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IRAN-TEHRAN-PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION-CAMPAIGN

(240704) -- TEHRAN, July 4, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Presidential candidate Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran's former health minister, attends an electoral campaign in Tehran, Iran, July 3, 2024. After a highly-contested first round of presidential elections, Iran is set for a runoff vote on July 5, as none of the candidates have secured the required 50 percent of votes, Iran's Election Headquarters Spokesperson Mohsen Eslami said Saturday. The results show that reformist Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran's former health minister, received more than 42 percent of the votes, while principlist Saeed Jalili, the former chief negotiator in the nuclear talks between Tehran and world powers, garnered over 38 percent of the total. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Shadati)

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IRAN-TEHRAN-PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION-CAMPAIGN

(240704) -- TEHRAN, July 4, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Presidential candidate Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran's former health minister, attends an electoral campaign in Tehran, Iran, July 3, 2024. After a highly-contested first round of presidential elections, Iran is set for a runoff vote on July 5, as none of the candidates have secured the required 50 percent of votes, Iran's Election Headquarters Spokesperson Mohsen Eslami said Saturday. The results show that reformist Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran's former health minister, received more than 42 percent of the votes, while principlist Saeed Jalili, the former chief negotiator in the nuclear talks between Tehran and world powers, garnered over 38 percent of the total. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Shadati)

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IRAN-TEHRAN-PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION-CAMPAIGN

(240704) -- TEHRAN, July 4, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Presidential candidate Saeed Jalili (R) attends an electoral campaign in Tehran, Iran, June 30, 2024. After a highly-contested first round of presidential elections, Iran is set for a runoff vote on July 5, as none of the candidates have secured the required 50 percent of votes, Iran's Election Headquarters Spokesperson Mohsen Eslami said Saturday. The results show that reformist Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran's former health minister, received more than 42 percent of the votes, while principlist Saeed Jalili, the former chief negotiator in the nuclear talks between Tehran and world powers, garnered over 38 percent of the total. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Shadati)

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IRAN-TEHRAN-PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION-CAMPAIGN

(240704) -- TEHRAN, July 4, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Presidential candidate Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran's former health minister, attends an electoral campaign in Tehran, Iran, July 3, 2024. After a highly-contested first round of presidential elections, Iran is set for a runoff vote on July 5, as none of the candidates have secured the required 50 percent of votes, Iran's Election Headquarters Spokesperson Mohsen Eslami said Saturday. The results show that reformist Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran's former health minister, received more than 42 percent of the votes, while principlist Saeed Jalili, the former chief negotiator in the nuclear talks between Tehran and world powers, garnered over 38 percent of the total. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Shadati)

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SOUTH AFRICA-JOHANNESBURG-ELECTION

(240531) -- JOHANNESBURG, May 31, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Staff members of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) work at the National Results Operations Center in Midrand, South Africa, on May 31, 2024. The ruling African National Congress (ANC) is currently leading in South Africa's 2024 national and provincial elections, with about 42 percent of the votes, as the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has counted over 60 percent of the ballots by Friday noon. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Zhang Yudong)

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SOUTH AFRICA-JOHANNESBURG-ELECTION

(240531) -- JOHANNESBURG, May 31, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Staff members of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) work at the National Results Operations Center in Midrand, South Africa, on May 31, 2024. The ruling African National Congress (ANC) is currently leading in South Africa's 2024 national and provincial elections, with about 42 percent of the votes, as the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has counted over 60 percent of the ballots by Friday noon. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Zhang Yudong)

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SOUTH AFRICA-JOHANNESBURG-ELECTION

(240531) -- JOHANNESBURG, May 31, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- A staff member of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) works at the National Results Operations Center in Midrand, South Africa, on May 31, 2024. The ruling African National Congress (ANC) is currently leading in South Africa's 2024 national and provincial elections, with about 42 percent of the votes, as the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has counted over 60 percent of the ballots by Friday noon. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Zhang Yudong)

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SOUTH AFRICA-JOHANNESBURG-ELECTION

(240531) -- JOHANNESBURG, May 31, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Staff members of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) talk at the National Results Operations Center in Midrand, South Africa, on May 31, 2024. The ruling African National Congress (ANC) is currently leading in South Africa's 2024 national and provincial elections, with about 42 percent of the votes, as the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has counted over 60 percent of the ballots by Friday noon. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Zhang Yudong)

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SOUTH AFRICA-JOHANNESBURG-ELECTION

(240531) -- JOHANNESBURG, May 31, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Staff members of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) work at the National Results Operations Center in Midrand, South Africa, on May 31, 2024. The ruling African National Congress (ANC) is currently leading in South Africa's 2024 national and provincial elections, with about 42 percent of the votes, as the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has counted over 60 percent of the ballots by Friday noon. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Zhang Yudong)

