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A-bomb survivor Sasamori

Photo taken on July 29, 2022, shows a portrait of Shigeko Sasamori, a survivor of the 1945 U.S. atomic bombing of the western Japan city of Hiroshima who underwent reconstructive surgery for her scars in the United States. The New York Times reported on Jan. 2, 2025, that she died on Dec. 15, 2024, at her home in Marina del Rey, California. She was 92.

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NIGERIA-LAGOS-CHINESE-BUILT LIGHT RAIL PROJECT (CN)

(240326) -- LAGOS, March 26, 2024 (Xinhua) -- A local driver is pictured beside a train of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue Line in Lagos, Nigeria, March 2, 2024. Undertaken by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) in July 2010 and completed in Dec. 2022, the first phase of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue Line corridor spans 13 km and covers five stations. It began commercial operation in Sept. of 2023. As a symbolic project of the Belt and Road Initiative, the Blue Line project is the first electrified railroad and cross-sea light rail project in West Africa. (Xinhua/Han Xu)

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NIGERIA-LAGOS-CHINESE-BUILT LIGHT RAIL PROJECT (CN)

(240326) -- LAGOS, March 26, 2024 (Xinhua) -- An aerial drone photo taken on March 2, 2024 shows a train of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue Line pulling in the Marina Station in Lagos, Nigeria. Undertaken by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) in July 2010 and completed in Dec. 2022, the first phase of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue Line corridor spans 13 km and covers five stations. It began commercial operation in Sept. of 2023. As a symbolic project of the Belt and Road Initiative, the Blue Line project is the first electrified railroad and cross-sea light rail project in West Africa. (Xinhua/Han Xu)

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NIGERIA-LAGOS-CHINESE-BUILT LIGHT RAIL PROJECT (CN)

(240326) -- LAGOS, March 26, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Chinese driver Wang Aofei (rear) and a local driver co-drive a train of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue Line in Lagos, Nigeria, March 2, 2024. Undertaken by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) in July 2010 and completed in Dec. 2022, the first phase of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue Line corridor spans 13 km and covers five stations. It began commercial operation in Sept. of 2023. As a symbolic project of the Belt and Road Initiative, the Blue Line project is the first electrified railroad and cross-sea light rail project in West Africa. (Xinhua/Han Xu)

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NIGERIA-LAGOS-CHINESE-BUILT LIGHT RAIL PROJECT (CN)

(240326) -- LAGOS, March 26, 2024 (Xinhua) -- A train of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue Line prepares for departure at Mile 2 Station in Lagos, Nigeria, Feb. 29, 2024. Undertaken by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) in July 2010 and completed in Dec. 2022, the first phase of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue Line corridor spans 13 km and covers five stations. It began commercial operation in Sept. of 2023. As a symbolic project of the Belt and Road Initiative, the Blue Line project is the first electrified railroad and cross-sea light rail project in West Africa. (Xinhua/Han Xu)

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Chinese online literature attracts worldwide fans

STORY: Chinese online literature attracts worldwide fans SHOOTING TIME: Dec. 5-8, 2023 & File DATELINE: Feb. 14, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:43 LOCATION: SHANGHAI, China CATEGORY: CULTURE SHOTLIST: 1. various of online literature writers 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): XIE MOXI, Online literature writer 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): YUAN YE, Online literature writer STORYLINE: In recent years, online novels with distinctive Chinese features, characterized by imaginative story plots and a strong sense of immersion, have emerged as important ways for cross-cultural communication. According to a report released by the China Audio-video and Digital Publishing Association in late 2023, the total revenue of China's online novel industry reached 31.78 billion yuan (about 4.47 billion U.S. dollars) in 2022, up 18.94 percent year on year. Its overseas revenue accounted for 4.06 billion yuan (about 0.56 billion U.S. dollars) during that period, an increase of 39.87 percent year on year. The report said, Chinese online literary work

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Turkish parliament approves Sweden's NATO bid

STORY: Turkish parliament approves Sweden's NATO bid SHOOTING TIME: File DATELINE: Jan. 24, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:23 LOCATION: Ankara CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. photos of the Turkish parliament voting on the bill of Sweden's bid to become the 32nd member of NATO in the Grand National Assembly 2. various of Turkish parliament (shooting time: Dec. 22, 2023) 3. various of the headquarters of NATO (April 4, 2023) 4. File footage of the meeting of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in Türkiye (shooting time: Nov. 8, 2022) 5. various of a high council meeting of Türkiye-Sweden-Finland and NATO in Türkiye (shooting time: June 14, 2023) STORYLINE: Turkish lawmakers on Tuesday approved a long-delayed bill on Sweden's bid to become the 32nd member of NATO. The Turkish parliament voted on the bill after a debate in the Grand National Assembly. A total of 346 lawmakers participated in the voting, with 287 votes in favor, 55 against, and four abstentions. Turkish Pres

