Top oil-producing countries agreed on "historic" output cuts to prop up prices hammered by the coronavirus crisis and a Russia-Saudi price war, sending crude prices soaring on Monday.
The US benchmark WTI climbed 7.7 percent to $24.52 a barrel in early Asian trade while Brent was up 5.0 percent at $33.08.
OPEC producers dominated by Saudi Arabia and allies led by Russia thrashed out a compromise deal via videoconference Sunday after Mexico had balked at an earlier agreement struck on Friday.
In the compromise reached Sunday they agreed to a cut of 9.7 million barrels per day from May, according to Mexican Energy Minister Rocio Nahle, down slightly from 10 million barrels a day envisioned earlier.
OPEC Secretary General Mohammad Barkindo called the cuts "historic".
"They are largest in volume and the longest in duration, as they are planned to last for two years," he said.
The agreement between the Vienna-based Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and partners foresees ...

Top oil producers agree 'historic' cuts due to coronavirus crisis

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Saudi Arabia has quarantined thousands of people in hotels, some in luxury suites, to combat COVID-19, throwing a temporary lifeline to an industry struggling just months after tourist visas were launched.
Faced with nearly 4,500 novel coronavirus infections -- the highest in the Gulf -- the petro-state  has halted air travel, locked down cities and imposed nationwide curfews in a crisis that has dealt a blow to the nascent tourism sector.
Offering a ray of hope, however, the government is splurging millions of dollars to quarantine thousands of overseas travellers and those exposed to infected people in otherwise empty hotels around the kingdom.
One four-star hotel in central Riyadh with 100-plus rooms was left with only five guests in mid-March when the Saudi government offered four million riyals (USD 1.06 million) a month for it to be used as a quarantine facility, an industry source told AFP.
One of its larger sister hotels was offered six million riyals, added the source, who ...

Saudi quarantine offers temporary lifeline to struggling hotels

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has carried out a major reshuffle of his State Affairs Commission, official media reported Monday, replacing more than a third of its members.
Kim has established an iron grip over the levers of authority in his nuclear-armed country since inheriting power in his late 20s in 2011.
He is chairman of the SAC -- the North's highest decision-making body -- and five of its 13 other members were replaced at a meeting of the country's rubber-stamp Supreme People's Assembly parliament on Sunday, the state KCNA news agency reported.
Pictures carried by the official Rodong Sinmun newspaper showed hundreds of lawmakers sitting in close proximity to each other without wearing protective masks.
A cabinet report reiterated the North's insistence that "not a single case" of the coronavirus pandemic that has swept the world since emerging in neighbouring China has been reported in the country.
Pyongyang put thousands of its own people and hundreds of foreigners -- ...

North Korea's Kim reshuffles top governing body

Ottawa and other countries asked Tehran to delay downloading data on the black boxes from a downed Ukrainian international flight, because of coronavirus travel restrictions, Canada said Sunday.
Iran had in March agreed to hand over black boxes from Flight 752 to Ukraine or France for analysis -- a move welcomed by Canada and Ukraine.
The boxes are expected to contain information about the last moments before the Ukraine International Airlines jetliner was struck by a missile and crashed shortly after taking off from the Tehran airport on January 8.
Last week, Iran contacted the countries involved to ask when they could send experts to help download the data off the black boxes, according to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB).
While stressing that the concerned countries are "anxious for the download and analysis of the recorders to proceed," TSB president Kathy Fox said that they all "provided a consistent response, indicating that travelling was impossible at this time, 