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SOUTH AFRICA-JOHANNESBURG-ELECTION

(240531) -- JOHANNESBURG, May 31, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Staff members of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) work at the National Results Operations Center in Midrand, South Africa, on May 31, 2024. The ruling African National Congress (ANC) is currently leading in South Africa's 2024 national and provincial elections, with about 42 percent of the votes, as the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has counted over 60 percent of the ballots by Friday noon. (Xinhua/Zhang Yudong)

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SOUTH AFRICA-JOHANNESBURG-ELECTION

(240531) -- JOHANNESBURG, May 31, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Staff members of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) work at the National Results Operations Center in Midrand, South Africa, on May 31, 2024. The ruling African National Congress (ANC) is currently leading in South Africa's 2024 national and provincial elections, with about 42 percent of the votes, as the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has counted over 60 percent of the ballots by Friday noon. (Xinhua/Zhang Yudong)

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SOUTH AFRICA-JOHANNESBURG-ELECTION

(240531) -- JOHANNESBURG, May 31, 2024 (Xinhua) -- A staff member of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) works at the National Results Operations Center in Midrand, South Africa, on May 31, 2024. The ruling African National Congress (ANC) is currently leading in South Africa's 2024 national and provincial elections, with about 42 percent of the votes, as the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has counted over 60 percent of the ballots by Friday noon. (Xinhua/Zhang Yudong)

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SOUTH AFRICA-JOHANNESBURG-ELECTION

(240531) -- JOHANNESBURG, May 31, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Staff members of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) talk at the National Results Operations Center in Midrand, South Africa, on May 31, 2024. The ruling African National Congress (ANC) is currently leading in South Africa's 2024 national and provincial elections, with about 42 percent of the votes, as the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has counted over 60 percent of the ballots by Friday noon. (Xinhua/Zhang Yudong)

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SOUTH AFRICA-JOHANNESBURG-ELECTION

(240531) -- JOHANNESBURG, May 31, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Staff members of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) work at the National Results Operations Center in Midrand, South Africa, on May 31, 2024. The ruling African National Congress (ANC) is currently leading in South Africa's 2024 national and provincial elections, with about 42 percent of the votes, as the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has counted over 60 percent of the ballots by Friday noon. (Xinhua/Zhang Yudong)

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Japan's economy contracts annualized 2 pct in January-March

STORY: Japan's economy contracts annualized 2 pct in January-March SHOOTING TIME: April 30 & May 4, 2024 DATELINE: May 16, 2024 LENGTH: 00:02:42 LOCATION: Tokyo CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of street view in Tokyo 2. various of banks in Tokyo STORYLINE: Japan's economy shrank by an annualized 2.0 percent in the January-March period from the prior quarter, marking the first contraction in two quarters amid sluggish consumer spending, the latest GDP figures showed Thursday. Real gross domestic product (GDP) in this year's first quarter, adjusted for inflation, fell 0.5 percent from the previous quarter, according to preliminary data released by the Cabinet Office. Private consumption, which accounts for more than half of Japan's GDP, dropped 0.7 percent. It was the fourth straight quarter of decline, the longest streak since 2009, underscoring sluggish domestic demand. Capital spending fell 0.8 percent, down for the first time in two quarters, as Japanese firms curbed investment in mach

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Egyptian PM visits factory of Chinese phone maker Vivo

STORY: Egyptian PM visits factory of Chinese phone maker Vivo SHOOTING TIME: May 11, 2024 DATELINE: May 12, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:22 LOCATION: Cairo CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of a tour made by Egypt's PM to a Chinese factory in Egypt (courtesy of the Egyptian Cabinet) STORYLINE: Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly inspected a factory of the Chinese phone maker Vivo on Saturday, as part of his tour to a number of industrial facilities in the 10th of Ramadan city. The prime minister said his tour comes within the framework of the state's direction towards expansion in attracting major international manufacturing companies in Egypt, with a high local added value, as well as the government's interest in seeking to enhance communication with foreign investors and manufacturers from international companies. The managing director of Vivo said the local factory achieves a local added value of 42 percent and is working to increase this percentage and also increase the local components. According t

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TANZANIA-LINDI-CHINESE COMPANY-FISHING HARBOR

(240420) -- LINDI, April 20, 2024 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on April 16, 2024 shows workers operating at the construction site of Tanzania's first-ever fishing harbor in Kilwa Masoko in Lindi, Tanzania. The construction of the harbor in Kilwa Masoko on the Indian Ocean coastline in the Lindi region has reached 42 percent. The project is being built by China Harbor Engineering Company Ltd (CHEC), a leading Chinese construction company, and has helped more than 400 local people get jobs, according to Tanzania Ports Authority. The harbor will be completed in 2025, boosting the country's fish catches in deep seas. (Xinhua/Hua Hongli)