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Türkiye says Sweden fulfills "significant part" of responsibilities for NATO bid

STORY: Türkiye says Sweden fulfills "significant part" of responsibilities for NATO bid SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 10, 2024 DATELINE: Jan. 11, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:33 LOCATION: Ankara CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus (courtesy of ihlas news agency) 2. various of the meeting of Turkish parliament's foreign affairs committee (Dec. 26, 2023) 3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Turkish): NUMAN KURTULMUS, Turkish Parliament Speaker 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Turkish): NUMAN KURTULMUS, Turkish Parliament Speaker 5. various of the headquarter of NATO (April. 4, 2023) 6. various of Turkish F-16 fighter jets (April. 18, 2022) 7. various of an old high council meeting of Türkiye-Sweden-Finland and NATO in Türkiye (Jun. 14, 2023) STORYLINE: Sweden has fulfilled an important part of demands by Türkiye for the Nordic country's NATO bid, Turkish parliament speaker Numan Kurtulmus said Wednesday. SOUNDBITE 1 (Turkish): NUMAN KURTULMUS, Turkish Parliament Speaker "We see that Sweden also fulfills a significa

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U.S. employers add 216,000 jobs in December amid slowing job growth

STORY: U.S. employers add 216,000 jobs in December amid slowing job growth SHOOTING TIME: File DATELINE: Jan. 6, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:56 LOCATION: Washington D.C. CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the exterior of the U.S. Labor Department (Nov.4, 2023) 2. various of the Golden Gate Bridge (Nov. 11, 2023) 3. various of Washington D.C. (Dec. 18, 2023) STORYLINE: U.S. employers added 216,000 jobs in December amid slowing job growth, with the unemployment rate unchanged at 3.7 percent, the U.S. Labor Department reported Friday. The report noted that employment continued to trend up in government, health care, social assistance and construction, while transportation and warehousing lost jobs. The job growth in total nonfarm payroll employment for October was revised down by 45,000 to 105,000, and the change for November was revised down by 26,000 to 173,000. On a monthly average, payroll employment rose by 225,000 in 2023, much less than a gain of 399,000 in 2022, indicating a cooling job market amid h

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China-Vietnam trade heating up as RCEP boosts freight train trips

STORY: China-Vietnam trade heating up as RCEP boosts freight train trips SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 1, 2024 DATELINE: Jan. 3, 2024 LENGTH: 00:00:55 LOCATION: NANNING, China CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the China-Vietnam freight train service 2. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): HUANG HONGJUN, Business Manager, Guangxi Tiejie Logistics Co., Ltd. STORYLINE: The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) has been a catalyst for the booming cross-border trade between China and Vietnam. As of Dec. 31, 2023, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region has launched 382 China-Vietnam freight trains since the RCEP took effect in 2022. 205,400 tonnes of import and export goods were transported by China-Vietnam freight trains in the period, such as drinks, food, diesel engines and building materials. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): HUANG HONGJUN, Business Manager, Guangxi Tiejie Logistics Co., Ltd. "Our goods have been regularly delivered via China-Vietnam freight train service, with 2-3 trains every week on average. Thi

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Egyptian Navy receives German-made MEKO-A200 frigate

STORY: Egyptian Navy receives German-made MEKO-A200 frigate SHOOTING TIME: Dec. 31, 2023 DATELINE: Jan. 1, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:31 LOCATION: Cairo CATEGORY: MILITARY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Egypt's Alexandria 2. various of a frigate arriving in Alexandria STORYLINE: The Egyptian naval forces received on Sunday a new German-made MEKO-A200 frigate at a base in the coastal province of Alexandria, the Egyptian military said in a statement. Built by Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), the frigate delivery procedures were already completed in Bremerhaven, Germany, in mid-December before the warship headed to Egypt. Named "Al-Qadeer," the new frigate is the third MEKO-A200 warship to be delivered to Egypt out of four frigates contracted between Egypt and TKMS in 2018. The Egyptian Navy received the first frigate, "Al-Aziz," in October 2022 and the second, "Al-Qahhar," in May 2023. The Egyptian military spokesman, Gharib Abdel-Hafez, said in the statement that the "Al-Qadeer" frigate will incre

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CHINA-PLA NAVY-ESCORT MISSION-15 YEARS (CN)

(231228) -- BEIJING, Dec. 28, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Special-operation soldiers aboard the missile frigate Yueyang of the 40th escort mission fleet dispatched by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy are on vigilance during an escort mission on April 2, 2022. Since December 2008, China has been dispatching naval ships to carry out vessel protection operations in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia. Over the past 15 years, 45 consecutive fleets, 150 vessels and 35,000 personnel of the PLA Navy have joined the efforts, escorting more than 7,200 Chinese and foreign vessels, including 12 World Food Program ships. TO GO WITH "China Focus: Chinese navy's 15-year quest for peace in Gulf of Aden, waters off Somalia" (Photo by Tang Wen/Xinhua)

