GREECE-KASTORIA-FUR INDUSTRY

(220517) -- KASTORIA (GREECE), May 17, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Photo taken on April 26, 2022 shows an empty exhibition center that used to host the Kastoria International Fur Fair in Kastoria, Greece. A bustling center of the fur trade for generations, Kastoria, a city in northern Greece, has been eerily quiet this spring. (Photo by Angelos Tsatsis/Xinhua) TO GO WITH Feature: Greece's fur industry hub hit hard in wake of Ukraine crisis

GREECE-KASTORIA-FUR INDUSTRY

(220517) -- KASTORIA (GREECE), May 17, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Photo taken on April 26, 2022 shows Dino Salagiannis, a second-generation trader in the family-owned business Ego Group SA, holding a fur coat from their latest collection in Kastoria, Greece. A bustling center of the fur trade for generations, Kastoria, a city in northern Greece, has been eerily quiet this spring. (Photo by Angelos Tsatsis/Xinhua) TO GO WITH Feature: Greece's fur industry hub hit hard in wake of Ukraine crisis

GREECE-KASTORIA-FUR INDUSTRY

(220517) -- KASTORIA (GREECE), May 17, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Photo taken on April 26, 2022 shows an empty exhibition center that used to host the Kastoria International Fur Fair in Kastoria, Greece. A bustling center of the fur trade for generations, Kastoria, a city in northern Greece, has been eerily quiet this spring. (Photo by Angelos Tsatsis/Xinhua) TO GO WITH Feature: Greece's fur industry hub hit hard in wake of Ukraine crisis

BELGIUM-BRUSSELS-EU-ECONOMY-FORECAST

(220516) -- BRUSSELS, May 16, 2022 (Xinhua) -- European Commissioner for Economy Paolo Gentiloni speaks at a press conference in Brussels, Belgium, May 16, 2022. The Russia-Ukraine crisis has forced the European Commission to slash its annual growth expectation for both the European Union (EU) and eurozone this year, it announced on Monday. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)

EGYPT-QALYUBIA-WHEAT PRODUCTION

(220516) -- QALYUBIA , May 16, 2022 (Xinhua) -- A man shows wheat at a grain silo in Banha of Qalyubia Governorate, Egypt, on May 16, 2022. Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said on Sunday that Egypt will not have a crisis in wheat supplies despite the repercussions of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, two main wheat exporters to Egypt. Egypt has wheat reserves sufficient for four months, and with continuing local wheat production, it is expected to be sufficient till the end of the year, he noted. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

Hungary's Orban takes 5th oath of office as PM

STORY: Hungary's Orban takes 5th oath of office as PM DATELINE: May 17, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:05 LOCATION: Budapest CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of Hungarian Parliament building 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Hungarian): VIKTOR ORBAN, Hungarian Prime Minister 3. various of the event STORYLINE: Political veteran Viktor Orban took the oath of office for the fifth time as Prime Minister in the Hungarian parliament on Monday. In his speech, Orban warned that difficult times lay ahead, noting the decade began with the COVID-19 pandemic and continued with the Russia-Ukraine conflict. SOUNDBITE 1 (Hungarian): VIKTOR ORBAN, Hungarian Prime Minister "The war and the following European sanctions created an energy crisis. This and the interest rate hikes have brought high inflation, which in turn will bring a recession and an economic decline." The Hungarian leader spoke out against the sanctions policy of the European Union (EU), saying that he had never before seen sanctions reach their goal. Orban has b

Putin: Russia to respond to expansion of NATO military infrastructure into Finland, Sweden

STORY: Putin: Russia to respond to expansion of NATO military infrastructure into Finland, Sweden DATELINE: May 17, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:19 LOCATION: Moscow CATEGORY: MILITARY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the Kremlin 2. various of Mariupol 3. various of Russian Defense Ministry 4. various of the EU STORYLINE: Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday that Moscow would respond if the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) would deploy military infrastructure on the territories of Finland or Sweden. "The expansion of military infrastructure into these territories would certainly trigger our response, which would depend on the kind of threats this would pose for us," the Kremlin cited the president as saying at a summit of the Collective Security Treaty Organization in Moscow. Also on Monday, Russian Defense Ministry said that Russia and Ukraine have reached an agreement on the evacuation of wounded Ukrainian soldiers from the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol. The ministry said that a "silence regime" h

