Illustration BIC Factory - Montevrain

Illustration BIC Factory - Montevrain

Decorative installation created from BIC pens inside BIC Factory in Montévrain, Seine-et-Marne, France, on September 4, 2025. Photo by Ameer Alhalbi/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration BIC Factory - Montevrain

Illustration BIC Factory - Montevrain

A close-up view of BIC pens produced at the BIC Factory in Montévrain, Seine-et-Marne, France, on September 4, 2025. Photo by Ameer Alhalbi/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration BIC Factory - Montevrain

Illustration BIC Factory - Montevrain

Decorative installation created from BIC pens inside BIC Factory in Montévrain, Seine-et-Marne, France, on September 4, 2025. Photo by Ameer Alhalbi/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration BIC Factory - Montevrain

Illustration BIC Factory - Montevrain

A close-up view of BIC pens on the production line at BIC Factory in Montévrain, Seine-et-Marne, France, on September 4, 2025. Photo by Ameer Alhalbi/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration BIC Factory - Montevrain

Illustration BIC Factory - Montevrain

Decorative installation created from BIC pens inside BIC Factory in Montévrain, Seine-et-Marne, France, on September 4, 2025. Photo by Ameer Alhalbi/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration BIC Factory - Montevrain

Illustration BIC Factory - Montevrain

A close-up view of BIC pens on the production line at BIC Factory in Montévrain, Seine-et-Marne, France, on September 4, 2025. Photo by Ameer Alhalbi/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration BIC Factory - Montevrain

Illustration BIC Factory - Montevrain

A close-up view of BIC pens produced at the BIC Factory in Montévrain, Seine-et-Marne, France, on September 4, 2025. Photo by Ameer Alhalbi/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration BIC Factory - Montevrain

Illustration BIC Factory - Montevrain

Decorative installation created from BIC pens inside BIC Factory in Montévrain, Seine-et-Marne, France, on September 4, 2025. Photo by Ameer Alhalbi/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration BIC Factory - Montevrain

Illustration BIC Factory - Montevrain

Large decorative BIC pens on display inside BIC Factory in Montévrain, Seine-et-Marne, France, on September 4, 2025. Photo by Ameer Alhalbi/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration BIC Factory - Montevrain

Illustration BIC Factory - Montevrain

A close-up view of BIC pens on the production line at BIC Factory in Montévrain, Seine-et-Marne, France, on September 4, 2025. Photo by Ameer Alhalbi/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration BIC Factory - Montevrain

Illustration BIC Factory - Montevrain

A close-up view of BIC pens produced at the BIC Factory in Montévrain, Seine-et-Marne, France, on September 4, 2025. Photo by Ameer Alhalbi/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration BIC Factory - Montevrain

Illustration BIC Factory - Montevrain

A view of BIC pens produced at the BIC Factory in Montévrain, Seine-et-Marne, France, on September 4, 2025. Photo by Ameer Alhalbi/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration BIC Factory - Montevrain

Illustration BIC Factory - Montevrain

A close-up view of BIC pens on the production line at BIC Factory in Montévrain, Seine-et-Marne, France, on September 4, 2025. Photo by Ameer Alhalbi/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration BIC Factory - Montevrain

Illustration BIC Factory - Montevrain

Large decorative BIC pens on display inside BIC Factory in Montévrain, Seine-et-Marne, France, on September 4, 2025. Photo by Ameer Alhalbi/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration BIC Factory - Montevrain

Illustration BIC Factory - Montevrain

A close-up view of BIC pens on the production line at BIC Factory in Montévrain, Seine-et-Marne, France, on September 4, 2025. Photo by Ameer Alhalbi/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration BIC Factory - Montevrain

Illustration BIC Factory - Montevrain

Large decorative BIC pens on display inside BIC Factory in Montévrain, Seine-et-Marne, France, on September 4, 2025. Photo by Ameer Alhalbi/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration BIC Factory - Montevrain

