US: Super Typhoon Bavi Slams Guam, Northern Marianas 2

Super Typhoon Bavi made landfall Monday, July 6, passing directly over Rota in the Northern Mariana Islands around 8 a.m. local time, with sustained winds over 150 mph. Guam and nearby islands also reported major damage from the storm.

Taiwan: Typhoon Danas Topples Archway of Tainan’s Nankunshen Daitian Temple

Typhoon Danas made landfall near Budai Township, Chiayi County around 11:40 p.m. on Sunday, July 6, bringing gusty winds and heavy rainfall. Typhoon Danas weakened to a tropical storm after its eye departed Taiwan early Monday. The storm toppled Tainan's iconic archway of Nankunshen Daitian Temple, causing widespread flooding across the neighborhood.

US: North Dakota Sees Powerful Winds Amid Tornado-Producing Storm

Severe weather swept across the upper Midwest on Friday, June 20, bringing powerful winds and leaving at least 3 dead in North Dakota as a tornado ripped through the area.

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

Global military spending surges amid conflicts, rising tensions: think tank

STORY: Global military spending surges amid conflicts, rising tensions: think tank SHOOTING TIME: April 22, 2024 DATELINE: April 23, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:13 LOCATION: Stockholm CATEGORY: MILITARY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute STORYLINE: Global military spending saw its steepest year-on-year increase last year since 2009, amid conflicts, rising tensions and insecurity, a Stockholm-based think tank said on Monday. In its latest report, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said that total global military expenditure reached 2,443 billion U.S. dollars in 2023, an increase of 6.8 percent in real terms from 2022. The United States is the largest global spender. Lorenzo Scarazzato, a researcher at SIPRI's Military Expenditure and Arms Production Program, said that such an unprecedented rise in military spending is a direct response to a global deterioration in peace and security. While countries are prioritizing military strength, they r

Kazakh man builds career, pursues dream in China's Hainan

STORY: Kazakh man builds career, pursues dream in China's Hainan SHOOTING TIME: April 7, 2024 DATELINE: April 9, 2024 LENGTH: 00:03:43 LOCATION: HAIKOU, China CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Hainan 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): RUSLAN TULENOV, Deputy director of Division III, Investment Promotion, Hainan IEDB (Hainan International Economic Development Bureau) 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): RUSLAN TULENOV, Deputy director of Division III, Investment Promotion, Hainan IEDB (Hainan International Economic Development Bureau) 4. various of Hainan IEDB 5. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): RUSLAN TULENOV, Deputy director of Division III, Investment Promotion, Hainan IEDB (Hainan International Economic Development Bureau) STORYLINE: SOUNDBITE 1 (English): RUSLAN TULENOV, Deputy director of Division III, Investment Promotion, Hainan IEDB (Hainan International Economic Development Bureau) "The story started back in 2009 when I first visited Hainan. And I've been studying here for two years Chinese language and four years my b

New U.S.-Japan Council head

New U.S.-Japan Council head

Screenshot shows Audrey Yamamoto, new president of the U.S.-Japan Council, giving an online interview with Kyodo News on April 1, 2024. The Washington-based nonprofit organization, established in 2009, is designed to promote Japan-U.S. ties.

General view of Stade de France

General view of Stade de France

General view of Stade de France during the World Cup, group 7, qualifying soccer match, France vs Lithuania at the 'Stade de France' in Saint-Denis near Paris on April 1, 2009. France won 1-0. Photo by Stephane Reix/ABACAPRESS.COM

General view of Stade de France

General view of Stade de France

General view of Stade de France during the World Cup, group 7, qualifying soccer match, France vs Lithuania at the 'Stade de France' in Saint-Denis near Paris on April 1, 2009. France won 1-0. Photo by Stephane Reix/ABACAPRESS.COM

General view of Stade de France

General view of Stade de France

General view of Stade de France during the World Cup, group 7, qualifying soccer match, France vs Lithuania at the 'Stade de France' in Saint-Denis near Paris on April 1, 2009. France won 1-0. Photo by Stephane Reix/ABACAPRESS.COM

General view of Stade de France

General view of Stade de France

General view of Stade de France during the World Cup, group 7, qualifying soccer match, France vs Lithuania at the 'Stade de France' in Saint-Denis near Paris on April 1, 2009. France won 1-0. Photo by Stephane Reix/ABACAPRESS.COM

General view of Stade de France

General view of Stade de France

General view of Stade de France during the World Cup, group 7, qualifying soccer match, France vs Lithuania at the 'Stade de France' in Saint-Denis near Paris on April 1, 2009. France won 1-0. Photo by Stephane Reix/ABACAPRESS.COM