War in Ukraine

Volodymyr Yadlivka stands near destroyed vehicles in the village of Peremoga in the Kyiv region on May 10, 2022, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

BELGIUM-BRUSSELS-EU-ECONOMY-FORECAST

(220516) -- BRUSSELS, May 16, 2022 (Xinhua) -- European Commissioner for Economy Paolo Gentiloni speaks at a press conference in Brussels, Belgium, May 16, 2022. The Russia-Ukraine crisis has forced the European Commission to slash its annual growth expectation for both the European Union (EU) and eurozone this year, it announced on Monday. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)

EGYPT-QALYUBIA-WHEAT PRODUCTION

(220516) -- QALYUBIA , May 16, 2022 (Xinhua) -- A worker checks wheat before receiving it from a farmer at a grain silo in Banha of Qalyubia Governorate, Egypt, on May 16, 2022. Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said on Sunday that Egypt will not have a crisis in wheat supplies despite the repercussions of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, two main wheat exporters to Egypt. Egypt has wheat reserves sufficient for four months, and with continuing local wheat production, it is expected to be sufficient till the end of the year, he noted. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

EGYPT-QALYUBIA-WHEAT PRODUCTION

(220516) -- QALYUBIA , May 16, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Workers unload wheat at a grain silo in Banha of Qalyubia Governorate, Egypt, on May 16, 2022. Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said on Sunday that Egypt will not have a crisis in wheat supplies despite the repercussions of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, two main wheat exporters to Egypt. Egypt has wheat reserves sufficient for four months, and with continuing local wheat production, it is expected to be sufficient till the end of the year, he noted. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

GLOBALink | NATO expansion root cause of Ukraine crisis: former senior French official

A former senior French official expressed concerns over the decision by Sweden and Finland to apply for NATO membership and believed that NATO expansion is the root cause of the Ukraine crisis. Produced by Xinhua Global Service

On-site in Ukraine: Over 260 Ukrainian soldiers evacuated from Mariupol's Azovstal

STORY: On-site in Ukraine: Over 260 Ukrainian soldiers evacuated from Mariupol's Azovstal DATELINE: May 17, 2022 LENGTH: 0:01:23 LOCATION: LVIV, Ukraine CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. STANDUP (English): SHOMODI YURII, Xinhua reporter in Lviv, Ukraine STORYLINE: STANDUP (English): SHOMODI YURII, Xinhua reporter in Lviv, Ukraine "The Ukrainian authorities started an operation to evacuate the Ukrainian military from the Azovstal plant in the embattled city of Mariupol, the government-run Ukrinform news agency reported Tuesday, citing Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar. Malyar said that 53 previously wounded soldiers were evacuated from Azovstal to a healthcare facility in the Russia-controlled Novoazovsk for medical treatment, while 211 other troops were taken to the Russia-controlled Olenivka through the humanitarian corridor. Later, the Ukrainian soldiers will be exchanged for the captured Russians, Malyar said. She added that the evacuation operation is carried out by the Ukrainian Defense Ministry,

BELGIUM-BRUSSELS-EU-ECONOMY-FORECAST

(220516) -- BRUSSELS, May 16, 2022 (Xinhua) -- European Commissioner for Economy Paolo Gentiloni speaks at a press conference in Brussels, Belgium, May 16, 2022. The Russia-Ukraine crisis has forced the European Commission to slash its annual growth expectation for both the European Union (EU) and eurozone this year, it announced on Monday. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)

War in Ukraine

Nadia Bashkir speaks in the Ukrainian village of Peremoga, near Kyiv, on May 10, 2022. She observed Nazi Germany's invasion during World War II about 80 years ago and has seen that by Russia in 2022.

