Nigeria transforms state-run oil corporation into independent firm

STORY: Nigeria transforms state-run oil corporation into independent firm DATELINE: July 21, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:44 LOCATION: Abuja CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the ceremony 2. various of NNPC Towers 3. SOUNDBITE (English): MUHAMMADU BUHARI, Nigerian President STORYLINE: Nigeria has transformed the state-run Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) into an independent and limited liability firm, about 45 years after the creation of the national oil corporation. The move is part of the ongoing reform of the country's oil industry, heralded by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) signed into law last year by President Muhammadu Buhari. On Tuesday, Buhari unveiled the new Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Limited), which replaced the now defunct NNPC, at a ceremony in Abuja, the Nigerian capital. SOUNDBITE (English): MUHAMMADU BUHARI, Nigerian President "This is a landmark event for the Nigerian oil industry. Our country places a high premium on creating the right atmosp

Lebanese flock to old city of Sidon to enjoy traditional Ramadan atmosphere

STORY: Lebanese flock to old city of Sidon to enjoy traditional Ramadan atmosphere DATELINE: April 25, 2022 LENGTH: 00:03:52 LOCATION: Beirut CATEGORY: CULTURE SHOTLIST: 1. various of Lebanese gathering after Iftar at an old market in Sidon 2. SOUNDBTIE 1 (Arabic): ABO ALI MANTASH 3. SOUNDBTIE 2 (Arabic): RABIH HAIDAR STORYLINE: Despite Lebanon's tough economic situation, hundreds of people flock every day to the old town in Lebanon's southern city of Sidon to sit in coffee shops and restaurants and enjoy the ambiance of Ramadan. Children gather and play with swings while their parents sit at coffee shops to smoke shisha, play cards and chit chat to enjoy the holy month. Sidon's old town is made up of small alleyways that lead to the old souq, or the market. The market has so many different shops ranging from sweets and spices to souvenir shops with food stalls that are great for short breaks and a quick bite. Abo Ali Mantash told Xinhua that people visiting the city can feel the happy and joyful atmosp