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Illustration - Reims

FRANCE. MARNE (51) REIMS. NOTRE-DAME CATHEDRAL OF REIMS, THE GOTHIC ART MASTERPIECE WHERE THE KINGS OF FRANCE WERE CROWNED, WAS ONE OF THE FIRST MONUMENTS REGISTERED AS A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE. EVERY YEAR IT WELCOMES ONE MILLION VISITORS.IN 2011 NOTRE-DAME WILL CELEBRATE ITS 800TH BIRTHDAY. IT IS OWNED BY THE STATE, WHICH DIRECTS THE RENOVATIONS AND DAILY MAINTENANCE NECESSARY TO COUNTER THE DEGRADATIONS OF TIME. Photo by Pascal Stritt/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Historic elections held in Mexico

STORY: Historic elections held in Mexico SHOOTING TIME: June 2, 2024 DATELINE: June 3, 2024 LENGTH: 00:00:51 LOCATION: Mexico City CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. street view in Mexico 2. various of voters STORYLINE: Mexico's electoral authority on Sunday kicked off the largest electoral process in the country's history, in which Mexicans will elect a new president. In addition to the presidency, more than 98.5 million eligible voters will elect 128 senators and 500 deputies of Mexico's bicameral Congress, as well as nine governors of Mexico City, Chiapas, Guanajuato, Jalisco, Morelos, Puebla, Tabasco, Veracruz and Yucatan. In 32 states of the country, local legislatures and city councils will also be renewed, as well as 1,612 mayors and 972 local deputies. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Mexico City. (XHTV)

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Presidential Election Day - Indonesia

A blind woman, Roslaini (51) shows her finger with tint after using her vote rights in the 2024 Indonesian President and Vice President general election at Polling Place 36 specifically for disabled voters on Sampul Street, Medan, North Sumatra Province, Indonesia on February 14, 2024. Indonesia on Wednesday opened polling stations where nearly 205 million eligible voters will choose a new president and some 20,000 other public officials. Photo by Sutanta Aditya/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Presidential Election Day - Indonesia

A blind woman, Roslaini (51) shows her finger with tint after using her vote rights in the 2024 Indonesian President and Vice President general election at Polling Place 36 specifically for disabled voters on Sampul Street, Medan, North Sumatra Province, Indonesia on February 14, 2024. Indonesia on Wednesday opened polling stations where nearly 205 million eligible voters will choose a new president and some 20,000 other public officials. Photo by Sutanta Aditya/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Italian insurance giant eyes expansion in China

STORY: Italian insurance giant eyes expansion in China SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 11, 2024 DATELINE: Jan. 13, 2024 LENGTH: 00:00:21 LOCATION: Rome CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Generali's logo 2. various of Italy 3. various of China STORYLINE: Italian insurance giant Generali's plan to buy out its China-based joint venture is part of a wider strategy to gain market share in China, a company official said. Generali announced it would pay around 108 million U.S. dollars to acquire the 51 percent share in Generali China Insurance Company Limited. "China is a large market, and one Generali intends to continue focusing on," a Generali communications official told Xinhua Thursday. According to its statement, Generali's investment will build on China's environmental commitments to expand its "green business insurance" portfolio. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Rome. (XHTV)

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Türkiye detains nearly 4,600 undocumented immigrants in operations nationwide

STORY: Türkiye detains nearly 4,600 undocumented immigrants in operations nationwide SHOOTING TIME: Dec. 25, 2023 DATELINE: Dec. 26, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:51 LOCATION: Ankara CATEGORY: LAW SHOTLIST: 1. various of Turkish security forces 2. various of the operations STORYLINE: The Turkish security forces have detained a total of 4,586 undocumented immigrants in their countrywide anti-human trafficking operations, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said Monday. Since the Turkish authorities carried out the "Shield-4" operations in 126 raids across 37 provinces, a total of 192 suspected migrant smuggling organizers were caught, Yerlikaya said in a post on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. "We will never give an opportunity to human smugglers who attempt to make our country a target and transit route for illegal immigration. We will catch them one by one and bring them to justice," he said. Currently hosting over four million refugees in its territories, with most of them coming fro

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Sexual violence victims in DR Congo in need of help, protection

