Rising energy prices: France preparing 12 billion euros for companies

STORY: Rising energy prices: France preparing 12 billion euros for companies DATELINE: Nov. 17, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:39 LOCATION: Paris CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: various of electricity facilitiesSOUNDBITE 1 (French): ELISABETH BORNE, French Prime Ministervarious of electricity facilitiesSOUNDBITE 2 (French): BRUNO LE MAIRE, French Economy and Finance Ministervarious of electricity facility and street views at night STORYLINE: As energy prices continue to rise sharply, French government has introduced new schemes for businesses, especially small and medium-sized ones, to help them pay their bills. A total budget of 12 billion euros (about 12.43 U.S. dollars) has been planned, with 7 billion euros (about 7.25 U.S. dollars) coming from an exceptional tax levied on energy companies. SOUNDBITE 1 (French): ELISABETH BORNE, French Prime Minister "Electricity bills in our country have two main components: one that comes from nuclear electricity, which is a cost that we control, and another part that depends on t

China-funded conservatory in Lebanon to be center of attraction in Mideast: Lebanese PM

STORY: China-funded conservatory in Lebanon to be center of attraction in Mideast: Lebanese PM DATELINE: Oct. 7, 2022 LENGTH: 00:03:06 LOCATION: Beirut CATEGORY: SOCIETY/POLITICS SHOTLIST: various of Prime Minister Najib Mikati and other officials in the National Higher Conservatory near Lebanon's capital city Beirutvarious of the Chinese Ambassador to Lebanon Qian Minjian and the Lebanese Culture MinisterSOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): NAJIB MIKATI, Lebanese Prime Ministervarious of the Chinese Ambassador to Lebanon Qian MinjianSOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): QIAN MINJIAN, Chinese Ambassador to Lebanonvarious of the construction of the Lebanese National Higher Conservatory of Music STORYLINE: Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Thursday said the Lebanese National Higher Conservatory of Music funded by the Chinese government near Lebanon's capital Beirut will be a center of attraction for the Middle East region. Mikati thanked the Chinese government for constructing the "icon building." SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): NAJIB MIKAT

Chile to offer annual COVID-19 vaccine to groups at risk

STORY: Chile to offer annual COVID-19 vaccine to groups at risk DATELINE: Sept. 24, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:39 LOCATION: Santiago CATEGORY: HEALTH SHOTLIST: various of people getting vaccinatedSOUNDBITE (Spanish): XIMENA AGUILERA, Chilean Health Ministervarious of Chile's health officials attending a meeting to evaluate the COVID-19 situation STORYLINE: Chile will offer the population at risk an annual vaccine against COVID-19 starting in October, Chilean Health Minister Ximena Aguilera said Thursday. The vaccine will be available much like the annual flu shot, she said. "An annual vaccine aimed at vulnerable groups is being incorporated in a manner similar to the influenza vaccination program and is entering the National Immunization Program," the official said in an interview with local radio Cooperativa. "We are not ruling out that in the future there will be greater availability for the rest of the population to be vaccinated voluntarily," she said, adding that a bivalent vaccine will be used in th

Lebanon to adopt strict security measures after bank raids

STORY: Lebanon to adopt strict security measures after bank raids DATELINE: Sept. 18, 2022 LENGTH: 00:03:24 LOCATION: Beirut CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: various of the meetingSOUNDBITE (Arabic): BASSAM MAWLAWI, Lebanese Interior Ministervarious of the security force STORYLINE: Security forces will take strict measures amid mounting security concerns after a number of bank raids carried out by angry depositors demanding their savings, Lebanese Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi said on Friday. Mawlawi made the remarks during a press conference at the Interior Ministry, where security agencies were present to discuss the measures to keep the country safe and stable. SOUNDBITE (Arabic): BASSAM MAWLAWI, Lebanese Interior Minister "Depositors should be aware not to be enticed by anyone to destroy the security situation in the country or the system due to political reasons, or to implement agendas that may hinder the security situation of the country. It started with banks but we don't know where it will end.

China's low-carbon development highlighted at 1st Green Hydrogen Global Assembly

STORY: China's low-carbon development highlighted at 1st Green Hydrogen Global Assembly DATELINE: May 19, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:19 LOCATION: Madrid CATEGORY: TECHNOLOGY SHOTLIST: various of the conferenceSOUNDBITE 1 (English): MALCOLM TURNBULL, GH2 Chair and former Australian Prime MinisterSOUNDBITE 2 (English): MALCOLM TURNBULL, GH2 Chair and former Australian Prime Ministervarious of hydrogen energy development in China STORYLINE: The first Green Hydrogen Global Assembly took place in Barcelona's International Convention Center on Tuesday and Wednesday, aiming to promote green hydrogen as a net-zero alternative to fossil fuels. Organized by the Green Hydrogen Organisation (GH2) and the Spanish government, a major new initiative launched was a Green Hydrogen Standard to accredit hydrogen produced without associated greenhouse gas emissions. Describing China as "a green hydrogen powerhouse", the GH2 organization devoted a number of sessions to China. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): MALCOLM TURNBULL, GH2 Chair