Expert remains cautious about inflation forecast in Türkiye

STORY: Expert remains cautious about inflation forecast in Türkiye SHOOTING TIME: Feb. 8, 2024, File DATELINE: Feb. 10, 2024 LENGTH: 00:05:01 LOCATION: Ankara CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the press conference of Fatih Karahan, the new Governor of Turkish Central Bank (Feb. 8, 2024) (courtesy of ihlas news agency) 2. various of Turkish Central Bank 3. various of Turkish lira 4. various of some apartments in Ankara, Türkiye 5. various of fields in Türkiye (01:03-02:12) (Aug. 5, 2022) (courtesy of ihlas news agency) 6. various of Turkish lira 7. SOUNDBITE (Turkish): MUSTAFA SONMEZ, Istanbul-based economist STORYLINE The new head of Türkiye's central bank said the bank will maintain its tight policy stance until high inflation drops to target, as it held its year-end consumer price forecast at 36 percent. In a press conference in the capital city of Ankara, Fatih Karahan said that monetary tightness will be maintained so long as a disinflation process yields results. Karahan recently replaced H

CPEC hydropower project benefits socio-economic development in Pakistan

STORY: CPEC hydropower project benefits socio-economic development in Pakistan SHOOTING TIME: Aug. 18, 2023 DATELINE: Dec. 2, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:27 LOCATION: Islamabad CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. STANDUP 1 (English): ALI JASWAL, Xinhua reporter 2. SOUNDBITE (English): ALI ADNAN, Engineer with Suki Kinari Hydropower project 3. various of the construction site of Suki Kinari Hydropower project 4. various of flood-hit areas in Pakistan in 2022 STORYLINE: STANDUP 1 (English): ALI JASWAL, Xinhua reporter "Right now I am present at the switchyard area of the Suki Kinari Hydropower project located on Kunar River in western Himalayas in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. This is the biggest hydropower project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework. Suki Kinari, like all other CPEC projects, pays a lot of emphasis on corporate social responsibility and the socio-economic development of the local area." The hydropower project, implemented by China Gezhouba Group Corporation (

Türkiye's inflation climbs to 58.94 pct in Aug.

STORY: Türkiye's inflation climbs to 58.94 pct in Aug. DATELINE: Sept. 5, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:17 LOCATION: Ankara CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Turkish shopping in a bazaar, stationery and fish shop (courtesy of ihlas news agency) 2. various of Turkish central bank 3. various of Hafize Gaye Erkan, governor of the Turkish Central Bank 4. various of Mehmet Simsek, Turkish Treasury and Finance Minister 5. various of Turkish shopping in a bazaar STORYLINE: Türkiye's annual inflation rose to 58.94 percent in August, marking the second consecutive month of increase since October last year due to the declining value of Turkish Lira and recent tax hikes, according to official figures on Monday. The figures from the Turkish Statistic Institute showed the consumer price index (CPI) in August rose by 9.09 percent monthly. The CPI experienced a consecutive decline from a peak of 85.51 percent in October 2022 to 38.21 percent in June 2023. The annual inflation rose to 47.83 percent in July, marking the fir

Egypt permits construction of nuclear power plant's final unit

STORY: Egypt permits construction of nuclear power plant's final unit DATELINE: Aug. 31, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:00 LOCATION: Cairo CATEGORY: TECHNOLOGY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Egypt's nuclear power plant El-Dabaa 2. various of Egyptian and Russian presidents witnessing ministers of both sides signing documents of the power plant 3. various of a signing ceremony STORYLINE: Egypt's nuclear regulatory authority granted on Wednesday permission to establish the fourth and final unit at the El-Dabaa nuclear power plant, with a generating capacity equivalent to 1,200 megawatts. In a statement, the Egyptian Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Authority (ENRRA) said it approved the construction process after a comprehensive inspection from July 30 to Aug. 2. According to the results of the review, evaluation and inspection, the safety of the fourth unit was verified, and it was not proven that there were any risks threatening humans, the environment and property, said the statement. In July 2022, Egypt beg

Egypt plans to drill 35 new gas wells to increase production

STORY: Egypt plans to drill 35 new gas wells to increase production DATELINE: Aug. 30, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:53 LOCATION: Cairo CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Egypt's Petroleum Ministry headquarters in Cairo 2. a shot of Egypt's Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Tarek El-Molla 3. various of production equipment pieces of a Zohr gas field STORYLINE: Egypt is planning to drill 35 new natural gas wells in the Mediterranean Sea and the Nile Delta in the next two fiscal years to boost its natural gas production, the Egyptian Cabinet said in a statement on Tuesday. The country already drilled ten natural gas wells during the fiscal year 2022-2023, which ended on June 30, 2023, the statement quoted Egyptian Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek El-Molla as saying. The offshore drillings have made a number of discoveries, including the finding of the Nargis-1 exploration well in the eastern Mediterranean, which holds about 2.5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, it added. El-Molla

