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Palestinian student strums songs of hope to soothe broken people in Gaza

STORY: Palestinian student strums songs of hope to soothe broken people in Gaza SHOOTING TIME: Recent footage DATELINE: June 18, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:46 LOCATION: GAZA, Palestine CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Rahaf Naser playing the guitar and singing 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): RAHAF NASER, Palestinian student 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): RAHAF NASER, Palestinian student 4. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): RAHAF NASER, Palestinian student STORYLINE: Rahaf Naser, 19, moves from one place to another every day, playing guitar and singing to comfort her fellow townsfolk. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): RAHAF NASER, Palestinian student "I was displaced from my home in the north of the Gaza Strip, to here, to the south. We were displaced because of the continuous bombing around us. So we came here in the first week of the war." Naser then came up with music therapy to help the long-suffering people deal with the bleak reality. But it was not easy as she left behind all musical instruments when fleeing with her family. SO

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War-torn Omdurman city, one year into war in Sudan

STORY: War-torn Omdurman city, one year into war in Sudan SHOOTING TIME: April 15, 2024 DATELINE: April 16, 2024 LENGTH: 00:03:00 LOCATION: Khartoum CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of a main road in Omdurman city 2. various of destroyed civilian homes 3. various of destroyed buildings by the roadside 4. various of burned cars STORYLINE: As the war in Sudan persists for one year, the prospect for a political settlement remains bleak, as regional and international initiatives have failed to silence the guns. A recent visit by Xinhua shows a panoramic view of the war-inflicted Omdurman city, northwest of the Sudanese capital city Khartoum. The fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has turned Omdurman into a city of scars and silence, leaving massive destruction on buildings, civilian homes, and major markets. Since the armed conflict broke out on April 15, 2023, 14,790 fatalities have been recorded in Sudan, while the number of people displaced has reac

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24 Solar Terms: Beginning of Spring

STORY: 24 Solar Terms: Beginning of Spring SHOOTING TIME: Earlier footage DATELINE: Feb. 4, 2024 LENGTH: 00:00:26 LOCATION: GUANGZHOU, China CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of animation STORYLINE: Lichun, or the Beginning of Spring, is the first of the 24 solar terms on the Chinese lunar calendar. It falls on Feb. 4 this year. The Beginning of Spring also signifies the beginning of a new year, when every living thing starts another period of growth and renewal. In traditional Chinese culture, the Beginning of Spring bears the blessing of a new start, marking the end of bleak winter days. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Guangzhou, China. (XHTV)

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Turks' New Year wishlist highlights lingering economic chill

STORY: Turks' New Year wishlist highlights lingering economic chill SHOOTING TIME: Dec. 18, 2023 DATELINE: Dec. 20, 2023 LENGTH: 0:03:06 LOCATION: Ankara CATEGORY: SOCIETY/ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of people on the streets and those shopping in Türkiye 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Turkish): SERPIL BAHAR, Former nurse, Pensioner 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Turkish): OYA SEN, Former teacher, Pensioner 4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Turkish): ARDA KARAGUN, University student STORYLINE: It's New Year shopping season in Türkiye's capital city Ankara but inflation-hit consumers cannot meet their wishlist because of a lackluster economy. In the Kizilay district, considered the commercial heart of the city, the mood among shoppers is bleak as they told Xinhua that because of high inflation their purchasing power dropped significantly. Due to financial constraints, consumers said that they plan to limit gift-giving to close family or not celebrate New Year at all. Türkiye has been in the grip of staggering inflation for several years and the situat

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UN-GENERAL ASSEMBLY-GENERAL DEBATE

(230924) -- UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 24, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Hamza Abdi Barre (at the podium and on the screens), prime minister of Somalia, delivers a speech at the General Debate of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 23, 2023. During the 78th session of the UN General Assembly's general debate on Saturday, nations from the Horn of Africa passionately called for action to combat the imminent climate threat and to overhaul the currently outdated and unjust global financial framework. Leaders from Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Eritrea depicted a bleak scenario of a world severely affected by climate change. Their message was unequivocal: This pressing crisis requires a swift and united effort. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

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UN-GENERAL ASSEMBLY-GENERAL DEBATE

