UN regional headquarters inaugurated in Senegal

STORY: UN regional headquarters inaugurated in Senegal SHOOTING TIME: Nov. 23, 2023 DATELINE: Nov. 25, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:11 LOCATION: Dakar CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of the ceremony 2. UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed speaking during the ceremony 3. Senegalese President Macky Sall speaking during the ceremony STORYLINE: Senegalese President Macky Sall on Thursday inaugurated a United Nations regional headquarters, called the United Nations House, in Diamniadio, a city about 30 km from capital Dakar. The United Nations House is intended to house the 34 UN agencies based in Senegal. UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed and Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, who is on an official visit to Senegal, were present at the ceremony. "This inauguration ceremony of the United Nations House once again marks the renewed attention of our country to the United Nations, which embodies the ideal of peace and the aspiration of peoples to collaborate for a better world," Sall said during

Humanitarian situation in Gaza deteriorating: UN relief agency

STORY: Humanitarian situation in Gaza deteriorating: UN relief agency SHOOTING TIME: Nov. 16, 2023 DATELINE: Nov. 17, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:34 LOCATION: GAZA, Palestine CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. SOUNDBITE (Arabic): ADNAN ABU HASNA, UNRWA media advisor 2. various of Gaza Strip residents STORYLINE: Media advisor of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) warned on Thursday that the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is worsening. SOUNDBITE (Arabic): ADNAN ABU HASNA, UNRWA media advisor "The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is deteriorating dramatically. Today, the situation is more dangerous than before. There are tens of thousands of Palestinians queuing in long lines to obtain drinking water, which is not available, because most desalination plants have been closed. Sewage water flooded many streets in different parts of the Gaza Strip. Fuel should not be used as a weapon in this war. Only 23,000 liters of fuel entered the Gaza Strip. There is restriction

CHINA-BEIJING-UN CONVENTION-SIGNING CEREMONY (CN)

CHINA-BEIJING-UN CONVENTION-SIGNING CEREMONY (CN)

(230905) -- BEIJING, Sept. 5, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A representative of Singapore signs the United Nations (UN) Convention on the International Effects of Judicial Sales of Ships, also known as the Beijing Convention on the Judicial Sale of Ships, at a signing ceremony in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 5, 2023. The document, adopted in December last year by the UN General Assembly, is aimed at solving cross-border recognition of judicial sale of ships, which helps protect the incentives of financial institutions in ship financing and promote the development of international shipping and trade. Representatives from 34 countries and regions attended the ceremony, and 15 countries and regions, including China, Switzerland, Singapore, and Saudi Arabia, became the first signatories to the convention. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuwei)

CHINA-BEIJING-UN CONVENTION-SIGNING CEREMONY (CN)

CHINA-BEIJING-UN CONVENTION-SIGNING CEREMONY (CN)

(230905) -- BEIJING, Sept. 5, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A representative of Saudi Arabia signs the United Nations (UN) Convention on the International Effects of Judicial Sales of Ships, also known as the Beijing Convention on the Judicial Sale of Ships, at a signing ceremony in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 5, 2023. The document, adopted in December last year by the UN General Assembly, is aimed at solving cross-border recognition of judicial sale of ships, which helps protect the incentives of financial institutions in ship financing and promote the development of international shipping and trade. Representatives from 34 countries and regions attended the ceremony, and 15 countries and regions, including China, Switzerland, Singapore, and Saudi Arabia, became the first signatories to the convention. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuwei)

CHINA-BEIJING-UN CONVENTION-SIGNING CEREMONY (CN)

CHINA-BEIJING-UN CONVENTION-SIGNING CEREMONY (CN)

(230905) -- BEIJING, Sept. 5, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A representative of China signs the United Nations (UN) Convention on the International Effects of Judicial Sales of Ships, also known as the Beijing Convention on the Judicial Sale of Ships, at a signing ceremony in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 5, 2023. The document, adopted in December last year by the UN General Assembly, is aimed at solving cross-border recognition of judicial sale of ships, which helps protect the incentives of financial institutions in ship financing and promote the development of international shipping and trade. Representatives from 34 countries and regions attended the ceremony, and 15 countries and regions, including China, Switzerland, Singapore, and Saudi Arabia, became the first signatories to the convention. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuwei)

