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France: Wildfires Erupt in Aude, Trigger Evacuations and Motorway Closures 2

Wildfires broke out near the A61 and A9 motorways in Aude, southern France, on Sunday, June 29, burning around 400 hectares. Over 500 firefighters and aerial units were deployed. Evacuations included a campsite and the Fontfroide Abbey. Parts of the highways were closed for safety. Officials say a poorly extinguished barbecue in a car trailer sparked the fires, as France faces an intense heatwave and high fire risk.

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France: Wildfires Erupt in Aude, Trigger Evacuations and Motorway Closures

Wildfires broke out near the A61 and A9 motorways in Aude, southern France, on Sunday, June 29, burning around 400 hectares. Over 500 firefighters and aerial units were deployed. Evacuations included a campsite and the Fontfroide Abbey. Parts of the highways were closed for safety. Officials say a poorly extinguished barbecue in a car trailer sparked the fires, as France faces an intense heatwave and high fire risk.

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Spanish Muslims retrace 500-year-old pilgrimage route to Mecca on horseback arrive in Syria

A group of pilgrims gathers with local officials and Free Syrian flags at the Bab al-Salam border crossing in Azaz, Syria on April 12, 2025. The Spanish convoy entered Syria on horseback as part of a symbolic pilgrimage to Mecca, retracing a route from Andalusia to revive a journey lost for over 400 years. Photo by Hibatullah Barakat/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Paris 2024 - Files - France Struggles With Its Hijab Rules For Opening Ceremony

File photo dated June 28, 2024 of Sylla Sounkamba Stade Lavallois Heat 400 M Women during the French Athletics Championships 2024 at Stade du Lac de Maine in Angers, France. French government and Olympics officials are seeking a creative solution to allow Muslim French sprinter Sounkamba Sylla to wear her hijab at the opening ceremony while still complying with the country's secularism laws, they said on Wednesday. Thousands of athletes, including some who wear a hijab, are arriving for the Paris Olympics, placing an international spotlight on tensions in France over national identity and perceived discrimination against Muslims. Photo by Laurent Lairys/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Paris 2024 - Files - France Struggles With Its Hijab Rules For Opening Ceremony

File photo dated June 28, 2024 of Sylla Sounkamba Stade Lavallois Heat 400 M Women during the French Athletics Championships 2024 at Stade du Lac de Maine in Angers, France. French government and Olympics officials are seeking a creative solution to allow Muslim French sprinter Sounkamba Sylla to wear her hijab at the opening ceremony while still complying with the country's secularism laws, they said on Wednesday. Thousands of athletes, including some who wear a hijab, are arriving for the Paris Olympics, placing an international spotlight on tensions in France over national identity and perceived discrimination against Muslims. Photo by Laurent Lairys/ABACAPRESS.COM

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At least 210 Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes in central Gaza

STORY: At least 210 Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes in central Gaza SHOOTING TIME: June 8, 2024 DATELINE: June 9, 2024 LENGTH: 00:02:10 LOCATION: RAMALLAH/Gaza CATEGORY: MILITARY SHOTLIST: 1. STANDUP (English): OHOOD AL-JAGHOUB, Xinhua reporter in Ramallah 2. various of Palestinians transferring casualties to al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza 3. various of Nuseirat refugee camp in the center of Gaza after the Israeli attacks 4. various of Israeli attacks and casualties in the Nuseirat camp and other areas in central Gaza STORYLINE: STANDUP (English): OHOOD AL-JAGHOUB, Xinhua reporter in Ramallah "Israeli occupation forces launched a deadly offensive in Nuseirat Refugee Camp in central Gaza Saturday morning. Tanks and airstrikes devastated the camp, killing 210 Palestinians and injuring over 400. According to Palestinian medical records, the majority of the victims killed in the horrific attack were civilian women and children. Israeli officials announced rescuing four Israeli pris

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UK, China business leaders convey confidence in business tie

STORY: UK-China business leaders convey confidence in business tie SHOOTING TIME: May 28, 2024 DATELINE: May 30, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:25 LOCATION: London CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the summit 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): STEPHEN PERRY, President emeritus of Britain's 48 Group Club 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): DAVID WILLETTS, Member of House of Lords and former Minister of State for Universities and Science 4. various of the summit 5. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): ZHENG ZEGUANG, Chinese Ambassador to UK 6. various of the summit STORYLINE: Business leaders and government officials attending the third United Kingdom (UK)-China Business Leaders Summit in London conveyed confidence in the prospect of trade, investment and bilateral ties of the two countries. The summit, held from Monday to Wednesday, attracted over 400 business leaders from the UK and China. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): STEPHEN PERRY, President emeritus of Britain's 48 Group Club "Business is the glue between people. If we have more business, we wi

