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- Serie A - Torino FC vs Atalanta BC

Giampiero Ascensi Torino FC athletic trainer measures the temperature, humidity and wind with the barometer before the match during Serie A 2024/25 match between Torino FC and Atalanta BC at Olimpico Grande Torino Stadium on august 25, 2024 in Turin, Italy - ph Giuliano Marchisciano during Torino FC vs Atalanta BC, Italian soccer Serie A match in Turin, Italy, August 25 2024

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- Serie A - Torino FC vs Atalanta BC

Giampiero Ascensi Torino FC athletic trainer measures the temperature, humidity and wind with the barometer before the match during Serie A 2024/25 match between Torino FC and Atalanta BC at Olimpico Grande Torino Stadium on august 25, 2024 in Turin, Italy - ph Giuliano Marchisciano during Torino FC vs Atalanta BC, Italian soccer Serie A match in Turin, Italy, August 25 2024

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- Serie A - Torino FC vs Atalanta BC

Giampiero Ascensi Torino FC athletic trainer measures the temperature, humidity and wind with the barometer before the match during Serie A 2024/25 match between Torino FC and Atalanta BC at Olimpico Grande Torino Stadium on august 25, 2024 in Turin, Italy - ph Giuliano Marchisciano during Torino FC vs Atalanta BC, Italian soccer Serie A match in Turin, Italy, August 25 2024

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- Serie A - Torino FC vs Atalanta BC

Giampiero Ascensi Torino FC athletic trainer measures the temperature, humidity and wind with the barometer before the match during Serie A 2024/25 match between Torino FC and Atalanta BC at Olimpico Grande Torino Stadium on august 25, 2024 in Turin, Italy - ph Giuliano Marchisciano during Torino FC vs Atalanta BC, Italian soccer Serie A match in Turin, Italy, August 25 2024

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Japan's real wages down for 24th straight month

STORY: Japan's real wages down for 24th straight month SHOOTING TIME: May 4, 2024 DATELINE: May 10, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:35 LOCATION: Tokyo CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of street views in Tokyo STORYLINE: Japan's average monthly wages in inflation-adjusted terms logged the 24th straight month of decline in March, marking the longest period of continuous wage decline since comparable statistics began in 1991, official data showed on Thursday. Inflation-adjusted real wages, a barometer of consumer purchasing power, fell 2.5 percent from the same month last year, larger than the 1.8 percent fall in February, according to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. Nominal monthly earnings, including base pay and overtime, rose 0.6 percent from a year ago to reach 301,193 yen (about 1,932.5 U.S. dollars). Regular pay including basic salary in March went up 1.7 percent year on year, while overtime pay, a gauge of business activity, went down 1.5 percent. Special payment including bonuses f

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Japan's real wages shrink for 23rd straight month

STORY: Japan's real wages shrink for 23rd straight month SHOOTING TIME: file DATELINE: April 9, 2024 LENGTH: 00:00:41 LOCATION: Tokyo CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of street views in Tokyo 2. various of supermarkets in Tokyo 3. various of street views in Tokyo STORYLINE: Japan's average monthly wages in inflation-adjusted terms logged the 23rd straight month of decline in February as price increases continued to outpace nominal earnings growth, official data showed on Monday. Inflation-adjusted real wages, a barometer of consumer purchasing power, fell 1.3 percent from the same month last year, according to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. Nominal monthly earnings, including base pay and overtime, rose 1.8 percent from a year ago to reach 282,265 yen (about 1,859.8 U.S. dollars). Regular pay including basic salary in February went up 2.0 percent year on year, while overtime pay, a gauge of business activity, went down 1.0 percent. Meanwhile, the consumer price index exclu

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Asia's leading flower trading market mirrors China's economic vitality

STORY: Asia's leading flower trading market mirrors China's economic vitality DATELINE: Aug. 12, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:21 LOCATION: KUNMING, China CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the Kunming Dounan Flower Market 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): QIAN CHONGJUN, CEO of Yunnan Dounan Flower Industry Group 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): Tourist 4. various of the Kunming Dounan Flower Market 5. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): XIANG QUN, Store chief of ZTO Express STORYLINE: Flower trade is booming at the Kunming Dounan Flower Market in southwest China's Yunnan Province, especially after dark. As Asia's largest fresh-cut flower trading market and a reliable barometer of China's flower market prowess, the market has exported flowers to more than 40 countries and regions. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): QIAN CHONGJUN, CEO of Yunnan Dounan Flower Industry Group "Flowers are traded for about 21 hours a day, starting at 4:00 a.m. About over 30 million stems of flowers are transacted here on an average day. The market has more than 7,600 s