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TANZANIA-LINDI-CHINESE COMPANY-FISHING HARBOR

(240420) -- LINDI, April 20, 2024 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on April 16, 2024 shows workers operating at the construction site of Tanzania's first-ever fishing harbor in Kilwa Masoko in Lindi, Tanzania. The construction of the harbor in Kilwa Masoko on the Indian Ocean coastline in the Lindi region has reached 42 percent. The project is being built by China Harbor Engineering Company Ltd (CHEC), a leading Chinese construction company, and has helped more than 400 local people get jobs, according to Tanzania Ports Authority. The harbor will be completed in 2025, boosting the country's fish catches in deep seas. (Xinhua/Hua Hongli)

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TANZANIA-LINDI-CHINESE COMPANY-FISHING HARBOR

(240420) -- LINDI, April 20, 2024 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on April 16, 2024 shows the construction site of Tanzania's first-ever fishing harbor in Kilwa Masoko in Lindi, Tanzania. The construction of the harbor in Kilwa Masoko on the Indian Ocean coastline in the Lindi region has reached 42 percent. The project is being built by China Harbor Engineering Company Ltd (CHEC), a leading Chinese construction company, and has helped more than 400 local people get jobs, according to Tanzania Ports Authority. The harbor will be completed in 2025, boosting the country's fish catches in deep seas. (Xinhua/Hua Hongli)

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TANZANIA-LINDI-CHINESE COMPANY-FISHING HARBOR

(240420) -- LINDI, April 20, 2024 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on April 16, 2024 shows workers operating at the construction site of Tanzania's first-ever fishing harbor in Kilwa Masoko in Lindi, Tanzania. The construction of the harbor in Kilwa Masoko on the Indian Ocean coastline in the Lindi region has reached 42 percent. The project is being built by China Harbor Engineering Company Ltd (CHEC), a leading Chinese construction company, and has helped more than 400 local people get jobs, according to Tanzania Ports Authority. The harbor will be completed in 2025, boosting the country's fish catches in deep seas. (Xinhua/Hua Hongli)

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Horgos Port in China's Xinjiang sees record freight throughput in 2023

STORY: Horgos Port in China's Xinjiang sees record freight throughput in 2023 SHOOTING TIME: Recent footage DATELINE: Jan. 21, 2024 LENGTH: 0:00:42 LOCATION: URUMQI, China CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the Horgos Port 2. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): GUO DIAN, Horgos Customs officer STORYLINE: According to data from Horgos Customs, the Horgos Port in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region registered record-high import and export freight volume in 2023. The freight volume passing through the port totaled 41.78 million tons in 2023, a year-on-year increase of 4.4 percent. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): GUO DIAN, Horgos Customs officer "We have innovated smart supervision, simplified logistics procedures, continuously optimized regulatory processes, and improved the efficiency of customs clearance." The types of import and export commodities through the port are increasingly diversified. Among them, the export volume of new energy vehicles (NEVs) in 2023 increased by more than eight times year-on-year

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What has China done amid global efforts to address climate challenges

STORY: What has China done amid global efforts to address climate challenges SHOOTING TIME: Nov. 29, 2023 DATELINE: Nov. 30, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:42 LOCATION: DUBAI, UAE CATEGORY: POLITICS/ENVIRONMENT SHOTLIST: 1. various of COP28 2. various of China-related footage STORYLINE: As the United Nations climate change conference kicks off in Dubai on Thursday, the issue of climate change again takes center stage. What has China done to address climate challenges? In 2022, China's carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP dropped by more than 51 percent from its 2005 level, according to a report released by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) last month. The country has incorporated carbon emission reduction goals into the overall planning of economic and social development, and has pledged to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. To help realize these goals, a national carbon market has been established. With the total installed capacity of renewable energies reachin

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High inflation in Türkiye fuels soaring credit card debt

STORY: High inflation in Türkiye fuels soaring credit card debt SHOOTING TIME: Nov. 22, 2023 DATELINE: Nov. 23, 2023 LENGTH: 0:02:18 LOCATION: Ankara CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of people on the street and shopping in Türkiye 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Turkish): BASAR CETIN, 42-year-old chiropractor 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Turkish): EMIRCAN SIMSEK, 24-year-old waiter STORYLINE: Türkiye's runaway inflation is ramping up credit card spending by consumers who find themselves faced with increased legal proceedings due to card default. Credit card debts soared by 119 percent to 991 billion Turkish liras (34.7 billion U.S. dollars) in the first ten months of 2023, according to banking regulatory watchdog. SOUNDBITE 1 (Turkish): BASAR CETIN, 42-year-old chiropractor "I use credit cards for daily spending. Credit cards are practical tools but if you don't use them correctly, if you don't pay the full balance on a monthly basis, they become a burden. I also was affected by that, but I managed to pay off all of my debt. A