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Livestreaming e-commerce helps increase rural incomes in China's Xizang

STORY: Livestreaming e-commerce helps increase rural incomes in China's Xizang SHOOTING TIME: Oct. 31, 2023 DATELINE: Dec. 28, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:46 LOCATION: LHASA, China CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the county 2. various of the studio 3. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): BUMO, Live-streaming host STORYLINE: A livestreaming studio in Baqen County in China's Xizang has helped sell local products to other parts of China via e-commerce. The studio was established in March 2022 in the region with an average altitude of 4,500 meters, and has since helped boost incomes for farmers and herders. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): BUMO, Live-streaming host "I started to be engaged in the livestreams in August last year, and has since promoted specialties from Baqen County, such as cordyceps and dried yak meat. In one livestream, the sales revenue is at least 2,000 yuan (about 280 U.S. dollars), and sometimes could even reach 4,000 to 5,000 yuan." As of July this year, the studio had generated sales revenue exceeding 500,000

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TOP 10 WORLD ATHLETES OF 2023

(231227) -- BEIJING, Dec. 27, 2023 (Xinhua) -- As the sporting year draws to a close, here is Xinhua News Agency's selection of the world's top 10 athletes in 2023: 4. Kelvin Kiptum (Kenya, athletics) Kiptum became the first man to run a marathon in under 2:01 hours in October, as he took the Chicago Marathon title in 2:00:35, breaking the previous record of 2:01:09 set by his compatriot Eliud Kipchoge in Berlin in 2022. The rising Kenyan also won the London Marathon in April and was named World Athletes of the Year for 2023 by World Athletics. This file photo taken on April 23, 2023 shows Kenya's Kelvin Kiptum crossing the finish line to win the men's elite race at 2023 London Marathon in London, Britain. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

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My 2023 in China: a German owner of a "silent bakery"

STORY: My 2023 in China: a German owner of a "silent bakery" SHOOTING TIME: Dec. 19, 2023 DATELINE: Dec. 23, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:55 LOCATION: CHANGSHA, China CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Bach's Bakery in China's Changsha 2. various of bread 3. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): MARKUS HOFMULLER, Owner of Bach's Bakery 4. various of Bach's Bakery daily operation 5. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): MARKUS HOFMULLER, Owner of Bach's Bakery 6. various of Bach's Bakery daily operation 7. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): MARKUS HOFMULLER, Owner of Bach's Bakery 8. various of Bach's Bakery daily operation STORYLINE: Put your thumb up and slightly curl it down twice. In a bakery situated on a small lane in China's Changsha, this is how frequent patrons say "thank you" to shop assistants. Founded by a German couple, Bach's Bakery is a quiet shop, as most employees are hearing impaired. The couple returned to Germany in 2022 and entrusted the bakery to another German, Markus Hofmuller. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): MARKUS HOFMULLER, Owner

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Japan's core consumer prices rise 2.5 pct in November

STORY: Japan's core consumer prices rise 2.5 pct in November SHOOTING TIME: Dec. 23, 2023 DATELINE: Dec. 23, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:32 LOCATION: Tokyo CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of street views in Tokyo STORYLINE: Japan's core consumer prices rose 2.5 percent in November from a year earlier, the government said in a report on Friday. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the pace of the increase in the nationwide consumer price index (CPI), excluding fresh food prices because of their volatility, remained above the Bank of Japan's 2 percent inflation target for the 20th straight month. The figure, however, marked the slowest gain since July 2022 by slowing from a 2.9 percent jump in October. The core-core CPI, which strips away both energy and food prices, rose 3.8 percent, underscoring persistent inflationary pressures, the data showed. While food costs witnessed a 7.3 percent increase during the cited period, service prices rose 2.3 percent, marking the

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Over 50,000 illegal migrants reach Spain in 2023

STORY: Over 50,000 illegal migrants reach Spain in 2023 SHOOTING TIME: Recent footage DATELINE: Dec. 21, 2023 LENGTH: 0:02:13 LOCATION: Madrid CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the arrival of migrants with boats in Spain in recent weeks 2. various of the Minister of the Interior Fernando Grande-Marlaska 3. various of migrants arriving at the Canary Islands in recent weeks STORYLINE: Over 50,000 illegal migrants have reached Spain in 2023, according to data published by the Ministry of the Interior on Monday. The latest "Irregular Immigration" report covering the period from Jan. 1 to Dec. 15 shows that 52,945 illegal immigrants reached Spain in the period, up 76.2 percent from the same period in 2022. It is also the first time the 50,000 people barrier has been broken since 2018, when 57,498 people arrived illegally. The overwhelming majority of the illegal migration arrivals in 2023 was by sea. Among them, 72 percent reached the Canary Islands, up 140 percent from that in 2022, setting a new re

