Ecuador no longer plans to intervene with the British government on behalf of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in talks over his situation as an asylee in the countrys London embassy

Foreign Minister Jos Valencia said in an interview with Reuters that Ecuadors only responsibility was looking after Assanges wellbeing, after the Australian national sued the country over new conditions placed on his asylum in the London embassy.

Ecuador has no responsibility to take any further steps, Valencia said.

We are not Mr. Assanges lawyers, nor are we representatives of the British government. This is a matter to be resolved between Assange and Great Britain.

The UKs Foreign and Commonwealth Office did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment after normal business hours.

Greg Barns, an Australian lawyer advising Assange, said in an email that developments in the case in recent times showed the need for Australias government to intervene to assist one of its citizens who faces real danger.

This position marks a departure from Ecuadors previous practice of maintaining dialogue with British authorities over Assanges situation since granting him asylum in 2012, when he took refuge in Ecuadors London Embassy after British courts ordered his extradition to Sweden to face questioning in a sexual molestation case.

That case has since been dropped, but friends and supporters have said that Assange now fears he could be arrested and eventually extradited to the United States if he leaves the embassy.

Valencia said he was frustrated by Assanges decision to file suit in an Ecuadorean court last week over new terms of his asylum, which required him to pay for medical bills and telephone calls and to clean up after his pet cat.

There is no obligation in international agreements for Ecuador to pay for things like Mr. Assanges laundry, he said.

Ecuadorean President Lenin Moreno has said that asylum is not meant to be eternal, but he has expressed concern about the possibility that Assange may be extradited to the United States. Valencia said on Tuesday that he has not discussed Assanges situation with the United States government.

Last December, Ecuador granted Assange Ecuadorean citizenship and sought to name him as a member of the countrys diplomatic mission in Britain and Russia, which could have assured him safe passage to leave the embassy. Britain denied the request.

Source: NAN

Ahead of the 2019 General Elections and governorship election in Delta state, Delta Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has challenged his opponents to a debate.

Okowa who gave this challenge at a Mega Rally at the Delta North Senatorial District, to welcome new defectors, said that most of the opponents only visit the state when it was time for elections.

At the event which held at Kwale Township Stadium, some of the notable persons welcomed to the PDP were: former member of House of Representatives, Hon. Mercy Almona-Isei, a running mate to a former governorship candidate Chief V.O.T. Abanum, Chief Gabriel Mordi, Chief Emma Ogude, Hon. Henry Onianwa and others.

These notable politicians in the state led thousands of other members of their party to be received into the fold of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Okowas who received the decampees stressed that all the other contenders in the 2019 governorship election could not challenge his in a debate neither can they defeat the PDP in the elections.

We are praying for debate, they will have nothing to talk about, I am in Delta State, I only left when I went to Ibadan to study Medicine, my opponents will have nothing to say, so they will run away from debate.

We cannot deceive ourselves, when you contest election today and after three years and half, a month to election you are back to Delta State to ask for votes, who do you want to deceive?

Even their congresses, they are deceiving themselves; the PDP had a free and fair primary elections.

In Port Harcourt, 12 persons contested in the presidential primary election, one person emerged and no one left after the primaries because, we live in love and we believe in God.

When you have God, you are not afraid, we are on a solid rock but, those who could not conduct elections are on sinking sand; no matter what they do, we are not afraid, Governor Okowa stated.

He assured that the PDP will win elections in all the elections stressing that the oppositions were already in disarray with myraids of litigations even before the commencement of campaigns.

I must thank all of you for coming to this rally, I must thank all our brothers and sisters who are returning to our party, you are welcome back home.

Okowas Deputy, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro, Chairman of the PDP in the state, Barr. Kingsley Esiso, Hon. Solomon Funkekeme, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire, among others in their separate goodwill message stated that the PDP will get 100 per cent votes in the state.

A high point of the event was when Hon. Gabriel Mordi publicly tore his APC membership card. He said that the achievements of Governor Okowa had attracted him and others to the PDP.

Coordinator of Atikulated Agenda 2019, Chief Greg Onah and PDP chieftain, Dr. Tabs Ogaranya-Tabowe described the success of the rally as good signal that Governor Okowa has endeared himself to Deltans through his people-oriented projects

Source: NAN

Nigerians are now drinking less of Heineken Beer with the second largest brewer in the World recording less sales in Nigeria and Congo amid significant rise in sales in other regions.

Nigeria is said to be a major Heineken market, comparable to Russia, Brazil, South Africa and France, were sales of the beer were said to have increased by 9 per cent.

Heineken increased beer sales in all four of its global regions in the third quarter and said it stuck to its full-year outlook.

