US: Pileup Involving 17 Vehicles Shuts Down I-94 In Southwest Michigan

A multiple-vehicle crash shut down I-94 in both directions near Hartford in Van Buren County, Michigan, on Monday, December 2. Michigan State Police reported that one person was critically injured, and they believed driving too fast under whiteout conditions to be a factor in the crash.

U.S. "shooting itself in the foot" with tariff hikes on China: Cuban expert

STORY: U.S. "shooting itself in the foot" with tariff hikes on China: Cuban expert SHOOTING TIME: May 27, 2024 DATELINE: May 28, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:13 LOCATION: Havana CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of streets in Havana 2. SOUNDBITE (Spanish): EDUARDO REGALADO, Senior researcher at the International Policy Research Center of Cuba STORYLINE: The U.S. narrative of "overcapacity" against China's new energy sector, along with its decision to raise tariffs on Chinese new energy products, is not only political manipulation and economic protectionism but also undermines global trend of green transition, said Eduardo Regalado, a Cuban political expert in a recent interview with Xinhua. SOUNDBITE (Spanish): EDUARDO REGALADO, Senior researcher at the International Policy Research Center of Cuba "The move has several interpretations. Firstly, it is political manipulation with the U.S. presidential elections looming. The candidates are competing using the China factor to have a greater number of votes. And

Laos embraces crowds of Chinese tourists during May Day holiday

STORY: Laos embraces crowds of Chinese tourists during May Day holiday SHOOTING TIME: May 2, 2024 DATELINE: May 6, 2024 LENGTH: 0:01:25 LOCATION: Vientiane CATEGORY: SOCIETY/ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of tourists at scenic spots STORYLINE: Laos has been embracing large numbers of Chinese tourists during the five-day May Day holiday, expected to be a strong boost to the country's tourism sector. "I observe that the number of Chinese visitors is increasing day by day. I have seen crowds of Chinese tourists walking around the city in the past few days. At that moment, I realized that Laos' tourism is continuing to rebound," Namtan, a food vendor in Lao capital Vientiane, told Xinhua on Saturday. She said that Laos is gaining popularity among domestic and international tourists thanks to reduced travel time and a comfortable ride brought by the China-Laos Railway. "I think the cross-border passenger service on the China-Laos Railway is the key factor contributing to Laos' tourism recovery and it

Radia's Windrunner Takes Title Of World's Largest Plane

Radia's Windrunner Takes Title Of World's Largest Plane

Handout rendering showsWindRunner, a new plane being developed by Colorado-based energy startup Radia. The 108-m (356-ft) long Radia Windrunner is designed to transport cargo too big for the road, to short, semi-prepared airstrips on rough terrain. It would dwarf the majestic 84-m (275-ft) long Antonov An-225 Mriya, which is sadly no longer with us. With the notable exception of the Large Hadron Collider, there's really no machine in history with single parts larger than today's mammoth wind turbines. Some offshore turbines, for example, are being built with blades more than 140 m (459 ft) long. One of the reasons why they're not getting to this scale on dry land is that it's damn near impossible to move blades this size on the road. Size really matters in wind power, where the swept area of your turbine is the key factor in how much energy you can harvest. The tips of the blades sweep a larger area than the sections closest to the hub, so there's a disproportionate area gain to be made for every bit of lengt

Radia's Windrunner Takes Title Of World's Largest Plane

Radia's Windrunner Takes Title Of World's Largest Plane

Handout rendering showsWindRunner, a new plane being developed by Colorado-based energy startup Radia. The 108-m (356-ft) long Radia Windrunner is designed to transport cargo too big for the road, to short, semi-prepared airstrips on rough terrain. It would dwarf the majestic 84-m (275-ft) long Antonov An-225 Mriya, which is sadly no longer with us. With the notable exception of the Large Hadron Collider, there's really no machine in history with single parts larger than today's mammoth wind turbines. Some offshore turbines, for example, are being built with blades more than 140 m (459 ft) long. One of the reasons why they're not getting to this scale on dry land is that it's damn near impossible to move blades this size on the road. Size really matters in wind power, where the swept area of your turbine is the key factor in how much energy you can harvest. The tips of the blades sweep a larger area than the sections closest to the hub, so there's a disproportionate area gain to be made for every bit of lengt