(230924) -- UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 24, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen Hassen (at the podium and on the screens) delivers a speech at the General Debate of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 23, 2023. During the 78th session of the UN General Assembly's general debate on Saturday, nations from the Horn of Africa passionately called for action to combat the imminent climate threat and to overhaul the currently outdated and unjust global financial framework. Leaders from Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Eritrea depicted a bleak scenario of a world severely affected by climate change. Their message was unequivocal: This pressing crisis requires a swift and united effort. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

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UN-GENERAL ASSEMBLY-GENERAL DEBATE

(230924) -- UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 24, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Osman Saleh Mohammed (at the podium and on the screens), Eritrea's Foreign Affairs Minister, delivers a speech at the General Debate of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 23, 2023. During the 78th session of the UN General Assembly's general debate on Saturday, nations from the Horn of Africa passionately called for action to combat the imminent climate threat and to overhaul the currently outdated and unjust global financial framework. Leaders from Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Eritrea depicted a bleak scenario of a world severely affected by climate change. Their message was unequivocal: This pressing crisis requires a swift and united effort. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

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UN-GENERAL ASSEMBLY-GENERAL DEBATE

(230924) -- UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 24, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Osman Saleh Mohammed, Eritrea's Foreign Affairs Minister, delivers a speech at the General Debate of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 23, 2023. During the 78th session of the UN General Assembly's general debate on Saturday, nations from the Horn of Africa passionately called for action to combat the imminent climate threat and to overhaul the currently outdated and unjust global financial framework. Leaders from Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Eritrea depicted a bleak scenario of a world severely affected by climate change. Their message was unequivocal: This pressing crisis requires a swift and united effort. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

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UN-GENERAL ASSEMBLY-GENERAL DEBATE

(230924) -- UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 24, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Hamza Abdi Barre, prime minister of Somalia, delivers a speech at the General Debate of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 23, 2023. During the 78th session of the UN General Assembly's general debate on Saturday, nations from the Horn of Africa passionately called for action to combat the imminent climate threat and to overhaul the currently outdated and unjust global financial framework. Leaders from Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Eritrea depicted a bleak scenario of a world severely affected by climate change. Their message was unequivocal: This pressing crisis requires a swift and united effort. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

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UN-GENERAL ASSEMBLY-GENERAL DEBATE

(230924) -- UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 24, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Mahamoud Ali Youssouf (at the podium and on the screens), Djibouti's foreign affairs minister, delivers a speech at the General Debate of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 23, 2023. During the 78th session of the UN General Assembly's general debate on Saturday, nations from the Horn of Africa passionately called for action to combat the imminent climate threat and to overhaul the currently outdated and unjust global financial framework. Leaders from Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Eritrea depicted a bleak scenario of a world severely affected by climate change. Their message was unequivocal: This pressing crisis requires a swift and united effort. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

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UN-GENERAL ASSEMBLY-GENERAL DEBATE

(230924) -- UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 24, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Djibouti's foreign affairs minister, delivers a speech at the General Debate of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 23, 2023. During the 78th session of the UN General Assembly's general debate on Saturday, nations from the Horn of Africa passionately called for action to combat the imminent climate threat and to overhaul the currently outdated and unjust global financial framework. Leaders from Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Eritrea depicted a bleak scenario of a world severely affected by climate change. Their message was unequivocal: This pressing crisis requires a swift and united effort. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

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UN-GENERAL ASSEMBLY-GENERAL DEBATE

(230924) -- UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 24, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen Hassen delivers a speech at the General Debate of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 23, 2023. During the 78th session of the UN General Assembly's general debate on Saturday, nations from the Horn of Africa passionately called for action to combat the imminent climate threat and to overhaul the currently outdated and unjust global financial framework. Leaders from Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Eritrea depicted a bleak scenario of a world severely affected by climate change. Their message was unequivocal: This pressing crisis requires a swift and united effort. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

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Demand for recycled plastic decreasing in France

STORY: Demand for recycled plastic decreasing in France DATELINE: July 24, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:06 LOCATION: ANNECY, France CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT/SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of plastic waste recycling bins 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (French): FRANCOIS EXCOFFIER, President of the professional federation of recycling companies (FEDEREC) 3. various of plastic recycling labels on a bottle 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (French): FRANCOIS EXCOFFIER, President of the professional federation of recycling companies (FEDEREC) STORYLINE: By 2030, packaging in France will have to incorporate 30 percent of recycled materials for all plastic bottles, and yet the plastics industry is not celebrating: the results at the start of this year are not good and the outlook for the end of 2023 remains bleak. In the context of falling oil prices and rising energy costs, recycled plastic is becoming less attractive. Between May 2022 and May 2023, the main petro-sourced virgin plastics recorded a price drop of around 25 percent to 40 percent (depending on t