Illustration BIC Factory - Montevrain

A close-up view of BIC pens produced at the BIC Factory in Montévrain, Seine-et-Marne, France, on September 4, 2025. Photo by Ameer Alhalbi/ABACAPRESS.COM

Donald Trump at the Purple Heart event - Washington

Donald Trump at the Purple Heart event - Washington

US President Donald Trump hangs out pens to guests after signing a proclamation at the Purple Heart event in the East Room at the White House in Washington on August 7, 2025. Photo by Yuri Gripas/ABACAPRESS.COM

Donald Trump at the Purple Heart event - Washington

Donald Trump at the Purple Heart event - Washington

US President Donald Trump hangs out pens to guests after signing a proclamation at the Purple Heart event in the East Room at the White House in Washington on August 7, 2025. Photo by Yuri Gripas/ABACAPRESS.COM

Donald Trump at the Purple Heart event - Washington

Donald Trump at the Purple Heart event - Washington

US President Donald Trump hangs out pens to guests after signing a proclamation at the Purple Heart event in the East Room at the White House in Washington on August 7, 2025. Photo by Yuri Gripas/ABACAPRESS.COM

Donald Trump at the Purple Heart event - Washington

Donald Trump at the Purple Heart event - Washington

US President Donald Trump hangs out pens to guests after signing a proclamation at the Purple Heart event in the East Room at the White House in Washington on August 7, 2025. Photo by Yuri Gripas/ABACAPRESS.COM

Donald Trump at the Purple Heart event - Washington

Donald Trump at the Purple Heart event - Washington

US President Donald Trump hangs out pens to guests after signing a proclamation at the Purple Heart event in the East Room at the White House in Washington on August 7, 2025. Photo by Yuri Gripas/ABACAPRESS.COM

Donald Trump at the Purple Heart event - Washington

Donald Trump at the Purple Heart event - Washington

US President Donald Trump hangs out pens to guests after signing a proclamation at the Purple Heart event in the East Room at the White House in Washington on August 7, 2025. Photo by Yuri Gripas/ABACAPRESS.COM

Donald Trump On Energy Production - DC

Donald Trump On Energy Production - DC

US President Donald Trump hands out pens following signing executive orders during a ceremony with Doug Burgum, US secretary of the interior, left, and Chris Wright, US energy secretary, center, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. Trump is moving to expand the mining and use of coal inside the US, a bid to power the boom in energy-hungry data centers while seeking to revive a declining US fossil fuel industry. Photo by Al Drago/Pool/ABACAPRESS.COM

US President Donald Trump signs the Laken Riley Act

US President Donald Trump signs the Laken Riley Act

US President Donald Trump hands out pens after signing the Laken Riley Act in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 29 January 2025. The law, named after a Georgia student murdered by an undocumented immigrant is the first bill of the second Trump administration.

Speaker Johnson Holds Enrollment Ceremony For The Laken Riley Act - DC

Speaker Johnson Holds Enrollment Ceremony For The Laken Riley Act - DC

Ceremonial pens are laid out for the ceremonial signing of the Laken Riley Act, in the signing room in the United States Capitol in Washington, DC, on Thursday, January 23, 2025. The Laken Riley Act mandates the indefinite detention of any noncitizen of any age for even the most minor of infractions – even if charges are dropped and even if the subject is a child. Photo by Mattie Neretin/CNP/ABACAPRESS.COM

Speaker Johnson Holds Enrollment Ceremony For The Laken Riley Act - DC

Speaker Johnson Holds Enrollment Ceremony For The Laken Riley Act - DC

Speaker of the US House of Representatives Mike Johnson (Republican of Louisiana) gives out ceremonial signing pens to constituents backing the act, signing room in the United States Capitol in Washington, DC, on Thursday, January 23, 2025. The Laken Riley Act mandates the indefinite detention of any noncitizen of any age for even the most minor of infractions – even if charges are dropped and even if the subject is a child. Photo by Mattie Neretin/CNP/ABACAPRESS.COM

