Flowerbud News

Category: Foreign

  • Chinese Dance Drama “MULAN” Premiered in the United States

    Chinese Dance Drama “MULAN” Premiered in the United States

     

    Boston (US):   On the evening of September 23, local time in the United States, the Chinese heroine Hua Mulan made a stunning appearance in the lyrical melody at the Wang Theater at the Boch Center in Boston, the United States.

    The “dance drama” has produced not only a classic legend, bus also a new environment of cultural exchanges. It was applauded once every 10 minutes on average!

    This was the premiere of the Chinese dance drama “MULAN” in the United States, where many overseas audiences were enchanted. More than 50 actors and actresses conveyed the unique oriental charm to the audience with their majestic and magnificent dancing performance.

    When the ensemble answering the curtain call, applause and cheers lasted for a full 15 minutes, which was enough to express the enthusiasm and love of more than 1,600 spectators for Chinese art.

    Huang Ping, Chinese Consul General in New York, Shang Jiyuan, Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Consulate General in New York, Michael Thomas, President of the New England Commission of Higher Education in the United States, Tweed Roosevelt, Chairman of the Theodore Roosevelt Institute of Long Island University, and other guests came to see the performance and gave high praise.

    Huang Ping said, “This is not only a performance, but also a bridge that communicates the hearts and minds of the people of China and the United States and promotes bilateral exchanges.” Tweed Roosevelt from the Roosevelt family praised highly: “This is a great show!”

    Mulan is an international acclaimed IP of Chinese culture. The American audience is already familiar with the character of Mulan. Back in 1998, Disney has filmed the animated film Mulan. In 2020, the Disney has released its real-life version of the film Mulan worldwide.

    Behind the dance drama “MULAN” was China’s leading creative team. It was jointly produced by the Ningbo Performance & Arts Group Co., Ltd., the China National Opera House and the Huangpi District Government in Wuhan and has won China’s most prestigious award of the Chinese dance art China Dance Lotus Award.

    The drama premiered at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in 2017, and has been staged in nearly 100 performances across China since then. It will be staged in Boston and Washington for six consecutive performances this time.

    “Although factors such as jet lag need to be overcome, the artists are excited. The enthusiasm of the American audience is quite out of my expectation.” Hao Ruoqi, the actress of Mulan, commented.

    Rick and his wife from Boston came to the show and praised with admiration, “The dancers are very professional! Their costumes and stage design also have Chinese characteristics.”

    Another spectator, Steve, commented: “The part of the performance that Mulan embarking on a heroic journey to the battlefield was very exciting and worthy of recommendation. The dance drama has expressed the yearning for peace, which is the common pursuit of mankind.”

    It is worth mentioning that the “circular turntable” with a diameter of 15 meters and a weight of 7 tons on the stage has demolished the limitations of time and space and created more scenes for a single stage.

    “I have been to China. Chinese history and culture are profound. Mulan in my impression is very traditional. I didn’t expect the stage of this dance drama to be so modern like this!” Michael Thomas told reporters.

    Lin Hong, chairwoman of Ningbo Performance & Arts Group Co., Ltd., said: “Ningbo is located next to Shanghai and is an important port city in China. It has been delivering excellent performances in the recent years. I hope that this performance will play a positive role in the exchanges and mutual learning of civilizations between China and the United States.” (Flowerbudnews)

     

     

    Manuscript contact: Li Xiaohang

    Contact: 0086-13857875695

    Contact email: 406555375@qq.com

     

  • Main Venue Event of 2023 Beijing Great Wall Culture Festival Held in Changping District

    Main Venue Event of 2023 Beijing Great Wall Culture Festival Held in Changping District

     

    Changping (China): Flowerbudnews:  Strolling through the history of the Great Wall, we are now writing a new chapter of culture.

    The “Mountain and the Moon at the Juyong Pass” in the course of the main venue event of 2023 Beijing Great Wall Culture Festival in Changping District, “Rendezvous with Great Wall at Mighty Pass Under the Bright Moon”, was grandly presented at the foot of Juyongguan Great Wall on the evening of September 23.

    This Great Wall Culture Festival includes a main venue event, a high-level cultural salon, a summit forum and a number of thematic activities. With the Great Wall as a medium, culture as a link, the mighty Great Wall was presented to the global audience with an audiovisual language that is full of rich contemporary sense.

