Taiwan: Typhoon Danas Topples Archway of Tainan’s Nankunshen Daitian Temple

Typhoon Danas made landfall near Budai Township, Chiayi County around 11:40 p.m. on Sunday, July 6, bringing gusty winds and heavy rainfall. Typhoon Danas weakened to a tropical storm after its eye departed Taiwan early Monday. The storm toppled Tainan's iconic archway of Nankunshen Daitian Temple, causing widespread flooding across the neighborhood.

Construction of Airbus final assembly line in China's Tianjin makes breakthrough

STORY: Construction of Airbus final assembly line in China's Tianjin makes breakthrough SHOOTING TIME: March 31, 2024 DATELINE: April 1, 2024 LENGTH: 00:00:49 LOCATION: TIANJIN, China CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the construction site STORYLINE: The foundation construction of the largest single building of the second Airbus Tianjin A320 Family Final Assembly Line Project was completed on Sunday in north China's Tianjin Municipality. In September 2023, Airbus kicked off construction on its second final assembly line in Tianjin. The project, which aims to manufacture both A320 and A321neo aircraft, is expected to enter into service by the end of 2026. Airbus' first final assembly line outside the borders of its four founding European countries was opened in Tianjin in 2008. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Tianjin, China. (XHTV)

N China's Tianjin Port records successful unloading of 700 Airbus aircraft's large parts

STORY: N China's Tianjin Port records successful unloading of 700 Airbus aircraft's large parts SHOOTING TIME: March 6, 2024 DATELINE: March 7, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:03 LOCATION: TIANJIN, China CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of unloading of Airbus aircraft large parts at the Tianjin Port STORYLINE: Ten large parts of Airbus aircraft, including the nose, fuselage, and horizontal tail, carried by the "COSCO Shipping Libra" container ship, were safely unloaded at the Pacific International Container Terminal at north China's Tianjin Port on Wednesday. The latest delivery marks a milestone with 700 Airbus aircraft's large parts unloaded with zero defect. Airbus' first final assembly line outside Europe was put into operation in Tianjin in 2008. In September 2023, Airbus broke ground on its second final assembly line in Tianjin to manufacture both A320 and A321neo aircraft, the newest single-aisle aircraft of Airbus, to meet surging demands. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Tianjin, Chin

Direct flights between Taiwan, Fuzhou resume

STORY: Direct flights between Taiwan, Fuzhou resume DATELINE: May 23, 2023 LENGTH: 0:00:50 LOCATION: FUZHOU, China CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the airport 2. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): LAI SE CHEN, Director General of Taiwan Tourism Exchange Association STORYLINE: Direct flights between Taiwan and Fuzhou resumed on Monday with Xiamen Airlines providing the first direct flight between Fuzhou, capital of southeast China's Fujian Province, and Taipei. The route was suspended in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since direct air routes across the Taiwan Strait started in 2008, a total of 31,000 flights have been operated between Taiwan and Fuzhou, with more than 3.41 million passenger trips made. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): LAI SE CHEN, Director General of Taiwan Tourism Exchange Association "Fuzhou is a place that many people from Taiwan like traveling to. I hope the flight resumption by Xiamen Airlines would be good news for the tourism industry and for people on both sides (of the Taiwan Strai

Greek experts call for vigilance after banking turmoil in U.S., Switzerland

STORY: Greek experts call for vigilance after banking turmoil in U.S., Switzerland DATELINE: March 31, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:18 LOCATION: Athens CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the Bank of Greece 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Greek): VALIA ARANITOU, Associate professor, Athens and Kapodistrian University 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Greek): PANAGIOTIS PETRAKIS, Emeritus professor, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens 4. various of views in Athens STORYLINE: Greek experts have called for vigilance and rapid action in the wake of the banking turmoil triggered by the collapse of three U.S. banks and the crisis at Swiss banking giant Credit Suisse this spring. Greek experts have said that despite there being no imminent threats to the Greek or European banking system and economy and that a repeat of the 2008 financial crisis is unlikely, vigilance is required after such banking turmoil. SOUNDBITE 1 (Greek): VALIA ARANITOU, Associate professor, Athens and Kapodistrian University "I find the U.S. banking crisis right no

