President Vladimir Putin said that Russia and OPEC biggest producer, Saudi Arabia had agreed to renew a pact on oil production cuts, as crude prices slump on global markets.

Following talks at a G20 summit with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Putin said on Saturday the worlds two biggest exporters of crude have agreed to extend our agreement.

There was no immediate word from the Saudis, but financial markets have been expecting the deal to be renewed between the kingdom and non-OPEC member Russia as the cartel prepares to meet next week in Vienna.

Russia has for years been cooperating with the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), helping to engineer a rebound after a 2014 oil price slump.

But since reaching four-year highs in October, oil prices have plunged around 30 percent as worries about falling demand in a slowing world economy have taken their toll.

We are going to work together with Saudi Arabia, Putin said in Buenos Aires, ahead of the Vienna talks.

We are going to survey together the market situation with Saudi Arabia and respond to it operationally, he said.

On Thursday, the price of New York crude ducked below $50 per barrel for the first time in almost 14 months.

The contract closed the week Friday down 52 cents at $50.93 per barrel.

Source: NAN

The National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, has given old politicians up to 2023 to retire from politics and give room for younger ones.

The Council urged the old politicians to rather give room to their children and grandchildren to participate in elections.

The Deputy President of NYCN, Amb. Innocent Nduanya, gave the advice in an interview which held at the ongoing National Youth and Merit award summit in Abuja.

Nduanya noted that money politics was the major challenge facing the nation and the menace had prevented the youths who make up to 80 per cent of the population from active politics.

He added that the high cost of nomination forms, campaigns and most recently, the problem of vote buying have further compound the problems of the youths.

Nduanya said that NYCN under the leadership of their President Bello Shagari has set up machineries capable of changing the current trend and narratives in the country.

NYCN has embark on a campaign to sensitise and encouraging the youths to consider themselves as critical stakeholders in governance of the country and they should therefore contest all elective positions.

The council would provide the necessary support and logistics to the electorate in favour of any youth aspirant; we cannot afford to be left out from the global trend where youths are taking over leadership positions in their respective countries.

If the major political parties continue to gang up and deny qualified youths from contesting on their platforms by way of imposing exorbitant nomination fee, then NYCN may register a political party to provide an alternative platform for the teeming youths to achieve their ambition, Nduanya said.

Source: NAN

Britains heavyweight boxing fighter Tyson Fury endured two brutal knockdowns by WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder to earn a controversial draw with his American opponent.

In one of the most thrilling heavyweight contests for years, the Briton was floored in the ninth round and brutally dropped in the 12th, somehow regaining his feet to survive for two minutes, the BBC reported.

Fury had shown plenty of the evasive, counter-punching skill set which made his name before his 30-month spell away from the sport and he enjoyed joy during the middle rounds at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles.

But in the 12th he lay motionless after a savage combination, barely making the count to see out the contest.

Wilder thought he had won, after 36 minutes of a thrilling boxing action. But the judges shocked him by their decisions.

In assessments that drew derisions on Twitter, Judge Alejandro Rochin of the United States scored the fight 115-111 in favor of Wilder, judge Robert Tapper of Canada scored it 114-112 in favor of Fury and judge Phil Edward of England scored it a 113-113 draw.

This decision is a joke, Alejandro Rochin better never work another day in his life again in boxing, Showtime boxing analyst Paulie Malignaggi said after the bout.

I cant tell you why the result is way it is. I dont even know what to tell you, Rochin added.

Both Wilder and Fury spoke of a rematch after the encounter, meaning Anthony Joshua will have to wait.

Source: NAN

The U.S. military said it killed nine militants in an air strike targeting al Shabaab in Lebede, Somalia, as part of its operations to support the governments efforts to weaken the militant group.

The militarys Africa Command (Africom) said the strike was carried out on Friday. We currently assess this airstrike killed nine militants with no civilians involved, Africom said in a statement late on Saturday.

The United States carries out periodic air strikes in Somalia in support of a U.N.-backed government there, which has been fighting against an al-Shabaab insurgency for years.

Source: NAN

The match between the Argentine arch-rivals has been moved to Real Madrids Santiago Bernabeu stadium after it was twice postponed last weekend after River Plate fans attacked the Boca Juniors team bus.