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Meeting endangered animals by China's Yangtze River

STORY: Meeting endangered animals by China's Yangtze River DATELINE: May 24, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:35 LOCATION: WUHAN, China CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT SHOTLIST: 1. STANDUP 1 (English): TIAN ZHONGQUAN, Xinhua correspondent 2. various of finless porpoises 3. STANDUP 2 (English): TIAN ZHONGQUAN, Xinhua correspondent 4. various of milu deer STORYLINE: STANDUP 1 (English): TIAN ZHONGQUAN, Xinhua correspondent "Hello, we are now in Shishou, a small city on the Yangtze River, in central China's Hubei Province. The Swan Islet Wetland, or Tianezhou Wetland, in this area, is home to two endangered species, namely finless porpoises and milu deer. Their population has recovered a lot in recent years, thanks to ecological conservation and a series of other measures. And today we came here to take a close look." The finless porpoise, known as the "giant panda of the water," is a barometer of the ecological environment in the Yangtze River. Once upon a time, this fleshy aquatic animal was in danger as its natural habitats wer

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Asia's leading flower market cashes in on "she economy"

STORY: Asia's leading flower market cashes in on "she economy" DATELINE: March 8, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:35 LOCATION: KUNMING, China CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Kunming's Dounan Flower Market 2. STANDUP (English): ZHAO ZHIQIN, Xinhua correspondent 3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): LI SHENGHUAN, Florist 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): ZHANG XIAN, Director of marketing and publicity, Kunming's Dounan Flower Market 5. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): ZHU QI, Kunming International Flora Auction Trading Center STORYLINE: As Asia's largest fresh-cut flower trading market with a yearly trade volume of 11 billion, the Dounan Flower Market is considered a reliable barometer of the performance of China's flower markets. It has exported flowers to more than 40 countries and regions. STANDUP (English): ZHAO ZHIQIN, Xinhua correspondent "Today, on the International Women's Day, we are here at Kunming's Dounan Flower Market, Asia's largest fresh-cut flower trading market, to see how the 'flower economy' has been boosted. Let's go fi

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Number of finless porpoises in China exceeds 1,200

STORY: Number of finless porpoises in China exceeds 1,200 DATELINE: Feb. 28, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:00 LOCATION: Beijing CATEGORY: SCIENCE SHOTLIST: various of Yangtze finless porpoise scientific expedition STORYLINE: A scientific investigation conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in 2022 showed that the number of Yangtze finless porpoises has reached 1,249, up 23.42 percent from five years ago. This is according to a press conference held on Tuesday. Ma Yi, an official with the ministry, attributed the increase to the 10-year fishing ban in the key waters of the Yangtze River which was imposed in 2021 with the aim of ecological conservation. The finless porpoise, known as the "giant panda of the water," is a barometer of the ecological environment in the Yangtze River basin. Other aquatic bioresources in the key waters of the Yangtze River have also seen a recovery. In 2022, 193 varieties of fish were spotted in the area, marking an increase of 25 varieties from 2020. Xinhua News Ag

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CHINA-HUBEI-YICHANG-FINLESS PORPOISE (CN)

(230228) -- YICHANG, Feb. 28, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A finless porpoise jumps out of the water of the Yangtze River in Yichang, central China's Hubei Province, Feb. 27, 2023. A scientific investigation conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in 2022 showed that the number of Yangtze finless porpoises has reached 1,249, up 23.42 percent from five years ago, according to a press conference held on Tuesday. The finless porpoise, known as the "giant panda of the water," is a barometer of the ecological environment in the Yangtze River basin. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

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CHINA-HUBEI-YICHANG-FINLESS PORPOISE (CN)

(230228) -- YICHANG, Feb. 28, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A finless porpoise swims in the Yangtze River in Yichang, central China's Hubei Province, May 11, 2021. A scientific investigation conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in 2022 showed that the number of Yangtze finless porpoises has reached 1,249, up 23.42 percent from five years ago, according to a press conference held on Tuesday. The finless porpoise, known as the "giant panda of the water," is a barometer of the ecological environment in the Yangtze River basin. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

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CHINA-HUBEI-YICHANG-FINLESS PORPOISE (CN)

(230228) -- YICHANG, Feb. 28, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Finless porpoises swim in the Yangtze River in Yichang, central China's Hubei Province, May 10, 2021. A scientific investigation conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in 2022 showed that the number of Yangtze finless porpoises has reached 1,249, up 23.42 percent from five years ago, according to a press conference held on Tuesday. The finless porpoise, known as the "giant panda of the water," is a barometer of the ecological environment in the Yangtze River basin. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