Building a community with a shared future for mankind is "extremely important": Former Egyptian PM

STORY: Building a community with a shared future for mankind is "extremely important": Former Egyptian PM DATELINE: March 25, 2023 LENGTH: 0:01:49 LOCATION: Cairo CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of China 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ESSAM SHARAF, Former Egyptian Prime Minister 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ESSAM SHARAF, Former Egyptian Prime Minister STORYLINE: It has been 10 years since the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind was proposed. Former Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf told Xinhua that this concept is "extremely important," and will prevail in the near future. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ESSAM SHARAF, Former Egyptian Prime Minister "For me, the concept is extremely important, especially under the current global conditions. The world is highly connected and interconnected. Therefore, no single country can withstand global threats and challenges alone. Examples of that are the financial crisis in 2008, climate change, COVID-19, the Russia-Ukraine war, and other things of cours

Bank of England raises rate to 4.25 pct

STORY: Bank of England raises rate to 4.25 pct DATELINE: March 24, 2023 LENGTH: 0:02:09 LOCATION: London CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Bank of England and Royal Exchange in London STORYLINE: The Bank of England (BoE) has raised its benchmark interest rate by 0.25 percentage points to 4.25 percent, the highest since autumn 2008, according to a BoE statement issued on Thursday. At its meeting ending on Wednesday, the central bank's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted in favor of the increase by a majority of 7-2, said the statement. This is the 11th consecutive rate hike since December 2021 as the BoE continues its fight against inflation, which unexpectedly jumped to 10.4 percent in February, far above the BoE's 2 percent target. But the higher-than-expected inflation data did not change the central bank's forecast of a fall in inflation for the second quarter of 2023. The bank said inflation will fall to a lower rate than anticipated in the MPC's February Report, due to government support

Silicon Valley Bank collapse shakes confidence in U.S. banking, says expert

STORY: Silicon Valley Bank collapse shakes confidence in U.S. banking, says expert DATELINE: March 21, 2023 LENGTH: 00:04:16 LOCATION: London CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. SOUNDBITE (English): CHARLES READ, Scholar in economics and history at the University of Cambridge STORYLINE: The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), once the 16th largest bank in the United States, has "shaken confidence in U.S. banking" as concerns have mounted over bank deposits, an expert has said. The tech-heavy SVB's demise has "made people far more likely to worry about their bank deposits, and any rumors will be acted upon ... faster. I think that's a big risk," Charles Read, a scholar in economics and history at the University of Cambridge told Xinhua on Tuesday. Read said that since the 2008 global financial crisis, people were no longer as trusting of the banking sector, and bank runs would therefore happen more rapidly. Technology has also made it easier to take money out of banks online, and people will do this

Herders contribute to glacier protection in China's Qinghai

STORY: Herders contribute to glacier protection in China's Qinghai DATELINE: March 18, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:34 LOCATION: XINING, China CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT SHOTLIST: 1. various of glaciers on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau 2. STANDUP (English): CHEN JIE, Xinhua correspondent 3. various of herders and researchers working 4. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): HE XIAOBO, Associate researcher, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources under Chinese Academy of Sciences STORYLINE: STANDUP (English): CHEN JIE, Xinhua correspondent "I am now standing at the foot of Aemye Ma-chhen Range on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Glaciers here are shrinking rapidly due to global warming. In 2008, some local herders volunteered to monitor and mark the glaciers which are constantly retreating. The methods adopted by these herders, though primitive, have triggered scientists' attention." The Aemye Ma-chhen Range in Maqen County of northwest China's Qinghai Province has more than 40 glaciers. To monitor the situation, local herders formed a vo

Silicon Valley Bank resumes operation

STORY: Silicon Valley Bank resumes operation DATELINE: March 14, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:46 LOCATION: SAN FRANCISCO, U.S. CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of people waiting outside SVB STORYLINE: The Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), the 16th largest bank in the United States, resumed operation on Monday. SVB's website has also been restored. The U.S. Treasury Department, the Federal Reserve, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation on Sunday evening announced joint action to stabilize the U.S. banking system, in response to the collapse of two mid-sized lenders, California's Silicon Valley Bank and New York's Signature Bank. California authorities closed SVB on Friday after the tech-focused lender reported huge losses from securities sales, sparking a run on the bank's deposits. The SVB collapse is the largest bank failure since the collapse of U.S. savings and loan association Washington Mutual in 2008. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from San Francisco, U.S. (XHTV)