BELGIUM-BRUSSELS-EU-ECONOMY-FORECAST

(220516) -- BRUSSELS, May 16, 2022 (Xinhua) -- European Commissioner for Economy Paolo Gentiloni speaks at a press conference in Brussels, Belgium, May 16, 2022. The Russia-Ukraine crisis has forced the European Commission to slash its annual growth expectation for both the European Union (EU) and eurozone this year, it announced on Monday. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)

EGYPT-QALYUBIA-WHEAT PRODUCTION

(220516) -- QALYUBIA , May 16, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Farmers unshell harvested wheat in a field in Banha of Qalyubia Governorate, Egypt, on May 16, 2022. Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said on Sunday that Egypt will not have a crisis in wheat supplies despite the repercussions of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, two main wheat exporters to Egypt. Egypt has wheat reserves sufficient for four months, and with continuing local wheat production, it is expected to be sufficient till the end of the year, he noted. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

EGYPT-QALYUBIA-WHEAT PRODUCTION

(220516) -- QALYUBIA , May 16, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Vehicles carrying wheat are seen at a grain silo in Banha of Qalyubia Governorate, Egypt, on May 16, 2022. Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said on Sunday that Egypt will not have a crisis in wheat supplies despite the repercussions of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, two main wheat exporters to Egypt. Egypt has wheat reserves sufficient for four months, and with continuing local wheat production, it is expected to be sufficient till the end of the year, he noted. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

EGYPT-QALYUBIA-WHEAT PRODUCTION

(220516) -- QALYUBIA , May 16, 2022 (Xinhua) -- A worker unloads wheat at a grain silo in Banha of Qalyubia Governorate, Egypt, on May 16, 2022. Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said on Sunday that Egypt will not have a crisis in wheat supplies despite the repercussions of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, two main wheat exporters to Egypt. Egypt has wheat reserves sufficient for four months, and with continuing local wheat production, it is expected to be sufficient till the end of the year, he noted. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

EGYPT-QALYUBIA-WHEAT PRODUCTION

(220516) -- QALYUBIA , May 16, 2022 (Xinhua) -- A farmer unshells harvested wheat in a field in Banha of Qalyubia Governorate, Egypt, on May 16, 2022. Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said on Sunday that Egypt will not have a crisis in wheat supplies despite the repercussions of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, two main wheat exporters to Egypt. Egypt has wheat reserves sufficient for four months, and with continuing local wheat production, it is expected to be sufficient till the end of the year, he noted. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

BELGIUM-BRUSSELS-EU-ECONOMY-FORECAST

(220516) -- BRUSSELS, May 16, 2022 (Xinhua) -- European Commissioner for Economy Paolo Gentiloni attends a press conference in Brussels, Belgium, May 16, 2022. The Russia-Ukraine crisis has forced the European Commission to slash its annual growth expectation for both the European Union (EU) and eurozone this year, it announced on Monday. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)

BELGIUM-BRUSSELS-EU-ECONOMY-FORECAST

(220516) -- BRUSSELS, May 16, 2022 (Xinhua) -- European Commissioner for Economy Paolo Gentiloni speaks at a press conference in Brussels, Belgium, May 16, 2022. The Russia-Ukraine crisis has forced the European Commission to slash its annual growth expectation for both the European Union (EU) and eurozone this year, it announced on Monday. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)

BELGIUM-BRUSSELS-EU-ECONOMY-FORECAST

(220516) -- BRUSSELS, May 16, 2022 (Xinhua) -- European Commissioner for Economy Paolo Gentiloni speaks at a press conference in Brussels, Belgium, May 16, 2022. The Russia-Ukraine crisis has forced the European Commission to slash its annual growth expectation for both the European Union (EU) and eurozone this year, it announced on Monday. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)

War in Ukraine

Photo taken May 10, 2022, shows a house destroyed by a Russian attack in the Ukrainian village of Peremoga, near Kyiv.

NATO expansion root cause of Ukraine crisis: former senior French official

STORY: NATO expansion root cause of Ukraine crisis: former senior French official DATELINE: May 17, 2022 LENGTH: 0:02:35 LOCATION: GENEVA, Switzerland CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of NATO's Headquarters and military exercises 2. SOUNDBITE (French): PIERRE CONESA, Former French Defense Ministry official STORYLINE: Finland and Sweden have both announced decisions to apply for the NATO membership. If the two countries join the military alliance, it would end their long-standing policy of military non-alignment. Pierre Conesa, a former French Defense Ministry official, says that all the developments contribute to a missed opportunity to propose an inclusive European security architecture to Russia, wherein lies the source of the ongoing Ukrainian crisis. SOUNDBITE (French): PIERRE CONESA, Former French Defense Ministry official We know this provokes a crisis. For example, Russia's sensitivity towards Sweden and Finland is that today Swedish and Finnish neutrality allows Russia to access the port

War in Ukraine

Nadia Bashkir wipes her tears as she speaks in the Ukrainian village of Peremoga, near Kyiv, on May 10, 2022. She observed Nazi Germany's invasion during World War II about 80 years ago and has seen that by Russia in 2022.