The game is due to be played in the Spanish capital on December 9, but River Plate said they confirmed their rejection of the change of location.

In a statement on the clubs website, River said it was incomprehensible that the game had been moved to Spain.

River said the club bore no responsibility for the faults in the security operation for the high profile fixture in Buenos Aires.

It is incomprehensible that the superclasico cannot take place as normal in the same country where a G20 summit is currently taking place, the club added.

World leaders, including US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, are attending the G20 summit in the Argentine capital this weekend.

The club believes this decision demeans the competition, prejudices those who have bought tickets and makes it unfair, River continued.

Several hours before River put out their statement, Boca Juniors said they were going to appeal against the decision to move the match to Madrid to the South American football federation CONMEBOL, and eventually to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Several Boca Juniors players including Pablo Perez needed hospital treatment for injuries caused by shards of glass and others complained about the effects of inhaling teargas in the attack last Saturday.

Boca then refused to play the match and it was postponed 24 hours, only to then be called off indefinitely the next day.

Boca petitioned CONMEBOL to be awarded the trophy, but that was rejected on Thursday.

CONMEBOL, which is headquartered in Paraguay, decided Argentina was in no state to host such an important match and ordered it played elsewhere, with Real president Florentino Perez jumping on the opportunity and offering use of the Bernabeu for free.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said Saturday that idiots ruined the party for everyone at the Copa Libertadores.

I was here last Saturday, Infantino said at a press conference at the G20 summit.

It was a sad moment for everyone. It is a football match. It is not a war, not even a battle.

We have to work to find out who are the people to blame. You have to identify them and get them out (of football), said Infantino.

I hope this does not happen any longer, he said. This story must mark the end of one chapter and the start of a new one.

The FIFA boss believes it is up to CONMEBOL to decide the fate of the final.

They must take a decision, they know all the factors, he said, adding: It has to be played, nothing should stop football.

On social media, the Libertadores, the most prestigious club tournament in South America, has been rechristened the Copa Conquistadores.

But, Infantino insisted that Argentina does not have to feel ashamed over the final being moved to Madrid.

Argentina has to feel energised to change this, to use it for positive change, he said.

Infantino then told AFP the Madrid game would be a festival of South-American football.

Im sad, CONMEBOL had the most difficult job. They suggested Madrid, its an exceptional situation,in exceptional circumstances.

No matter what the decision, ideal or not, any would have its critics. We have to make an effort this game is played in a good atmosphere.

In a sign that despite River and Bocas protests the game will go ahead, several Argentine journalists have posted on Twitter details of where the two teams will train in Madrid next week in the run up to the contentious fixture.

Source: NAN

The All Progressives Congress(APC)has described as sheer scaremongering the latest campaign by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, calling for the resignation of both INEC and police bosses.

The APC in a statement by its publicity secretary Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu said the PDP suspicions about the two officials are bsseless.

We are amused by the latest utterances of the Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus calling on both the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Yakubu Mahmoud and the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Idris Ibrahim to resign on account of the PDPs baseless suspicions ahead of the 2019 General Elections.

It is a pity that the once boisterous PDP, having undermined the country for 16 years through mindless undemocratic actions, has now become a caricature of a political party.

This latest outburst is yet another reminder of how the PDP government serially abused state institutions in the pursuit of selfish political and economic interests. PDP is now being haunted by its sordid past and the ruinous party is now scampering from its own shadow.

It is sad that the PDP hounds have continued to take Nigerians for granted, thinking by embarking on scaremongering, the voters could forget their wanton crimes.

Nigerians are not gullible, it is now apparent that the PDP in a bid to hide their inadequacies and undesirability as elections approaches has chosen to populate the public space with unfounded allegations.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) continues to stand for and would defend a participatory democracy where elections are transparent, credible, free and fair. We also call on relevant agencies to monitor the PDP as its recent utterances are a red flag. We must prevent a reoccurrence of the PDPs typical undemocratic practices during elections. Never again will a selfish few distort the wishes of the electorate.

Source: NAN

The Federal Government has ordered Vice Chancellors to enforce no-work-no-pay rule where lecturers belonging to Academic Staff Union of Universities, are on strike.

According to The Nation, the directive was said to have been communicated to the universities in a memo sent by the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) through the vice chancellors.