CHINA-BEIJING-UN CONVENTION-SIGNING CEREMONY (CN)

CHINA-BEIJING-UN CONVENTION-SIGNING CEREMONY (CN)

(230905) -- BEIJING, Sept. 5, 2023 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on Sept. 5, 2023 shows the signing ceremony of the United Nations (UN) Convention on the International Effects of Judicial Sales of Ships, also known as the Beijing Convention on the Judicial Sale of Ships, in Beijing, capital of China. The document, adopted in December last year by the UN General Assembly, is aimed at solving cross-border recognition of judicial sale of ships, which helps protect the incentives of financial institutions in ship financing and promote the development of international shipping and trade. Representatives from 34 countries and regions attended the ceremony, and 15 countries and regions, including China, Switzerland, Singapore, and Saudi Arabia, became the first signatories to the convention. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuwei)

CHINA-BEIJING-UN CONVENTION-SIGNING CEREMONY (CN)

CHINA-BEIJING-UN CONVENTION-SIGNING CEREMONY (CN)

(230905) -- BEIJING, Sept. 5, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A representative of Switzerland signs the United Nations (UN) Convention on the International Effects of Judicial Sales of Ships, also known as the Beijing Convention on the Judicial Sale of Ships, at a signing ceremony in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 5, 2023. The document, adopted in December last year by the UN General Assembly, is aimed at solving cross-border recognition of judicial sale of ships, which helps protect the incentives of financial institutions in ship financing and promote the development of international shipping and trade. Representatives from 34 countries and regions attended the ceremony, and 15 countries and regions, including China, Switzerland, Singapore, and Saudi Arabia, became the first signatories to the convention. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuwei)

BRICS expansion helps ensure fairer world: former Ethiopian diplomat

STORY: BRICS expansion helps ensure fairer world: former Ethiopian diplomat DATELINE: Sept. 2, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:34 LOCATION: Addis Ababa CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of South Africa 2. various of Teruneh Zenna 3. SOUNDBITE (English): TERUNEH ZENNA, Ethiopia's former ambassador to the United Nations 4. various of the BRICS Summit STORYLINE: Adding new members to the BRICS bloc of developing countries would give the group an impetus to implement its ideology of making the world "fairer and non-discriminatory," said Teruneh Zenna, Ethiopia's former ambassador to the UN. SOUNDBITE (English): TERUNEH ZENNA, Ethiopia's former ambassador to the United Nations "This is very important for BRICS to implement their cherished idea, their cherished ideology to make the world, the international order a just one which impresses all countries equally without discrimination. So, this is good for Africa, good for BRICS. BRICS does not mean, it is simply there to fight as the Western power and others but even to

China, UNEP joint ecosystem management initiative marks 10th anniversary

STORY: China, UNEP joint ecosystem management initiative marks 10th anniversary DATELINE: June 28, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:34 LOCATION: Nairobi CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT SHOTLIST: 1. various of the 10th-anniversary ceremony 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): JOHAN ROBINSON, Branch head of Ecosystems Division of UNEP 3. various of the 10th-anniversary ceremony 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ELIZABETH MREMA, Deputy Executive Director of UNEP STORYLINE: The United Nations Environment Programme-International Ecosystem Management Partnership (UNEP-IEMP), a collaborative venture between the UNEP and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), on Tuesday marked the 10th anniversary since its inception. The initiative aims at fostering scientific research on revitalizing the health of natural habitats in the global south. Senior officials from the UNEP and the CAS, as well as scientists from China and Africa, graced the 10th-anniversary ceremony held in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): JOHAN ROBINSON, Branch head of E