Radia's Windrunner Takes Title Of World's Largest Plane

Radia's Windrunner Takes Title Of World's Largest Plane

Handout rendering showsWindRunner, a new plane being developed by Colorado-based energy startup Radia. The 108-m (356-ft) long Radia Windrunner is designed to transport cargo too big for the road, to short, semi-prepared airstrips on rough terrain. It would dwarf the majestic 84-m (275-ft) long Antonov An-225 Mriya, which is sadly no longer with us. With the notable exception of the Large Hadron Collider, there's really no machine in history with single parts larger than today's mammoth wind turbines. Some offshore turbines, for example, are being built with blades more than 140 m (459 ft) long. One of the reasons why they're not getting to this scale on dry land is that it's damn near impossible to move blades this size on the road. Size really matters in wind power, where the swept area of your turbine is the key factor in how much energy you can harvest. The tips of the blades sweep a larger area than the sections closest to the hub, so there's a disproportionate area gain to be made for every bit of lengt

Radia's Windrunner Takes Title Of World's Largest Plane

Radia's Windrunner Takes Title Of World's Largest Plane

Handout rendering showsWindRunner, a new plane being developed by Colorado-based energy startup Radia. The 108-m (356-ft) long Radia Windrunner is designed to transport cargo too big for the road, to short, semi-prepared airstrips on rough terrain. It would dwarf the majestic 84-m (275-ft) long Antonov An-225 Mriya, which is sadly no longer with us. With the notable exception of the Large Hadron Collider, there's really no machine in history with single parts larger than today's mammoth wind turbines. Some offshore turbines, for example, are being built with blades more than 140 m (459 ft) long. One of the reasons why they're not getting to this scale on dry land is that it's damn near impossible to move blades this size on the road. Size really matters in wind power, where the swept area of your turbine is the key factor in how much energy you can harvest. The tips of the blades sweep a larger area than the sections closest to the hub, so there's a disproportionate area gain to be made for every bit of lengt

Radia's Windrunner Takes Title Of World's Largest Plane

Radia's Windrunner Takes Title Of World's Largest Plane

Handout rendering showsWindRunner, a new plane being developed by Colorado-based energy startup Radia. The 108-m (356-ft) long Radia Windrunner is designed to transport cargo too big for the road, to short, semi-prepared airstrips on rough terrain. It would dwarf the majestic 84-m (275-ft) long Antonov An-225 Mriya, which is sadly no longer with us. With the notable exception of the Large Hadron Collider, there's really no machine in history with single parts larger than today's mammoth wind turbines. Some offshore turbines, for example, are being built with blades more than 140 m (459 ft) long. One of the reasons why they're not getting to this scale on dry land is that it's damn near impossible to move blades this size on the road. Size really matters in wind power, where the swept area of your turbine is the key factor in how much energy you can harvest. The tips of the blades sweep a larger area than the sections closest to the hub, so there's a disproportionate area gain to be made for every bit of lengt

Radia's Windrunner Takes Title Of World's Largest Plane

Radia's Windrunner Takes Title Of World's Largest Plane

Handout rendering showsWindRunner, a new plane being developed by Colorado-based energy startup Radia. The 108-m (356-ft) long Radia Windrunner is designed to transport cargo too big for the road, to short, semi-prepared airstrips on rough terrain. It would dwarf the majestic 84-m (275-ft) long Antonov An-225 Mriya, which is sadly no longer with us. With the notable exception of the Large Hadron Collider, there's really no machine in history with single parts larger than today's mammoth wind turbines. Some offshore turbines, for example, are being built with blades more than 140 m (459 ft) long. One of the reasons why they're not getting to this scale on dry land is that it's damn near impossible to move blades this size on the road. Size really matters in wind power, where the swept area of your turbine is the key factor in how much energy you can harvest. The tips of the blades sweep a larger area than the sections closest to the hub, so there's a disproportionate area gain to be made for every bit of lengt

Radia's Windrunner Takes Title Of World's Largest Plane

Radia's Windrunner Takes Title Of World's Largest Plane

Handout rendering showsWindRunner, a new plane being developed by Colorado-based energy startup Radia. The 108-m (356-ft) long Radia Windrunner is designed to transport cargo too big for the road, to short, semi-prepared airstrips on rough terrain. It would dwarf the majestic 84-m (275-ft) long Antonov An-225 Mriya, which is sadly no longer with us. With the notable exception of the Large Hadron Collider, there's really no machine in history with single parts larger than today's mammoth wind turbines. Some offshore turbines, for example, are being built with blades more than 140 m (459 ft) long. One of the reasons why they're not getting to this scale on dry land is that it's damn near impossible to move blades this size on the road. Size really matters in wind power, where the swept area of your turbine is the key factor in how much energy you can harvest. The tips of the blades sweep a larger area than the sections closest to the hub, so there's a disproportionate area gain to be made for every bit of lengt

