India - Pakistan Conflicts - Srinagar

India - Pakistan Conflicts - Srinagar

An Indian paramilitary personnel conducts surveillance using binoculars as he stands atop a commercial building in Srinagar, India, on May 10, 2025. Tensions between India and Pakistan have sharply escalated following India's targeted strikes on alleged "terrorist infrastructure" inside Pakistan, which were carried out in retaliation for a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir last month. Both sides have since exchanged drone and missile attacks along the border, resulting in dozens of fatalities and widespread disruption, with each nation vowing further action while international mediators urge de-escalation. Photo by Basit Zargar/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

India - Pakistan Conflicts - Srinagar

India - Pakistan Conflicts - Srinagar

An Indian paramilitary trooper stands a guard in Srinagar, India, on May 10, 2025. Tensions between India and Pakistan have sharply escalated following India's targeted strikes on alleged "terrorist infrastructure" inside Pakistan, which were carried out in retaliation for a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir last month. Both sides have since exchanged drone and missile attacks along the border, resulting in dozens of fatalities and widespread disruption, with each nation vowing further action while international mediators urge de-escalation. Photo by Basit Zargar/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

India - Pakistan Conflicts - Srinagar

India - Pakistan Conflicts - Srinagar

A Policeman checks a vehicle in a market in Srinagar, India, on May 10, 2025. Tensions between India and Pakistan have sharply escalated following India's targeted strikes on alleged "terrorist infrastructure" inside Pakistan, which were carried out in retaliation for a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir last month. Both sides have since exchanged drone and missile attacks along the border, resulting in dozens of fatalities and widespread disruption, with each nation vowing further action while international mediators urge de-escalation. Photo by Basit Zargar/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

India - Pakistan Conflicts - Srinagar

India - Pakistan Conflicts - Srinagar

A Policeman checks a vehicle in a market in Srinagar, India, on May 10, 2025. Tensions between India and Pakistan have sharply escalated following India's targeted strikes on alleged "terrorist infrastructure" inside Pakistan, which were carried out in retaliation for a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir last month. Both sides have since exchanged drone and missile attacks along the border, resulting in dozens of fatalities and widespread disruption, with each nation vowing further action while international mediators urge de-escalation. Photo by Basit Zargar/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

India - Pakistan Conflicts - Srinagar

India - Pakistan Conflicts - Srinagar

Policemen stand guard in a market in Srinagar, India, on May 10, 2025. Tensions between India and Pakistan have sharply escalated following India's targeted strikes on alleged "terrorist infrastructure" inside Pakistan, which were carried out in retaliation for a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir last month. Both sides have since exchanged drone and missile attacks along the border, resulting in dozens of fatalities and widespread disruption, with each nation vowing further action while international mediators urge de-escalation. Photo by Basit Zargar/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Behind The Scenes Of The Vatican

Behind The Scenes Of The Vatican

The making of 'L'Osservatore Romano' the Vatican's daily newspaper on October 2014. Like all modern nation States, the Vatican also has its own press. Although not considered an official mouthpiece for the Vatican, 'l'Osservatore Romano' is nonetheless the Holy See's most significant media venue. It is the only newspaper printed by the Vatican presses. Since 1861, each day 50,000 copies of the daily edition have been released at 3 pm. Written in Italian, the daily is supplemented by weekly editions in French, German, Spanish and Portuguese, as well as a monthly in Polish. All of the Holy See's current events as well as articles illustrating Church life and major political, economic and social events occurring throughout the world are all published in the Vatican's daily paper. Photo by Eric Vandeville/ABACAPRESS.COM

Istanbul Mayor arrested, Erdogan's main rival, days before presidential nomination

Istanbul Mayor arrested, Erdogan's main rival, days before presidential nomination

