Chinese media coverage of wildlife migration boosts Kenya's tourism: Kenyan president

Chinese media's coverage of Kenyan wildlife and natural attractions has been crucial to boosting tourism in the region, Kenyan President William Ruto told China Media Group (CMG) in an exclusive interview that aired Friday.

CMG has made concerted efforts to cover the wildlife migration in Africa, a natural process crucial not only for maintaining biodiversity but also for bringing international tourism that contributes to local economies. Last year, CMG conducted a three-day non-stop live broadcast of the Great Wildebeest Migration, the world's largest animal migration, stunning worldwide viewers with the breathtaking beauty of Kenya and Eastern Africa.

Ruto hailed the coverage for providing remarkable insight into his country's rich wildlife habitats and environments.

"I think the mere broadcast of the reality of the Wildebeast Migration and our tourism assets in our region is a phenomenal achievement, a big contribution by China to letting the world know the tourism product that exists in Kenya and in our region. And as a result, there are demonstrable results of more people visiting our country," said the president.

This exposure, Ruto said, has significantly increased tourist numbers, especially from China.

"We had 91,000 Chinese tourists coming to Kenya, because more and more people are getting to understand the product that we have, the quality of the product that exists and the real tourism aspects that are attractive to travelers around the world. We want to say we are truly grateful as a country for the exposure that your organization and the Chinese media have given to our tourism and to our region," Ruto continued.

Chinese media coverage of wildlife migration boosts Kenya's tourism: Kenyan president

Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez said on Sunday that the country is at a critical stage and must achieve national unity, emphasizing that maintaining internal cohesion is of utmost importance.

In a televised address, Rodriguez called on the public to continue trusting the government under the current highly complex political circumstances.

Her statement comes in the wake of a January 3 military operation conducted by the United States, during which Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were taken into custody and flown out of the country.

The operation resulted in at least 100 fatalities.

Rodriguez, who was sworn in as acting president two days later on January 5, framed her appeal for unity against this backdrop of external intervention.

Meanwhile, Venezuelan Minister of Communication and Information Freddy Nanez denounced the U.S. actions as a "war crime of the 21st century" when speaking at an international cultural event on Sunday.

Nanez condemned not only the January 3 airstrikes but also the associated cyber and electromagnetic attacks.

He accused the United States of violating international law through the forced removal of President Maduro and his wife, while attacks on civilian infrastructure, including medical facilities, represent a flagrant breach of humanitarian norms.

He reiterated that the stigmatization and military attacks against Venezuela are driven by economic interests, particularly the desire to control its abundant natural resources.

Venezuelan acting president calls for national unity amid complex situation