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Egypt's inflation hits record 39.7 pct

STORY: Egypt's inflation hits record 39.7 pct DATELINE: Sept. 11, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:20 LOCATION: Cairo CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of markets and customers in Cairo 2. various of restaurants in Cairo 3. various of goods in store 4. various of streets in Cairo STORYLINE: Egypt's year-on-year headline inflation hit a record high of 39.7 percent in August, compared to 38.2 percent in July and 15.3 percent in August 2022, data from the country's official statistics authority showed on Sunday. According to Egypt's Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics, the prices of food and beverages surged by 71.9 percent, alcoholics and tobacco by 57.6 percent, restaurant and hotel services by 49.5 percent, and furniture and household appliances by 42 percent in the past 12 months. 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. In early August, the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE)

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High inflation rate tests consumers'patience in Türkiye

STORY: High inflation rate tests consumers' patience in Türkiye DATELINE: Sept. 9, 2023 LENGTH: 00:03:42 LOCATION: ISTANBUL, Türkiye CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Turkish people on the streets and shopping 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Turkish): MEHMET NURI SULAT, 70-year-old pensioner 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Turkish): SAKINE YELGE, 57-year-old homemaker 4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Turkish): ISMAIL YIGIT, 67-year-old pensioner STORYLINE: Annual inflation in Türkiye hit 58.9 percent in August, with consumer prices increasing 9.09 percent from the previous month, according to official data released on Monday. Food costs increased significantly to a high of 72.9 percent year-on-year in August, putting an additional burden on struggling households. Türkiye is undergoing an economic overhaul since the appointment of market-friendly figures at key economic posts following the May general elections. More conventional monetary policies have been implemented, and interest rates have been significantly hiked but this has not helped ye

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Droughts threaten cereal production in Spain: expert

STORY: Droughts threaten cereal production in Spain: expert DATELINE: Aug. 17, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:01 LOCATION: Madrid CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT SHOTLIST: 1. various of harvest 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Spanish): JAVIER ALEJANDRE, Union of Small Farmers and Ranchers (UPA) representative in Madrid 3. various of harvest 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Spanish): JAVIER ALEJANDRE, Union of Small Farmers and Ranchers (UPA) representative in Madrid 5. various of harvest STORYLINE: The severe droughts currently affecting Spain will threaten cereal production this year, a Spanish expert has warned. SOUNDBITE 1 (Spanish): JAVIER ALEJANDRE, Union of Small Farmers and Ranchers (UPA) representative in Madrid "It results in disastrous harvest, with production below 60 percent of normal, which means that our production this year has remained around 40 to 42 percent of normal annual production." Spain registered the driest start to a year in the first four months of this year since records began in the 1960s, with Catalonia and southern Spain's Anda

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Eurozone inflation eased, but months from 2 pct target: Spanish economist

STORY: Eurozone inflation eased, but months from 2 pct target: Spanish economist DATELINE: Aug. 5, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:42 LOCATION: BARCELONA, Spain CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the European Central Bank 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Spanish): JAVIER DIAZ-GIMENEZ, Professor of Economics at IESE Business School 3. various of pedestrians in Spain 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Spanish): JAVIER DIAZ-GIMENEZ, Professor of Economics at IESE Business School 5. various of pedestrian in Spain 6. various of shopping malls in Frankfurt, Germany 7. SOUNDBITE 3 (Spanish): JAVIER DIAZ-GIMENEZ, Professor of Economics at IESE Business School 8. various of shopping malls in Frankfurt, Germany 9. SOUNDBITE 4 (Spanish): JAVIER DIAZ-GIMENEZ, Professor of Economics at IESE Business School STORYLINE: Eurozone inflation dipped in July to 5.3 percent, the lowest level registered since February 2022, data published by the EU's official statistics agency showed Monday. The drop of Eurozone inflation to pre-Ukraine crisis level is "good news," a S

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India bans exports of white rice variety to meet domestic demand

STORY: India bans exports of white rice variety to meet domestic demand DATELINE: July 21, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:42 LOCATION: New Delhi CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of India gate 2. various of Govt. building 3. various of rice field 4. various of rice wholesale market 5. various of types of rice 6. various of export containers STORYLINE: The Indian government on Thursday announced a ban on exports of a particular variety of white rice to ensure its adequate availability and allay price rise in the domestic market. According to an official statement issued by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, the ban on exports of non-basmati white rice would immediately come into force. "The domestic prices of rice are on an increasing trend. The retail prices have increased by 11.5 percent over a year and 3 percent over the past month," said the statement. An export duty of 20 percent on the rice was imposed in September 2022 to ensure its availability in the domestic market. Howeve

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Average home prices in Türkiye climb to over 96,000 U.S. dollars