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, key rival of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan detained a day after university invalidated his diploma, in move seen as politically motivated. In this photo: Informing the public from CHP Headquarters, Imamoglu said, “These works are just details that show the desperation of those who see their own interests, their own seat, their own power above the interests of the nation. We do not see the steps taken against our municipalities and the will of the nation as isolated cases, disconnected from each other. Our nation should not see it this way either. We cannot respond to them with positional resistance. Our response to this organized evil must be total. Our nation must be made aware of this issue in the most serious way. said. 2024. Photo by Depo Photos/ABACAPRESS.COM

10th Anniversary Of The Reign Of Felipe VI - Madrid

10th Anniversary Of The Reign Of Felipe VI - Madrid

Queen Letizia (left) and Princess Leonor (right) during the greetings prior to the presentation of decorations on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Proclamation of His Majesty the King, at the Royal Palace, on June 19, 2024, in Madrid (Spain). The aim is to award 19 Spaniards, one for each autonomous community as well as Ceuta and Melilla, for the civic virtues of civil servants in the service of the State, and the extraordinary services of Spanish and foreign citizens for the good of the Nation. Photo by EFE/ Ballesteros POOL /ABACAPRESS.COM

10th Anniversary Of The Reign Of Felipe VI - Madrid

10th Anniversary Of The Reign Of Felipe VI - Madrid

Princess Leonor (left) and Infanta Sofia (right) during the greetings prior to the presentation of decorations on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Proclamation of His Majesty the King, at the Royal Palace, on June 19, 2024, in Madrid (Spain). The aim is to award 19 Spaniards, one for each autonomous community as well as Ceuta and Melilla, for the civic virtues of civil servants in the service of the State, and the extraordinary services of Spanish and foreign citizens for the good of the Nation. Photo by EFE/ Ballesteros POOL /ABACAPRESS.COM

10th Anniversary Of The Reign Of Felipe VI - Madrid

10th Anniversary Of The Reign Of Felipe VI - Madrid

Princess Leonor (left) and Infanta Sofia (right) during the greetings prior to the presentation of decorations on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Proclamation of His Majesty the King, at the Royal Palace, on June 19, 2024, in Madrid (Spain). The aim is to award 19 Spaniards, one for each autonomous community as well as Ceuta and Melilla, for the civic virtues of civil servants in the service of the State, and the extraordinary services of Spanish and foreign citizens for the good of the Nation. Photo by EFE/ Ballesteros POOL /ABACAPRESS.COM

10th Anniversary Of The Reign Of Felipe VI - Madrid

10th Anniversary Of The Reign Of Felipe VI - Madrid

(L-R) Queen Letizia, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia during the greetings prior to the presentation of decorations on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Proclamation of His Majesty the King, at the Royal Palace, on June 19, 2024, in Madrid (Spain). The aim is to award 19 Spaniards, one for each autonomous community as well as Ceuta and Melilla, for the civic virtues of civil servants in the service of the State, and the extraordinary services of Spanish and foreign citizens for the good of the Nation. Photo by EFE/ Ballesteros POOL /ABACAPRESS.COM

10th Anniversary Of The Reign Of Felipe VI - Madrid

10th Anniversary Of The Reign Of Felipe VI - Madrid

King Felipe VI (r) greets the Attorney General of the State, Álvaro García Ortiz (l), the imposition of decorations on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Proclamation of His Majesty the King, at the Royal Palace, on June 19, 2024, in Madrid (Spain). The aim is to award 19 Spaniards, one for each autonomous community as well as Ceuta and Melilla, for the civic virtues of civil servants in the service of the State, and the extraordinary services of Spanish and foreign citizens for the good of the Nation. Photo by EFE/ Ballesteros POOL /ABACAPRESS.COM

