An Australian government inquiry is
to investigate labour exploitation following revelations of widespread
abuse of foreign workers.Sunday 10 May 2015
Thursday 7 May 2015
How to Put an Audio Clip on Blogger by BRIEN
You have the option to enhance your Blogger site with all kinds of content, including audio clips. With audio, your visitor can hear the sounds that help support the content of your page. If you're a musician, for instance, you can publish your latest song. Blogger gives you access to the "HTML/JavaScript" gadget, which makes it convenient to add the code that publishes your media. After you upload your file to a free Internet host, use the "Layout" page on Blogger to put the audio clip where you want it.
Uploading the Audio Clip
Step 1
Point your browser to a free online file host such as File Dropper, WikiUpload or zShare (links in Resources).
Step 2
Click the "Choose File" or "Browse" button, and select your audio file from the dialog window that opens. Click the "Upload Now," "Start Upload" or "Upload Images" button to perform the upload.
Related Reading: How to Clip Audio to Facebook Profiles
Step 3
Copy the code that appears in the Link or URL text field.
Publishing to Blogger
Step 1
Log in to your Blogger account, and click the name of your blog to access your site's "Overview" page. Click the "Layout" link to bring up the page where you can insert gadgets.
Step 2
Click the "Add a Gadget" link in the area where you want the audio file to display. This action opens the "Add a Gadget" dialog window.
Step 3
Click the "HTML/JavaScript" link and paste the audio file link in the Content box. You can also enter an optional heading in the Title field. Click the "Save" button to publish your work, and then click the "View Blog" button to see the audio clip on your page.
Tip
- After your audio file is published, it typically appears as a link that prompts visitors to click it.
Warnings
- Be sure to read the file host's "About" or "Terms of Use" page to ensure you don't upload anything that is prohibited by the site. Additionally, make sure you understand how the free hosting works. For example, File Dropper will stop hosting files if they aren't downloaded within 30 consecutive days.
- Never upload any files to your site that you do not personally own or have permission to use to avoid copyright infringement.
About the Author
Brandy Alexander has been writing professionally since 2001. She is a glass artist with a Web design and technical writing background. Alexander runs her own art-glass business and has been a contributor to "Glass Line Magazine" as well as various online publications.
Monday 4 May 2015
Victoria to investigate foreign worker exploitation in Australia
An Australian government inquiry is
to investigate labour exploitation following revelations of widespread
abuse of foreign workers.Victoria will also push for a national inquiry into what it has described as "a national shame".
Claims Australia has an underclass of foreign workers treated like "slave labour" were made by ABC TV on Monday.
The report by ABC's Four Corners programme detailed widespread abuses of Australia's 417 visa.
The visa is for people aged 18 to 30 years of age who want a working holiday of up to 12 months in Australia.
The investigation uncovered abuses of the popular visa, including what were described as "slave-like conditions" at farms and factories across Australia.
"No employee should ever be exploited, harassed or deprived of their basic liberties", said Victoria's Minister for Industrial Relations Natalie Hutchins.
"This is not just about the underpayment of wages; this is about creating an underclass of foreign workers," said Ms Hutchins in a statement.
Foreign underclass
"It's clear that Victoria needs a better system in place when it comes to regulating labour hire practices," she said.The food being picked and processed by exploited workers was reportedly sold to consumers across the country by major supermarket chains and fast food outlets.
Queensland MP Keith Pitt last month called for an uncover investigation of exploitation of foreign workers in the horticultural sector.
He said many farmers were at risk of prosecution because they were using labour hire companies that underpaid backpacker workers.
Migrant workers are essential to Australia's agriculture sector, according to the National Farmers' Federation (NFF).
"Without them, there would be a chronic labour shortage at peak harvest times of the year," said NFF President Brent Finlay.
But he said all farmers had a responsibility to adopt employment practices and use labour contractors that did not exploit workers.
"And it's not just farmers, this is a whole of supply chain issue," he said.
