Syrian president in Saudi Arabia for Arab summit

STORY: Syrian president in Saudi Arabia for Arab summit DATELINE: May 19, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:47 LOCATION: Damascus CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad arriving in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia STORYLINE: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad arrived in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah on Thursday to attend the Arab League's 32nd Summit on Friday. Assad was received by Prince Badr bin Sultan, deputy governor of Mecca, and Ahmed Aboul-Gheit, Secretary-General of the Arab League at King Abdulaziz International Airport. The visit, the first since the begining of the Syrian war in 2011, comes as Syria and Saudi Arabia have resumed diplomatic missions in both countries, which have been suspended since November 2011. Earlier this month, the Arab League voted to reinstate Syria's membership in the 22-member league. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Damascus. (XHTV)

Poverty weakens Afghans' ability to pull through chilly winter

STORY: Poverty weakens Afghans' ability to pull through chilly winter DATELINE: Dec. 19, 2022 LENGTH: 00:03:17 LOCATION: Kabul CATEGORY: ECONOMY/POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of locals burning garbage to keep warm in Kabul, Afghanistan 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Dari): WAHIDULLAH, Kabul resident 3. various of a wood shop in Kabul, Afghanistan 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Pashto): RAHIM ASHNA, Wood seller 5. various of a wood shop in Kabul, Afghanistan 6. SOUNDBITE 3 (Dari): MOHAMMAD NASIR, Kabul resident 7. various of locals burning garbage to keep warm in Kabul, Afghanistan STORYLINE: SOUNDBITE 1 (Dari): WAHIDULLAH, Kabul resident "The prices are skyrocketing, the rate of poverty is high and I am the only bread earner of my family, having a taxi and roaming on streets from dawn to dusk to support my family. The price of a ton of coal was 6,000 afghani (1 U.S. dollar equals 88 afghani) to 6,500 afghani last year, but this year it costs 16,000 afghani, which is beyond the reach of ordinary person." Having a 22-member family and l

22-member Asian forum begins ministerial talks

22-member Asian forum begins ministerial talks

QINGDAO, China - Ministers from 22 member nations of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue forum applaud as Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao (foreground) joins them for a photo session before the start of their meeting in the Chinese coastal city of Qingdao on June 22.

Economy to collapse if Estrada escapes impeachment

Economy to collapse if Estrada escapes impeachment

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, constitutional successor to President Joseph Estrada, warns Dec. 8 the country's economy could collapse if the impeached president survives a landmark Senate trial where he is accused of bribery, graft and corruption. In an exclusive interview with Kyodo News, Arroyo said Filipinos have high expectations that the 22-member Senate, convened as an impeachment court, will conduct an impartial trial of Estrada.

Syria's absence in AL "detrimental" to Arab nation: Algerian FM

STORY: Syria's absence in AL "detrimental" to Arab nation: Algerian FM DATELINE: July 26, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:13 LOCATION: Damascus CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of the conference hall 2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic): FAISAL MEKDAD, Syrian foreign minister 3. various of the meeting between Syrian foreign minister and Algerian foreign minister STORYLINE: Visiting Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra on Monday voiced support for Syria's return to the Arab League (AL), saying its absence has been "detrimental to the joint Arab work." Speaking at a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart Faisal Mekdad in Damascus on the second day of his visit, Lamamra said that Algeria has been discussing with other Arab states on finding ways to fix this situation. "Many Arab officials are visiting Damascus and meeting with Syrian officials in many places, so we are optimistic," the Algerian minister said about the prospect of resuming Syria's suspended seat in the 22-member regional organization. SOUND

Nadeshiko Japan's 22-member squad for Algarve Cup announced

Nadeshiko Japan's 22-member squad for Algarve Cup announced

Norio Sasaki, coach of the Japanese women's national soccer team, attends a press conference in Tokyo on Feb. 13, 2015, to announce Nadeshiko Japan's 22-member squad for the Algarve Cup invitational in Portugal in March. Former Women's World Player of the Year Homare Sawa, 36, was left off as she injured her right knee in December. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

22-member Asian forum begins ministerial talks

22-member Asian forum begins ministerial talks

QINGDAO, China - Ministers from 22 member nations of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue forum applaud as Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao (foreground) joins them for a photo session before the start of their meeting in the Chinese coastal city of Qingdao on June 22. (Kyodo)

Economy to collapse if Estrada escapes impeachment

Economy to collapse if Estrada escapes impeachment

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, constitutional successor to President Joseph Estrada, warns Dec. 8 the country's economy could collapse if the impeached president survives a landmark Senate trial where he is accused of bribery, graft and corruption. In an exclusive interview with Kyodo News, Arroyo said Filipinos have high expectations that the 22-member Senate, convened as an impeachment court, will conduct an impartial trial of Estrada.