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U.S.-WASHINGTON, D.C.-GUN CONTROL-PROTEST

(230418) -- WASHINGTON, D.C., April 18, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People display photos of victims of gun violence during a march to the Capitol to protest for a ban on assault weapons, in Washington, D.C., the United States, on April 17, 2023. Four people were killed and at least 28 others injured in a shooting at a birthday party on Saturday night in the small Alabama town of Dadeville, the United States, authorities said Sunday. This incident took the United States to a bleak milestone of more than 160 mass shootings so far this year, with 12,277 deaths from gun violence, according to a database run by the nonprofit research group Gun Violence Archive. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Xinhua)

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U.S.-WASHINGTON, D.C.-GUN CONTROL-PROTEST

(230418) -- WASHINGTON, D.C., April 18, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People march to the Capitol to protest for a ban on assault weapons, in Washington, D.C., the United States, on April 17, 2023. Four people were killed and at least 28 others injured in a shooting at a birthday party on Saturday night in the small Alabama town of Dadeville, the United States, authorities said Sunday. This incident took the United States to a bleak milestone of more than 160 mass shootings so far this year, with 12,277 deaths from gun violence, according to a database run by the nonprofit research group Gun Violence Archive. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Xinhua)

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U.S.-WASHINGTON, D.C.-GUN CONTROL-PROTEST

(230418) -- WASHINGTON, D.C., April 18, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People march to the Capitol to protest for a ban on assault weapons, in Washington, D.C., the United States, on April 17, 2023. Four people were killed and at least 28 others injured in a shooting at a birthday party on Saturday night in the small Alabama town of Dadeville, the United States, authorities said Sunday. This incident took the United States to a bleak milestone of more than 160 mass shootings so far this year, with 12,277 deaths from gun violence, according to a database run by the nonprofit research group Gun Violence Archive. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Xinhua)

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U.S.-WASHINGTON, D.C.-GUN CONTROL-PROTEST

(230418) -- WASHINGTON, D.C., April 18, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People display photos of victims of gun violence during a march to the Capitol to protest for a ban on assault weapons, in Washington, D.C., the United States, on April 17, 2023. Four people were killed and at least 28 others injured in a shooting at a birthday party on Saturday night in the small Alabama town of Dadeville, the United States, authorities said Sunday. This incident took the United States to a bleak milestone of more than 160 mass shootings so far this year, with 12,277 deaths from gun violence, according to a database run by the nonprofit research group Gun Violence Archive. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Xinhua)

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U.S.-WASHINGTON, D.C.-GUN CONTROL-PROTEST

(230418) -- WASHINGTON, D.C., April 18, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People march to the Capitol to protest for a ban on assault weapons, in Washington, D.C., the United States, on April 17, 2023. Four people were killed and at least 28 others injured in a shooting at a birthday party on Saturday night in the small Alabama town of Dadeville, the United States, authorities said Sunday. This incident took the United States to a bleak milestone of more than 160 mass shootings so far this year, with 12,277 deaths from gun violence, according to a database run by the nonprofit research group Gun Violence Archive. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Xinhua)

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U.S.-WASHINGTON, D.C.-GUN CONTROL-PROTEST

(230418) -- WASHINGTON, D.C., April 18, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People march to the Capitol to protest for a ban on assault weapons, in Washington, D.C., the United States, on April 17, 2023. Four people were killed and at least 28 others injured in a shooting at a birthday party on Saturday night in the small Alabama town of Dadeville, the United States, authorities said Sunday. This incident took the United States to a bleak milestone of more than 160 mass shootings so far this year, with 12,277 deaths from gun violence, according to a database run by the nonprofit research group Gun Violence Archive. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Xinhua)

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U.S.-WASHINGTON, D.C.-GUN CONTROL-PROTEST

(230418) -- WASHINGTON, D.C., April 18, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People march to the Capitol to protest for a ban on assault weapons, in Washington, D.C., the United States, on April 17, 2023. Four people were killed and at least 28 others injured in a shooting at a birthday party on Saturday night in the small Alabama town of Dadeville, the United States, authorities said Sunday. This incident took the United States to a bleak milestone of more than 160 mass shootings so far this year, with 12,277 deaths from gun violence, according to a database run by the nonprofit research group Gun Violence Archive. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Xinhua)

