Nigeria, Italy Sign Agreement On Police Training And Logistics Supply

The Nigerian and Italian government on Monday in Abuja signed an agreement on intelligence sharing, capacity building and provision of logistics that will enhance the operations of the Nigeria Police.

The signing of agreement, witnessed by President Muhammadu Buhari and the Italian Prime Minister, Mr. Matteo Renzi, in the State House was part of bilateral meeting between the two countries which covered issues on energy, security, agriculture, immigration, human and drug trafficking, infrastructure and education.

The agreement on enhancing cooperation between the Nigerian and Italian Police was signed by the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase and the Italian National Police Chief, Alessandro Pansa.

Speaking at the bilateral meeting, President Buhari said he was impressed with the relationship between Nigeria and Italy over the years, especially in the areas of security, construction, oil and gas and the exploration of solid minerals.

‘‘I am impressed by the resilience and commitment of the Italian business to Nigeria’s development shown by the Italian construction companies and companies in the oil sector.

‘‘I am happy to hear that an Italian oil company, Eni ltd, is investing 4 billion U S dollars in the coming three years in the economy spite of the downward spiral of oil prices,’’ the President said.

In his remarks, the Italian Prime Minister said his country will support Nigeria in the ongoing fight against corruption, terrorism and also encourage Italian companies to invest more in sectors that will enable growth and create jobs for Nigerians like power, agriculture and solid minerals.

President Buhari to continue push for global unity against terrorism

President Muhammadu Buhari will begin an official visit to France and Britain tomorrow, Tuesday, February 2, 2016.

At his first stop in Strasbourg, France, President Buhari will on Wednesday, February 3, address a special session of the European Union Parliament to be attended by members of the executive and legislative arms of the Union.

The President's address is expected to focus on terrorism, violent extremism, corruption, Nigeria and Africa's current security, economic and developmental challenges, as well as the need for  greater support from the European Union and advanced nations for their rapid resolution.

President Buhari will also hold talks with the President of the European Parliament, Mr. Martin Schulz and the President of the European Commission, Mr. Jean-Claude Juncker on the same issues before leaving Strasbourg for London to join other world leaders at the Supporting Syria and The Region Conference scheduled to open in the British capital on Thursday, February 4, 2016.

The President will use the opportunity of his participation in the conference which is being co-hosted by Britain, Germany, Norway, Kuwait and the United Nations to continue his push for more global understanding, collaboration and support for Nigeria and other countries in the frontlines of the war against terrorism who are striving to overcome  its very  adverse effects on affected populations.

He is due back in Nigeria at the weekend.

Instagram imams are unlikely online hit

They shoot hoops with schoolgirls, pose with Christmas trees to wish seasons greetings to Christians and even make the tea. These are not images of Iranian clerics which the world is so used to seeing.

But an Instagram account that posts pictures of Islamic scholars in everyday situations has become a social media success in Iran and has more than 12,000 followers.

The page is called "Talabeh Today" - a Talabeh being a seminary student who pursues religious studies and who is supposed to adopt a simple devotional lifestyle.

It was started by an Iranian seminary student called Masoud Zareian, from the northeastern city of Mashhad, in an attempt to improve the image of conservative clergy and highlight their relevance to contemporary life.

The stereotype of an Iranian cleric is often that of a fiery speaker, addressing a crowd chanting slogans against "western imperialism". Liberal Iranians might also tend to think of them as a symbol of all that's wrong with life in the Islamic Republic.

The traditionally much-respected men in society rose to influence the life of ordinary Iranians in one way or the other, some argue for the worse, after the 1979 revolution which toppled the Shah. The admiration they enjoyed has gradually faded as some Iranians believe they have not practised what they preached.

Zareian, who as well as being a talabeh is also a documentary filmmaker, is a supporter of Iran's clerical establishment. And his decision to use Instagram to portray the nuances of contemporary clerical life is not as odd as it may at first seem. Instagram is very popular in Iran, not only among the urban youth but among conservative sections of society. Twitter and Facebook are officially banned.

With BBC

Adele has distance herself from Donald Trump

Pop star Adele has issued a statement to distance herself from Donald Trump, after he used her music at his rallies.