Development in China's services industry offers opportunities to world: former Pakistani official

STORY: Development in China's services industry offers opportunities to world: former Pakistani official DATELINE: Aug. 29, 2023 LENGTH: 0:02:29 LOCATION: Islamabad CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of China 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): HAROON SHARIF, Former Minister of State for Investment of Pakistan 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): HAROON SHARIF, Former Minister of State for Investment of Pakistan 4. various of China International Fair for Trade in Services 2022 (File) STORYLINE: A former Pakistani official has said China's services industry has made marked progress, with industrial structure improved and new drivers emerging. Haroon Sharif, Pakistan's former minister of state for investment, said that the development in China will bring new opportunities to the world. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): HAROON SHARIF, Former Minister of State for Investment of Pakistan "Now, what I see there is a very clear progressive shift in China. China is investing in adding quality and diversifying its exports and services. Chi

U.S.-left unexploded ordnance still claiming lives of Afghans

STORY: U.S.-left unexploded ordnance still claiming lives of Afghans DATELINE: Aug. 27, 2023 LENGTH: 00:03:14 LOCATION: FARAH ROD, Afghanistan CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the views in Farah Rod 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Dari): KHUDAI RAHIM, Father of the victims 3. various of the views in Farah Rod 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Dari): KHUDAI RAHIM, Father of the victims 5. various of the views in Farah Rod 6. SOUNDBITE 3 (Pashto): SAMIULLAH, Brother of victim 7. various of the views in Farah Rod 8. SOUNDBITE 4 (Pashto): MOHAMMAD IBRAHIM, Victim of UXO STORYLINE: Khudai Rahim, 54, is a resident of Rigretion village in Farah Rod district, Farah Province of Afghanistan. He lost two sons in blasts of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in 2021, and his third son was severely injured in a mine blast in 2022 just around their village. SOUNDBITE 1 (Dari): KHUDAI RAHIM, Father of the victims "He (the third son) found a mine. It might be a mortar mine, and he played with it. He was a child and didn't know what that was, but the o

Egypt's non-oil trade deficit downs 10.7 pct in Q2

STORY: Egypt's non-oil trade deficit downs 10.7 pct in Q2 DATELINE: Aug. 23, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:55 LOCATION: Cairo CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Egypt 2. various of oil and gas fields STORYLINE: Egypt's non-petroleum trade deficit has reached 7.5 billion U.S. dollars in the second quarter (Q2) of 2023, showing a 10.7 percent dip from the same period last year, said the Egyptian cabinet on Tuesday. It said in a media release that the decrease in non-petroleum import value was behind the decline of the trade deficit, adding that non-oil imports value has dropped to 15.9 billion dollars in 2023 from 17.6 billion dollars in 2022. The value of the non-oil exports fell to 8.4 billion dollars in Q2 from 9.2 billion U.S. dollars in the same period last year, it said. China served as the most important non-oil trade partner with Egypt in Q2 in terms of trade volume, followed by the United States, Türkiye, Italy, Russia, and Saudi Arabia. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Cairo. (XHTV)

U.S. gas prices hit 10-month highs amid tighter supplies, heatwaves

STORY: U.S. gas prices hit 10-month highs amid tighter supplies, heatwaves DATELINE: Aug. 19, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:44 LOCATION: Washington D.C. CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of a gas station in Arlington, the U.S. state of Virginia STORYLINE: U.S. gas prices surged to an average of 3.87 U.S. dollars a gallon nationally on Thursday, the highest level in 10 months, data showed. That's 31 cents higher than a month ago, but still below the record high of 5.02 dollars in June 2022, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA). California has been on the top of the 10 most expensive markets across the country, with an average of 5.18 dollars a gallon, followed by Washington, Hawaii, Oregon and Alaska. The summertime gas price spike has been driven by lower gasoline stockpiles and a series of refinery outages caused by extreme heat. Goldman Sachs estimated that record heat levels in Texas have likely led to a sharp 2 percent slump in U.S. refiners' product yields over the past few weeks. AAA

Italy sees gasoline prices pass 2 euro/liter threshold

STORY: Italy sees gasoline prices pass 2 euro/liter threshold DATELINE: Aug. 18, 2023 LENGTH: 0:00:52 LOCATION: Rome CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the gas stations in Rome STORYLINE: Drivers in Italy were confronted with the highest gasoline prices in more than a year on Thursday, with high demand and a new surge in global petroleum prices driving the upward trend. According to government data, the super-95 gasoline (the standard quality) cost 2.019 euros (2.198 U.S. dollars) per liter along the highways. The last time that prices were so high was in July 2022. Prices varied slightly by region, and they were lower for other types of vehicle fuel, such as diesel, liquified petroleum gas, and methane. Also, prices along the highways tend to be the highest. On the whole, gasoline prices are a key factor in establishing overall prices in the fuel sector. According to the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security, one liter of super-95 gasoline cost 1.867 euros (2.033 U.S. dollars) in July and

