Pope Francis Dies Aged 88

Pope Francis Dies Aged 88

File photo - File photo - Pope Francis visited Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at his residence, the former Convent Mater Ecclesiae, in the Vatican on June 30, 2015 to greet him and wish him a pleasant stay in Castel Gandolfo in the Roman hills. Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI is leaving the Vatican for his first sojourn since retiring. He's escaping an impending heat wave by heading to the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo. The meeting lasted about half and hour. Pope Emeritus Benedict will remain in Castel Gandolfo for the next two weeks. He is scheduled to return  on July 14.  - Former Pope Benedict XVI has died at his Vatican residence, aged 95, almost a decade after he stood down because of ailing health. He led the Catholic Church for less than eight years until, in 2013, he became the first Pope to resign since Gregory XII in 1415. -- Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta. Photo by ABACAPRESS.COM

Nissan names new CEO after failed merger talks with Honda

Nissan names new CEO after failed merger talks with Honda

Screenshot from an online press conference on March 11, 2025, shows Nissan Motor Co. CEO Makoto Uchida who is set to be replaced by Chief Planning Officer Ivan Espinosa, as the ailing carmaker seeks to revive its business following the collapse of merger talks with Honda Motor Co.

Nissan names new CEO after failed merger talks with Honda

Nissan names new CEO after failed merger talks with Honda

Screenshot shows Nissan Motor Co. CEO Makoto Uchida (L) and Chief Planning Officer Ivan Espinosa speaking at an online press conference on March 11, 2025, as Uchida is set to be replaced by Espinosa with the ailing carmaker seeking to revive its fortunes under new leadership following the collapse of merger talks with Honda Motor Co.

File - Pope Jean Paul II

File - Pope Jean Paul II

File photo dated March 27, 2005. Pope John Paul II blessed crowds on Easter Sunday but was unable to speak. The 84-year-old Pope appeared at his window overlooking St Peter's Square after one of his senior cardinals celebrated an Easter Mass for the ailing Pontiff. The Pope tried to speak. He made a few sounds but was unable to pronounce any words. He died one week after. Rome Vatican. Photo by Eric Vandeville/ABACAPRESS.COM

Gu Ailing Withdrawn From the Asian Winter Games in Harbin Due To Injury

Gu Ailing Withdrawn From the Asian Winter Games in Harbin Due To Injury

HANGZHOU, CHINA - JULY 30, 2023 - (FILE) Chinese women's freestyle skier Gu Ailing attends an endorsement event in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China, July 30, 2023.

Gu Ailing Withdrawn From the Asian Winter Games in Harbin Due To Injury

Gu Ailing Withdrawn From the Asian Winter Games in Harbin Due To Injury

HANGZHOU, CHINA - JULY 30, 2023 - (FILE) Chinese women's freestyle skier Gu Ailing attends an endorsement event in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China, July 30, 2023.

Gu Ailing Withdrawn From the Asian Winter Games in Harbin Due To Injury

Gu Ailing Withdrawn From the Asian Winter Games in Harbin Due To Injury

HANGZHOU, CHINA - JULY 30, 2023 - (FILE) Chinese women's freestyle skier Gu Ailing attends an endorsement event in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China, July 30, 2023.

Gu Ailing Withdrawn From the Asian Winter Games in Harbin Due To Injury

Gu Ailing Withdrawn From the Asian Winter Games in Harbin Due To Injury

HANGZHOU, CHINA - JULY 30, 2023 - (FILE) Chinese women's freestyle skier Gu Ailing attends an endorsement event in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China, July 30, 2023.

Gu Ailing Withdrawn From the Asian Winter Games in Harbin Due To Injury

Gu Ailing Withdrawn From the Asian Winter Games in Harbin Due To Injury

HANGZHOU, CHINA - JULY 30, 2023 - (FILE) Chinese women's freestyle skier Gu Ailing attends an endorsement event in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China, July 30, 2023.

Gu Ailing Withdrawn From the Asian Winter Games in Harbin Due To Injury

Gu Ailing Withdrawn From the Asian Winter Games in Harbin Due To Injury

HANGZHOU, CHINA - JULY 30, 2023 - (FILE) Chinese women's freestyle skier Gu Ailing attends an endorsement event in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China, July 30, 2023.