Nepal's new president takes office

STORY: Nepal's new president takes office DATELINE: March 13, 2023 LENGTH: 0:01:47 LOCATION: Kathmandu CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of the ceremony STORYLINE: Newly elected President of Nepal Ram Chandra Poudel was sworn in on Monday to start his five-year term. Poudel was administered the oath of office and secrecy by acting Chief Justice Hari Krishna Karki at the Office of the President. He succeeded Bidya Devi Bhandri. Poudel, 78, won the presidential vote on March 9 as the candidate of eight parties, becoming the third president of Nepal, which became a republic in 2008. The presidential vote involved members of the House of Representatives, the National Assembly and the seven provincial assemblies. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Kathmandu. (XHTV)

Australian volunteer forms blood bond with Chinese

STORY: Australian volunteer forms blood bond with Chinese DATELINE: March 5, 2023 LENGTH: 0:01:49 LOCATION: TIANJIN, China CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Peter Mecoy 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): PETER MECOY, Australian volunteer blood donor in Tianjin 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): PETER MECOY, Australian volunteer blood donor in Tianjin 4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): PETER MECOY, Australian volunteer blood donor in Tianjin STORYLINE: Fifty-eight-year-old Peter Mecoy is an Australian expat living in north China's Tianjin. He has been volunteering to donate blood and platelets almost every 15 days since 2008. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): PETER MECOY, Australian volunteer blood donor in Tianjin "In China, my blood type is called 'panda blood.' It's Type A RhD-negative blood. Maybe my blood can help mothers delivering babies or aged people in surgery. I am happy to be helpful." Peter has donated blood and platelets more than 270 times, equivalent to more than 420,000 milliliters of blood in terms of therapeutic vol

U.S. fabricates conflicts to retain unipolar hegemony: Turkish analyst

STORY: U.S. fabricates conflicts to retain unipolar hegemony: Turkish analyst DATELINE: March 2, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:34 LOCATION: ISTANBUL, Türkiye CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of the U.S. 2. SOUNDBITE (Turkish): TURKER ERTURK, Turkish retired Admiral STORYLINE: A Turkish analyst says the U.S. fabricates conflicts to retain its unipolar hegemony, noting that its operations undermine world peace and stability. Turker Erturk, who served as commander of the Turkish Naval Academy between 2008 and 2010, blamed Washington for willfully prolonging the Ukraine crisis. SOUNDBITE (Turkish): TURKER ERTURK, Turkish retired Admiral "At the end of the Cold War, the U.S. emerged as the largest and only global power. And now, it makes various plans and conducts operations to maintain this unipolar world order. Our experiences are manifestations of this. The U.S. had invested much in this (crisis) to get Ukraine away from Russia and the crisis that started on Feb. 24 last year is escalating very seriously with

2 years after quake

2 years after quake

FUKUSHIMA, Japan - Aerial photos taken by Kyodo News show Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station in Fukushima Prefecture in October 2008 (top), on Feb. 26, 2012 (center), about a year after a nuclear crisis triggered by the earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011, and on March 3, 2013. From back to front are the buildings housing the No. 1 to No. 4 reactors. The bottom photo shows a cover on the No. 1 reactor building used to prevent radioactive particles from being dispersed. Cranes are at work at No. 3 and No. 4 reactor buildings.

Suit filed to seek decommissioning of Hamaoka reactors

Suit filed to seek decommissioning of Hamaoka reactors

SHIZUOKA, Japan - Plaintiffs carrying banners calling for an end to nuclear power walk to the Shizuoka District Court in the city of Shizuoka on July 1, 2011, to file a lawsuit seeking the decommissioning of the reactors at the Hamaoka nuclear power plant in the prefecture. Located in a major active fault zone, Chubu Electric Power Co. suspended the plant's Nos. 3 to 5 reactors in May at the request of the central government in the wake of the nuclear crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant crippled by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. The Nos. 1 and 2 reactors at the Hamaoka plant were deactivated in 2008 for decommissioning.