Radia's Windrunner Takes Title Of World's Largest Plane

Radia's Windrunner Takes Title Of World's Largest Plane

Handout rendering showsWindRunner, a new plane being developed by Colorado-based energy startup Radia. The 108-m (356-ft) long Radia Windrunner is designed to transport cargo too big for the road, to short, semi-prepared airstrips on rough terrain. It would dwarf the majestic 84-m (275-ft) long Antonov An-225 Mriya, which is sadly no longer with us. With the notable exception of the Large Hadron Collider, there's really no machine in history with single parts larger than today's mammoth wind turbines. Some offshore turbines, for example, are being built with blades more than 140 m (459 ft) long. One of the reasons why they're not getting to this scale on dry land is that it's damn near impossible to move blades this size on the road. Size really matters in wind power, where the swept area of your turbine is the key factor in how much energy you can harvest. The tips of the blades sweep a larger area than the sections closest to the hub, so there's a disproportionate area gain to be made for every bit of lengt

Radia's Windrunner Takes Title Of World's Largest Plane

Radia's Windrunner Takes Title Of World's Largest Plane

Handout rendering showsWindRunner, a new plane being developed by Colorado-based energy startup Radia. The 108-m (356-ft) long Radia Windrunner is designed to transport cargo too big for the road, to short, semi-prepared airstrips on rough terrain. It would dwarf the majestic 84-m (275-ft) long Antonov An-225 Mriya, which is sadly no longer with us. With the notable exception of the Large Hadron Collider, there's really no machine in history with single parts larger than today's mammoth wind turbines. Some offshore turbines, for example, are being built with blades more than 140 m (459 ft) long. One of the reasons why they're not getting to this scale on dry land is that it's damn near impossible to move blades this size on the road. Size really matters in wind power, where the swept area of your turbine is the key factor in how much energy you can harvest. The tips of the blades sweep a larger area than the sections closest to the hub, so there's a disproportionate area gain to be made for every bit of lengt

Radia's Windrunner Takes Title Of World's Largest Plane

Radia's Windrunner Takes Title Of World's Largest Plane

Handout rendering showsWindRunner, a new plane being developed by Colorado-based energy startup Radia. The 108-m (356-ft) long Radia Windrunner is designed to transport cargo too big for the road, to short, semi-prepared airstrips on rough terrain. It would dwarf the majestic 84-m (275-ft) long Antonov An-225 Mriya, which is sadly no longer with us. With the notable exception of the Large Hadron Collider, there's really no machine in history with single parts larger than today's mammoth wind turbines. Some offshore turbines, for example, are being built with blades more than 140 m (459 ft) long. One of the reasons why they're not getting to this scale on dry land is that it's damn near impossible to move blades this size on the road. Size really matters in wind power, where the swept area of your turbine is the key factor in how much energy you can harvest. The tips of the blades sweep a larger area than the sections closest to the hub, so there's a disproportionate area gain to be made for every bit of lengt

Radia's Windrunner Takes Title Of World's Largest Plane

Radia's Windrunner Takes Title Of World's Largest Plane

Handout rendering showsWindRunner, a new plane being developed by Colorado-based energy startup Radia. The 108-m (356-ft) long Radia Windrunner is designed to transport cargo too big for the road, to short, semi-prepared airstrips on rough terrain. It would dwarf the majestic 84-m (275-ft) long Antonov An-225 Mriya, which is sadly no longer with us. With the notable exception of the Large Hadron Collider, there's really no machine in history with single parts larger than today's mammoth wind turbines. Some offshore turbines, for example, are being built with blades more than 140 m (459 ft) long. One of the reasons why they're not getting to this scale on dry land is that it's damn near impossible to move blades this size on the road. Size really matters in wind power, where the swept area of your turbine is the key factor in how much energy you can harvest. The tips of the blades sweep a larger area than the sections closest to the hub, so there's a disproportionate area gain to be made for every bit of lengt

Radia's Windrunner Takes Title Of World's Largest Plane

Radia's Windrunner Takes Title Of World's Largest Plane

Handout rendering showsWindRunner, a new plane being developed by Colorado-based energy startup Radia. The 108-m (356-ft) long Radia Windrunner is designed to transport cargo too big for the road, to short, semi-prepared airstrips on rough terrain. It would dwarf the majestic 84-m (275-ft) long Antonov An-225 Mriya, which is sadly no longer with us. With the notable exception of the Large Hadron Collider, there's really no machine in history with single parts larger than today's mammoth wind turbines. Some offshore turbines, for example, are being built with blades more than 140 m (459 ft) long. One of the reasons why they're not getting to this scale on dry land is that it's damn near impossible to move blades this size on the road. Size really matters in wind power, where the swept area of your turbine is the key factor in how much energy you can harvest. The tips of the blades sweep a larger area than the sections closest to the hub, so there's a disproportionate area gain to be made for every bit of lengt

