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Mass Wedding Ceremony - Iraq

Two couples walk side by side in Akre, Iraq on August 16, 2025. Akre hosted a mass wedding ceremony for 90 couples from Bardarash and Akre. The event was held on the occasion of Massoud Barzani’s birthday and the 79th anniversary of the founding of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). Each bride and groom received 10 million Iraqi dinars along with coverage of transportation expenses. Photo by Showan Sulaiman Ali/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Mass Wedding Ceremony - Iraq

Couples sit during the mass wedding in Akre, Iraq on August 16, 2025. Akre hosted a mass wedding ceremony for 90 couples from Bardarash and Akre. The event was held on the occasion of Massoud Barzani’s birthday and the 79th anniversary of the founding of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). Each bride and groom received 10 million Iraqi dinars along with coverage of transportation expenses. Photo by Showan Sulaiman Ali/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Mass Wedding Ceremony - Iraq

Brides and grooms line up during a mass wedding ceremony in Akre, Iraq on August 16, 2025. Akre hosted a mass wedding ceremony for 90 couples from Bardarash and Akre. The event was held on the occasion of Massoud Barzani’s birthday and the 79th anniversary of the founding of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). Each bride and groom received 10 million Iraqi dinars along with coverage of transportation expenses. Photo by Showan Sulaiman Ali/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Mass Wedding Ceremony - Iraq

Several newlywed couples walk along the road as women wave Kurdish flags in Akre, Iraq on August 16, 2025. Akre hosted a mass wedding ceremony for 90 couples from Bardarash and Akre. The event was held on the occasion of Massoud Barzani’s birthday and the 79th anniversary of the founding of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). Each bride and groom received 10 million Iraqi dinars along with coverage of transportation expenses. Photo by Showan Sulaiman Ali/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Mass Wedding Ceremony - Iraq

Several newlywed couples walk along the road as women wave Kurdish flags in Akre, Iraq on August 16, 2025. Akre hosted a mass wedding ceremony for 90 couples from Bardarash and Akre. The event was held on the occasion of Massoud Barzani’s birthday and the 79th anniversary of the founding of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). Each bride and groom received 10 million Iraqi dinars along with coverage of transportation expenses. Photo by Showan Sulaiman Ali/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Mass Wedding Ceremony - Iraq

Brides and grooms sit at decorated tables during a mass wedding in Akre, Iraq on August 16, 2025. Akre hosted a mass wedding ceremony for 90 couples from Bardarash and Akre. The event was held on the occasion of Massoud Barzani’s birthday and the 79th anniversary of the founding of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). Each bride and groom received 10 million Iraqi dinars along with coverage of transportation expenses. Photo by Showan Sulaiman Ali/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Mass Wedding Ceremony - Iraq

Couples walk in a line during the mass wedding ceremony in Akre, Iraq on August 16, 2025. Akre hosted a mass wedding ceremony for 90 couples from Bardarash and Akre. The event was held on the occasion of Massoud Barzani’s birthday and the 79th anniversary of the founding of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). Each bride and groom received 10 million Iraqi dinars along with coverage of transportation expenses. Photo by Showan Sulaiman Ali/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Mass Wedding Ceremony - Iraq

A bride and groom walk along the blue carpet during the mass wedding ceremony in Akre, Iraq on August 16, 2025. Akre hosted a mass wedding ceremony for 90 couples from Bardarash and Akre. The event was held on the occasion of Massoud Barzani’s birthday and the 79th anniversary of the founding of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). Each bride and groom received 10 million Iraqi dinars along with coverage of transportation expenses. Photo by Showan Sulaiman Ali/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Mass Wedding Ceremony - Iraq

Several newlywed couples walk along the road as women wave Kurdish flags in Akre, Iraq on August 16, 2025. Akre hosted a mass wedding ceremony for 90 couples from Bardarash and Akre. The event was held on the occasion of Massoud Barzani’s birthday and the 79th anniversary of the founding of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). Each bride and groom received 10 million Iraqi dinars along with coverage of transportation expenses. Photo by Showan Sulaiman Ali/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Mass Wedding Ceremony - Iraq

A newlywed couple share a moment at a decorated outdoor table in Akre, Iraq on August 16, 2025. Akre hosted a mass wedding ceremony for 90 couples from Bardarash and Akre. The event was held on the occasion of Massoud Barzani’s birthday and the 79th anniversary of the founding of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). Each bride and groom received 10 million Iraqi dinars along with coverage of transportation expenses. Photo by Showan Sulaiman Ali/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Mass Wedding Ceremony - Iraq

