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  • Army steps up operations against terrorists, criminal elements nationwide

    The Nigerian Army says it has stepped up operations nationwide to ensure a peaceful and conducive atmosphere for all citizens and residents during the peak of the year.

    Col. Aminu Iliyasu, Army Operations Media Coordinator disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Iliyasu said that troops in the various operational theatres across the country had continued to decimate and frustrate activities of criminal elements in line with the resolve of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai.

    He also disclosed that the Sector 3 supported by the Air Task Force of the Operation Lafiya Dole had successfully repelled an attack on Gubio in Borno between Sunday and Tuesday.

    According to him, two insurgents were neutralised, while one gun truck, two AK-47 rifles and one anti aircraft gun were recovered.

    “Additionally, 51 civilians hitherto held hostage by the criminals were rescued during the encounter.

    “The troops continue to dominate the area with fighting/clearing patrols, ambush, raids as well as cordon and search operations.

    “Similarly, troops, acting on timely information also arrested four male suspects with large consignments of dried fish intended for delivery to the criminal insurgents.

    “All four suspects are currently undergoing interrogation where they are giving useful information,’’ he said.

    Iliyasu said the troops also arrested a pickup truck conveying three adult females, 15 adult males and three rustled cows during a clearance operation at Mada in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno.

    He said that the claim by the suspects that they were of the Shuwa extraction was refuted by the locals in the area, adding that none of the suspects could speak any of the local languages.

    Iliyasu said preliminary investigation revealed that one of the suspects and a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) operating in the state had been communicating at various times.

    He added that investigation further revealed that the suspect was on WhatsApp chat platform with the NGO.

    Iliyasu said that in Yobe, troops discovered two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) along a route in Buni Gari in Gujba Local Government Area and safely donated them.

    He said that a joint operation with the police had yielded positive results in Cross River and Lagos states in recent times.

    He quoted the chief of army staff as reassuring the public of the unwavering resolve of the army to safeguard the territorial integrity of the country with the support of civil authority.

    “The Nigeria army hereby requests our good and law abiding citizens to go about their normal economic activities without fear of molestation.

    “The populace is equally requested to please assist the army with any useful information that will assist in our operational efforts aimed at ridding the society of criminal elements and other miscreants,” he said.

    NAN

  • Independence Day Dinner: Osinbajo entertains guests to “Nigerian swag’’

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday at a dinner organised in commemoration of Nigeria’s 59th Independence Anniversary at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja, thrilled the guests with visual descriptions of attributes that make Nigerians outstanding.

    Osinbajo, who spoke on a lighter note, said that one of the distinct attributes of the Nigerian person was the `Nigerian Swag.’

    He described `Nigerian swag’ as that uniquely confident way that made Nigerians to stand out everywhere and in everything they did.

    Osinbajo, who got the guests laughing and clapping intermittently, cited the sport called Bobsled and presented a power point video of Nigerians girls dancing at the Winter Olympics.

    “They thought only white people could do this because it is a winter sport; if you don’t have winter and snow in your country you can’t be a bobsled champion.

    “Well, so they thought until the Nigerians came to the Winter Olympics in Pyeong Chang South Korea, three Nigerian girls.

    “ Seun Adigun, Ngozi onwumere and Akuoma Omeoga the first Africans in Bobsled at the Winter Olympics.

    “They raced into history in style and they ended it with dance.

    “How else would you know that they are Nigerians.’’

    He said that the World Cup came in May 2018; but well before the World Cup kicked off, Nigeria had started winning.

    Osinbajo recalled that when Nike released the design of Nigeria’s jersey called Naija in Feb. 2018, three million people pre-ordered the Jersey for 90 dollar a piece on line.

    He said that eventually thousands of people lined up to buy  the jersey and  it sold out in the  stores within hours.

    “The jersey was lit; so lit that we won the first prize for the best dressed team, Peru came second and Belgium came third.’’

    The vice president listed the quality and prowess of Nigerian boxer, Anthony Joshua, Nigerian wedding, dance and language as some other aspects of Nigerian uniqueness.

    “And then there is Anthony Joshua, as far as we are concerned the best boxer in the world not only is he a heavy hitter– he could also pass for a model;  so much Swag.

