Chinese chef promotes Spring Festival food in Spain's Barcelona

STORY: Chinese chef promotes Spring Festival food in Spain's Barcelona SHOOTING TIME: Feb. 21, 2024 DATELINE: Feb. 23, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:40 LOCATION: BARCELONA, Spain CATEGORY: CULTURE SHOTLIST: 1. various of people walking on Las Ramblas in Barcelona 2. various of a cookery workshop 3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Spanish): PENG WENBIN, Chinese chef 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Spanish): LOURDES ROMERO, Barcelona resident 5. various of Chinese restaurants in Barcelona 6. various of a cookery workshop STORYLINE: As part of the Spring Festival celebrations in Spain's northeastern city of Barcelona, a Chinese chef gave a masterclass on Wednesday on how to make Jiaozi, or dumplings. Organized by the Confucius Institute of Barcelona, the award-winning chef, who has been living in Spain for 15 years, presented the cookery workshop to an enthusiastic group of Spanish people in the city's iconic La Boqueria market. SOUNDBITE 1 (Spanish): PENG WENBIN, Chinese chef "We are constantly learning more about the food, customs and culture of othe

Chinese woman introduces foods from NE China at restaurant in Australia

STORY: Chinese woman introduces foods from NE China at restaurant in Australia SHOOTING TIME: Feb. 9, 2024 DATELINE: Feb. 15, 2024 LENGTH: 00:03:06 LOCATION: Canberra CATEGORY: CULTURE SHOTLIST: 1. various of the restaurant 2. various of a chef cooking 3. Chinese New Year wishes from Meng Fanhua, the owner of the restaurant. 4. various of Canberra STORYLINE: Meng Fanhua, a lady in her 30s from Northeast China, running two Chinese restaurants in Canberra, the Australian capital, has proudly introduced her hometown's cuisine to guests. Meng was glad that her hometown, China's northeastern Heilongjiang Province, has gained prominence since the beginning of this year as a top winter destination in China, though the outdoor temperature there falls to below minus 20 degrees Celsius in winter. Through food, Australians can understand Chinese people and culture, Meng said, adding that she has been enthusiastic in promoting Northeast China's best foods to residents in Canberra. In Meng's restaurant, local reside

Egypt's inflation up to 38 pct in September

STORY: Egypt's inflation up to 38 pct in September DATELINE: Oct. 11, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:17 LOCATION: Cairo CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of markets in Egypt (file) 2. various of restaurants in Egypt (file) 3. various of markets in Egypt (file) STORYLINE: Egypt's annual urban consumer price inflation rose to 38 percent in September from 37.4 percent in August 2023, Egypt's official statistics authority said on Tuesday. Monthly prices of food and beverages climbed by 3.6 percent, vegetables by 19.2 percent, fruits by 5.4 percent, and sugar by 2.9 percent, Egypt's Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) said. Egypt has been struggling to curb the inflation rates that have been rising over the past few years, amid local currency depreciation and foreign currency shortage. On Monday, Egypt's Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said the government will reduce the prices of seven basic food commodities by 15 percent to 25 percent, adding that "containing inflation and cont

U.S.-CHICAGO-TASTE OF CHICAGO

U.S.-CHICAGO-TASTE OF CHICAGO

(230910) -- CHICAGO, Sept. 10, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A couple eats a chicken-waffle corndog and pickle fries during the Taste of Chicago in downtown Chicago, the United States, on Sept. 9, 2023. Some 35 restaurants and 15 food trucks participated in the 2023 event. (Photo by Vincent D. Johnson/Xinhua)

U.S.-CHICAGO-TASTE OF CHICAGO

U.S.-CHICAGO-TASTE OF CHICAGO

(230910) -- CHICAGO, Sept. 10, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People cut a giant cheesecake during the Taste of Chicago in downtown Chicago, the United States, on Sept. 9, 2023. Some 35 restaurants and 15 food trucks participated in the 2023 event. (Photo by Vincent D. Johnson/Xinhua)