A bride and groom walk together along a decorated street in Akre, Iraq on August 16, 2025. Akre hosted a mass wedding ceremony for 90 couples from Bardarash and Akre. The event was held on the occasion of Massoud Barzani’s birthday and the 79th anniversary of the founding of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). Each bride and groom received 10 million Iraqi dinars along with coverage of transportation expenses. Photo by Showan Sulaiman Ali/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Mass Wedding Ceremony - Iraq

Couples walk in a line during the mass wedding ceremony in Akre, Iraq on August 16, 2025. Akre hosted a mass wedding ceremony for 90 couples from Bardarash and Akre. The event was held on the occasion of Massoud Barzani’s birthday and the 79th anniversary of the founding of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). Each bride and groom received 10 million Iraqi dinars along with coverage of transportation expenses. Photo by Showan Sulaiman Ali/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Mass Wedding Ceremony - Iraq

Couples walk in a line during the mass wedding ceremony in Akre, Iraq on August 16, 2025. Akre hosted a mass wedding ceremony for 90 couples from Bardarash and Akre. The event was held on the occasion of Massoud Barzani’s birthday and the 79th anniversary of the founding of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). Each bride and groom received 10 million Iraqi dinars along with coverage of transportation expenses. Photo by Showan Sulaiman Ali/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Mass Wedding Ceremony - Iraq

A bride and groom walk along the blue carpet during the mass wedding ceremony in Akre, Iraq on August 16, 2025. Akre hosted a mass wedding ceremony for 90 couples from Bardarash and Akre. The event was held on the occasion of Massoud Barzani’s birthday and the 79th anniversary of the founding of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). Each bride and groom received 10 million Iraqi dinars along with coverage of transportation expenses. Photo by Showan Sulaiman Ali/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Mass Wedding Ceremony - Iraq

A bride and groom walk together along a decorated street in Akre, Iraq on August 16, 2025. Akre hosted a mass wedding ceremony for 90 couples from Bardarash and Akre. The event was held on the occasion of Massoud Barzani’s birthday and the 79th anniversary of the founding of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). Each bride and groom received 10 million Iraqi dinars along with coverage of transportation expenses. Photo by Showan Sulaiman Ali/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Mass Wedding Ceremony - Iraq

A bride and groom walk together along a decorated street in Akre, Iraq on August 16, 2025. Akre hosted a mass wedding ceremony for 90 couples from Bardarash and Akre. The event was held on the occasion of Massoud Barzani’s birthday and the 79th anniversary of the founding of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). Each bride and groom received 10 million Iraqi dinars along with coverage of transportation expenses. Photo by Showan Sulaiman Ali/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Mass Wedding Ceremony - Iraq

A bride and groom walk together along a decorated street in Akre, Iraq on August 16, 2025. Akre hosted a mass wedding ceremony for 90 couples from Bardarash and Akre. The event was held on the occasion of Massoud Barzani’s birthday and the 79th anniversary of the founding of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). Each bride and groom received 10 million Iraqi dinars along with coverage of transportation expenses. Photo by Showan Sulaiman Ali/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Mass Wedding Ceremony - Iraq

A bride and groom walk along the blue carpet during the mass wedding ceremony in Akre, Iraq on August 16, 2025. Akre hosted a mass wedding ceremony for 90 couples from Bardarash and Akre. The event was held on the occasion of Massoud Barzani’s birthday and the 79th anniversary of the founding of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). Each bride and groom received 10 million Iraqi dinars along with coverage of transportation expenses. Photo by Showan Sulaiman Ali/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Mass Wedding Ceremony - Iraq

Couples sit during the mass wedding in Akre, Iraq on August 16, 2025. Akre hosted a mass wedding ceremony for 90 couples from Bardarash and Akre. The event was held on the occasion of Massoud Barzani’s birthday and the 79th anniversary of the founding of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). Each bride and groom received 10 million Iraqi dinars along with coverage of transportation expenses. Photo by Showan Sulaiman Ali/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Mass Wedding Ceremony - Iraq