    “How about the Nigerian wedding, it has become the toast of the world, among other things, we are teaching the world that every wedding deserves a hashtag.

    “ #Baad 2017, for BankyW and Adesuwa Etomi, #YemiandDolly 1989 or #Dolyem 1989 , that’s me and my lovely wife,  to  the dramatic entrance of the bridal party,  and see the groom flying and of course, the Aso Ebi.

    “And everywhere, they are learning our languages; everywhere, here is a kindergarten class in China; the children are learning Igbo; very soon, everyone is going to be speaking Igbo.

    “Our contemporary dances have so much swag from skelewu to sekem to shakiti bobo, sakusaku  and the most recent, Zanku, I am sure you all know how to  gbe se ..gbe se .to gbe body e.

    “It is now gbe se,  gbe se,  all over the world; nobody dances like us; it doesn’t matter whether you are the distinguished senator representing Kogi west or the distinguished senator representing Osun West.’’

    Osinbajo also listed one of the richest men in Africa, Aliko Dangote, President Muhammadu Buhari, former President Olusegun Obasanjo as among those who carry Nigerian swag with their dance steps.

    According to him, when it comes to fashion, Nigerians are the  masters  of style.

    “From the geles, and look at what Iya rainbow is wearing, and of course the famous Madam Kofo’s gele.

    “Nigerians brought Ankara to mainstream fashion.

    “So Nigerian designers are making waves internationally with the infusion of Ankara in their collections.

    “And the likes of Lisa Folawiyo,  Mackie O, Andrew Iyamah, Kenneth Ize, Mowa Ogunlesi, have been featured in Vogue and other international fashion magazines and events such as the New York fashion week.

    “The Nigerian-American designer Ena Udemba designed Beyoncé’s drop dead gorgeous Ankara outfit; today the whole world is wearing our Ankara; from Michelle Obama, Rihana and Kim Kardashian, ‘’ he said.

    He also displayed Buhari featuring with his `trade mark black  kaftan’  describing him as  the number one man with the swag.

    Earlier, in his remark, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, thanked those who contributed directly or indirectly toward the success of the 59th Independence celebration.

    He said that the administration was determined to build on the foundation for change laid in the last four years.

    The dinner featured performances by cultural troupes drawn from different states.

    It attracted notable Nigerians including Maryam Abacha, Wife of former Head of State, Sani Abacha, a former Chief of General Staff, Lt.-Gen. Oladipo Diya (rtd)  and former Vice President, Namadi Sambo.

    Also present were Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, service chiefs, members of the Federal Executive Council, members of the diplomatic corps, captains of industries among others.

    NAN

  • World Bank appoints Chaudhuri Country Director for Nigeria

    The World Bank has appointed Mr Shubham Chaudhuri as the new Country Director for Nigeria, succeeding Mr Rachid Benmessaoud who completed his term recently.

    A statement issued by the World Bank’s Senior Communications Officer, Nigeria, on Wednesday in Abuja, said Chaudhuri assumed office on Tuesday.

    It said that Chaudhuri, a U.S. national who grew up in India, joined the World Bank in 2004 and has held several leadership positions at the Bank, with his most recent position being Country Director for Afghanistan.

    Chaudhuri said it was an honour to be in Nigeria and have the opportunity to help government partners, at the Federal and state levels, realise Nigeria’s full and considerable potential.

    This, he said, the bank was doing by transforming the economy, catalysing private investment and job creation, investing in Nigeria’s children and creating opportunities for Nigeria’s youth and women.

    “The World Bank Group has a long-standing partnership with Nigeria and I look forward to deepening our engagement with government partners, with Nigeria’s very vibrant civil society and private sector and with international development partners to help lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty.”

    In his new position, Chaudhuri’s top priorities would be to lead the strategic dialogue with government, development partners and other key stakeholders.

    He would also help to develop and implement the new Country Partnership Framework and provide customised solutions and policy advice to Nigeria.

    According to the statement, in the past, Chaudhuri had been Practice Manager in the Macroeconomics and Fiscal Management Global Practice for the South Asia Region.

    He also held the position of Manager of the World Bank’s Poverty Reduction and Economic Management Department for East Asia and the Pacific and Lead Economist for Indonesia.