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EGYPT-CAIRO-RAMADAN-LANTERN MARKET

(230322) -- CAIRO, March 22, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People select lanterns at a market ahead of Ramadan in Cairo, Egypt, on March 21, 2023. In Egypt, traditional colorful metal and glass lanterns are always among the items in high demand ahead of Ramadan. However, this year, the inflation-stricken lantern market remains bleak. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) TO GO WITH Feature: Soaring inflation hits lantern market in Egypt ahead of Ramadan

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EGYPT-CAIRO-RAMADAN-LANTERN MARKET

(230322) -- CAIRO, March 22, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A man makes a Ramadan lantern at his workshop in Cairo, Egypt, on March 21, 2023. In Egypt, traditional colorful metal and glass lanterns are always among the items in high demand ahead of Ramadan. However, this year, the inflation-stricken lantern market remains bleak. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) TO GO WITH Feature: Soaring inflation hits lantern market in Egypt ahead of Ramadan

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EGYPT-CAIRO-RAMADAN-LANTERN MARKET

(230322) -- CAIRO, March 22, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A man selects lanterns at a market ahead of Ramadan in Cairo, Egypt, on March 21, 2023. In Egypt, traditional colorful metal and glass lanterns are always among the items in high demand ahead of Ramadan. However, this year, the inflation-stricken lantern market remains bleak. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) TO GO WITH Feature: Soaring inflation hits lantern market in Egypt ahead of Ramadan

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EGYPT-CAIRO-RAMADAN-LANTERN MARKET

(230322) -- CAIRO, March 22, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A man makes a Ramadan lantern at his workshop in Cairo, Egypt, on March 21, 2023. In Egypt, traditional colorful metal and glass lanterns are always among the items in high demand ahead of Ramadan. However, this year, the inflation-stricken lantern market remains bleak. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) TO GO WITH Feature: Soaring inflation hits lantern market in Egypt ahead of Ramadan

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EGYPT-CAIRO-RAMADAN-LANTERN MARKET

(230322) -- CAIRO, March 22, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A woman selects lanterns at a market ahead of Ramadan in Cairo, Egypt, on March 21, 2023. In Egypt, traditional colorful metal and glass lanterns are always among the items in high demand ahead of Ramadan. However, this year, the inflation-stricken lantern market remains bleak. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) TO GO WITH Feature: Soaring inflation hits lantern market in Egypt ahead of Ramadan

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EGYPT-CAIRO-RAMADAN-LANTERN MARKET

(230322) -- CAIRO, March 22, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A young man arranges a lantern for sale at a market ahead of Ramadan in Cairo, Egypt, on March 21, 2023. In Egypt, traditional colorful metal and glass lanterns are always among the items in high demand ahead of Ramadan. However, this year, the inflation-stricken lantern market remains bleak. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) TO GO WITH Feature: Soaring inflation hits lantern market in Egypt ahead of Ramadan

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Copenhagen light run to brighten up bleak winter

STORY: Copenhagen light run to brighten up bleak winter DATELINE: Feb. 27, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:59 LOCATION: Copenhagen CATEGORY: CULTURE SHOTLIST: 1. various of light artwork on the tower of Copenhagen City Hall 2. various of participants 3. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): MICHAEL GUG, Light run participant 4. various of the light run and artworks 5. various of light artwork on the tower of Copenhagen City Hall 6. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): DEA ZEEBERG, Light run participant 7. various of participants 8. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): JESPER KONGSHAUG, Head of Board Copenhagen Light Festival 9. various of Copenhagen in the night STORYLINE: On the last weekend of February, nearly 2,000 runners participated in a light run through Copenhagen's inner city and along the harbor. A four-meter-long chain of LED lights was also attached to each runner. Along the route of eight to nine kilometers, the runners were expected to see 21 of the 55 light works on display at this year's Copenhagen Light Festival from Feb. 3 to Feb. 26. As on

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Gazan artists call out gloomy reality through prism of art