U.S.-CHICAGO-TASTE OF CHICAGO

U.S.-CHICAGO-TASTE OF CHICAGO

(230910) -- CHICAGO, Sept. 10, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People queue up for pieces of a giant cheesecake during the Taste of Chicago in downtown Chicago, the United States, on Sept. 9, 2023. Some 35 restaurants and 15 food trucks participated in the 2023 event. (Photo by Vincent D. Johnson/Xinhua)

U.S.-CHICAGO-TASTE OF CHICAGO

U.S.-CHICAGO-TASTE OF CHICAGO

(230910) -- CHICAGO, Sept. 10, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A woman eats cheesecake during the Taste of Chicago in downtown Chicago, the United States, on Sept. 9, 2023. Some 35 restaurants and 15 food trucks participated in the 2023 event. (Photo by Vincent D. Johnson/Xinhua)

U.S.-CHICAGO-TASTE OF CHICAGO

U.S.-CHICAGO-TASTE OF CHICAGO

(230910) -- CHICAGO, Sept. 10, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A woman eats a piece of deep-dish Chicago-style pizza during the Taste of Chicago in downtown Chicago, the United States, on Sept. 9, 2023. Some 35 restaurants and 15 food trucks participated in the 2023 event. (Photo by Vincent D. Johnson/Xinhua)

U.S.-CHICAGO-TASTE OF CHICAGO

U.S.-CHICAGO-TASTE OF CHICAGO

(230910) -- CHICAGO, Sept. 10, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People eat Korean chili chicken bites and sour dumplings during the Taste of Chicago in downtown Chicago, the United States, on Sept. 9, 2023. Some 35 restaurants and 15 food trucks participated in the 2023 event. (Photo by Vincent D. Johnson/Xinhua)

Egypt's unemployment rate drops to 7 pct in Q2

STORY: Egypt's unemployment rate drops to 7 pct in Q2 DATELINE: Aug. 23, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:58 LOCATION: Cairo CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) of Egypt 2. various of shops and restaurants 3. various of the Central Bank of Egypt STORYLINE: Egypt's unemployment rate fell slightly by 0.1 percent to 7 percent in the second quarter of this year, according to a report released by the country's statistics agency CAPMAS on Tuesday. More than two million Egyptians were without a job, including 1.2 million men and 941,000 women, the data revealed, adding that 61.8 percent of the unemployed Egyptians were between 15 and 29 years old. Meanwhile, the workforce in Egypt that covers the employed, unemployed who are capable to work, and those desiring to find jobs raised by 1.3 percent in the second quarter, compared to the same period a year earlier, said the report. Egypt's annual inflation rate rose to an all-time high of 38.2 percent in Ju

CHINA-CHONGQING-EGYPT-CAIRO-NIGHT LIFE (CN)

CHINA-CHONGQING-EGYPT-CAIRO-NIGHT LIFE (CN)

(230818) -- BEIJING, Aug. 18, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A dancer performs Sufi dance in Cairo, Egypt, July 15, 2023. Chongqing, a city by the Yangtze River, is called "stove" by Chinese people because of its high temperature in summer; Cairo, located on the bank of the Nile, has long been a hot place on the edge of desert. Both cities have been vigorously promoting the night economy. Hongyadong in Chongqing is an ancient city gate that has been transformed into a giant suspended building featuring restaurants and other entertainment venues. Khan el-Khalili in Cairo, the centuries-old marketplace, is considered one of the most important tourist attractions in Egypt. Every day when the night falls and summer heat dissipates, locals and tourists enter the streets and lanes in both cities and enjoy the flourishing night life. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

CHINA-JIANGXI-JINGDEZHEN-DEVELOPMENT (CN)

CHINA-JIANGXI-JINGDEZHEN-DEVELOPMENT (CN)