Version 3.0 China-ASEAN FTA holds 3rd round negotiations

STORY: Version 3.0 China-ASEAN FTA holds 3rd round negotiations DATELINE: June 26, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:34 LOCATION: KUNMING, China CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the negotiations STORYLINE: The opening ceremony of the third round of negotiations on Version 3.0 China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (FTA) was held Sunday in Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province, said the Ministry of Commerce. About 370 officials from relevant authorities of China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries, as well as the ASEAN Secretariat, attended the negotiations, which last from June 24 to June 27. The Version 3.0 China-ASEAN FTA will further upgrade the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and ASEAN countries, said Vice Commerce Minister Wang Shouwen at the opening ceremony. Efforts will be made to enhance China-ASEAN cooperation in the digital and green economy, as well as the supply and industrial chains, in a bid to boost the high-quality development of bilat

UN vessel arrives at moored oil tanker off Yemeni coast for rescue preparation

STORY: UN vessel arrives at moored oil tanker off Yemeni coast for rescue preparation DATELINE: June 1, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:34 LOCATION: HODEIDAH, Yemen CATEGORY: OTHERS SHOTLIST: 1. various of UN and local officials at the Ras Issa port, Hodeidah 2. various of the engineering vessel 3. various of the oil tanker 4. various of the vessel sailing to the rescue site STORYLINE: A United Nations (UN) ship arrived on Tuesday at the site of the floating storage and offloading (FSO) Safer vessel, a decaying super oil tanker, off the coast of Ras Issa, Hodeidah in western Yemen. The UN office in Yemen said in a statement that the ship, an engineering vessel called "Ndeavor," had arrived from the east African country of Djibouti across the Red Sea to make the first preparations for an emergency rescue plan. The statement said the ship would start working soon to make the super oil tanker safer before the extraction process begins. Meantime, a UN employee in Yemen confirmed to Xinhua that the plan to unload oil fro

UN chief urges member states to uphold UN values, rule of law

STORY: UN chief urges member states to uphold UN values, rule of law DATELINE: Jan. 13, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:34 LOCATION: UN Headquarters CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of Security Council chamber 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ANTONIO GUTERRES, UN Secretary-General 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ANTONIO GUTERRES, UN Secretary-General 4. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): ANTONIO GUTERRES, UN Secretary-General 5. various of delegates STORYLINE: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday called on all member states to uphold the vision and the values of the UN Charter and the rule of law in particular. The UN chief made the remarks at a Security Council meeting on the promotion and strengthening of the rule of law in the maintenance of international peace and security. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ANTONIO GUTERRES, UN Secretary-General "First and foremost, I urge all member states to uphold the vision and the values of the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and to abide by internation

OECD urges Japan to implement bold structural reforms

OECD urges Japan to implement bold structural reforms

TOKYO, April 15 Kyodo - Angel Gurria, secretary general of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, holds a press conference at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on April 15, 2015. The Paris-based club of 34 wealthy nations urged Japan in its policy proposal the same day to implement bold structural reforms to boost economic growth and map out a "credible" plan to restore its precarious fiscal health.

Japanese troops arrive in Haiti for post-quake support

Japanese troops arrive in Haiti for post-quake support

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - A total of 34 Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force members arrive at Port-au-Prince airport on Feb. 7 as the first batch of some 350 members to engage in the United Nations peacekeeping operations to support quake-devastated Haiti. This is the first time Japan has sent a major SDF unit for U.N. peacekeeping operations in Latin America.

Japanese troops arrive in Haiti for post-quake support

Japanese troops arrive in Haiti for post-quake support

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - A total of 34 Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force members line up at Port-au-Prince airport on Feb. 7 after arriving there as the first batch of some 350 members to engage in the United Nations peacekeeping operations to support quake-devastated Haiti. This is the first time Japan has sent a major SDF unit for U.N. peacekeeping operations in Latin America.

Asian, Latin American nations to tackle climate change

Asian, Latin American nations to tackle climate change

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada (C) speaks at a news conference at a hotel in Tokyo on Jan. 17, 2010, after the end of a two-day meeting of the Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation. Foreign ministers and officials from 34 East Asian and Latin American countries reaffirmed their commitment to ''work constructively'' to combat climate change.