Coronavirus delays analysis of downed Ukraine jet black boxes

Oil prices rallied Monday after top producers agreed to slash output and shore up coronavirus-ravaged energy markets, but some analysts were concerned the cuts did not go far enough.
US benchmark West Texas Intermediate was up 7.7 percent at USD 24.52 a barrel in Asian trade while Brent crude, the international benchmark, put on 5 percent to USD 33.08 a barrel.
OPEC producers dominated by Saudi Arabia and allies led by Russia met via videoconference for an hour Sunday in a last effort to cement a deal struck early Friday.
It still required Mexico's agreement and in a compromise reached Sunday they agreed to a cut of 9.7 million barrels per day from May, according to its Energy Minister Rocio Nahle, down slightly from 10 million barrels per day envisioned earlier.
OPEC Secretary General Mohammad Barkindo called the cuts "historic".
Oil markets have been in turmoil for weeks as lockdowns and travel restrictions imposed worldwide to combat the virus outbreak strangle demand, with a price 

Oil rallies as top producers agree massive output cuts

Oil prices jumped more than three percent Monday after top producers agreed to cut output to shore up energy markets battered by the coronavirus pandemic and a Saudi-Russia price war.
US benchmark West Texas Intermediate was up 3.7 per cent at USD 23.62 a barrel in early Asian trade while Brent crude, the international benchmark, put on 3.1 per cent to USD 32.45 a barrel.
OPEC producers dominated by Saudi Arabia and allies led by Russia met via videoconference for an hour Sunday in a last effort to cement a deal partially struck early Friday.
It still required Mexico's assent and in a compromise reached Sunday they agreed to a cut of 9.7 million barrels per day from May, according to Mexican Energy Minister Rocio Nahle, down slightly from 10 million barrels per day envisioned earlier.
OPEC Secretary General Mohammad Barkindo called the cuts "historic".
Some analysts were sceptical, however, with AxiCorp's Stephen Innes saying that doubts remain over the deal given the collapse in ...

Oil prices jump after top producers agree output cuts

Israel's former chief rabbi Eliahou Bakshi-Doron, who was known for promoting interfaith dialogue, died Sunday of the new coronavirus, the Shaare Tzedek hospital in Jerusalem said.
Bakshi-Doron, 79, was the Sephardic chief rabbi of Israel between 1993 and 2003.
Born in Jerusalem in 1941, he was chief rabbi of the northern port city of Haifa for 18 years before being elected chief rabbi of Israel.
He met Pope John Paul II in 2000 during the pontiff's visit to Israel, sparking criticism from some ultra-Orthodox rabbis.
An advocate of interfaith dialogue, he increased engagement with Muslim and Christian leaders.
His reputation was, however, somewhat tarnished when he was handed a one-year suspended prison sentence for corruption and breach of trust in 2017.
The rabbi was hospitalised some days ago but suffered from pre-existing conditions that led to his condition deteriorating, the hospital said in a statement.

Israel's former chief rabbi dies of coronavirus

Under strong international pressure, China on Sunday vowed to improve the treatment of Africans in the southern city of Guangzhou following accusations of discrimination linked to the coronavirus pandemic, and said it rejected all "racist and discriminatory" remarks.
Africans in the industrial centre of 15 million say they have become targets of suspicion and subjected to forced evictions, arbitrary quarantines and mass coronavirus testing, particularly as Beijing steps up its fight against imported infections.
The African Union expressed its "extreme concern" about the situation on Saturday, calling on Beijing to take immediate corrective measures.
The United States, meanwhile, denounced what it called "xenophobia towards Africans by Chinese authorities." A recent cluster of coronavirus cases linked to the Nigerian community in Guangzhou, southern China's largest city, sparked the alleged discrimination by locals and virus-prevention officials.
Several Africans told AFP they had been 

China vows improvements for Africans after virus discrimination claims

Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu resigned on Sunday, the day after an abrupt lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus sparked panic buying across the country.
"May my country, which I never wished to hurt, and our president, to whom I will be faithful all my life, forgive me," Soylu said in a statement announcing his resignation.