(230619) -- JINGDEZHEN, June 19, 2023 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on May 15, 2023 shows a view of Taoxichuan ceramic art avenue in Jingdezhen, east China's Jiangxi Province. Jingdezhen is a world-famous "porcelain capital" in east China's Jiangxi Province. The city has four national-level industrial heritage sites. In the past few years, Jingdezhen has advanced the protection and utilization of industrial heritage, injecting new vitality to the city's development. The old workshops in Taoxichuan industrial heritage complex have been transformed into art museums, galleries, livestreaming workshops, traditional ceramic workshops, restaurants and hotels. Cultural relics unearthed from the imperial kiln site, an industrial heritage site which dates back to the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911), are on display at the Jingdezhen Imperial Kiln Institute, which is located next door to the imperial kiln relics site. (Xinhua/Lu Zhe)

CHINA-JIANGXI-JINGDEZHEN-DEVELOPMENT (CN)

CHINA-JIANGXI-JINGDEZHEN-DEVELOPMENT (CN)

(230619) -- JINGDEZHEN, June 19, 2023 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on May 15, 2023 shows a night view of Jingdezhen Imperial Kiln Institute in Jingdezhen, east China's Jiangxi Province. Jingdezhen is a world-famous "porcelain capital" in east China's Jiangxi Province. The city has four national-level industrial heritage sites. In the past few years, Jingdezhen has advanced the protection and utilization of industrial heritage, injecting new vitality to the city's development. The old workshops in Taoxichuan industrial heritage complex have been transformed into art museums, galleries, livestreaming workshops, traditional ceramic workshops, restaurants and hotels. Cultural relics unearthed from the imperial kiln site, an industrial heritage site which dates back to the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911), are on display at the Jingdezhen Imperial Kiln Institute, which is located next door to the imperial kiln relics site. (Xinhua/Lu Zhe)

U.S.-TEXAS-LUNAR NEW YEAR-CELEBRATION

U.S.-TEXAS-LUNAR NEW YEAR-CELEBRATION

(230117) -- HOUSTON, Jan. 17, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People perform lion dance to celebrate the upcoming Lunar New Year in Houston, Texas, the United States, Jan. 15, 2023. Texas, the second most populous U.S. state, is embracing Lunar New Year celebrations popping up more fabulously than before in places ranging from public libraries to children's museums, local bars, and Asian restaurants in both big cities and some small towns. TO GO WITH "Feature: Texans fascinated by more fabulous celebrations for Lunar New Year" (Xinhua/Xu Jianmei)

U.S.-TEXAS-LUNAR NEW YEAR-CELEBRATION

U.S.-TEXAS-LUNAR NEW YEAR-CELEBRATION

(230117) -- HOUSTON, Jan. 17, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People perform dragon dance to celebrate the upcoming Lunar New Year in Houston, Texas, the United States, Jan. 15, 2023. Texas, the second most populous U.S. state, is embracing Lunar New Year celebrations popping up more fabulously than before in places ranging from public libraries to children's museums, local bars, and Asian restaurants in both big cities and some small towns. TO GO WITH "Feature: Texans fascinated by more fabulous celebrations for Lunar New Year" (Xinhua/Xu Jianmei)

Michelin gives top rating to 15 restaurants in western Japan

Michelin gives top rating to 15 restaurants in western Japan

NARA, Japan - Chefs or owners of 15 restaurants hold oversized mock-ups of the 2012 Michelin guide for western Japan that covers Nara for the first time along with Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe, during an event in Nara on Oct. 18, 2011. The 2012 guide awarded the highest three-star rating to the 15 restaurants.

Michelin gives top rating to 15 restaurants in western Japan

Michelin gives top rating to 15 restaurants in western Japan

NARA, Japan - Nobuharu Yamamura (L), owner of Japanese restaurant Wa Yamamura in Nara, holds an oversized mock-up of the 2012 Michelin guide for western Japan that covers Nara for the first time along with Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe, during an event in Nara on Oct. 18, 2011. The 2012 guide awarded the highest three-star rating to 15 restaurants including Wa Yamamura. On the right is Bernard Delmas, president of Nihon Michelin Tire.