Amman Int'l Film Festival aims to nurture filmmaking industry

STORY: Amman Int'l Film Festival aims to nurture filmmaking industry DATELINE: Aug. 18, 2023 LENGTH: 00:03:28 LOCATION: Amman CATEGORY: ENTERTAINMENT SHOTLIST: 1. various of the opening ceremony 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): NADA DOUMANI, AIFF Director 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): MOHAMMAD RAHAHLEH, Jordanian director 4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Arabic): EYAD NASSAR, Jordanian actor 5. various of the film festival STORYLINE: The 4th edition of the Amman International Film Festival (AIFF) is underway in the Jordanian capital Amman, featuring a wide variety of films from some 20 countries. The eight-day festival until Aug. 22 will premiere 56 films in Jordan, including narratives, documentaries and short films released in 2022 and 2023. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): NADA DOUMANI, AIFF Director "The festival helps the growth of the filmmaking industry. Obviously, because you're attracting people to cinema, and you are also offering all the filmmakers opportunities, either to mix, network and meet people from the industry from all ove

Italy's public debt hits new record high

STORY: Italy's public debt hits new record high DATELINE: Aug. 18, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:39 LOCATION: Rome CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of street in Rome 2. various of Rome stock exchange building STORYLINE: Italy's public debt set an all-time record of 2.843 trillion euros (3.09 trillion U.S. dollars) in June, reflecting in part an increase in government borrowing, the Bank of Italy said Wednesday. That number rose by 27.8 billion euros compared to the previous month, reported the central bank. The size of Italy's public debt has risen every month this year after declining in the final three months of 2022. Currently, excluding liquid balances of the Italian Treasury such as euros, foreign currencies and other assets, public debt was 2.802 trillion euros -- the first time that figure surpassed the 2.8 trillion euros threshold. The main factor pushing debt levels higher was increased government borrowing, which swelled by 12.3 billion euros compared to a month earlier, the bank said. In addition

French government to pay back-to-school allowances to 3 mln families

STORY: French government to pay back-to-school allowances to 3 mln families DATELINE: Aug. 12, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:12 LOCATION: LYON, France CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of school supplies in a store 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (French): CELINE, Parent 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (French): GERALDINE, Parent 4. various of school supplies STORYLINE: While the start of the school year will take place on Sept. 4 in France, the government will pay back-to-school allowances (ARS) on Aug. 16 to help low-income families buy school supplies. It will be paid on August 16 to 3 million families. To benefit from the ARS, the child must be between six and 18 years old on Dec. 31 of the school year and be enrolled in a public or private establishment. This financial aid of around 400 euros depending on the age of the child has been increased by 5.6 percent compared to 2022. Granted subject to resources, this back-to-school financial aid amounts this year to 398.09 euros for children aged 6 to 10, 420.05 euros for children aged 11 to

Türkiye's Antalya airport undergoes makeover to boost tourism

STORY: Türkiye's Antalya airport undergoes makeover to boost tourism DATELINE: Aug. 12, 2023 LENGTH: 00:04:19 LOCATION: ANTALYA, Türkiye CATEGORY: SOCIETY/ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Antalya airport and passengers at the airport 2. various of the construction of Antalya airport's expansion project 3. SOUNDBITE (Turkish): DURDALI SAVKAR, Antalya airport chief manager STORYLINE: Antalya, a major tourist destination on Türkiye's southern Mediterranean coast, is undergoing a major expansion of its airport to accommodate the growing number of foreign visitors. The international airport is currently undergoing a comprehensive renovation and expansion project that will double its annual passenger capacity from 40 million to 80 million. The first phase of the project, which began in January 2022 and is scheduled to be completed in January 2025, includes the construction of a new runway, terminal building, and cargo handling facility. The project is partly financed by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

BYD's five millionth NEV rolls off production line

STORY: BYD's five millionth NEV rolls off production line DATELINE: Aug. 11, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:30 LOCATION: SHENZHEN, China CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of car production line 2. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): WANG CHUANFU, BYD chairman 3. various of car production line STORYLINE: The five millionth new energy vehicle (NEV) produced by China's BYD has rolled off the production line. The five millionth car is the Denza N7. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): WANG CHUANFU, BYD chairman "Now China has become a significant powerhouse in new energy vehicle manufacturing, mastering core technologies with a complete industrial chain." According to the China Passenger Car Association, in 2022, China's new-energy passenger cars accounted for 63 percent of the world's total market share. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Shenzhen, China. (XHTV)