    As night fell, the magnificently illuminated Juyongguan Great Wall with brilliant lights or fireworks announced the kick-off of the event officially. The main venue event in Changping District consists of the results release and launching ceremony, cultural performances among others.

    On-site of the event

    Through the release of the results of the Great Wall Cultural Belt series, the broadcast of the Great Wall Cultural Promotion Videos as well as a variety of programs and performances, the event has shown the world the magnificent architectural miracles and unparalleled historical and cultural landscapes in human history.

    At the evening, literary and artistic programs with the characteristics of the Great Wall were also staged in turn. Ancient poems were chanted together, “Under a Border-fortress”, “Drinking Alone Under the Moon”, “Asking the Moon with Wine in Hand”, which was full of emotion and deeply moving; the original song “Enjoying the Sight of the Moon on a Platform in the Clouds”, which poured out the ancient inspiration of the Great Wall, itching the souls of our Chinese people;

    Others were, the song mix of “The endless Green of Juyong Mountain”, “The Mighty Pass of Thousand Miles” and “Four Seasons at Juyong Pass”, which revealed the magnificent and long history of the Great Wall, and built a Great Wall of poetry and music.

    On-site of the event

    To better disseminate the culture of the Great Wall, Changping District, Beijing, where the Juyong Pass is located, has also initiated other activities simultaneously during the Great Wall Cultural Festival, such as Juyong Soul – Great Wall Themed Photography Art Exhibition, Juyong Pass Great Wall City Market and Juyong Pass Great Wall Cage Football Invitational.

    In the form of “tourism + intangible heritage + cultural creation + sports”, the cultural and tourism industry is promoted for high-quality integrated development, cultural resources are activated, tourism supply is enriched, the people’s love for the Great Wall is stimulated, and a sound atmosphere for the whole people to participate in the protection of cultural relics is created.

    Contact: Li Yameng

    Tel: 0086-18511329901

    Email: lym66391@163.com

     

  • Egypt sets date for presidential election in December

    Egypt sets date for presidential election in December

    By Flowerbud News

    Sept 25, 2023

    Egypt’s presidential election is to take place in December, according to the country’s National Election Authority.

    The commission said on Monday that the presidential poll would be held over three consecutive days beginning Dec. 10, the election body said.

    It said the Egyptians living abroad would be able to cast their ballots over three days from Dec. 1.

    Candidacy registration would open on Oct. 5 until Oct. 14 with the final list of candidates to be released on November 19.

    The final results of the vote are to be officially announced on Dec. 18.

    Walid Hamza the commission’s head promised a fair election, adding that the election would take place under full judicial supervision.

    “Say your word in the ballot box and decide your fate and future by your hands,” Hamza said, calling on Egyptians to vote in the upcoming election that comes amid an economic crisis in the country of around 105 million.

    Around 65 million Egyptians are eligible to vote, according to Egyptian media.

    Incumbent President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi, who has ruled Egypt since 2014, has not officially announced his candidacy, but he is widely expected to run.

    After his re-election in 2018, his current term ends next April.

    Under approved amendments to Egypt’s 2014 constitution, al-Sissi would be allowed to run for one more six-year term.

    Several leaders in political parties loyal to al-Sissi have announced their intention to stand for president.

    Opposition politician Ahmed al-Tanatawi, an ex-lawmaker, has also said he would run and accused security agencies of arresting some of his supporters.

    dpa/NAN

  • Illicit drugs: NDLEA partners Pakistani counterparts as INCB facilitates talks in Vienna

    Illicit drugs: NDLEA partners Pakistani counterparts as INCB facilitates talks in Vienna

    Flowerbudnews

    By Ibironke Ariyo

    Abuja:  The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) says it is partnering with its Pakistani counterparts, division of Pakistan (DRAP), Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) and Controlled Substances Section, Ministry of Narcotics Control.

    This is contained in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) by the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi, on Saturday in Abuja.

    Babafemi said the agency held talks with them to explore ways of collaboration and to restrict channels of trafficking illicit substances between Nigeria and Pakistan.

    He said the Chairman, NDLEA, retired Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, had earlier approved a delegation, comprising Joseph Nbona, Director, Prosecution and Legal Services; Gadzama Bashir, Director, Operations and General Investigation to take up the mandate.

