Month: November 2024

Kwara State Governor Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq recently unveiled a significant initiative aimed at enhancing rural infrastructure for agricultural development during a flag-off ceremony in Ilorin. Over the past five years, his administration has invested a total of N4 billion in counterpart funds, which he emphasized as a critical effort in revolutionizing rural infrastructure.

“This initiative marks the beginning of our ambitious project that will involve the construction, rehabilitation, and upgrade of 209.77 kilometers of rural roads, benefiting 16 local government areas,” AbdulRazaq stated at the event, which was attended by notable figures, including members of the National Assembly, the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, and various traditional leaders.

The governor elaborated on the importance of the project, explaining that it falls under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), which is funded collaboratively by the World Bank and the French Development Agency. “Our administration has committed at least N4 billion in counterpart funds over these years, contributing to a total investment valued at N19,404,220,675.55 for the benefit of our people,” he said.

Highlighting the specific roads included in the project, AbdulRazaq mentioned several key routes such as the Alapa-Hoko (0.7 km), Madi-Peke (17.5 km), and the Odo Ode- Soliu-Arogun-Ikotun-Oke Amin-Rondo-Offa road (22.08 km), amongst others.

“The RAAMP project is closely aligned with our goal to transform rural infrastructure, which is essential for agricultural growth in the state,” he pointed out. He also took a moment to thank the World Bank and the French Development Agency for their financial support, as well as the Federal Project Management Unit for their effective coordination.

Looking ahead, the governor announced plans to award contracts for the establishment of three Agro-logistics Centres located in each senatorial district, further expanding the rural road network. “Since taking office in 2019, we have ensured prompt payments of counterpart funds, totaling N4,026,891,000. This is something prior administrations in the state failed to accomplish,” he stressed.

During the event, Senator Lola Ashiru applauded the governor for committing to counterpart funding, calling it a vital requirement that had been neglected in the past. Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, echoed similar sentiments, describing the project as a significant step toward improving access to agricultural products and supporting the state’s socio-economic development.

Furthermore, Kwara’s Commissioner for Works, Abdulquawiy Olododo, praised the collaborative efforts that brought the project to fruition and highlighted that over 170 road projects are in progress across Kwara State for 2024, with a substantial number already completed.

Engr. Isaac Kolo, the State Coordinator of RAAMP, expressed confidence that these investments demonstrate the governor’s commitment to the welfare of the people and the vision required for significant advancements in rural infrastructure.

Recently, Hunan Province Party Secretary Shen Xiaoming conducted an investigation in Huaihua, during which he made an unscheduled visit to a rural school—Genshankou Central Primary School in Quyang Town. He discovered several issues, including poor infrastructure, most computers in the computer lab being non-functional, and a lack of necessary equipment in the laboratory to meet educational needs. He emphasized the need for improvements in both the hardware and software of rural schools to address these shortcomings.

The findings from this visit highlight the necessity of such investigations. They revealed problems that are often overlooked, such as the high number of unusable computers and inadequate laboratory resources, sparking considerable public concern. This situation underscores the ongoing deficiencies in hardware at rural schools, which urgently need to be addressed.

In today’s digital era, if schools fail to provide foundational computer skills, it can significantly impact the digital literacy of young people. Given that this is a rural primary school, the computer resources available are likely even more precious to many of the students. Therefore, it is crucial to promptly fill these gaps to ensure that children in rural primary schools do not fall behind in the digital age.

In 2022, the Ministry of Education released the “Compulsory Education Curriculum Plan and Curriculum Standards (2022 Edition),” establishing “Information Technology” as a required subject in compulsory education. Concurrently, the Ministry is continually advancing the national education digitalization strategy. However, if most computers at rural primary schools are unusable, these efforts cannot even begin.

Reports indicate that research conducted in collaboration with institutions across 11 provinces, including Guizhou, revealed that 78.4% of students in rural areas engage with digital devices primarily at home. Moreover, the main purpose for using these devices is for entertainment and relaxation, with less than half utilizing them to complete academic tasks. This illustrates that students in rural areas have limited access to school resources and lack the knowledge on how to use them effectively.

Consequently, the issues identified by the Hunan Party Secretary during his unannounced visit, such as the high number of non-functional computers, should not be dismissed as isolated incidents. Society needs to be alert; as technological disparities widen, personal growth differences resulting from such gaps may become even more pronounced.