Gu Ailing Withdrawn From the Asian Winter Games in Harbin Due To Injury

Gu Ailing Withdrawn From the Asian Winter Games in Harbin Due To Injury

HANGZHOU, CHINA - JULY 30, 2023 - (FILE) Chinese women's freestyle skier Gu Ailing attends an endorsement event in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China, July 30, 2023.

Gu Ailing Withdrawn From the Asian Winter Games in Harbin Due To Injury

Gu Ailing Withdrawn From the Asian Winter Games in Harbin Due To Injury

HANGZHOU, CHINA - JULY 30, 2023 - (FILE) Chinese women's freestyle skier Gu Ailing attends an endorsement event in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China, July 30, 2023.

Gu Ailing Withdrawn From the Asian Winter Games in Harbin Due To Injury

Gu Ailing Withdrawn From the Asian Winter Games in Harbin Due To Injury

HANGZHOU, CHINA - JULY 30, 2023 - (FILE) Chinese women's freestyle skier Gu Ailing attends an endorsement event in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China, July 30, 2023.

Gu Ailing Withdrawn From the Asian Winter Games in Harbin Due To Injury

Gu Ailing Withdrawn From the Asian Winter Games in Harbin Due To Injury

HANGZHOU, CHINA - JULY 30, 2023 - (FILE) Chinese women's freestyle skier Gu Ailing attends an endorsement event in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China, July 30, 2023.

Gu Ailing Withdrawn From the Asian Winter Games in Harbin Due To Injury

Gu Ailing Withdrawn From the Asian Winter Games in Harbin Due To Injury

HANGZHOU, CHINA - JULY 30, 2023 - (FILE) Chinese women's freestyle skier Gu Ailing attends an endorsement event in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China, July 30, 2023.

Gu Ailing Withdrawn From the Asian Winter Games in Harbin Due To Injury

Gu Ailing Withdrawn From the Asian Winter Games in Harbin Due To Injury

HANGZHOU, CHINA - JULY 30, 2023 - (FILE) Chinese women's freestyle skier Gu Ailing attends an endorsement event in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China, July 30, 2023.

Gu Ailing Withdrawn From the Asian Winter Games in Harbin Due To Injury

Gu Ailing Withdrawn From the Asian Winter Games in Harbin Due To Injury

HANGZHOU, CHINA - JULY 30, 2023 - (FILE) Chinese women's freestyle skier Gu Ailing attends an endorsement event in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China, July 30, 2023.

Gu Ailing Withdrawn From the Asian Winter Games in Harbin Due To Injury

Gu Ailing Withdrawn From the Asian Winter Games in Harbin Due To Injury

HANGZHOU, CHINA - JULY 30, 2023 - (FILE) Chinese women's freestyle skier Gu Ailing attends an endorsement event in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China, July 30, 2023.

Gu Ailing Withdrawn From the Asian Winter Games in Harbin Due To Injury

Gu Ailing Withdrawn From the Asian Winter Games in Harbin Due To Injury

HANGZHOU, CHINA - JULY 30, 2023 - (FILE) Chinese women's freestyle skier Gu Ailing attends an endorsement event in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China, July 30, 2023.

Gu Ailing Withdrawn From the Asian Winter Games in Harbin Due To Injury

Gu Ailing Withdrawn From the Asian Winter Games in Harbin Due To Injury

HANGZHOU, CHINA - JULY 30, 2023 - (FILE) Chinese women's freestyle skier Gu Ailing attends an endorsement event in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China, July 30, 2023.

Gu Ailing Withdrawn From the Asian Winter Games in Harbin Due To Injury

Gu Ailing Withdrawn From the Asian Winter Games in Harbin Due To Injury

HANGZHOU, CHINA - JULY 30, 2023 - (FILE) Chinese women's freestyle skier Gu Ailing attends an endorsement event in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China, July 30, 2023.