Turkish interior minister resigns over pandemic response

Top oil-producing countries agreed Sunday to cut output in order to boost plummeting oil prices due to the coronavirus crisis and a Russia-Saudi price war.
Kuwait Oil Minister Khaled al-Fadhel tweeted that, following extensive efforts, "we announce completing the historical agreement to cut production by nearly 10 million barrel per day by OPEC+ members starting May 1".
Mexico's Energy Minister Rocio Nahle said on Twitter the agreement was for "an oil reduction of 9.7 million barrels from May." OPEC producers, dominated by Saudi Arabia, and allies led by Russia, met via videoconference for an hour Sunday in a last-ditch effort to cement an accord struck early Friday that hinged on Mexico's agreement.
Azerbaijan's energy ministry said in a statement earlier Sunday that "the meeting will take place in the framework of consultations resulting from the meeting on April 9 of ministers from OPEC and non-OPEC countries".
Sunday's meeting was chaired by Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz .

Top oil producers agree on deal to cut output

Paris police have caught a church in Paris holding a traditional Easter mass with dozens of worshippers, in defiance of the strict lockdown imposed to fight the coronavirus, sources said on Sunday.
Religious services and all gatherings have been banned in France for the past month as the country seeks to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
But the traditional Saint-Nicolas-du-Chardonnet Catholic church in the centre of Paris held an Easter mass late Saturday, police sources said, confirming a report first published by Le Point magazine.
The priest was warned and booked for not respecting the confinement rules, the source said. This would have made him liable for a 200 euro fine.
Police had been tipped off by local residents who had heard music coming from the church in the fifth arrondissement in the heart of the French capital.
When the police arrived they found the doors of the church -- known for its conservative rite and Latin mass -- firmly closed. At midnight, a person came out .

Police catch Paris church holding secret Easter service: source

Top oil-producing countries agreed Sunday to cut output aimed at boosting plummeting oil prices due to the coronavirus crisis and a Russia-Saudi price war.
"We announce completing the historical agreement to cut production by nearly 10 million barrels per day by OPEC+ members starting May 1," Kuweit Oil Minister Khaled al-Fadhel wrote on Twitter.

OPEC, allies agree to oil production cuts: Kuwait oil minister

France on Sunday reported a lower number of COVID-19 deaths over the last 24 hours, with the total toll from the coronavirus epidemic in the country now 14,393, the health ministry said.
It said that there were 315 deaths in hospital over the last day, compared with 345 the day earlier. The total toll includes those who have died in nursing homes.
For the fourth consecutive day in a row, the number of patients in intensive care fell with 35 fewer patients, making a total of 6,845 people needing such treatment.

France reports lower coronavirus daily death toll

World champion Lewis Hamilton on Sunday described Stirling Moss, who has died at the age of 90, as a "racing legend" and a "comrade from a massively different time".
Although Moss never won the Formula One world title, he was regarded as one of motor sport's greatest drivers, with his 1950s heyday seeing racers compete in a variety of disciplines.
The 35-year-old Hamilton, a six-time world champion, became a friend of Moss despite the pair's age difference and contrasting backgrounds.
"Today we say goodbye to Sir Stirling Moss, the racing legend," reigning champion Hamilton wrote on Instagram.
"I certainly will miss our conversations. To be honest, it was such a unusual pairing, our friendship.
"Two people from massively different times and backgrounds but we clicked and ultimately found that the love for racing we both shared made us comrades.
"I am truly grateful to have had these special moments with him."
- 'Example of a racing driver' -  ...

Hamilton salutes 'racing legend and comrade' Moss

Italy on Sunday reported its lowest coronavirus death toll in more than three weeks, confirming trends showing that the COVID-19 outbreak in Europe's worst-hit nation had peaked.
The 431 new deaths reported by the civil protection service were the lowest since March 19. Italy's death total now stands at 19,899, officially second behind the United States.