Texas Prophet cartoon attack: Gunman was previous terror suspect
One of two gunmen shot dead at an
event in Texas exhibiting cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad had been a
terror suspect, court documents show.He had shared a flat in Arizona with the person named by authorities as the other gunman, Nadir Soofi.
Both were shot after opening fire at a conference centre near Dallas.
Simpson's family has said that there was no sign he was planning to carry out such an attack.
"We are sure many people in this country are curious to know if we had any idea of Elton's plans. To that we say, without question, we did not," said a statement issued through lawyers in Phoenix.
The statement, made on behalf on unnamed family members, said his relatives were "heartbroken and in a state of deep shock".
Fine and probation
On Monday FBI agents searched Simpson and Soofi's home in Phoenix and a white van parked outside.According to Arizona court documents published in the US media, Simpson was charged in 2010 with lying to FBI agents about planning to go to Somalia to engage in violent jihad, or holy war.
A judge found him guilty of making a false statement and he was sentenced to three years probation and a $600 (£400) fine.
The judge ruled there was insufficient evidence that the false statement involved international terrorism.
The court document also showed that Simpson had been under investigation since 2006 because of his association with an individual the FBI believed was trying to set up a terrorist cell in Arizona.
Simpson had told an informant in 2009 that it was "time to go to Somalia", adding: "We gonna make it to the battlefield."
He later said he was planning to travel to South Africa and then on to Somalia.
The incident on Sunday unfolded when a car drove into the car park of the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, a city near Dallas, where a Muhammad Art Exhibit organised by the controversial American Freedom Defense Initiative (AFDI) was being held.
The conference included a contest that offered a $10,000 (£6,600) prize for a cartoon of the Prophet Muhammad. Depictions of the Prophet Muhammad are offensive to many Muslims.
PAMELA GELLER BIGOTED BLOGGER
The two men in the car opened fire with assault rifles on two security officers, Garland police said.
One of the officers, a traffic policeman, returned fire and killed both gunmen, police spokesman Joe Harn said.
The security officer who with him was shot in the lower leg. He was treated in hospital and released.
A bomb squad searched the suspects' vehicle and set off several controlled explosions. They found additional ammunition but no bombs, Mr Harn said.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott called the attack a "heinous crime" and said he was being briefed by state authorities.
The AFDI is run by controversial blogger and activist Pamela Geller who said she was standing up for free speech, adding: "This terrible incident reflects the need for such conferences."
One of the keynote speakers at Sunday's event was the Dutch politician Geert Wilders, an outspoken critic of Islam in Western societies.
There were widespread protests in 2006 when the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten published cartoons satirising the Prophet Muhammad.
In January this year, 12 people were murdered by two Islamist gunmen at the French magazine Charlie Hebdo, which had published similar cartoons.
And a gathering of free speech activists in the Danish capital Copenhagen was targeted by a gunman in February, killing a film director
arsenal on top of their game
Arsenal could challenge for the Premier League title if they sign a "world-class" goalkeeper, says Phil Neville.
The Gunners moved level with second-placed Manchester City, and have a game in hand, after beating Hull City 3-1.
Asked what Arsenal need to win the league next year, ex-Everton captain Neville said: "I look at David de Gea and he has won five or six games for Manchester United with important saves.
"If Arsenal get a keeper in, they can be a championship-winning team."
Colombia international David Ospina, 26, is Arsenal's current number one goalkeeper after signing from Nice for £3m last summer.
He replaced Poland's Wojciech Szczesny as first choice at the turn of the year.
'Best Arsenal performance in years'
Arsenal swept aside Hull with a dominant first-half performance at the KC Stadium on Monday night, with Alexis Sanchez scoring twice and Aaron Ramsey also on the scoresheet.
Neville, who was working as a summariser for BBC Radio 5 live, said: "That was the best 45 minutes I've seen Arsenal play since the days of Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit (1997-2000).
"It was a 'wow' performance. They popped the ball about, they had runners in behind, the work-rate, the togetherness, the vision... I just thought it was magnificent. I think this is a different Arsenal team. We've seen them play beautiful football before, but that was a winning-big-trophies type of football.