STORY: Gazan artists call out gloomy reality through prism of art DATELINE: Feb. 22, 2023 LENGTH: 00:03:44 LOCATION: GAZA, Palestine CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the exhibition held by Sharif Sarhan 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): SHARIF SARHAN, Gaza-based artist 3. various of the exhibition held by Sharif Sarhan 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): FRANCOIS TIGER, Director of the French center 5. various of the exhibition held by Sharif Sarhan STORYLINE: Artists in Gaza, who have lived for years in tension, violence, and hardship under the Israeli blockade, have called attention worldwide to the bleak reality unnoticed by the global audience. Sharif Sarhan, 47, who spent 10 years doing art, saw drawing, photography, and sculpture as the best tools for him to reflect the reality in the impoverished but densely populated Palestinian enclave. "With the ongoing political and economic instability in Gaza, it was not easy to make a breakthrough in the fight against the isolation that was forced on us either intern

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MIDEAST-GAZA CITY-ARTISTS

(230220) -- GAZA, Feb. 20, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A visitor views artworks by Palestinian artist Sharif Sarhan at a cultural center in Gaza City, on Feb. 14, 2023. Artists in Gaza, who have lived for years in tension, violence, and hardship under the Israeli blockade, have called attention worldwide to the bleak reality unnoticed by the global audience. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) TO GO WITH Feature: Gazan artists call out gloomy reality through prism of art

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MIDEAST-GAZA CITY-ARTISTS

(230220) -- GAZA, Feb. 20, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian artist Assaf al-Kharti works at his house in Al-Mughraqa area south of Gaza City, on Feb. 5, 2023. Artists in Gaza, who have lived for years in tension, violence, and hardship under the Israeli blockade, have called attention worldwide to the bleak reality unnoticed by the global audience. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) TO GO WITH Feature: Gazan artists call out gloomy reality through prism of art

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MIDEAST-GAZA CITY-ARTISTS

(230220) -- GAZA, Feb. 20, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian artist Assaf al-Kharti works on an artwork made with recycled scrap at his house in Al-Mughraqa area south of Gaza City, on Feb. 5, 2023. Artists in Gaza, who have lived for years in tension, violence, and hardship under the Israeli blockade, have called attention worldwide to the bleak reality unnoticed by the global audience. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) TO GO WITH Feature: Gazan artists call out gloomy reality through prism of art

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MIDEAST-GAZA CITY-ARTISTS

(230220) -- GAZA, Feb. 20, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian artist Assaf al-Kharti works on an artwork made with recycled scrap at his house in Al-Mughraqa area south of Gaza City, on Feb. 5, 2023. Artists in Gaza, who have lived for years in tension, violence, and hardship under the Israeli blockade, have called attention worldwide to the bleak reality unnoticed by the global audience. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) TO GO WITH Feature: Gazan artists call out gloomy reality through prism of art

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MIDEAST-GAZA CITY-ARTISTS

(230220) -- GAZA, Feb. 20, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Visitors view artworks by Palestinian artist Sharif Sarhan at a cultural center in Gaza City, on Feb. 14, 2023. Artists in Gaza, who have lived for years in tension, violence, and hardship under the Israeli blockade, have called attention worldwide to the bleak reality unnoticed by the global audience. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) TO GO WITH Feature: Gazan artists call out gloomy reality through prism of art

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24 Solar Terms: Beginning of Spring

STORY: 24 Solar Terms: Beginning of Spring DATELINE: Feb. 4, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:36 LOCATION: GUANGZHOU, China CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of animation STORYLINE: Lichun, or the Beginning of Spring, is the first of the 24 solar terms on the Chinese lunar calendar. The Beginning of Spring also signifies the beginning of a new year, where every living thing starts another period of growth and renewal. In traditional Chinese culture, the Beginning of Spring bears the blessing of a new start, marking the end of bleak winter days. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Guangzhou, China. (XHTV)

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UN envoy calls for efforts to change worrying dynamics in Syria

STORY: UN envoy calls for efforts to change worrying dynamics in Syria DATELINE: Dec. 22, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:44 LOCATION: UN Headquarters CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of Security Council Chamber 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): GEIR PEDERSEN, UN Special Envoy for Syria 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): GEIR PEDERSEN, UN Special Envoy for Syria 4. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): GEIR PEDERSEN, UN Special Envoy for Syria STORYLINE: UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen on Wednesday called for efforts to change the worrying dynamics in Syria. Given the bleak humanitarian and economic situation, coupled with the continued armed conflict and the dangers of military escalation, the potential for catastrophic deterioration is all too real, Pedersen told the UN Security Council. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): GEIR PEDERSEN, UN Special Envoy for Syria "Syrians are facing an ever-deepening humanitarian and economic crisis, inside and outside the country, and in both government-controlled areas and areas outside government contro

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Japan's fiscal 2011 budget clears lower house

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan (R) salutes and leaves the chamber in the early hours of March 1, 2011, as the fiscal 2011 budget cleared the powerful lower house of parliament, paving the way for its enactment by March 31, 2011, but the prospects for securing the passage of other bills needed to put it completely into effect remain bleak.