A bride and groom walk together along a decorated street in Akre, Iraq on August 16, 2025. Akre hosted a mass wedding ceremony for 90 couples from Bardarash and Akre. The event was held on the occasion of Massoud Barzani’s birthday and the 79th anniversary of the founding of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). Each bride and groom received 10 million Iraqi dinars along with coverage of transportation expenses. Photo by Showan Sulaiman Ali/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Mass Wedding Ceremony - Iraq

Brides and grooms sit at decorated tables during a mass wedding in Akre, Iraq on August 16, 2025. Akre hosted a mass wedding ceremony for 90 couples from Bardarash and Akre. The event was held on the occasion of Massoud Barzani’s birthday and the 79th anniversary of the founding of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). Each bride and groom received 10 million Iraqi dinars along with coverage of transportation expenses. Photo by Showan Sulaiman Ali/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Mass Wedding Ceremony - Iraq

A wide view shows the mass wedding ceremony with rows of couples and guests in Akre, Iraq on August 16, 2025. Akre hosted a mass wedding ceremony for 90 couples from Bardarash and Akre. The event was held on the occasion of Massoud Barzani’s birthday and the 79th anniversary of the founding of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). Each bride and groom received 10 million Iraqi dinars along with coverage of transportation expenses. Photo by Showan Sulaiman Ali/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Sub-Saharan Migrants Endure Hardship Near Sfax - Tunisia

Illustrations: Many sub-Saharan migrants from Congo, Guinea, Mali, and Ivory Coast have been surviving for months in precarious camps about thirty kilometers from Sfax in Tunisia, in the olive groves of El-Amra, where unaccredited journalists are forbidden. In the town, migrants are looking for food, dinars, or work. June 2025 Photo by Jean Pierre Nguyen Van Hai Barbier/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Sub-Saharan Migrants Endure Hardship Near Sfax - Tunisia

Illustrations: Many sub-Saharan migrants from Congo, Guinea, Mali, and Ivory Coast have been surviving for months in precarious camps about thirty kilometers from Sfax in Tunisia, in the olive groves of El-Amra, where unaccredited journalists are forbidden. In the town, migrants are looking for food, dinars, or work. June 2025 Photo by Jean Pierre Nguyen Van Hai Barbier/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Sub-Saharan Migrants Endure Hardship Near Sfax - Tunisia

Illustrations: Many sub-Saharan migrants from Congo, Guinea, Mali, and Ivory Coast have been surviving for months in precarious camps about thirty kilometers from Sfax in Tunisia, in the olive groves of El-Amra, where unaccredited journalists are forbidden. In the town, migrants are looking for food, dinars, or work. June 2025 Photo by Jean Pierre Nguyen Van Hai Barbier/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Sub-Saharan Migrants Endure Hardship Near Sfax - Tunisia

Illustrations: Many sub-Saharan migrants from Congo, Guinea, Mali, and Ivory Coast have been surviving for months in precarious camps about thirty kilometers from Sfax in Tunisia, in the olive groves of El-Amra, where unaccredited journalists are forbidden. In the town, migrants are looking for food, dinars, or work. June 2025 Photo by Jean Pierre Nguyen Van Hai Barbier/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Sub-Saharan Migrants Endure Hardship Near Sfax - Tunisia

Illustrations: Many sub-Saharan migrants from Congo, Guinea, Mali, and Ivory Coast have been surviving for months in precarious camps about thirty kilometers from Sfax in Tunisia, in the olive groves of El-Amra, where unaccredited journalists are forbidden. In the town, migrants are looking for food, dinars, or work. June 2025 Photo by Jean Pierre Nguyen Van Hai Barbier/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Sub-Saharan Migrants Endure Hardship Near Sfax - Tunisia

Illustrations: Many sub-Saharan migrants from Congo, Guinea, Mali, and Ivory Coast have been surviving for months in precarious camps about thirty kilometers from Sfax in Tunisia, in the olive groves of El-Amra, where unaccredited journalists are forbidden. In the town, migrants are looking for food, dinars, or work. June 2025 Photo by Jean Pierre Nguyen Van Hai Barbier/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Sub-Saharan Migrants Endure Hardship Near Sfax - Tunisia

Illustrations: Many sub-Saharan migrants from Congo, Guinea, Mali, and Ivory Coast have been surviving for months in precarious camps about thirty kilometers from Sfax in Tunisia, in the olive groves of El-Amra, where unaccredited journalists are forbidden. In the town, migrants are looking for food, dinars, or work. June 2025 Photo by Jean Pierre Nguyen Van Hai Barbier/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Sub-Saharan Migrants Endure Hardship Near Sfax - Tunisia