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CHINA-HUBEI-YICHANG-FINLESS PORPOISE (CN)

(230228) -- YICHANG, Feb. 28, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A finless porpoise swims in the Yangtze River in Yichang, central China's Hubei Province, Oct. 3, 2022. A scientific investigation conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in 2022 showed that the number of Yangtze finless porpoises has reached 1,249, up 23.42 percent from five years ago, according to a press conference held on Tuesday. The finless porpoise, known as the "giant panda of the water," is a barometer of the ecological environment in the Yangtze River basin. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

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CHINA-HUBEI-YICHANG-FINLESS PORPOISE (CN)

(230228) -- YICHANG, Feb. 28, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A finless porpoise swims in the Yangtze River in Yichang, central China's Hubei Province, Oct. 11, 2022. A scientific investigation conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in 2022 showed that the number of Yangtze finless porpoises has reached 1,249, up 23.42 percent from five years ago, according to a press conference held on Tuesday. The finless porpoise, known as the "giant panda of the water," is a barometer of the ecological environment in the Yangtze River basin. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

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CHINA-HUBEI-YICHANG-FINLESS PORPOISE (CN)

(230228) -- YICHANG, Feb. 28, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A finless porpoise swims in the Yangtze River in Yichang, central China's Hubei Province, Feb. 27, 2023. A scientific investigation conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in 2022 showed that the number of Yangtze finless porpoises has reached 1,249, up 23.42 percent from five years ago, according to a press conference held on Tuesday. The finless porpoise, known as the "giant panda of the water," is a barometer of the ecological environment in the Yangtze River basin. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

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CHINA-HUBEI-YICHANG-FINLESS PORPOISE (CN)

(230228) -- YICHANG, Feb. 28, 2023 (Xinhua) -- This aerial photo taken on May 11, 2021 shows finless porpoises swimming in the Yangtze River in Yichang, central China's Hubei Province. A scientific investigation conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in 2022 showed that the number of Yangtze finless porpoises has reached 1,249, up 23.42 percent from five years ago, according to a press conference held on Tuesday. The finless porpoise, known as the "giant panda of the water," is a barometer of the ecological environment in the Yangtze River basin. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

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CHINA-HUBEI-YICHANG-FINLESS PORPOISE (CN)

(230228) -- YICHANG, Feb. 28, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A finless porpoise catches fish in the Yangtze River in Yichang, central China's Hubei Province, Feb. 19, 2023. A scientific investigation conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in 2022 showed that the number of Yangtze finless porpoises has reached 1,249, up 23.42 percent from five years ago, according to a press conference held on Tuesday. The finless porpoise, known as the "giant panda of the water," is a barometer of the ecological environment in the Yangtze River basin. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

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CHINA-HUBEI-YICHANG-FINLESS PORPOISE (CN)

(230228) -- YICHANG, Feb. 28, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A finless porpoise jumps out of the water of the Yangtze River in Yichang, central China's Hubei Province, Oct. 11, 2022. A scientific investigation conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in 2022 showed that the number of Yangtze finless porpoises has reached 1,249, up 23.42 percent from five years ago, according to a press conference held on Tuesday. The finless porpoise, known as the "giant panda of the water," is a barometer of the ecological environment in the Yangtze River basin. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

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CHINA-HUBEI-YICHANG-FINLESS PORPOISE (CN)

(230228) -- YICHANG, Feb. 28, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Researchers use binoculars to conduct monitoring work during a scientific expedition on Yangtze finless porpoises at the Shishou section of the Yangtze River, central China's Hubei Province, Sept. 23, 2022. A scientific investigation conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in 2022 showed that the number of Yangtze finless porpoises has reached 1,249, up 23.42 percent from five years ago, according to a press conference held on Tuesday. The finless porpoise, known as the "giant panda of the water," is a barometer of the ecological environment in the Yangtze River basin. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

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CHINA-HUBEI-YICHANG-FINLESS PORPOISE (CN)

(230228) -- YICHANG, Feb. 28, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A researcher uses a pair of binoculars to conduct monitoring work during a scientific expedition on Yangtze finless porpoises at the Shishou section of the Yangtze River, central China's Hubei Province, Sept. 23, 2022. A scientific investigation conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in 2022 showed that the number of Yangtze finless porpoises has reached 1,249, up 23.42 percent from five years ago, according to a press conference held on Tuesday. The finless porpoise, known as the "giant panda of the water," is a barometer of the ecological environment in the Yangtze River basin. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

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CHINA-HUBEI-YICHANG-FINLESS PORPOISE (CN)