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Hatoyama, labor and biz leaders discuss employment issues

TOKYO, Japan - Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama (R) speaks at a meeting on employment issues attended by Cabinet ministers, and labor and business leaders at the prime minister's office on Dec. 24, 2009. Hatoyama stressed the importance of formulating growth strategies to help improve the bleak employment situation.

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Gov't leaves bleak economic assessment unchanged

TOKYO, Japan - Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi (R) speaks at meeting of his economic ministers Feb. 19. The meeting endorsed a monthly economic report, in which the government maintained its lackluster view of the economy, restating that the Japanese economy has weakened, but refrained from indicating whether the move signals an end to its latest recovery.

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Nikkei dives to 29-month low

TOKYO, Japan - Passersby watch a stock price board outside a Tokyo brokerage house Feb. 28 as the Nikkei Stock Average plummeted to a 29-month closing. Tumbling U.S. technology stocks and bleak data on Japan's economy dealt a double punch to the Tokyo equity market.

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Tokyo stocks decline in year's 1st trading day

TOKYO, Japan - A woman in a kimono rings a bell to mark the start of the year's first trading day at the Tokyo Stock Exchange in the Nihombashi-Kabutocho district on Jan. 4. The Nikkei Stock Average closed lower in the half-day trading as the outlook for the Japanese economy remained bleak.

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Gazan fruit farmers losing out amid competition from Israeli produce

STORY: Gazan fruit farmers losing out amid competition from Israeli produce DATELINE: Nov. 24, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:30 LOCATION: Gaza CATEGORY: AGRICULTURE/ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of local farmers harvesting strawberries 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): ABDULLAH ABU KHOUSA, Strawberry farmer 3. various of a citrus fruit farm in Gaza 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): TAISEER AL-DAHDOUH, Citrus fruits farmer 5. various of a citrus fruit farm in Gaza STORYLINE: Despite having a bumper harvest, Gazan fruit farmers, facing competition from cheaper Israeli produce, see only a bleak picture for their business this year. Abdullah Abu Khousa, a strawberry grower, told Xinhua that in the past, 80 percent of his produce was sold in Europe, Israel, and the West Bank, which earned him good money. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): ABDULLAH ABU KHOUSA, Strawberry farmer "Strawberry prices were very high, and the local market did not meet the needs, especially since we couldn't cover operating expenses. Therefore, selling strawberries to other p

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MIDEAST-GAZA-BEIT LAHIA-FRUITS-HARVEST

(221122) -- GAZA, Nov. 22, 2022 (Xinhua) -- A farmer picks citruses at a farm near the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahia, on Nov. 19, 2022. Despite having a bumper harvest, Gazan fruit farmers, facing competition from cheaper Israeli produce, see only a bleak picture for their business this year. TO GO WITH "Roundup: Gazan fruit farmers losing out amid competition from Israeli produce" (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

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MIDEAST-GAZA-BEIT LAHIA-FRUITS-HARVEST

(221122) -- GAZA, Nov. 22, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Farmers harvest strawberries in a field near the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahia, on Nov. 19, 2022. Despite having a bumper harvest, Gazan fruit farmers, facing competition from cheaper Israeli produce, see only a bleak picture for their business this year. TO GO WITH "Roundup: Gazan fruit farmers losing out amid competition from Israeli produce" (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

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MIDEAST-GAZA-BEIT LAHIA-FRUITS-HARVEST

(221122) -- GAZA, Nov. 22, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Farmers harvest strawberries in a field near the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahia, on Nov. 19, 2022. Despite having a bumper harvest, Gazan fruit farmers, facing competition from cheaper Israeli produce, see only a bleak picture for their business this year. TO GO WITH "Roundup: Gazan fruit farmers losing out amid competition from Israeli produce" (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

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MIDEAST-GAZA-BEIT LAHIA-FRUITS-HARVEST

