Japan logs trade deficit of 38 bln USD in fiscal 2023

STORY: Japan logs trade deficit of 38 bln USD in fiscal 2023 SHOOTING TIME: file DATELINE: April 17, 2024 LENGTH: 00:00:55 LOCATION: Tokyo CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of street view in Tokyo STORYLINE: Japan's trade deficit in fiscal 2023 shrank around 70 percent from a year earlier to 5.89 trillion yen (about 38 billion U.S. dollars), government data showed Wednesday. In the fiscal year ended March, exports expanded 3.7 percent to 102.90 trillion yen, topping 100 trillion yen for the first time and marking a record high for the third straight year, according to a preliminary Finance Ministry report. Automobile exports, which account for about 17 percent of Japan's total, grew 30.2 percent to 17.88 trillion yen, eclipsing the previous record of 14.67 trillion yen in fiscal 2007. In contrast, imports dived 10.3 percent to 108.79 trillion yen, falling for the first time in three years, chiefly reflecting falls in imports of coal and liquefied natural gas. With a weaker yen inflati

Xiong'an through foreign eyes: Enjoying beauty of nature

STORY: Xiong'an through foreign eyes: Enjoying beauty of nature SHOOTING TIME: March 23, 2024 DATELINE: April 1, 2024 LENGTH: 00:02:17 LOCATION: XIONG'AN, China CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Xiong'an 2. STANDUP 1 (English): DARINA SEMENOVA, Russian student 3. STANDUP 2 (English): DARINA SEMENOVA, Russian student 4. various of Baiyangdian STORYLINE: STANDUP 1 (English): DARINA SEMENOVA, Russian student "Hello everyone, I'm Darina. I came to China for learning Chinese. Now I'm a student of Hebei University. I like traveling around China. So today I came to Xiong'an. Established in 2017, Xiong'an New Area is more than just a city of high-tech elements. It is also a sample of green cities in China. Today, let's see the beautiful scenery here." When people talk about China's cityscape, they usually think of skyscrapers in Beijing or Shanghai. Yet in Xiong'an, the story is totally different. Rivers, lakes, trees and grass can be seen everywhere. Blue and green spaces will account for 70 percent of t

Italy's public debt hits 2.86 tln euros in 2023

STORY: Italy's public debt hits 2.86 tln euros in 2023 SHOOTING TIME: Feb. 16, 2024 DATELINE: Feb. 17, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:22 LOCATION: Rome CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of banks in Rome 2. various of stores in Rome 3. various of goods in a fresh market of Rome STORYLINE: Italy's public debt reached 2.86 trillion euros (3.08 trillion U.S. dollars) at the end of 2023, an increase of 105 billion euros compared to the level a year ago, the Bank of Italy said on Thursday. Italy's debt was estimated to be equivalent to around 140 percent of GDP at the end of last year, down from a debt level of 141.7 percent of GDP at the end of 2022, the bank said in a statement. The biggest part of the increase came from 89 billion euros spent on public administration, it said. On Thursday, the European Commission downgraded its estimates for Italian economic growth this year to 0.7 percent, from 0.9 percent previously. Its growth forecast for Italy is 1.2 percent for 2025. (1 euro = 1.08 U.S. dollar) Xi

CHINA-ECONOMY-GDP-GROWTH (CN)

CHINA-ECONOMY-GDP-GROWTH (CN)

(240117) -- BEIJING, Jan. 17, 2024 (Xinhua) -- A woman works at an enterprise producing net and rope products in Lizhuang Town of Huimin County, east China's Shandong Province, Nov. 22, 2023. China's gross domestic product (GDP) posted a growth of 5.2 percent year on year in 2023, higher than the annual target of around 5 percent, data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed Wednesday. The country's GDP reached a record of 126.06 trillion yuan (about 17.71 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2023, the NBS data showed. (Xinhua/Guo Xulei)

CHINA-ECONOMY-GDP-GROWTH (CN)

CHINA-ECONOMY-GDP-GROWTH (CN)