Those Who'll Count In Next Trump Administration

Those Who'll Count In Next Trump Administration

File photo - U.S. President Donald Trump presents ceremonial pens to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer during a signing ceremony for the United States-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on January 29, 2020. As the U.S. trade representative during President-elect Donald Trump’s first term, Lighthizer was the architect of the United States’ aggressive use of tariffs and other trade restrictions against friend and foe alike, abandoning decades of U.S. support for free trade. His trade policy revolution was subsequently embraced and expanded by the Biden administration. Lighthizer may now be on the short list for a key economic post come January, with treasury secretary mentioned as one possibility. Photo by Martin H. Simon/Pool/ABACAPRESS.COM

Chinese embassy donates school supplies, food to students in Myanmar

STORY: Chinese embassy donates school supplies, food to students in Myanmar SHOOTING TIME: June 6, 2024 DATELINE: June 7, 2024 LENGTH: 00:04:09 LOCATION: YANGON, Myanmar CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the school 2. various of the donation ceremony 3. various of student activities STORYLINE: The Chinese Embassy in Myanmar donated school supplies and food to students at No. 14 Basic Education High School in Hlaingtharya Township, Yangon, on Thursday. In collaboration with the China Foundation for Rural Development, the donation commemorated the 74th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Myanmar and China. The donated items included rice packs, paint, backpacks, pencils, erasers, and pens, aimed at supporting the students' educational needs. Daw Cho Cho, principal of the school, expressed her gratitude, saying, "The donation of food and educational materials, especially to those who cannot afford them, provides comfort to their families. There are many students who cannot afford quality

Over 6.3 mln students enroll for 2024-25 academic year in Myanmar

STORY: Over 6.3 mln students enroll for 2024-25 academic year in Myanmar SHOOTING TIME: June 3, 2024 DATELINE: June 4, 2024 LENGTH: 00:02:15 LOCATION: YANGON, Myanmar CATEGORY: EDUCATION SHOTLIST: 1. various of students in Myanmar STORYLINE: A total of 6,394,528 students have enrolled for the 2024-25 academic year at basic education schools, private schools and monastic education schools across Myanmar during the school enrollment week from May 23 to June 2, state-run newspaper The Mirror Daily reported on Monday. The country's Ministry of Education has provided free textbooks, exercise books, pencils and ball pens to all students. Additionally, primary school students received free school uniforms, the report said. School enrollment remains open for students who were unable to enroll on time due to various circumstances, it added. Basic education schools across Myanmar officially opened on Monday, according to the Ministry of Education. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Yangon, My

CHINA-JIANGSU-ZHEJIANG-TAIHU LAKE-GREEN TRANSFORMATION (CN)

CHINA-JIANGSU-ZHEJIANG-TAIHU LAKE-GREEN TRANSFORMATION (CN)

(240415) -- BEIJING, April 15, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Li Huiling (L), a homestay manager, drinks tea with a customer at her homestay transformed from pig-sheep pens and woodhouses in Miaodou Village, Zhili Town, Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 11, 2024. Located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is an important water source for 17 million residents in one of China's most densely populated and economically developed areas. The water quality of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, keeps impoving over the years and reached in 2023 its best level since 2007. The improved ecological environment has also boosted economic development around the lake, with a booming of various industries including sightseeing, outdoor sports, etc. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)

CHINA-GUIZHOU-MIAO EMBROIDERY-INHERITOR (CN)

CHINA-GUIZHOU-MIAO EMBROIDERY-INHERITOR (CN)