The memo was signed by Director Research Information and Technology of NUC, Dr S.B Ramon-Yusuf.

It said that payment of salaries from any other sources will be viewed as a violation of extant rules and government directive.

In view of the current Industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the federal government has directed that there shall be no payment of any form of salaries and allowances to the staff on strike in federal and inter-varsity centres.

Consequently, I am to direct Vice-Chancellors to apply the No-work-no-pay rule.

However, universities and inter-varsity centres are to pay salaries and allowances to non-teaching staff. All Vice Chancellors and Directors of centres should note that the salaries to staff on strike from whatever source of funds shall be viewed as violation of extant rules and directive of the federal government of Nigeria.

The Chairman University of Ibadan Chapter of ASUU, Dr Deji Omole, described the FG as shameless for owing lecturers seven years of unpaid earned academic allowances and still want them to continue to work for free while the Presidency and the National Assembly feed fat on the wealth of the nation.

He said it is sad that a government that prides itself as having integrity has shamefully shown it lacks integrity by failing to honour agreements reached with the union but resulted to harassment and intimidation of our members on a patriotic struggle to save public education in Nigeria.

Omole said the directive will add fuel to the struggle as academic staff have resolved to get proper education for the children of the masses.

According to Omole, the military government tried unsuccessfully to intimidate the collective will of Nigerian masses, adding that members of the union have resolved to fight for the future of the country.

He said: We have passed this road before. It is a familiar terrain which we can navigate with our eyes closed.

We shall triumph any attempt to destroy the common patrimony. The power of the people is stronger than the people in power.

Source: NAN

Egypt has requested for ten Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopters from the United States at an estimated cost of $1 billion.

According to The possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) was approved by the US State Department on 27 November, with the Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) delivering the required certification notifying Congress of the possible sale.

In addition to the ten Apaches, Egypt has requested to buy 24 1700-GE-701D engines, 12 Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sights/Pilot Night Vision Sensors (M-TADS/PNVS), 24 Honeywell Embedded Global Positioning Systems (GPS) with Inertial Navigation System (INS) (EGI) (20 installed, 4 spares), 24 M299 Hellfire missile launchers, 135 Hellfire missiles, five M36E9 Captive Air Training Missile (CATM) AGM-114R, and 12 AAR-57 (V) Common Missile Warning Systems (CMWS).

Also included are M230 30mm Automatic Guns, AVR-2 B Laser Detecting Sets, AN/ARC 201E Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio Systems (SINCGARS), AN/APR- 39D Radar Warning Receivers, AN/AVS-6 Night Vision Goggles, and AN/ASN Doppler Radar Systems. Also included in the request are communication and electronic equipment, training, spares and documents.

Egypt intends to expand its existing fleet of multi-mission heavy attack helicopters to address US-Egyptian interest in countering terrorist activities emanating from the Sinai Peninsula that undermine regional stability. This sale will contribute to Egypts military goal to update its capability while further enhancing greater interoperability between Egypt, the US, and other allies, the DSCA said.

The DSCA added that the Apache notice is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.

Egypt is a big user of the Apache, with 46 AH-64Ds in service. The new helicopters will join the Egyptian Air Forces Kamov Ka-52s, of which Egypt has 46 on order. So far, around 34 Ka-52s have been delivered. Egypt has been keen to diversify its procurement sources since the 2013-2014 temporary freeze in weapons deliveries from the United States following a military coup.

Source: NAN

The Atiku Abubakar campaign may soon be rent in confusion with Babel of voices speaking for it.

Atikus party, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) now has eight persons as spokespersons, according to the national publicity secretary Kola Ologbondiyan, who is one of them.

Others are Buba Galadima, Akin Osuntokun, Osita Chidoka, Nnenna Ukeje, Segun Sowunmi, Kazeem Afegbua and Umar Sanni.

Dino Melaye, who had hurriedly advertised himself as the sole voice of the campaign, was named the eighth spokesperson.

According to a PUNCH report, the eight names were arrived at after a heated argument among the members of the council, a majority of whom were said to have what a source called vested interests.

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Source: NAN

President Muhammadu Buhari has extended hands of fellowship to those seeking to divide the country through religion, insisting that Christians and Muslims can flourish together.