War in Ukraine

Volodymyr Yadlivka stands near a destroyed vehicle in the village of Peremoga in the Kyiv region on May 10, 2022, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

BELGIUM-BRUSSELS-EU-ECONOMY-FORECAST

(220516) -- BRUSSELS, May 16, 2022 (Xinhua) -- European Commissioner for Economy Paolo Gentiloni speaks at a press conference in Brussels, Belgium, May 16, 2022. The Russia-Ukraine crisis has forced the European Commission to slash its annual growth expectation for both the European Union (EU) and eurozone this year, it announced on Monday. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)

BELGIUM-BRUSSELS-EU-ECONOMY-FORECAST

(220516) -- BRUSSELS, May 16, 2022 (Xinhua) -- European Commissioner for Economy Paolo Gentiloni speaks at a press conference in Brussels, Belgium, May 16, 2022. The Russia-Ukraine crisis has forced the European Commission to slash its annual growth expectation for both the European Union (EU) and eurozone this year, it announced on Monday. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)

EGYPT-QALYUBIA-WHEAT PRODUCTION

(220516) -- QALYUBIA , May 16, 2022 (Xinhua) -- A worker unloads wheat at a grain silo in Banha of Qalyubia Governorate, Egypt, on May 16, 2022. Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said on Sunday that Egypt will not have a crisis in wheat supplies despite the repercussions of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, two main wheat exporters to Egypt. Egypt has wheat reserves sufficient for four months, and with continuing local wheat production, it is expected to be sufficient till the end of the year, he noted. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

Ukrainian singer Tina Karol, Japan PM Kishida

Ukrainian singer Tina Karol (L) shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the premier's office in Tokyo on May 16, 2022, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Ukrainian singer Tina Karol, Japan PM Kishida

Ukrainian singer Tina Karol (C) meets with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (R) at the premier's office in Tokyo on May 16, 2022, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Hiroshi Mikitani, chairman and CEO of e-commerce giant Rakuten Group Inc., can be seen on the left.

RUSSIA-UKRAINE-CONFLICT

(220516) -- MARIUPOL, May 16, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Photo taken on May 15, 2022 shows a view of the Azovstal plant in the port city of Mariupol. (Photo by Victor/Xinhua)

RUSSIA-UKRAINE-CONFLICT

(220516) -- MARIUPOL, May 16, 2022 (Xinhua) -- A local resident prepares meal outside a damaged building in the port city of Mariupol, May 15, 2022. (Photo by Victor/Xinhua)

RUSSIA-UKRAINE-CONFLICT

(220516) -- MARIUPOL, May 16, 2022 (Xinhua) -- A local resident is seen outside a damaged building in the port city of Mariupol, May 15, 2022. (Photo by Victor/Xinhua)

U.S. urged not to rope in Southeast Asian countries out of geopolitical interests

STORY: U.S. urged not to rope in Southeast Asian countries out of geopolitical interests DATELINE: May 15, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:41 LOCATION: Beijing CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of the White House 2. various of the street view of the U.S. 3. various of the street view of the Philippines 4. various of the street view of Indonesia 4. various of the street view of Cambodia STORYLINE: The White House peddled its so-called "Indo-Pacific Strategy" against China and ramped up its pressure campaign on the Russia-Ukraine conflict during a two-day summit in Washington with leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). From the "Pivot to Asia" to the "Indo-Pacific Strategy," the United States has been teaming up with its allies and regional countries to contain China. But its hope to pull ASEAN members into its camp will shrivel, as ASEAN countries have already woken up to Washington's typical hegemony, hypocrisy, and egomania. Wilson Lee Flores, a columnist for the English daily The Phil

Presidents of Malta, Ireland promote "positive neutrality"