(231022) -- GUIYANG, Oct. 22, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Long Luying (C) talks with villagers about embroidery skills at Xiaohe Village of Shibing County, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Oct. 18, 2023. In a embroidery workshop in Shibing County, Long Luying and her colleagues use needles as pens and thread as ink to embroider flowers, birds, fish, butterflies and other elements, creating Miao embroidery works with vivid patterns. Long Luying is a provincial-level inheritor of Miao embroidery. She learned Miao embroidery from her mother at an early age. In 2006, Long Luying left her job at an embroidery workshop in Shenzhen and returned to her hometown to start her own business on hand-made Miao embroidery in Shibing County of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture. Over the past 17 years, Long Luying has provided free embroidery skills training to local women, creating job opportunities for more than 1,000 rural women in the village. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbi

CHINA-GUIZHOU-MIAO EMBROIDERY-INHERITOR (CN)

CHINA-GUIZHOU-MIAO EMBROIDERY-INHERITOR (CN)

(231022) -- GUIYANG, Oct. 22, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Long Luying (L) and her son promote Miao embroidery products via livestreaming in Shibing County of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Oct. 18, 2023. In a embroidery workshop in Shibing County, Long Luying and her colleagues use needles as pens and thread as ink to embroider flowers, birds, fish, butterflies and other elements, creating Miao embroidery works with vivid patterns. Long Luying is a provincial-level inheritor of Miao embroidery. She learned Miao embroidery from her mother at an early age. In 2006, Long Luying left her job at an embroidery workshop in Shenzhen and returned to her hometown to start her own business on hand-made Miao embroidery in Shibing County of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture. Over the past 17 years, Long Luying has provided free embroidery skills training to local women, creating job opportunities for more than 1,000 rural women in the village. (Xinhua/Yang Wen

CHINA-GUIZHOU-MIAO EMBROIDERY-INHERITOR (CN)

CHINA-GUIZHOU-MIAO EMBROIDERY-INHERITOR (CN)

(231022) -- GUIYANG, Oct. 22, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Long Luying (2nd L) and her employee check Miao embroidery products at the workshop in Shibing County of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Oct. 18, 2023. In a embroidery workshop in Shibing County, Long Luying and her colleagues use needles as pens and thread as ink to embroider flowers, birds, fish, butterflies and other elements, creating Miao embroidery works with vivid patterns. Long Luying is a provincial-level inheritor of Miao embroidery. She learned Miao embroidery from her mother at an early age. In 2006, Long Luying left her job at an embroidery workshop in Shenzhen and returned to her hometown to start her own business on hand-made Miao embroidery in Shibing County of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture. Over the past 17 years, Long Luying has provided free embroidery skills training to local women, creating job opportunities for more than 1,000 rural women in the village. (Xinhua/Yan

CHINA-GUIZHOU-MIAO EMBROIDERY-INHERITOR (CN)

CHINA-GUIZHOU-MIAO EMBROIDERY-INHERITOR (CN)

(231022) -- GUIYANG, Oct. 22, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Long Luying introduces design concept of Miao embroidery decorations at the workshop in Shibing County of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Oct. 18, 2023. In a embroidery workshop in Shibing County, Long Luying and her colleagues use needles as pens and thread as ink to embroider flowers, birds, fish, butterflies and other elements, creating Miao embroidery works with vivid patterns. Long Luying is a provincial-level inheritor of Miao embroidery. She learned Miao embroidery from her mother at an early age. In 2006, Long Luying left her job at an embroidery workshop in Shenzhen and returned to her hometown to start her own business on hand-made Miao embroidery in Shibing County of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture. Over the past 17 years, Long Luying has provided free embroidery skills training to local women, creating job opportunities for more than 1,000 rural women in the village. (Xinhua/Ya

CHINA-GUIZHOU-MIAO EMBROIDERY-INHERITOR (CN)

CHINA-GUIZHOU-MIAO EMBROIDERY-INHERITOR (CN)

(231022) -- GUIYANG, Oct. 22, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Long Luying (R) and her employee check the quality of Miao embroidery products at the workshop in Shibing County of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Oct. 18, 2023. In a embroidery workshop in Shibing County, Long Luying and her colleagues use needles as pens and thread as ink to embroider flowers, birds, fish, butterflies and other elements, creating Miao embroidery works with vivid patterns. Long Luying is a provincial-level inheritor of Miao embroidery. She learned Miao embroidery from her mother at an early age. In 2006, Long Luying left her job at an embroidery workshop in Shenzhen and returned to her hometown to start her own business on hand-made Miao embroidery in Shibing County of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture. Over the past 17 years, Long Luying has provided free embroidery skills training to local women, creating job opportunities for more than 1,000 rural women in the village.