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Majority of Australians believe relationship with China improving: poll

STORY: Majority of Australians believe relationship with China improving: poll SHOOTING TIME: Dec. 19, 2023 DATELINE: Dec. 20, 2023 LENGTH: 0:01:10 LOCATION: Canberra CATEGORY: POLITICS/SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of briefing 2. various of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Canberra 3. various of Australian Parliament House STORYLINE: A majority of Australians believe the bilateral relationship with China is improving, a poll has found. The poll, which was published by the daily newspaper the Australian Financial Review (AFR) on Tuesday, asked Australians to rate 10 key government areas of focus on whether they are improving, worsening or unchanged over the last 12 months. It found that 54 percent of respondents believe Australia's relationship with China is improving while 45 percent said it was worsening or unchanged - a net positive rating of 9 percent, up from 2 percent in December 2022. Australia's relationship with China had the highest net rating of any area and was one of two are

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Italy returned 10 pct of failed asylum requests in 2022: EU data

STORY: Italy returned 10 pct of failed asylum requests in 2022: EU data SHOOTING TIME: Dec. 19, 2023 DATELINE: Dec. 20, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:53 LOCATION: Rome CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of screenshots of the Commission's Atlas of Migration 2. various of migrants in Rome STORYLINE: Italy repatriated almost 10 percent of asylum seekers last year, data released Monday by the European Commission showed. The latest edition of the Commission's Atlas of Migration showed that Italy repatriated 2,790 out of 28,185 migrants whose asylum requests were turned down. Meanwhile, the average repatriation rate in the European Union (EU) as a whole was 17 percent. EU data showed that the bloc received a total of 884,985 new asylum applications for international protection in 2022, up by nearly 65 percent from the previous year. More than half of all asylum requests in the bloc were rejected last year. The 2022 repatriation rate in Italy is slightly higher than the previous year (9 percent), but remains lower th

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Vibrant consumption fuels China's economic recovery

STORY: Vibrant consumption fuels China's economic recovery SHOOTING TIME: FILE DATELINE: Dec. 19, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:27 LOCATION: NANCHANG, China CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of China 2. various of JD logistics 3. various of scenic spots in China STORYLINE: The annual Central Economic Work Conference held earlier this month noted that China's economy has achieved a recovery and made solid progress in high-quality development in 2023. Consumption has become an increasingly important engine of China's economy, which contributed 83.2 percent to the GDP growth in the first three quarters of the year, compared with 77.2 percent in the first half of the year. Encouraging growth in the over two-week-long "Double 11" shopping extravaganza has testified the robust recovery of China's domestic consumer market. A total of 7.51 billion packages were sent during the period, representing a 30.9-percent growth compared with the same period in 2022. Robust consumption has also been reflected in other sectors

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Australian road deaths hit 5-year high

STORY: Australian road deaths hit 5-year high SHOOTING TIME: Dec. 18, 2023 DATELINE: Dec. 19, 2023 LENGTH: 0:00:57 LOCATION: Canberra CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of traffic 2. various of a wrecked car on the street 3. various of Fire and Rescue on the road STORYLINE: Australian road deaths hit a five-year high in 2023, the nation's peak automotive body has said. According to data released by the Australian Automobile Association (AAA) on Monday, there have been 1,253 deaths on Australian roads in 2023 - an increase of 6 percent from 2022. It marks the highest road toll in Australia in a 12-month span since 1,270 people were killed in the 12 months to the end of March 2018. Michael Bradley, managing director of the AAA, used the release of the statistics to call for federal, state and territory governments to improve data transparency on road deaths. "Month after month, road deaths keep rising, and we lack the information needed to identify the reasons for this deadly trend and to

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India's exports grow 1.23 pct in November

STORY: India's exports grow 1.23 pct in November SHOOTING TIME: Oct. 25, 2023 DATELINE: Dec. 17, 2023 LENGTH: 0:01:23 LOCATION: New Delhi CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of India Gate 2. various of market 3. various of electronic parts manufacturing unit 4. various of traffic STORYLINE: India's overall exports in November were estimated to be around 62.58 billion U.S. dollars, up 1.23 percent year on year, according to data released by the federal Ministry of Commerce and Industry on Friday. Electronic goods exports registered a growth of 23.56 percent at 17.74 billion dollars during April-November, as compared to 14.36 billion dollars in the same period last year. Meanwhile, the overall trade deficit during April-November improved by 38.79 percent from 100.38 billion dollars last year to 61.44 billion dollars during the same months this year. Merchandise trade deficit also improved from 189.21 billion dollars in April-November 2022 to 166.35 billion dollars in April-November 2023. Xinhua News A