STORY: Sexual violence victims in DR Congo in need of help, protection DATELINE: Oct. 4, 2023 LENGTH: 00:03:33 LOCATION: GOMA, DR Congo CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of shelter camps in Goma, DRC 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Swahili): JUSTINE MBURANO, Sexual violence victim 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (French): RASMAN KABORE, Doctors Without Borders coordinator in Goma 4. SOUNDBITE 3 (French): DESANGE MAYENGA, Head of gender issue within FDAPID STORYLINE: Refuge-seeking women in shelters on the outskirts of Goma, a city in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are under the shadow of gender-based violence (GBV), as many victims said that they are having a hard time recovering from GBV-related trauma. Since the beginning of 2023, more than one and a half million people have been forcibly displaced in the provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri, the three conflict-plagued provinces, bringing the total number of displaced persons in the country to more than 5.8 million. Women represent 51 percent of the dis

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The Life Scene of The Mutual Aid Happiness Hospital and Elderly People in Zhangjiakou, China

ZHANGJIAKOU, CHINA - AUGUST 20, 2023 - Photo taken on Aug 20, 2023 shows the Mutual Aid Happiness Hospital in Nanliujiayao village, Huai 'an County, North China's Hebei province. At the western foot of Baiyun Mountain in Xisha town of Huaian County, Hebei Province, there is a small mountain village called South Liujiayao, with a population of less than 60 people and an average age of more than 65 years old. Villagers have been living in earth kilns for generations, and all of them have become dangerous kilns because of the age of the buildings, wind erosion and rain erosion. In July 2018, the local government began to implement the mutual assistance and Happiness hospital project, with a cumulative investment of more than 5 million yuan, leveled more than 6,000 square meters of land in the east of the old village, built 42 sets of apartment houses for free distribution to villagers, and equipped with library, canteen, health room, fitness square and other facilities. Today, 51 people from 33 households in the

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The Life Scene of The Mutual Aid Happiness Hospital and Elderly People in Zhangjiakou, China

ZHANGJIAKOU, CHINA - AUGUST 20, 2023 - A view overlooking the old cave dwelling area of Nanliujiayao village in Huaian County, North China's Hebei province, Aug 20, 2023. At the western foot of Baiyun Mountain in Xisha town of Huaian County, Hebei Province, there is a small mountain village called South Liujiayao, with a population of less than 60 people and an average age of more than 65 years old. Villagers have been living in earth kilns for generations, and all of them have become dangerous kilns because of the age of the buildings, wind erosion and rain erosion. In July 2018, the local government began to implement the mutual assistance and Happiness hospital project, with a cumulative investment of more than 5 million yuan, leveled more than 6,000 square meters of land in the east of the old village, built 42 sets of apartment houses for free distribution to villagers, and equipped with library, canteen, health room, fitness square and other facilities. Today, 51 people from 33 households in the village

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The Life Scene of The Mutual Aid Happiness Hospital and Elderly People in Zhangjiakou, China

ZHANGJIAKOU, CHINA - AUGUST 20, 2023 - Photo taken on Aug 20, 2023 shows the Mutual Aid Happiness Hospital in Nanliujiayao village, Huai 'an County, North China's Hebei province. At the western foot of Baiyun Mountain in Xisha town of Huaian County, Hebei Province, there is a small mountain village called South Liujiayao, with a population of less than 60 people and an average age of more than 65 years old. Villagers have been living in earth kilns for generations, and all of them have become dangerous kilns because of the age of the buildings, wind erosion and rain erosion. In July 2018, the local government began to implement the mutual assistance and Happiness hospital project, with a cumulative investment of more than 5 million yuan, leveled more than 6,000 square meters of land in the east of the old village, built 42 sets of apartment houses for free distribution to villagers, and equipped with library, canteen, health room, fitness square and other facilities. Today, 51 people from 33 households in the

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The Life Scene of The Mutual Aid Happiness Hospital and Elderly People in Zhangjiakou, China

ZHANGJIAKOU, CHINA - AUGUST 20, 2023 - A view overlooking the old cave dwelling area of Nanliujiayao village in Huaian County, North China's Hebei province, Aug 20, 2023. At the western foot of Baiyun Mountain in Xisha town of Huaian County, Hebei Province, there is a small mountain village called South Liujiayao, with a population of less than 60 people and an average age of more than 65 years old. Villagers have been living in earth kilns for generations, and all of them have become dangerous kilns because of the age of the buildings, wind erosion and rain erosion. In July 2018, the local government began to implement the mutual assistance and Happiness hospital project, with a cumulative investment of more than 5 million yuan, leveled more than 6,000 square meters of land in the east of the old village, built 42 sets of apartment houses for free distribution to villagers, and equipped with library, canteen, health room, fitness square and other facilities. Today, 51 people from 33 households in the village

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The Life Scene of The Mutual Aid Happiness Hospital and Elderly People in Zhangjiakou, China