CHINA-GUIZHOU-MIAO EMBROIDERY-INHERITOR (CN)

CHINA-GUIZHOU-MIAO EMBROIDERY-INHERITOR (CN)

(231022) -- GUIYANG, Oct. 22, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Long Luying (L) and her employee check Miao embroidery decorations at the workshop in Shibing County of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Oct. 18, 2023. In a embroidery workshop in Shibing County, Long Luying and her colleagues use needles as pens and thread as ink to embroider flowers, birds, fish, butterflies and other elements, creating Miao embroidery works with vivid patterns. Long Luying is a provincial-level inheritor of Miao embroidery. She learned Miao embroidery from her mother at an early age. In 2006, Long Luying left her job at an embroidery workshop in Shenzhen and returned to her hometown to start her own business on hand-made Miao embroidery in Shibing County of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture. Over the past 17 years, Long Luying has provided free embroidery skills training to local women, creating job opportunities for more than 1,000 rural women in the village. (Xinhua/Yang

CHINA-GUIZHOU-MIAO EMBROIDERY-INHERITOR (CN)

CHINA-GUIZHOU-MIAO EMBROIDERY-INHERITOR (CN)

(231022) -- GUIYANG, Oct. 22, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Long Luying (2nd R) and her employees make embroidery at the workshop in Shibing County of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Oct. 18, 2023. In a embroidery workshop in Shibing County, Long Luying and her colleagues use needles as pens and thread as ink to embroider flowers, birds, fish, butterflies and other elements, creating Miao embroidery works with vivid patterns. Long Luying is a provincial-level inheritor of Miao embroidery. She learned Miao embroidery from her mother at an early age. In 2006, Long Luying left her job at an embroidery workshop in Shenzhen and returned to her hometown to start her own business on hand-made Miao embroidery in Shibing County of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture. Over the past 17 years, Long Luying has provided free embroidery skills training to local women, creating job opportunities for more than 1,000 rural women in the village. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

CHINA-GUIZHOU-MIAO EMBROIDERY-INHERITOR (CN)

CHINA-GUIZHOU-MIAO EMBROIDERY-INHERITOR (CN)

(231022) -- GUIYANG, Oct. 22, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Long Luying checks Miao embroidery decorations at the workshop in Shibing County of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Oct. 18, 2023. In a embroidery workshop in Shibing County, Long Luying and her colleagues use needles as pens and thread as ink to embroider flowers, birds, fish, butterflies and other elements, creating Miao embroidery works with vivid patterns. Long Luying is a provincial-level inheritor of Miao embroidery. She learned Miao embroidery from her mother at an early age. In 2006, Long Luying left her job at an embroidery workshop in Shenzhen and returned to her hometown to start her own business on hand-made Miao embroidery in Shibing County of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture. Over the past 17 years, Long Luying has provided free embroidery skills training to local women, creating job opportunities for more than 1,000 rural women in the village. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

CHINA-GUIZHOU-MIAO EMBROIDERY-INHERITOR (CN)

CHINA-GUIZHOU-MIAO EMBROIDERY-INHERITOR (CN)