(230228) -- YICHANG, Feb. 28, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Finless porpoises swim in the Yangtze River in Yichang, central China's Hubei Province, May 11, 2021. A scientific investigation conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in 2022 showed that the number of Yangtze finless porpoises has reached 1,249, up 23.42 percent from five years ago, according to a press conference held on Tuesday. The finless porpoise, known as the "giant panda of the water," is a barometer of the ecological environment in the Yangtze River basin. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

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Two Yangtze finless porpoises relocated to safer home in China's Jiangxi

STORY: Two Yangtze finless porpoises relocated to safer home in China's Jiangxi DATELINE: Feb. 17, 2023 LENGTH: 0:00:37 LOCATION: NANCHANG, China CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Yangtze finless porpoises STORYLINE: Two Yangtze finless porpoises were relocated to a safer home in China's Jiangxi Province on Wednesday. The two mammals had been stuck in a shallow water area in Poyang Lake due to drought last year, and couldn't swim back to the deep water area by themselves. The Yangtze finless porpoise is an iconic species in the Yangtze River, the country's longest river. It's under top-level state protection. The species, known as the "giant panda of the water," is a barometer of the ecological environment in the Yangtze River basin. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Nanchang, China. (XHTV)

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Revisiting finless porpoises after drought in China's Poyang Lake

STORY: Revisiting finless porpoises after drought in China's Poyang Lake DATELINE: Jan. 17, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:45 LOCATION: JIUJIANG, China CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT SHOTLIST: 1. various of the finless porpoises 2. various of the patrol 3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): ZHAN BAISHAN, Head of the finless porpoise rescue team in Duchang County, Jiangxi Province 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): YU SHUNYUAN, Member of the fishery administration team in Duchang County, Jiangxi Province 5. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): ZHAN BAISHAN, Head of the finless porpoise rescue team in Duchang County, Jiangxi Province STORYLINE: The Yangtze finless porpoise, known as the "giant panda of the water," is a barometer of the ecological environment in the Yangtze River basin. The endangered species has nearly half of its population living in Poyang Lake, the country's largest freshwater lake in Jiangxi Province. In November last year, the prolonged drought lowered the water level of the lake sharply. Over 100 finless porpoises were soon transferred to

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Nikkei tops 10,000

TOKYO, Japan - An electronic signboard in Tokyo's Yaesu district shows that Japan's Nikkei stock index was trading up 133.23 points at 10,056.24 at one point on the morning of Dec. 19, 2012. The key stock barometer rose above the 10,000 mark for the first time since April 4.

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Cherry blossoms bloom in Tokyo, ahead of nation

TOKYO, Japan - The cherry blossoms bloom at the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo on March 20, eight days earlier than usual, the Japan Meteorological Agency says. The agency certified the first blossoms in Tokyo, the third earliest confirmation on record, making the capital the first place in the nation this year to report on this closely watched barometer of spring.

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Former Indonesian official speaks highly of Indonesia-China cooperation

STORY: Former Indonesian official speaks highly of Indonesia-China cooperation DATELINE: Nov. 13, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:49 LOCATION: Jakarta CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Jakarta-Bandung high-speed rail line 2. various of Indonesia-China cooperation on COVID-19 vaccines 3. SOUNDBITE (Indonesian): MARZUKI ALIE, Former Speaker of People's Representative Council of Indonesia STORYLINE: Former Speaker of People's Representative Council of Indonesia Marzuki Alie has spoken highly of the Indonesia-China cooperation, which has produced fruitful results and is entering into a new era. SOUNDBITE (Indonesian): MARZUKI ALIE, Former Speaker of People's Representative Council of Indonesia "Regarding the results of the Indonesia-China cooperation, we can see the cooperation in the construction of the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed rail line. This project is sufficiently highlighted by the Indonesian people and even the world, so it is considered a barometer of China-Indonesia cooperation. In addition to the Jakart

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Container throughput of China's Tianjin Port hits record high in Q1

STORY: Container throughput of China's Tianjin Port hits record high in Q1 DATELINE: April 9, 2022 LENGTH: 0:00:37 LOCATION: TIANJIN, China CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the port in Tianjin STORYLINE: North China's Tianjin Port handled approximately 4.63 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of containers in the first three months of 2022, up 3.5 percent year on year. The throughput figure marks a record high for the port compared to the same period in previous years, according to the port's operator. Despite negative impacts brought by the COVID-19 resurgence, the port has rolled out a series of prevention and control measures to safeguard smooth operation. Meanwhile, it also launched a new direct sea route to Australia and new sea-rail transport services this year. Ports are a barometer of economic development. Tianjin Port on the coast of the Bohai Sea is a pivotal shipping outlet for the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. The port in the Tianjin Municipality currently has more