STORY: Presidents of Malta, Ireland promote "positive neutrality" DATELINE: May 14, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:22 LOCATION: Valletta CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of welcoming ceremony held in San Anton Palace in Attard, Malta 2. various of talks and press conference held in San Anton Palace in Attard, Malta STORYLINE: The presidents of Malta and Ireland pledged continued cooperation for peace and stability during their meeting here on Thursday. Talking to journalists, Ireland's President Michael D. Higgins, who's on a three-day state visit here, and his Maltese counterpart, George Vella highlighted their policy of "positive" neutrality. Vella said that they also addressed the unfolding serious humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. Higgins, in turn, said that Ireland supported Malta in its efforts to manage irregular migration. He also thanked Vella for Malta's help to Dublin in dealing with the spillover effects caused by Brexit. The two heads of state discussed ways to enhance bilateral relation

U.S., Russian defense chiefs hold first phone conversation since start of Ukraine conflict

STORY: U.S., Russian defense chiefs hold first phone conversation since start of Ukraine conflict DATELINE: May 14, 2022 LENGTH: 00:00:27 LOCATION: Washington D.C. CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. SOUNDBITE (English): JOHN KIRBY, Pentagon Press Secretary 2. various of the press conference STORYLINE: U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu spoke over the phone on Friday, marking the first call between the two since Russia launched the special military operation in Ukraine. Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said in a brief statement following the call that Austin "urged an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine." SOUNDBITE (English): JOHN KIRBY, Pentagon Press Secretary "Secretary Austin held a phone call with his Russian counterpart, Minister of Defense Sergei Shoygu. This is the first conversation they've had since February 18, and the Secretary urged an end to the conflict in Ukraine and he emphasized the importance of maintaining communication." U.S. Chairman of the Joi

Putin blames West for current global crisis

STORY: Putin blames West for current global crisis DATELINE: May 13, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:44 LOCATION: Moscow CATEGORY: POLITICS/MILITARY SHOTLIST: 1. STANDUP (English): CHEN QIANG, Xinhua correspondent STORYLINE: STANDUP (English): CHEN QIANG, Xinhua correspondent "By waging a proxy war with Russia in Ukraine, Western countries ultimately risk turning the current conflict into a full-fledged nuclear war, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev said Thursday. The NATO countries increase the risk of a direct and open conflict with Russia by continuing to pump weapons into Ukraine, training Ukrainian troops with the use of Western equipment, dispatching mercenaries, and conducting exercises near Russia's borders, Medvedev wrote on his Telegram. Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said on Thursday that Ukraine is holding negotiations with Russia over the evacuation of seriously injured soldiers from the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol. She emphasized that the on

Achieving peace is best protection for children in Ukraine: Chinese envoy

STORY: Achieving peace is best protection for children in Ukraine: Chinese envoy DATELINE: May 13, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:43 LOCATION: UNITED NATIONS CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of Security Council Chamber 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese/English interpretation): DAI BING, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations 3. various of Security Council Chamber 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese/English interpretation): DAI BING, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations 5. various of Security Council Chamber STORYLINE: A Chinese envoy said Thursday that achieving peace is the best protection for children in Ukraine. "Achieving peace is the best protection for children. Dialogue and negotiation is the most realistic and feasible way to reach a cease-fire," said Dai Bing, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese/English interpretation): DAI BING, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations "The international community shoul

Turkey targets 35-bln-USD tourism revenue in 2022 despite Ukrainian crisis: minister

STORY: Turkey targets 35-bln-USD tourism revenue in 2022 despite Ukrainian crisis: minister DATELINE: May 13, 2022 LENGTH: 0:01:18 LOCATION: Ankara CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1 various of tourists STORYLINE: Turkey's tourism sector is negatively affected by the Ukrainian crisis, but the country is optimistic to increase its revenue for 2022 by targeting Western tourists. Turkey's Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy told the HaberTurk broadcaster on Thursday that the government has set a target of 42 million tourists and 35 billion U.S. dollars in tourism income for 2022. According to the minister, Turkey had a record number of tourists in 2019, but its tourism revenue regressed in 2020 due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. He added that the government wanted to attract more foreign holidaymakers in the summer, but the Russia-Ukraine crisis has dealt a blow to the tourism industry. However, the Turkish government aims to attract more visitors from Western countries. Russia

War in Ukraine

Photo taken in April 2022 shows people eating at a shelter in Lviv, western Ukraine, amid Russia's invasion of the country.