STORY: Average home prices in Türkiye climb to over 96,000 U.S. dollars DATELINE: July 20, 2023 LENGTH: 0:01:11 LOCATION: Ankara CATEGORY: Economy SHOTLIST: 1. various of some apartments and houses in Türkiye (courtesy of ihlas news agency) 2. various of Turkish Lira 3. various of some apartments and houses in Türkiye (courtesy of ihlas news agency) STORYLINE: The average home sale price in Türkiye climbed to 2.54 million Turkish lira (96,359 U.S. dollars) in June, according to Endeksa, which collects data on the real estate market. Home prices climbed by 110 percent year on year to 19,653 lira per square meter (729.13 U.S. dollars). In May, the average sale price was 2.45 million lira (91,000 U.S. dollars). In June, home sales across Türkiye plunged 44.4 percent from a year ago to 83,636. New home sales declined 42 percent, while mortgaged sales dropped more than 45 percent. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Ankara. (XHTV)

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Turkish industry insider suggests expanding marina capacities to boost yachting tourism: media

STORY: Turkish industry insider suggests expanding marina capacities to boost yachting tourism: media DATELINE: June 21, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:07 LOCATION: ISTANBUL, Türkiye CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Türkiye 2. various of marinas full of yachts and boats in Türkiye STORYLINE: Türkiye needs to boost the capacity of its marinas to address the growing need for mooring boats, local media reported, citing an industry insider. "Türkiye has 25 to 30 marinas at the moment, with a capacity of around 6,500 berths," economic daily Dunya Tuesday quoted Murat Bekiroglu, president of the Turkish Yacht and Boat Industry Association, as saying. Bekiroglu suggested expanding the capacity by at least 50 percent in the first stage. The industry leader said the limited capacity to harbor boats has caused a spike in the cost of mooring yachts, making captains opt for other destinations abroad. According to Bekiroglu, mooring a 42-meter-long yacht along Türkiye's famed Gocek beaches costs 1,200 euros (1,312 U.S

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Japan's industrial output rises 0.8 pct in March

STORY: Japan's industrial output rises 0.8 pct in March DATELINE: April 28, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:42 LOCATION: Tokyo CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of ports and industrial manufacturing in Japan STORYLINE: Japan's industrial output rose from a month earlier in March, marking the second straight month of increase, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said in a report on Friday. According to the ministry, industrial output in March rose 0.8 percent from the previous month, with the seasonally adjusted index of output at factories and mines standing at 95.7 against the base of 100 for 2015. The figure for March follows an upwardly revised 4.6 percent increase logged in February, the ministry's data showed. The ministry's data set also showed the index of industrial shipments were up 0.4 percent to 93.1, while inventories gained 0.6 percent to 104.1 in the recording period. Industrial output fell 0.2 percent from the previous year in fiscal 2022 ended March, the ministry also said. The minis

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Foreign entries to Japan up 27.5 pct in March

STORY: Foreign entries to Japan up 27.5 pct in March DATELINE: April 20, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:42 LOCATION: Tokyo CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of foreign visitors in Tokyo STORYLINE: The estimated number of foreign visitors to Japan in March went up by 27.5 percent year on year to total 1,817,500, government data showed Wednesday. This marked the highest since the country lifted its pandemic-prompted ban on individual and non-prearranged trips last October, the Japan National Tourism Organization said. Despite signs of recovery, the monthly figure was still 34.2 percent lower than the level seen in March 2019 before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the organization. It said arrivals from South Korea comprised the largest number of visitors totaling 568,600 in March, while the number of U.S. visitors stood at 203,000. Visitors from the Chinese mainland doubled from the February figure to reach 75,700 last month, thanks to a growing number of direct flights between the two count

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Japan logs record 161.36 bln USD trade deficit for FY 2022

STORY: Japan logs record 161.36 bln USD trade deficit for FY 2022 DATELINE: April 20, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:42 LOCATION: Tokyo CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of city views in Tokyo 2. various of port 3. various of factories in Japan STORYLINE: Japan posted a trade deficit of 21.73 trillion yen (161.36 billion U.S. dollars) in fiscal 2022 ending March, marking a new record, the government said in a report on Thursday. According to the Finance Ministry, the country's imports far outpaced exports from a year earlier, with imports leaping 32.2 percent compared to a 15.5 percent increase in exports. For March alone, the Finance Ministry said in its preliminary report that Japan logged a trade deficit of 754.5 billion yen (5.60 billion U.S. dollars). Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Tokyo. (XHTV)

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Malaysia's vehicle sales hit record high in March