Nuclear woes after quake

Nuclear woes after quake

TOKYO, Japan - File photo taken in October 2008 shows the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant's reactors -- (from L front to L back) No. 4, No. 3, No. 2 and No. 1 -- in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan. Troubles at the multiple reactors of the plant have been reported following the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami disasters.

Fukushima nuke plant's No. 3 reactor

Fukushima nuke plant's No. 3 reactor

TOKYO, Japan - This October 2008 file photo shows the No. 3 reactor (indicated by an arrow) of Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant in Fukushima Prefecture. The Japanese government said a hydrogen explosion occurred at the reactor on March 14, 2011, following an explosion at the No. 1 reactor at the same plant the previous day. The plant has been shut down since the March 11 mega quake.

Japan earthquake

Japan earthquake

TOKYO, Japan - This October 2008 file photo shows reactors (from R to L) No. 1 through No. 4 at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant in Fukushima Prefecture. A hydrogen explosion occurred at the No. 3 reactor and cooling functions failed at the No. 2 reactor on March 14, 2011, following an explosion at the No. 1 reactor on March 12.

Explosion at nuclear reactor

Explosion at nuclear reactor

TOKYO, Japan - File photo taken in October 2008 shows the No.1 reactor (R) at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima No.1 nuclear power plant in the town of Okuma in Fukushima Prefecture. TEPCO said on March 12, 2011, that an explosion occurred the same day at the reactor, injuring its four workers. The area was struck by Japan's strongest recorded earthquake with a magnitude of 8.8 the previous day.

Fukushima nuclear plant

Fukushima nuclear plant

TOKYO, Japan - File photo taken in October 2008 shows the Fukushima No.1 nuclear power plant's four reactors in the town of Okuma in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, operated by Tokyo Electric Power Co. Around 3,000 residents around the plant were ordered to evacuate as the Japanese government declared a state of atomic power emergency on March 11, 2011, following a massive earthquake that struck the area the same day.

Teenage jockey Miura fastest to reach 100 wins

Teenage jockey Miura fastest to reach 100 wins

TOKYO, Japan - Teenager jockey Kosei Miura celebrates after picking up his 100th career win at Tokyo Racecourse on Feb. 4 to become the fastest jockey in Japan Racing Association history to reach the mark. Miura's victory on Infinite Air in the day's fourth race came 11 months and seven days since his JRA debut on March 1, 2008.

Panasonic group to see 1st red ink in 6 yrs in FY 2008

Panasonic group to see 1st red ink in 6 yrs in FY 2008

OSAKA, Japan - File photo taken Oct. 1, 2008, shows the headquarters of Panasonic Corp. in Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture. The Japanese top electronics maker is likely to report a consolidated net loss for the 2008 business year through March, falling into the red for the first time since the 2002 business year.

IOC panel ends tour with press conference

IOC panel ends tour with press conference

OSAKA, Japan - Hein Verbruggen (L), head of the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) fact-finding panel for the 2008 Olympic Games, speaks at the news conference in Osaka on March 1. Seated to right is Sergey Bubka, also a member of the IOC inspection team. Verbruggen called Osaka's sports facilities ''impressive'' and noted that the city's plan to host the Olympics on three reclaimed islands in Osaka Bay was a ''solid concept'' that will be an ''excellent legacy'' for the Games.

IOC fact-finding panel wraps up evaluation tour of Osaka

IOC fact-finding panel wraps up evaluation tour of Osaka

OSAKA, Japan - Members of the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) fact-finding panel for the 2008 Olympic Games take a look at the town of Osaka from the top floor of Osaka Castle on March 1. The team wrapped up a four-day tour of Osaka with praise for the enthusiasm of the people and the quality of the existing sports facilities.