He warned against the playing politics with religion.

As our constitution codifies, politicising religion has no place in Nigeria; for it makes us turn away from one another; it makes us retreat into our communities and walk different paths.

I believe that there is a better way. To those who seek to divide, I still hold my hand out in brotherhood and forgiveness.

I ask only that they stop, and instead encourage us to turn towards one another in love and compassion. Nigeria belongs to all of us. This is what I believe.

Buhari stated this in an opinion article which featured on Friday on Church Times, UKs largest Anglican newspaper.

According to his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, President Buhari, in the article, referenced a Biblical verse and stressed that Christians and Muslims share the same root even though their beliefs differ.

In 1844, the Revd Samuel Ajayi Crowther returned home to Yoruba land (now part of modern-day Nigeria).

Twenty years earlier, he had been kidnapped and sold to European slave traders who were bound for the Americas.

He was freed by an abolitionist naval patrol, and received by the Church Missionary Society. There, he found his calling.

Crowther made his voyage home to establish the first Anglican mission in Yoruba land. He came with the first Bibles translated into Yoruba and Hausa languages.

He opened dialogue and discussion with those of other faiths. And his mission was a success: Crowther later became the first African Anglican bishop in Africa.

Today, Nigeria has the largest Christian population on the continent. The messages and teachings of Christianity are part of the fabric of each persons life.

Along with the millions of Christians in Nigeria today, I believe in peace, tolerance, and reconciliation; in the institution of the family, the sanctity of marriage, and the honour of fidelity; in hope, compassion, and divine revelation, President Buhari wrote.

Like Bishop Crowther, I am a descendant of Abraham; unlike him, I am a Muslim. I believe our two great religions can not only peacefully coexist but also flourish together. But Muslims and Christians must first turn to one another in compassion. For, as it says in Amos 3.3: Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet?

As they are People of the Book, I believe that there is far more that unites Muslims and Christians than divides them. In fact, I believe that the messages of the Bible are universal: available for anyone to exercise, and instructive to all.

We must resist the temptation to retreat into our communities, because, if we do, we can only look inwards. It is only when we mix that we can reach new and greater possibilities.

Whichever religion or religious denomination they choose to follow, Nigerians are devout. Anything that Nigerians believe will place impositions on their practice, and belief is therefore sure to cause widespread alarm.

And, unfortunately, there are those who seek to divide Nigerians and our two great religions and to do so for their own advantage.

I stand accused paradoxically of trying to Islamise Nigeria while also being accused by Boko Haram terrorists of being against Islam.

My Vice-President is a devout man, a Christian pastor. He, too, is accused of selling out his religion, because of his support for me.

This is not the first time that I nor, indeed, my Christian-Muslim evenly split cabinet have been the subject of such nonsense. Fortunately, the facts speak differently from the words of those who seek to divide us from one another.

Since my administration has been in power, Boko Haram has been significantly and fatally degraded; I have befriended church leaders and church groups both within and outside our country; my Vice-President has addressed and opened dialogue with Muslims up and down our land.

In all things, we seek that which all well-meaning Christians and well-meaning Muslims must seek: to unite, respect, and never to divide. Does it not say

There is no compulsion in religion (Quran 2.256)? Does it not say Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us (Luke 9.50)? This, surely, is the path that followers of both our two great religions must walk.

UNFORTUNATELY, those who wish us all to walk apart have recently found another focus for their efforts: the tragic clashes between nomadic herdsmen and settled farmers in the central regions of Nigeria.

For generations, herders have driven their cattle from the north to the centre of our country; they tend to be predominantly Muslim, although not exclusively. The farmers, in certain areas of central Nigeria, are predominantly Christian.

The causes of this conflict are not religious or theological, but temporal. At the heart of this discord is access to rural land, exacerbated both by climate change and population growth.

Sadly, there are some who seek to play fast and loose and so make others believe that these are not the facts. When religion is claimed as the cause and by those who know that it is not it only makes finding a resolution more difficult.

The government has taken action to mediate, to bring the two groups together in peace and unity. But we also need all parties to follow the teachings of the scriptures, and encourage reconciliation rather than cause division.

As it is said: Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? (Mark 8.18).

Source: NAN