Gu Ailing Withdrawn From the Asian Winter Games in Harbin Due To Injury

Gu Ailing Withdrawn From the Asian Winter Games in Harbin Due To Injury

HANGZHOU, CHINA - JULY 30, 2023 - (FILE) Chinese women's freestyle skier Gu Ailing attends an endorsement event in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China, July 30, 2023.

Gu Ailing Withdrawn From the Asian Winter Games in Harbin Due To Injury

Gu Ailing Withdrawn From the Asian Winter Games in Harbin Due To Injury

HANGZHOU, CHINA - JULY 30, 2023 - (FILE) Chinese women's freestyle skier Gu Ailing attends an endorsement event in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China, July 30, 2023.

Gu Ailing Withdrawn From the Asian Winter Games in Harbin Due To Injury

Gu Ailing Withdrawn From the Asian Winter Games in Harbin Due To Injury

HANGZHOU, CHINA - JULY 30, 2023 - (FILE) Chinese women's freestyle skier Gu Ailing attends an endorsement event in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China, July 30, 2023.

Jay Chou's World Tour Concert in Taipei

Jay Chou's World Tour Concert in Taipei

TAIPEI, CHINA - DECEMBER 5, 2024 - Tai Ailing and A-Lin attend Jay Chou's World Tour concert in Taipei, Taiwan Province, China, December 5, 2024.

Jay Chou's World Tour Concert in Taipei

Jay Chou's World Tour Concert in Taipei

TAIPEI, CHINA - DECEMBER 5, 2024 - Tai Ailing and A-Lin attend Jay Chou's World Tour concert in Taipei, Taiwan Province, China, December 5, 2024.

Paris 2024 - Men's 4 X 100M Medley Relay Final

Paris 2024 - Men's 4 X 100M Medley Relay Final

China's Winter Olympic champion Gu Ailing (1st L), also known as Eileen Gu, poses with Gold medalists Team China after the victory ceremony for the men's 4 x 100m medley relay of swimming at Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on Aug. 4, 2024. Photo by Wang Peng/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

(PARIS2024)FRANCE-PARIS-OLY-SWIMMING

(PARIS2024)FRANCE-PARIS-OLY-SWIMMING

(240804) -- PARIS, Aug. 4, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- China's Winter Olympic champion Gu Ailing (1st L), also known as Eileen Gu, poses with Gold medalists Team China after the victory ceremony for the men's 4 x 100m medley relay of swimming at Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on Aug. 4, 2024. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Wang Peng)

(PARIS2024)FRANCE-PARIS-OLY-SWIMMING

(PARIS2024)FRANCE-PARIS-OLY-SWIMMING

(240804) -- PARIS, Aug. 4, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- China's Winter Olympic champion Gu Ailing (1st L), also known as Eileen Gu, poses with bronze medalists Team China after the victory ceremony for the women's 4 x 100m medley relay of swimming at Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on Aug. 4, 2024. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Wang Peng)

(PARIS2024)FRANCE-SAINT DENIS-DIVING-WOMEN'S SYNCHRONISED 3M SPRINGBOARD FINAL

(PARIS2024)FRANCE-SAINT DENIS-DIVING-WOMEN'S SYNCHRONISED 3M SPRINGBOARD FINAL

(240727) -- SAINT DENIS, July 27, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- China's Winter Olympic champion Gu Ailing, also known as Eileen Gu, is seen during the women's synchronised 3m springboard final of diving at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Saint Denis, near Paris, France, on July 27, 2024. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Li Ming)

(PARIS2024)FRANCE-SAINT DENIS-DIVING-WOMEN'S SYNCHRONISED 3M SPRINGBOARD FINAL

(PARIS2024)FRANCE-SAINT DENIS-DIVING-WOMEN'S SYNCHRONISED 3M SPRINGBOARD FINAL

(240727) -- SAINT DENIS, July 27, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- China's Winter Olympic champion Gu Ailing, also known as Eileen Gu, is seen during the women's synchronised 3m springboard final of diving at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Saint Denis, near Paris, France, on July 27, 2024. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Li Ming)

