Egypt's famed bazaar welcomes return of Chinese tourists

STORY: Egypt's famed bazaar welcomes return of Chinese tourists DATELINE: Jan. 10, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:50 LOCATION: Cairo CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of a bazaar in the Egyptian capital Cairo 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): AMR DAHI, Artifact shop owner in Khan el-Khalili 3. various of customers 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): MOHAMMED SALEH, Restaurant owner in Khan al-Khalili STORYLINE: Shop owners in Khan el-Khalili, one of the most famed tourist bazaars in the Egyptian capital Cairo, are expecting the return of Chinese guests after China announced its easing of travel restrictions starting from Jan. 8. Located in the heart of Cairo's old Islamic district, the centuries-old market used to bustle with tourists coming from all over the world. However, the COVID-19 pandemic that broke out three years ago has depleted the market of its vibrant vibe. Amr Dahi, who sells precious stones and copper artifacts in the market, told Xinhua that his shop used to enjoy good business before the pandemic. Dahi said tha

Mideast tourism market gears up to welcome back Chinese tourists

STORY: Mideast tourism market gears up to welcome back Chinese tourists DATELINE: Jan. 9, 2023 LENGTH: 0:01:59 LOCATION: Cairo CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of an airport in China 2. various of Khan El Khalili bazaar 3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): AMR DAHI, Artifact shop owner in Cairo 4. Roman Theater of Amman in Jordan 5. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): ABEDULRAZZAK ABO MOHAISEN, Arabic daggers shop owner in Amman 6. various of Tunisia 7. SOUNDBITE 3 (Arabic): JOMAI GASMI, Tunisian political and economic analyst 8. various of streets in Istanbul 9. SOUNDBITE 4 (Turkish): SERHAN KOCHAN, Tour operator, Ligarba Travel Agency in Istanbul STORYLINE: China has continuously optimized its COVID-19 responses, the latest of which is lifting restrictions on citizens' outbound trips as of Jan. 8. The move is warmly welcomed by tourism practitioners in the Middle East. They are gearing up to welcome back Chinese tourists absent for three years due to the pandemic. In Egypt's capital of Cairo, an artifact shop owner in the

Mumbai people form human pyramids to celebrate Hindu festival

STORY: Mumbai people form human pyramids to celebrate Hindu festival DATELINE: Aug. 21, 2022 LENGTH: 00:05:29 LOCATION: MUMBAI, India CATEGORY: CULTURE/SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Dahi Handi events and crowds 2. various of people forming human pyramids 3. an ambulance passing through the crowd STORYLINE: Mumbai streets were full of joy and loud music as people celebrated the annual festival of Dahi Handi on Friday. Making human pyramids is a ritual for Dahi Handi. It forms part of the Hindu religious festival of Janmashtami to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna. Dahi Handi also involves communities hanging an earthen pot filled with dahi (yogurt) or other milk-based delicacies at a height easy or difficult to reach. Young men would then form teams, make a human pyramid and attempt to reach or break the pot. More than 150 people were hurt while forming human pyramids in Mumbai. The injured would receive compensation, said a government official. Government hospitals will treat the injured for fre