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How have China's EVs managed to win hearts and minds of Europeans

STORY: How have China's EVs managed to win hearts and minds of Europeans SHOOTING TIME: Oct. 11/Oct. 29, 2023 DATELINE: DEC. 17, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:48 LOCATION: Stockholm/ CHANGCHUN, China CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of European cities 2. various of cars 3. various of NIO power swap station 4. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): JOHAN LIND, NIO ET7 owner in Sweden 5. SOUNDBITE 2 (German): HELMUT STETTNER, CEO, Audi FAW NEV Co., Ltd. 6. various of car making process STORYLINE: With high quality, innovative designs, and competitive prices, Chinese electric vehicle (EV) brands such as BYD, NIO, Xpeng, Hongqi and Lynk & Co are increasingly winning the hearts and minds of European consumers. Statistics from the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) show that Chinese brands account for almost 4 percent of European Union (EU) battery-electric car sales in 2022, up from 0.4 percent just three years ago. The EU imported over half a million Chinese-made cars in 2022, of which around 63 percent were

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Syrian businesses hail China's import expo as key to expanding in Chinese market

STORY: Syrian businesses hail China's import expo as key to expanding in Chinese market SHOOTING TIME: Dec. 12, 2023 DATELINE: Dec. 13, 2023 LENGTH: 0:04:05 LOCATION: Damascus CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of BioCham Farm and Factory 2. various of BioCham shop 3. SOUNDBITE 1 (ENGLISH): ROULA ALI ADEEB, Founder of BioCham Company 4. Roula browsing her photos at CIIE 5. SOUNDBITE 2 (ENGLISH): ROULA ALI ADEEB, Founder of BioCham Company 6. Hussam al-Asadi browsing the photos at CIIE 7. various of olives and oil pressing process (shooting time: November 2022) 8. various of Syrian olive oil company office 9. SOUNDBITE 3 (ARABIC): HUSSAM AL-ASADI, Head export manager of the Syrian Olive Oil Company 10. various of al-Asadi browsing the photos at CIIE 11. SOUNDBITE 4 (ARABIC): HUSSAM AL-ASADI, Head export manager of the Syrian Olive Oil Company STORYLINE: For Syrian businesses, searching for new markets amid the Western economic restrictions was a necessity to stay up and running. The Chinese m

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Australian surgery wait times hit record high: report

STORY: Australian surgery wait times hit record high: report SHOOTING TIME: Dec. 7, 2023 DATELINE: Dec. 8, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:29 LOCATION: Canberra CATEGORY: SOCIETY/HEALTH SHOTLIST: 1. various of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) 2. various of patients waiting at I-Med medicine 3. various of surgery STORYLINE: Wait times for elective surgery in Australia have surged to the highest level on record in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, new government data has shown. According to a report published by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) on Wednesday, elective surgery wait times in Australia hit the highest level on record in 2022-23 due to a backlog caused by disruptions to the health system during the pandemic. The report found that as of 2022-23, 9.6 percent of patients spend longer than one year waiting to be admitted for elective surgery, up from 2.1 percent in 2018-19. Elective surgery refers to procedures that are considered medically necessary but do not involv

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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 (

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EU defense spending hits historic high in 2022

STORY: EU defense spending hits historic high in 2022 SHOOTING TIME: Nov. 30, 2023 DATELINE: Dec. 1, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:33 LOCATION: Brussels CATEGORY: MILITARY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the European Commission Berlaymont building 2. various of EDA Annual Conference 2023 STORYLINE: European Union (EU) member states have collectively allocated a record-breaking 240 billion euros (262.4 billion U.S. dollars) for defense expenditure in 2022, as disclosed in the latest European Defense Agency (EDA) report released on Thursday. The figure was up by 6 percent from a year ago, marking a remarkable eight-year consecutive growth trend, according to the EDA Defense Data 2022 report. Among the 27 EU member states, 20 increased their defense spending. Six countries witnessed growth rates exceeding 10 percent. Established in 2004, the EDA serves as the central hub for European defense cooperation. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Brussels. (XHTV)

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Australian inflation falls to 4.9 pct

STORY: Australian inflation falls to 4.9 pct SHOOTING TIME: Nov. 30, 2023 DATELINE: Dec. 1, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:04 LOCATION: Canberra CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of supermarkets in Canberra 2. various of Canberra-related footage STORYLINE: Australia's rate of inflation has fallen to its equal-lowest level in over 18 months, official data has shown. According to figures published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on Wednesday, the consumer price index (CPI) rose by 4.9 percent in the 12 months to October, down from the 5.6 percent increase in the year to September. It marked the equal-lowest rise for the CPI since January 2022 when inflation was at 4 percent. The state media Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported that economists had generally forecast the figure would come in at 5.2 percent. The ABS identified a 6.1 percent rise in the cost of housing between October 2022 and October 2023 as the biggest driver of inflation, followed by a 5.9 percent rise in t