India's imports from Russia rise 3 folds since Ukraine conflict

STORY: India's imports from Russia rise 3 folds since Ukraine conflict DATELINE: May 12, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:36 LOCATION: New Delhi CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. shot of India gate 2. shot of government buildings 3. various of oil tank 4. various of fuel station 5. various of people filling fuel into vehicle 6. various of traffic STORYLINE: India's imports from Russia witnessed a jump of more than threefold since the beginning of the Ukraine conflict, a local newspaper reported Wednesday. The increase in imports to 4.67 billion U.S. dollars from a year before has been attributed to the discounted prices offered by Russian suppliers, Financial Express reported. "The surge in shipments from Russia is thanks to New Delhi's efforts to strike good deals with Russian suppliers to tide over a growing shortfall of crude oil and other inputs like coal and fertilizers," it said. The newspaper citing preliminary data obtained from sources said between February 24 and May 8, India's purchases of crude oil from R

Little Amal in Lviv, Ukraine

Little Amal, a 3.5-meter-tall puppet of a young Syrian refugee girl and an international symbol of human rights, appears at a park in Lviv, western Ukraine, on May 11, 2022, amid Russia's invasion of the country.

Finance meeting between Japan, China, S. Korea, ASEAN

Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki meets the press in Tokyo on May 12, 2022, after holding online talks with the finance chiefs of China, South Korea and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations amid the unstable world economy following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

GERMANY-BERLIN-CRISIS-IMPACT

(220512) -- BERLIN, May 12, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Photo taken on May 5, 2022 shows an exterior view of the International Lomonosov School, in Berlin, capital of Germany. TO GO WITH "Feature: Anti-Russian sentiment on rise in Germany amid Ukraine crisis" (Xinhua/Shan Yuqi)

Finnish president, PM back NATO application

STORY: Finnish president, PM back NATO application DATELINE: May 12, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:08 LOCATION: Helsinki CATEGORY: MILITARY/POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. Photos of President Niinisto and Prime Minister Marin during a press conference on the Ukraine crisis on February 24, 2022 2. shots of President Niinisto holding a press conference with visiting NATO Secretary-General Stoltenberg on October 25, 2021 3. shots of street views in Helsinki STORYLINE: Finnish President Sauli Niinisto and Prime Minister Sanna Marin on Thursday publicly supported the idea of Finland applying to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The two leaders said in a joint statement that "Finland must apply for NATO membership without delay. We hope that the national steps still needed to make this decision will be taken rapidly within the next few days." They argued that NATO membership would strengthen Finland's security. According to the Finnish constitution, foreign and security policies in Finland are jointly manag

Ukraine conflict, energy crisis weigh heavily on Greece's livestock farmers

STORY: Ukraine conflict, energy crisis weigh heavily on Greece's livestock farmers DATELINE: May 12, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:29 LOCATION: KLEITORIA, Greece CATEGORY: AGRICULTURE SHOTLIST: 1. various of farming 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Greek) DIAMANTIS ZOURNAS, Livestock farmer 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Greek) DIAMANTIS ZOURNAS, Livestock farmer 4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Greek) DIAMANTIS ZOURNAS, Livestock farmer 5. SOUNDBITE 4 (Greek) PAVLOS SATOLIAS, President of the National Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Greece STORYLINE: The recent massive increases in energy and animal feed prices caused by the Ukraine crisis have put an unbearable burden on livestock farmers across Greece. Diamantis Zournas is a fourth-generation livestock farmer in the village of Kleitoria in southern Greece. He has a flock of 350 sheep and goats, as well as chicken, and sells his produce in his butcher shop on the village's square. SOUNDBITE 1 (Greek) DIAMANTIS ZOURNAS, Livestock farmer "The situation has become unbearable, I would say, as everything is mo

GERMANY-BERLIN-CRISIS-IMPACT

(220512) -- BERLIN, May 12, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Photo taken on May 5, 2022 shows a searchlight installed for security at night at the Soviet War Memorial in Treptower Park in Berlin, capital of Germany. TO GO WITH "Feature: Anti-Russian sentiment on rise in Germany amid Ukraine crisis" (Xinhua/Shan Yuqi)

GERMANY-BERLIN-CRISIS-IMPACT

(220512) -- BERLIN, May 12, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Two police vehicles park near a statue at the Soviet War Memorial in Treptower Park in Berlin, capital of Germany, May 5, 2022. TO GO WITH "Feature: Anti-Russian sentiment on rise in Germany amid Ukraine crisis" (Xinhua/Shan Yuqi)