STORY: Malaysia's vehicle sales hit record high in March DATELINE: April 18, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:42 LOCATION: Kuala Lumper CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of vehicles STORYLINE: Malaysia's vehicle sales rose 7.64 percent to a new all-time high of 78,849 units in March from 73,250 units a year ago, said the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) on Monday. MAA said in a statement that the growth was due to the fulfillment of bookings made during the sales exemption period, the rush for deliveries by companies having their financial year ending on March 31, 2023, and Hari Raya festive season promotional campaigns. Compared to total car sales of 63,510 units in February, the sales volume in March was 24.15 percent higher. According to the MAA, Malaysia's new car sales for passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles climbed to 70,958 units and 7,891 units in March, from 65,903 units and 7,347 units a year earlier, respectively. From January to March, the new car sales expanded 20.41 percent to 192,474

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Fish in Spanish reservoir culled for water quality during extreme drought

STORY: Fish in Spanish reservoir culled for water quality during extreme drought DATELINE: March 26, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:42 LOCATION: BARCELONA, Spain CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT/SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the Sau reservoir STORYLINE: The Spanish region of Catalonia has launched an anti-drought measure to preserve water quality in a drying reservoir by killing and removing a certain number of fish in it. The operation will clear two tonnes of fish a day, many of them invasive species, to prevent their death due to lack of oxygen from contaminating the reservoir. The reservoir, which is located near Barcelona, is currently at 10 percent capacity, the lowest level since 1990, as drought continues to severely affect the region. The Catalan government estimates that the current volume of the reservoir can provide water to one million residents for three months. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Barcelona, Spain. (XHTV)

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Japan's current account surplus drops 50 pct to 8-year low in 2022

STORY: Japan's current account surplus drops 50 pct to 8-year low in 2022 DATELINE: Feb. 9, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:48 LOCATION: Tokyo CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Tokyo 2. various of banks 3. various of ports 4. various of Tokyo STORYLINE: Japan's current account surplus logged in 2022 was almost 50 percent lower than the previous year, marking its lowest level in eight years, owing to a record trade deficit due to an upsurge in imports and the yen's weakness, the government said in a report on Wednesday. According to the finance ministry, the current account in 2022 stood at 11.44 trillion yen (87.26 billion U.S. dollars), with a record contraction year on year, resulting from surging import costs coming despite the primary income logging a record surplus. The country's trade deficit totaled 15.78 trillion yen (120.36 billion dollars), with imports climbing 42 percent to 114.47 trillion yen (873.12 trillion dollars) and exports up 19.9 percent to 98.69 trillion yen (752.74 billion dollars), th

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Uzbekistan's foreign trade turnover reaches 50 bln USD in 2022

STORY: Uzbekistan's foreign trade turnover reaches 50 bln USD in 2022 DATELINE: Feb. 9, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:42 LOCATION: Tashkent CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of website and charts of Statistics Agency of Uzbekistan 2. various of the street's view in Tashkent STORYLINE: Uzbekistan's foreign trade turnover increased 18.6 percent year-on-year to 50 billion U.S. dollars in 2022, the country's Statistics Agency said Wednesday. Uzbek exports amounted to 19.3 billion dollars and imports to 30.7 billion dollars in 2022, data showed. In 2021, the country's foreign trade turnover stood at 42.2 billion dollars, according to the agency. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Tashkent. (XHTV)

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Malaysia's manufacturing sales rise 8.6 pct in December

STORY: Malaysia's manufacturing sales rise 8.6 pct in December DATELINE: Feb. 8, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:42 LOCATION: Kuala Lumpur CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Malaysia's national flag and Kuala Lumpur street views 2. various of container vessels at Northport of Port Klang, Selangor 3. various of factories and trucks on the road STORYLINE: The sales value of the manufacturing sector in Malaysia expanded by 8.6 percent year-on-year in December 2022 to record 156.3 billion ringgit (36.3 billion U.S. dollars) while the overall performance reached 1.8 trillion ringgit (418.4 billion dollars) in 2022, official data showed on Tuesday. The Department of Statistics Malaysia said in a statement that the expansion of the sales value in December 2022 was reinforced by the double-digit growth in transport equipment and other manufacturing subsectors (10.9 percent), particularly in the manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers industries. The growth was also attributable to the strong in

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Foreign businesses voice confidence in Shanghai's economic prospects in 2023

STORY: Foreign businesses voice confidence in Shanghai's economic prospects in 2023 DATELINE: Jan. 14, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:42 LOCATION: SHANGHAI, China CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): LIU MINGHUA, Deputy CEO, Deloitte China 2. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): XU XIAOLIANG, Co-CEO of Fosun International 3. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): ZHANG XIQIANG, Executive Vice President, Nestle S.A. 4. various of Shanghai STORYLINE: Executives of foreign-invested businesses in Shanghai have expressed confidence in the city's economic prospects in 2023. In 2022, for the second year in a row, Shanghai's GDP exceeded the four-trillion-yuan threshold. The city is expecting to notch a year-on-year GDP growth of over 5.5 percent this year. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): LIU MINGHUA, Deputy CEO, Deloitte China "The economic recovery or economic growth will be a priority for Shanghai and even for the whole country. I believe we'll see very strong economic recovery. Shanghai has advantages in terms of high-end manufacturing, s