N. Korea begins celebratory events for founder Kim Il Sung

N. Korea begins celebratory events for founder Kim Il Sung

PYONGYANG, North Korea - The 15th April Holiday Food Festival started in Pyongyang on April 6, 2010, for a three-day run, featuring local and traditional dishes prepared by about 40 restaurants from across the country as North Korea began a series of events the same day to commemorate the birthday of the country's founder, Kim Il Sung, on April 15.

N. Korea begins celebratory events for founder Kim Il Sung

N. Korea begins celebratory events for founder Kim Il Sung

PYONGYANG, North Korea - Cooks look at local and traditional dishes prepared by about 40 restaurants from across the country at the 15th April Holiday Food Festival which started in Pyongyang on April 6, 2010, for a three-day run. North Korea began a series of events the same day to commemorate the birthday of the country's founder, Kim Il Sung, on April 15.

Michelin Guide 2010 Kyoto & Osaka to come out Oct. 16

Michelin Guide 2010 Kyoto & Osaka to come out Oct. 16

OSAKA, Japan - The Michelin Man character shows an enlarged photo panel of the front cover of the Michelin Guide 2010 Kyoto & Osaka to an official of Kansai International Airport near Osaka on Oct. 15, 2009, after arriving from Paris to promote the first Michelin guidebook on restaurants and accommodations in western Japan, which will hit the stands Oct. 16.

Kanagawa eyes ordinance on total smoking ban in public areas

Kanagawa eyes ordinance on total smoking ban in public areas

YOKOHAMA, Japan - Kanagawa Gov. Shigefumi Matsuzawa said April 15 the prefecture has compiled a basic plan for an ordinance to ban smoking in hotels, restaurants and other public places in the prefecture in a bid to prevent passive smoking.

Osaka Securities Exchange opens commercial plaza

Osaka Securities Exchange opens commercial plaza

OSAKA, Japan - A tape cutting ceremony is held at the Osaka Securities Exchange building in Osaka's Chuo Ward on Dec. 15 to mark the opening of a commercial space dotted with restaurants, banks and other tenants.

NTT Communications to launch wireless LAN services

NTT Communications to launch wireless LAN services

TOKYO, Japan - NTT Communications Corp. said April 25 it will launch wireless LAN services enabling super-fast Internet access at fast-food restaurants, cafes and other public spaces on May 15. The new services, dubbed HOTSPOT, mark the first commercialization of wireless LAN by a major carrier. This photo was taken at an Internet cafe in Tokyo's Roppongi on April 25.

Sony opens entertainment center in San Francisco

Sony opens entertainment center in San Francisco

Sony Corp. opens an entertainment center June 16 in San Francisco, the first of its kind by the Japanese electronics giant, with the opening ceremony drawing 5,000 visitors. The four-story Metreon center was built on a 31,500-square-meter site and houses 15 movie theaters, in addition to video arcades and restaurants.

Travelers back in Japan

Travelers back in Japan

A street lined with restaurants and souvenir shops near Ise Jingu shrine in the Mie Prefecture city of Ise is crowded with tourists on Oct. 15, 2022, the start of the first weekend after the Oct. 11 introduction of a national travel subsidy program aimed at buoying the COVID-hit domestic tourism industry.

Türkiye sees record-high new iPhone prices

STORY: Türkiye sees record-high new iPhone prices DATELINE: Oct. 15, 2022 LENGTH: 0:02:57 LOCATION: Ankara CATEGORY: ECONOMY/SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of people on the streets, at cafe and restaurants with their phones in Türkiye 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Turkish): EMRE TEKIN, Smartphone shop clerk 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Turkish): HARUN EMRAH ZULAL, Parking lot worker 4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Turkish): YIGIT MERT DOGAN, Software Engineer STORYLINE: Suffering from galloping inflation and a depreciating currency, Türkiye is witnessing one of the highest-ever retail prices for new Apple iPhone 14 smartphones. The annual inflation reached 83.45 percent in September, and consumer prices rose by 3.08 percent month-on-month, further hitting Turks who already struggle with high energy, food and housing costs, shows data released by the Turkish Statistical Institute. The high iPhone prices is also due to the high taxes imposed by the country on smartphones and other technological devices. SOUNDBITE 1 (Turkish): EMRE TEKIN, Smartphone