Illustrations: Many sub-Saharan migrants from Congo, Guinea, Mali, Ivory Coast, and even Syria have been surviving for months in precarious camps about thirty kilometers from Sfax in Tunisia, in the olive groves of El-Amra, where non-accredited journalists are forbidden. In the town, migrants are looking for food, dinars, or work. June 2025 Photo by Jean Pierre Nguyen Van Hai Barbier/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Sub-Saharan Migrants Endure Hardship Near Sfax - Tunisia

Illustrations: Many sub-Saharan migrants from Congo, Guinea, Mali, and Ivory Coast have been surviving for months in precarious camps about thirty kilometers from Sfax in Tunisia, in the olive groves of El-Amra, where unaccredited journalists are forbidden. In the town, migrants are looking for food, dinars, or work. June 2025 Photo by Jean Pierre Nguyen Van Hai Barbier/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Sub-Saharan Migrants Endure Hardship Near Sfax - Tunisia

Illustrations: Many sub-Saharan migrants from Congo, Guinea, Mali, and Ivory Coast have been surviving for months in precarious camps about thirty kilometers from Sfax in Tunisia, in the olive groves of El-Amra, where unaccredited journalists are forbidden. In the town, migrants are looking for food, dinars, or work. June 2025 Photo by Jean Pierre Nguyen Van Hai Barbier/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Sub-Saharan Migrants Endure Hardship Near Sfax - Tunisia

Illustrations: Many sub-Saharan migrants from Congo, Guinea, Mali, and Ivory Coast have been surviving for months in precarious camps about thirty kilometers from Sfax in Tunisia, in the olive groves of El-Amra, where unaccredited journalists are forbidden. In the town, migrants are looking for food, dinars, or work. June 2025 Photo by Jean Pierre Nguyen Van Hai Barbier/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Tunisia's Jan.-Sept. tourism revenues grow 41.7 pct y-o-y

STORY: Tunisia's Jan.-Sept. tourism revenues grow 41.7 pct y-o-y DATELINE: Oct. 14, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:25 LOCATION: Tunis CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Bardo National Musuem in Tunisia STORYLINE: Tunisia's tourism revenues in the first nine months of 2023 reached 1.82 billion U.S. dollars, local Echorouk newspaper quoted the Tourism Minister Mohamed Belhassine as saying on Friday. Revenues from the tourism sector amounted to 5.8 billion dinars (1.82 billion U.S. dollars) by September, he told a hearing at the Assembly of People's Representatives on Thursday. He said the Central Bank of Tunisia had confirmed that the tourism revenues recorded an increase of 41.7 percent compared to the same period in 2022. He added that the Tunisian tourism sector was able to help cover most of the trade deficit of the country at the end of September. The minister said that Tunisian government was working to develop tourism sector at various levels and attract investments in the sector, given that t

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UN envoy to Libya praises unity of Libyans against flood

STORY: UN envoy to Libya praises unity of Libyans against flood DATELINE: Sept. 16, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:57 LOCATION: Tripoli CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of flood-hit areas STORYLINE: Abdoulaye Bathily, special representative of the UN Secretary-General for Libya, on Thursday said the Libyan people "have set a great example of unity, compassion and resilience" in the face of the devastating flood disaster triggered by Hurricane Daniel. "Today, I see one united Libya, no east, west, or south. I urge all Libyan authorities and institutions to continue coordinating their response efforts," Bathily tweeted. Mohieddin Monji, spokesperson of the Ministry of Health of the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity, said on Thursday the ministry sent field hospitals and medical professionals to eastern Libya to detect and contain any possible diseases in the flood-hit areas. Libya's eastern-based House of Representatives (parliament) decided to allocate 10 billion dinars (2.06 billion U.S. dollar

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Chinese diplomats, doctors visit orphanage in Algeria before Int'l Children's Day

STORY: Chinese diplomats, doctors visit orphanage in Algeria before Int'l Children's Day DATELINE: June 1, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:59 LOCATION: Algiers CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of donation ceremony 2. various of health consultation 3. various of game session 4. SOUNDBITE (Arabic/French): SOFIANE GUERCIF, Director of Draria Children's Village 5. various of International Children's Day celebration STORYLINE: An orphanage in Algiers, the capital of Algeria, on Wednesday welcomed a charity event organized by the Chinese Embassy ahead of International Children's Day. During the event at the Red Crescent's Orphanage Village of Draria, members of the Chinese medical team in Algeria conducted health consultations on-site for the children in the village. A number of games and activities were organized by the China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) Algeria, and gifts, health care kits, and stationery supplies worth about 2 million Algerian dinars (about 14,617 U.S. dollars) were donated t