Egypt's gross public debt up by 13.1 pct of GDP in FY 2022-23: finance minister

STORY: Egypt's gross public debt up by 13.1 pct of GDP in FY 2022-23: finance minister DATELINE: Aug. 11, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:50 LOCATION: Cairo CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Cabinet of Ministers 2. various of Ministry of Finance 3. various of Egypt's Finance Minister Mohamed Maait speaking STORYLINE: Egypt's Finance Minister Mohamed Maait said on Thursday the country's gross public debt, the financial liabilities of the government sector, climbed by 13.1 percent to reach 95.6 percent of the GDP in the fiscal year 2022-2023 that ended in June. In a statement, Maait attributed the rise to "fluctuation in the currency exchange rate and decline of the local currency against the U.S. dollars." "The government targets taking the gross debt down to 80 percent of the GDP in the next four years," Maait was quoted as saying in the statement. It added that despite international unfavorable conditions that have driven up the prices of most strategic commodities due to supply chain disruptions that resul

Egypt's inflation rate hits record for 2nd consecutive month

STORY: Egypt's inflation rate hits record for 2nd consecutive month DATELINE: Aug. 11, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:20 LOCATION: Cairo CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics of Egypt 2. various of a market and restaurants 3. various of a cigarette kiosk 4. various of the Central Bank of Egypt STORYLINE: Egypt's annual inflation rate rose to an all-time high of 38.2 percent in July, up from 14.6 percent in the same month a year earlier and set a national record for the second month in a row, the country's Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) announced on Thursday. The record year-on-year increase was mostly driven by price hikes of grains, hotels, alcohol and cigarettes, and healthcare. Food and drink prices registered a 68.2-percent increase compared to that of July 2022, the CAPMAS said in a statement. The previous record of annual inflation rate rise was registered last month at 36.8 percent. Egypt's price hikes persisted eve

Egypt's tourism revenue jumps 120 pct in FY 2021/22

STORY: Egypt's tourism revenue jumps 120 pct in FY 2021/22 DATELINE: Aug. 10, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:22 LOCATION: Cairo CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of a Giza pyramid 2. various of tourists at Luxor Temple, museums, Sharm el-Sheikh seaside and other places 3. various of tourists at a Giza pyramid STORYLINE: The revenue of Egypt's tourism sector reached 10.7 billion U.S. dollars in the fiscal year 2021/2022 that ended in June 2022, marking an increase of around 120 percent over the 4.9 billion U.S. dollars in the previous fiscal year, Egypt's official statistics authority announced on Wednesday. The number of tourists visiting Egypt hit 11.7 million in 2022, registering a year-on-year increase of 46.6 percent from 8 million tourists in 2021, Egypt's Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics said in a report. Europeans accounted for 62.6 percent of the tourists who visited Egypt in 2022, followed by Arabs who represented 26.4 percent and Americans who accounted for 5.8 percent, while the

Lower natural gas exports widen Egypt's trade deficit by 4.3 pct in May

STORY: Lower natural gas exports widen Egypt's trade deficit by 4.3 pct in May DATELINE: Aug. 9, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:03 LOCATION: Cairo CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of CAPMAS 2. various of ships loaded with containers 3. various of gas field 4. various of wheat shipments at a port STORYLINE: Egypt's trade deficit rose by 4.3 percent to 3.74 billion U.S. dollars in May, compared to 3.57 billion U.S. dollars in the same month last year, according to the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) on Tuesday. CAPMAS ascribed the considerable decline in total exports to plunges in exports of natural gas (69.7 percent) and a surge in wheat imports (92.5 percent). Egypt's exports dropped 20.9 percent to 3.38 billion U.S. dollars in May, compared to 4.28 billion U.S. dollars a year earlier. Over the same time period, Egypt's total imports declined by 9.4 percent to 7.12 billion U.S. dollars. Egypt's trade deficit surged 23.8 percent in April over the same month in 2022, driven by

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

China's Bijie balances growth, green drive

STORY: China's Bijie balances growth, green drive DATELINE: Aug. 4, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:42 LOCATION: GUIYANG, China CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT SHOTLIST: 1. various of views in Guizhou 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): ZHANG XIURONG, Project manager of Guizhou Yongju Eco-Agriculture Co., Ltd. 3. various of workers and farmers in Guizhou 4. various of views in Guizhou 5. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): YANG JUN, Party official of Jinxing Village 6. various of workers and farmers in Guizhou 7. various of views in Guizhou 8. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): JIN JI, Head of local breeding base 9. various of views in Guizhou STORYLINE: Bijie City was one of the areas most severely affected by rocky desertification in southwest China's Guizhou Province. In recent years, the city has been striving to balance ecology protection and economic growth. With green transformation, Bijie completed the afforestation of 7.17 million mu (478,493 hectares) and reclaimed 862.69 square kilometers of rocky desertification from 2017 to 2022. During the same p