(PARIS2024) FRANCE-PARIS-OLY-OPENING CEREMONY

(PARIS2024) FRANCE-PARIS-OLY-OPENING CEREMONY

(240726) -- PARIS, July 26, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- China's Olympic champion Gu Ailing, also known as Eileen Gu, poses for photos ahead of the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 26, 2024. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Li Ying)

(PARIS2024) FRANCE-PARIS-OLY-OPENING CEREMONY

(PARIS2024) FRANCE-PARIS-OLY-OPENING CEREMONY

(240726) -- PARIS, July 26, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- China's Olympic champion Gu Ailing, also known as Eileen Gu, poses with her mother Gu Yan for photos ahead of the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 26, 2024. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Li Ying)

(PARIS2024) FRANCE-PARIS-OLY-OPENING CEREMONY

(PARIS2024) FRANCE-PARIS-OLY-OPENING CEREMONY

(240726) -- PARIS, July 26, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- China's Olympic champion Gu Ailing, also known as Eileen Gu, poses for photos ahead of the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 26, 2024. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Li Ying)

XINHUA PHOTOS OF THE DAY

XINHUA PHOTOS OF THE DAY

(240606) -- BEIJING, June 6, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Winter Olympic champion Gu Ailing passes the Paris 2024 Olympic torch during the relay of the Olympic flame of Paris 2024 in Loire, France, June 5, 2024. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Xiao Yazhuo)

XINHUA PHOTOS OF THE DAY

XINHUA PHOTOS OF THE DAY

(240606) -- BEIJING, June 6, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Winter Olympic champion Gu Ailing passes the Paris 2024 Olympic torch during the relay of the Olympic flame of Paris 2024 in Loire, France, June 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Xiao Yazhuo)

(SP)XINHUA SPORTS TOPSHOT

(SP)XINHUA SPORTS TOPSHOT

(240605) -- BEIJING, June 5, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Winter Olympic champion Gu Ailing passes the Paris 2024 Olympic torch during the relay of the Olympic flame of Paris 2024 in Loire, France, June 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Xiao Yazhuo)

(SP)FRANCE-LOIRE-2024 PARIS OLYMPIC-TORCH RELAY

(SP)FRANCE-LOIRE-2024 PARIS OLYMPIC-TORCH RELAY

(240605) -- LOIRE, June 5, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Winter Olympic champion Gu Ailing holds the Paris 2024 Olympic torch during the relay of the Olympic flame of Paris 2024 in Loire, France, June 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Xiao Yazhuo)

(SP)FRANCE-LOIRE-2024 PARIS OLYMPIC-TORCH RELAY

(SP)FRANCE-LOIRE-2024 PARIS OLYMPIC-TORCH RELAY

(240605) -- LOIRE, June 5, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Winter Olympic champion Gu Ailing holds the Paris 2024 Olympic torch during the relay of the Olympic flame of Paris 2024 in Loire, France, June 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Xiao Yazhuo)

(SP)FRANCE-LOIRE-2024 PARIS OLYMPIC-TORCH RELAY

(SP)FRANCE-LOIRE-2024 PARIS OLYMPIC-TORCH RELAY

(240605) -- LOIRE, June 5, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Winter Olympic champion Gu Ailing passes the Paris 2024 Olympic torch during the relay of the Olympic flame of Paris 2024 in Loire, France, June 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Xiao Yazhuo)

(SP)FRANCE-LOIRE-2024 PARIS OLYMPIC-TORCH RELAY

(SP)FRANCE-LOIRE-2024 PARIS OLYMPIC-TORCH RELAY

(240605) -- LOIRE, June 5, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Winter Olympic champion Gu Ailing holds the Paris 2024 Olympic torch during the relay of the Olympic flame of Paris 2024 in Loire, France, June 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Xiao Yazhuo)

(SP)FRANCE-LOIRE-2024 PARIS OLYMPIC-TORCH RELAY

(SP)FRANCE-LOIRE-2024 PARIS OLYMPIC-TORCH RELAY

(240605) -- LOIRE, June 5, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Winter Olympic champion Gu Ailing holds the Paris 2024 Olympic torch during the relay of the Olympic flame of Paris 2024 in Loire, France, June 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Xiao Yazhuo)