Inflation rate continues to rise in France: INSEE

STORY: Inflation rate continues to rise in France: INSEE DATELINE: April 10, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:12 LOCATION: Paris CATEGORY: ECONOMY/SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of euro coins and packages of food 2. various of a supermarket STORYLINE: The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE) reported that inflation rate in France rose to 4.5 percent in March, with the biggest upward pressure coming from energy cost, which increased by 28.9 percent. Food prices increased by 2.8 percent, including fresh products by 7.2 percent, manufactured goods by 2.1 percent, and services went up by 2.3 percent. INSEE estimated that the war in Ukraine is already causing a "shock of confidence" for French businesses and households. After reaching 3.6 percent in February, a level not seen since 2008 but contained by the "tariff shield" put in place by the government, inflation would rise in the spring. The government is also preparing to revise downwards its 4 percent growth forecast for 2022, French minister f

Gen Z Tibetan girls endeavor to popularize traditional Tibetan clothing

STORY: Gen Z Tibetan girls endeavor to popularize traditional Tibetan clothing DATELINE: March 12, 2022 LENGTH: 00:00:59 LOCATION: LANZHOU, China CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1.Various of modern Tibetan clothing designed by the local fashion brand in Gannan Autonomous Prefecture in northwest China's Gansu Province 2.Various of traditional Tibetan clothing exhibited in a theme gallery in Gannan 3.SOUNDBITE(Chinese): DORJE DROMA, Founder of Bopashow STORYLINE: With exquisite design and unique style, traditional Tibetan clothing is deemed as an important part in the Tibetan culture. Tibetan clothes and ornaments made it onto the list of China's national intangible cultural heritage in 2008. In Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Gansu Province, a group of Gen Z Tibetan girls have established a local fashion brand, endeavoring to design modern Tibetan clothing with fashionable elements. In their eyes, the traditional culture is becoming a new trend. SOUNDBITE(Chinese): DORJE DROMA, Founde

Cuban Olympic champion becomes agricultural entrepreneur

STORY: Cuban Olympic champion becomes agricultural entrepreneur DATELINE: March 12, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:43 LOCATION: Havana CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Dayron Robles in a farmland 2. SOUNDBITE (Spanish): DAYRON ROBLES, Cuban Olympic champion 3. various of a bar 4. various of Dayron Robles and his family STORYLINE: Cuban Olympic champion Dayron Robles, who won the men's 110m hurdles at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, has now become an agricultural entrepreneur. The 35-year-old runs a flourishing organic farm in the Havana district of El Cotorro, where he lives with his wife and two daughters. Robles, who starts his day early in the morning, harvests different crops, including cauliflower, chard, lettuce, tomato and onion. SOUNDBITE (Spanish): DAYRON ROBLES, Cuban Olympic champion "I am not from the country. I am from the city. And I believe that rural life, which I am becoming 100 percent familiar with now, I am still feeling it out. In order to get to know this at a rate of 100 percent,

Israeli president's visit to Turkey may herald new era in relations: experts

STORY: Israeli president's visit to Turkey may herald new era in relations: experts DATELINE: March 10, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:15 LOCATION: Jerusalem CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of Herzog being welcomed in Turkey (courtesy of GPO) 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): NIMROD GOREN, President and founder of Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign Policies 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): HAY EYTAN COHEN YANAROCAK, Analyst on Turkish-Israeli relations at Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security 4. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): NIMROD GOREN, President and founder of Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign Policies STORYLINE: Israel's President Isaac Herzog arrived in the Turkish capital of Ankara on Wednesday for the first official visit of an Israeli leader since 2008. Later in the day, Herzog held talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose last trip to Israel was in 2005 after Israel disengaged from the Gaza Strip. The historic visit comes after more than a decade in which the bilateral relations between t

U.S. national average gas price hits new record high

STORY: U.S. national average gas price hits new record high DATELINE: March 9, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:06 LOCATION: Washington D.C. CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of gas stations in Washington D.C. STORYLINE: The U.S. national average for a gallon of regular gasoline hit a fresh record high of 4.173 U.S. dollars on Tuesday, according to data from the American Automobile Association (AAA). The national average gas price has jumped 55 cents over the past week, following a surge in the oil prices and surpassing the previous record of 4.114 dollars a gallon set in July 2008. The current record does not account inflation. As of Tuesday morning, 28 U.S. states and the District of Columbia have average gas prices over 4 dollars a gallon. California has the most expensive gas prices in the country, averaging 5.444 dollars a gallon. The current national average price for a gallon of diesel is 4.755 dollars, also near the record of 4.845 dollars set in July 2008, according to the AAA. "Increasing oil prices p