Former leaders attend welcome reception ahead of 3-day meeting

Former leaders attend welcome reception ahead of 3-day meeting

AWAJISHIMA ISLAND, Japan - About 160 former world leaders and local representatives attended a welcoming reception May 12 on Awajishima Island in Hyogo Prefecture, ahead of a three-day meeting of former leaders starting May 13. Former West German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt is serving as honorary chairman, while former Japanese Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa (C) and former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser are serving as co-chairmen of the conference, comprised of 35 former prime ministers and presidents from 34 nations. The InterAction Council has been held annually in various countries since 1983.

Chinese envoy urges U.S., other Western countries to cancel illegal sanctions

STORY: Chinese envoy urges U.S., other Western countries to cancel illegal sanctions DATELINE: Oct. 13, 2022 LENGTH: 0:02:34 LOCATION: UN Headquarters CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. wide shot of ECOSOC Chamber 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): DAI BING, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations 3. wide shot of ECOSOC Chamber 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): DAI BING, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations 5. wide shot of ECOSOC Chamber STORYLINE: A Chinese envoy on Wednesday urged the United States and some other Western countries to immediately cancel their illegal and unreasonable sanctions. Dai Bing, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, made the remarks at an event of the Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations. The side event, themed on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures (UCMs) on the full enjoyment of human rights, was held on the side-lines of the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly. SOUNDBITE 1

Gambian president stresses UN's role in tackling global challenges

STORY: Gambian president stresses UN's role in tackling global challenges DATELINE: Sept. 23, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:34 LOCATION: UN Headquarters CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. wide shot of Gambian President Adama Barrow walking to the rostrum 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ADAMA BARROW, Gambian President 3. wide shot of Gambian delegation 4. wide shot of Adama Barrow speaking 5. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ADAMA BARROW, Gambian President 6. wide shot of delegates 7. wide shot of Barrow speaking 8. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): ADAMA BARROW, Gambian President 9. wide shot of rostrum 10. SOUNDBITE 4 (English): ADAMA BARROW, Gambian President STORYLINE: Gambian President Adama Barrow on Thursday stressed the central role of the United Nations in tackling global challenges. Barrow made the remarks at the General Debate of the UN General Assembly. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ADAMA BARROW, Gambian President "In the thick of all the complexities confronting world leaders, we must underscore the centrality of the United Nations' unique

Afghan health ministry launches anti-polio vaccination campaign

STORY: Afghan health ministry launches anti-polio vaccination campaign DATELINE: Sept. 20, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:29 LOCATION: Kabul CATEGORY: HEALTH SHOTLIST: 1. various of health workers giving anti-polio vaccines to children STORYLINE: The Ministry of Public Health of Afghanistan's Taliban-run caretaker government initiated a nationwide four-day vaccination campaign against polio on Monday. "The four-day vaccination campaign covers 9.9 million children under 5 in the country's 34 provinces," the ministry said in a statement. Aimed at eradicating the crippling disease in the country, the immunization campaign has been supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) over the past several years. So far this year, two polio cases have been detected in Afghanistan. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Kabul. (XHTV)

UN General Assembly president calls for world leaders to prioritize development goals

STORY: UN General Assembly president calls for world leaders to prioritize development goals DATELINE: Sept. 20, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:34 LOCATION: UN Headquarters CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of the big screen in UNGA Hall 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): CSABA KOROSI, President of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): CSABA KOROSI, President of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly 4. various of the UNGA Hall STORYLINE: Csaba Korosi, president of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), said on Monday that with the world facing multiple crises, it is more necessary than ever to prioritize the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which should serve as a "to-do list" for all leaders. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): CSABA KOROSI, President of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly "The 17 Global Goals are the to-do-list. They must be the to-do-list of all leaders in this room. We are the people who can get this, the to-do-list of the World don