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Iraq Museum opens door on Fridays for free

STORY: Iraq Museum opens door on Fridays for free DATELINE: Feb. 26, 2023 LENGTH: 00:03:02 LOCATION: Baghdad CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Iraqi people visiting the museum in Baghdad STORYLINE: The Iraqi Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities decided to open the doors of the Iraq Museum to the public for free on Friday every week. Spokesman for the Iraqi State Board of Antiquities and Heritage, Hakim al-Shammari, told Xinhua on Friday that "the museum used to close its doors on Fridays and Saturdays, but from today, the museum will also open every Friday to welcome Iraqi families and tourists free of charge, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m." He explained that for the rest of the days of the week, from Sunday to Thursday, the entry to the museum is at a symbolic price, which is 3,000 Iraqi dinars for each citizen and 25 U.S. dollars for a foreigner. During the day, the museum witnessed a heavy presence from Iraqi and foreign visitors in the museum's 23 halls that display relics from the Ston

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Tunisia's economy expected to expand by 1.8 pct in 2023: minister

STORY: Tunisia's economy expected to expand by 1.8 pct in 2023: minister DATELINE: Dec. 29, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:00 LOCATION: Tunis CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Tunisian Central Bank 2. various of city views of Tunis STORYLINE: Minister of Economy and Planning Samir Saied said on Monday that Tunisia's economy is expected to expand by 1.8 percent in 2023, a "modest" growth that "reflects the country's difficult economic situation." At a press conference to present the country's finance law for 2023, Saied estimated that Tunisia's inflation rate is expected to reach 10.5 percent in 2023, up from 8.3 percent in 2022. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine will lead to a rise in imports of basic commodities and petroleum products respectively worth of 2 billion Tunisian dinars (640 million U.S. dollars) and 8 billion dinars. "The year of 2023 will be difficult for Tunisians," the minister warned, adding the Russia-Ukraine conflict will affect the country's budgetary balances. The mini

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Tunisian young parents feel pinch as price of school supplies hikes

STORY: Tunisian young parents feel pinch as price of school supplies hikes DATELINE: Sept. 7, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:05 LOCATION: Tunis CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of of clients buying stationery in a supermarket in Tunis STORYLINE: Rising costs of school supplies cause extra pain for young parents in Tunisia during their back-to-school shopping ahead of the new school year that starts next week. "The prices have increased ridiculously. I spend about 300 Tunisian dinars (93 U.S. dollars) on my kids' school supplies, accounting for 15 percent of my monthly income," Fatma, a Tunisian mother of two, told Xinhua. She complained that she had to adjust the yearly budget for her family over and over again to cover the back-to-school expenses. Maryem Blidi, a 44-year-old office manager in the northern province of Ariana, told Xinhua that she had to limit her budget for buying stationery as the rising inflation creeps into every aspect of life in Tunisia. To curb inflation, the central bank i

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Tunisia sets price limits on fresh agricultural products

STORY: Tunisia sets price limits on fresh agricultural products DATELINE: Sept. 6, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:01 LOCATION: Tunis CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of customers buying vegetables in supermarket STORYLINE: Some fresh agricultural products are sold at fixed prices since Monday to curb sharp price rises, according to the Tunisian Commerce Ministry. The ministry imposed price limits on potatoes and onions, with a retail price of 1.4 dinars (0.45 U.S. dollars) per kilogram and 1.2 dinars (0.38 U.S. dollars) respectively. Rising prices have seriously affected the purchasing power of local people. The Tunisian government announced on Monday that the inflation rate in August reached 8.6 percent, a new high this year, while the inflation rate for food was 12 percent. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Tunis. (XHTV)

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Child labor in Iraq on rise after years of war, instability