(240117) -- BEIJING, Jan. 17, 2024 (Xinhua) -- An employee works at a wheel loader assembly line of a Develon subsidiary in Yantai, east China's Shandong Province, Dec. 26, 2023. China's gross domestic product (GDP) posted a growth of 5.2 percent year on year in 2023, higher than the annual target of around 5 percent, data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed Wednesday. The country's GDP reached a record of 126.06 trillion yuan (about 17.71 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2023, the NBS data showed. (Xinhua/Guo Xulei)

CHINA-ECONOMY-GDP-GROWTH (CN)

CHINA-ECONOMY-GDP-GROWTH (CN)

(240117) -- BEIJING, Jan. 17, 2024 (Xinhua) -- A staff member works at a chip manufacturing plant in a high-tech industry park in Juye County, east China's Shandong Province, Nov. 30, 2023. China's gross domestic product (GDP) posted a growth of 5.2 percent year on year in 2023, higher than the annual target of around 5 percent, data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed Wednesday. The country's GDP reached a record of 126.06 trillion yuan (about 17.71 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2023, the NBS data showed. (Xinhua/Guo Xulei)

Chinese economy beats 2023 growth targets with GDP reaching new level

STORY: Chinese economy beats 2023 growth targets with GDP reaching new level SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 16, 2024/file DATELINE: Jan. 17, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:47 LOCATION: BEIJING/SHANGHAI, China CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of China 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ZHOU HAO, Chief Economist, Guotai Junan Securities Co., Ltd. 3. various of China 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): JEROME GRAY, President Global Marketing Premium Chocolate, Ferrero STORYLINE: China's gross domestic product (GDP) posted a growth of 5.2 percent year on year in 2023, higher than the annual target of around 5 percent, data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed Wednesday. The country's GDP reached a record of 126.06 trillion yuan (about 17.71 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2023. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ZHOU HAO, Chief Economist, Guotai Junan Securities Co., Ltd. "The year of 2023 is important for the Chinese economy. We see that the overall consumption has been leading the economic recovery since Q1 in 2023. In the meantime, the invest

China's GDP expands 5.2 pct in 2023, surpassing annual target

STORY: China's GDP expands 5.2 pct in 2023, surpassing annual target SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 17, 2024 DATELINE: Jan. 17, 2024 LENGTH: 00:00:17 LOCATION: Beijing CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): KANG YI, Head of the National Bureau of Statistics STORYLINE: China's gross domestic product (GDP) posted a growth of 5.2 percent year on year in 2023, higher than the annual target of around 5 percent, data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed Wednesday. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): KANG YI, Head of the National Bureau of Statistics "According to preliminary estimates, the gross domestic product (GDP) was 126,058.2 billion yuan in 2023, an increase of 5.2 percent over the previous year at constant prices." Preliminary calculations show that the gross domestic product (GDP) for the whole year was 126.0582 trillion yuan, an increase of 5.2% over the previous year at constant prices. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Beijing. (XHTV)

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

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

China's economy resilient, attractive for foreign investments: experts

STORY: China's economy resilient, attractive for foreign investments: experts SHOOTING TIME: file DATELINE: Dec. 17, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:45 LOCATION: Beijing CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of street views in China 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): SELCUK COLAKOGLU, Director of the Ankara-based Turkish Center for Asia-Pacific Studies 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): MOSTAFA IBRAHIM, Vice-president of the Chinese-Egyptian Business Council STORYLINE: China's economy expanded 5.2 percent year on year in the first three quarters of the year, marking the strongest performance among the world's major economies. Recent forecasts from multiple international institutions, including the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, all showed that China can achieve its growth target of around 5 percent this year. Some experts have said that China's economy performs well with resilience and is attractive for foreign investments. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): SELCUK COL

Louvre Raises Ticket Prices by Nearly 30 Percent - Paris

Louvre Raises Ticket Prices by Nearly 30 Percent - Paris

Visitors take pictures of Mona Lisa (La Joconde) painting with their phonesat the Louvre Museum on December 12, 2023 In Paris, France. Visiting the Louvre will soon cost more than ever, as the world's biggest museum seeks to cover rising costs without lifting caps on crowds. Ticket prices are set to climb from € 17 to € 22 next month, an increase of nearly 30 percent. The hike, which comes into effect from 15 January, is the first time the museum has raised its prices since 2017. It comes around six months before the 2024 Paris Olympics, which are expected to flood the French capital with tourists from around the world. Photo by Alexis Jumeau/ABACAPRESS.COM