The Republican presidential candidate, whose slogan is "Make America great again", has recently been playing Adele's hit Rolling In The Deep as his "warm-up" music.

"Adele has not given permission for her music to be used for any political campaigning," her spokesman confirmed.

It is not the first time Trump has been criticised for appropriating pop songs.

Lawyers for Aerosmith star Steven Tyler sent Trump's campaign a cease-and-desist letter last year, after the politician played the band's hit single Dream On at numerous rallies around the US.

The letter said Trump's use of the song gave "a false impression" he endorsed Mr Trump's presidential bid.

Trump responded on Twitter, saying he had the legal right to use the song, but had found "a better one to take its place".

"Steven Tyler got more publicity on his song request than he's gotten in 10 years. Good for him!" he added.

Previously, the businessman had played Neil Young's Rockin' in the Free World - an angry response to presidency of George Bush Senior - while announcing his candidacy.

Young, a well-known liberal, demanded that Trump stop using the song and declared his support for Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders instead.

Trump then used REM's It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine), prompting singer Michael Stipe to issue a strongly-worded statement, saying: "Do not use our music or my voice for your moronic charade of a campaign."

The politician was first observed to have played Adele's hit during a rally held in Lexington, South Carolina, last week. prompting BBC's North America Editor Jon Sopel to comment it was an "unlikely combo".

But Trump is believed to be a fan of the singer's work, even having watched her perform in New York.

Politicians using songs by musicians who do not support them has been a thorny issue for decades, since Bruce Springsteen castigated President Reagan for planning to use Born in the USA as a backdrop for his 1984 re-election campaign.

Technically, US copyright laws give politicians carte blanche to use recorded music at their rallies - as long as the venue has a public performance licence issued through a songwriters' association such as ASCAP or BMI (in the US) or PRS (in the UK).

However, there is some leeway for an artist to complain their image and reputation is being damaged by the repeated use of a song without their express permission.

With BBC

Oil prices slide as output cut hopes fade

Oil prices slumped Monday as traders took profits on receding prospects of an imminent cut to the global supply glut, according to The Guardian.

Prices hit three-week highs earlier Monday, building on last week’s strong gains driven by dollar weakness and after Russia said it could meet the OPEC producers’ group for talks on possible output cuts.

But they sharply reversed direction as analysts further doubted a looming reduction in the amount of oil being pumped out by leading producers.

Around 1700 GMT, US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for delivery in March slumped to $31.84 a barrel, down $1.78 compared with Friday’s close.

Brent North Sea crude for April delivery shed $1.46 to $34.53.

Brent had earlier Monday struck a three-week high at $36.25 before profit-taking took hold.

“Crude oil has started the new week on the back foot, giving back a big chunk of the sharp gains made in the previous couple of weeks,” said Fawad Razaqzada, analyst at City Index.

“Profit-taking is one of the main reasons for the oil price drop today,” he added.

Analysts cautioned against putting too much hope on talks between non-OPEC crude producer Russia and the cartel on reducing output in a move that could support prices.

Crude futures have crashed by about three quarters since mid-2014 owing to global oversupply, weak demand growth and strong dollar.

But both contracts surged Thursday after Russian reports that Energy Minister Alexander Novak had said Moscow was ready to take part in talks with OPEC to establish possible “coordination”.

He said the discussions could be on making production cuts of up to five percent per country.

“Oil has stopped its bullish momentum and most of the reason comes from the relatively strong dollar on light of Japan’s surprising negative interest rate decision,” said Phillip Futures analyst Daniel Ang.

As oil is traded in dollars, a rise in the greenback makes crude more expensive for holders of weaker units, dampening demand.

Oil prices closed higher last week to end a turbulent January in which prices plunged to 12-year lows.

The dollar has meanwhile gained support after Japan’s central bank shocked markets Friday with a decision to adopt a below-zero interest rate policy to spur bank lending and drive up inflation.

Bank of Japan chief Haruhiko Kuroda cited recent financial market turmoil and a China slowdown for ushering in a -0.1 percent rate on new reserves, and said the bank may go even further into negative territory.