General view of Stade de France

General view of Stade de France

General view of Stade de France during the World Cup, group 7, qualifying soccer match, France vs Lithuania at the 'Stade de France' in Saint-Denis near Paris on April 1, 2009. France won 1-0. Photo by Stephane Reix/ABACAPRESS.COM

General view of Stade de France

General view of Stade de France

General view of Stade de France during the World Cup, group 7, qualifying soccer match, France vs Lithuania at the 'Stade de France' in Saint-Denis near Paris on April 1, 2009. France won 1-0. Photo by Stephane Reix/ABACAPRESS.COM

General view of Stade de France

General view of Stade de France

General view of Stade de France during the World Cup, group 7, qualifying soccer match, France vs Lithuania at the 'Stade de France' in Saint-Denis near Paris on April 1, 2009. France won 1-0. Photo by Stephane Reix/ABACAPRESS.COM

One-legged cyclist challenges China's longest national highway

STORY: One-legged cyclist challenges China's longest national highway DATELINE: April 19, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:59 LOCATION: LHASA, China CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Sun Youzhi cycling 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): SUN YOUZHI, Cyclist 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): FEI YUAN, Cyclist 4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): SUN YOUZHI, Cyclist 5. various of Sun Youzhi cycling STORYLINE: With only one leg, an amateur rider from central China's Henan Province is on his bicycle challenge along the country's longest and highest national highway. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): SUN YOUZHI, Cyclist "I'm 34 years old. I lost my left leg in an accident in 2009. I took up cycling in 2013, and became interested in this sport. Since then, I have traveled by bike every year, sometimes for a long journey." Sun started to ride along the G219 highway on Feb. 20, and is expected to complete the over 10,000-km journey in mid-June. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): FEI YUAN, Cyclist "I have ridden for a few days with Sun. He is very pushful with a really

Musician dedicated to documenting intangible cultural heritage in Xinjiang

STORY: Musician dedicated to documenting intangible cultural heritage in Xinjiang DATELINE: April 16, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:00 LOCATION: URUMQI, China CATEGORY: CULTURE SHOTLIST: 1. various of Wang Jiangjiang meeting artists in Xinjiang, China 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): WANG JIANGJIANG, Musician 3. various of Muqam performances 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): WANG JIANGJIANG, Musician 5. various of Muqam performances STORYLINE: Wang Jiangjiang, 38, has dedicated himself to documenting intangible cultural heritage in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region for about 13 years. Wang studied at Xi'an Conservatory of Music, and then went to Italy to learn opera performance and composition. Starting in 2009, he began collecting folk songs in China, and was attracted by Muqam the first time he saw it in a documentary. Muqam means classical music in the Uygur language. It is a traditional art of this ethnic group, integrating songs, dances and literature, and hailed as the encyclopedia of their history and soc

Explore station of China's first transnational gas pipeline

STORY: Explore station of China's first transnational gas pipeline DATELINE: April 6, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:13 LOCATION: URUMQI, China CATEGORY: TECHNOLOGY SHOTLIST: 1. STANDUP (English): ZHANG YUDONG, Xinhua Correspondent 2. various of Horgos station STORYLINE: STANDUP (English): ZHANG YUDONG, Xinhua Correspondent "I am at Horgos City in China's Xinjiang. Behind me is Horgos station of PipeChina West Pipeline Company, which is the first station for Central Asian gas entering China. Natural gas from Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and other countries is pressurized here and becomes a clean energy (source) for more than 500 million people in China." Since its operation in 2009, the station has been operating stably, benefiting China's 27 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions, and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. According to PipeChina West Pipeline Company, the China-Central Asia Gas Pipeline supplied 43.2 billion cubic meters of natural gas to China in 2022. As China's first transnational

Nagashima, Matsui set to receive honor award

Nagashima, Matsui set to receive honor award

TOKYO, Japan - File photo taken in October 2009 shows New York Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui belting a homer during a World Series game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Japanese government is considering presenting former Yomiuri Giants manager Shigeo Nagashima and Matsui with the People's Honor Award for their contributions to professional baseball, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said April 1, 2013.

Nikkei closes at 30-month low

Nikkei closes at 30-month low

TOKYO, Japan - An electronic signboard in Yaesu, central Tokyo, shows the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, Japan's key stock index, finishing down 186.13 points, or 2.17 percent, at 8,374.13 on Sept. 26, 2011, its lowest close since April 1, 2009.