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African officials expect further cooperation with China in digital field

STORY: African officials expect further cooperation with China in digital field SHOOTING TIME: April 2, 2024 DATELINE: April 3, 2024 LENGTH: 0:01:37 LOCATION: XIAMEN, China CATEGORY: TECHNOLOGY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the forum 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): REP. BAMIDELE SALAM, Chairman, Public Accounts Committee of Federal Republic of Nigeria 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English) AURELIE I. ADAM ZOUMAROU, Minister, Ministry of Digital Technology and Digitalization, Republic of Benin STORYLINE: The China-Africa Internet Development and Cooperation Forum was held on Tuesday in Xiamen City, east China's Fujian Province. Around 400 delegates from China and 20 African nations along with international organizations, universities, media, and other entities participated in the event. Some African countries' officials expressed their hope for further cooperation between China and Africa in the digital field. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): REP. BAMIDELE SALAM, Chairman, Public Accounts Committee of Federal Republic of Nigeria "Our expec

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Over 400 Bangladeshis visit China-constructed dredging project

STORY: Over 400 Bangladeshis visit China-constructed dredging project SHOOTING TIME: March 19, 2024 DATELINE: March 22, 2024 LENGTH: 0:01:01 LOCATION: Dhaka CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the Inner Bar Dredging of Mongla Port Channel project 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): AKM ANISUR RAHMAN, Member of Mongla Port Authority 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): MUHAMMAD ABDULLAH, Student of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology 4. various of the Inner Bar Dredging of Mongla Port Channel project STORYLINE: Over 400 Bangladeshis have visited the Inner Bar Dredging of Mongla Port Channel project implemented by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) in southwestern Khulna district. The participants, including Bangladeshi Mongla Port Authority officials, and students and teachers from Khulna University of Engineering and Technology, learned about the operation of the dredging project, which aims to ensure smooth waterway access for commercial vessels. The Inner Bar Dredging of Mongla Port

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THE PHILIPPINES-QUEZON CITY-FIRE

(240319) -- QUEZON CITY, March 19, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Residents stand near burnt buildings in Quezon City, the Philippines, March 19, 2024. Some 400 families were affected by a fire accident that took place in Quezon City on Tuesday, according to local officials. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)

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THE PHILIPPINES-QUEZON CITY-FIRE

(240319) -- QUEZON CITY, March 19, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Residents pass barrels of water as they try to put out the flame at the site of a fire accident in Quezon City, the Philippines, March 19, 2024. Some 400 families were affected by a fire accident that took place in Quezon City on Tuesday, according to local officials. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)

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THE PHILIPPINES-QUEZON CITY-FIRE

(240319) -- QUEZON CITY, March 19, 2024 (Xinhua) -- An aerial drone photo taken on March 19, 2024 shows a fire accident in Quezon City, the Philippines. Some 400 families were affected by a fire accident that took place in Quezon City on Tuesday, according to local officials. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)

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THE PHILIPPINES-QUEZON CITY-FIRE

(240319) -- QUEZON CITY, March 19, 2024 (Xinhua) -- A firefighter tries to put out the flame at the site of a fire accident in Quezon City, the Philippines, March 19, 2024. Some 400 families were affected by a fire accident that took place in Quezon City on Tuesday, according to local officials. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)

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THE PHILIPPINES-QUEZON CITY-FIRE

(240319) -- QUEZON CITY, March 19, 2024 (Xinhua) -- A resident tries to put out the flame at the site of a fire accident in Quezon City, the Philippines, March 19, 2024. Some 400 families were affected by a fire accident that took place in Quezon City on Tuesday, according to local officials. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)

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THE PHILIPPINES-QUEZON CITY-FIRE

(240319) -- QUEZON CITY, March 19, 2024 (Xinhua) -- An aerial drone photo taken on March 19, 2024 shows a fire accident in Quezon City, the Philippines. Some 400 families were affected by a fire accident that took place in Quezon City on Tuesday, according to local officials. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)

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THE PHILIPPINES-QUEZON CITY-FIRE

(240319) -- QUEZON CITY, March 19, 2024 (Xinhua) -- An aerial drone photo taken on March 19, 2024 shows a fire accident in Quezon City, the Philippines. Some 400 families were affected by a fire accident that took place in Quezon City on Tuesday, according to local officials. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)

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THE PHILIPPINES-QUEZON CITY-FIRE

(240319) -- QUEZON CITY, March 19, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Firefighters work near the site of a fire accident in Quezon City, the Philippines, March 19, 2024. Some 400 families were affected by a fire accident that took place in Quezon City on Tuesday, according to local officials. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)