STORY: Child labor in Iraq on rise after years of war, instability DATELINE: Sept. 2, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:29 LOCATION: Baghdad CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of child laborers in Baghdad markets 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): MOHAMMED AL-QARAGHOLI, Retired construction engineer 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): ALI AL-OBAIDI, Lawyer STORYLINE: It is not uncommon to see underage girls and boys selling goods in Baghdad's crowded streets and markets, pushing carts to deliver goods, or unloading the trucks. This is just part of the rising child labor problem in the war-torn Iraq, where the number of children forced to work is increasing due to the decline in Iraqi families' incomes caused by political chaos and economic woes. "We are a five-member family and live in a room rented in an old house. I have to help my father, who is a daily wage worker. I gain, sometimes 5,000 Iraqi dinars (about four U.S. dollars)," Ahmed Saad, 10, told Xinhua. He was selling bottled water and small bags of ice cubes to passers-by and

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ALGERIA-ALGIERS-CHINA-DONATION-WILD FIRE

(220823) -- ALGIERS, Aug. 23, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Qian Jin (L), the charge d'affaires at the Chinese embassy in Algeria, hands over a cheque to Ibtissem Hamlaoui, the president of the Algerian Red Crescent, during a donation ceremony in Algiers, Algeria, on Aug. 22, 2022. The Algerian Red Crescent (ARC) received a donation from China worth 16 million Algerian dinars (113,000 U.S. dollars) to help Algerian families affected by the recent deadly wildfires. The donation, given by the Chinese Embassy in Algeria and the Chinese General Association of Commerce, was received by the ARC on Monday evening, which was attended by Chinese and Algerian officials. (Xinhua/Wu Tianyu)

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Algerian Red Crescent receives Chinese donation for wildfire affected families

STORY: Algerian Red Crescent receives Chinese donation for wildfire affected families DATELINE: Aug. 23, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:32 LOCATION: Algiers CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the donation ceremony 2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic): IBTISSEM HAMLAOUI, President of Algerian Red Crescent STORYLINE: The Algerian Red Crescent (ARC) on Monday received a monetary donation worth 16 million Algerian dinars (about 113,000 U.S. dollars) from the Chinese Embassy in Algeria and the Chinese General Association of Commerce in Algeria. The donation is destined to help families affected by the wildfires that hit a number of provinces in northern Algeria last week, which claimed the lives of 37 people and left hundreds of families without shelter. Ibtissem Hamlaoui, president of the ARC, said the Chinese donation would be transferred urgently for rebuilding and renovating destroyed houses to reunite displaced families. SOUNDBITE (Arabic): IBTISSEM HAMLAOUI, President of Algerian Red Crescent "The brotherly People's Repub

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High oil prices put Tunisia under huge financial pressure: minister

STORY: High oil prices put Tunisia under huge financial pressure: minister DATELINE: Aug. 4, 2022 LENGTH: 00:00:47 LOCATION: Tunis CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of gas station in Tunis STORYLINE: Tunisian Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy Naila Nouira Kanji said on Tuesday that high oil prices have brought huge financial pressure on the Tunisian government. The minister said that the Tunisian government has formulated a budget for 2022 with an international oil price of 75 U.S. dollars per barrel, and planned to provide energy subsidies of 2.9 billion Tunisian dinars (about 960 million U.S. dollars) for its citizens. However, the current international oil price remains high and the subsidy will exceed 8 billion dinars (about 2.96 billion U.S. dollars), which greatly exceeds the budgeted amount and the government cannot afford it. She added that the government will guarantee energy subsidies for low-income people, and speed up the development of public transport while raising refined oil pr

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Baghdad opens its first drive-in cinema

STORY: Baghdad opens its first drive-in cinema DATELINE: July 20, 2022 LENGTH: 00:00:48 LOCATION: Baghdad CATEGORY: SOCIETY/CULTURE/ENTERTAINMENT SHOTLIST: 1. various of drive-in cinema 2. various of people watching the movie STORYLINE: Baghdad, the capital of Iraq, has opened its first drive-in cinema. The drive-in cinema accommodates about 70 cars in its courtyard, which is located within the al-Nakheel (Palm) Park Complex in the Saidiyah neighborhood. People can watch movies and hear sound through a special frequency received by their car radios. Such a new facility costs 15,000 Iraqi dinars (10 U.S. dollars) per person. Although the people of Baghdad are not familiar with such open-air cinemas, many are keen to watch a movie under the stars and enjoy having juices and pastries served by several booths set up by the cinema administration. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Baghdad. (XHTV)

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Libyan gov't says 210 mln USD spent to maintain power plants