German business leaders seek cooperation with China's Wuhan in new energy

STORY: German business leaders seek cooperation with China's Wuhan in new energy SHOOTING TIME: March 15, 2024 DATELINE: March 16, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:34 LOCATION: WUHAN, China CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of German delegation visiting Wuhan Iron and Steel (Group) Company 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): DOMINIK BARTZ, Head of Hub International, Duisburg 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): FRANK AHRENHOLD, Head of Sustainable Steel Production at Thyssenkrupp Steel 4. various of German delegation having a conference at Wuhan 5. wide of Wuhan Iron and Steel (Group) Company 6. aerial views of Wuhan City STORYLINE: Business leaders from a German delegation have pinned high hopes on cooperation with China's Wuhan City in new energy after their visit to Wuhan Iron and Steel (Group) Company. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): DOMINIK BARTZ, Head of Hub International, Duisburg "We are always looking for cooperations in the field of hydrogen, because hydrogen is a huge factor for Duisburg, because we're switching our steel plant from

China's growth, development an opportunity to world: Nigerian expert

STORY: China's growth, development an opportunity to world: Nigerian expert SHOOTING DATE: Feb. 22, 2024 DATELINE: March 4, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:29 LOCATION: Abuja CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of China 2. SOUNDBITE (English): CHARLES ONUNAIJU, Director of Center for China studies, Nigeria STORYLINE: In a recent interview with Xinhua, a Nigerian expert has said China's growth and development offers an opportunity to the world, noting that its development path advocates inclusiveness instead of exclusion. SOUNDBITE (English): CHARLES ONUNAIJU, Director of the Center for China Studies, Nigeria "Chinese economy has done well, has recovered significantly. China has been a significant factor in altering the destiny of globalization in the direction of inclusion, in the direction of accommodation, in the direction of shared prosperity for all stakeholders. Enabling trade, so that nations could trade themselves out of recession, nations could trade themselves out of poverty, nations could advance their do

Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone Lujiazui Area

Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone Lujiazui Area

SHANGHAI, CHINA - FEBRUARY 27, 2024 - An aerial photo shows the Lujiazui area of Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone, China's first pilot free trade zone, on Feb 27, 2024. Lujiazui area has a total of more than 10 state-level factor markets and financial infrastructure, more than 6,000 various types of financial institutions settled, and has become the most concentrated area for well-known overseas asset management institutions to set up wholly owned companies in China.

Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone Lujiazui Area

Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone Lujiazui Area

SHANGHAI, CHINA - FEBRUARY 27, 2024 - An aerial photo shows the Lujiazui area of Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone, China's first pilot free trade zone, on Feb 27, 2024. Lujiazui area has a total of more than 10 state-level factor markets and financial infrastructure, more than 6,000 various types of financial institutions settled, and has become the most concentrated area for well-known overseas asset management institutions to set up wholly owned companies in China.

Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone Lujiazui Area

Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone Lujiazui Area

SHANGHAI, CHINA - FEBRUARY 27, 2024 - An aerial photo shows the Lujiazui area of Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone, China's first pilot free trade zone, on Feb 27, 2024. Lujiazui area has a total of more than 10 state-level factor markets and financial infrastructure, more than 6,000 various types of financial institutions settled, and has become the most concentrated area for well-known overseas asset management institutions to set up wholly owned companies in China.

Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone Lujiazui Area

Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone Lujiazui Area

SHANGHAI, CHINA - FEBRUARY 27, 2024 - An aerial photo shows the Lujiazui area of Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone, China's first pilot free trade zone, on Feb 27, 2024. Lujiazui area has a total of more than 10 state-level factor markets and financial infrastructure, more than 6,000 various types of financial institutions settled, and has become the most concentrated area for well-known overseas asset management institutions to set up wholly owned companies in China.

Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone Lujiazui Area

Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone Lujiazui Area

SHANGHAI, CHINA - FEBRUARY 27, 2024 - An aerial photo shows the Lujiazui area of Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone, China's first pilot free trade zone, on Feb 27, 2024. Lujiazui area has a total of more than 10 state-level factor markets and financial infrastructure, more than 6,000 various types of financial institutions settled, and has become the most concentrated area for well-known overseas asset management institutions to set up wholly owned companies in China.

Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone Lujiazui Area

Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone Lujiazui Area

SHANGHAI, CHINA - FEBRUARY 27, 2024 - An aerial photo shows the Lujiazui area of Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone, China's first pilot free trade zone, on Feb 27, 2024. Lujiazui area has a total of more than 10 state-level factor markets and financial infrastructure, more than 6,000 various types of financial institutions settled, and has become the most concentrated area for well-known overseas asset management institutions to set up wholly owned companies in China.

Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone Lujiazui Area

Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone Lujiazui Area

SHANGHAI, CHINA - FEBRUARY 27, 2024 - An aerial photo shows the Lujiazui area of Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone, China's first pilot free trade zone, on Feb 27, 2024. Lujiazui area has a total of more than 10 state-level factor markets and financial infrastructure, more than 6,000 various types of financial institutions settled, and has become the most concentrated area for well-known overseas asset management institutions to set up wholly owned companies in China.

Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone Lujiazui Area

Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone Lujiazui Area

SHANGHAI, CHINA - FEBRUARY 27, 2024 - An aerial photo shows the Lujiazui area of Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone, China's first pilot free trade zone, on Feb 27, 2024. Lujiazui area has a total of more than 10 state-level factor markets and financial infrastructure, more than 6,000 various types of financial institutions settled, and has become the most concentrated area for well-known overseas asset management institutions to set up wholly owned companies in China.

Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone Lujiazui Area

Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone Lujiazui Area

SHANGHAI, CHINA - FEBRUARY 27, 2024 - An aerial photo shows the Lujiazui area of Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone, China's first pilot free trade zone, on Feb 27, 2024. Lujiazui area has a total of more than 10 state-level factor markets and financial infrastructure, more than 6,000 various types of financial institutions settled, and has become the most concentrated area for well-known overseas asset management institutions to set up wholly owned companies in China.

Italy's annual inflation rate lowest in 32 months

STORY: Italy's annual inflation rate lowest in 32 months SHOOTING TIME: Dec. 1, 2023 DATELINE: Dec. 2, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:45 LOCATION: Rome CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of street views in Rome 2. various of price tags STORYLINE: The annual inflation rate in Italy fell to 0.8 percent in November 2023, the lowest recorded value since March 2021, according to government data. In November, the Italian national consumer price index for the entire collectivity, including tobacco products, recorded a decrease of 0.4 percent on a monthly basis and an increase of 0.8 percent on an annual basis. This was down from 1.7 percent in October, said ISTAT, the country's national statistics institute. Lower energy prices were the main factor pushing the inflation rate lower, ISTAT said, with non-regulated energy prices declining by 22.5 percent year-on-year. Meanwhile, regulated energy prices declined by 36 percent in November compared to the year-ago period. In the meantime, inflation slowed for processed food

India's unemployment rate hits 2-year high

STORY: India's unemployment rate hits 2-year high SHOOTING TIME: File DATELINE: Nov. 2, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:36 LOCATION: New Delhi CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the India gate 2. various of street views 3. various of laborers waiting for work 4. various of farmers working on farmland STORYLINE: According to the latest data released by the Center for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), India's unemployment rate has hit a two-year high. The overall unemployment rate in India rose to 10.05 percent in October, a significant increase from 7.09 percent in September, marking the highest level since May 2021. Rural areas have been severely impacted, with the rural unemployment rate surging to 10.82 percent in October, up from 6.2 percent in the previous month. One key factor contributing to the rural unemployment crisis is the weakest monsoon rains in five years, which have led to reduced farming output. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from New Delhi. (XHTV)

Russia-China cooperation a "stabilizing factor" in global affairs: Putin

STORY: Russia-China cooperation a "stabilizing factor" in global affairs: Putin DATELINE: Oct. 6, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:47 LOCATION: SOCHI, Russia CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of host appointing Xinhua for question 2. various of Putin answering Xinhua's question 3. various of the plenary session STORYLINE: Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is "promising" and that Russia-China cooperation is an important stabilizing factor in global affairs. Putin made the remarks when answering a question from Xinhua at the plenary session of the 20th Annual Meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi. Referring to China's impressive economic growth, Putin said that China has become "one of the leading locomotives of the global economy." As to bilateral cooperation, Putin said that the two sides will implement infrastructure development plans for the construction of a Greater Eurasia, the Eurasian Economic Union, and the development of the "promi