Louvre Raises Ticket Prices by Nearly 30 Percent - Paris

Louvre Raises Ticket Prices by Nearly 30 Percent - Paris

Illustration of a Louvre ticket in Paris, France on December 12, 2023. Visiting the Louvre will soon cost more than ever, as the world's biggest museum seeks to cover rising costs without lifting caps on crowds. Ticket prices are set to climb from € 17 to € 22 next month, an increase of nearly 30 percent. The hike, which comes into effect from 15 January, is the first time the museum has raised its prices since 2017. It comes around six months before the 2024 Paris Olympics, which are expected to flood the French capital with tourists from around the world. Photo by Alexis Jumeau/ABACAPRESS.COM

Louvre Raises Ticket Prices by Nearly 30 Percent - Paris

Louvre Raises Ticket Prices by Nearly 30 Percent - Paris

Visitors take pictures of Mona Lisa (La Joconde) painting with their phonesat the Louvre Museum on December 12, 2023 In Paris, France. Visiting the Louvre will soon cost more than ever, as the world's biggest museum seeks to cover rising costs without lifting caps on crowds. Ticket prices are set to climb from € 17 to € 22 next month, an increase of nearly 30 percent. The hike, which comes into effect from 15 January, is the first time the museum has raised its prices since 2017. It comes around six months before the 2024 Paris Olympics, which are expected to flood the French capital with tourists from around the world. Photo by Alexis Jumeau/ABACAPRESS.COM

Louvre Raises Ticket Prices by Nearly 30 Percent - Paris

Louvre Raises Ticket Prices by Nearly 30 Percent - Paris

Visitors take pictures of Mona Lisa (La Joconde) painting with their phonesat the Louvre Museum on December 12, 2023 In Paris, France. Visiting the Louvre will soon cost more than ever, as the world's biggest museum seeks to cover rising costs without lifting caps on crowds. Ticket prices are set to climb from € 17 to € 22 next month, an increase of nearly 30 percent. The hike, which comes into effect from 15 January, is the first time the museum has raised its prices since 2017. It comes around six months before the 2024 Paris Olympics, which are expected to flood the French capital with tourists from around the world. Photo by Alexis Jumeau/ABACAPRESS.COM

Louvre Raises Ticket Prices by Nearly 30 Percent - Paris

Louvre Raises Ticket Prices by Nearly 30 Percent - Paris

Illustration of a Louvre ticket in Paris, France on December 12, 2023. Visiting the Louvre will soon cost more than ever, as the world's biggest museum seeks to cover rising costs without lifting caps on crowds. Ticket prices are set to climb from € 17 to € 22 next month, an increase of nearly 30 percent. The hike, which comes into effect from 15 January, is the first time the museum has raised its prices since 2017. It comes around six months before the 2024 Paris Olympics, which are expected to flood the French capital with tourists from around the world. Photo by Alexis Jumeau/ABACAPRESS.COM

Louvre Raises Ticket Prices by Nearly 30 Percent - Paris

Louvre Raises Ticket Prices by Nearly 30 Percent - Paris

Visitors queuing to enter the Louvre Museum on December 12, 2023 in Paris, France. Visiting the Louvre will soon cost more than ever, as the world's biggest museum seeks to cover rising costs without lifting caps on crowds. Ticket prices are set to climb from € 17 to € 22 next month, an increase of nearly 30 percent. The hike, which comes into effect from 15 January, is the first time the museum has raised its prices since 2017. It comes around six months before the 2024 Paris Olympics, which are expected to flood the French capital with tourists from around the world. Photo by Alexis Jumeau/ABACAPRESS.COM