McDonald's successor reopens in Russia after U.S. giant withdrawal

STORY: McDonald's successor reopens in Russia after U.S. giant withdrawal DATELINE: June 13, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:23 LOCATION: Moscow CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the reopening 2. STANDUP (English): MENG JING, Xinhua correspondent STORYLINE: STANDUP (English): MENG JING, Xinhua correspondent "We are here at Pushkinskaya Square in central Moscow, where McDonald's opened the first of its branches in Russia (the Soviet Union) in 1990. The American fast-food giant recently ended its 32-year presence in Russia, selling all 850 of its locations to a Siberian businessman and franchise partner. Today it reopens under the name of Vkusno - i tochka." The successor to McDonald's in Russia reopened the first batch of 15 restaurants in Moscow and its suburbs on Sunday, three months after the U.S. fast-food chain ended its business in Russia. Oleg Paroev, general director of the company, announced the new brand meaning "Delicious - and that's it," during a ceremony at the restaurant in downtown Moscow's Pus

RUSSIA-MOSCOW-MCDONALD'S SUCCESSOR-OPEN

RUSSIA-MOSCOW-MCDONALD'S SUCCESSOR-OPEN

(220612) -- MOSCOW, June 12, 2022 (Xinhua) -- An employee prepares food at the newly opened fast food restaurant in a former McDonald's outlet in central Moscow, Russia, on June 12, 2022. The successor to McDonald's in Russia, "Vkusno - i tochka," reopened the first batch of 15 restaurants in Moscow and its suburbs on Sunday, three months after the U.S. fast-food chain ended its business in Russia. (Photo by Alexander Zemlianichenko Jr/Xinhua)

RUSSIA-MOSCOW-MCDONALD'S SUCCESSOR-OPEN

RUSSIA-MOSCOW-MCDONALD'S SUCCESSOR-OPEN

(220612) -- MOSCOW, June 12, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Oleg Paroev (R), general director of the "Vkusno - i tochka," and Russian businessman Alexander Govor attend a press conference prior to the opening of the fast food restaurant in a former McDonald's outlet in central Moscow, Russia, on June 12, 2022. The successor to McDonald's in Russia, "Vkusno - i tochka," reopened the first batch of 15 restaurants in Moscow and its suburbs on Sunday, three months after the U.S. fast-food chain ended its business in Russia. (Photo by Alexander Zemlianichenko Jr/Xinhua)

RUSSIA-MOSCOW-MCDONALD'S SUCCESSOR-OPEN

RUSSIA-MOSCOW-MCDONALD'S SUCCESSOR-OPEN

(220612) -- MOSCOW, June 12, 2022 (Xinhua) -- People line up to enter the newly opened fast food restaurant in a former McDonald's outlet in central Moscow, Russia, on June 12, 2022. The successor to McDonald's in Russia, "Vkusno - i tochka," reopened the first batch of 15 restaurants in Moscow and its suburbs on Sunday, three months after the U.S. fast-food chain ended its business in Russia. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)

RUSSIA-MOSCOW-MCDONALD'S SUCCESSOR-OPEN

RUSSIA-MOSCOW-MCDONALD'S SUCCESSOR-OPEN

(220612) -- MOSCOW, June 12, 2022 (Xinhua) -- People order food at the newly opened fast food restaurant in a former McDonald's outlet in central Moscow, Russia, on June 12, 2022. The successor to McDonald's in Russia, "Vkusno - i tochka," reopened the first batch of 15 restaurants in Moscow and its suburbs on Sunday, three months after the U.S. fast-food chain ended its business in Russia. (Photo by Alexander Zemlianichenko Jr/Xinhua)