'Marvel at Wenger's team'
"I hear Arsenal fans all the time saying they want to change the manager and bring in somebody like (outgoing Borussia Dortmund boss) Jurgen Klopp but you just have to marvel at the way Arsenal play," added Neville.
"I've watched Arsenal for a number of years and have been frustrated at times but what I saw in the first half at Hull was a team that actually played winning football. They defended deep and with discipline and attacked with such speed and quality.
"I think it's vital Arsenal finish second. Even though it probably means nothing and it's not a position you should be proud of, for the first time they are showing signs of progression.
"Of all the sides in the top four, apart from Chelsea, I think they are the best equipped to challenge next year.
Chelsea's Ramires needs a few weeks to get over kidney problem
Chelsea's Ramires needs a few weeks to get over kidney problem
Ramires has said will return to full health in "a few weeks' time" after a kidney problem forced him to miss Chelsea's title-clinching win.
The Brazilian midfielder, 28, was named in the XI for Sunday's 1-0 win over Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge but fell ill before kick-off.
He was taken to hospital for treatment.
Ramires said on Instagram: "I was very sick yesterday minutes before the match because of a renal complication. But I'm well and home with my family."
He added: "Thank God it was nothing serious and I will be fully recovered in a few weeks. I would like to thank the Chelsea's medical team for the exceptional job.
"I was sad not to be part of the party on the pitch but very pleased with the title."
Newcastle boss John Carver will keep his job for the final three games as the club fights to avoid relegation.
Newcastle boss John Carver will keep his job for the final three games as the club fights to avoid relegation.
Carver, 50, accused defender Mike Williamson of deliberately getting sent off against Leicester on Saturday.
Captain Fabricio Coloccini and keeper Tim Krul were reportedly involved in a lively row on the coach after the game, according to the Daily Telegraph.
"John, his staff and players are focused on the three fixtures that remain this season," the club said.
The club statement added: "There have been two days of frank dialogue with John Carver and senior players.
"All parties accept responsibility for the current situation but are determined, together, to ensure this club retains its Premier League status."
The Magpies - who host West Brom on Saturday - are 15th in the Premier League table, just two points above the relegation places. They also face QPR away on 16 May and West Ham at home on 24 May.
They were in the top half of the Premier League when manager Alan Pardew left for Crystal Palace at the turn of the year.
Carver was placed in charge until the end of the season but has lost 12 of his 17 games in charge in all competitions.
That poor form has caused widespread anger among the St James' Park faithful, with Carver compelled to ask the club for protection from his own fans - and then inviting two supporters around for a "cup of tea" after an incendiary exchange during the team's loss to Swansea last monthhelp am in a one day relationship
By Julie Coker
Dear Julie,
I met this guy over a year ago and we have been in a monogamous and committed relationship. It is a very one-day-at-a-time kind of relationship and we never talk about our future together. We are very compatible spiritually which was the key reason for the development of the relationship. We did not have sex for the first five months of the relationship which has turned out to be one of the best things that has happened in a relationship for me. We built intimacy based on who we are together and getting to know who we are.
My question is: I want to talk about future stuff how do I do that or should I even do that? I have subtly let him know what I want but it has never turned into a discussion about it… so I am wondering if you can help me through this dilemma? Do I bring up the subject or not? I want to live together eventually… does he? Thank you.
Vicky, Abuja
Dear Vicky,
It seems you are ahead of your partner and ready for something he is not. You have two choices – do nothing and wait for him to catch up with you or initiate a conversation. There is no way to know which choice is the better one. Listen to your gut on this one. Subtly letting him know what you want is not one of the choices if you want to continue to have a great relationship – it’s really nothing more than manipulation.
If you do decide to initiate a conversation, here is some language that should make it pretty palatable to your guy: “You know, we never talk about our future, and I have been starting to feel like I want to. What do you see/want for us in the future?” Good luck to you
It seems you are ahead of your partner and ready for something he is not. You have two choices – do nothing and wait for him to catch up with you or initiate a conversation. There is no way to know which choice is the better one. Listen to your gut on this one. Subtly letting him know what you want is not one of the choices if you want to continue to have a great relationship – it’s really nothing more than manipulation.