ZHANGJIAKOU, CHINA - AUGUST 20, 2023 - Villagers exercise at a mutual aid happiness house in Liujiayao village, Zhangjiakou city, Hebei province, China, Aug 20, 2023. At the western foot of Baiyun Mountain in Xisha town of Huaian County, Hebei Province, there is a small mountain village called South Liujiayao, with a population of less than 60 people and an average age of more than 65 years old. Villagers have been living in earth kilns for generations, and all of them have become dangerous kilns because of the age of the buildings, wind erosion and rain erosion. In July 2018, the local government began to implement the mutual assistance and Happiness hospital project, with a cumulative investment of more than 5 million yuan, leveled more than 6,000 square meters of land in the east of the old village, built 42 sets of apartment houses for free distribution to villagers, and equipped with library, canteen, health room, fitness square and other facilities. Today, 51 people from 33 households in the village all

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The Life Scene of The Mutual Aid Happiness Hospital and Elderly People in Zhangjiakou, China

ZHANGJIAKOU, CHINA - AUGUST 20, 2023 - Villagers exercise at a mutual aid happiness house in Liujiayao village, Zhangjiakou city, Hebei province, China, Aug 20, 2023. At the western foot of Baiyun Mountain in Xisha town of Huaian County, Hebei Province, there is a small mountain village called South Liujiayao, with a population of less than 60 people and an average age of more than 65 years old. Villagers have been living in earth kilns for generations, and all of them have become dangerous kilns because of the age of the buildings, wind erosion and rain erosion. In July 2018, the local government began to implement the mutual assistance and Happiness hospital project, with a cumulative investment of more than 5 million yuan, leveled more than 6,000 square meters of land in the east of the old village, built 42 sets of apartment houses for free distribution to villagers, and equipped with library, canteen, health room, fitness square and other facilities. Today, 51 people from 33 households in the village all

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The Life Scene of The Mutual Aid Happiness Hospital and Elderly People in Zhangjiakou, China

ZHANGJIAKOU, CHINA - AUGUST 20, 2023 - A doctor checks a villager at the Mutual Aid Happiness Hospital in Liujiayao village, Zhangjiakou city, Hebei province, China, Aug. 20, 2023. At the western foot of Baiyun Mountain in Xisha town of Huaian County, Hebei Province, there is a small mountain village called South Liujiayao, with a population of less than 60 people and an average age of more than 65 years old. Villagers have been living in earth kilns for generations, and all of them have become dangerous kilns because of the age of the buildings, wind erosion and rain erosion. In July 2018, the local government began to implement the mutual assistance and Happiness hospital project, with a cumulative investment of more than 5 million yuan, leveled more than 6,000 square meters of land in the east of the old village, built 42 sets of apartment houses for free distribution to villagers, and equipped with library, canteen, health room, fitness square and other facilities. Today, 51 people from 33 households in t

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The Life Scene of The Mutual Aid Happiness Hospital and Elderly People in Zhangjiakou, China

ZHANGJIAKOU, CHINA - AUGUST 20, 2023 - A doctor checks a villager at the Mutual Aid Happiness Hospital in Liujiayao village, Zhangjiakou city, Hebei province, China, Aug. 20, 2023. At the western foot of Baiyun Mountain in Xisha town of Huaian County, Hebei Province, there is a small mountain village called South Liujiayao, with a population of less than 60 people and an average age of more than 65 years old. Villagers have been living in earth kilns for generations, and all of them have become dangerous kilns because of the age of the buildings, wind erosion and rain erosion. In July 2018, the local government began to implement the mutual assistance and Happiness hospital project, with a cumulative investment of more than 5 million yuan, leveled more than 6,000 square meters of land in the east of the old village, built 42 sets of apartment houses for free distribution to villagers, and equipped with library, canteen, health room, fitness square and other facilities. Today, 51 people from 33 households in t

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Egypt signs 500-mln-USD financing deal with UAE to import wheat

STORY: Egypt signs 500-mln-USD financing deal with UAE to import wheat DATELINE: Aug. 16, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:51 LOCATION: Cairo CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of shots of wheat at an Egyptian port STORYLINE: The Egyptian Ministry of Finance on Tuesday signed a 500-mln-U.S. dollar five-year financing agreement with the Abu Dhabi Exports Office (ADEX) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to finance wheat imports, the ministry said in a statement. "This is the first deal signed with ADEX, a financial arm of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), in light of the two countries' strong relations and the joint cooperation for promoting development and boosting food security," the statement quoted Egyptian Minister of International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat as saying. The funds will be disbursed in five tranches, each valued at 100 million dollars, she added. Noting that food security is a vital issue and a matter of national security, Al-Mashat said Egypt has enough wheat reserves for five months' c