    Also named were: Abdulrahman Adebowale, Head, Data/Digital Intelligence, Directorate of Intelligence and Aminu Jega, Directorate of Seaport Operations, approved as part of the delegates.

    He added that Aderemi Afolabi, Deputy Director, Investigation and Enforcement and NAFDAC were also included on the list for the Feb. 27 meeting in Vienna, Austria.

    Babafemi also added that the strategic case meeting brought the two countries, face to face, to discuss their responsibilities, held under the supervision of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB).

    This, he said, were focused on improved communication and exchange of real time intelligence using the INCB communication tools, Incident Communication System, IONICS, between NDLEA and the Pakistani anti-narcotics agencies.

    “At the end of the talks, the two delegations adopted important resolutions on how to improve their cooperation and tackle the menace of illicit drug trafficking between both countries especially pharmaceutical opioids like Tramadol, ” Babafemi said.

    The Pakistani delegation comprised Mr Ahmad Din, Director, Division of Controlled Drugs, DRAP; Mr Arif Muhammad, Additional Director, Division of Controlled Drugs, DRAP.

    Mr Ammar Ali, Director (Anti-Narcotics Force), Regional Directorate, North, ANF; and Mr Syed Ali- Bokhari, Section Officer, Controlled Substances Section, Ministry of Narcotics Control were also included.

    They expressed commitment to improving operational communication with the NDLEA, through existing networks between both countries and by using more frequently, the possibilities offered by IONICS, the INCB’s tool of real time communication. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng) /Flowerbudnews

  • NAFDAC seals bakery in Abuja for filthy production environment

    By Mustapha Sumaila
    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) said it has sealed Lovers Bakery at Jikwoyi, Abuja, for filthy and unhealthy production environment.
    The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, said this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.
    Adeyeye said that the bakery, located in a commercial area of Jikwoyi Phase 1, was sealed following a tip off by consumers and an investigation at the bakery.
    She explained that the bakery was very untidy and had a toilet inside the production area as well as Pets (dogs) were seen roaming about in and out of the baking area.
    She said that the personnel met at the bakery were not properly dressed and it was obvious that the production staff live in the baking premises.
    According to her, the cloak room was converted to a living quarter for bakery staff while the oven is made of firewood which makes the whole environment very untidy at the time of visit.
    She said that when this was discovered by the NAFDAC team, the bakery was sealed off and placed on hold.
    “A second visit was made to the bakery on the July 23, 2018, following information that activities were still going on in the bakery.
    “The inspectors observed that there was evidence to show that the HOLD label on the facility had been tampered with, as some of the baking pans containing dough during the initial visit had been taken away.
    “And it was obvious they gained access by jumping the fence.
    “The manager claimed the place was probably burgled without his knowledge because he travelled when the incidence occurred.
    “Another HOLD label has now been placed on the bakery and administrative charge imposed on the company,” she explained.
    The director-general renewed the commitment and determination of the agency to ensure people do not consume unwholesome food or drinks in accordance with its mandate. (NAN)

    Edited by Muhyideen Jimoh/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

  • NAFDAC Boss Warns Nigerians on Products Containing Potent Medicinal Ingredients dangerous to Health

    NAFDAC Boss Warns Nigerians on Products Containing Potent Medicinal Ingredients dangerous to Health

     

    By Biola Lawal

    Abuja (Flowerbudnews): NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Christiana Adeyeye has warned Nigerians to beware of four products found to contain steroids and banned substances injurious to human health.

    Prof. Adeyeye gave the warning in a public notice issued by NAFDAC on the the implicated potent medicinal ingredients which may cause severe side effects on consumers, including muscular and bone disorders.

    She disclosed that NAFDAC was notified of the dangerous products by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) of Singapore, which confirmed that four consumers experienced adverse effects after taking three of the products.

    The NAFDAC Boss said that the potent medicinal ingredients used in the implicated products were not allowed as they could cause severe side effects on consumers.

    Prof Adeyeye said that Labouratory analysis conducted by HSA – Singapore on the products revealed that they contained potent medicinal ingredients, including steroids, sibutramine (a banned weight loss medicine) and tadalafil (an erectile dysfunction medicine).