If you do decide to initiate a conversation, here is some language that should make it pretty palatable to your guy: “You know, we never talk about our future, and I have been starting to feel like I want to. What do you see/want for us in the future?” Good luck to you
External reserves can’t pay for more than 3 months of imports
By Omoh Gabriel
The nation’s foreign exchange reserves fell one per cent month-on-month to $29.5 billion by April 28, from $29.8 billion a month earlier, the central bank said weekend. This implies that the reserves at the current rate of importation can support just three months of import.
The reserves were down 22.6 per cent year-on-year when they stood at $38.14 billion. The apex bank, Central Bank of Nigeria has used its foreign exchange reserves to support the local currency in the wake of falling global oil prices.
At the foreign exchange market last week despite dollar auction sales worth $91.2 billion by international oil companies on Monday, the Naira closed flat at N199.10/$1.00 at the inter-bank market. This rate was maintained throughout the week. Similarly, the CBN’s clearing rate steadied at N197.00/$1.00 for the week.
As a follow up to the CBN’s withdrawal limit on overseas card holders to $50,000 (from $150,000) per annum and daily cash withdrawals to $300, the apex bank has further clarified that customers’ cards linked to domiciliary accounts overseas are not affected. Demand for the dollar by travelers may increase locally as a result of this decision, market operators say they expect exchange rate to continue to trade within the current level at the inter-bank segment of the foreign exchange market in the coming week.
However, at the BDC segment of the foreign exchange market, the Naira depreciated by N3.00 or 1.3 per cent to N220.10/$1.00 from N223.10/$1.00
The national economy, pre-general elections was facing huge financial haemorrhage as politicians, corporate bodies and foreign investors moved funds massively out of the country as well as from Naira to dollar. In January 2015, data available at CBN showed that the sum of $2,196,805,444.97 was paid out by the CBN as international remittances on behalf of Nigerians. In February, the sum of $1,273,415,392.55 went out as payments.
In a survey of payments made by the CBN on behalf of the public in 2014, a total of $22.1 billion went out of the country in five weeks, an average of $4.5 billion a week. While about $3.083 billion went out in the week ending 31st July 2014, the amount of foreign exchange flowing out of the country rose to $4.2 billion for the week ending 30th August. It however dropped to $4.1 billion on the 30th of September and moved astronomically to $5.29 billion for the week ending 31st October 2014. The foreign exchange outflow went further up to $5.35billion for the week ending November 30th. This capital flight has resulted in the crash of the naira exchange rate which had remained stable before the election and the crash of the international crude oil price.
CBN defends Naira with $4.7bn
The Central Bank of Nigeria in the bid to raise the value of the local currency has spent $4.7 billion so far this year to defend the naira even as the nation’s external reserve fell further to $29.6 from $29.6 billion at the middle of April 2015. Data published by the CBN on its website show that the external reserve fell by $189 million from $29.778 billion on April 2nd to $29.589 billion on April 9th. Consequently the reserve has fallen by $4.879 billion since December 31st 2014.
Commenting on developments in the nation’s foreign exchange market in the first quarter of the year, Managing Director/Chief Executive, Financial Derivative Company Limited, Mr. Bismarck Rewane had said that the apex bank had so far spent $4.7 billion to defend the naira this year, adding that the nation’s external reserve import and payments cover has fallen to 4.8 months, 1.2 months below the international standard for healthy external reserve.
Rewane also stated then that the 13 per cent appreciation of the naira in the parallel market in the last two weeks to N197 per dollar from N225 was due to election sentiment and elimination of fear premium. He predicted that the appreciation would soon be reverse and the naira would depreciate further because the fundamentals remain unchanged. “At the parallel market, the naira will trade at N215-N220 against the dollar again”, he said”.
Rewane advised the incoming government of the General Mohammudu Buhari to allow the naira find its true value, calling for reduction in interest rate and easing of monetary policy stance.