Serbian president blasts West's double standards in int'l relations

STORY: Serbian president blasts West's double standards in int'l relations DATELINE: Sept. 23, 2023 LENGTH: 00:03:08 LOCATION: UN Headquarters CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of UNGA Hall 2. various of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic walking to rostrum 3. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ALEKSANDAR VUCIC, Serbian President 4. various of delegates 5. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ALEKSANDAR VUCIC, Serbian President STORYLINE: Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Thursday blasted the West's double standards in handling international relations. Addressing the UN General Assembly, Vucic criticised U.S. President Joe Biden's double standards in his speech at the General Debate. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ALEKSANDAR VUCIC, Serbian President "Here, in this hall, only two days ago, we could hear from the president of the United States the most important principle in relations between the countries -- the respect for their territorial integrity and sovereignty, and only as the third most important factor, he mentioned hum

Boris Johnson becomes honorary doctor of Lviv National University

Boris Johnson becomes honorary doctor of Lviv National University

LVIV, UKRAINE - SEPTEMBER 9, 2023 - Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson signs a copy of his book, The Churchill Factor: How One Man Made History, during a meeting with rector of the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv Volodymyr Melnyk, Lviv, western Ukraine.

Boris Johnson becomes honorary doctor of Lviv National University

Boris Johnson becomes honorary doctor of Lviv National University

LVIV, UKRAINE - SEPTEMBER 9, 2023 - Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson signs a copy of his book, The Churchill Factor: How One Man Made History, during a meeting with rector of the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv Volodymyr Melnyk, Lviv, western Ukraine.

Boris Johnson becomes honorary doctor of Lviv National University

Boris Johnson becomes honorary doctor of Lviv National University

LVIV, UKRAINE - SEPTEMBER 9, 2023 - Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson signs a copy of his book, The Churchill Factor: How One Man Made History, during a meeting with rector of the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv Volodymyr Melnyk, Lviv, western Ukraine.

Italy sees gasoline prices pass 2 euro/liter threshold

STORY: Italy sees gasoline prices pass 2 euro/liter threshold DATELINE: Aug. 18, 2023 LENGTH: 0:00:52 LOCATION: Rome CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the gas stations in Rome STORYLINE: Drivers in Italy were confronted with the highest gasoline prices in more than a year on Thursday, with high demand and a new surge in global petroleum prices driving the upward trend. According to government data, the super-95 gasoline (the standard quality) cost 2.019 euros (2.198 U.S. dollars) per liter along the highways. The last time that prices were so high was in July 2022. Prices varied slightly by region, and they were lower for other types of vehicle fuel, such as diesel, liquified petroleum gas, and methane. Also, prices along the highways tend to be the highest. On the whole, gasoline prices are a key factor in establishing overall prices in the fuel sector. According to the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security, one liter of super-95 gasoline cost 1.867 euros (2.033 U.S. dollars) in July and

Italy's public debt hits new record high

STORY: Italy's public debt hits new record high DATELINE: Aug. 18, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:39 LOCATION: Rome CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of street in Rome 2. various of Rome stock exchange building STORYLINE: Italy's public debt set an all-time record of 2.843 trillion euros (3.09 trillion U.S. dollars) in June, reflecting in part an increase in government borrowing, the Bank of Italy said Wednesday. That number rose by 27.8 billion euros compared to the previous month, reported the central bank. The size of Italy's public debt has risen every month this year after declining in the final three months of 2022. Currently, excluding liquid balances of the Italian Treasury such as euros, foreign currencies and other assets, public debt was 2.802 trillion euros -- the first time that figure surpassed the 2.8 trillion euros threshold. The main factor pushing debt levels higher was increased government borrowing, which swelled by 12.3 billion euros compared to a month earlier, the bank said. In addition

U.S. military spending contributes to rising debt ceiling: expert

STORY: U.S. military spending contributes to rising debt ceiling: expert DATELINE: June 10, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:47 LOCATION: Islamabad CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. 2. SOUNDBITE (English): AMER ZAFAR DURRANI, Former development specialist with the World Bank Group 3. various of streets and pedestrians in the U.S. 4. file footage of U.S. military STORYLINE: The climbing U.S. military spending is a key factor contributing to the country's rising debt ceiling, a former specialist with the World Bank Group said in an interview with Xinhua on Friday, referring to the last week's U.S. Congress bill to raise America's debt ceiling for the 103rd time since 1945. SOUNDBITE (English): AMER ZAFAR DURRANI, Former development specialist with the World Bank Group "Why they raise the limits on their spending? They're fighting more wars, so they need to spend more money on these wars. So usually the cycle is: go war, make multicountry war, and then the U.S. comes and spends. In

