Largest number of Bon Odori participants at Osaka expo

OSAKA, Japan, July 27 Kyodo - A total of 3,946 people of 62 nationalities perform a Bon Odori dance at the World Exposition in Osaka on July 26, 2025, recognized by Guinness World Records as the most people of different nationalities to participate in the Japanese midsummer folk dance. (Kyodo)

Largest number of Bon Odori participants at Osaka expo

Largest number of Bon Odori participants at Osaka expo

A total of 3,946 people of 62 nationalities perform a Bon Odori dance at the World Exposition in Osaka on July 26, 2025, recognized by Guinness World Records as the most people of different nationalities to participate in the Japanese midsummer folk dance.

Largest number of Bon Odori participants at Osaka expo

Largest number of Bon Odori participants at Osaka expo

A total of 3,946 people of 62 nationalities perform a Bon Odori dance at the World Exposition in Osaka on July 26, 2025, recognized by Guinness World Records as the most people of different nationalities to participate in the Japanese midsummer folk dance.

Largest number of Bon Odori participants at Osaka expo

Largest number of Bon Odori participants at Osaka expo

A total of 3,946 people of 62 nationalities perform a Bon Odori dance at the World Exposition in Osaka on July 26, 2025, recognized by Guinness World Records as the most people of different nationalities to participate in the Japanese midsummer folk dance.

Largest number of Bon Odori participants at Osaka expo

Largest number of Bon Odori participants at Osaka expo

A total of 3,946 people of 62 nationalities perform a Bon Odori dance at the World Exposition in Osaka on July 26, 2025, recognized by Guinness World Records as the most people of different nationalities to participate in the Japanese midsummer folk dance.

Largest number of Bon Odori participants at Osaka expo

Largest number of Bon Odori participants at Osaka expo

A total of 3,946 people of 62 nationalities perform a Bon Odori dance at the World Exposition in Osaka on July 26, 2025, recognized by Guinness World Records as the most people of different nationalities to participate in the Japanese midsummer folk dance.

Largest number of Bon Odori participants at Osaka expo

Largest number of Bon Odori participants at Osaka expo

A total of 3,946 people of 62 nationalities perform a Bon Odori dance at the World Exposition in Osaka on July 26, 2025, recognized by Guinness World Records as the most people of different nationalities to participate in the Japanese midsummer folk dance.

Largest number of Bon Odori participants at Osaka expo

Largest number of Bon Odori participants at Osaka expo

A total of 3,946 people of 62 nationalities perform a Bon Odori dance at the World Exposition in Osaka on July 26, 2025, recognized by Guinness World Records as the most people of different nationalities to participate in the Japanese midsummer folk dance.

Weddings In Cappadocia - Turkey

Weddings In Cappadocia - Turkey

A wedding ceremony is held in Cappadocia, Türkiye, on August 20, 2024. "We organized wedding events for 88 different nationalities. That's something else!" Murat Ozguc, owner of Türkiye Weddings in Cappadocia, a tourism hub in central Türkiye, told Xinhua. Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

Weddings In Cappadocia - Turkey

Weddings In Cappadocia - Turkey

A couple poses for a photo during a destination wedding in Cappadocia, Türkiye, on August 20, 2024. "We organized wedding events for 88 different nationalities. That's something else!" Murat Ozguc, owner of Türkiye Weddings in Cappadocia, a tourism hub in central Türkiye, told Xinhua. Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

Weddings In Cappadocia - Turkey

Weddings In Cappadocia - Turkey

People attend a wedding ceremony in Cappadocia, Türkiye, on August 20, 2024. "We organized wedding events for 88 different nationalities. That's something else!" Murat Ozguc, owner of Türkiye Weddings in Cappadocia, a tourism hub in central Türkiye, told Xinhua. Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

Weddings In Cappadocia - Turkey

Weddings In Cappadocia - Turkey

A couple poses for a photo during a destination wedding in Cappadocia, Türkiye, on August 20, 2024. "We organized wedding events for 88 different nationalities. That's something else!" Murat Ozguc, owner of Türkiye Weddings in Cappadocia, a tourism hub in central Türkiye, told Xinhua. Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