    As lead economist for Indonesia, Chaudhuri was responsible for leading the overall economic policy dialogue, advisory and development policy lending work in Indonesia.

    He managed the Jakarta-based economic team, which works closely with partners in government and in the development community to further Indonesia’s development agenda.

    Prior to relocating to Jakarta in early 2008, he worked primarily on China and on East Asia regional policy issues.

    Before joining the Bank, Chaudhuri spent a decade as an Economics professor and Director of the Programme in Economic and Political Development at Columbia University in New York.

    Chaudhuri obtained his bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and his Ph.D. from Princeton University, both in economics, the statement added.

  • Why Youth, Sports Minister Relocated To MKO Stadium Abuja

    The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare has relocated his office to the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

    Dare stated that the move was in line with the his promise to ensure that the nation’s sports facilities are restored to become fully functional.

    He made the disclosure in a statement by Mr Ramon Balogun, Assistant Director, Press in the ministry.

    He said that with the move, he has made good on his earlier promise to keep a close tab on the revitalisation of Nigeria’s sporting facilities.

    “It is also a sharp departure from what has been regarded as the norm in the past,” he said.

    The Minister indicated that he will be working sometimes days of the week from the stadium.

    He asserted that the Youth and Sports ministry was a critical artery to Nigeria’s human capital development, adding, that 13 Ministries have youth development as part of their budgets and mandate.

    The ministry according to him, will leverage on the pivotal advantage expressed in the National Youth Policy for socio-economic empowerment of our youths.

    He emphasised the importance of communication to youth and sports development, while urging the press unit of the Ministry to improve on its professionalism by reporting events timely and accurately with authentic and approved facts before disseminating to the Nigerian public.

    He also reemphasised his determination to give the youth component of the ministry’s mandate massive attention.

  • UNIDO Tasks Society On Solid Waste Management

    (FLOWERBUDNEWS) The United Nations Industrial Development (UNIDO), has challenged the Waste Management Society of Nigeria (WAMASON) to ensure the enforcement of National Policy on Waste Management developed by the Federal Ministry of Environment.

    Mr Jean Bakole, the Regional Director, UNIDO gave the advice on the sidelines of the roundtable talk and exhibition on Plastic Waste Management in Nigeria on Wednesday in Abuja organised by WAMASON FCT Council on

    Bakole represented by Mr Yomi Banjo, Environment expert of UNIDO regional office described the policy as important document that could ease the operation of the society.

    “We supported the ministry of environment in developing National policy on solid waste management and this is a very important policy to WAMASON.

    “I call on the society to ensure in the revitalisation of this policy, you should ensure that this policy is approved and it becomes a legal document which you could use as an insurance for your operation.

    “You can’t overemphasised the synergy between the organised private sector and the government. Whatever policy that is formulated cannot be successful if the private sector is not included in that policy.

    “So, it is important that whenever government is formulating its policy, regulations and legislation that it carries the private sector along like the WAMASON,” Bakole said.

    Bakole, who described the society as key to achieving zero waste however urged members to take the bull by the horn by displaying management skills associated with plastic waste to the populace.

    He further urged them to collaborate with government in any policy and programme to ensure that plastic waste was seen  as huge resources and valuable industrial material rather than refuse.

    According to him, waste is not just about dumping refuse, is converting resources that you think are not useful to you to resources that are useful to another set of people in the industry.

    Bakole, who noted that UNIDO had been a stakeholder in the country regarding environment, said that the organisation had completed some projects in the past, while others were at the verge of completion.

    He assured of the commitment of the organisation to implement a project tagged: “Resource efficiency and human production” early 2020.

    According to him, the project has a lot to do in waste management, it has a lot to in changing the mindset of industries from how they can manage their waste to achieving zero waste.

    The regional director further reiterated the continuous commitment of UNIDO to support the Federal Government with expertise in the area of environmental management,  especially in industrial management.

    Mrs Kitan Oluwagbuyi, FCT Councilor of WAMASON said the roundtable and exhibition were to avail members of the society, non members and other stakeholders in recycling plastic waste the opportunity to showcase their products.