    She listed Information on the implicated products as follows:

    Further details of the products as provided by HSA are as follows; Product Name   Potent medicinal  ingredients

    Source    ‘ENRU PLUS+’Sibutramine (banned substance)Local e-commerce and social media platforms    ‘HKT HERBA KURUS

    TRADISI’ Sibutramine (banned substance)
    Local e-commerce platforms    ‘PILL HUA LUO CIN TAN Dexamethasone, Diclofenac, Prednisolone (potent steroids)

    Local e-commerce platform; also bought overseas from Malaysia  ‘Spinach GINSENG   HERB SUGAR’ Tadalafil (potent anti-impotency
    medicine).

    Parcel post detained by Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) (Singapore).

    Possible Adverse Effects of Potent Ingredients Found in the Products Dexamethasone and Prednisolone. Dexamethasone and prednisolone are potent steroids that are usually prescribed for inflammatory conditions and should only be used under strict medical supervision.

    Long-term unsupervised use of steroids can cause increased blood glucose levels (which may lead to diabetes), high blood pressure, cataracts, muscular and bone disorders.

    It can also cause an increased risk of infections and Cushing’s syndrome (a round or ‘moon face’ appearance and upper body obesity with thin limbs).

    Discontinuation of steroids without proper medical supervision can cause serious withdrawal symptoms such as fatigue, confusion and low blood pressure.

    Diclofenac: Diclofenac is a potent painkiller that may potentially cause serious gastric bleeding, as well as cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and stroke when used for a prolonged period.

    Diclofenac should be used under close medical supervision, especially in consumers with underlying heart conditions.

    Sibutramine: Sibutramine was a prescription-only medicine for weight loss but has been banned in Singapore since 2010 because of an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.

    Other serious adverse effects including fast heart rate, hallucinations or hearing voices have also been reported by consumers who took slimming products adulterated with sibutramine.

    Tadalafil: Tadalafil is a prescription medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction that should only be given under medical supervision.

    Inappropriate use of tadalafil is dangerous and can increase the risk of serious adverse effects, including heart attack, stroke, headache, migraine, irregular heart rate and priapism (painful and exceedingly long erections).

    Tadalafil can also pose serious risks to certain individuals, including those with heart-related problems.

    It can cause potentially life-threatening low blood pressure in those who are on heart medications, especially those containing nitrates.

    PHOTOS OF PRODUCTS TESTED BY HSA

    ‘ENRU PLUS+’ ‘HKT HERBA KURUS TRADISI’

    ‘PILL HUA LUO CINTAN ‘Spinach GINSENG HERB SUGAR’

    Prof. Adeyeye said that though the products were not in NAFDAC database, importers, distributors, retailers and consumers are advised to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid the importation, distribution, sale and use of the above mentioned product.

    She counselled that ”the product authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked. Members of the public in possession of any of the products should discontinue sale or use and submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office”.

    The NAFDAC Boss urged Healthcare professionals and consumers to report adverse events experienced with the use of the products to the nearest NAFDAC office, via pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng,

    E-reporting platforms available at www.nafdac.gov.ng or via the Med- safety application for download on android and IOS stores, she stated. (Flowerbudnews)

     

    About Flowerbudnews

    Established by Hon.  Biola Lawal, a former Acting Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Flowerbudnews is a consortium of active journalists, media veterans and image makers in both public and private sectors of Nigeria’s media Industry determined to enhance the practice of responsible journalism.

    Lawal, on his part, is also a former Honourable Commissioner for Information,Youth, Sports and Culture of Osun state, his home state.

    Biola Lawal had also successfully served two tenures as Press Secretary to the ECOMOG Force Commander in Liberia during the Liberian and Sierra Leone Civil wars.

    Lawal holds the honour of being the only journalist that served two terms on the ECOMOG international assignment due to his high professionalism and decency)

     

     

     

  • AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria backs Tinubu’s food systems goals at UNGA

    AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria backs Tinubu’s food systems goals at UNGA

     

    By Cecilia Ologunagba

    New York: Chief  Executive Officer (CEO), African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) Nigeria, Gloria Akobundu, says the AU agency is backing the food systems priorities of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

    Akobundu said this on the sidelines of High Level Meeting on “Attracting investments in Land Restoration, Food Systems, and Rural Transformation in Africa” organised by AUDA-NEPAD on margins of the 78th session of UN General Assembly in New York.