U.S. crude oil inventories up as oil prices surge again

STORY: U.S. crude oil inventories up as oil prices surge again DATELINE: March 9, 2022 LENGTH: 00:03:16 LOCATION: NEW YORK, the U.S. CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of petrol stations in U.S. STORYLINE: The American Petroleum Institute on Tuesday reported an increase of 2.8 million barrels of crude oil in U.S. inventories for the week ending March 4. Analysts had expected a decrease of about 0.833 million barrels for the week. The institute reported a drop of 6.1 million barrels in the previous week. Oil prices surged again on Tuesday as the United States announced a ban on energy imports from Russia. The West Texas Intermediate for April delivery added 4.30 U.S. dollars, or 3.6 percent, to settle at 123.70 dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, its highest finish since August 2008, according to Dow Jones Market Data. Brent crude for May delivery increased 4.77 dollars, or 3.9 percent, to close at 127.98 dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange,

GLOBALink | Sports unite people, transcend limits: former German Paralympian

STORY: Sports unite people, transcend limits: former German Paralympian DATELINE: March 4, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:46 LOCATION: Berlin CATEGORY: SPORTS/SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Beijing 2022 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): HEINRICH POPOW 3. various of Beijing 2022 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): HEINRICH POPOW STORYLINE: The opening of the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games is just around the corner. Former German Paralympian, the two-time gold medalist, is looking forward to the opening ceremony. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): HEINRICH POPOW, Former German Paralympian "The winter games in Beijing this year, I will see the Olympic stadium again. So being in the Olympic stadium, enjoying the opening ceremony as a spectator or supporter of the para-sport will be different. Because the last time I was in the stadium I was on the lane, too. So, I was running." Popow recalled his competition in the Beijing 2008 Paralympics, during which he won a silver medal in the men's 100m event. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): HEINRICH POPOW "For

Panasonic group to see 1st red ink in 6 yrs in FY 2008

Panasonic group to see 1st red ink in 6 yrs in FY 2008

OSAKA, Japan - File photo taken Oct. 1, 2008, shows the headquarters of Panasonic Corp. in Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture. The Japanese top electronics maker is likely to report a consolidated net loss for the 2008 business year through March, falling into the red for the first time since the 2002 business year. (Kyodo)

Teenage jockey Miura fastest to reach 100 wins

Teenage jockey Miura fastest to reach 100 wins

TOKYO, Japan - Teenager jockey Kosei Miura celebrates after picking up his 100th career win at Tokyo Racecourse on Feb. 4 to become the fastest jockey in Japan Racing Association history to reach the mark. Miura's victory on Infinite Air in the day's fourth race came 11 months and seven days since his JRA debut on March 1, 2008. (Kyodo)

Suit filed to seek decommissioning of Hamaoka reactors

Suit filed to seek decommissioning of Hamaoka reactors

SHIZUOKA, Japan - Plaintiffs carrying banners calling for an end to nuclear power walk to the Shizuoka District Court in the city of Shizuoka on July 1, 2011, to file a lawsuit seeking the decommissioning of the reactors at the Hamaoka nuclear power plant in the prefecture. Located in a major active fault zone, Chubu Electric Power Co. suspended the plant's Nos. 3 to 5 reactors in May at the request of the central government in the wake of the nuclear crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant crippled by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. The Nos. 1 and 2 reactors at the Hamaoka plant were deactivated in 2008 for decommissioning. (Kyodo)

Nuclear woes after quake

Nuclear woes after quake

TOKYO, Japan - File photo taken in October 2008 shows the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant's reactors -- (from L front to L back) No. 4, No. 3, No. 2 and No. 1 -- in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan. Troubles at the multiple reactors of the plant have been reported following the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami disasters. (Kyodo)