Japan's fish catch hits record low in 2022

STORY: Japan's fish catch hits record low in 2022 DATELINE: May 31, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:18 LOCATION: Tokyo CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of fishing harbour in Japan STORYLINE: Japan's fish catch in 2022 dropped 7.5 percent from the previous year to a record low of 3.85 million tons under the impact of rising sea temperatures, local media reported. The total, which includes farm-grown fish, was the lowest figure since comparable data became available in 1956 and marked a second consecutive year of decline, Kyodo News reported on Tuesday citing data by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. By category, catches of saury fell 5.6 percent from a year earlier to 18,400 tons, while Japanese flying squid slipped 8.3 percent to 29,700 tons and octopus dipped 18.7 percent to 22,200 tons, said the report. Meanwhile, salmon jumped 55.0 percent to 87,900 tons and anchovy increased 13.3 percent to 135,100 tons, it added. Apart from global warming, overfishing has also been a factor

Bosch says Chinese market resilient, innovative

STORY: Bosch says Chinese market resilient, innovative DATELINE: April 25, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:59 LOCATION: SHANGHAI, China CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the Auto Shanghai 2023 2. SOUNDBITE (English): STEFAN HARTUNG, Chairman of the board of management of Bosch STORYLINE: Stefan Hartung, chairman of the board of management of Bosch, a German engineering and technology company, said that the Chinese market is resilient and innovative at the ongoing Auto Shanghai 2023. He added that young talent is a factor that makes China a really great market to invest. SOUNDBITE (English): STEFAN HARTUNG, Chairman of the board of management of Bosch "The (Chinese) market is not only resilient. It's actually a market which is very innovative. And by the way, the Chinese consumer has always been a very innovative and very forefront consumer. We are continuously investing in China. We have been here for a very long time. Actually, it is important for us to continue investment and expansion, not only in factorie

Global trade growth to slow to 1.7 pct in 2023: WTO report

STORY: Global trade growth to slow to 1.7 pct in 2023: WTO report DATELINE: April 6, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:17 LOCATION: GENEVA, Switzerland CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. exterior of World Trade Organization (WTO) building 2. SOUNDBITE (English): RALPH OSSA, WTO Chief Economist 3. various of WTO & the report STORYLINE: Global trade growth in 2023 will slow to 1.7 percent, the World Trade Organization (WTO) said in its annual trade statistics and outlook report, published on Wednesday. The volume of world merchandise trade has been weighed down by the effects of the conflict in Ukraine, high inflation, tighter monetary policy and financial market uncertainty, the report said. However, the forecast for trade growth in 2023 is up from the previous estimate of 1.0 percent from last October. China's adjustment of its COVID-19 measures is a "key factor" in this increase, the report said. The Chinese market is expected to boost international trade, the report said. Dragged down by a sharp slump in the fourth quar

Growing fallout from U.S. bank failures sparks worries across banking sector

STORY: Growing fallout from U.S. bank failures sparks worries across banking sector DATELINE: March 17, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:48 LOCATION: Beijing CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): GIORGIO DI GIORGIO, Professor of macroeconomics and monetary policy at Rome's LUISS University 2. SOUNDBITE 2 (Turkish): MURAT TUFAN, Analyst with Turkish broadcaster Ekoturk 3. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): XN IRAKI, Kenyan economist STORYLINE: Growing fallout from the collapse of two U.S. banks -- Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) from California and New York's Signature Bank has sent jitters across the banking sector. Many experts have expressed their concerns over the failures of the two U.S. banks. Worries about its impact on European financial institutions began to push share prices downward. Led by banking shares, most European stock exchanges suffered significant losses on Monday and Wednesday, each time followed by only modest rebounds. An Italian expert has said a major factor contributing to the troubles was ris

Chinese companies promoting electric vehicles in Panama

STORY: Chinese companies promoting electric vehicles in Panama DATELINE: Feb. 28, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:32 LOCATION: Panama City CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of E-Mobility Expo Panama 2023 2. various of electric vehicles 3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Spanish): EDUARDO LOPEZ VICTORIA, BYD's regional manager for Panama, Central America and the Caribbean 4. various of electric vehicles 5. SOUNDBITE 2 (Spanish): MOISES SOTO, Commercial manager of Geely Autos Panama 6. various of electric vehicles 7. SOUNDBITE 3 (Spanish): DIEGO CASTILLERO, NIU manager in Panama STORYLINE: Chinese manufacturers and exporters of electric vehicles, including motorbikes, bicycles, and even scooters, have made a strong showing at the just-concluded 2023 Panama E-Mobility Expo, underscoring their interest in promoting electric vehicles in the Central American country. SOUNDBITE 1 (Spanish): EDUARDO LOPEZ VICTORIA, BYD's regional manager for Panama, Central America and the Caribbean "For us, it represents a super important factor to be at