Louvre Raises Ticket Prices by Nearly 30 Percent - Paris

Louvre Raises Ticket Prices by Nearly 30 Percent - Paris

Visitors take pictures of Mona Lisa (La Joconde) painting with their phonesat the Louvre Museum on December 12, 2023 In Paris, France. Visiting the Louvre will soon cost more than ever, as the world's biggest museum seeks to cover rising costs without lifting caps on crowds. Ticket prices are set to climb from € 17 to € 22 next month, an increase of nearly 30 percent. The hike, which comes into effect from 15 January, is the first time the museum has raised its prices since 2017. It comes around six months before the 2024 Paris Olympics, which are expected to flood the French capital with tourists from around the world. Photo by Alexis Jumeau/ABACAPRESS.COM

Louvre Raises Ticket Prices by Nearly 30 Percent - Paris

Louvre Raises Ticket Prices by Nearly 30 Percent - Paris

Visitors queuing to enter the Louvre Museum on December 12, 2023 in Paris, France. Visiting the Louvre will soon cost more than ever, as the world's biggest museum seeks to cover rising costs without lifting caps on crowds. Ticket prices are set to climb from € 17 to € 22 next month, an increase of nearly 30 percent. The hike, which comes into effect from 15 January, is the first time the museum has raised its prices since 2017. It comes around six months before the 2024 Paris Olympics, which are expected to flood the French capital with tourists from around the world. Photo by Alexis Jumeau/ABACAPRESS.COM

Louvre Raises Ticket Prices by Nearly 30 Percent - Paris

Louvre Raises Ticket Prices by Nearly 30 Percent - Paris

The statue penis at the Louvre museum on December 12, 2023. Visiting the Louvre will soon cost more than ever, as the world's biggest museum seeks to cover rising costs without lifting caps on crowds. Ticket prices are set to climb from € 17 to € 22 next month, an increase of nearly 30 percent. The hike, which comes into effect from 15 January, is the first time the museum has raised its prices since 2017. It comes around six months before the 2024 Paris Olympics, which are expected to flood the French capital with tourists from around the world. Photo by Alexis Jumeau/ABACAPRESS.COM

Louvre Raises Ticket Prices by Nearly 30 Percent - Paris

Louvre Raises Ticket Prices by Nearly 30 Percent - Paris

Visitors take pictures of Mona Lisa (La Joconde) painting with their phonesat the Louvre Museum on December 12, 2023 In Paris, France. Visiting the Louvre will soon cost more than ever, as the world's biggest museum seeks to cover rising costs without lifting caps on crowds. Ticket prices are set to climb from € 17 to € 22 next month, an increase of nearly 30 percent. The hike, which comes into effect from 15 January, is the first time the museum has raised its prices since 2017. It comes around six months before the 2024 Paris Olympics, which are expected to flood the French capital with tourists from around the world. Photo by Alexis Jumeau/ABACAPRESS.COM

Louvre Raises Ticket Prices by Nearly 30 Percent - Paris

Louvre Raises Ticket Prices by Nearly 30 Percent - Paris

Visitors take pictures of Mona Lisa (La Joconde) painting with their phonesat the Louvre Museum on December 12, 2023 In Paris, France. Visiting the Louvre will soon cost more than ever, as the world's biggest museum seeks to cover rising costs without lifting caps on crowds. Ticket prices are set to climb from € 17 to € 22 next month, an increase of nearly 30 percent. The hike, which comes into effect from 15 January, is the first time the museum has raised its prices since 2017. It comes around six months before the 2024 Paris Olympics, which are expected to flood the French capital with tourists from around the world. Photo by Alexis Jumeau/ABACAPRESS.COM

Louvre Raises Ticket Prices by Nearly 30 Percent - Paris

Louvre Raises Ticket Prices by Nearly 30 Percent - Paris

Visitors around the Louvre Museum on December 12, 2023 in Paris, France. Visiting the Louvre will soon cost more than ever, as the world's biggest museum seeks to cover rising costs without lifting caps on crowds. Ticket prices are set to climb from € 17 to € 22 next month, an increase of nearly 30 percent. The hike, which comes into effect from 15 January, is the first time the museum has raised its prices since 2017. It comes around six months before the 2024 Paris Olympics, which are expected to flood the French capital with tourists from around the world. Photo by Alexis Jumeau/ABACAPRESS.COM