    Oluwagbuyi, who identified plastic waste as evident in fashion industry, art, construction of houses, public toilets, area of energy recovery amongst others emphasised that this would enable government to have balance policy with regard to banning plastic.

    She emphasised that considering this varying contributions of plastic to the economy and the public the policy on ban of plastic, if fully developed implemented, it would bring number of people that live on plastics out of penury.

    “We organise this roundtable and exhibition on plastic waste management because discussion is going at the national level to have a ban on plastic.

    “So, we wanted all our members and none members who have initiatives, practicing, working with plastic waste in different forms to showcase their work to the Ministry of Environment so that there will be balance in the policy development for plastic life cycle.

    “The programme is basically a showcase of what was currently going on and to upscale some of the initiatives on ground in the area where there are barriers.

    “And the areas where we need support from the government we will be able to in order to ensure we don’t bring number of people that live on plastics to penury,” Oluwagbuyi.

    The programme was supported by Zero Waste, Institute for Physics and Ecology, Chanja Datti, Ministry of Environment, among others. (NAN)

  • U.S.-Japan trade deal hits snag as Tokyo seeks assurances on car tariffs

    U.S.-Japan trade deal hit a last-minute snag as Japanese officials sought assurances that the Trump administration will not impose national security tariffs on Japanese-built cars and auto parts, people familiar with the talks said.

    U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have been aiming to sign a trade deal at a meeting this week during the UN General Assembly in New York that provides increased access to Japan for U.S. agricultural goods and bilateral cuts in industrial goods tariffs.

    But the limited trade deal is not expected to include changes to tariffs and trade rules governing autos, the biggest source of the $67.6 billion U.S. trade deficit with Japan.

    Trump has refrained thus far from following through on his threat to impose tariffs of up to 25 per cent on Japanese and European car and parts imports, citing ongoing trade negotiations with these partners.

    The New York Times earlier reported that Japan was demanding a “sunset clause” that would cancel any trade benefits for the U.S. if Trump imposes the auto tariffs on Japanese vehicles.

    Japanese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Masato Ohtaka, said that Japan still hoped to sign the U.S. trade deal by the end of September and that there was still time to work out remaining issues.

    “Frankly speaking, we still have some time and all my colleagues in the government are making their best efforts to actually meet this target,’’ Ohtaka said.

    Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshihide Suga, speaking in Tokyo told a news conference: “With the U.N. General Assembly meeting in mind, we are accelerating the remaining work, including the wording of a trade agreement’’.

    Executives at two automakers briefed on the matter said Japan has expressed concerns about signing a deal without assurances that Trump will refrain from imposing tariffs on Japanese automotive exports as he benefits from Japanese agricultural concessions.

    These people, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the issue could delay the signing of a U.S.-Japan trade deal until subsequent weeks.

    Japanese Foreign Minister, Toshimitsu Motegi, told reporters after talks with U.S. Trade Representative, Robert Lighthizer, that significant work was underway to finalise the deal but that he did not expect much delay beyond an end-September target signing off on the deal.

    He added he expected a “good ceremony” when Abe and Trump meet.

    Asked about the U.S. threat of added tariffs on Japanese autos, Motegi said: “I think the content will not be something to worry about’’.

    Details of the U.S.-Japan trade deal have not been disclosed, but people familiar with it say that it will provide U.S. farmers, who have been battered by the U.S. trade war with China, some relief through increased access to Japan, including for American beef and pork.

    But some people say it will provide less than the access they would have received had the U.S. remained in the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, which Trump pulled the U.S. out of on his third day in office in January 2017.

    The deal also includes a modernisation of digital trade rules, which is expected to reinforce the U.S. model of internet development, prohibiting cross-border taxation of e-commerce and data localisation requirements.

    Trump and Abe, a year ago at the U.N. General Assembly, agreed to discuss an arrangement that protects Japanese automakers from further tariffs while negotiations are underway.

    The trade deal would not require congressional approval, using a trade law provision that allows the U.S. president to make executive agreements to mutually reduce tariffs with a foreign trading partner.

  • FIFA Best Awards: Conspicuously-missing Ronaldo turns philosophical

    Cristiano Ronaldo, conspicuously-absent from the FIFA Best Awards at the La Scala Opera house in Milan, on Tuesday took to Instagram to express his feelings in philosophical terms.