Cash payment down sharply in eurozone

STORY: Cash payment down sharply in eurozone DATELINE: Dec. 28, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:24 LOCATION: LYON, France CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of customers paying with a bank card in stores in Lyon, France 2. various of coins, banknotes and bank card STORYLINE: According to a study by the European Central Bank (ECB), cash payment represents 59 percent of in-store transactions in the eurozone in 2022, compared to 72 percent in 2019 and 79 percent in 2016. The COVID-19 pandemic and the development of contactless bank card payment methods have reduced the use of cash payments. Initially imposed for reasons of hygiene, Europeans have adopted new payment habits. For the first time this year, card payments exceeded cash payments in Europe. Payment by credit card has increased from 25 percent of transactions in 2019 to 34 percent in 2022. The continued development of e-commerce is also an important factor in analyzing these figures. The share of online purchases as a percentage of all euro area day-to-day

Scandal-hit Farm minister Akagi resigns

Scandal-hit Farm minister Akagi resigns

TOKYO, Japan - Farm minister Norihiko Akagi speaks to reporters after his resignation was accepted by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Aug. 1. ''Media reports concerning myself and other factors had an impact on the election and it was all too clear that it was a factor that invited the loss of the ruling coalition,'' Akagi said.

Foreign visitors to China continue to decline

Foreign visitors to China continue to decline

BEIJING, China - Foreign tourists wearing masks walk in a heavily polluted Tiananmen Square in Beijing on Oct. 9, 2014. The number of travelers to mainland China from abroad, including Macao and Hong Kong, saw a 2.5% drop to 129.07 million in 2013, according to the China Tourism Academy, which cited fears of terrorism as a factor for the decline in foreigner visitors as well as environmental issues.

Brazilian TD exudes confidence in winning World Cup

Brazilian TD exudes confidence in winning World Cup

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - Brazilian technical director Carlos Alberto Parreira is brimming with confidence at a May 26, 2014, press conference near Rio de Janeiro, saying his side is the likeliest winner of the World Cup which begins June 12 in Brazil, citing the team's experienced players competing on home turf as a big factor.

BOJ regional managers' meeting

BOJ regional managers' meeting

TOKYO, Japan - The Bank of Japan holds a quarterly meeting of its regional managers at the bank's head office in Tokyo on Jan. 16, 2012. BOJ Governor Masaaki Shirakawa at the meeting said the sovereign debt problem in Europe remains the largest risk factor to the economy.

Hiroshima mayor says popular will decisive for nuke-free world

Hiroshima mayor says popular will decisive for nuke-free world

WASHINGTON, United States - Hiroshima Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba speaks at a reception of the U.S. Conference of Mayors 2010 in Washington on Jan. 20, 2010. He said that the will of the people will be a decisive factor in realizing a nuclear-free world, as called for by U.S. President Barack Obama last year.

Nakamura factor sparks Japanese language interest in Scotland

Nakamura factor sparks Japanese language interest in Scotland

GLASGOW, Scotland - Children enjoy beating Japanese ''wadaiko'' drums at the Celtic Learning Centre in Glasgow, Scotland, on March 17 as volunteer teacher Fumiko Nakabachi (R) looks on.

Asian club champions Urawa fire manager Osieck

Asian club champions Urawa fire manager Osieck

TOKYO, Japan - Urawa Reds have fired manager Holger Osieck (in file photo) just two games into the new season, the J-League first-division club said March 16. The announcement comes 24 hours after Urawa suffered their second game in a row with a 2-0 defeat at home to Nagoya Grampus Eight, although unrest in the dressing room is also thought to have been a factor in the Reds' decision to show Osieck the door.

Japan conducts CO2 study in Antarctic stratosphere

Japan conducts CO2 study in Antarctic stratosphere

TOKYO, Japan - Japan's Antarctic research expedition team successfully recovered on Dec. 30 two air study capsules launched by balloon that day to study the composition of carbon dioxide in the stratosphere above Japan's Showa Base in Antarctica. One capsule was launched to study the air composition at an altitude of 15 kilometers and the other to an altitude of 25 km. The capsules, recovered by helicopter from the Japanese Antarctic research ship Shirase, will be sent to Japan for analysis. Japan is the only country studying changes of carbon dioxide composition, a key factor in global warming, in the Antarctic stratosphere. The photo shows one of the air balloons launched on Dec. 30.