Louvre Raises Ticket Prices by Nearly 30 Percent - Paris

Louvre Raises Ticket Prices by Nearly 30 Percent - Paris

Visitors queuing to enter the Louvre Museum on December 12, 2023 in Paris, France. Visiting the Louvre will soon cost more than ever, as the world's biggest museum seeks to cover rising costs without lifting caps on crowds. Ticket prices are set to climb from € 17 to € 22 next month, an increase of nearly 30 percent. The hike, which comes into effect from 15 January, is the first time the museum has raised its prices since 2017. It comes around six months before the 2024 Paris Olympics, which are expected to flood the French capital with tourists from around the world. Photo by Alexis Jumeau/ABACAPRESS.COM

Louvre Raises Ticket Prices by Nearly 30 Percent - Paris

Louvre Raises Ticket Prices by Nearly 30 Percent - Paris

Visitors queuing to enter the Louvre Museum on December 12, 2023 in Paris, France. Visiting the Louvre will soon cost more than ever, as the world's biggest museum seeks to cover rising costs without lifting caps on crowds. Ticket prices are set to climb from € 17 to € 22 next month, an increase of nearly 30 percent. The hike, which comes into effect from 15 January, is the first time the museum has raised its prices since 2017. It comes around six months before the 2024 Paris Olympics, which are expected to flood the French capital with tourists from around the world. Photo by Alexis Jumeau/ABACAPRESS.COM

Louvre Raises Ticket Prices by Nearly 30 Percent - Paris

Louvre Raises Ticket Prices by Nearly 30 Percent - Paris

The statue penis at the Louvre museum on December 12, 2023. Visiting the Louvre will soon cost more than ever, as the world's biggest museum seeks to cover rising costs without lifting caps on crowds. Ticket prices are set to climb from € 17 to € 22 next month, an increase of nearly 30 percent. The hike, which comes into effect from 15 January, is the first time the museum has raised its prices since 2017. It comes around six months before the 2024 Paris Olympics, which are expected to flood the French capital with tourists from around the world. Photo by Alexis Jumeau/ABACAPRESS.COM

Louvre Raises Ticket Prices by Nearly 30 Percent - Paris

Louvre Raises Ticket Prices by Nearly 30 Percent - Paris

Visitors queuing to enter the Louvre Museum on December 12, 2023 in Paris, France. Visiting the Louvre will soon cost more than ever, as the world's biggest museum seeks to cover rising costs without lifting caps on crowds. Ticket prices are set to climb from € 17 to € 22 next month, an increase of nearly 30 percent. The hike, which comes into effect from 15 January, is the first time the museum has raised its prices since 2017. It comes around six months before the 2024 Paris Olympics, which are expected to flood the French capital with tourists from around the world. Photo by Alexis Jumeau/ABACAPRESS.COM

Louvre Raises Ticket Prices by Nearly 30 Percent - Paris

Louvre Raises Ticket Prices by Nearly 30 Percent - Paris

Visitors queuing to enter the Louvre Museum on December 12, 2023 in Paris, France. Visiting the Louvre will soon cost more than ever, as the world's biggest museum seeks to cover rising costs without lifting caps on crowds. Ticket prices are set to climb from € 17 to € 22 next month, an increase of nearly 30 percent. The hike, which comes into effect from 15 January, is the first time the museum has raised its prices since 2017. It comes around six months before the 2024 Paris Olympics, which are expected to flood the French capital with tourists from around the world. Photo by Alexis Jumeau/ABACAPRESS.COM

Louvre Raises Ticket Prices by Nearly 30 Percent - Paris

Louvre Raises Ticket Prices by Nearly 30 Percent - Paris

Visitors around the Louvre Museum on December 12, 2023 in Paris, France. Visiting the Louvre will soon cost more than ever, as the world's biggest museum seeks to cover rising costs without lifting caps on crowds. Ticket prices are set to climb from € 17 to € 22 next month, an increase of nearly 30 percent. The hike, which comes into effect from 15 January, is the first time the museum has raised its prices since 2017. It comes around six months before the 2024 Paris Olympics, which are expected to flood the French capital with tourists from around the world. Photo by Alexis Jumeau/ABACAPRESS.COM