Weddings In Cappadocia - Turkey

Weddings In Cappadocia - Turkey

A couple poses for a photo during a destination wedding in Cappadocia, Türkiye, on August 20, 2024. "We organized wedding events for 88 different nationalities. That's something else!" Murat Ozguc, owner of Türkiye Weddings in Cappadocia, a tourism hub in central Türkiye, told Xinhua. Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

Weddings In Cappadocia - Turkey

Weddings In Cappadocia - Turkey

A couple poses for a photo during a destination wedding in Cappadocia, Türkiye, on August 20, 2024. "We organized wedding events for 88 different nationalities. That's something else!" Murat Ozguc, owner of Türkiye Weddings in Cappadocia, a tourism hub in central Türkiye, told Xinhua. Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

Weddings In Cappadocia - Turkey

Weddings In Cappadocia - Turkey

A couple is seen at a wedding ceremony in Cappadocia, Türkiye, on August 20, 2024. "We organized wedding events for 88 different nationalities. That's something else!" Murat Ozguc, owner of Türkiye Weddings in Cappadocia, a tourism hub in central Türkiye, told Xinhua. Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

Weddings In Cappadocia - Turkey

Weddings In Cappadocia - Turkey

A couple is seen at a wedding ceremony in Cappadocia, Türkiye, on August 20, 2024. "We organized wedding events for 88 different nationalities. That's something else!" Murat Ozguc, owner of Türkiye Weddings in Cappadocia, a tourism hub in central Türkiye, told Xinhua. Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

At least 2 sailors killed in Yemen's Houthi missile attack on cargo vessel

STORY: At least 2 sailors killed in Yemen's Houthi missile attack on cargo vessel SHOOTING TIME: March 6, 2024 DATELINE: March 7, 2024 LENGTH: 00:00:35 LOCATION: Sanaa CATEGORY: MILITARY/POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea STORYLINE: At least two sailors were killed, three others wounded, and three more missing on Wednesday in a Houthi missile strike on a commercial ship claimed to be U.S.-owned while it was crossing the Gulf of Aden. Sources at the Yemen Coast Guard in the southern port city of Aden, the temporary capital of the internationally recognized Yemeni government, told Xinhua that the "U.S.-owned" cargo vessel True Confidence was hit by several anti-ship ballistic missiles 50 nautical miles southwest of Aden port. The crew consisted of 20 sailors of different nationalities, including Sri Lanka, Vietnam, India and Nepal, said the Yemeni sources on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak to media. The sources said most of the crew ha

LIBYA-BASHER AREA-STRANDED AFRICAN MIGRANTS

LIBYA-BASHER AREA-STRANDED AFRICAN MIGRANTS

(230731) -- BASHER AREA, July 31, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Staff members of the desert patrols of the Libyan Illegal Immigration Control Department and some stranded African migrants are seen in Basher area at the Libya-Tunisia border, Libya, on July 30, 2023. More than 100 illegal African migrants remain stranded at the Libya-Tunisia border after being expelled by the Tunisian authorities in the past few weeks. According to Human Rights Watch, these migrants from different African nationalities are faced with a lack of food, drinking water and shelter at the border and are in need of help. (Photo by Hamza Turkia/Xinhua)

LIBYA-BASHER AREA-STRANDED AFRICAN MIGRANTS

LIBYA-BASHER AREA-STRANDED AFRICAN MIGRANTS

(230731) -- BASHER AREA, July 31, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Some stranded African migrants are seen in Basher area at the Libya-Tunisia border, Libya, on July 30, 2023. More than 100 illegal African migrants remain stranded at the Libya-Tunisia border after being expelled by the Tunisian authorities in the past few weeks. According to Human Rights Watch, these migrants from different African nationalities are faced with a lack of food, drinking water and shelter at the border and are in need of help. (Photo by Hamza Turkia/Xinhua)