(231022) -- GUIYANG, Oct. 22, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Long Luying discusses design solutions of Miao embroidery decorations with her husband at the workshop in Shibing County of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Oct. 18, 2023. In a embroidery workshop in Shibing County, Long Luying and her colleagues use needles as pens and thread as ink to embroider flowers, birds, fish, butterflies and other elements, creating Miao embroidery works with vivid patterns. Long Luying is a provincial-level inheritor of Miao embroidery. She learned Miao embroidery from her mother at an early age. In 2006, Long Luying left her job at an embroidery workshop in Shenzhen and returned to her hometown to start her own business on hand-made Miao embroidery in Shibing County of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture. Over the past 17 years, Long Luying has provided free embroidery skills training to local women, creating job opportunities for more than 1,000 rural women in the v

CHINA-GUIZHOU-MIAO EMBROIDERY-INHERITOR (CN)

CHINA-GUIZHOU-MIAO EMBROIDERY-INHERITOR (CN)

(231022) -- GUIYANG, Oct. 22, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Long Luying spins thread at the workshop in Shibing County of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Oct. 18, 2023. In a embroidery workshop in Shibing County, Long Luying and her colleagues use needles as pens and thread as ink to embroider flowers, birds, fish, butterflies and other elements, creating Miao embroidery works with vivid patterns. Long Luying is a provincial-level inheritor of Miao embroidery. She learned Miao embroidery from her mother at an early age. In 2006, Long Luying left her job at an embroidery workshop in Shenzhen and returned to her hometown to start her own business on hand-made Miao embroidery in Shibing County of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture. Over the past 17 years, Long Luying has provided free embroidery skills training to local women, creating job opportunities for more than 1,000 rural women in the village. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

CHINA-GUIZHOU-MIAO EMBROIDERY-INHERITOR (CN)

CHINA-GUIZHOU-MIAO EMBROIDERY-INHERITOR (CN)

(231022) -- GUIYANG, Oct. 22, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Long Luying (2nd L) communicates with her employees at the workshop in Shibing County of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Oct. 18, 2023. In a embroidery workshop in Shibing County, Long Luying and her colleagues use needles as pens and thread as ink to embroider flowers, birds, fish, butterflies and other elements, creating Miao embroidery works with vivid patterns. Long Luying is a provincial-level inheritor of Miao embroidery. She learned Miao embroidery from her mother at an early age. In 2006, Long Luying left her job at an embroidery workshop in Shenzhen and returned to her hometown to start her own business on hand-made Miao embroidery in Shibing County of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture. Over the past 17 years, Long Luying has provided free embroidery skills training to local women, creating job opportunities for more than 1,000 rural women in the village. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

Iraqi calligrapher dedicated to preserving art of calligraphy

STORY: Iraqi calligrapher dedicated to preserving art of calligraphy DATELINE: June 28, 2023 LENGTH: 0:03:24 LOCATION: ERBIL, Iraq CATEGORY: CULTURE SHOTLIST: 1. various of Ali Al-Wani practicing calligraphy 2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic): ALI AL-WANI, Calligrapher 3. various of Ali Al-Wani practicing calligraphy STORYLINE: An Iraqi calligrapher, Ali Al-Wani, has been striving for years to preserve the art of calligraphy from disappearance and revive it by teaching the younger generation calligraphy, including Arabic calligraphy and Persian calligraphy. In his studio inside the Cihan University Cultural House in the historic Erbil Citadel, he practices calligraphy for several hours daily and draws artistic paintings of letters using ink and reed pens. SOUNDBITE (Arabic): ALI AL-WANI, Calligrapher "It is true that technology has served many other arts, but it has had a direct and negative impact on calligraphy. As a calligraphy artist, I am trying to revive this art. Therefore, I opened this studio in the Cihan Un

CHINA-GANSU-GULANG-CATTLE-SHEEP-BREEDING INDUSTRY (CN)

CHINA-GANSU-GULANG-CATTLE-SHEEP-BREEDING INDUSTRY (CN)