STORY: Libyan gov't says 210 mln USD spent to maintain power plants DATELINE: July 5, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:00 LOCATION: Tripoli CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the press conference 2. various of correspondents reporting the conference STORYLINE: The Government of National Unity in Libya on Monday said it has allocated 1 billion Libyan dinars (about 210 million U.S. dollars) over the past two years to maintain the country's power plants. "All the power plants in the country need maintenance. Some plants were not maintained for over 15 years," Mohamed Hamuda, the government spokesman, told a press conference in the capital Tripoli after a cabinet meeting. Some new power plants have not been used yet for "security and technical reasons," he said. Libyans tend to suffer a 14-hour power cut on a daily basis, especially during the summer, amid years of armed conflict and instability in the North African country. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Tripoli. (XHTV)

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Prices of sacrifices in Kuwait record increase before Eid al-Adha

STORY: Prices of sacrifices in Kuwait record increase before Eid al-Adha DATELINE: July 5, 2022 LENGTH: 0:01:53 LOCATION: Kuwait City CATEGORY: SOCIETY/ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of a livestock market in Kuwait STORYLINE: In Kuwait, local sheep or cattle farmers are preparing for the upcoming Eid al-Adha, also known as the Feast of the Sacrifice. The prices of sacrifices in Kuwait recorded a significant increase. Sheep's prices vary, and sheep traders expect a greater increase in the coming days. Seller Badr Al-Fadhli said that "the price of the local sheep starts from 150 dinars (488 dollars) each at least." There are many reasons for the high prices. The sellers said that the most important reason is the lack of sacrifices during the current season. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Kuwait City. (XHTV)

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Iraqi farmers face intensifying water crisis amid climate change

STORY: Iraqi farmers face intensifying water crisis amid climate change DATELINE: June 16, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:33 LOCATION: Baghdad CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT/SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of a semi-arid river and farms that look cracked due to drought and water scarcity in Salahudin province 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): WALID ALI MOHAMMAD, Farmer 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): JASSIM AL-FALAHI, Minister of Environment 4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Arabic): ALI RADHY, Spokesman for Iraqi Ministry of Water Resources STORYLINE: Among dried trees on his farm in Iraq's Salahudin province, north of Baghdad, Walid Ali Mohammad stood helplessly, complaining about the drought that killed his trees and animals and wiped out his family's only source of livelihood. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): WALID ALI MOHAMMAD, Farmer "My farm and crops have gone dry. We used to sell fruits for millions (Iraqi dinars), but now I don't have water and my source of livelihood has gone because of this. So I have to leave to find a new source of livelihood for my children.

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Tunisia to start subsidy cuts in 2023: minister

STORY: Tunisia to start subsidy cuts in 2023: minister DATELINE: June 9, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:34 LOCATION: Tunis CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of customers buying baguette, spaghetti and oil at a supermarket STORYLINE: Tunisia will implement a new subsidy system next year to reduce subsidies for basic materials gradually, Minister of Trade and Export Development Fadhila Rabhi said on Tuesday. The spending on subsidies in Tunisia is expected to reach 4.2 billion Tunisian dinars (around 1.39 billion U.S. dollars) in 2022, compared to 3.2 billion dinars in 2021 and 730 million dinars in 2010, Rabhi said at a press conference. The new system will be implemented from 2023 to 2026, and the subsidy will be directed to people and families on low incomes, she added. Rabhi stressed that this reform aims to set up a fair support system and rationalize the consumption of subsidized materials. Tunisia is seeking a 4-billion-U.S. dollar loan from the IMF to avoid bankruptcy. To this end, the North African cou

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UNHCR calls for more aid to combat refugee poverty in Jordan

STORY: UNHCR calls for more aid to combat refugee poverty in Jordan DATELINE: March 31, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:02 LOCATION: Amman CATEGORY: POLITICS/SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the press conference 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): DOMINIK BARTSCH, UNHCR's representative in Jordan 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): DOMINIK BARTSCH, UNHCR's representative in Jordan 4. various of refugee camps in Jordan STORYLINE: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) called for more aid to Jordan after a United Nations survey revealed on Wednesday that 64 percent of refugees in the kingdom were living on less than 3 dinars (around 4.3 U.S. dollars) a day. According to the survey, which was conducted by UNHCR and the World Bank, 90 percent of refugee families in Jordan said they used at least one negative coping strategy to get through their daily lives, such as reducing food intake or buying household goods on credit. The survey will aid in efforts to better target assistance for those who need it and what kind of assi