ALL THE RELEVANT NEWS: Monday

19 Jul ALL THE RELEVANT NEWS: Monday

🌍Morning after OPEC+ agreement, oil prices stumble: Prices recouped some losses it recorded in early trading on Monday, but were still down after OPEC+ agreed to boost output, sparking concerns about a crude surplus as COVID-19 infections continue to rise in many countries. Brent crude was down 61 cents, or 0.8%, at $72.98 a barrel by 0617 GMT, after falling to $72.35 earlier in the session.

🌍VP Osinbajo says the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement necessitate more inclusive trade initiatives and expanded intra-regional trade.

🌍FG, through the Debt Management Office (DMO), has re-issued N150 billion long-term bonds for public subscription between July 19, and will end on July 23.

🌍The Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) recorded a second weekly loss as the All-Share Index (ASI) shed 0.1 per cent Wee-on-Week (WoW) to close at 37,947.18 basis.

🌍COVID-19 Update: On Sunday, Nigeria reported one death and 203 new cases, taking the caseload to 169532 confirmed cases; 164699 recoveries; and 2127 deaths

* NAFDAC has said it did not approve herbal medicine for COVID-19 treatment because “no single drug has been found yet to cure COVID-19”.

🌍The presidency has accused Bishop Matthew Kukah of spreading falsehood with the intent to discredit the administration in his recent address to the U.S. Congress.

🌍Senate President Lawan has justified the Senate’s position on the electronic transmission of election results.

🌍NCC has explained that contrary to an impression created by Airtel Nigeria, its application for the renewal of the Unified Access Service License (UASL) is yet to be approved by the commission.

🌍Security Stories: A leader of bandits in Zamfara State, Turji, has released villagers and travellers abducted by his men after he reunited with his father, who had been arrested by security operatives.

* Scores of bandits and two policemen were killed, yesterday, when armed men stormed the Joint Security Camp located in Kundu village in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.

* One of the 121 abducted students of Bethel Baptist High School Kaduna has been released on health grounds.

* Thirteen special mobile police officers and two residents have been killed, while six people were seriously wounded when bandits laid an ambush in Korar-mota village of Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State.