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THE PHILIPPINES-QUEZON CITY-FIRE

(240319) -- QUEZON CITY, March 19, 2024 (Xinhua) -- An aerial drone photo taken on March 19, 2024 shows a fire accident in Quezon City, the Philippines. Some 400 families were affected by a fire accident that took place in Quezon City on Tuesday, according to local officials. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)

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Chinese embassy donates school materials to needy Egyptian students

STORY: Chinese embassy donates school materials to needy Egyptian students SHOOTING TIME: Dec. 5, 2023 DATELINE: Dec. 7, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:14 LOCATION: Cairo CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. shots of the handover ceremony 2. shots of Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Liao Liqiang at the donation ceremony 3. shots of Egyptian officials STORYLINE: The Chinese Embassy in Egypt, in cooperation with the pro-government Egyptian political party of Homat Al Watan (the Protectors of the Nation), has donated school materials to students in need in Cairo. About 400 sets of school bags and stationery were handed over Tuesday to students at a donation ceremony held at the Al-Asmarat District's service center in the Cairo Governorate. The event was attended by Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Liao Liqiang, Secretary-General of Egypt's Homat Al Watan Party Tariq Naseer, and Al-Asmarat district head Ahmed Ibrahim. At the ceremony, Liao said the donation aims to express support for a shantytown renovation project launched

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Chinese companies seek to boost cultural exchange, understanding in overseas ventures

STORY: Chinese companies seek to boost cultural exchange, understanding in overseas ventures SHOOTING TIME: Nov. 27, 2023 DATELINE: Nov. 28, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:45 LOCATION: Beijing CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the forum 2. various of Beijing 3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): ZU BIN, Member of Board of Directors of China Huadian Corporation Ltd. 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): SHAN GUANGXIU, Member of Board of Directors of China State Construction Engineering Group Co., Ltd. 5. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): ZHANG YANSHENG, Chief researcher of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges STORYLINE: Chinese enterprises attending a forum in Beijing discussed ways of building global corporate image, and enhancing mutual understanding among civilizations. Over 400 guests, including representatives of well-known Chinese enterprises, government officials, and experts took part in the 11th Chinese Enterprise Global Image Summit. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): ZU BIN, Member of Board of Directors of China Huadian Corpora

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Mongolia to send largest ever delegation to Hangzhou Asian Games

STORY: Mongolia to send largest ever delegation to Hangzhou Asian Games DATELINE: Sept. 16, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:02 LOCATION: Ulan Bator CATEGORY: SPORTS SHOTLIST: 1. various of Mongolian delegation for Hangzhou Asian Games 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Mongolian): AMGALANBAATAR GANBAATAR, Chief of Mongolian Delegation 3. various of Mongolian delegation for Hangzhou Asian Games 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Mongolian): AMGALANBAATAR GANBAATAR, Chief of Mongolian Delegation STORYLINE: Mongolia will send a delegation of over 600 members to the upcoming Hangzhou Asian Games, its largest team for a single Asian Games, said the head of the Mongolian delegation. SOUNDBITE 1 (Mongolian): AMGALANBAATAR GANBAATAR, Chief of Mongolian Delegation "Our country will send more than 400 athletes in 34 different sports as well as over 200 coaches and relevant officials to the forthcoming Asian Games. In other words, we are ready to participate in the Asian Games with the largest ever delegation." The 19th Asian Games will take place in China's Hang

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Central Asian countries expect closer cooperation with China in green development

STORY: Central Asian countries expect closer cooperation with China in green development DATELINE: Sept. 10, 2023 LENGTH: 0:02:02 LOCATION: XIAMEN, China CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the event 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English) SOLEHZODA ASHURBOY, First Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English) BAKHTIYOR MIRZAEV, Trade-Economic Counselor of Consulate General of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Guangzhou STORYLINE: Government officials from Central Asian countries attending a major forum in China's Xiamen have hailed a broad cooperation prospect between China and Central Asian countries in a variety of fields, especially in green development. They expressed the views during the 10th China-Central Asia Cooperation Forum, which concluded on Saturday in Xiamen City, east China's Fujian Province. The two-day event, attended by over 400 domestic and foreign participants, aimed to foster collaborative endeavors and expand the horizons of China-Cent

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U.S.-CALIFORNIA-CHINA-BUSINESS FORUM

(230524) -- LOS ANGELES, May 24, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People attend the 2023 China-California Business Forum held in downtown Los Angeles, California, the United States, May 22, 2023. The 2023 China-California Business Forum was held in downtown Los Angeles on Monday, drawing a crowd of over 400 business owners, entrepreneurs and officials from China and the U.S. state of California. TO GO WITH "Roundup: 2023 China-California Business Forum resumes after pandemic pause" (Xinhua)