Over 100 illegal migrants stranded at Libya-Tunisia border

STORY: Over 100 illegal migrants stranded at Libya-Tunisia border DATELINE: July 28, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:28 LOCATION: Tripoli CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of the illegal African migrants STORYLINE: More than 100 illegal African migrants remain stranded at the Libya-Tunisia border after being expelled by the Tunisian authorities in the past few weeks. According to Human Rights Watch, these migrants from different African nationalities are faced with a lack of food, drinking water and shelter at the border and are in need of help. Tunisian security forces have "collectively" expelled several hundred Black African migrants and asylum-seekers, including children and pregnant women, since July 2 to a remote, militarized buffer zone at the Tunisia-Libya border. The Libyan Red Crescent said it provided the migrants with humanitarian assistance, confirming that it is intensifying efforts with United Nations agencies, humanitarian and government organizations to ease the suffering of the migrants at th

Dragon boat festival boosts exchanges between Australian, Chinese cities

STORY: Dragon boat festival boosts exchanges between Australian, Chinese cities DATELINE: June 5, 2023 LENGTH: 0:01:01 LOCATION: DARWIN, Australia CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the Darwin International Dragon Boat Festival 2. SOUNDBITE (English): KON VATSKALIS, Lord mayor of Darwin STORYLINE: The first Darwin International Dragon Boat Festival opened in the Australian city of Darwin on Sunday, promoting sports and cultural exchanges between Australian and Chinese cities. The two-day festival includes a dragon boat race on Sunday and the Darwin International Trade Show on Monday. SOUNDBITE (English): KON VATSKALIS, Lord mayor of Darwin "This event will bring people from different nationalities and different countries together. My idea with our sister city is how can we work together? How can we find what unite us, not what divide us? And culture and getting together unite us." Three teams from Australia and two teams from China's Guangzhou and Qingdao, respectively, participated in the 200m r

More than 10,000 people enter Egypt in 5 days as violence in Sudan continues

STORY: More than 10,000 people enter Egypt in 5 days as violence in Sudan continues DATELINE: April 27, 2023 LENGTH: 0:00:47 LOCATION: ASWAN, Egypt CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of people fleeing from Sudan arriving at a bus station in Aswan, Egypt STORYLINE: More than 10,000 people of different nationalities have fled conflict-stricken Sudan and reached neighboring Egypt via the land border crossings of Qastal and Arqeen in five days, Egypt's General Authority for Land and Dry Ports (GALDP) announced in a statement on Wednesday. "Between April 21 and 25, 1,297 people came (to Egypt) through Qastal and 8,897 others crossed (into Egypt) through Arqeen," the statement said. The GALDP has been coordinating with all relevant organizations to ensure that Egyptians and eligible foreigners who fled Sudan have access to all facilities, it added. Deadly clashes broke out between the Sudanese army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces on April 15 in the capital city of Khartoum and other Sudanese region

61 illegal migrants rescued off Libyan coast

STORY: 61 illegal migrants rescued off Libyan coast DATELINE: April 26, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:19 LOCATION: Tripoli CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the sea 2. various of the migrants STORYLINE: The Libyan Coast Guard on Tuesday rescued 61 illegal migrants and recovered 11 bodies off the coast of Garrabulli, some 55 km east of the capital Tripoli. "We recovered 11 bodies, including a child. The total number of illegal migrants rescued today is 61 of different African, Asian and Arab nationalities," Esa al-Zarrug, a Coast Guard officer, told Xinhua. Because of the insecurity and chaos in the country since the fall of late leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime in 2011, many migrants, mostly Africans, choose to cross the Mediterranean Sea to European shores from Libya. A total of 4,335 illegal migrants have been rescued or intercepted by the Libyan authorities so far this year. Meanwhile, 310 illegal migrants have died and 227 others have gone missing on the central Mediterranean route off the Libyan coast,

Clinton urges Japanese students to work for peace

Clinton urges Japanese students to work for peace

MITO, Japan - Former U.S. President Bill Clinton (R) is presented with flowers after speaking to 1,700 Japanese high school students in the city of Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture on international affairs and Japan-U.S. relations Nov. 19. Clinton urged the students to interact with people of different nationalities and religions to create a better world.