(230216) -- GULANG, Feb. 16, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A villager drives sheep out of their pens for sale in Huanghuatan Town of Gulang County, northwest China's Gansu Province, Feb. 15, 2023. In recent years, Gulang has been vigorously developing cattle and sheep breeding industry in a bid to promote rural revitalization and high-quality development. (Xinhua/Fan Peishen)

U.S. researcher pens book on traditional societies

U.S. researcher pens book on traditional societies

TOKYO, Japan - Jared Diamond, an American scientist known for a broad range of research on anthropology and biology among others, shows the Japanese edition of his recently published book "The World Until Yesterday: What Can We Lean from Traditional Societies?" on Feb. 11, 2013, in Tokyo. The book provides detailed analysis of traditional societies he encountered during his extensive travels around the globe for years.

Pens categorized as weapons held at warehouse

Pens categorized as weapons held at warehouse

GIFU, Japan - Photo taken on July 4, 2012, shows pens, including Smith & Wesson ballpoint pen (upper) and a Schrade Walden fountain pen (C), at knife merchant Yamahide Cutlery Mfg. Inc. in Seki, Gifu Prefecture. More than 200 American-made fountain pens and ballpoint pens, including products made by the companies mentioned above, have been held at a Chubu airport warehouse in Nagoya since the spring of 2011 after customs categorized them as weapons, denying them importation as stationery items, according to customs officials and importer.

JFA finalizes deal with Osim for Japan coach job

JFA finalizes deal with Osim for Japan coach job

TOKYO, Japan - Former JEF United Chiba manager Ivica Osim (R) and Japan Football Association President Saburo Kawabuchi swaps pens after signing a deal for the appointment of Osim as Japan's national soccer team coach at a Tokyo hotel on July 21.

SYRIA-DAMASCUS-CALLIGRAPHER-HANDWRITTEN ART

SYRIA-DAMASCUS-CALLIGRAPHER-HANDWRITTEN ART

(220924) -- DAMASCUS, Sept. 24, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Calligrapher Haitham Kattan arranges bamboo reed pens for handwriting at his home in Damascus, Syria, Sept. 22, 2022. TO GO WITH "Feature: Syrian calligrapher strives to keep handwritten art alive after computers took over" (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)

More Lebanese students forced to quit private schools amid economic crisis

STORY: More Lebanese students forced to quit private schools amid economic crisis DATELINE: Sept. 20, 2022 LENGTH: 00:05:33 LOCATION: Beirut CATEGORY: EDUCATION SHOTLIST: 1. various of students 2. various of classes 3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): MAJED FAYYAD, Director of Shouf National College 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): MAJED FAYYAD, Director of Shouf National College 5. various of books and pens 6. SOUNDBITE 3 (Arabic): MOHAMAD GHAMLOUSH, Local resident STORYLINE: An increasing number of Lebanese parents have been moving their children from private schools to public establishments due to the steep economic crisis. Lebanon's Ministry of Education told Xinhua that 30 percent of students attended public schools and the rest went to private schools ahead of the crisis in 2019. This year, the ministry expects around 100,000 students to move from private to public establishments. Since 2019, Lebanon's financial meltdown, dubbed by the World Bank as one of the worst crises since the 1850s, has decimated the country's

French families prepare for new academic year amid high inflation

STORY: French families prepare for new academic year amid high inflation DATELINE: Aug. 18, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:03 LOCATION: SAINT-ETIENNE, France CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of stationery supplies shelves in a supermarket 2. various of stationery and brochures STORYLINE: As France continues to reel from the pressures of inflation, parents are feeling the crunch of school supply shopping. According to the French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE), there was a rise in consumer prices of 6.1 percent in July. In 2021, the Famille de France association estimated the cost of supplies for a new academic year at an average of 199.64 euros for a 6th grader. This is the first time that the association has recorded such significant hike since 2017. This year, it will cost an average of 103.34 euros for supplies such as pens, compasses, calculators, 49.59 euros for stationery and 55.19 euros for sports items. On Tuesday, the French state paid the back-to-school allow