RUSSIA-MOSCOW-MCDONALD'S SUCCESSOR-OPEN

RUSSIA-MOSCOW-MCDONALD'S SUCCESSOR-OPEN

(220612) -- MOSCOW, June 12, 2022 (Xinhua) -- A woman dines at the newly opened fast food restaurant in a former McDonald's outlet in central Moscow, Russia, on June 12, 2022. The successor to McDonald's in Russia, "Vkusno - i tochka," reopened the first batch of 15 restaurants in Moscow and its suburbs on Sunday, three months after the U.S. fast-food chain ended its business in Russia. (Photo by Alexander Zemlianichenko Jr/Xinhua)

RUSSIA-MOSCOW-MCDONALD'S SUCCESSOR-OPEN

RUSSIA-MOSCOW-MCDONALD'S SUCCESSOR-OPEN

(220612) -- MOSCOW, June 12, 2022 (Xinhua) -- People dine at the newly opened fast food restaurant in a former McDonald's outlet in central Moscow, Russia, on June 12, 2022. The successor to McDonald's in Russia, "Vkusno - i tochka," reopened the first batch of 15 restaurants in Moscow and its suburbs on Sunday, three months after the U.S. fast-food chain ended its business in Russia. (Photo by Alexander Zemlianichenko Jr/Xinhua)

RUSSIA-MOSCOW-MCDONALD'S SUCCESSOR-OPEN

RUSSIA-MOSCOW-MCDONALD'S SUCCESSOR-OPEN

(220612) -- MOSCOW, June 12, 2022 (Xinhua) -- An employee prepares food at the newly opened fast food restaurant in a former McDonald's outlet in central Moscow, Russia, on June 12, 2022. The successor to McDonald's in Russia, "Vkusno - i tochka," reopened the first batch of 15 restaurants in Moscow and its suburbs on Sunday, three months after the U.S. fast-food chain ended its business in Russia. (Photo by Alexander Zemlianichenko Jr/Xinhua)

RUSSIA-MOSCOW-MCDONALD'S SUCCESSOR-OPEN

RUSSIA-MOSCOW-MCDONALD'S SUCCESSOR-OPEN

(220612) -- MOSCOW, June 12, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Food is seen on a table at the newly opened fast food restaurant in a former McDonald's outlet in central Moscow, Russia, on June 12, 2022. The successor to McDonald's in Russia, "Vkusno - i tochka," reopened the first batch of 15 restaurants in Moscow and its suburbs on Sunday, three months after the U.S. fast-food chain ended its business in Russia. (Photo by Alexander Zemlianichenko Jr/Xinhua)

RUSSIA-MOSCOW-MCDONALD'S SUCCESSOR-OPEN

RUSSIA-MOSCOW-MCDONALD'S SUCCESSOR-OPEN

(220612) -- MOSCOW, June 12, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Employees celebrate during the opening ceremony at the newly opened fast food restaurant in a former McDonald's outlet in central Moscow, Russia, on June 12, 2022. The successor to McDonald's in Russia, "Vkusno - i tochka," reopened the first batch of 15 restaurants in Moscow and its suburbs on Sunday, three months after the U.S. fast-food chain ended its business in Russia. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)

RUSSIA-MOSCOW-MCDONALD'S SUCCESSOR-OPEN

RUSSIA-MOSCOW-MCDONALD'S SUCCESSOR-OPEN

(220612) -- MOSCOW, June 12, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Customers enter the newly opened fast food restaurant in a former McDonald's outlet in central Moscow, Russia, on June 12, 2022. The successor to McDonald's in Russia, "Vkusno - i tochka," reopened the first batch of 15 restaurants in Moscow and its suburbs on Sunday, three months after the U.S. fast-food chain ended its business in Russia. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)

RUSSIA-MOSCOW-MCDONALD'S SUCCESSOR-OPEN

RUSSIA-MOSCOW-MCDONALD'S SUCCESSOR-OPEN

(220612) -- MOSCOW, June 12, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Journalists take pictures of hamburgers at the newly opened fast food restaurant in a former McDonald's outlet in central Moscow, Russia, on June 12, 2022. The successor to McDonald's in Russia, "Vkusno - i tochka," reopened the first batch of 15 restaurants in Moscow and its suburbs on Sunday, three months after the U.S. fast-food chain ended its business in Russia. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)