10th Anniversary Of The Reign Of Felipe VI - Madrid

10th Anniversary Of The Reign Of Felipe VI - Madrid

Princess Leonor greets the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, before the presentation of decorations on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Proclamation of His Majesty the King, at the Royal Palace, on June 19, 2024, in Madrid (Spain). The aim is to award 19 Spaniards, one for each autonomous community as well as Ceuta and Melilla, for the civic virtues of civil servants in the service of the State, and the extraordinary services of Spanish and foreign citizens for the good of the Nation. Photo by EFE/ Ballesteros POOL /ABACAPRESS.COM

Türkiye aims for top 3 global travel destination status by 2028

STORY: Türkiye aims for top 3 global travel destination status by 2028 SHOOTING TIME: June 7, 2024 DATELINE: June 8, 2024 LENGTH: 00:02:38 LOCATION: Ankara CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of tourists in Türkiye 2. SOUNDBITE (Turkish): KAAN SAHINALP, Türkiye representative of German travel company TUI STORYLINE: Following a successful year in 2023, Türkiye is targeting a position among the world's top three travel destinations by 2028, industry officials said. Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy announced in May that Türkiye aims to attract 80 million foreign tourists annually within the next four years, aspiring to become one of the top three foreign tourist destinations globally. Currently, Türkiye ranks fourth. Türkiye's ambitious tourism plans are crucial for its economy, which relies heavily on tourism revenue. The nation welcomes millions of foreign visitors each year, providing vital income amid significant economic challenges. "This goal is attainable, but Türkiye has work to

Solomon Islands witnesses smooth voting process in election

STORY: Solomon Islands witnesses smooth voting process in election SHOOTING TIME: April 17, 2024 DATELINE: April 17, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:04 LOCATION: Honiara CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of a polling station 2. various of Solomon Islands STORYLINE: Chief Electoral Officer of Solomon Islands Jasper Anisi has hailed Wednesday's joint election, encompassing both national and provincial elections, as a remarkably peaceful event for the nation. As the polling stations closed, with each ballot box sealed, it marked the conclusion of a day where Solomon Islands citizens turned out in significant numbers to exercise their voting rights. The enthusiasm among voters was evident as many queued up early in the morning to cast their ballots. In preparation for the election, over 1 million ballot papers were printed to ensure that the 420,253 registered voters had the opportunity to make their voices heard. A total of 334 candidates are vying for 50 seats in the parliamentary election. Party-aff

Sudan's warring parties trade blame over destroying major bridge in capital

STORY: Sudan's warring parties trade blame over destroying major bridge in capital SHOOTING TIME: Nov. 11, 2023 DATELINE: Nov. 13, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:12 LOCATION: Khartoum CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Shambat Bridge in Khartoum STORYLINE: The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Saturday blamed each other for destroying a major bridge in the capital Khartoum. "As part of its plan to destroy the country's capabilities and infrastructure, and as a result of the advancement that our forces have started to make in the field, especially in Omdurman axis, the rebel militia destroyed the Shambat Bridge linking Omdurman and Bahri cities at dawn today (Saturday)," the office of the SAF's spokesman said in a statement. It denounced the destruction of the bridge as "a new crime" in the RSF's record against the nation and the people. For its part, the RSF accused the SAF of destroying the vital bridge, slamming it as a "war crime." "The destruction of

EU leaders meet in Spain on bloc's future strategy, enlargement

STORY: EU leaders meet in Spain on bloc's future strategy, enlargement DATELINE: Oct. 6, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:02 LOCATION: GRANADA, Spain CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of City of Granada 2. various of the Informal Meeting of Heads of State and Government STORYLINE: Leaders of the European Union (EU) member states met in Spain's Granada on Friday for an informal summit to discuss the bloc's future strategy and enlargement. Discussions include the future Strategic Agenda 2024-2029 and preparation for the bloc's next enlargement, according to the Spanish presidency of the EU Council. The EU enlargement is the process whereby states join the 27-nation bloc after they have fulfilled a set of political and economic conditions. Currently, eight countries, including several from the Western Balkans, Ukraine and Moldova, have been granted candidate status, but each follows different processes of rapprochement with the EU. Spain is currently holding the rotating six-month presidency of the EU Co