(SP)FRANCE-LOIRE-2024 PARIS OLYMPIC-TORCH RELAY

(SP)FRANCE-LOIRE-2024 PARIS OLYMPIC-TORCH RELAY

(240605) -- LOIRE, June 5, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Winter Olympic champion Gu Ailing holds the Paris 2024 Olympic torch during the relay of the Olympic flame of Paris 2024 in Loire, France, June 5, 2024. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Xiao Yazhuo)

(SP)FRANCE-LOIRE-2024 PARIS OLYMPIC-TORCH RELAY

(SP)FRANCE-LOIRE-2024 PARIS OLYMPIC-TORCH RELAY

(240605) -- LOIRE, June 5, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Winter Olympic champion Gu Ailing holds the Paris 2024 Olympic torch during the relay of the Olympic flame of Paris 2024 in Loire, France, June 5, 2024. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Xiao Yazhuo)

(SP)XINHUA SPORTS TOPSHOT

(SP)XINHUA SPORTS TOPSHOT

(240605) -- BEIJING, June 5, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Winter Olympic champion Gu Ailing passes the Paris 2024 Olympic torch during the relay of the Olympic flame of Paris 2024 in Loire, France, June 5, 2024. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Xiao Yazhuo)

(SP)FRANCE-LOIRE-2024 PARIS OLYMPIC-TORCH RELAY

(SP)FRANCE-LOIRE-2024 PARIS OLYMPIC-TORCH RELAY

(240605) -- LOIRE, June 5, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Winter Olympic champion Gu Ailing holds the Paris 2024 Olympic torch during the relay of the Olympic flame of Paris 2024 in Loire, France, June 5, 2024. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Xiao Yazhuo)

(SP)FRANCE-LOIRE-2024 PARIS OLYMPIC-TORCH RELAY

(SP)FRANCE-LOIRE-2024 PARIS OLYMPIC-TORCH RELAY

(240605) -- LOIRE, June 5, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Winter Olympic champion Gu Ailing passes the Paris 2024 Olympic torch during the relay of the Olympic flame of Paris 2024 in Loire, France, June 5, 2024. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Xiao Yazhuo)

(SP)FRANCE-LOIRE-2024 PARIS OLYMPIC-TORCH RELAY

(SP)FRANCE-LOIRE-2024 PARIS OLYMPIC-TORCH RELAY

(240605) -- LOIRE, June 5, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Winter Olympic champion Gu Ailing holds the Paris 2024 Olympic torch during the relay of the Olympic flame of Paris 2024 in Loire, France, June 5, 2024. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Xiao Yazhuo)

(SP)CHINA-SHANGHAI-F1-GRAND PRIX-RACE (CN)

(SP)CHINA-SHANGHAI-F1-GRAND PRIX-RACE (CN)

(240421) -- SHANGHAI, April 21, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Winter Olympic champion Gu Ailing (C) shows up and takes video with her cellphone before the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix race at the Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai, China, on April 21, 2024. (Xinhua/Xia Yifang)

From illiteracy to acclaimed author: inspiring life of 87-year-old Chinese grandma

STORY: From illiteracy to acclaimed author: inspiring life of 87-year-old Chinese grandma SHOOTING TIME: March 5, 2024 DATELINE: March 8, 2024 LENGTH: 00:02:02 LOCATION: HARBIN, China CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Jiang Shumei writing 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): JIANG SHUMEI, Author 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): ZHANG AILING, Daughter of Jiang Shumei 4. various of Jiang Shumei drawing 5. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): JIANG SHUMEI, Author STORYLINE: 87-year-old Jiang Shumei was illiterate for much of her life. She only started learning to write Chinese characters at 60. After more than a dozen years of hard work, Jiang published her first book at 76. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): JIANG SHUMEI, Writer "I started learning to read and write at 60, and once I learned to write, I began writing my own stories, stories of my life experiences. By now, I have published six books." SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): ZHANG AILING, Daughter of Jiang Shumei "In 1996, my father passed away, and at that time, my mother was deeply saddene