Education authorities across regions should recognize the urgency of this situation and continue to increase investments in funding, talent, and technology, helping children access the information world. This effort can begin with establishing solid “hardware foundations.”

— Liu Zao (Media Professional)
Source: Xinjingbao

On October 23, the Hainan Provincial Meteorological Administration issued a forecast regarding Typhoon Tanmei. The typhoon is expected to enter the eastern South China Sea around the evening of October 24, with its intensity gradually increasing to potentially reach super typhoon levels. By October 26, it is projected to pass through the Xisha Islands and approach the southeastern coast of Hainan Island.

As of 8 a.m. on October 23, Typhoon Tanmei, classified as a tropical storm, was located at a latitude of 15.7 degrees north and a longitude of 124.4 degrees east, approximately 385 kilometers northeast of Manila, Philippines. The maximum wind speed close to the center was measured at 23 meters per second, equivalent to a force of level 9.

Forecasts indicate that Tanmei will continue to move northwest, turning slightly westward at a speed of about 20 kilometers per hour. It is expected to cross northern Luzon during the night of October 23 into the daytime of October 24, reaching the eastern waters of the South China Sea around the evening of October 24. As the storm strengthens, significant impacts are anticipated, particularly as it nears Hainan’s southeastern coastline on October 26.

The effects of the typhoon will bring increasing winds to the central and northern South China Sea starting on October 24. Wind speeds are expected to escalate from east to west, reaching levels 10 to 12, with rotational winds near Tanmei’s center potentially hitting levels 13 to 14. Between October 26 and 28, Hainan Island is forecasted to face severe wind and rain conditions.

Hainan’s meteorological authorities are urging relevant departments to closely monitor updates and prepare for necessary defensive measures. They also advise vessels operating in the central and northern South China Sea to seek shelter and return to port in a timely manner. Additionally, there may be disruptions in navigation through the Qiongzhou Strait from October 26 to 28, prompting related authorities to prepare for adjustments in transport arrangements and traffic control.

Omolabake Fasogbon

During a recent business fair organized by the Federation of Business Women Entrepreneurs (FEBWE) in Lagos, the necessity to strengthen the Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS) protocol on the free movement of people, goods, and services was emphasized. Leaders and experts in attendance expressed that enhancing these protocols could unlock the region’s vast potential and stimulate economic growth.

ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mrs. Massandje TOURE-LITSE, addressed the audience, pointing out that while progress has been made regarding the protocols, significant challenges remain that negatively impact women entrepreneurs engaged in cross-border trade.

In a high-level panel discussion, TOURE-LITSE urged women to overcome these challenges with resilience and adaptability. “It’s crucial for business people to become familiar with trading regulations to effectively navigate border issues,” she stated. “Both men and women in business must understand their rights to ensure that officials act professionally.”

Former Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, also attended the fair and highlighted the importance of empowering women in the region, noting that this empowerment can significantly accelerate growth.

In our conversation today, we focus on the urgent situation concerning polio vaccination efforts in Gaza. Over 442,000 children in central and southern Gaza received their second dose of the oral polio vaccine earlier this month. However, the United Nations has announced a postponement of the emergency vaccination campaign in northern Gaza, attributing this decision to intense bombardments, mass displacements, and restricted access to healthcare.

This critical vaccination campaign was initiated following Gaza’s first case of polio in 25 years, which unfortunately resulted in the paralysis of a baby boy. The final phase of this two-stage rollout was scheduled to commence on Wednesday, with nearly 120,000 children in northern Gaza anticipated to receive their second dose.

However, the Israeli military has intensified its operations in the Jabalia area, claiming it is targeting regrouping Hamas fighters. The impact of this offensive has been devastating, with reports indicating that over 400 individuals have lost their lives and approximately 60,000 have been displaced in just the past two weeks.

For those residents unable or unwilling to evacuate, the situation has become increasingly dire, with reports of dwindling food supplies and other essential resources. The challenges facing both healthcare providers and families in the region raise urgent questions about the future of public health and safety in Gaza.

The Israeli military announced today that a newly appointed commander in charge of financing for Hezbollah has been “eliminated” in Syria.

In a statement, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Daniel Hagari revealed that the commander, whose name has not been disclosed, led Hezbollah’s Unit 4400. This unit, backed by Iran, is responsible for channeling funds generated from oil sales in Tehran to Hezbollah.