Louvre Raises Ticket Prices by Nearly 30 Percent - Paris

Louvre Raises Ticket Prices by Nearly 30 Percent - Paris

Visitors around the Louvre Museum on December 12, 2023 in Paris, France. Visiting the Louvre will soon cost more than ever, as the world's biggest museum seeks to cover rising costs without lifting caps on crowds. Ticket prices are set to climb from € 17 to € 22 next month, an increase of nearly 30 percent. The hike, which comes into effect from 15 January, is the first time the museum has raised its prices since 2017. It comes around six months before the 2024 Paris Olympics, which are expected to flood the French capital with tourists from around the world. Photo by Alexis Jumeau/ABACAPRESS.COM

China locomotive of world economy: Russian expert

STORY: China locomotive of world economy: Russian expert SHOOTING TIME: Dec. 7, 2013 DATELINE: Dec. 13, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:17 LOCATION: Moscow CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. file footages of Chinese economy 2. SOUNDBITE (Russian): ALESKEY KORNILOV, Investment strategist, Russia's VTB Bank STORYLINE: China is a locomotive of the world economy and is expected to maintain its robust performance in 2024, a Russian expert told Xinhua in a recent interview. SOUNDBITE (Russian): ALESKEY KORNILOV, Investment strategist, Russia's VTB Bank "The Chinese economy is aiming at a growth of around 5 percent this year. Naturally, it is a locomotive of the global economy. We also believe that China's fast growth rates will continue next year. China is a major trading partner for many countries, and therefore it is a really important part of the global economy and for Russia as well. We also state that China is our largest trade partner. We see that the relations are very close, and this has laid a good foundation for t

Q3 data reveals China's economic recovery gathering steam

STORY: Q3 data reveals China's economic recovery gathering steam DATELINE: Oct. 18, 2023 LENGTH: 0:01:17 LOCATION: Beijing CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of different industries in China STORYLINE: The Chinese economy has sustained its recovery momentum with solid progress made in high-quality development in both the third quarter (Q3) and the first three quarters of this year, official data showed Wednesday. China's gross domestic product (GDP) expanded 4.9 percent in Q3 year on year. It grew 5.2 percent year on year in the first three quarters of 2023, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). An array of other data released Wednesday underscored the gathering of steam by the world's second-largest economy, despite lingering global and domestic headwinds, consolidating the country's confidence in being able to meet its annual GDP growth target of around 5 percent. Consumption, a mainstay of the Chinese economy, has seen a steady expansion with an 83.2-percent contribution to GDP gr

Droughts threaten cereal production in Spain: expert

STORY: Droughts threaten cereal production in Spain: expert DATELINE: Aug. 17, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:01 LOCATION: Madrid CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT SHOTLIST: 1. various of harvest 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Spanish): JAVIER ALEJANDRE, Union of Small Farmers and Ranchers (UPA) representative in Madrid 3. various of harvest 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Spanish): JAVIER ALEJANDRE, Union of Small Farmers and Ranchers (UPA) representative in Madrid 5. various of harvest STORYLINE: The severe droughts currently affecting Spain will threaten cereal production this year, a Spanish expert has warned. SOUNDBITE 1 (Spanish): JAVIER ALEJANDRE, Union of Small Farmers and Ranchers (UPA) representative in Madrid "It results in disastrous harvest, with production below 60 percent of normal, which means that our production this year has remained around 40 to 42 percent of normal annual production." Spain registered the driest start to a year in the first four months of this year since records began in the 1960s, with Catalonia and southern Spain's Anda