Türkiye's inflation rate rises to 47.83 pct in July

STORY: Türkiye's inflation rate rises to 47.83 pct in July DATELINE: Aug. 4, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:03 LOCATION: Ankara CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Turkish people on the streets 2. various of Turkish lira 3. various of Turkish people shopping in a fresh vegetable bazaar 4. various of Turkish lira STORYLINE: The annual inflation rate of Türkiye rose to 47.83 percent in July, marking the first increase since October last year, according to official statistics issued on Thursday. The consumer price index (CPI) in July rose to 47.83 percent annually and 9.49 percent monthly, according to the Turkish Statistic Institute. The CPI experienced an 8-month consecutive decline from a peak of 85.51 percent in October 2022 to 38.21 percent in June 2023. Türkiye's central bank revised its year-end inflation forecast to 58 percent last week, up from the previous forecast of 22.3 percent made in May. The bank's new governor, Hafize Gaye Erkan, said the bank would continue the monetary tightening process unti

A decade on, China's free trade zones become pacesetters for further reform and opening-up

STORY: A decade on, China's free trade zones become pacesetters for further reform and opening-up DATELINE: Aug. 2, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:25 LOCATION: SHANGHAI, China CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Shanghai FTZ and views in China 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ANNA VAN ACKER, Senior Vice President of MSD and President of MSD China 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): TANG HAO, Deputy director, Management committee, Lin-gang Special Area of Shanghai FTZ 4. various of the views in China 5. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): BELEN GARIJO, Chair of the Executive Board and CEO of Merck Group 6. SOUNDBITE 4 (English): BENOIT BAZIN, CEO, Saint-Gobain Group STORYLINE: In 2013, China set up its first pilot free trade zone (FTZ) in Shanghai, a testbed of new opening-up policies. After rounds of expansion, China now has 21 such zones and the Hainan Free Trade Port. They have played a crucial role in attracting foreign investment and stabilizing foreign trade. In 2022, the 21 FTZs saw exports and imports rise 14.5 percent year on year

Xinhua Headlines: A decade on, China's free trade zones become pacesetters for further reform and opening-up

Xinhua Headlines: A decade on, China's free trade zones become pacesetters for further reform and opening-up

(230802) -- YANGPU, Aug. 2, 2023 (Xinhua) -- This aerial panoramic photo taken on Oct. 2, 2022 shows the Yangpu Economic Development Zone in south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

KENYA-NATURE-SCENERY

KENYA-NATURE-SCENERY

(230802) -- LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK, Aug. 2, 2023 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on May 13, 2022 shows giraffes at Lake Nakuru National Park in Kenya. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)

KENYA-NATURE-SCENERY

KENYA-NATURE-SCENERY

(230802) -- LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK, Aug. 2, 2023 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on May 13, 2022 shows an African vulture (front) and pelicans at Lake Nakuru National Park in Kenya. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)

Number of tourists to Türkiye rises by 17 pct: minister

STORY: Number of tourists to Türkiye rises by 17 pct: minister DATELINE: Aug. 1, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:27 LOCATION: ISTANBUL, Türkiye CATEGORY: ECONOMY/CULTURE SHOTLIST: 1. various of tourists coming to Antalya in Türkiye 2. various of Mehmet Nuri Ersoy speaking 3. SOUNDBITE (Turkish): MEHMET NURI ERSOY, Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister 4. various of tourists in Türkiye STORYLINE: The number of tourists visiting Türkiye in the first six months of this year has increased by 17 percent compared to the same period last year, said Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy on Monday. Speaking at a meeting in Istanbul, Ersoy said the number of tourists visiting the country reached 22.9 million in the first half of this year. SOUNDBITE (Turkish): MEHMET NURI ERSOY, Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister "Türkiye achieved this despite the impact of the earthquake and the election process." The country received 51.4 million tourists in 2022, earning it a revenue of more than 46 billion U.S. dollars.

Direct flights between China, Spain rebound to 60 pct of pre-pandemic levels

STORY: Direct flights between China, Spain rebound to 60 pct of pre-pandemic levels DATELINE: Aug. 1, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:27 LOCATION: BARCELONA, Spain CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Chinese planes taking off and landing at Madrid and Barcelona airports 2. various of passengers 3. various of Chinese tourists (file) STORYLINE: Chinese airlines are leading the way in restoring direct flights between China and Spain, with 60 precent of the pre-pandemic connections between the two countries already restored, according to the Spanish Tourism Institute (Turespana). There are 16 weekly flights to Madrid and Barcelona from Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Chongqing, says Turespana. The Director General of Turespana Miguel Sanz said they hope to further close the gap next year. Before the pandemic, there used to be 30 direct flights every week between China and Spain, a number that fell to merely three in 2022. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Barcelona, Spain. (XHTV)

Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho

Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho

Composer Kaija Saariaho at the opening of the fall season of the National Opera and Ballet in Helsinki, on Aug 18th, 2022. Kaija Saariaho has died today at her home in Paris, France, on June 2, 2023. She was 70 years old. LEHTIKUVA / EMMI KORHONEN - FINLAND OUT. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. (Credit:Emmi Korhonen/Lehtikuva/Kyodo News Images)

Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho

Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho

Composer Kaija Saariaho at the opening of the fall season of the National Opera and Ballet in Helsinki, on Aug 18th, 2022. Kaija Saariaho has died today at her home in Paris, France, on June 2, 2023. She was 70 years old. LEHTIKUVA / EMMI KORHONEN - FINLAND OUT. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. (Credit:Emmi Korhonen/Lehtikuva/Kyodo News Images)

Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho

Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho

Composer Kaija Saariaho at the opening of the fall season of the National Opera and Ballet in Helsinki, on Aug 18th, 2022. Kaija Saariaho has died today at her home in Paris, France, on June 2, 2023. She was 70 years old. LEHTIKUVA / EMMI KORHONEN - FINLAND OUT. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. (Credit:Emmi Korhonen/Lehtikuva/Kyodo News Images)

U.S. announces additional arms aid for Ukraine worth 325 mln USD

STORY: U.S. announces additional arms aid for Ukraine worth 325 mln USD DATELINE: April 20, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:46 LOCATION: Washington D.C. CATEGORY: POLITICS/MILITARY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the Pentagon 2. various of Washington D.C. 3. various of the U.S. Air Force loading cargo bound for Ukraine (Jan. 13, 2023) 4. various of the U.S. Air Force loading palletized explosives bound for Ukraine (Aug. 9, 2022) STORYLINE: The United States on Wednesday announced an additional package of weapons for Ukraine worth 325 million U.S. dollars. According to a list from the Department of Defense (DoD), the new tranche of security assistance included additional ammunition for the U.S.-provided HIMARS, artillery rounds, anti-armor systems, over 9 million rounds of small arms ammunition, and four logistics support vehicles, among other items. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who received a delegation of authority from President Joe Biden to authorize the presidential drawdown of the weapons, said in a statement

XINHUA-PICTURES OF THE YEAR 2022-AERIAL PHOTO

XINHUA-PICTURES OF THE YEAR 2022-AERIAL PHOTO

(230110) -- BEIJING, Jan. 10, 2023 (Xinhua) -- This aerial photo taken on Aug. 2, 2022 shows tourists playing at a scenic spot called "fish scale dam" in Zunhua, north China's Hebei Province. (Photo by Liu Mancang/Xinhua)

CHINA-HEBEI-PEACH ORCHARDS (CN)

CHINA-HEBEI-PEACH ORCHARDS (CN)

(221207) -- SHIJIAZHUANG, Dec. 7, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Niu Tong (R) and his partner Wu Zenian check the growth of fruit trees through high-definition monitoring in the orchards in Fuping County, north China's Hebei Province, on Aug. 2, 2022. TO GO WITH "Across China: Overseas returnee opens modern orchards in mountainous village" (Xinhua)

LAOS-CHINA-RAILWAY-DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

LAOS-CHINA-RAILWAY-DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

(221202) -- VIENTIANE, Dec. 2, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Chinese and Lao staff members inspect the train in Vientiane, Laos, Aug. 1, 2022. The China-Laos Railway has deepened the friendship between Chinese and Lao staff and provided development opportunities to both countries and peoples. As a symbol of China-Laos friendship and a triumph over Laos' landlocked status, the railway's Lao section has created more than 110,000 jobs for Lao people since its opening and has drawn the interest of numerous Chinese and local young talents who pursue their professional careers on the railway. TO GO WITH "Feature: China-Laos Railway promotes friendship, provides development opportunities" (Photo by Yang Yongquan/Xinhua)

Energy crisis forces Hungary's largest hotel to close for winter

STORY: Energy crisis forces Hungary's largest hotel to close for winter DATELINE: Nov. 2, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:02 LOCATION: Budapest CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the hotel exterior from the street STORYLINE: The European energy crisis is coming straight at Hungary's largest hotel. The 499-room Danubius Hotel Hungaria City Center will be closed for four months starting on Tuesday. According to a statement on its website, the hotel in the heart of Budapest will reopen on Feb. 28. The main reason behind the temporary closure is the difficulty in efficiently running such a big hotel in winter in an overall gloomy economic situation. The hotel has informed its guests of the closure and relocated its staff. The hotel has been struggling with high utility bills since Aug. 1 when the government released an amendment to the relevant legislation, asking businesses to pay market prices for gas and electricity. Although the Hungarian government has capped energy prices for households up to the "nation

Great Wall cultural festival held in Beijing

STORY: Great Wall cultural festival held in Beijing DATELINE: Aug. 22, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:16 LOCATION: Beijing CATEGORY: CULTURE SHOTLIST: 1. various of the Great Wall 2. various of the cultural festival 3. various of the Great Wall STORYLINE: The 2022 Beijing Great Wall Cultural Festival opened at the foot of Simatai Great Wall in Beijing on Saturday. After renovation, about 400-kilometer-long national-level scenic roads along the Great Wall were unveiled at the opening ceremony of the festival. The festival aims to display the cultural connotation of the Great Wall and highlight the development achievements of the protection and utilization of the ancient wonder. Beijing has planned to comprehensively protect and develop the Great Wall Cultural Belt, with a total area of 4,929.29 square km, which includes both heritage protection and ecological conservation. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Beijing. (XHTV)