272 Afghan IDPs return to home provinces from Kabul

STORY: 272 Afghan IDPs return to home provinces from Kabul DATELINE: July 25, 2022 LENGTH: 0:01:34 LOCATION: Kabul CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1 various of internally displaced persons STORYLINE: A total of 272 internally displaced persons (IDPs) were sent back to their home provinces from the capital Kabul on Sunday, Deputy Minister for Refugees and Repatriation Affairs Arsala Kharoti of the Afghan caretaker government said. With the help provided under a coordinated program by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) office and the Afghan Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation Affairs, the IDPs were sent back to their homes in Ghazni, Bamyan, Daikundi and Wardak provinces. According to the deputy minister, each family was offered up to 200 U.S. dollars by the UNHCR for returning to their homes. According to officials with the ministry for refugees and repatriation affairs, those returning to their homes would get help from local aid agencies. Up to 6,000 displaced families resid

Former Botswana teacher committed to helping girls overcome "period poverty"

STORY: Former Botswana teacher committed to helping girls overcome "period poverty" DATELINE: July 17, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:57 LOCATION: MOCHUDI, Botswana CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of school students receiving sanitary pads 2. SOUNDBITE (English): AGRIENETH MASULE, Founder of Motlaletsi Charity Club STORYLINE: "Period poverty," defined as a lack of access to menstrual products, education, and hygiene, causes one in every 10 African girls to miss school each year, according to the United Nations Children's Fund. Without proper education and resources, girls are frequently forced to stay at home, particularly in rural areas. As a result, they miss 10-20 percent of their school days and, in some cases, completely drop out. Agrieneth Masule is determined to change this in Mochudi, a village in Kgatleng district, about 37 kilometers northeast of Botswana's capital, Gaborone. Masule, 34, runs a feminine hygiene project that raises funds for sanitary pads, which are then given to needy girl

China making headway in combating desertification

STORY: China making headway in combating desertification DATELINE: June 17, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:34 LOCATION: Beijing CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT SHOTLIST: 1. various of desertified land 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): HAO LIBO, Zhongwei Shapotou National Nature Reserve, Ningxia 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): PATIGUL YASIN, Staff member, Desertification control station of Qiemo County STORYLINE: Friday marks the the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, which is observed by the United Nations on June 17 every year. As a country troubled by serious soil erosion, land desertification and soil salinization, China faces an arduous task in its afforestation work. Many places in the country have taken measures to tackle desertification. In the southern edge of China's Tengger Desert, straw checkerboards are used to combat desertification. It's a dune fixation technique in which straw is placed on the surface of the desert in the shape of a checkerboard. The "straw-checkerboard mode" has prevented the desert from en

Ukraine crisis threatens 2023 grain harvest: FAO chief economist

STORY: Ukraine crisis threatens 2023 grain harvest: FAO chief economist DATELINE: June 16, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:34 LOCATION: Rome CATEGORY: POLITICS/ECONOMY/SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of food related footage 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): MAXIMO TORERO, FAO chief economist 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): MAXIMO TORERO, FAO chief economist STORYLINE: The chief economist of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has said that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has affected access to food on a global level and could deal a blow to the crop harvest in 2023, which is a "major concern." SOUNDBITE 1 (English): MAXIMO TORERO, FAO chief economist "In March, we had the biggest peak in terms of the food price index of FAO. Consumers and especially vulnerable countries are facing significant challenges to be able to procure the level (amount) of food that they need today." Torero said the main reason behind the price increase is that Russia and Ukraine are key exporters of cereals, including maize and

Bungled Summit of Americas a diplomatic nightmare for U.S.