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Football World Cup in Qatar

DOHA, Qatar, Sept. 6 Kyodo - Shogo Taniguchi of Japan celebrates after Japan's 2-1 win over Spain in a World Cup Group E football match at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, in the early hours of Dec. 2, 2022. (Kyodo)

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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

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(MASTER OF CRAFTS)CHINA-YUNNAN-JIANCHUAN-WOODCARVING-INHERITOR (CN)

(230317) -- JIANCHUAN, March 17, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Duan Sixing draws woodcarving patterns at his studio in Jianchuan County, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture of southwest China's Yunnan Province, Dec. 2, 2022. Jianchuan County, located in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture of southwest China's Yunnan Province, has a long history in woodcarving dating back to the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties. The carving skills gradually developed from one-layer relief to even seven-layer hollowing relief, and are now applied to making architecture parts, wooden furniture, wall paintings and tourism souvenirs. A high-standard "Four Screens", a representative displaying form of the craft, requires high-level carving skills and costs several months to create. In 2011, Jianchuan woodcarving was listed as one of China's national-level intangible cultural heritages. Duan Sixing, born in a woodcarving family in Jianchuan County, was deeply edified since childhood by his father and grandfather who were all excellent carpente

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(MASTER OF CRAFTS)CHINA-YUNNAN-JIANCHUAN-WOODCARVING-INHERITOR (CN)

(230317) -- JIANCHUAN, March 17, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Duan Sixing checks on woodcarving patterns at his studio in Jianchuan County, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture of southwest China's Yunnan Province, Dec. 2, 2022. Jianchuan County, located in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture of southwest China's Yunnan Province, has a long history in woodcarving dating back to the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties. The carving skills gradually developed from one-layer relief to even seven-layer hollowing relief, and are now applied to making architecture parts, wooden furniture, wall paintings and tourism souvenirs. A high-standard "Four Screens", a representative displaying form of the craft, requires high-level carving skills and costs several months to create. In 2011, Jianchuan woodcarving was listed as one of China's national-level intangible cultural heritages. Duan Sixing, born in a woodcarving family in Jianchuan County, was deeply edified since childhood by his father and grandfather who were all excellent carp

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(MASTER OF CRAFTS)CHINA-YUNNAN-JIANCHUAN-WOODCARVING-INHERITOR (CN)

(230317) -- JIANCHUAN, March 17, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Duan Sixing waxes on his woodcarving work in Jianchuan County, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture of southwest China's Yunnan Province, Dec. 2, 2022. Jianchuan County, located in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture of southwest China's Yunnan Province, has a long history in woodcarving dating back to the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties. The carving skills gradually developed from one-layer relief to even seven-layer hollowing relief, and are now applied to making architecture parts, wooden furniture, wall paintings and tourism souvenirs. A high-standard "Four Screens", a representative displaying form of the craft, requires high-level carving skills and costs several months to create. In 2011, Jianchuan woodcarving was listed as one of China's national-level intangible cultural heritages. Duan Sixing, born in a woodcarving family in Jianchuan County, was deeply edified since childhood by his father and grandfather who were all excellent carpenters. After g

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Petronas FY22 profit surges to record high on higher oil prices

STORY: Petronas FY22 profit surges to record high on higher oil prices DATELINE: March 15, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:00 LOCATION: Kuala Lumpur CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of KLCC Twin Towers, also known as Petronas Twin Towers 2. various of Petronas logo at its office tower 3. various of crowds filling up petrol at Petronas oil station STORYLINE: Malaysia's state-owned oil and gas firm Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) has said that it posted a record high profit after tax in the financial year ending on Dec. 31, 2022 (FY22), underpinned by higher oil prices. Petronas said that the group's profit after tax for FY22 almost doubled to 101.6 billion ringgit (about 22.35 billion U.S. dollars) from 50.9 billion ringgit a year ago. The group's revenue for the year also surged 51.33 percent to 375.3 billion ringgit (about 83.94 billion U.S. dollars) from 248 billion ringgit a year ago, mainly due to the favorable price impact for major products aligned with higher benchmark prices. The group's capital inve

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MIDEAST-NABLUS-SAFFRON-CULTIVATION