93 potential unmarked child, infant graves found in Canada

STORY: 93 potential unmarked child, infant graves found in Canada DATELINE: Sept. 1, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:09 LOCATION: SASKATCHEWAN, Canada CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the cemetery 2. various of the old school photos STORYLINE: CTV News reported Tuesday that a First Nation has found 79 suspected child grave sites and 14 potential infant grave sites at a former residential school in Saskatchewan, Canada. Ninety-three pink flags were placed to mark each anomaly. The findings are expected to impact 16 communities in the northwest, both First Nations and Metis, which had children attend the school. English River First Nation said its ground-penetrating radar (GPR) search began two years ago. The initial area was searched because of stories told by survivors. The search of the school grounds is next and will continue to be guided by stories of survivors. According to CTV News, Beauval Indian Residential School was first founded in 1860 and operated for more than 100 years, according to the Unive

China overtakes U.S. on contribution to research in Nature Index

STORY: China overtakes U.S. on contribution to research in Nature Index DATELINE: May 25, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:57 LOCATION: SHANGHAI, China CATEGORY: EDUCATION/SCIENCE SHOTLIST: 1. various of the Nature Index 2. SOUNDBITE (English): FRANK VRANCKEN PEETERS, CEO of Springer Nature Group STORYLINE: For the first time, China has overtaken the United States as the number one ranked country for contributions to research articles published in the Nature Index group of high-quality natural-science journals. Data on author affiliations from the 82 journals tracked by the Nature Index show that China had a share of 19,373 from January to December 2022, compared with 17,610 for the United States. A country's share takes into account the percentage of authors from that nation on each paper published in Nature Index journals. An article published entirely by China-based researchers would yield a share of 1 for China. In an exclusive interview with Xinhua, Frank Vrancken Peeters, CEO of Springer Nature Group, stated th

CAMEROON-YAOUNDE-CAETE-PROMOTIONAL CONFERENCE

CAMEROON-YAOUNDE-CAETE-PROMOTIONAL CONFERENCE

(230511) -- YAOUNDE, May 11, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Chinese and Cameroonian participants communicate with each other during a promotional conference organized to invite the Central African nation to participate in the expo to be held in China in Yaounde, Cameroon, May 9, 2023. Cameroon hopes to attract more Chinese investment when it takes part in the upcoming third China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, said a Cameroonian trade official on Tuesday. The expo, under the theme "Common development for a shared future," will run from June 29 to July 2 in central China's Hunan Province. (Xinhua/Kepseu)

China promotes new type of globalization for global development: Argentine expert

STORY: China promotes new type of globalization for global development: Argentine expert DATELINE: March 30, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:45 LOCATION: Buenos Aires CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: SOUNDBITE (Spanish): SEBASTIAN SCHULZ, Researcher, National University of La Plata in Argentina STORYLINE: An Argentine expert has said China is promoting a new type of globalization that is inclusive and committed to global development. SOUNDBITE (Spanish): SEBASTIAN SCHULZ, Researcher, National University of La Plata in Argentina "China promotes globalization, a new type of globalization that is inclusive and respects the development models promoted by each nation, and in turn, a globalization committed to global development. Today the economies of Asia are strongly integrated, there is a very strong interregional trade. In this context, China and Asia are now the engines of the global economy. That is why China's growth is also very important for international economic growth. Because of that, China has proposed and promote