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20 years on, Individual Visit Scheme brings great benefits to Hong Kong tourism industry: official

STORY: 20 years on, Individual Visit Scheme brings great benefits to Hong Kong tourism industry: official DATELINE: July 28, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:19 LOCATION: HONG KONG, China CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of visitors in HK 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): DANE CHENG, HKTB Executive Director 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): DANE CHENG, HKTB Executive Director 4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): DANE CHENG, HKTB Executive Director STORYLINE: Dane Cheng, executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), said in a recent interview with Xinhua that the Individual Visit Scheme for Chinese mainland travelers launched in 2003 has brought revolutionary changes to Hong Kong's tourism industry. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): DANE CHENG, HKTB Executive Director "The Individual Visit Scheme was introduced in 2003. In 2002, the number of the mainland visitors to Hong Kong was 6.8 million. At its peak in 2018, the number of visitors reached 51 million, an increase of about seven times, which has brought us a very large increase in the

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Turkish police arrest 120 suspects over cryptocurrency trading

STORY: Turkish police arrest 120 suspects over cryptocurrency trading DATELINE: June 21, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:56 LOCATION: ISTANBUL, Türkiye CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Istanbul Police Department, police cars leaving the police station for the operation in Türkiye 2. various of police officers searching the houses they raided in Istanbul 3. various of arrested suspects being taken to the police station in Istanbul 4. various of press conference held by Türkiye's Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya STORYLINE: Turkish police have cracked down on scores of individuals allegedly involved in cryptocurrency trading, the country's new Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced on Tuesday. According to Yerlikaya, more than 4,000 bank accounts were examined and a total of 1.2 billion Turkish liras (51 million U.S. dollars) were found transferred between these accounts. The minister said that 120 suspects were detained in the simultaneous operation covering 37 provinces, adding that the government wou

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Real Madrid unveils Jude Bellingham, its 100 million euro star

STORY: Real Madrid unveils Jude Bellingham, its 100 million euro star DATELINE: June 16, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:51 LOCATION: Madrid CATEGORY: SPORTS SHOTLIST: 1. various of Jude Bellingham 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): JUDE BELLINGHAM, Real Madrid player 3. various of Jude Bellingham 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): JUDE BELLINGHAM, Real Madrid player 5. various of Jude Bellingham STORYLINE: Real Madrid formally unveiled 19-year-old English international midfielder Jude Bellingham at their training complex on Thursday. The club declared Bellingham's transfer on a six-year deal from Borussia Dortmund for a preliminary fee of 103 million euros on Wednesday. Additionally, they confirmed he would inherit the '5' shirt, once donned by Zinedine Zidane. Despite attracting interest from clubs in his home country, Bellingham stated that Madrid had always been his top preference. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): JUDE BELLINGHAM, Real Madrid player "I don't think about money at all when I make these kinds of decisions. I've never have. I

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860,000 people projected to flee fighting in Sudan: UNHCR

STORY: 860,000 people projected to flee fighting in Sudan: UNHCR DATELINE: May 7, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:51 LOCATION: RENK, South Sudan CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of a UNHCR bus and trucks with people 2. various of South Sudanese with their belongings arriving at a transit site 3. various of South Sudanese returnees exiting buses 4. various of UNHCR staff helping children 5. various of returnees waiting at the transit site 6. various of a South Sudanese woman carrying her baby 7. various of makeshift structures at the transit site 8. various of people getting water 9. various of returnees leaving with their belongings on donkey carts 10. various of the transit site STORYLINE: The UN refugee agency UNHCR said on Thursday it anticipated an outflow of 860,000 people fleeing the fighting in Sudan, adding that it will need 445 million U.S. dollars to assist the displaced through October. Since the fighting between the Sudanese Army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) began, peopl

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Traffic passing through Egypt's Suez Canal per day hits record high

STORY: Traffic passing through Egypt's Suez Canal per day hits record high DATELINE: March 14, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:03 LOCATION: Cairo CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Suez Canal STORYLINE: Egypt's Suez Canal Authority (SCA) announced on Monday that the canal recorded its highest-ever daily traffic crossing rate, with 107 ships crossing from both directions without waiting, with a total net tonnage of 6.3 million tonnes. Osama Rabie, head of the SCA, said 56 ships with a net tonnage of 3.4 million tonnes passed through the canal from the north direction, while 51 ships from the south direction crossed the new navigational course of the canal with a total net tonnage of 2.9 million tonnes. He also said that the implementation of a project to develop the southern sector of the canal will allow an increase in navigational safety by 28 percent and in the capacity of the canal by about 6 additional ships. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Cairo. (XHTV)