Nigerian stocks rally as Kenya sinks in 1st divergence since ’13
At the Capital Market Nigerian equities posted the biggest gains in sub-Saharan Africa in April, helped by a reversal of investor flows that’s seen the market benefit at Kenya’s expense for the first time in 16 months. The Nigerian Stock Exchange All Share Index rallied 9.3 per cent in April, the most among 14 gauges on the continent, and the steepest gain since May 2013. The FTSE NSE Kenya 25 Index is down 0.6 per cent in April, its first retreat in six months. It marks the first time since December 2013 that the measure has declined while Nigeria’s index has risen.
Nigerian assets soared after President Goodluck Jonathan conceded defeat to former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari on March 31, soothing fears of a dispute in Nigeria, which has a history of election-related violence. “The clear, peaceful, and seemingly fair conclusion of Nigeria’s presidential, legislative, and state elections has boosted investor sentiment,” John Ashbourne, an Africa economist at Capital Economics Ltd. in London, said. In contrast, confidence toward Kenya soured with the decline in tourism and surging imports that’s pressuring the country’s current account deficit, he said.
The Kenyan shilling weakened 0.2 percent to 94.70 per dollar by 4:49 p.m., the lowest since November 2011 on a closing basis. It dropped 2.5 percent in April, the second straight 30-day loss.
Nigerian Gains
Nigeria’s All-Share Index rose 1.9 percent to 34,708.11 in Lagos, the commercial capital, to erase this year’s losses. In Nairobi, Kenyan equities rose 0.4 percent to 229.81 for a 2015 advance of 6.2 percent.
The Nigerian naira strengthened 0.1 per cent per dollar to 199, paring the loss this month to 0.1 per cent. The naira has been trading around 200 per dollar after the central bank in February extended trading restrictions introduced since mid-September to control the currency’s value. It dropped 21 per cent to a record low of 206.32 between the end of June and Until the election results were announced at the end of last month, Nigerian equities were the world’s worst performers, with investors deterred by uncertainty over the vote and a 40 percent plunge since June in the price of crude oil, which accounts for about two-thirds of government revenue and 90 percent of export earnings. Feb. 12 as oil prices slumped.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/05/external-reserves-cant-pay-for-more-than-3-months-of-imports/#sthash.Zf6dr9El.dpufStudents of Federal University Otuoke evicted
By Emem Idio
YENAGOA-HUNDREDS of returning male students of the Federal University, Otuoke in Ogbia local government area of Bayelsa State were Sunday stranded as they were shut out of their hostels by the landlord over alleged inability of the school and state government to pay twenty -four million Naira for two years rent.
When our correspondent visited on Monday, the 52 bedroom apartments which housed more than half of the school male population was bereft of the normal student activities but the porter and the school Dean of Student Life, Dr. Marcellina Offoha, was seen packing out some of the belongings out of the hostel as the landlord lay in wait to put a lock on the gate.
Speaking with our correspondent, the landlord who brandished a letter from his solicitors, Stream Solicitors, based in Yenagoa, said he was tired of the antics of the state government, who has failed to honour the agreement to pay him annually for the rented apartment.
He said he had made several efforts to get the issue resolved amicably but all his efforts were thwarted by the Bayelsa state government who were the tenant and the school authorities who occupies the apartment.
According to the landlord, “I am evicting the university, they are my tenants, they are owing due to the negligence from the state government, they are owing me for two years, I have given them quit notice and I hope they are quitting.
Fayose: Omirin asks court to drop anti-impeachment suit
By Ikechukwu Nnochiri
ABUJA—-Embattled Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Mr Adewale Omirin, has challenged the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court in Abuja to stop 19 Ekiti State Lawmakers belonging to All Progressives Congress, APC, from impeaching the Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose.
Omirin has therefore asked Justice Evoh Chukwu to hands-off the anti-impeachment suit that was lodged before the court by seven seven members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the Ekiti State House of Assembly.
The plaintiffs in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/3612015, are the seven- Dele Olugbemi Joseph, Ajibola Samuel Oyedele, Israel Olowo, Hon. Alex Ade Ojo, Adeyinka Adeloye, Adunni Modupe Olayinka and Ayoka Fatunmbi.