Japan earthquake

Japan earthquake

TOKYO, Japan - This October 2008 file photo shows reactors (from R to L) No. 1 through No. 4 at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant in Fukushima Prefecture. A hydrogen explosion occurred at the No. 3 reactor and cooling functions failed at the No. 2 reactor on March 14, 2011, following an explosion at the No. 1 reactor on March 12. (Kyodo)

Fukushima nuke plant's No. 3 reactor

Fukushima nuke plant's No. 3 reactor

TOKYO, Japan - This October 2008 file photo shows the No. 3 reactor (indicated by an arrow) of Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant in Fukushima Prefecture. The Japanese government said a hydrogen explosion occurred at the reactor on March 14, 2011, following an explosion at the No. 1 reactor at the same plant the previous day. The plant has been shut down since the March 11 mega quake. (Kyodo)

Explosion at nuclear reactor

Explosion at nuclear reactor

TOKYO, Japan - File photo taken in October 2008 shows the No.1 reactor (R) at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima No.1 nuclear power plant in the town of Okuma in Fukushima Prefecture. TEPCO said on March 12, 2011, that an explosion occurred the same day at the reactor, injuring its four workers. The area was struck by Japan's strongest recorded earthquake with a magnitude of 8.8 the previous day. (Kyodo)

Fukushima nuclear plant

Fukushima nuclear plant

TOKYO, Japan - File photo taken in October 2008 shows the Fukushima No.1 nuclear power plant's four reactors in the town of Okuma in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, operated by Tokyo Electric Power Co. Around 3,000 residents around the plant were ordered to evacuate as the Japanese government declared a state of atomic power emergency on March 11, 2011, following a massive earthquake that struck the area the same day. (Kyodo)

KAREL GOTT, IVANA GOTTOVA

KAREL GOTT, IVANA GOTTOVA

Famous Czech singer Karel Gott with his wife Ivana (born Machackova) who is expecting their second child taking part at the final evening of the Miss of Czech Republic contest, Brno, March 16, 2008. (CTK Photo/Igor Zehl) ***FILE PHOTO*** Most popular Czech pop singer Karel Gott died at 80 on Tuesday, October 1, 2019, before midnight at home in his family circle, in Prague, Czech Republic, his spokeswoman Stolzova said on October 2, 2019.

MISS OF CZECH REPUBLIC - KAREL GOTT, KATERINA SONKOVA

MISS OF CZECH REPUBLIC - KAREL GOTT, KATERINA SONKOVA

Participant of the Miss of Czech Republic finals Katerina Sonkova asked to dance the famous Czech singer Karel Gott, Brno, Saturday, March 16, 2008.(CTK Photo / Igor Zehl) ***FILE PHOTO*** Most popular Czech pop singer Karel Gott died at 80 on Tuesday, October 1, 2019, before midnight at home in his family circle, in Prague, Czech Republic, his spokeswoman Stolzova said on October 2, 2019.

Olympic champ Icho allegedly harassed by wrestling director

Olympic champ Icho allegedly harassed by wrestling director

Four-time Olympic wrestling champion Kaori Icho is pictured in a photo taken in Tokyo on May 18, 2017. Icho was allegedly subjected to repeated harassment by the Japan Wrestling Federation's development director Kazuhito Sakae since winning her second gold medal in Beijing in 2008, a lawyers' office said on March 1, 2018. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

IOC panel ends tour with press conference

IOC panel ends tour with press conference

OSAKA, Japan - Hein Verbruggen (L), head of the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) fact-finding panel for the 2008 Olympic Games, speaks at the news conference in Osaka on March 1. Seated to right is Sergey Bubka, also a member of the IOC inspection team. Verbruggen called Osaka's sports facilities ''impressive'' and noted that the city's plan to host the Olympics on three reclaimed islands in Osaka Bay was a ''solid concept'' that will be an ''excellent legacy'' for the Games.

IOC fact-finding panel wraps up evaluation tour of Osaka

IOC fact-finding panel wraps up evaluation tour of Osaka

OSAKA, Japan - Members of the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) fact-finding panel for the 2008 Olympic Games take a look at the town of Osaka from the top floor of Osaka Castle on March 1. The team wrapped up a four-day tour of Osaka with praise for the enthusiasm of the people and the quality of the existing sports facilities.