Italy reports lowest virus death toll in over three weeks

Spain is "far from victory" in its fight against the coronavirus, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez warned on Sunday as the country's death toll from the pandemic rose again after falling for three days in a row.
The nation registered 619 new deaths in the last 24 hours from COVID-19, bringing the death toll to 16,972, the health ministry said, the highest in the world after the United States and Italy. The toll was 510 on Saturday, the lowest since March 23.
But the number of new infections continued its slow, rising by 4,167 to 166,019, a smaller increase than was recorded on Saturday.
Although health chiefs say the pandemic has peaked, they have urged the population to strictly follow a national lockdown which was put in place on March 14 in order to reduce the spread of the virus.
"We are still far from victory, from the moment when he will recover normality in our lives," Sanchez said during a televised address.
"We are all keen to go back out on the streets... but out desire is even .

Spain 'far from victory' in virus fight: PM

Former Chelsea and England goalkeeper Peter Bonetti has died at the age of 78 following a long-term illness, the Premier League club announced Sunday.
"All of us at Chelsea Football Club are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our brilliant former goalkeeper, Peter Bonetti, who made an incredible 729 appearances for the Blues," said a statement on the Blues' Twitter feed.
Nicknamed 'The Cat' because of his agility, Bonetti was a mainstay of the west London side for close on 20 years through the 1960s and 1970s.
But with his career overlapping with that of goalkeeping greats Gordon Banks and Peter Shilton, Bonetti made just seven appearances for England.
He was a member of England's victorious 1966 World Cup squad, but such was Banks's form Bonetti did not play during the tournament.
Bonetti's England career is destined to be remembered for one unfortunate match four years later when, with Banks having suffered a case of food poisoning, he was called up into the side beaten by ..

Chelsea great Bonetti dead at 78 - club

The world's top oil-producing countries will meet via videoconference at 1600 GMT Sunday, a source close to OPEC said, as they try to address plummeting oil prices due to the coronavirus crisis.
The source spoke on the condition of anonymity, but the meeting was confirmed by Azerbaijan.
The meeting will take place in the framework of consultations resulting from the meeting on April 9 of ministers from OPEC and non-OPEC countries," Azerbaijan's energy ministry said in a statement.
It added that the meeting would be chaired by Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman and Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak.
After long virtual negotiations which started on Thursday and continued well past midnight, the Saudi-led OPEC group and other top exporters agreed -- except for lone holdout Mexico -- to a record deal that would cut output by 10 million barrels per day between May and June.
Mexico's reticence led to a standoff that cast doubt on efforts to bolster oil prices, pushed to 

Boris Johnson says UK 'will defeat' coronavirus after leaving hospital

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has warned against "artificial means" of deciding the Premier League.
In a statement to the London club's supporters, which saw the former England boss thank health workers and all those trying to combat the coronavirus, the veteran former England manager insisted there was widespread support for playing the 2019/20 season out to a finish.
"Everyone is in total agreement we need an end to this season," wrote Hodgson.
"We don't want artificial means of deciding who wins the league, who gets into the Champions League, who gets relegated and promoted."
His letter came after UEFA, European football's governing body, warned a failure to complete domestic leagues could see clubs excluded from continental competitions next season.
Hodgson said players who, in common with the rest of the British population, are currently in lockdown would ideally like three to four weeks' preparation before playing a match again.
But the 72-year-old added: "I accept there ...

Hodgson wary of 'artificial' end to Premier League season

England paceman Liam Plunkett has said the outbreak of the coronavirus has made his abrupt exit from international duty "irrelevant".
The 35-year-old Surrey quick helped England lift the World Cup last year, taking three wickets in a thrilling final against New Zealand at Lord's.
That remains his last international appearance, however, with Plunkett disappointed at not being offered an England limited-overs central contract for the 2020 season.
But with Britain currently in lockdown in a bid to combat the pandemic, with the start of the season delayed until May 28 at the earliest and the possibility of further postponements likely, Plunkett was philosophical about his England career.
"Cricket doesn't look so big now," Plunkett told the Sunday Times.
"All the stuff about me not being picked for England, it's irrelevant.
"I was disappointed, but I've got no need to speak about that now. Like everyone, I want my family and friends to be safe, and that's all I'm worried about."
Plunkett, .

AFP

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