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China will have 2.9 mln 5G base stations by end of 2023: minister

STORY: China will have 2.9 mln 5G base stations by end of 2023: minister DATELINE: March 5, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:51 LOCATION: Beijing CATEGORY: SCIENCE SHOTLIST: 1. various of the sidelines of the ongoing "two sessions" 2. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): JIN ZHUANGLONG, Minister of Industry and Information Technology 3. various of the sidelines of the ongoing "two sessions" STORYLINE: China will have built over 2.9 million 5G base stations by the end of 2023, Minister of Industry and Information Technology Jin Zhuanglong said Sunday on the sidelines of the ongoing "two sessions." SOUNDBITE (Chinese): JIN ZHUANGLONG, Minister of Industry and Information Technology "We have now entered the 5G era. China has built the largest and most advanced 5G network. We will build and put into operation 600,000 5G base stations in 2023, which will bring the total number of 5G base stations to more than 2.9 million. In urban areas, because many cities already have 5G network, we need to provide better coverage. In rural areas, we hav

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Nigerians vote in presidential, national assembly elections

STORY: Nigerians vote in presidential, national assembly elections DATELINE: Feb. 26, 2023 LENGTH: 0:00:51 LOCATION: Abuja CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of Nigeria's presidential and parliamentary elections 2. STANDUP (English): AMZAT ADEWALE, Xinhua reporter STORYLINE: Nigeria's presidential and parliamentary elections were held on Saturday as voters went to the polls nationwide to elect a new president and members of the national assembly. Eighteen presidential candidates took part in the presidential election. STANDUP (English): AMZAT ADEWALE, Xinhua reporter "As polling stations opened their doors, people from all walks of life have been seen waiting patiently to cast their ballots. From the bustling city centers to the rural areas, the air is filled with anticipation and excitement as voters wait for the opportunity to cast their ballots for their preferred candidates. With 87.2 million people expected to participate in the elections, the outcome of this election has the potential to shape

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SAIC-GM-Wuling reports robust sales in 2022

STORY: SAIC-GM-Wuling reports robust sales in 2022 DATELINE: Feb. 4, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:51 LOCATION: NANNING, China CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of manufacturing of Hongguang MINIEV 2. various of Hongguang MINIEV STORYLINE: SAIC-GM-Wuling (SGMW), a major automobile manufacturer in China, reported strong sales in 2022. SGMW, based in Liuzhou in south China's Guangxi, saw its vehicle sales surpass 1.6 million units last year. The company said the sales of its new-energy vehicles (NEVs) also posted robust growth, soaring 33 percent year on year to over 600,000 units throughout the year. SGMW also logged strong performance in exports in 2022, with its export sales rising 33 percent year on year to 193,579 units, registering an increase for seven consecutive years. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Nanning, China. (XHTV)

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U.S. dollars flow into Egypt currency market after Egyptian pound depreciation: bankers

STORY: U.S. dollars flow into Egypt currency market after Egyptian pound depreciation: bankers DATELINE: Jan. 13, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:03 LOCATION: Cairo CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. Egypt's central bank 2. U.S. dollars 3. National banks STORYLINE: Bankers said on Thursday that hundreds of millions of dollars have flowed through Egypt's interbank market since the central bank allowed the Egyptian pound to depreciate by 13 percent. According to Reuters, one banker said that more than 800 million U.S. dollars were traded in the interbank market on Wednesday, an amount confirmed by a second banker. Egypt has been suffering a shortage of foreign currency since the war in Ukraine hit tourism revenue, raised commodity import bills and led foreign investors to pull more than 20 billion dollars out of the economy. The Egyptian pound has lost about 51 percent of its value since March. Bankers said there were signs of international institutions pouring money into Egypt ahead of Thursday's auction of local treasur

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Zimbabwean president says more investments welcome in mining sector

STORY: Zimbabwean president says more investments welcome in mining sector DATELINE: Dec. 16, 2022 LENGTH: 0:02:11 LOCATION: BUHERA, Zimbabwe CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1 various of the ground-breaking ceremony of the Sabi Star Lithium Mine 2 SOUNDBITE 1 (English): EMMERSON MNANGAGWA, Zimbabwean President 3 SOUNDBITE 2 (English): CONSTANTINO CHIWENGA, Vice President of Zimbabwe 4 various of the mining sector in Zimbabwe STORYLINE: Zimbabwe welcomes more investors to take up opportunities in the exploration, extraction, and beneficiation of natural resources in order to maximize the value of its vast mineral wealth. Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa made such remarks during the official ground-breaking ceremony of the Sabi Star Lithium Mine in Manicaland Province. China's Chengxin Lithium Group last year acquired a 51 percent interest stake in Max Mind's Sabi Star Lithium Mine. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): EMMERSON MNANGAGWA, Zimbabwean President "The investment of about 130 million U.S. dollars b