STORY: Bungled Summit of Americas diplomatic nightmare for U.S. DATELINE: June 11, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:34 LOCATION: Mexico City CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: SOUNDBITE 1 (Spanish): EDUARDO ROLDAN, Mexican political scientist SOUNDBITE 2 (English): RAFAEL HERNANDEZ, Cuban senior political expert SOUNDBITE 3 (Spanish): DIEGO SEQUERA, Venezuelan journalist and political analyst STORYLINE: This week's Summit of the Americas held in the U.S. city of Los Angeles has become a diplomatic nightmare for the United States. Washington's decision to cherry-pick who gets invited to the summit, and strong-arm other governments into acquiescing, sent a familiar chill through Latin America, a region the United States has notoriously referred to as its "backyard." Far from signalling a willingness to partner with regional countries to tackle common issues, Washington seems to take advantage of the summit to restore its waning influence and tighten its grip over Latin American nations. SOUNDBITE 1 (Spanish): EDUARDO ROLDAN,

UN Chinese Language Day celebrated globally

STORY: UN Chinese Language Day celebrated globally DATELINE: April 22, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:34 LOCATION: Beijing CATEGORY: CULTURE/SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of 2022 United Nations (UN) Chinese Language Day related footage 2. various of Santiago Mourao delivering a speech 3. various of students of University of East Sarajevo celebrating 4. SOUNDBITE 1: LAMIJA HAJROVIC, Student, University of East Sarajevo 5. various of Chinese Embassy in Cuba celebrating 6. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): MA HUI, Chinese Ambassador to Cuba 7. various of performance STORYLINE: Established in 2010, the United Nations (UN) Chinese Language Day falls on April 20 every year and is celebrated globally. At the headquarters of UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) in Paris, events were held Wednesday to mark the day. President of the 41st UNESCO General Conference Santiago Mourao praised the Chinese language for its contribution to cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue, and lasting peace. On

Over 800 Chinese workers spend 6 hours completing 4-km route diversion

STORY: Over 800 Chinese workers spend 6 hours completing 4-km route diversion DATELINE: March 20, 2022 LENGTH: 0:01:34 LOCATION: KUNMING, China CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the construction site STORYLINE: More than 800 Chinese workers on Saturday spent 6 hours overnight completing a 4-km route diversion at a major station on the Mile-Mengzi high-speed railway in southwest China's Yunnan Province. The 107-km railway will link the cities of Mile and Mengzi, both located in Yunnan's Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, and is expected to become operational by 2022. Passenger trains operating on the railway are due to travel at 250 km per hour. Upon completion, the railway will connect with the Nanning-Kunming Railway and integrate into southwest China's outbound channel to Vietnam and other Southeast Asian nations. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Kunming, China. (XHTV)

World food prices reach all-time high over supply issues, Ukraine crisis

STORY: World food prices reach all-time high over supply issues, Ukraine crisis DATELINE: March 5, 2022 LENGTH: 0:01:34 LOCATION: Rome CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of children eating at school 2. various of villages in Africa 3. various of containers being unloaded from ship 4. various of food production 5. various of food in the markets STORYLINE: World food prices reached their highest point in the 61-year history of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization's Food Price Index, pushed higher by supply chain issues and the Ukraine crisis. The monthly index, released Friday by the organization, best known as FAO, averaged 140.7 points in February. That is 3.9 percent higher than in January, 24.1 percent higher than in February 2021, and 2 percent above its previous all-time high set in February 2011. The index, which measures prices dating back to 1961, uses the average for prices between 2014 and 2016 as the value of 100. It is adjusted for inflation. The monthly FAO Food

Actions taken by UN should help cool situation in Ukraine: Chinese envoy

STORY: Actions taken by UN should help cool situation in Ukraine: Chinese envoy DATELINE: Feb. 28, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:34 LOCATION: UN Headquarters CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of the UN Headquarters 2. various of the flag 3. wide shot of Security Council Chamber 4. SOUNDBITE (Chinese/English interpretation): ZHANG JUN, China's permanent representative to UN STORYLINE: A Chinese envoy said Sunday that actions taken by the United Nations should help cool the situation in Ukraine. SOUNDBITE (Chinese/English interpretation): ZHANG JUN, China's permanent representative to UN "At present, we are witnessing dramatic changes in the Ukraine situation. China has on many occasions made its position clear on the Ukraine issue, and that position remains unchanged. We believe that the top priority now is for all parties to exercise the necessary restraint to prevent the situation in Ukraine from getting worse. China supports and encourages all diplomatic efforts conducive to a peaceful settlement of the Ukra

