Japan: Earthquake Strikes Aomori, Tsunami Advisory Issued for Coastal Areas

A strong earthquake struck Aomori and other parts of northern Japan on Friday, December 12. According to the USGS, the magnitude was 6.7. The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued a tsunami advisory for the Pacific coast of Aomori Prefecture, Iwate Prefecture, the central Pacific coastal areas of Hokkaido, and Miyagi Prefecture.

Turkish currency dips against USD after fresh interest rate hike

STORY: Turkish currency dips against USD after fresh interest rate hike SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 26, 2024 DATELINE: Jan. 27, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:21 LOCATION: ISTANBUL, Türkiye CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Istanbul city in Türkiye 2. various of an exchange office in Istanbul 3. various of the Turkish Central Bank and Turkish lira 4. various of Murat Tufan, an analyst with Turkish broadcaster Ekoturk (file) 5. various of the Turkish Central Bank, Turkish lira 6. various of people walking on the street in Istanbul, Türkiye STORYLINE: The Turkish currency lira hit an all-time low against the U.S. dollar on Friday, one day after the central bank raised its key interest rate by 250 basis points to 45 percent. After testing 30.64 liras, one dollar stood at 30.32 liras at 11:10 a.m. local time (0810 GMT). During last June to December, the Turkish central bank raised interest rates from 8.5 percent to 42.5 percent to tame persistent inflation. According to the official data announced last Decembe

Volunteers raise funds for Armed Forces of Ukraine in Cherkasy

Volunteers raise funds for Armed Forces of Ukraine in Cherkasy

CHERKASY, UKRAINE - DECEMBE 18, 2023 - A destroyed car brought by volunteers raising funds for the needs of the military, Cherkasy, central Ukraine

Volunteers raise funds for Armed Forces of Ukraine in Cherkasy

Volunteers raise funds for Armed Forces of Ukraine in Cherkasy

CHERKASY, UKRAINE - DECEMBE 18, 2023 - A destroyed car brought by volunteers raising funds for the needs of the military, Cherkasy, central Ukraine

Volunteers raise funds for Armed Forces of Ukraine in Cherkasy

Volunteers raise funds for Armed Forces of Ukraine in Cherkasy

CHERKASY, UKRAINE - DECEMBE 18, 2023 - Placards with a call for donations left by volunteers raising funds for the needs of the military on a destroyed car, Cherkasy, central Ukraine

Volunteers raise funds for Armed Forces of Ukraine in Cherkasy

Volunteers raise funds for Armed Forces of Ukraine in Cherkasy

CHERKASY, UKRAINE - DECEMBE 18, 2023 - Shell casings brought by volunteers raising funds for the needs of the military, Cherkasy, central Ukraine

Volunteers raise funds for Armed Forces of Ukraine in Cherkasy

Volunteers raise funds for Armed Forces of Ukraine in Cherkasy

CHERKASY, UKRAINE - DECEMBE 18, 2023 - Placards with a call for donations left by volunteers raising funds for the needs of the military on a destroyed car, Cherkasy, central Ukraine

Volunteers raise funds for Armed Forces of Ukraine in Cherkasy

Volunteers raise funds for Armed Forces of Ukraine in Cherkasy

CHERKASY, UKRAINE - DECEMBE 18, 2023 - A placard left by volunteers raising funds for the needs of the military, Cherkasy, central Ukraine

Chinese toys popular among gift buyers in Cote d'Ivoire ahead of Christmas

STORY: Chinese toys popular among gift buyers in Cote d'Ivoire ahead of Christmas SHOOTING TIME: Dec. 9, 2023 DATELINE: Dec. 12, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:57 LOCATION: Abidjan CATEGORY: CULTURE SHOTLIST: 1. various of shopping malls and supermarkets 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (French): CHARTIER ENACH, Local resident 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (French): MICHEL KRA KOUASSI, Local resident STORYLINE: Ivorian people are getting ready for the fast-approaching Christmas. In Abidjan, the economic capital of Cote d'Ivoire, people have started festival shopping. Toys made in China are popular among local gift buyers. SOUNDBITE 1 (French): CHARTIER ENACH, Local resident "Today, the majority of toys are made in China. So I think they have improved over time. There are some nice things." SOUNDBITE 2 (French): MICHEL KRA KOUASSI, Local resident "We can already see that there are toys with several different qualities that come from China. I think there is a diversity of toys at affordable prices." Official data show that between June and Decembe

S. Korean President Lee considering visit to Japan in mid-Decembe

S. Korean President Lee considering visit to Japan in mid-Decembe

SEOUL, South Korea - South Korean President Lee Myung Bak (L) chats with Kozo Watanabe (R), a senior lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Japan, in Seoul on Nov. 28, 2011. Lee told a delegation of Japanese lawmakers led by Watanabe that he is considering ''visiting Japan on Dec. 17 and 18.'' (Kyodo)