Sixty years on, hero soldier remains a role model in China

STORY: Sixty years on, hero soldier remains a role model in China DATELINE: March 3, 2023 LENGTH: 00:03:29 LOCATION: BEIJING CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): ZHANG LUQI, Hunan Lei Feng Memorial Hall 2. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): PANG YUXI, Student, Depei Primary School 3. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): YANG SIYUAN, Student, Depei Primary School 4. SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): MS. ZHONG, Traveller 5. SOUNDBITE 5 (Chinese): LIU WEI, Train attendant at Dalian Railway Station 6. SOUNDBITE 6 (Chinese): NING FUHUI, Youth League Committee of Haiqing Town, Qingdao 7. SOUNDBITE 7 (Chinese): HOU LIXIN, Director of a local volunteer association in Wuhan STORYLINE: This Sunday marks the 60th "Lei Feng Day," an annual event to commemorate the late young soldier Lei Feng who devoted his spare time and money to helping the needy. Lei Feng was an ordinary young Chinese soldier in the 1960s. He died in an accident in 1962 at the age of 22. In 1963, Chairman Mao Zedong called on the nation to learn from him. Each year's

U.S. doctors demoralized by nation's health system

STORY: U.S. doctors demoralized by nation's health system DATELINE: Feb. 7, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:31 LOCATION: NEW YORK, U.S. CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. STANDUP (English): XIA LIN, Xinhua correspondent STORYLINE: STANDUP (English): XIA LIN, Xinhua correspondent "American physicians are now increasingly suffering from demoralization, which is not a reaction to a medical condition, but rather to the diseased systems they work for. 'For decades, at least tens of thousands of preventable deaths have occurred each year because health care here is so expensive,' said an article published on The New York Times on Feb. 5. The United States is the only large high-income nation that doesn't provide universal health care to its citizens. Instead, it maintains a lucrative system of for-profit medicine. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the consequences of this policy choice have intensified. One study estimates at least 338,000 COVID deaths in this country could have been prevented by universal health care. In the wake o

U.S., China need to understand each other "more fully": Kissinger

STORY: U.S., China need to understand each other "more fully": Kissinger DATELINE: Jan. 21, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:51 LOCATION: NEW YORK, U.S. CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. SOUNDBITE (English): HENRY KISSINGER, Former U.S. Secretary of State 2. various of the U.S. and China STORYLINE: Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger said the United States and China need to understand each other "more fully" and cultivate a relationship more compatible with peace and progress in the world. SOUNDBITE (English): HENRY KISSINGER, Former U.S. Secretary of State "I welcome the decisions that have been made to foster dialogue in so many fields. And China has made a number of practical steps in that direction. So each nation needs to understand the other more fully and its leaders need to find an opportunity to realize that conflict and confrontation can only lead to ultimate disaster. While working together, we can achieve great things, not just for our countries, but also for humanity. China and the United States h

China's COVID-19 response will contribute to global growth, says WEF president

STORY: China's COVID-19 response will contribute to global growth, says WEF president DATELINE: Jan. 15, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:53 LOCATION: GENEVA, Switzerland CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the World Economic Forum 2. various of street view in Geneva 3. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): BORGE BRENDE, World Economic Forum (WEF) President 4. various of street view in China 5. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): BORGE BRENDE, World Economic Forum (WEF) President STORYLINE: The annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) will be held from Jan. 16-20 in Davos, Switzerland. Borge Brende, president of the WEF, said before the meeting that China's optimization of COVID-19 response will contribute to global growth. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): BORGE BRENDE, World Economic Forum (WEF) President "What we hope for our annual meeting in Davos, where we also expect high-level Chinese participation, is that nation should again try to find areas to cooperate and not only work against each other. And China plays an important role in als

'No Smoking' sign at Moscow restaurant

'No Smoking' sign at Moscow restaurant

MOSCOW, Russia - A "No Smoking" mark is in place at a restaurant in Moscow on Oct. 18, 2014, where the sixth meeting of parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control is under way. The conference adopted a guideline for each nation to raise tobacco tax for healthcare purposes.

Abe leaves for 3-nation trip to Oceania

Abe leaves for 3-nation trip to Oceania

TOKYO, Japan - Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (C) and his wife Akie wave before boarding a plane at Haneda airport in Tokyo on July 6, 2014, for a three-nation tour of New Zealand, Australia and Papua New Guinea. Abe will hold summit talks with the prime ministers of each country.