Senior exec Karasawa to take helm of Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance

Senior exec Karasawa to take helm of Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance

TOKYO, Japan - Yasuyoshi Karasawa, senior executive officer of Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co., speaks at a news conference in Tokyo on Dec. 28, 2009, after the company announced that he will become president next April 1, succeeding Toshiaki Egashira who will become chairman.

Honda in Venlo

Honda in Venlo

VENLO, Netherlands - Photo taken in Venlo, the Netherlands, on April 24, 2009, shows Keisuke Honda (far L) of VVV Venlo in a game against Haarlem FC. Venlo secured the second-division title and promotion back to the top flight in the Netherlands with a 1-0 victory.

Honda in Venlo

Honda in Venlo

VENLO, Netherlands - Photo taken in Venlo, the Netherlands, on April 24, 2009, shows Keisuke Honda (front) of VVV Venlo in a game against Haarlem FC. Venlo secured the second-division title and promotion back to the top flight in the Netherlands with a 1-0 victory.

Toyota's global output for FY 2009 likely to fall 10%

Toyota's global output for FY 2009 likely to fall 10%

TOKYO, Japan - This undated file photo shows Toyota Motor Corp.'s plant at its headquarters in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture. Toyota plans to set a target of around 6.3 million units for its global vehicle production in the 2009 business year starting April 1, down about 10 percent from the 2008 business year, sources familiar with the matter said Feb. 26. The building (R in back) is the Toyota head office.

Britain sees huge drop in car production due to global supply challenges

STORY: Britain sees huge drop in car production due to global supply challenges DATELINE: April 29, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:04 LOCATION: London CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of cars on London streets 2. various of electrified vehicles on display STORYLINE: Britain's car manufacturing shrank by 32.4 percent year on year in the first quarter of 2022 due to the ongoing global shortage of semiconductors and other components, an industry report said on Thursday. With almost 100,000 fewer units made than in the same period last year, only 207,347 new cars were built during the first three months of 2022, according to the report by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the trade association for the British motor industry. In March, output fell by 33.4 percent year on year to 76,900 units, driven primarily by a decrease in production for overseas markets, making it the weakest March since 2009 when the global financial crisis was raging, the report said. Exports to the United States also sa

Chinese performer at world-famous Cirque du Soleil

STORY: Chinese performer at world-famous Cirque du Soleil DATELINE: April 1, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:35 LOCATION: BARCELONA, Spain CATEGORY: CULTURE SHOTLIST: 1. various of the hoop diving training 2. various of the Cirque du Soleil big top 3. various of the hoop diving training 4. various of the performances in the show Luzia 5. various of the hoop diving training 6. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): YAN LI, Performer, Cirque du Soleil 7. various of the performances in the show Luzia 8. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): YAN LI, Performer, Cirque du Soleil 9. various of the performances in the show Luzia 10. various of the ornaments, costumes and a montage of recycled water related to the show 11. various of backstage artists training 12. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): YAN LI, Performer, Cirque du Soleil 13. various of the show STORYLINE: Chinese acrobat Yan Li has been part of the world-famous Cirque du Soleil since 2009 and is currently performing in the circus' show Luzia in Barcelona, Spain. In its 19-meter-high big top set up in L'Hos

Toyota's global output for FY 2009 likely to fall 10%

Toyota's global output for FY 2009 likely to fall 10%

TOKYO, Japan - This undated file photo shows Toyota Motor Corp.'s plant at its headquarters in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture. Toyota plans to set a target of around 6.3 million units for its global vehicle production in the 2009 business year starting April 1, down about 10 percent from the 2008 business year, sources familiar with the matter said Feb. 26. The building (R in back) is the Toyota head office. (Kyodo)

Nikkei closes at 30-month low

Nikkei closes at 30-month low

TOKYO, Japan - An electronic signboard in Yaesu, central Tokyo, shows the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, Japan's key stock index, finishing down 186.13 points, or 2.17 percent, at 8,374.13 on Sept. 26, 2011, its lowest close since April 1, 2009. (Kyodo)

Japanese emperor to abdicate on April 30, 2019

Japanese emperor to abdicate on April 30, 2019

Japanese Emperor Akihito, seen in this photo taken in September 2009, is set to abdicate on April 30, 2019, and his elder son Crown Prince Naruhito will ascend the throne the following day, the Imperial House Council decided on Dec. 1, 2017. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Senior exec Karasawa to take helm of Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance

Senior exec Karasawa to take helm of Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance

TOKYO, Japan - Yasuyoshi Karasawa, senior executive officer of Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co., speaks at a news conference in Tokyo on Dec. 28, 2009, after the company announced that he will become president next April 1, succeeding Toshiaki Egashira who will become chairman. (Kyodo)