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Tokyo stocks fall on 2009 last trading day, Nikkei rises 19% on year

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese teenage golf star Ryo Ishikawa poses for photographers before ringing the bell during the annual closing ceremony at the Tokyo Stock Exchange in Tokyo's Nihombashi area on Dec. 30, 2009. Tokyo stocks fell in the year's final session, but the key Nikkei index ended 2009 with a 19 percent rise, which followed a historic 42 percent plunge in 2008, and the yearly climb was the first for the benchmark since 2006.

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Tokyo stocks fall on 2009 last trading day, Nikkei rises 19% on year

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese teenage golf star Ryo Ishikawa poses for photographers before ringing the bell during the annual closing ceremony at the Tokyo Stock Exchange in Tokyo's Nihombashi area on Dec. 30, 2009. Tokyo stocks fell in the year's final session, but the key Nikkei index ended 2009 with a 19 percent rise, which followed a historic 42 percent plunge in 2008, and the yearly climb was the first for the benchmark since 2006.

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Malaysian economy to moderate in 2023: economists

STORY: Malaysian economy to moderate in 2023: economists DATELINE: Dec. 15, 2022 LENGTH: 00:04:42 LOCATION: Kuala Lumpur CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Malaysia's national flag and Kuala Lumpur city views 2. various of customers shopping in store 3. various of container vessels at Northport of Port Klang, Selangor 4. various of workers at construction site 5. various of palm oil plantation and oil trucks on road 6. various of customers doing grocery shopping at a supermarket 7. various of tourists and tourism spots in Malaysia STORYLINE: The Malaysian economy will moderate in 2023 amid challenging external conditions and slowing domestic demand, economists said. The Maybank Investment Bank Research said in its recent report that it expects Malaysia's full-year growth to moderate to 4 percent in 2023 from 2022's growth forecast of 8 percent, mainly reflecting moderation in domestic demand. The research house sees slower growth in private consumption next year as pent-up spending from full

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Greece projects 1.8 pct GDP growth, 5 pct inflation in 2023

STORY: Greece projects 1.8 pct GDP growth, 5 pct inflation in 2023 DATELINE: Nov. 23, 2022 LENGTH: 00:00:42 LOCATION: Athens CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the Greek Finance Ministry and people walk in front of it 2. various of people in Syntagma square in front of the Greek parliament STORYLINE: The Greek Finance Ministry forecasted the country's economy to grow by 5.6 percent this year and 1.8 percent in 2023, according to a revised estimate in Greece's final 2023 draft budget presented to the parliament on Monday. The projected growth figures in the initial draft, which was submitted in early October, were 5.3 percent for 2022 and 2.1 percent for 2023. The forecast for the annual inflation rate has been increased to 5 percent from 3 percent for 2023. In the initial draft budget, the forecast for inflation in 2022 was 8.8 percent, rising to 9.7 percent in the new draft. The primary surplus is expected to be 0.7 percent in 2023, up from a 1.6 percent deficit in 2022, the ministry said on Mon

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Malaysia's leading car maker records sales growth in first 10 months

STORY: Malaysia's leading car maker records sales growth in first 10 months DATELINE: Nov. 4, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:42 LOCATION: Kuala Lumpur CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Kuala Lumpur 2. various of a Proton showroom STORYLINE: Malaysian national car maker Proton announced that its car sales hit 115,366 units in the first 10 months of this year, surpassing the 114,708 units achieved for the whole of 2021. The achievement means Proton's year-to-date sales have increased by 33.6 percent from January to October. The figure is expected to grow with two months remaining in 2022, said Proton. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Kuala Lumpur. (XHTV)

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Aussie state puts further ban on single-use plastic items

STORY: Aussie state puts further ban on single-use plastic items DATELINE: Nov. 2, 2022 LENGTH: 00:00:42 LOCATION: SYDNEY, Australia CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT SHOTLIST: 1. shot of the Sydney Opera House 2. various of shopping bags in shopping malls and supermarkets STORYLINE: The Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) implemented a further ban on more single-use plastic items from Tuesday, on top of its previous ban on lightweight single-use plastic bags. Under the tightened rules, manufacturers, wholesalers, businesses and community organizations in NSW cannot provide single-use plastic items including straws, stirrers, cutlery, plates, bowls and cotton buds; food ware and cups made from expanded polystyrene; rinse-off personal care products containing plastic microbeads. The new prohibition is the latest movement of the state government to create a more sustainable environment after it banned lightweight single-use plastic bags from June 1. Single-use plastic items and packaging make up 60 percent of a

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Italy selects leadership for two houses of parliament