    Ronaldo missed out as Lionel Messi was named FIFA Best Player of the Year for the sixth time on Monday.

    The Juventus superstar was conspicuous by his absence in Milan at FIFA’s glitzy ceremony on Monday night.

    Messi took the award ahead of his long-time rival and Liverpool’s defensive rock Virgil van Dijk.

    The FC Barcelona superstar who won La Liga last season as well as the European golden boot, last won the award in 2015.

    Ronaldo was not even named by the hosts when the FIFPro World XI was announced, with the 34-year-old treated as persona non grata and no mention being made that one of the eleven was missing.

    Ten minutes after the ceremony ended in Italy, the Portuguese superstar took to Instagram to show off what he had been up to away from the event.

    He seemed to be immersing himself in a book while his son Cristiano Jr appeared to be doing his homework.

    Ronaldo also offered up a few words, although it was not quite discernible whether he was talking about his not being victorious, or his current thigh injury.

    “Patience and persistence are two characteristics that differentiate the professional from the amateur,” wrote Ronaldo.

    “Everything that is big today has started small. You can’t do everything, but do everything you can to make your dreams come true.

    “And keep in mind that after night always comes dawn,” a philosophical Ronaldo declared.

    FULL LIST OF FIFA BEST 2019 AWARD WINNERS

    Men’s player – Lionel Messi (Barcelona and Argentina)

    Women’s player – Megan Rapinoe (Reign FC and United States)

    Men’s coach – Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)

    Women’s coach – Jill Ellis (United States)

    Men’s goalkeeper – Alisson Becker (Liverpool and Brazil)

    Women’s goalkeeper – Sari Van Veenendaal (Atletico Madrid and Holland)

    Puskas award – Daniel Zsori (Debrecen/Fehervar)

    Fan award – Silvia Grecco (Palmeiras)

    Fair play award – Marcelo Bielsa and the Leeds squad

    FIFPro men’s world XI – Alisson; Matthijs De Ligt, Marcelo, Sergio Ramos, Virgil Van Dijk; Frenkie De Jong, Eden Hazard, Luka Modric; Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi

    FIFPro women’s world XI – Sari Van Veenendaal; Lucy Bronze, Nilla Fischer, Kelley O’Hara, Wendie Renard; Julie Ertz, Amandine Henry, Rose Lavelle; Marta, Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe.

  • World Economic Forum endorses Buhari’s social investment programmes

    The Schwab Foundation, a sister organisation of the World Economic Forum (WEF), has endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari’s National Social Investment Programmes(N-SIPs).

    Justice Bibiye, Communications Manager, National Social Investment Office (NSIO), in a statement on Monday, in Abuja, said the foundation conferred the prestigious Public Social Intrapreneur award on Mrs Maryam Uwais, Special Adviser to President on Social Investments.

    Bibiye said that efforts by the  Buhari administration to reduce poverty in Nigeria through its various SIPs had continued to receive thumbs up from well-meaning individuals and organisations within and outside the country.

    He said Uwais and 40 other individuals selected from different countries received the award on Monday in New York in recognition of their innovative approach and potential for global impact.

    “The list includes start-up founders and chief executive officers, multinational and regional business leaders, government leaders and recognised experts who are working to address social and environmental issues with innovation, in areas ranging from water purification to financial inclusion to combating hate.

    “For more than 20 years, the Schwab Foundation has recognised social entrepreneurs as a new breed of leaders, values-driven, inclusive, compassionate and entrepreneurial, developing new sustainable models for business, human development and environmental initiatives – and embedded them in the platforms of the WEF.

    “The 2019 awardees were formally inaugurated during the WEF’s Sustainable Development Impact Summit held on Sept. 23,  in New York, U.S.”

    Bibiye said that Uwais, in a goodwill message to the global gathering, described the award as an International endorsement of efforts by Buhari”s administration to address poverty and unemployment through the faithful implementation of the N-SIPs.

    He said, however, that Uwais was unable to attend the event in New York.

    The communications manager quoted Uwais as saying that the recognition was a call to action for the Federal Government to commit more resources to tackling poverty.