Rugby: Pacific Nations Cup

Rugby: Pacific Nations Cup

Japan players cerebrate after winning the Pacific Nations Cup title with a 34-20 victory over the United States at ANZ Stadium in Suva, Fiji, on Aug. 10, 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japanese troops arrive in Haiti for post-quake support

Japanese troops arrive in Haiti for post-quake support

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - A total of 34 Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force members arrive at Port-au-Prince airport on Feb. 7 as the first batch of some 350 members to engage in the United Nations peacekeeping operations to support quake-devastated Haiti. This is the first time Japan has sent a major SDF unit for U.N. peacekeeping operations in Latin America. (Kyodo)

Japanese troops arrive in Haiti for post-quake support

Japanese troops arrive in Haiti for post-quake support

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - A total of 34 Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force members line up at Port-au-Prince airport on Feb. 7 after arriving there as the first batch of some 350 members to engage in the United Nations peacekeeping operations to support quake-devastated Haiti. This is the first time Japan has sent a major SDF unit for U.N. peacekeeping operations in Latin America. (Kyodo)

Rugby: Pacific Nations Cup

Rugby: Pacific Nations Cup

Japan players cerebrate after winning the Pacific Nations Cup title with a 34-20 victory over the United States at ANZ Stadium in Suva, Fiji, on Aug. 10, 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Rugby: Pacific Nations Cup

Rugby: Pacific Nations Cup

Japan players acknowledge the crowd after a 34-20 win over the United States in a Pacific Nations Cup rugby match at ANZ Stadium in Suva, Fiji, on Aug. 10, 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Rugby: Pacific Nations Cup

Rugby: Pacific Nations Cup

Japan players celebrate after a 34-20 win over the United States in a Pacific Nations Cup rugby match at ANZ Stadium in Suva, Fiji, on Aug. 10, 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Rugby: Pacific Nations Cup

Rugby: Pacific Nations Cup

Japan players celebrate after a 34-20 win over the United States in a Pacific Nations Cup rugby match at ANZ Stadium in Suva, Fiji, on Aug. 10, 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Rugby: Pacific Nations Cup

Rugby: Pacific Nations Cup

Japan players celebrate after a 34-20 win over the United States in a Pacific Nations Cup rugby match at ANZ Stadium in Suva, Fiji, on Aug. 10, 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Rugby: Pacific Nations Cup

Rugby: Pacific Nations Cup

Fiji players look dejected after a 34-21 loss to Japan in a Pacific Nations Cup rugby match in Kamaishi, Japan, on July 27, 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Rugby: Pacific Nations Cup

Rugby: Pacific Nations Cup

Michael Leitch (2nd from L) celebrates with Japan teammates after a 34-21 win over Fiji in a Pacific Nations Cup rugby match in Kamaishi, Japan, on July 27, 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Rugby: Pacific Nations Cup

Rugby: Pacific Nations Cup

Japan players celebrate after a 34-21 win over Fiji in a Pacific Nations Cup rugby match in Kamaishi, Japan, on July 27, 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Rugby: Pacific Nations Cup

Rugby: Pacific Nations Cup

Japan players celebrate after a 34-21 win over Fiji in a Pacific Nations Cup rugby match in Kamaishi, Japan, on July 27, 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Rugby: Pacific Nations Cup

Rugby: Pacific Nations Cup

Japan players celebrate after a 34-21 win over Fiji in a Pacific Nations Cup rugby match in Kamaishi, Japan, on July 27, 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Former leaders attend welcome reception ahead of 3-day meeting

Former leaders attend welcome reception ahead of 3-day meeting

AWAJISHIMA ISLAND, Japan - About 160 former world leaders and local representatives attended a welcoming reception May 12 on Awajishima Island in Hyogo Prefecture, ahead of a three-day meeting of former leaders starting May 13. Former West German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt is serving as honorary chairman, while former Japanese Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa (C) and former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser are serving as co-chairmen of the conference, comprised of 35 former prime ministers and presidents from 34 nations. The InterAction Council has been held annually in various countries since 1983.