RUSSIA-MOSCOW-MCDONALD'S SUCCESSOR-OPEN

RUSSIA-MOSCOW-MCDONALD'S SUCCESSOR-OPEN

(220612) -- MOSCOW, June 12, 2022 (Xinhua) -- People dine at the newly opened fast food restaurant in a former McDonald's outlet in central Moscow, Russia, on June 12, 2022. The successor to McDonald's in Russia, "Vkusno - i tochka," reopened the first batch of 15 restaurants in Moscow and its suburbs on Sunday, three months after the U.S. fast-food chain ended its business in Russia. (Photo by Alexander Zemlianichenko Jr/Xinhua)

Beijing returning to normalcy as epidemic wanes

STORY: Beijing returning to normalcy as epidemic wanes DATELINE: June 6, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:35 LOCATION: Beijing CATEGORY: HEALTH/SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of street views in Beijing 2. various of public transportation 3. STANDUP (English): WANG XIUNAN, Xinhua correspondent 4. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): YANG HAICHAO, Sihui Station, Beijing Subway 5. various of restaurants in Beijing 6. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): Customer 7. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): HIRA, Customer 8. SOUNDBITE 4 (English): AIAD, Restaurant owner 9. SOUNDBITE 5 (Chinese): Manager of a restaurant 10. various of street views in Beijing STORYLINE: As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to subdue, Beijing further loosens epidemic response restrictions and is steadily returning to normal. According to an official, no new local COVID-19 infections were reported in the Chinese capital in the 15 hours ending at 3 p.m. Monday, and no infections were registered at community level from Saturday to Monday afternoon. STANDUP (English): WANG XIUNAN, Xinhua corr

Iraqi businessman confident in China's economy despite COVID-19 resurgence

STORY: Iraqi businessman confident in China's economy despite COVID-19 resurgence DATELINE: June 3, 2022 LENGTH: 00:00:09 LOCATION: Beijing CATEGORY: SOCIETY/ECONOMY SHOTLIST: SOUNDBITE (English): AIAD SH. RSMI AL-ALKAMACHI, An owner of Taiba Shawarma Restaurant STORYLINE: Iraqi businessman Aiad Sh. Rsmi Al-Alkamachi has a trading company and co-owns three restaurants in China. Having been living in China for nearly 15 years, he says he is confident about China's economy and fully supports the country's dynamic zero-COVID approach as "the policy is for the people." SOUNDBITE (English): AIAD SH. RSMI AL-ALKAMACHI, An owner of Taiba Shawarma Restaurant "We have three restaurants. I have also agreed with the rules that to stop dining at the restaurant for a while. Because the restaurant is kind of nice environment that spread the virus between people. We should follow the policy and follow the rules. The rules are for us, not against us. Human health is more important than money. So I know the business in C

Chinese restaurants managing to sustain business amid epidemic

STORY: Chinese restaurants managing to sustain business amid epidemic DATELINE: May 3, 2022 LENGTH: 0:02:15 LOCATION: NANCHANG, China CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the restaurants in Nanchang STORYLINE: As many restaurants in China have suspended eat-in services to reduce epidemic spread risks amid the latest COVID-19 resurgence, some are managing to sustain their business activities by switching to delivery services. STANDUP 1 (English): CHEN YUSHAN, Xinhua Correspondent "Here I'm in a shopping mall in Nanchang, east China's Jiangxi Province. In order to block the spread of the COVID-19, restaurants are not available for eating in. Many of them make efforts to cut losses, showing the resilience of the private economy. This is Chen Yushan with Xinhua News Agency. Let's go and see what they have done to stimulate consumption." SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): YI SHUFEN, Manager of a barbecue restaurant in Nanchang "At present, the catering industry has been severely affected by the epidemic. We're runni