'B-class gourmet' fare

'B-class gourmet' fare

ATSUGI, Japan - Visitors line up in front of a booth offering Japanese ''oden'' stewing dish from Shizuoka Prefecture at a B-1 Grand Prix fair on Sept. 18, 2010, in Atsugi City, Kanagawa Prefecture. Visitors formed long lines in front of each booth to try cheap but tasty local dishes, known as ''B-class gourmet,'' from across the nation, on the first day of the two-day event, where this year's most popular dish will be selected.

Vancouver Olympics opening ceremony

Vancouver Olympics opening ceremony

VANCOUVER, Canada - The Canadian delegation marches through BC Place in Vancouver, the venue of the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics, on Feb. 12, 2010. The event picked up steam as athletes of the host nation and the audience waved to each other.

Key COVID-19 indicators surge again in U.S., straining hospitals

STORY: Key COVID-19 indicators surge again in U.S., straining hospitals DATELINE: Dec. 14, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:34 LOCATION: NEW YORK, U.S. CATEGORY: HEALTH SHOTLIST: 1. STANDUP (English): XIA LIN, Xinhua correspondent 2. various of screenshots of U.S. CDC website 3. various of the exterior of a U.S. hospital in New York City 4. various of the street view in New York City STORYLINE: STANDUP (English): XIA LIN, Xinhua correspondent "Another COVID-19 winter surge is brewing in the Untied States as the key indicators are all rising. It has swamped the country's hospitals with a record number of patients sickened by respiratory diseases. The nation averaged about 65,569 new cases each day in the week ending Dec. 7, a 49.6 percent rise from the previous week. An average of more than 4,800 virus-positive Americans were admitted to hospitals each day in the week ending Dec. 6, a 13.8 percent increase over the week prior. Daily COVID-19 death count was also hiking. The country averaged over 420 COVID-19 deaths in th

Meiji Life president cautious on insurer yield cut

Meiji Life president cautious on insurer yield cut

TOKYO, Japan - Ryotaro Kaneko, president of Meiji Life Insurance Co., speaks in an interview with Kyodo News. Kaneko, also chairman of the Life Insurance Association of Japan, said the nation's life insurance industry is now on a recovery path and each insurer should carefully deal with the issue of a cut in yields guaranteed to policyholders.

900 ex-leprosy patients file another suit against state

900 ex-leprosy patients file another suit against state

KUMAMOTO, Japan - Former leprosy patients and their supporters hold a rally in front of the Kumamoto District Court building on May 21 before filing a lawsuit with the court against the state. About 900 former leprosy patients across the nation are filing the suit against the state, demanding 115 million yen each in compensation for being forced into isolation to undergo treatment for the disease. The suit brings the number of plaintiffs suing the state at district courts in Kumamoto, Okayama and Tokyo in connection with the case to about 1,700.

Costly U.S. midterm elections fuel polarization, divisions amid concerns of political violence

STORY: Costly U.S. midterm elections fuel polarization, divisions amid concerns of political violence DATELINE: Nov. 10, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:27 LOCATION: NEW YORK, U.S. CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. STANDUP (English): XIA LIN, Xinhua correspondent 2. various of a poll site in New York 3. various of a poll site in Los Angeles STORYLINE: STANDUP (English): XIA LIN, Xinhua correspondent "The 2022 U.S. midterms are set to be the most expensive non-presidential races in history. The total cost of state and federal elections is projected to exceed 16.7 billion U.S. dollars, according to a new analysis released by OpenSecrets. The high stakes in this year's races have escalated partisan spite at different levels across the nation. Many candidates personally attack each other rather than conduct meaningful policy debates with their opponents. U.S. media outlets and pundits constantly add fuel to the rancorous war of words sharply along ideological lines. It is causing anxiety about the prospect of greater politic