Unit 4400 manages the shipment of Iranian oil to Syria, which is then sold in Lebanon. Hagari stated that these operations are valued at “tens of millions of dollars.”

He further mentioned that the commander was “eliminated just a few hours ago” in Syria.

Hagari noted that Unit 4400 was previously led by Mohammed Jafar Ksir, also known as Sheikh Salah.

He explained, “Ksir has managed this terror group’s primary source of income for years, until we successfully targeted and eliminated him during an operation in Beirut earlier this month.”

Earlier today, the Syrian Ministry of Defense reported that an Israeli airstrike in the Syrian capital, Damascus, resulted in the death of two individuals in a vehicle.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights specified that the strike targeted a non-Syrian individual who was driving near a location commemorating Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader killed by Israel last week in the Gaza Strip.

Since Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7, their ally Hezbollah has been firing rockets into northern Israel almost daily in a show of support for Hamas.

For the past month, Israel has continued ground operations to drive Hezbollah away from its northern border and has intensified its efforts to target Hezbollah’s financial networks in recent days.

In recent years, the concept of green consumption has gained traction, leading to the rapid growth of the secondhand market. From community consignment shops and physical thrift stores to online platforms, how is the idle economy shaping a new trend?

At a charity supermarket in Shanghai, Ms. Zhang recently brought a collection of unused items from her recent move. After the staff in the secondhand section inspected the items, they awarded her with green recycling points through a mini-program on her phone.

With these points, Ms. Zhang was able to exchange them for a keyboard she had long wanted—another resident’s discarded item.

In the charity supermarket’s secondhand area, local residents can find a range of pre-owned books, jewelry, clothes, and small appliances that have been cleaned and disinfected before being put on display. Some items even undergo creative upcycling.

Li Yujun, the manager of the secondhand section at the charity supermarket, shared, “About 80% of our customers are young people. We host weekly market events where most attendees find great deals, allowing them to purchase beautiful or practical items at affordable prices.”

As young consumers’ purchasing habits continue to evolve, the “Internet + secondhand goods” model has emerged. In a busy Shanghai store, a selection of pre-owned books and clothing is offered for sale.

Consumers can conveniently pack up their old books and other items via their smartphones and sell them to the store. After processing, these once-idle goods return to the physical retail space, lowering the selling threshold and enhancing the retail landscape.

In a recent interview, Bella Myŏng-wŏl Dalton-Fenkl opened up about her journey into Korean mythology and how she discovered the deep roots of these old stories within her own family. “Growing up, I was surrounded by Korean culture,” she explained. “In my childhood homes, we had a woodblock print of a tiger meant to ward off evil spirits, a print of the ten symbols of longevity, and even a shamanic dance mask. To me, these were just part of the background.”

She fondly recalled her father’s efforts to immerse her in the language, reminiscing, “When I was an infant, he would chant Korean phonemes to me—‘Ga, na, da, ra…’—to help me pronounce the sounds correctly.” As she grew, he shared traditional Korean children’s songs, and even today, Bella can recite the lyrics of “Mountain Rabbit” and “Forsythia.”

However, her early experiences weren’t always smooth. “I remember being around three years old, writing my name, ‘Bella,’ in Hangul with chalk on our driveway. A friend asked if it was Chinese, and when I told her it was Korean, she seemed offended, saying they were all the same.” Reflecting on this, Bella admitted, “At that age, I didn’t grasp why people would make such an incorrect assertion. It was odd to witness a kind of discrimination toward something they didn’t understand.”

Bella’s connection to Korean mythology deepened when her parents gifted her a thick book titled “the big red myth book” around the age of five. “It was a treasure trove of stories from various cultures, but there was nothing on Korea,” she said. Yet, the tales of her heritage were not lost. “My father grew up in a family of storytellers. His mother was a dream interpreter, and his uncle practiced geomancy. They inspired him to become a folklorist, and he passed down the stories, like Princess Bari’s quest.”

Despite her rich heritage, Bella often questioned her identity. “With my pale skin, I didn’t fit the typical image of a Korean, and it made me feel disconnected sometimes.” She had older Korean friends who tutored her in the language, helping her bridge that gap. “We would gather around a small ginkgo wood table, study, and enjoy snacks. My mother would serve us kimchi, recipes from my great-aunt, who was a renowned cook.”