The Dutch maker of Heineken, Europes top-selling lager, as well as Tiger, Sol and Strongbow cider, said on Wednesday its consolidated beer volumes rose by 4.6 percent year-on-year to 62.6 million hectoliters (6.2 billion litres).

Volume growth continued in the third quarter, benefiting from good weather in Europe and strong growth in Brazil, Mexico, Vietnam and South Africa, Chief Executive Officer Jean-Francois van Boxmeer said in a statement.

Sales of Heineken lager, the companys premium global brand on which margins are greater, rose by 9.2 percent, with strong growth in Brazil, South Africa, France and Russia.

The only negative spots were declines of beer sales in Nigeria, a major Heineken market, as well as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cambodia, Poland and Spain. Heineken lager sales also fell in the Asia-Pacific region.

The company said its expectations for the full year were unchanged.

Heineken cut its full-year margin forecast in July due to currency weakness in some more profitable markets, such as Mexico and Vietnam, and expansion in Brazil.

It said its operating profit margin would decline by 20 basis points this year, compared with an earlier forecast of a 25 basis point increase.

Heineken acquired the loss-making Brazilian operations of Japans Kirin in 2017 to become the number two player in the South America country, and had previously warned of a dilutive impact on its margins.

Source: NAN

CIA Director Gina Haspel visited the Turkish capital Ankara on Tuesday for talks with officials about the killing of Washington Post contributor Khashoggi inside Saudi Arabias Istanbul consulate.

Video images and audio tapes as well as evidence gathered from the consulate and the consuls residence were shared with Haspel during the briefing at the Turkish Intelligence Organisation (MIT), Sabah newspaper reported.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stopped short of pointing the blame at the Saudi leadership for the death of the Saudi insider-turned-critic.

But he said in a keynote speech on Tuesday that the murder was meticulously planned, demanding that all those involved brought to justice.

The whereabouts of Khashoggis corpse still remains unknown.

The 59-year-old vanished on October 2 after entering the Saudi mission to obtain documents for his wedding.

Erdogan said that a 15-person team came from Riyadh to kill Khashoggi, including by carrying out reconnaissance outside Istanbul and deactivating security cameras at the consulate.

Turkish police searched the kingdoms Istanbul consulate, and the consul generals residence as well as hunting for evidence in an Istanbul forest.

On Tuesday, the police searched an abandoned car belonging to the Saudi consulate in an underground car park in the Sultangazi district of Istanbul.

The Saudi leadership has denied involvement in the murder and instead blamed the chain of command.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman strongly said that he had nothing to do with this, this was at a lower level, US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday, adding he had spoken on Monday to the prince and his father King Salman.

Turkish pro-government media has claimed that Ankara has audio tapes of the killing.

Last week, the Turkish government denied giving any kind of audio tape from the investigation to any US official.

Source: NAN

Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has disappointed those who wish he dumps his All Progressives Congress (APC) like others who failed to win their parties ticket for 2019 elections.

He sent a clear message on Tuesday that he would lead a strong campaign to ensure victory for President Muhammadu Buhari.

He also pledged his support for the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The governor made the remarks on Tuesday at the Presidential Wing of the Muritala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos.

He spoke to reporters shortly after he accompanied President Buhari to perform the official commissioning of the new Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Border Post at Seme-Krake in Badagry.

Just to also use this opportunity to let Lagosians (Lagos residents) know that we are heavily committed to the re-election of Mr President and you can see that his continuous visit to Lagos reiterates the fact that he is actually a lover of Lagos State and I am committed to ensuring his re-election, said Governor Ambode.

I have just accompanied Mr President to the Nigerian-Benin Border Post. So, what we have commissioned today is a joint Border Patrol post between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin and it is called Semo-Krake Border Post.

According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Habib Aruna, the governor stated the importance for the APC to retain its leadership positions both at the Federal and the state levels.

We are going to campaign heavily for him (Buhari), he reiterated. I am also committed to ensuring that the APC wins the governorship election come 2019.

Ambode added, We support the candidacy of Babajide Sanwo-Olu and we would make sure that APC retains Lagos State and the centre.

Earlier, the governor received the President at the airport before they proceeded to Seme where President Buhari joined his Republic of Benin counterpart, Patrice Talon, to inaugurate the Border Post.

The Seme-Krake joint border, one of the busiest boundary lines not only in West Africa but the whole continent, records a huge movement of persons, goods and services daily,

With the inauguration, the border post is expected to enhance the free movement of persons and goods in the region and foster integration between the people of Nigeria and Benin.

Source: NAN

The Senate on Tuesday passed a new and fourth version of the Electoral Act 2010 (Amendment) Bill, 2018.

President Muhammadu Buhari had declined assent to the bill three times, citing some constitutional and drafting issues.

During the just-ended annual recess of the National Assembly, its Joint Committee on INEC met to work on the document based on the issues raised by the president.