Avian flu detected in several regions in France

STORY: Avian flu detected in several regions in France DATELINE: Oct. 17, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:22 LOCATION: LYON, France CATEGORY: HEALTH SHOTLIST: 1. various of poultry feeder 2. various of ducks in a field STORYLINE: As the end-of-year holiday season approaches in France, new cases of bird flu have been detected in several regions. Regulated protection and surveillance zones have been set up by local authorities to prevent the spread of bird flu. The first hypothesis of contamination for the Vendee farm would be an introduction of the virus via contaminated wild birds. At the national level, more than 330,000 poultry have been slaughtered since Aug. 1 in French farms. As of Friday, 24 outbreaks on farms had been confirmed. Many cases were reported in northwestern France. The virus returns with the drop in temperatures. Autumn is also the beginning of the bird migration period which makes it risky. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Lyon, France. (XHTV)

A special home for visually impaired children in Xi'an, China

STORY: A special home for visually impaired children in Xi'an, China DATELINE: Oct. 15, 2022 LENGTH: 0:01:02 LOCATION: XI'AN, China CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of visually impaired children 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese) HUI NA, Director of "White Cane" 3. various of visually impaired children 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese) LUO JIE, Guide dog trainer 5. various of Xi'an, the capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province STORYLINE: Saturday marks International White Cane Day, designed to raise awareness of the blind and visually impaired, the obstacles they face and the accomplishments they have achieved. In Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, a social welfare institution named "White Cane" provides 24-hour care for visually impaired children. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese) HUI NA, Director of "White Cane" "Our institution officially opened on Aug. 31. We received six visually impaired children on that day. They live at the living skills training center. Every day, we teach them some living skills

Türkiye's Aug. unemployment rate hits lowest level since 2014

STORY: Türkiye's Aug. unemployment rate hits lowest level since 2014 DATELINE: Oct. 11, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:55 LOCATION: Ankara CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Turkish flag 2. various of people on the streets in Türkiye 3. various of steel factories and employees in Türkiye (courtesy of ihlas news agency) 4. various of railway construction and employees in Türkiye (courtesy of ihlas news agency) 5. various of Turkish Treasury and Finance Minister Nureddin Nebati (courtesy of ihlas news agency) 6. various of some factories and employees in Türkiye (courtesy of ihlas news agency) 7. various of a woodwork factory and employees in Türkiye (courtesy of Ankara metropolitan municipality) 8. various of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan 9. various of a woodwork factory and employees in Türkiye (courtesy of Ankara metropolitan municipality) STORYLINE: Türkiye's unemployment rate in August dropped to a single digit for the first time in four years and the lowest monthly level since 2014, according to da

Coronavirus infections, hospitalizations in Italy rising over last week

STORY: Coronavirus infections, hospitalizations in Italy rising over last week DATELINE: Oct. 7, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:06 LOCATION: Rome CATEGORY: SOCIETY/HEALTH SHOTLIST: 1. various of people waiting for vaccination 2. various of vaccination center STORYLINE: Italy appears to be heading for a new coronavirus wave, with surging infections and hospitalizations in the last week, according to data released Thursday by the Italian Ministry of Health. On Thursday, the country registered nearly 45,000 new coronavirus cases, down slightly from a day earlier but still well above the average for the last month. According to the health data body Gimbe Foundation, the broad infection rate over the last week was 52 percent above the previous week. Meanwhile, on Tuesday the daily infection tally of nearly 59,000 was the highest since Aug. 2. Health officials have cautioned that rates could rise further in the coming weeks, as cooler weather pushes more activities indoors. The Gimbe Foundation reported that coronavirus

CHINA-BEIJING-CENTRAL AXIS (CN)

CHINA-BEIJING-CENTRAL AXIS (CN)

(221005) -- BEIJING, Oct. 5, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Combo photo shows the National Speed Skating Oval, known as the Ice Ribbon, which was built on a temporary site for Hockey and Archery during the 2008 Olympics, in Beijing, capital of China on Sept. 19, 2022 (up, photo taken by Ju Huanzong) and the Beijing Olympic Green Hockey Stadium in Beijing, capital of China, on Aug. 2, 2008 (down, photo taken by Chen Kai) . Chinese authorities have planned to recommend the Beijing Central Axis as China's 2024 world cultural heritage application project, according to the National Cultural Heritage Administration. The Beijing Central Axis is 7.8 kilometers long, starting from the Yongding Gate in the south of the city and ending with the Drum Tower and Bell Tower in the north. Most of the major old-city buildings of Beijing are along this axis. The central axis is the backbone of old Beijing, representing the highest achievement in the planning, design and construction of an ancient capital of Eastern civilization. The axis w

CHINA-BEIJING-PEACHES-E-COMMERCE (CN)

CHINA-BEIJING-PEACHES-E-COMMERCE (CN)

