy negotiations Adele reportedly turned her back on the offer, leaving the brand completely in the dark about her reason for backing out.
‘L’Oreal was in negotiations for the deal with Adele and it looked to be happening – but she just changed her mind on it,’ a source told the People. ‘L’Oreal is gobsmacked that she turned down such a huge amount.’
Agreeing a deal would have resulted in Adele replacing current ambassador Cheryl Cole, who signed her own lucrative contract with the brand in 2009.
The offer comes after recent claims that the brand were keen to offload the former Girls Aloud star, whose deal is worth a reported £500,000 a year.
Her appointment saw an improvement in sales but Cheryl was swiftly moved to the skincare range because she kept dying her hair.
The company are also said to be unimpressed with the enormous rose tattoo she had etched across her buttocks and lower back earlier this year.
Adele, whose personal fortune exceeds £35 million, was said to be in talks with L’Oreal as early as March, with sources at the time admitting they were hopeful about obtaining her signature.
‘It’s going to take a lot of persuasion to get her to agree but right now it looks like she’s close to landing a deal,’ they said.
The singer has previously revealed her disdain with celebrities who ‘sell out’ by putting their names to a string of products for the sake of easy money.
‘I don’t want my name anywhere near another brand,’ she once said. ‘I don’t wanna be tainted or haunted. I think it’s shameful when you sell out.’
News of Adele's turnabout comes at the end of a successful year for the singer.
In February she won an Academy Award for James Bond theme Skyfall, while the MBE was also awarded to her this year for services to music.
UEFA generates 1 billion euros from UK TV rights
European football's governing body has generated more than 1 billion euros from a new British TV rights deal for the Champions League and Europa League.
The BT Group, which only launched its sports television channels in August, has bought the exclusive British rights from UEFA for three seasons from 2015-16 to show 350 matches.
BT is paying 1.076 billion euros ($1.44 billion) in total to UEFA — more than double the value of the existing three-year UK deal with satellite broadcaster British Sky Broadcasting and terrestrial network ITV.
BSkyB says "it seems BT chose to pay far in excess of our valuation".