Zimbabwean youth protest against U.S.-imposed sanctions on Anti-Sanctions Day

STORY: Zimbabwean youth protest against U.S.-imposed sanctions on Anti-Sanctions Day DATELINE: Oct. 26, 2022 LENGTH: 0:02:04 LOCATION: Harare CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of protests 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): WILLARD GOVHA, Harare resident 3. various of protesters singing 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): MARTIN ZHARARE, Executive director, Citizens Against Sanctions 5. various of protesters waving flags and placards 6. SOUNDBITE 3 (SHONA): TSITSI MANYANGAIDZE, Harare resident 7. various of protests STORYLINE: Thousands of Zimbabweans on Tuesday gathered outside the U.S. Embassy compound in Harare to protest against sanctions imposed on the southern African nation by Western countries over two decades ago. The Southern African Development Community, a 16-country regional bloc, has designated Oct. 25 of each year as "Anti-Sanctions Day" since 2019 to show solidarity with Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe has borne the brunt of economic sanctions imposed by the U.S. and its Western allies led by Britain since 2001 foll

Chinese-invested expressway in Cambodia opens to public for one-month free trial

STORY: Chinese-invested expressway in Cambodia opens to public for one-month free trial DATELINE: Oct. 1, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:11 LOCATION: Phnom Penh CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. aerial view of the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway 2. various of an event marking the opening of the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway for trial operation 3. SOUNDBITE (English): PENN SOVICHEAT, Cambodian Ministry of Commerce's Undersecretary of State STORYLINE: The Chinese-invested Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway in Cambodia was opened to the public on Saturday for a month's trial use for free to attract motorists driving on the first-ever expressway in the Southeast Asian nation. Invested by the China Road and Bridge Corporation, the 2-billion-U.S. dollar expressway with a total length of 187 km connects the capital Phnom Penh and the deep sea port province of Preah Sihanouk. With two lanes for traffic in each direction plus an emergency lane on each side and paved with asphalt concrete, vehicles will be able to rea

Ethiopians celebrate unique New Year amid price hikes

STORY: Ethiopians celebrate unique New Year amid price hikes DATELINE: Sept. 14, 2022 LENGTH: 00:03:41 LOCATION: Addis Ababa CATEGORY: SOCIETY/ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Ethiopians at a local market 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Amharic): BEZUAYEHU ARAGAW, Holiday shopper 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Amharic): ETENESH MEKAGNAW, Holiday shopper 4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Amharic): SENAIT ERSADO, Trader of chicken 5. SOUNDBITE 4 (Amharic): HULUMYANTE YITAFERU, Sheep trader STORYLINE: Holiday shoppers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital, complained of soaring prices of basic commodities as they celebrated Ethiopian New Year Sunday. The eastern African nation celebrates its unique New Year (Enkutatash in Amharic language) on Sept. 11, or Sept. 12 during a leap year. There are a series of events during the Ethiopian New Year celebration, including family reunions, and the slaughter of sheep, goats, or oxen, depending on the financial capability of a household. SOUNDBITE 1 (Amharic): BEZUAYEHU ARAGAW, Holiday shopper "This year, each commodit

Xi stresses protecting cultural heritage after watching ethnic performance in Xinjiang

STORY: Xi watches ethnic performance in Xinjiang, stressing protecting cultural heritage DATELINE: July 17, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:19 LOCATION: URUMQI, China CATEGORY: POLITICS/CULTURE STORYLINE: Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, watched a show of the Kirgiz ethnic minority epic Manas at the Museum of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Wednesday morning. Xi also talked with the performers of the Manas, which has been inscribed as an intangible cultural heritage. Xi said the extensive and profound Chinese civilization is composed of outstanding cultures of various ethnic groups. A cultural heritage like the Manas is a treasure of both the ethnic minority and the Chinese nation, Xi said, urging better preservation and promotion efforts. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): SULAYHAN HASANBAY, Performer of the Manas "I was very excited and happy when I saw General Secretary Xi. He was very amiable. He talked with each of us, asking about the musical instruments in