(230202) -- NABLUS, Feb. 2, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian farmer Jaber Bani Taha collects saffron flowers at a farm in the West Bank city of Nablus, on Dec. 2, 2022. Jaber Bani Taha, a Nablus-based Palestinian, has succeeded in leaving a mark in saffron cultivation as he was the first-ever farmer who planted saffron in the West Bank. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua) TO GO WITH Feature: Palestinian farmer, pioneer in cultivating saffron in West Bank

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MIDEAST-NABLUS-SAFFRON-CULTIVATION

(230202) -- NABLUS, Feb. 2, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian farmer Jaber Bani Taha collects saffron flowers at a farm in the West Bank city of Nablus, on Dec. 2, 2022. Jaber Bani Taha, a Nablus-based Palestinian, has succeeded in leaving a mark in saffron cultivation as he was the first-ever farmer who planted saffron in the West Bank. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua) TO GO WITH Feature: Palestinian farmer, pioneer in cultivating saffron in West Bank

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MIDEAST-NABLUS-SAFFRON-CULTIVATION

(230202) -- NABLUS, Feb. 2, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian farmer Jaber Bani Taha collects saffron flowers at a farm in the West Bank city of Nablus, on Dec. 2, 2022. Jaber Bani Taha, a Nablus-based Palestinian, has succeeded in leaving a mark in saffron cultivation as he was the first-ever farmer who planted saffron in the West Bank. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua) TO GO WITH Feature: Palestinian farmer, pioneer in cultivating saffron in West Bank

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MIDEAST-NABLUS-SAFFRON-CULTIVATION

(230202) -- NABLUS, Feb. 2, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian farmer Jaber Bani Taha collects saffron flowers at a farm in the West Bank city of Nablus, on Dec. 2, 2022. Jaber Bani Taha, a Nablus-based Palestinian, has succeeded in leaving a mark in saffron cultivation as he was the first-ever farmer who planted saffron in the West Bank. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua) TO GO WITH Feature: Palestinian farmer, pioneer in cultivating saffron in West Bank

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MIDEAST-NABLUS-SAFFRON-CULTIVATION

(230202) -- NABLUS, Feb. 2, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian farmer Jaber Bani Taha displays saffron bulbs at his house in the West Bank city of Nablus, on Dec. 2, 2022. Jaber Bani Taha, a Nablus-based Palestinian, has succeeded in leaving a mark in saffron cultivation as he was the first-ever farmer who planted saffron in the West Bank. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua) TO GO WITH Feature: Palestinian farmer, pioneer in cultivating saffron in West Bank

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MIDEAST-NABLUS-SAFFRON-CULTIVATION

(230202) -- NABLUS, Feb. 2, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian farmer Jaber Bani Taha collects saffron bulbs from saffron flowers at his house in the West Bank city of Nablus, on Dec. 2, 2022. Jaber Bani Taha, a Nablus-based Palestinian, has succeeded in leaving a mark in saffron cultivation as he was the first-ever farmer who planted saffron in the West Bank. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua) TO GO WITH Feature: Palestinian farmer, pioneer in cultivating saffron in West Bank

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CHINA-GUANGDONG-SHENZHEN-WORLD WETLANDS DAY (CN)

(230202) -- SHENZHEN, Feb. 2, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Birds are observed at a mangrove wetland in Futian, Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Dec. 7, 2022. By 2035, Shenzhen will strive to achieve a 50 percent wetland protection rate, maintain a stable wetland area, effectively improve the ecological status of coastal wetlands, optimize the quality of wetland ecological space in built-up areas, and build itself into an international wetland city. People in this city of scientific and technological innovation are deeply in awe of nature, cherishing and carefully protecting its mangrove wetlands and maintaining international migration routes for migratory birds. (Xinhua/Liang Xu)

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CHINA-HAINAN-HAIKOU-WATERFOWL-WORLD WETLANDS DAY (CN)

(230202) -- HAIKOU, Feb. 2, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A flock of black-faced spoonbills are observed at Danzhou Bay Wetland in Danzhou, south China's Hainan Province, Dec. 13, 2022. February 2 marks World Wetlands Day. A total of 32,036 water birds of 71 species were observed during a latest annual survey of water birds wintering in Hainan. Among them, 201 black-faced spoonbills were recorded, the highest number since the survey of wintering water birds began in 2003. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

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CHINA-HAINAN-HAIKOU-WATERFOWL-WORLD WETLANDS DAY (CN)

(230202) -- HAIKOU, Feb. 2, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A spoon-billed sandpiper forages at Danzhou Bay Wetland in Danzhou, south China's Hainan Province, Dec. 11, 2022. February 2 marks World Wetlands Day. A total of 32,036 water birds of 71 species were observed during a latest annual survey of water birds wintering in Hainan. Among them, 201 black-faced spoonbills were recorded, the highest number since the survey of wintering water birds began in 2003. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

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CHINA-HAINAN-HAIKOU-WATERFOWL-WORLD WETLANDS DAY (CN)