    Bibiye said that Uwais assured of continued transparency, efficiency and dedication in achieving the task of taking 100 million people out of poverty within 10 years, in line with the target set by President Buhari.

    “I am truly encouraged by this International endorsement of our efforts, through the structures and processes we have put in place towards ensuring that we drive implementation and set standards at Sub-National level in Nigeria (where the work is primarily done).

    “This award acknowledges that Nigeria is serious about reducing poverty and unemployment, while improving our human capital indices.

    “It is also a testament to the willingness of our legislators (at the National Assembly) and the Governors in the States to cooperate and partner the Federal Government in its bid to uplift the conditions of its hitherto less privileged citizens.

    “The close collaboration from the Federal Government,  ministries and agencies, as well as the governors and officials of the states and local governments, has enabled us to work towards our objectives, as one united and indivisible country.

    “I am humbled by this recognition and thankful to the Almighty for this opportunity to serve my country and its citizens.

    “I am also grateful to the team that has worked assiduously towards achieving our modest successes; it has been a collective effort, personally led by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo,” the statement quoted Uwais as saying.

    The Schwab Foundation provides a veritable platform of expertise, knowledge and resources, and a network we can engage with, for the work ahead.

    It is a privilege for me to be able to learn, share and engage with the very best in social entrepreneurship, for the benefit of Nigeria and its citizens.

    Uwais, whose appointment as Special Adviser to the President on Social Investment was recently renewed, has since 2016 been in charge of the NSIO, a portfolio of the Federal Government which coordinates all components of the NSIPs in an inclusive manner.

    No fewer than 10 million pupils in 32 states across the country are currently benefiting from the School Feeding Programme, while close to 650,000 poor and vulnerable households in 27 states are enrolled onto the National Cash Transfer Programme.

    This is in addition to over two  million people who have benefitted from interest and collateral-free loans through Marketmoni, Tradermoni, and Farmermoni facilitated under the Government Economic and Enterprise Programme GEEP.

    The N-Power, a job enhancement Scheme, has profitably engaged over 540,000 young people across all local government areas of the country.

  • Oil slips as focus shifts from Saudi supply to global demand concerns

    Oil prices eased on Tuesday as weak manufacturing data from Europe and Japan focused market attention on the gloomy outlook for demand and away from uncertainty around supply disruptions in Saudi Arabia.

    Brent crude futures LCOc1 fell 40 cents to 64.37 dollars a barrel by 0624 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures CLc1 were at 58.31 dollars, down 33 cents.

    “The demand side of the equation is back in focus,” said Michael McCarthy, senior market analyst at CMC Markets in Sydney, pointing to sluggish manufacturing numbers in leading economies in Europe as well as Japan.

    “That’s why we’re seeing a little bit more (downward) pressure on Brent than West Texas at the moment.”

    Still, oil prices remained at comparatively elevated levels for the year in the wake of the Sept. 14 attack on Saudi Arabia’s largest oil processing facility that halved output in the world’s top oil exporter.

    Reuters reported that Saudi Arabia has restored more than 7 5 per cent of crude output lost after the attacks on its facilities and will return to full volumes by Sept. 30,

    But the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday that repairs at the plants could take months longer than anticipated.

    “Conflicting headlines lead to asymmetric conclusions, which have immobilized price action and investor risk taking,” Mike Tran, a commodity strategist at RBC Capital Markets said in a note.

    An increase in U.S. oil exports to Asia to replace Saudi crude and a reduction in U.S. imports from Iraq meant that crude inventories in the United States could be lower than previously expected, he said.

    European powers – Britain, Germany and France – backed the United States in blaming Iran for the Saudi oil attack, urging Tehran to agree to new talks with world powers on its nuclear and missile programs and regional security issues.

    Meanwhile, a preliminary Reuters poll found on Monday that U.S. crude oil and distillate stockpiles were expected to have dropped last week.

    Seven analysts polled by Reuters estimated, on average, that crude inventories fell 800,000 barrels in the week to Sept. 20.

    The poll was conducted ahead of key inventory reports from the American Petroleum Institute, an industry group, to be released on Tuesday and from the Energy Information Administration on Wednesday.