Hon. Omirin
Aside Omirin, the Inspector General of Police, the Ekiti State House of Assembly itself, and and 20 others also joined as defendants in the suit.
However only Omirin (the 2nd defendant) and the Clerk of the Ekiti State House of Assembly (the 21st defendant) entered appearance before the court over the matter on Monday.
Challenging the competence of the suit vide a preliminary objection, Omirin, through his lawyer Mr. Terence Vembe,insisted that the FHC in Abuja lacks the territorial jurisdiction to adjudicate on an issue that pertains to the desirability or otherwise of Governor Fayose to remain in office as the governor of Ekiti state.
The embattled Speaker further contended that the provisions of section 97 of Sheriffs and Civil Processes Act, which mandates that the plaintiffs ought to have firstly seek the leave of the Court before filing such suit out of jurisdiction.
Addressing the court through his lawyer, Omirin, maintained that neither himself nor his other APC brothers in the Ekiti State House of Assembly are bound to comply with any order from a court that ab-intio has no jurisdiction to entertain the primary case.
It will be recalled that the high court had on April 23, 2015, ordered Omirin and the other 22 defendants in the suit to appear before him, Monday to show cause why the impeachment moves against governor Fayose and his deputy, Mr. Kolapo Olusola, should not be aborted.
Though counsel to the plaintiffs’ Mr. Ahmed Raji (SAN), urged the court to go ahead and issue a restraining order against the APC lawmakers from taking further steps with regards to the moves to impeach Fayose, the court said it would hear and determine Omirin’s preliminary objection first.
Justice Chukwu had earlier directed all the parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum, as at 23 April, 2014, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
Meantime, Fayose and his deputy had on last week Wednesday, withdrawn a similar suit that they lodged against the APC lawmakers, before the lawmakers in the court
Boko Haram: Nigeria to resume oil exploration in Chad Basin
By Michael Eboh
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Monday, said it will resume the exploration of crude oil in the Chad Basin, following the improvement of security in the North-East region of the country.
Group Managing Director, NNPC, Dr. Joseph Dawha, who disclosed this in a statement signed by Mr. Ohi Alegbe, Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, blamed the suspension of exploration in the region on insecurity, stating that it plans to resume activities there in the next couple of days.
Dawha, stated this at the 21st Annual General Meeting of Integrated Data Services Nigeria Limited, IDSL, the subsidiary of the NNPC that is carrying out the seismic data acquisition in the Chad Basin.
He said, “With the remarkably improved security situation in the north eastern part of the country, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation is to resume oil search in the Chad Basin.
“Preliminary indications from the previous exercise so far are encouraging and we are going to move back there.”
He described as unfortunate, the security situation in the northeast that led to the suspension, while he commended the security forces on their recent success in the fight against the insurgents.
On the performance of IDSL, Dawha noted that in spite of the challenge of funding as a result of the fall in crude oil prices, the company’s performance is encouraging as it recorded a 32 per cent growth in its revenue.
Also speaking, Managing Director, IDSL, Mr. Victor Briggs said the company is expanding its operations beyond the shores of Nigeria to neighbouring West African countries and other emerging oil producing countries in Africa.
IDSL, incorporated in 1988, is involved in the provision of seismic data acquisition, processing and interpretation as well as petroleum and reservoir engineering data evaluation, computer and other ancillary services.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/05/boko-haram-nigeria-to-resume-oil-exploration-in-chad-basin/#sthash.TE87vj87.dpufDavido unhappy over Mama Davido restaurant & bar
Nigerian pop star, Davido, is not happy over the use of “Mama Davido Restaurant and Bar” by a fan of his. He took to his social media pages (Instagram and Twitter) to show his displeasure.
The Omobaba Olowo crooner was spotted on Sunday partying with American rappers, 50Cents and Nicki Minaj at Sin City while he won a bet of almost $4m following the victory of Floyd Mayweather over Manny Pacquiao.
Check his and fans comments below
!!! RT 
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