Syria doubles salaries amid fuel price hike

STORY: Syria doubles salaries amid fuel price hike DATELINE: Aug. 17, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:21 LOCATION: Damascus CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Damascus streets 2. various of a Syrian bank 3. various of Syrians waiting in the fuel queue 4. various of Syrians buying daily needs STORYLINE: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Tuesday ordered a 100-percent salary raise as the government sharply raised fuel prices, according to the state news agency SANA. The salary increase, covering state employees, retirees, and military personnel, is the ninth since 2011 when the Syrian war broke out. The country's economy has since been mired in an economic crisis. Prior to the decision, the monthly salary of civil servants had been between around 10 and 25 U.S. dollars, depending on the Syrian pound's street value. Also on Tuesday night, the Syrian Ministry of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection raised the prices of diesel fuel for transportation and bakeries by about 180 percent, and normal-octane gasoline

Hokkaido Electric seeks to raise electricity bills

Hokkaido Electric seeks to raise electricity bills

TOKYO, Japan - Katsuhiko Kawai, president of Hokkaido Electric Power Co., speaks with reporters after submitting an application to raise electricity bills for households by around 17 percent at the industry ministry in Tokyo on July 31, 2014.

Food prices in Spain up 15.4 percent in October

STORY: Food prices in Spain up 15.4 percent in October DATELINE: Nov. 17, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:01 LOCATION: Madrid CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the supermarket 2. SOUNDBITE (Spainish): NADIA CALVINO, First Deputy Prime Minister of Spain and Minister for Economy and Digitalization 3. various of the supermarket STORYLINE: Food prices in Spain went up 15.4 percent year on year in October. That's according to the latest data released by the National Statistics Institute. Sugar prices saw the largest increase, which climbed by 42.8 percent. The level of core inflation, which excludes fresh food and energy prices, remained at 6.2 percent. SOUNDBITE (Spainish): NADIA CALVINO, First Deputy Prime Minister of Spain and Minister for Economy and Digitalization "I would expect inflation to remain in Spain at around this level until the end of the year and for us to resume the downward path in 2023." Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Madrid. (XHTV)

New Zealand removes pre-departure COVID-19 tests for inbound travelers

STORY: New Zealand removes pre-departure COVID-19 tests for inbound travelers DATELINE: June 17, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:42 LOCATION: Wellington CATEGORY: HEALTH SHOTLIST: 1. various of streets in New Zealand STORYLINE: Travelers to New Zealand will no longer need a COVID-19 pre-departure test from 11:59 p.m., June 20, COVID-19 Response Minister Ayesha Verrall said on Thursday. "We've taken a careful and staged approach to reopening our borders to ensure we aren't overwhelmed with an influx of COVID-19 cases. Our strategy has worked and as a result, it's safe to lift pre-departure test requirements much sooner than planned," Verrall said in a statement. Around 90 percent of international arrivals undertake their required testing once they are in the country, with only a 2-3 percent positivity rate, she said, adding they don't anticipate a significant increase in border cases once the requirement is lifted. "Factors such as the availability of and cost of getting a test are increasingly becoming a ba

Egypt to receive 189,000 tonnes of wheat from Russia, Ukraine, Romania

STORY: Egypt to receive 189,000 tonnes of wheat from Russia, Ukraine, Romania DATELINE: March 14, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:17 LOCATION: Cairo CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the building of Egypt's Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade 2. various of Egypt's Alexandria port 3. various of wheat being unloaded STORYLINE: Egypt's Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade said on Sunday that the country would receive 189,000 tonnes of wheat from Russia, Ukraine and Romania in the coming days. The ministry said in a statement that the wheat was contracted before the Russia-Ukraine crisis. It also said that the most populous Arab country secured 126,000 tonnes of wheat last week from France and Romania. Egypt is the world's biggest wheat importer. Around 80 percent of its wheat imports come from Russia and Ukraine. The current conflict between Russia and Ukraine has prompted a drastic rise in the prices of wheat, raising concerns in Egypt. Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said the country has enough

Hokkaido Electric seeks to raise electricity bills

Hokkaido Electric seeks to raise electricity bills

TOKYO, Japan - Katsuhiko Kawai, president of Hokkaido Electric Power Co., speaks with reporters after submitting an application to raise electricity bills for households by around 17 percent at the industry ministry in Tokyo on July 31, 2014. (Kyodo)