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Slump in first tuna auction of the year in Wakayama

SHINGU, Japan - Fish dealers examine tuna in the first auction of the year on Jan. 4 at the Katsuura Fishery Cooperative in Nachikatsuura, Wakayama Prefecture, one of the largest coastal tuna fishing towns in Japan. The auction of 36 tons of tuna fetched 17 million yen. The highest bid went to a 51-kilogram yellowfin tuna for 150,000 yen. The volume of tuna auctioned during the day and the amount in transactions were just half of last year's levels. Co-op officials attributed the slump to higher fuel prices and the reluctance of younger fishermen to go to sea during the New Year holidays.

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Matsuzaka bids farewell to Seibu fans

TOKYO, Japan - Daisuke Matsuzaka, a right-hander on the Pacific League baseball club Seibu Lions, pitches in an exhibition game during a fans' gathering at Invoice Seibu Dome in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, on Nov. 23. The Boston Red Sox won the negotiating rights for Matsuzaka with a $51 million bid.

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Matsuzaka bids farewell to Seibu fans

TOKYO, Japan - Daisuke Matsuzaka, a right-hander on the Pacific League baseball club Seibu Lions, is surrounded by fans during a fans' gathering at Invoice Seibu Dome in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, on Nov. 23. The Boston Red Sox won the negotiating rights for Matsuzaka with a $51 million bid.

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Matsuzaka bids farewell to Seibu fans

TOKYO, Japan - Daisuke Matsuzaka, a right-hander on the Pacific League baseball club Seibu Lions, bids farewell to fans during a fans' gathering at Invoice Seibu Dome in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, on Nov. 23. The Boston Red Sox won the negotiating rights for Matsuzaka with a $51 million bid.

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Matsuzaka bids farewell to Seibu fans

TOKYO, Japan - Daisuke Matsuzaka, a right-hander on the Pacific League baseball club Seibu Lions, is tossed into the air by his teammates during a fans' gathering at Invoice Seibu Dome in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, on Nov. 23. The Boston Red Sox won the negotiating rights for Matsuzaka with a $51 million bid.

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Matsuzaka bids farewell to Seibu fans

TOKYO, Japan - Daisuke Matsuzaka, a right-hander on the Pacific League baseball club Seibu Lions, waves to fans during a fans' gathering at Invoice Seibu Dome in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, on Nov. 23. The Boston Red Sox won the negotiating rights for Matsuzaka with a $51 million bid.

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Matsuzaka return home from brief visit to U.S.

NARITA, Japan - Daisuke Matsuzaka arrives at Narita International Airport, northeast of Tokyo, on Nov. 21 following a brief visit to the United States to meet with officials of the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox won the negotiating rights for the Seibu Lions right-hander with a $51 million bid.

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Matsuzaka return home from brief visit to U.S.

NARITA, Japan - Daisuke Matsuzaka arrives at Narita International Airport, northeast of Tokyo, on Nov. 21 following a brief visit to the United States to meet with officials of the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox won the negotiating rights for the Seibu Lions right-hander with a $51 million bid.

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Red Sox win rights for Matsuzaka for $51 million

NARITA, Japan - Japanese right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka speaks during a news conference at Narita airport on Nov. 15 before leaving for the United States for talks with his agent after the Boston Red Sox won the right to negotiate with him.

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Red Sox win rights for Matsuzaka for $51 million

NARITA, Japan - Japanese right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka (C) arrives at Narita airport on Nov. 15 to leave for the United States for talks with his agent after the Boston Red Sox won the right to negotiate with him. The Seibu Lions accepted a $51.11 million offer, a record amount linked to a player's move in Japanese sports.

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Red Sox win rights for Matsuzaka for $51 million

NARITA, Japan - Japanese right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka prepares to leave Narita airport on Nov. 15 for the United States for talks with his agent after the Boston Red Sox won the right to negotiate with him.

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Red Sox win rights for Matsuzaka for $51 million

NARITA, Japan - Japanese right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka smiles during a news conference at Narita airport on Nov. 15 before leaving for the United States for talks with his agent after the Boston Red Sox won the right to negotiate with him.