As Bella moved into adulthood, her perspective began to evolve. “While studying at Vassar College, I chose to discuss a wooden statuette of the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara during a museum interview. I learned that this figure had different representations across cultures. It dawned on me that these cultural nuances were a fundamental part of my identity.”

Yet, discussions about her heritage often leaned towards modern aspects of Korean culture. “Whenever I mentioned being part-Korean, it was usually met with enthusiasm about K-pop or K-dramas. I noticed a shift in awareness of Korean culture back home, largely due to the Hallyu phenomenon, but it often seemed curated for Western audiences.”

Reflecting on her childhood, Bella recounted her first birthday celebration steeped in tradition. “We had a ritual where I chose objects that would predict my future. I picked a pencil, which symbolized a path as a writer or scholar,” she shared.

Now, as a co-author of a book on Korean folk tales and myths with her father, Bella feels she is continuing a family tradition of storytelling. “We merged our passions—my interest in mythology and art history alongside his folkloric expertise,” she explained. “If we lived a century ago, we would have been grinding ink and using calligraphy brushes.”

Ultimately, Bella has embraced her journey as both a writer and a bearer of her family’s myths. “I realize now that these stories were always around me, and my time with them prepared me to share them with others. Sometimes, you just have to write the book you needed to read yourself.”

Their book, “The Korean Myths: A Guide to the Gods, Heroes and Legends,” co-authored with Heinz Insu Fenkl, is now available through Thames & Hudson and will soon help a new generation connect with the rich tapestry of Korean folklore.

In the U.S. used car market, electric vehicle prices have become surprisingly affordable. Recent reports indicate that resale values for electric vehicles (EVs) have plummeted, dropping as much as 25% compared to prices from two years ago.

Two years back, some used electric cars were priced nearly on par with new models—or even higher—largely due to widespread supply chain issues that created a scarcity of vehicles. However, the landscape has shifted dramatically. Dealership lots are now overflowing with electric cars that aren’t selling, and manufacturers like Tesla have been slashing the prices of new models to stimulate sales.

The influx of discounts on new electric cars has helped revive sluggish sales but has also pushed used car prices down sharply. According to data from the car buying site Edmunds, the average price for a three-year-old electric vehicle in September was about $28,400, which is lower than the price of comparable gasoline-powered vehicles from the same year, reflecting a 25% drop since the beginning of 2023. This drastic decline in the price of used electric cars stands in stark contrast to the overall stability in the used car market.

Analysts suggest that the steep drop in prices for used electric vehicles could attract budget-conscious buyers. Additionally, many new car owners who financed their purchases now face the reality of owing more on their loans than their vehicles are worth.

Tesla owners, in particular, have felt the impact deeply. Last year, Tesla reduced prices on some new car models by as much as one-third, prompting a wave of price cuts from competitors. Furthermore, rental giant Hertz sold a significant portion of its Tesla fleet to the used car market in January, which further depressed prices.

Data from CarGurus shows that the average asking price for the popular used Tesla models—Model 3 and Model Y—has fallen by around 25% over the past year.

One Tesla Model 3 owner, named Lange, expressed his frustration, stating, “They keep reducing prices, impacting the used electric vehicle market.” When he purchased his Model 3 in 2018, it was valued at approximately $35,000, which matched his loan balance. However, by early this year, the resale value of his Tesla had dropped below his remaining loan amount by $10,000. Feeling disheartened, he sold the Model 3 and switched to a Kia EV9. Tesla has not responded to requests for comment.

As consumer interest in electric vehicles has waned this year, manufacturers have become more proactive in promoting new models, offering cheaper leasing options and low-interest financing plans, which has weakened demand in the used car market.

Leasing has quickly emerged as the most popular method for acquiring new electric cars. According to Edmunds, at the beginning of this year, only 16% of electric vehicle sales at dealerships were for leasing purposes; that figure has now surged to nearly 80%.

Industry leaders admit they misjudged the market, and this miscalculation is impacting used electric vehicle prices. In response to the oversupply, automakers are scaling back their ambitious plans, reducing production, and postponing expansion projects, while some are proactively adjusting their leasing strategies to help maintain the value of used vehicles.

Invited by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to attend the 16th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in Kazan, Russia, from October 22 to 24.

How did the BRICS family come together? What embodies the spirit of BRICS? Let’s explore the BRICS cooperation mechanism through nine informative images.

(Reporter: Wang Shen; Poster: Yin Zhelun)
[Editor: Shao Wanyun]