Half marathon held in Libya's Tripoli

STORY: Half marathon held in Libya's Tripoli DATELINE: Nov. 27, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:09 LOCATION: Tripoli CATEGORY: SPORTS SHOTLIST: 1. various of the marathon race 2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic): ISMAEL MOHAMED, Participant 3. various of the participants STORYLINE: The Libyan capital of Tripoli on Saturday held the fifth annual marathon under the slogan "competing for peace" with more than 1,500 participants. The marathon was 21 km, approximately half the distance of a standard race, and took about three hours to finish. Participants from Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Nigeria, Türkiye, the Philippines and Japan took part in the marathon, along with 70 observers and judges, said Abdul-Hamed Shbet, head of the Organizing Committee. SOUNDBITE (Arabic): ISMAEL MOHAMED, Participant "I would like to thank the organizers and everyone who participated in. It was a great marathon and people from different nationalities participated. There was a great competition and it went very well. I hope that the future is even be

UNHCR holds public event in Amman to mark World Refugee Day

STORY: UNHCR holds public event in Amman to mark World Refugee Day DATELINE: June 22, 2022 LENGTH: 00:03:11 LOCATION: Amman CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the event 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): SADDAM OMAR, Refugee from Yemen 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): MOHAMMAD SOODA, Refugee from Syria 4. various of the event STORYLINE: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) held a public event in Amman on World Refugee Day, which falls on June 20 each year. Dominik Bartsch, the UNHCR's representative in Jordan, said that World Refugee Day is not only an occasion to remember the hardship and pain that refugees have gone through, but also the strength, courage and determination that they have shown. At the event, refugees from different nationalities shared their stories and different aspects of their cultures, including music, dance, art, and food. Yemeni refugee Saddam Omar said such activities could help refugees to be part of the local community. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): SADDAM OMAR, Refugee fr

Libyan security arrests 300 illegal migrants

STORY: Libyan security arrests 300 illegal migrants DATELINE: May 14, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:30 LOCATION: Tripoli CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of illegal migrants 2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic): ASHRAF BEN-ISA, Commander of the Security Directorates of the Western Region STORYLINE: The Libyan security arrested 300 illegal migrants in the western cities of Zuwara and Surman, a security official said Friday. SOUNDBITE (Arabic): ASHRAF BEN-ISA, Commander of the Security Directorates of the Western Region "A total of 300 illegal migrants of different nationalities were arrested, 110 of whom were arrested at the beach as they were boarding boats to cross the sea, while the rest were arrested in different locations in the cities." Libya has been suffering insecurity and chaos since the fall of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, making the North African country a preferred point of departure for illegal migrants who want to cross the Mediterranean Sea to European shores. In 2021, a total of 32,425 ille

Kuwait celebrates Eid al-Fitr

STORY: Kuwait celebrates Eid al-Fitr DATELINE: May 3, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:57 LOCATION: Kuwait City CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Kuwaitis celebrating Eid Al-Fitr STORYLINE: Kuwait officially celebrated on Monday the Eid al-Fitr festival across the country. Eid al-Fitr is one of the two major holidays in the Islamic calendar and marks the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Usually, local people start Eid day by performing communal morning prayers in mosques, then they gather with family members, friends, and relatives to celebrate Eid al-Fitr. As a tradition, during the celebration, people exchange gifts and eat delicious meals to celebrate the end of Ramadan and congratulate themselves for fasting the holy month. The manifestations of Eid al-Fitr celebrations in Kuwait differ from one region to another due to the different customs, traditions and cultures, as Kuwait embraces many Arab and foreign nationalities. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Kuwait Cit

Clinton urges Japanese students to work for peace

Clinton urges Japanese students to work for peace

MITO, Japan - Former U.S. President Bill Clinton (R) is presented with flowers after speaking to 1,700 Japanese high school students in the city of Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture on international affairs and Japan-U.S. relations Nov. 19. Clinton urged the students to interact with people of different nationalities and religions to create a better world. (Kyodo)