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Red Sox win rights for Matsuzaka for $51 million

NARITA, Japan - Japanese right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka prepares to leave Narita airport on Nov. 15 for the United States for talks with his agent after the Boston Red Sox won the right to negotiate with him.

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Matsushita to launch world's largest plasma TV in Japan

TOKYO, Japan - Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. said it will begin taking orders on Sept. 1 for its newly developed 103-inch plasma TV, which is the world's largest flat-panel TV, for delivery on the Japanese market. The made-to-order TV unveiled at a pres conference in Tokyo on July 19 has a panel measuring 2.3 meters by 1.2 meters and is expected to retail for 6 million yen (about $51,000).

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Group breaks into home, steals 100 mil. yen

TOKYO, Japan - Four or five men broke into a company manager's house (pictured) in Tokyo's Adachi Ward on Dec. 16 and stole about 100 million yen in cash after binding the manager, his wife and daughter. The men entered the house around 4 a.m. and threatened Mitsuo Komiya, 51, with a stun gun, saying, ''Money, money.'' They forced him to open a safe and took the money away, the police said.

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Pair of stag beetles priced at 5 million yen in Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan - A pair of stag beetles is selling for 5 million yen in an insect shop in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, on July 12. Collecting stag beetles, known as 'kuwagata mushi' in Japanese, is a popular hobby in Japan. The prices are determined according to the size, birth place, color and shape of the beetles. The male beetle (R) is 77 millimeters long and the female is 51 mm.

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Egypt launches national campaign to vaccinate against polio

STORY: Egypt launches national campaign to vaccinate against polio DATELINE: Nov. 29, 2022 LENGTH: 00:00:51 LOCATION: Cairo CATEGORY: SOCIETY/HEALTH SHOTLIST: 1. various of children in Egypt 2. various of a hospital in Egypt STORYLINE: Egypt announced a national campaign to vaccinate against polio on Monday. The campaign, which will run from December 11 to 14, aims to vaccinate children from the age of zero to five free of charge, for both Egyptians and non-Egyptians. According to government officials, the campaign will be implemented in all governorates of the country, where around 16 million children will get the vaccination. The last case of polio was recorded in Egypt in 2004, and the World Health Organization declared Egypt free of polio in 2006. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Cairo. (XHTV)

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Ship loading operation of large towers for ExxonMobil Huizhou project completed

STORY: Ship loading operation of large towers for ExxonMobil Huizhou project completed DATELINE: Nov. 3, 2022 LENGTH: 00:00:51 LOCATION: TIANJIN, China CATEGORY: TECHNOLOGY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the ship loading operation STORYLINE: The ship loading operation of two large towers for ExxonMobil's complex in Huizhou, southern China's Guangdong Province, was recently completed in north China's Tianjin. Multinational oil and gas corporation ExxonMobil broke ground on its solely-funded chemical complex in Huizhou in April 2020. The complex, with a total investment of about 10 billion U.S. dollars, will be built in two phases. The first phase with a 1.6 million tonne-per-year ethylene cracker and down-stream production equipment is scheduled to be completed by 2023 when construction on the second phase will begin. An annual operating income of 39 billion yuan (5.5 billion U.S. dollars) and 7.3 billion yuan of taxes will be expected when the first phase reaches designed capacity. The two large towers shipp

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6 million tonnes of grain transported from Ukraine, easing food supply concerns

STORY: 6 million tonnes of grain transported from Ukraine, easing food supply concerns DATELINE: Oct. 8, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:51 LOCATION: ISTANBUL, Türkiye CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. STANDUP 1 (English): ZEYNEP CERMEN, Xinhua correspondent 2. SOUNDBITE (Turkish): BARIS DOSTER, Academic at Istanbul-based Marmara University 3. STANDUP 2 (English): ZEYNEP CERMEN, Xinhua correspondent 4. various of cargo ships 5. various of signing ceremony STORYLINE: STANDUP 1 (English): ZEYNEP CERMEN, Xinhua correspondent "Within the scope of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, the grain transported from Ukrainian ports to global markets exceeded 6 million tonnes as of Oct. 4, according to the Turkish Defence Ministry. In a statement on Twitter on Tuesday, the ministry announced that so far 260 vessels have left Ukrainian ports, carrying foodstuffs, such as corn, wheat, sunflower, sugar beet, soybean, and peas, to the rest of the world. According to the United Nations statement released in mid-September, 27 percent of the c

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Türkiye hikes up passage fees through its straits almost fivefold