ITALY-COVID-19-RESTRICTION-EASING

ITALY-COVID-19-RESTRICTION-EASING

(220502) -- ROME, May 2, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Tourists take a sightseeing bus in Rome, Italy, May 1, 2022. Starting from May 1, people in Italy are no longer required to show green passes when entering bars, restaurants, health centers, gyms, night clubs and other places, while still obligated to wear face masks on public transport and in some indoor venues until at least June 15. (Xinhua/Jin Mamengni)

ITALY-COVID-19-RESTRICTION-EASING

ITALY-COVID-19-RESTRICTION-EASING

(220502) -- ROME, May 2, 2022 (Xinhua) -- A COVID-19 notice board is seen in Galleria Alberto Sordi in Rome, Italy, May 1, 2022. Starting from May 1, people in Italy are no longer required to show green passes when entering bars, restaurants, health centers, gyms, night clubs and other places, while still obligated to wear face masks on public transport and in some indoor venues until at least June 15. (Xinhua/Jin Mamengni)

ITALY-COVID-19-RESTRICTION-EASING

ITALY-COVID-19-RESTRICTION-EASING

(220502) -- ROME, May 2, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Tourists take photos at Spanish Steps in Rome, Italy, May 1, 2022. Starting from May 1, people in Italy are no longer required to show green passes when entering bars, restaurants, health centers, gyms, night clubs and other places, while still obligated to wear face masks on public transport and in some indoor venues until at least June 15. (Xinhua/Jin Mamengni)

ITALY-COVID-19-RESTRICTION-EASING

ITALY-COVID-19-RESTRICTION-EASING

(220502) -- ROME, May 2, 2022 (Xinhua) -- People buy tickets at a metro station in Rome, Italy, May 1, 2022. Starting from May 1, people in Italy are no longer required to show green passes when entering bars, restaurants, health centers, gyms, night clubs and other places, while still obligated to wear face masks on public transport and in some indoor venues until at least June 15. (Xinhua/Jin Mamengni)

ITALY-COVID-19-RESTRICTION-EASING

ITALY-COVID-19-RESTRICTION-EASING

(220502) -- ROME, May 2, 2022 (Xinhua) -- People take the subway at a metro station in Rome, Italy, May 1, 2022. Starting from May 1, people in Italy are no longer required to show green passes when entering bars, restaurants, health centers, gyms, night clubs and other places, while still obligated to wear face masks on public transport and in some indoor venues until at least June 15. (Xinhua/Jin Mamengni)

ITALY-COVID-19-RESTRICTION-EASING

ITALY-COVID-19-RESTRICTION-EASING

(220502) -- ROME, May 2, 2022 (Xinhua) -- People walk through the ticket barrier at a metro station in Rome, Italy, May 1, 2022. Starting from May 1, people in Italy are no longer required to show green passes when entering bars, restaurants, health centers, gyms, night clubs and other places, while still obligated to wear face masks on public transport and in some indoor venues until at least June 15. (Xinhua/Jin Mamengni)

ITALY-COVID-19-RESTRICTION-EASING

ITALY-COVID-19-RESTRICTION-EASING

(220502) -- ROME, May 2, 2022 (Xinhua) -- People walk on Via dei Condotti in Rome, Italy, May 1, 2022. Starting from May 1, people in Italy are no longer required to show green passes when entering bars, restaurants, health centers, gyms, night clubs and other places, while still obligated to wear face masks on public transport and in some indoor venues until at least June 15. (Xinhua/Jin Mamengni)

ITALY-COVID-19-RESTRICTION-EASING

ITALY-COVID-19-RESTRICTION-EASING

(220502) -- ROME, May 2, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Tourists take photos at Spanish Steps in Rome, Italy, May 1, 2022. Starting from May 1, people in Italy are no longer required to show green passes when entering bars, restaurants, health centers, gyms, night clubs and other places, while still obligated to wear face masks on public transport and in some indoor venues until at least June 15. (Xinhua/Jin Mamengni)