(230202) -- HAIKOU, Feb. 2, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A spoon-billed sandpiper forages at Danzhou Bay Wetland in Danzhou, south China's Hainan Province, Dec. 11, 2022. February 2 marks World Wetlands Day. A total of 32,036 water birds of 71 species were observed during a latest annual survey of water birds wintering in Hainan. Among them, 201 black-faced spoonbills were recorded, the highest number since the survey of wintering water birds began in 2003. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

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Inter-agency mission to Afghanistan reports positive signs concerning women's rights

STORY: Inter-agency mission to Afghanistan reports positive signs concerning women's rights DATELINE: Jan. 31, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:04 LOCATION: UNITED NATIONS CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. wide of press briefing room 2. wide of UN officials taking seats 3. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): MARTIN GRIFFITHS, UN Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs 4. various of journalists 5. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): MARTIN GRIFFITHS, UN Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs STORYLINE: A mission of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee to Afghanistan has reported positive signs concerning women's rights in the country. The mission was sent to Afghanistan last week to look into the effects of the ban on women being employed in national and local and international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and humanitarian work that was promulgated by the Taliban on Dec. 24, 2022. Days after the Dec. 24 edict, the Afghanistan minister of public health said this edict would not apply in the health sector. That was follow

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Fly with China's large jetliner C919

STORY: Fly with China's large jetliner C919 DATELINE: Jan. 18, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:01 LOCATION: SHANGHAI, China CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. STANDUP 1 (English): JIA YUANKUN, Xinhua correspondent 2. various of the world's first C919 jet 3. various of the briefing on the C919's validation flight 4. STANDUP 2 (English): JIA YUANKUN, Xinhua correspondent 5. various of the validation flight 6. STANDUP 3 (English): JIA YUANKUN, Xinhua correspondent STORYLINE: STANDUP 1 (English): JIA YUANKUN, Xinhua correspondent "Here is Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport. Today I have a special journey from Shanghai to Beijing by COMAC C919. That is it, the world's first C919, China's first homegrown large passenger aircraft which is delivered from COMAC to China Eastern Airlines." The world's first C919 was delivered to China Eastern Airlines on Dec. 9, 2022, and began its validation flight on Dec. 26, with a planned total flight time of 100 hours. During each flight validation, the C919 takes off from Shanghai Hongqi

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Egypt's annual inflation up to 21.9 pct in Dec. 2022

STORY: Egypt's annual inflation up to 21.9 pct in Dec. 2022 DATELINE: Jan. 11, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:39 LOCATION: Cairo CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) 2. various of the Nile River in Cairo 3. various of a supermarket 4. various of markets STORYLINE: Egypt's annual headline inflation rose to 21.9 percent in December 2022, up from 6.5 percent in December 2021, the country's official statistics agency reported on Tuesday. The Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics (CAPMAS) said in a statement that the monthly inflation rose by 2.1 percent, hitting 19.2 percent in November 2022. "The increase in prices of basic commodities was behind the rise in the monthly inflation rate," added the agency. It said the prices of food rose by 4 percent annually in the last month of 2022, with outstanding increases in sub-categories such as fruits, dairy products and grains. The Egyptian pound on Tuesday recorded 27.6 against the U.S.

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(SP)QATAR-DOHA-2022 WORLD CUP-GROUP G-SRB VS SUI

(221202) -- DOHA, Dec. 2, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Players of Serbia react after the Group G match between Serbia and Switzerland at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Stadium 974 in Doha, Qatar, Dec. 2, 2022. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)

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Over 1 mln vehicles travel on Chinese-invested expressway in Cambodia in 3 months

STORY: Over 1 mln vehicles travel on Chinese-invested expressway in Cambodia in 3 months DATELINE: Jan. 3, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:16 LOCATION: Phnom Penh CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway 2. SOUNDBITE (Khmer): SARETH SREYPICH, Supervisor at the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway's toll stations STORYLINE: More than 1 million vehicles had traveled on Cambodia's first-ever expressway in the first three months since its inauguration in October last year, according to data released by the freeway operator on Monday. "From Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, 2022, the total traffic volume on the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway was 1,112,590," the Cambodian PPSHV Expressway company's data showed. Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said recently that using the expressway saved both money and time. "I'd like to call on the owners of trucking companies to use the expressway," he said in a speech during a road inauguration in Preah Sihanouk province. "Using the

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CHINA-HENAN-HOLIDAY-TOURISM (CN)

(230102) -- ZHENGZHOU, Jan. 2, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Tourists take part in a New Year celebration event at a town themed on the culture of the Yin Ruins, remnants of the capital of the late Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BC), in Anyang, central China's Henan Province, Dec. 31, 2022. (Photo by Ma Xiaoran/Xinhua)