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U.S.-CALIFORNIA-CHINA-BUSINESS FORUM

(230524) -- LOS ANGELES, May 24, 2023 (Xinhua) -- U.S. California's Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis speaks at the 2023 China-California Business Forum held in downtown Los Angeles, California, the United States, May 22, 2023. The 2023 China-California Business Forum was held in downtown Los Angeles on Monday, drawing a crowd of over 400 business owners, entrepreneurs and officials from China and the U.S. state of California. TO GO WITH "Roundup: 2023 China-California Business Forum resumes after pandemic pause" (Xinhua)

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400 Afghan families receive China-donated aid in western Nimroz province

STORY: 400 Afghan families receive China-donated aid in western Nimroz province DATELINE: March 26, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:11 LOCATION: Kabul CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various shots of the China-donated humanitarian assistance distribution site in western Nimroz province, Afghanistan STORYLINE: Afghan authorities distributed China-donated humanitarian aid to 400 families in the western Nimroz province on Thursday, Mawlawi Sediqullah Nasrtat, the provincial director for refugees and repatriation affairs, said Friday. "We distributed China-donated humanitarian assistance to 400 poor families here in provincial capital Zaranj city yesterday afternoon and each family received a bag of 50 kg rice and 50 kg wheat," Nasrat told Xinhua. The assistance was distributed in the presence of Minister for Refugees and Repatriation Affairs Khalil Rahman Haqqani, the official said. China has provided foodstuff to nearly 1,800 families in Nimroz and neighboring Herat provinces over the past two months, officials said.

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43 injured on Northwest Airlines plane due to turbulence

NARITA, Japan - Northwest Airlines flight crew members are questioned by emergency officials at Narita International Airport, northeast of Tokyo, on Feb. 20 upon arrival after the Boeing 747-400 passenger plane from Manila was hit by turbulence while circling above waters off Chiba Prefecture.

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Toshiba to launch HD DVD-equipped laptop in mid-May

TOKYO, Japan - Toshiba Corp. said April 10 it will launch in Japan in mid-May the world's first notebook computer equipped with a next-generation DVD drive. The Qosmio G30/697HS, with an HD DVD drive and a 17-inch high-definition liquid crystal monitor, is expected to sell for about 400,000 yen, Toshiba officials said.

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Memorial service held in Tokyo for 2 train heroes

TOKYO, Japan - A joint memorial service is held in Tokyo on Jan. 26 for Lee Su Hyon, a 26-year-old South Korean student (L) and, Shiro Sekine, a 47-year-old Japanese photographer (R) who were killed by an oncoming train a year ago when they attempted to rescue a man who had fallen off the platform of a Tokyo train station. About 400 citizens and Japanese government officials, including Foreign Minister Makiko Tanaka, attended the ceremony to mark the first anniversary of the accident, which occurred on the tracks at JR Shin-Okubo Station in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward.

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Tanaka apologizes over arrest of official

TOKYO, Japan - Foreign Minister Makiko Tanaka apologizes Sept. 6 over the arrest of a Foreign Ministry official on suspicion of conspiring with two officials of Hotel New Otani to defraud the state of about 400 million yen in 1995.

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Hotel New Otani officials arrested over fraud

TOKYO, Japan - Photo taken Sept. 5 shows Hotel New Otani in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward. Two officials of the hotel were arrested Sept. 6, along with Akio Asakawa, an assistant director of the Foreign Ministry's European Affairs Bureau, on suspicion of defrauding the state of some 400 million yen by padding hotel bills for international meetings.

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Investigators raid Foreign Ministry official's house

TOKYO, Japan - Police investigators enter the house in Tokyo on Sept. 6 of Akio Asakawa, an assistant director of the Foreign Ministry's European Affairs Bureau, who was arrested earlier in the day, along with two Hotel New Otani officials, on suspicion of defrauding the state of some 400 million yen by padding hotel bills for international meetings.

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Last group of Miyakejima residents lines up to leaves island

MIYAKEJIMA, Japan - Residents of Miyakejima Island line up Sept. 4 before boarding a regular ferry at Sabigahama, on the west side of the island, after an evacuation order was issued by the Tokyo metropolitan government for fear of pyroclastic flows. The group of islanders was the last to leave. Some 400 officials and disaster relief workers will remain on the island.