STORY: Italy selects leadership for two houses of parliament DATELINE: Oct. 15, 2022 LENGTH: 00:08:01 LOCATION: Rome CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of La Russa speaking 2. various of La Russa meeting Sergio Mattarella 4. various of new deputies 5. various of voting 6. Lorenzo Fontana entering the hall 7. Fontana elected STORYLINE: Lorenzo Fontana, a two-time minister from a party likely to be a junior member of the next Italian government coalition, was selected on Friday as speaker of the lower house of Italy's parliament. Fontana's selection as speaker of the Chamber of Deputies followed the selection of Ignazio La Russa Thursday as president of the Senate, the upper house of parliament. Fontana, 42-year-old, received 222 votes, 25 more than he needed to be confirmed in the fourth round of voting. Fontana is a former European affairs minister and a former minister of family and disabilities. He is a member of the League, which won 8.8 percent of the vote for the Chamber of Deputies in Italy's

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Amid inflation, 32 pct of Americans struggle to pay bills: CNBC

STORY: Amid inflation, 32 pct of Americans struggle to pay bills: CNBC DATELINE: Oct. 13, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:42 LOCATION: NEW YORK, U.S. CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. STANDUP (English): XIA LIN, Xinhua correspondent 2. various of street views of New York City STORYLINE: STANDUP (English): XIA LIN, Xinhua correspondent "With prices rising nearly across the board, it's getting harder to pay for basic necessities, causing some Americans to fall behind, reported Consumer News and Business Channel (CNBC) on Oct. 10. To that point, 32 percent of adults have paid a bill late in the past six months, according to a recent report by LendingTree, and 61 percent of them said it's because they didn't have the money on hand to cover the cost. About 40 percent said they are less able to afford their bills compared with one year ago. Most said they fell behind on a utility bill, credit card payment or cable or internet bill. There is no doubt persistent inflation has weighed on consumers, leaving more Americans living

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Egypt sees 4.9 million tourists in 1st half of 2022

STORY: Egypt sees 4.9 million tourists in 1st half of 2022 DATELINE: Sept. 28, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:42 LOCATION: Cairo CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) 2. various of Giza Pyramid 3. various of Step pyramid 4. various of Luxor Valley 5. various of Abu Simbel Temple STORYLINE: Some 4.9 million tourists visited Egypt in the first six months of 2022, with an increase of 85.4 percent compared to 2.6 million tourists in the same period of 2021, Egypt's Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) announced on Tuesday. Marking World Tourism Day that's observed on Sept. 27, CAPMAS said that "8 million tourists visited Egypt in 2021, a 117.5-percent increase compared to 3.7 million tourists in 2020." Meanwhile, hotel occupancy during the first half of 2022 was 52.6 million nights, a 63.6 percent increase compared to 32.2 million nights in the first half of 2021, it said. "Rise in numbers of tourists visiting Egyp

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Heat and drought set to continue in Spain: AEMET

STORY: Heat and drought set to continue in Spain: AEMET DATELINE: Aug. 2, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:23 LOCATION: Madrid CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT SHOTLIST: 1. shots of hot temperatures, wildfires and drought STORYLINE: High temperatures and low rainfall in Spain are likely to continue into the autumn, exacerbating wildfires and drought, according to a report published on Monday by the Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET). Spain is experiencing one of its hottest summers on record, with major heatwaves coming earlier in the year than usual, in June, and continuing into July to claim over 2,000 lives. Over 200,000 hectares of land in Spain have been ravaged by wildfires, and with reservoirs currently at under 42 percent capacity (20 percent lower than the average for the last 10 years), some regions are starting to introduce restrictions on water use. There are also fears that crops such as soft fruits will be seriously affected. AEMET's report makes for worrying reading, with the agency predicting a 60 pe

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Extremely hot weather, humidity continue to prevail across much of Egypt

STORY: Extremely hot weather, humidity continue to prevail across much of Egypt DATELINE: July 29, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:10 LOCATION: Cairo CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of street views in Egypt STORYLINE: The Egyptian Meteorological Agency (EMA) predicts that most parts of Egypt will continue to be extremely hot and humid. From Thursday to next Tuesday, Cairo is witnessing high temperatures of 35 to 37 degrees Celsius that may feel like 37 to 40 degrees due to humidity. During the same period, average humidity levels in Cairo will range between 30 to 40 percent during the day and 75 to 80 percent at night, EMA added. According to the EMA, the North Coast will see highs of 31 to 32 degrees Celsius that will feel like 31 to 33 degrees. The average humidity rates will range between 55 to 60 percent throughout the day and 90 to 95 percent at night. Meanwhile, for Upper Egypt, temperatures will go up to highs of 42 to 43 degrees Celsius which may feel like 43 to 44 degrees. Many say the heat waves co