STORY: Türkiye hikes up passage fees through its straits almost fivefold DATELINE: Aug. 30, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:51 LOCATION: ISTANBUL, Türkiye CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Bosphorus in Türkiye 2. various of dry cargo ships passing through the Bosphorus in Türkiye 3. various of cargo ships moored in Istanbul, Türkiye 4. various of cargo ships advancing from the Black Sea towards the Bosphorus in Türkiye STORYLINE: Türkiye introduced a nearly fivefold hike in fees for passage through its straits, which connect the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, local media reported on Monday. Citing officials from the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, the daily Sabah stated that the new passage toll will be effective on Oct. 7. The passage fee increased from around 0.8 U.S. dollars to 4 dollars per tonne, it added, noting that annual revenues are expected to rise to 200 million dollars, compared to the current 40 million generated from some 40,000 passages per year. Following the rights provided b

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63,000 tonnes of wheat from Romania arrive at Egypt's Safaga port

STORY: 63,000 tonnes of wheat from Romania arrive at Egypt's Safaga port DATELINE: Aug. 22, 2022 LENGTH: 00:00:51 LOCATION: Cairo CATEGORY: SOCIETY/ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of an Egyptian port 2. various of wheat STORYLINE: Egypt General Authority of Red Sea Ports announced on Sunday that 63,000 tonnes of wheat, coming from Romania, arrived at Safaga port, located 53 km south of Hurghada. Early in August, Egyptian Minister of Supply and Internal Trade Ali al-Moselhy said the strategic reserve of wheat can cover domestic consumption for 7.2 months. Moselhy said that the ministry succeeded in getting 2.7 million tonnes of wheat from different countries during the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, including France, Romania, and Bulgaria. In recent years, Egypt has imported nearly 80 percent of its grain from Russia and Ukraine through the Black Sea due to its high quality and competitive prices. Annually, Egypt spends tens of billions of pounds to secure nearly 20 million tonnes of local and imported wheat,

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Drought threatens Romania's agricultural production

STORY: Drought threatens Romania's agricultural production DATELINE: Aug. 19, 2022 LENGTH: 00:00:51 LOCATION: Bucharest CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT/ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of cropland 2. various of firefighters extinguishing fire 3. various of a government meeting discussing drought problems STORYLINE: Romania's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said on Thursday that persisting drought threatens to reduce agricultural production in most of Romania's counties this year as thirsty cropland is expanding in acreage day by day. According to data from the ministry, the drought has affected 375,423 hectares of cropland in 33 of Romania's 41 counties, causing damages. About 54 percent of the damages are reported in wheat and triticale cultivation, 17 percent in corn and 16 percent in rapeseed and sunflower. Romania has about 10 million hectares of arable land, only 3 million hectares of which are irrigated. Farmers believe the actual acreage of drought-hit cropland is still much larger t

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China's Qinghai launches clean energy campaign

STORY: China's Qinghai launches clean energy campaign DATELINE: July 30, 2022 LENGTH: 00:00:51 LOCATION: XINING, China CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of staff fixing photovoltaic power generation facilities 2. various of clean energy facilities in Qinghai STORYLINE: Northwest China's Qinghai Province had generated nearly 9.98 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity using clean energy during a "green power" campaign from June 25 to July 29, equivalent to saving more than 4.53 million tonnes of raw coal or slashing 8.16 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. The plateau province, which boasts rich clean energy resources, has launched the "green power" campaign every year since 2017. Qinghai has a vast expanse of land that can be used for setting up photovoltaic power generation facilities and wind farms, with the amount of exploitable solar energy exceeding 3.5 billion kW, accounting for 11 percent of the national total. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Xining, China. (XHTV)

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Egypt to buy 180,000 tonnes of wheat from India: trade ministry

STORY: Egypt to buy 180,000 tonnes of wheat from India: trade ministry DATELINE: June 27, 2022 LENGTH: 00:00:51 LOCATION: Cairo CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: various of Egypt's Ministry of Supply and Internal Tradevarious of wheat STORYLINE: Egypt's Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade said on Sunday the country has signed a contract with India to purchase 180,000 tonnes of wheat. Noting the crops will be delivered in the near future, the ministry said the step is part of Egypt's efforts to diversify its wheat supplies. The ministry added that Egypt has strategic reserves of wheat sufficient for 5.7 months. Egypt imports around 12 million tonnes of wheat each year, with 80 percent of it coming from Russia and Ukraine. The country has been facing pressure from the surge of wheat prices in the international market after the Russia-Ukraine conflict broke out. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Cairo. (XHTV)