Tuesdays passage of the bill followed the adoption of the report of the committee presented by its Chairman, Sen. Suleiman Nazif.

Nazif had said that the committee addressed all the issues raised by the president in withdrawing assent to the bill.

Speaking on the development, the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, said he hoped the president would now assent to the proposed law.

Let me congratulate all of us, particularly the Committee on Electoral Matters for the hard work they put in.

We were able to achieve this that looked almost impossible at a time, and I want to commend everybody for making this happen.

This will go a long way in improving our electoral process and further strengthen our governance.

I am sure with this now, Mr President will of course give his assent, and we can now finally have an Electoral Act that we would all be proud of, Saraki said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the amendment seeks to provide the use of Card Readers and any other similar technological devices for the election, among others, according to Nazif.

Source: NAN

(Reuters/NAN) A leading bank regulator on Tuesday fined Capital One Bank 100 million dollars for failing to enforce anti-money laundering controls that have been in place for years.

Capital One failed to satisfy a 2015 consent order that demanded the bank improve its anti-money laundering policies, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) said in a statement.

The Bank failed to timely achieve compliance with the 2015 Consent Order, the OCC said in a new consent order that outlined the fine.

Capital One said it disclosed the issue to the OCC in July 2015.

The consent order emanates primarily from prior banking relationships with certain cheque cashing service providers a business we made the decision to exit in 2014, the bank said.

Since that time, we have worked diligently with our bank regulators to strengthen our processes and internal controls to ensure we address any concerns regarding our compliance processes.

Source: NAN

Ogun state government has described as a lie from the pit of hell, the reports thatErnest Shonekan, former head of interim national government, is dead.

Taiwo Adeoluwa, secretary to the State Government dispelled the rumour on Tuesday.

He said Ibikunle Amosun, governor of the state, has spoken with Shonekan who reportedly told the governor that he is hale and hearty.

Tributes have been pouring in for Shonekan on social media based on the reports.

Born onMay 9, 1936, Shonekan is a British-trained lawyer and an industrialist.

He was appointed interim head of the country after ex-Military President Ibrahim Babangida stepped down on August 26, 1993.

Babangida had refused to hand over power to MKO Abiola, acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 election, but relinquished power after intense pressure.

Shonekans administration only lasted three months as Sani Abacha forcefully took power through a coup.

The elder statesman hails from Abeokuta, Ogun state. He attended C.M.S grammar school and Igbobi College, Lagos and was obtained a law degree from the University of London.

Source: NAN

Photo and video of leader of proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Knau, has surfaced showing where he is praying in Jerusalem, Israel.

The photos and videos were shared online by Radio Biafra.

Kanu went missing in September last year after the military invaded his home in Abia state and there had not been any trace of him until now.

He was declared missing by his community in Abia state, after the alleged Operation Python Dance II operation by the Nigerian Army in the South East.

Many relatives of Kanu had also been allegedly declared missing by the Afara community in Umuahia following the invasion of his home by the Nigerian army.

Click to watch the video

Source: NAN

President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the latest communal violence in Kasuwan Magani in, Kajuru Local government of Kaduna State which claimed 55 lives.

Reacting to the violent clashes, President Buhari said the frequent resort to bloodshedby Nigerians over misunderstandings that can be resolved peacefully, is worrisome.

According to the President, No culture and religion support the disregard for the sanctity of life, adding that peaceful coexistence is necessary for the progress of any society and its wellbeing.

He noted that without communal harmony, the environment for the conduct of our everyday businesses would be impossible to achieve.

President Buhari explained that violence cannot be an alternative to peace. On the contrary, reliance on violence leads to ultimate self-destruction. Violence is an ill wind that blows nobody any good. Embracing peace is a necessity.

In commending the Kaduna State government for its rapid response to the crisis, the President appealed to community leaders to engage in regular dialogue to nip imminent crises in the bud, while admonishing the people to develop the spirit of tolerance and patience at all times.

According to reports, the latest killings in Kaduna resulted from the clashes between young Christians and Muslims in Kasuwan Magani market..

The clashes followed a dispute among wheelbarrow porters.

Two persons were said to have been killed in the market fracas on Thursday. The violence was temporarily halted by police but Christian youth later mobilised and attacked Hausa residents, burning homes.

Most of the killings were done in the second attack which took the Hausa community off guard, said Muhammadu Bala, a Kasuwar Magani resident who lost his home.

Kaduna state police commissioner Ahmad Abdur-Rahman told reporters on Friday 22 people had been arrested in connection with the violence.

The Kaduna state government also imposed a round-the-clock curfew in Kasuwan Magani on Friday.

A similar crisis in February left at least 10 people dead and hundreds of homes and businesses burnt.

Over 60 people are facing charges over the February violence.

Source: NAN