    The UN correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was organised by AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria Secretariat in collaboration with its continental counterpart (AUDA-NEPAD) Contiental.

    “President Tinubu has set his target and his goals and we are so grateful that food systems and education are priorities to his goals and his great vision for Nigeria and Africa.

    “For us in Africa Union Development Agency, our mandate centres on driving the vision of the heads of state and government, ensuring its implementation and reporting back.

    “So, we’re so grateful to him as our leader and our president. We’re grateful for his passion, for his commitment and dedication in realising a peaceful and vibrant economy in Nigeria, of which there will be an overflow to other African countries.

    “So, coming here today on Global Financing for food systems, is very welcoming to development for the country and it’s in line with Tinubu’s vision on realising food security, and also in line with African Union agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” she said.

    Akobundu, also the National Coordinator of AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria, said the agency was grateful for the commitment and support of the Nigerian government.

    “Education and food become priorities and the bedrock for development and there’s no doubt if achieved will curb insecurity, create jobs, ensure exports, grow our GDP and add a lot to the economy of our country.

    “So, it’s a welcome development, and you can see we have development partners. We have been working with them, they’re very much interested. They’re very happy with the Nigerian government,” she said.

    According to her, the partners are happy with the set goals, the policies as President Tinubu promised to remove every bottleneck to ensure that these priorities succeed.

    “We are collaborating with the Continental Secretariat to mobilise development partners, to market, educate and inform the global community on the priority of the Nigerian government and Africa at large.

    “Also, to woo investors and ensure that in every sector of the economy, investors come into partnership with Nigeria, following the vision of our leader, President Bola Tinubu,” said Akobundu.

    Earlier in her speech, she informed the participants of  the smallholder farmers’ project in Nigeria, targeted at building the capacity of local farmers in order to increase their contribution to the nation’s food production and improved nutrition.

    “The project was initiated by AUDA-NEPAD as a response to the ravaging effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    “More than 20,000 smallholder farmers spread across 22 states of Nigeria have been enrolled into the scheme and have been grouped into cooperatives in order to facilitate assess to financing,” she said.

    According to her, the project is in line with Zero hunger Policy of AU Agenda 2063: “The Africa We Want” and also Goal 2 of the UN SDGs.

    “It aims to end all forms of hunger and malnutrition by 2030, and ensure that all people–especially children–have sufficient and nutritious food all year.

    “The smallholder farmers’ project also serves as a vehicle for the restoration of one million hectares of degraded land in Nigeria,” she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng) /Flowerbudnews

  • BREAKING: Bauchi Guber Tribunal upholds Bala Mohammed’s victory

    BREAKING: Bauchi Guber Tribunal upholds Bala Mohammed’s victory

    The Bauchi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has dismissed the petition filed by the All Progressives Congress, APC, and its governorship candidate, Sadique Abubakar

    The tribunal affirmed the victory of Governor Bala Mohammed of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

     

    The three-man panel chaired by Justice P.T Kwahar, held that there was “no strong reason to nullify the election”, stating that the poll was conducted in compliance with the law.

     

    DAILY POST reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had declared Bala Mohammed winner of the March 18 governorship election.

     

    However, the APC candidate, a former Chief of Air Staff, approached the court to nullify the election over alleged irregularities

    .

     

  • India issues advisory to citizens in Canada amid diplomatic tussle

    India issues advisory to citizens in Canada amid diplomatic tussle

     

    New Delhi:    (Xinhua/NAN) The Indian government on Wednesday issued an advisory to its citizens in Canada against travelling to areas which are prone to anti-India activities.

    The advisory came in the wake of souring relations between the two countries after the killing of a Sikh leader in Canada which the Canadian government blamed on Indian agencies.

    Both countries have expelled one diplomat from each other’s embassy.

    “In view of growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes and criminal violence in Canada, all Indian nationals there and those contemplating travel are urged to exercise utmost caution,” said an official statement issued by India’s Ministry of External Affairs.

    It particularly advised Indian students in Canada to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant given the “deteriorating security environment in Canada.” (Xinhua/NAN)(www.nannews.ng) /Flowerbudnews