(221122) -- GAZA, Nov. 22, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Farmers harvest strawberries in a field near the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahia, on Nov. 19, 2022. Despite having a bumper harvest, Gazan fruit farmers, facing competition from cheaper Israeli produce, see only a bleak picture for their business this year. TO GO WITH "Roundup: Gazan fruit farmers losing out amid competition from Israeli produce" (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

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COP27 must be turning points for hope: UN chief

STORY: COP27 must be turning points for hope: UN chief DATELINE: Nov. 4, 2022 LENGTH: 0:01:24 LOCATION: UN Headquarters CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ANTONIO GUTERRES, UN Secretary-General 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ANTONIO GUTERRES, UN Secretary-General STORYLINE: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday called for multilateralism and diplomacy to make the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference 2022 (COP27) in Egypt "turning points for hope." SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ANTONIO GUTERRES, UN Secretary-General "COP27 must be the place to rebuild trust and re-establish the ambition needed to avoid driving our planet over the climate cliff. In the last few weeks, report after report has painted a clear and bleak picture -- emissions are still growing at record levels. Temperatures are on course to rise by as much as 2.8 degrees, with the present policies in place, by the end of the century. And that means our planet is on course f

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Climate change casts shadow on date harvest season in Gaza

STORY: Climate change casts shadow on date harvest season in Gaza DATELINE: Oct. 3, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:41 LOCATION: Gaza CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. shots of Gazan farmers harvesting date in the coastal enclave 2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic): AHMED BARAKA, Local farm owner 3. shots of Gazan farmers harvesting date in the coastal enclave STORYLINE: A much-needed harvest has not arrived for date palms in the Gaza Strip through September, which according to local farmers, is another evidence of the tangible impact that climate change has on their livelihood, following the poor pollination in spring. Considering this year's delayed harvest season, farmers worried that if it ends in time in mid-October, the gross yields of this sweet household fruit could be bleak. "The coastal enclave usually produced about 15,000 tons of date, while this year it will not exceed 10,000 tons," said Adham al-Bassiouni, spokesman for the Hamas-run agriculture ministry. Ahmed Baraka, a 70-year-old farmer from Dir al-Balah in central

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EU's economic outlook dimmed by inflation, energy crisis

STORY: EU's economic outlook dimmed by inflation, energy crisis DATELINE: Aug. 16, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:57 LOCATION: BRUSSELS CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the views in European countries 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): OSCAR, Unemployed citizen in Germany 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): PAUL, Accounting manager in Germany 4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Hungarian): MARA KISS, Bakery shop owner in Hungary STORYLINE: The inflations in Europe have been constantly hitting new highs for quite a while, leading to weak consumption. In face of a potential energy supply shortage, the European Union's voluntary energy cut plans are also questioned. Under the attack by inflation and the energy crisis, the economic outlook in Europe has become increasingly bleak with a lingering risk of recession. Under the combined effect of several negative factors including the backlash of sanctions and the spillover effect of the United States' aggressive interest rate hikes, the ramifications of the surge in energy prices are seen everywhere in

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Keukenhof Welcomes Visitors For Tulip Season - Netherlands

After bleak winter months of a coronavirus lockdown, springtime shoots of hope emerged as restrictions were relaxed at a Dutch flower garden and other public venues. Under a government-approved pilot scheme, the world-famous Keukenhof garden opened its gates to let a few thousand people tiptoe through the 7 million tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and myriad other flowers meticulously hand-planted throughout its manicured lawns by a small army of gardeners. A maximum of 5,000 visitors were allowed into the garden, nestled amid the pancake-flat bulb fields between Amsterdam and The Hague, if they could show proof that they had just tested negative for COVID-19. Lisse, Netherlands, April 23, 2021. Photo by Robin Utrecht/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Keukenhof Welcomes Visitors For Tulip Season - Netherlands

After bleak winter months of a coronavirus lockdown, springtime shoots of hope emerged as restrictions were relaxed at a Dutch flower garden and other public venues. Under a government-approved pilot scheme, the world-famous Keukenhof garden opened its gates to let a few thousand people tiptoe through the 7 million tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and myriad other flowers meticulously hand-planted throughout its manicured lawns by a small army of gardeners. A maximum of 5,000 visitors were allowed into the garden, nestled amid the pancake-flat bulb fields between Amsterdam and The Hague, if they could show proof that they had just tested negative for COVID-19. Lisse, Netherlands, April 23, 2021. Photo by Robin Utrecht/ABACAPRESS.COM