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First Japan-U.S. sister city conference opens in Sendai

SENDAI, Japan - The first meeting of the Japan-U.S. Sister City Conference opens in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, on Sept. 10. The two-day meeting was attended by some 400 officials from 109 local governments in Japan and the United States. Among those attending were Thomas Foley, ambassador to Japan, Shoichiro Toyoda, Toyota Motor Corp.'s honorary chairman, and other political and business leaders.

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India achieves highest ever goods export target of 400 bln USD

STORY: India achieves highest ever goods export target of 400 bln USD DATELINE: March 24, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:50 LOCATION: New Delhi CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of India gate 2. various of market area 3. various of crop harvesting 4. various of farmers working in fields 5. various of manufacturing unit 6. various of transportation of containers STORYLINE: India achieved its highest ever goods export target of 400 billion U.S. dollars Wednesday, nine days ahead of schedule, officials said. The country had set this ambitious export target for FY22. The milestone was hailed by the country's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who lauded the farmers, weavers, manufacturers, exporters and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME). "India set an ambitious target of 400 billion U.S. dollars of goods exports and achieves this target for the first time ever. I congratulate our farmers, weavers, MSMEs, manufacturers, exporters for this success," Modi wrote on social media. "This is a key milestone i

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Winter Paralympic torch relay starts in Beijing

STORY: Winter Paralympic torch relay starts in Beijing DATELINE: March 3, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:02 LOCATION: Beijing CATEGORY: SOCIETY/SPORTS SHOTLIST: 1. various of Winter Paralympic torch relay in Beijing 2. STANDUP (English): LI ZIWEI, Xinhua correspondent STORYLINE: The torch relay for the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games is running from Wednesday to Friday, with 565 torchbearers participating in Beijing, Yanqing and Zhangjiakou competition zones. STANDUP (English): LI ZIWEI, Xinhua correspondent "Here is the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. Today (Wednesday), the torch relay for the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games has kicked off. The Paralympic Heritage Flame was lit on Monday in the UK. Flames were also collected at eight other locations in Beijing and Zhangjiakou. And here at this site, the nine flames were combined into the official flame of the Beijing Paralympic Winter Games." Around 400 people attended the ceremony, including officials from national and local government as well as the Beijin

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Hotel New Otani officials arrested over fraud

TOKYO, Japan - Photo taken Sept. 5 shows Hotel New Otani in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward. Two officials of the hotel were arrested Sept. 6, along with Akio Asakawa, an assistant director of the Foreign Ministry's European Affairs Bureau, on suspicion of defrauding the state of some 400 million yen by padding hotel bills for international meetings.

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Foreign Ministry, hotel officials arrested over fraud

TOKYO, Japan - Akio Asakawa (file photo), an assistant director of the Foreign Ministry's European Affairs Bureau, is arrested Sept. 6, along with two Hotel New Otani officials, on suspicion of defrauding the state of some 400 million yen by padding hotel bills for international meetings.

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(CORRECTED)43 injured on Northwest Airlines plane due to turbule

NARITA, Japan - Northwest Airlines flight crew members are questioned by emergency officials at Narita International Airport, northeast of Tokyo, on Feb. 20 upon arrival after the Boeing 747-400 passenger plane from Manila was hit by turbulence while circling above waters off Chiba Prefecture. (Kyodo)

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Investigators raid Foreign Ministry official's house

TOKYO, Japan - Police investigators enter the house in Tokyo on Sept. 6 of Akio Asakawa, an assistant director of the Foreign Ministry's European Affairs Bureau, who was arrested earlier in the day, along with two Hotel New Otani officials, on suspicion of defrauding the state of some 400 million yen by padding hotel bills for international meetings.

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Last group of Miyakejima residents lines up to leaves island

MIYAKEJIMA, Japan - Residents of Miyakejima Island line up Sept. 4 before boarding a regular ferry at Sabigahama, on the west side of the island, after an evacuation order was issued by the Tokyo metropolitan government for fear of pyroclastic flows. The group of islanders was the last to leave. Some 400 officials and disaster relief workers will remain on the island.

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Japanese gov't sets up Feb. 29 bug task force

TOKYO, Japan - The Japanese government set up a task force on Feb. 28 to deal with computer problems that may arise Feb. 29 due to a special leap year that occurs once every 400 years. Photo shows officials putting up a signboard for the task force at the premier's official residence.

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First Japan-U.S. sister city conference opens in Sendai

SENDAI, Japan - The first meeting of the Japan-U.S. Sister City Conference opens in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, on Sept. 10. The two-day meeting was attended by some 400 officials from 109 local governments in Japan and the United States. Among those attending were Thomas Foley, ambassador to Japan, Shoichiro Toyoda, Toyota Motor Corp.'s honorary chairman, and other political and business leaders.