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GERMANY-FRANKFURT-CONSUMER SENTIMENT-DETERIORATING

(220408) -- FRANKFURT, April 8, 2022 (Xinhua) -- A consumer shops at a supermarket in Frankfurt, Germany, April 7, 2022. Consumer sentiment in Germany "deteriorated massively" in April due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, according to the Consumer Barometer published by the German Retail Federation (HDE) on Monday. TO GO WITH "German consumer sentiment at historic low due to Russia-Ukraine conflict: survey" (Xinhua/Lu Yang)

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GERMANY-FRANKFURT-CONSUMER SENTIMENT-DETERIORATING

(220408) -- FRANKFURT, April 8, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Consumers shop at a supermarket in Frankfurt, Germany, April 7, 2022. Consumer sentiment in Germany "deteriorated massively" in April due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, according to the Consumer Barometer published by the German Retail Federation (HDE) on Monday. TO GO WITH "German consumer sentiment at historic low due to Russia-Ukraine conflict: survey" (Xinhua/Lu Yang)

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GERMANY-FRANKFURT-CONSUMER SENTIMENT-DETERIORATING

(220408) -- FRANKFURT, April 8, 2022 (Xinhua) -- A consumer shops at a supermarket in Frankfurt, Germany, April 7, 2022. Consumer sentiment in Germany "deteriorated massively" in April due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, according to the Consumer Barometer published by the German Retail Federation (HDE) on Monday. TO GO WITH "German consumer sentiment at historic low due to Russia-Ukraine conflict: survey" (Xinhua/Lu Yang)

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GERMANY-FRANKFURT-CONSUMER SENTIMENT-DETERIORATING

(220408) -- FRANKFURT, April 8, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Consumers shop at a supermarket in Frankfurt, Germany, April 7, 2022. Consumer sentiment in Germany "deteriorated massively" in April due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, according to the Consumer Barometer published by the German Retail Federation (HDE) on Monday. TO GO WITH "German consumer sentiment at historic low due to Russia-Ukraine conflict: survey" (Xinhua/Lu Yang)

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GERMANY-FRANKFURT-CONSUMER SENTIMENT-DETERIORATING

(220408) -- FRANKFURT, April 8, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Consumers shop at a supermarket in Frankfurt, Germany, April 7, 2022. Consumer sentiment in Germany "deteriorated massively" in April due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, according to the Consumer Barometer published by the German Retail Federation (HDE) on Monday. TO GO WITH "German consumer sentiment at historic low due to Russia-Ukraine conflict: survey" (Xinhua/Lu Yang)

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GERMANY-FRANKFURT-CONSUMER SENTIMENT-DETERIORATING

(220408) -- FRANKFURT, April 8, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Consumers shop at a supermarket in Frankfurt, Germany, April 7, 2022. Consumer sentiment in Germany "deteriorated massively" in April due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, according to the Consumer Barometer published by the German Retail Federation (HDE) on Monday. TO GO WITH "German consumer sentiment at historic low due to Russia-Ukraine conflict: survey" (Xinhua/Lu Yang)

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GERMANY-FRANKFURT-CONSUMER SENTIMENT-DETERIORATING

(220408) -- FRANKFURT, April 8, 2022 (Xinhua) -- A consumer shops at a supermarket in Frankfurt, Germany, April 7, 2022. Consumer sentiment in Germany "deteriorated massively" in April due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, according to the Consumer Barometer published by the German Retail Federation (HDE) on Monday. TO GO WITH "German consumer sentiment at historic low due to Russia-Ukraine conflict: survey" (Xinhua/Lu Yang)

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Nikkei slips below 17,000

A monitor in Tokyo shows the Nikkei Stock Average shedding more than 600 points to slip below 17,000 in afternoon trading on Sept. 29, 2015. The key Japanese stock barometer fell below the line for the first time since mid-January. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Nikkei ends at 15-year high

A signboard in Tokyo's Higashi-shimbashi district shows the closing level of the Nikkei Stock Average, Japan's key stock barometer, on April 8, 2015. The Nikkei ended up 149.27 points or 0.76 percent at 19,789.81, the highest close since April 2000. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Cherry blossoms bloom in Tokyo, ahead of nation

TOKYO, Japan - The cherry blossoms bloom at the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo on March 20, eight days earlier than usual, the Japan Meteorological Agency says. The agency certified the first blossoms in Tokyo, the third earliest confirmation on record, making the capital the first place in the nation this year to report on this closely watched barometer of spring. (Kyodo)