Biden urges Congress to act on gun violence amid partisan tensions

STORY: Biden urges Congress to act on gun violence amid partisan tensions DATELINE: June 3, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:06 LOCATION: WASHINGTON CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: SOUNDBITE (English): JOE BIDEN, U.S. President STORYLINE: U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday urged Congress to take action on gun violence in a prime-time address from the White House. The remarks came after the United States was shaken by a spate of mass shootings over the past few weeks. SOUNDBITE (English): JOE BIDEN, U.S. President "How many more innocent American lives must be taken before we say enough, enough? My fellow Americans, enough, enough. It's time for each of us to do our part. It's time to act, for the children we've lost, for the children we can save, for the nation we love. Let's hear the call and the cry, let's meet the moment, let us finally do something. We need to ban assault weapons in high-capacity magazines. And if we can't ban assault weapons, then we should raise the age to purchase them from 18 to 21, stren

(3)Six countries hold second-day talks on N. Korea

(3)Six countries hold second-day talks on N. Korea

BEIJING, China - North Korean Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan (L) and U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs James Kelly sit next to each other during a reception after the second-day session of the six-nation talks on North Korea's nuclear ambitions in Beijing on June 24. (Pool photo) (Kyodo)

Abe leaves for 3-nation trip to Oceania

Abe leaves for 3-nation trip to Oceania

TOKYO, Japan - Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (C) and his wife Akie wave before boarding a plane at Haneda airport in Tokyo on July 6, 2014, for a three-nation tour of New Zealand, Australia and Papua New Guinea. Abe will hold summit talks with the prime ministers of each country. (Kyodo)

'B-class gourmet' fare

'B-class gourmet' fare

ATSUGI, Japan - Visitors line up in front of a booth offering Japanese ''oden'' stewing dish from Shizuoka Prefecture at a B-1 Grand Prix fair on Sept. 18, 2010, in Atsugi City, Kanagawa Prefecture. Visitors formed long lines in front of each booth to try cheap but tasty local dishes, known as ''B-class gourmet,'' from across the nation, on the first day of the two-day event, where this year's most popular dish will be selected. (Kyodo)

Gymnastics: Four-nation meet in Tokyo

Gymnastics: Four-nation meet in Tokyo

Gymnasts give each other medals at the closing ceremony of a four-nation meet in Tokyo on Nov. 8, 2020. Japan hosted an international meet of an Olympic sport for the first time since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, inviting China, Russia and the United States. (Pool photo)

Spread of coronavirus in Navajo Nation

Spread of coronavirus in Navajo Nation

Shoppers wait at the entrance of a supermarket in Chinle, Arizona, on June 24, 2020, while keeping a distance from each other. The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases and deaths for the Navajo Nation reached about 8,000 and 380, respectively, as of early July.

Scenes of sumo

Scenes of sumo

Sumo wrestlers' topknots are pictured as they attend a Shinto ceremony in front of the dohyo ring at the Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium on July 8, 2017, on the eve of the beginning of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament in Nagoya, central Japan. The ceremony is held the day before the start of each tournament to pray for the safety of the 15-day tourney and the peace and security of the nation, according to the Japan Sumo Association. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

900 ex-leprosy patients file another suit against state

900 ex-leprosy patients file another suit against state

KUMAMOTO, Japan - Former leprosy patients and their supporters hold a rally in front of the Kumamoto District Court building on May 21 before filing a lawsuit with the court against the state. About 900 former leprosy patients across the nation are filing the suit against the state, demanding 115 million yen each in compensation for being forced into isolation to undergo treatment for the disease. The suit brings the number of plaintiffs suing the state at district courts in Kumamoto, Okayama and Tokyo in connection with the case to about 1,700.