Nigerian president directs expansion of student-loan scheme to include skill development

STORY: Nigerian president directs expansion of student-loan scheme to include skill development SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 22, 2024 DATELINE: Jan. 25, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:13 LOCATION: Abuja CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of President Bola Tinubu in a meeting with the management of the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) 2. various of meeting STORYLINE: Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has directed the management of the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to expand its focus area by extending interest-free loans to local students interested in skill-development programs. Tinubu gave the directive at the State House on Monday, saying it is important for the scheme to accommodate those who may not want to pursue university education. He explained that skill acquisition is "as important as obtaining undergraduate and graduate academic qualifications," emphasizing the importance of equipping young Nigerians with practical skills that are essential for success in today's dynamic workforce. The deci

(MASTER OF CRAFTS)CHINA-ANHUI-QIMEN-KEEMUN BLACK TEA-INHERITOR (CN)

(MASTER OF CRAFTS)CHINA-ANHUI-QIMEN-KEEMUN BLACK TEA-INHERITOR (CN)

(221130) -- QIMEN, Nov. 30, 2022 (Xinhua) -- A worker puts fresh tea leaves into a withering machine at Wang Chang's tea company in Qimen County, east China's Anhui Province, March 28, 2022. Keemun black tea, one of the most famous Chinese tea with intensive aroma, has a history of more than 100 years. The tea, also called "Qihong" in Chinese, plays an important role in cultural exchanges between the west and the east. In 2008, the making of Keemun black tea was listed as China's national-level intangible cultural heritage, and nowadays the tea has become a symbol for Anhui Province or even China. The primary processing of Keemun black tea includes four steps, namely natural withering, rolling, fermenting and drying, lasting from before the Qingming festival (April) to June. After that, the refining of the tea is much more complicated, which mainly includes procedures such as screening, winnowing, compressing, re-drying, blending, piling and packing. Of all the refining steps, blending is the key, which deci

CPC plays role in leading development: Lebanese Communist Party head

STORY: CPC plays role in leading development: Lebanese Communist Party head DATELINE: Sept. 29, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:29 LOCATION: Beirut CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of the technologies in China 2. various of the views in China 3. SOUNDBITE (Arabic): HANNA GHARIB, Head of Lebanese Communist Party STORYLINE: The head of the Lebanese Communist Party said the Communist Party of China (CPC) has played its role in leading development and aiming for a better way of life for the Chinese people. SOUNDBITE (Arabic): HANNA GHARIB, Head of Lebanese Communist Party "What mostly sparks admiration over the past ten years at the local level in China is the fast development and the fight against poverty and the advancement on the scientific and technological levels, especially when it comes to issues related to scientific technology, artificial intelligence and the issues related to enhancing the strong financial basis for developing socialism (with Chinese characteristics in the new era), a very courageous deci

U.S. Fed raises rates by three-quarter point amid inflation surprises

STORY: U.S. Fed raises rates by three-quarter point amid inflation surprises DATELINE: June 16, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:14 LOCATION: Washington D.C. CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the press conference STORYLINE: The U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday raised its benchmark interest rate by 75 basis points, marking the sharpest rate hike since 1994, as data released in recent days indicated inflation showed no clear sign of easing. "Inflation remains elevated, reflecting supply and demand imbalances related to the pandemic, higher energy prices, and broader price pressures," the Fed said in a statement after a two-day policy meeting, adding that the Fed is "highly attentive to inflation risks." The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), the Fed's policy-making body, decided to raise the target range for the federal funds rate to 1.5 to 1.75 percent and "anticipates that ongoing increases in the target range will be appropriate." The statement showed that 10 committee members voted for the deci