(221002) -- BEIJING, Oct. 2, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Photo taken on Aug. 9, 2022 shows peaches at an orchard in Yukou Town of Pinggu District, Beijing, capital of China. TO GO WITH "Across China: E-commerce brings peachy life for Beijing's peach farmers" (Xinhua/Ren Chao)

CHINA-BEIJING-PEACHES-E-COMMERCE (CN)

CHINA-BEIJING-PEACHES-E-COMMERCE (CN)

(221002) -- BEIJING, Oct. 2, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Farmers harvest peaches at an orchard in Yukou Town of Pinggu District, Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 9, 2022. TO GO WITH "Across China: E-commerce brings peachy life for Beijing's peach farmers" (Xinhua/Ren Chao)

Xinhua Headlines: Western governments criticized for downplaying pandemic amid warning of long COVID threat

Xinhua Headlines: Western governments criticized for downplaying pandemic amid warning of long COVID threat

(221002) -- BEIJING, Oct. 2, 2022 (Xinhua) -- People wearing face masks are seen at L.A. union station in Los Angeles, California, the United States, on Aug. 5, 2022. (Xinhua)

Cyprus marks 62 years of independence

STORY: Cyprus marks 62 years of independence DATELINE: Oct. 2, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:00 LOCATION: Nicosia CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of a military parade 2. various of Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades delivering a speech STORYLINE: The eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus celebrated 62 years of independence on Saturday. A military parade was held in the capital Nicosia, which was attended by Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades. Speaking after the parade, Anastasiades said that Cyprus is obliged to strengthen its armed forces, and at the same time will continue its efforts for a peaceful solution to the Cyprus problem. Cyprus became independent on Aug. 16, 1960 after a century of British colonial rule. Oct. 1 was chosen as the official Independence Day to avoid celebrations amid scorching temperatures in summer. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Nicosia. (XHTV)

Kuwait holds parliamentary elections

STORY: Kuwait holds parliamentary elections DATELINE: Sept. 30, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:35 LOCATION: Kuwait City CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of the voting station STORYLINE: Kuwaitis headed to parliamentary polls on Thursday to elect 50 members of the National Assembly from among 305 candidates representing five constituencies in the country, state news agency KUNA reported. Nearly 800,000 citizens are eligible to vote in the Kuwaiti elections and 22 of the 305 candidates are women, said KUNA. The Ministry of the Interior has selected 123 schools as polling stations, it added. This is the first time that the voting system based on national identity is adopted in Kuwaiti elections, meaning each voter can only go to the polling station in their own constituency. Kuwait officially dissolved the parliament on Aug. 2 in a royal decree saying the dissolution resulted from "lack of harmony and cooperation ... and behavior that threaten national unity." With a mandate of four years, the unicameral Kuw

Kenya's president names new cabinet

STORY: Kenya's president names new cabinet DATELINE: Sept. 28, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:44 LOCATION: Nairobi CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of cabinet meeting 2. various of press conference 3. SOUNDBITE (English): WILLIAM RUTO, Kenyan President 4. various of press conference STORYLINE: Kenyan President William Ruto on Tuesday named his nominees to the Cabinet to help steer the country after the Aug. 9 general elections. Ruto, who retained one serving cabinet secretary, appointed former deputy prime minister Musalia Mudavadi as the prime cabinet secretary, a newly created position. He also appointed the former Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) Governor Njuguna Ndung'u to be the cabinet secretary for the National Treasury. Ruto, who nominated current and former lawmakers to the Cabinet, said the prime cabinet secretary's office is the most senior after that of the President and deputy president's office. SOUNDBITE (English): WILLIAM RUTO, Kenyan President "We have again the other very important position and

Xinhua Headlines: China's industrial firms strive for profit recovery

Xinhua Headlines: China's industrial firms strive for profit recovery

(220927) -- BEIJING, Sept. 27, 2022 (Xinhua) -- A staff member works at a factory of a wind power company in Ulanqab, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Aug. 2, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Zhipeng)

Venezuela's ambassador to Colombia submits credentials to President Petro

STORY: Venezuela's ambassador to Colombia submits credentials to President Petro DATELINE: Sept. 8, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:37 LOCATION: Bogota CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of reception of Venezuelan ambassador Felix Plasencia 2. various of Plasencia submitting his letter of credentials to Colombia's President Gustavo Petro 3. various of communication between Plasencia and Petro STORYLINE: Venezuela's Ambassador to Colombia, Felix Plasencia, on Wednesday submitted his letter of credentials to Colombian President Gustavo Petro. Following Petro's inauguration as president, one of his administration's first decisions was to restore diplomatic ties with Venezuela which had been suspended since 2019. Plasencia arrived in Colombia a week ago. After presenting his credentials, he met privately with Petro and Colombian Foreign Minister Alvaro Leyva. On Aug. 29, Colombia's Ambassador to Venezuela, Armando Benedetti, presented his credentials to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Xinhua News Agency corr