Illustration - Iranian Rial vs US Dollar A Currency in Crisis

Illustration - Iranian Rial vs US Dollar A Currency in Crisis

A shopkeeper counts Iranian Rial banknotes at his store in the Historic Traditional Bazaar of Neyshabur in Neyshabur, Iran, on December 31, 2025. Iran has grappled with persistent high inflation and a sharp depreciation of the national currency, the Rial, due to the cumulative effects of international sanctions and domestic economic instability. Photo by Morteza Aminoroayayi/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration - Iranian Rial vs US Dollar A Currency in Crisis

Illustration - Iranian Rial vs US Dollar A Currency in Crisis

A shopkeeper displays a 1,000 Iranian Rial banknote at his store in the Historic Traditional Bazaar of Neyshabur, Iran, on December 31, 2025. Iran has grappled with persistent high inflation and a sharp depreciation of the national currency, the Rial, due to the cumulative effects of international sanctions and domestic economic instability. Photo by Morteza Aminoroayayi/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Sudanese embrace Eid al-Adha with soaring livestock price due to war

STORY: Sudanese embrace Eid al-Adha with soaring livestock price due to war SHOOTING TIME: June 15, 2024 DATELINE: June 16, 2024 LENGTH: 00:02:36 LOCATION: Khartoum CATEGORY: SOCIETY/ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the livestock market 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): JIBRIL MOHAMED BASHIR, Livestock seller 3. various of the livestock market 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): HAMID ABDULLAH, Local resident 5. various of the livestock market STORYLINE: The Sudanese welcome the Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, without the usual joy of celebration, as the traditional rituals are becoming unaffordable during the civil war. According to Islamic traditions, Muslim families buy cattle, usually a goat or sheep, as a sacrifice in the early morning of Eid al-Adha and distribute the meat to the poor as a charity gift. Sudan, however, is currently faced with a great hike in the prices of livestock due to the national currency depreciation amid the war, making the sacrifice of sheep unaffordable for locals. In a local

Toyota logs record net profit in fiscal 2023

STORY: Toyota logs record net profit in fiscal 2023 SHOOTING TIME: May 8, 2024 DATELINE: May 9, 2024 LENGTH: 00:00:56 LOCATION: Tokyo CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of a press conference held by Toyota Motor Corp. STORYLINE: Toyota Motor Corp. said Wednesday it saw a record net profit of 4.94 trillion yen (31.82 billion U.S. dollars) for the fiscal year of 2023, citing robust demand and the yen's depreciation. The figure doubled from the previous fiscal year, while the operating profit almost doubled from a year earlier to 5.35 trillion yen during the fiscal period from April 2023 to March 2024, the company said in its latest financial results. According to local media reports, Toyota became the first Japanese company to top the 5-trillion-yen mark in operating profit for fiscal 2023. The Japanese automaker reported a record 45.1 trillion yen in sales, up 21.4 percent from a year ago. Citing the popularity of hybrid cars, the company said its group vehicle sales, including those of its subsidia

Laos' inflation eases slightly to 24.92 pct in April

STORY: Laos' inflation eases slightly to 24.92 pct in April SHOOTING TIME: May 2, 2024 DATELINE: May 3, 2024 LENGTH: 00:02:26 LOCATION: Vientiane CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of a bank in Laos 2. various of a road in Laos 3. various of a market in Laos STORYLINE: Laos recorded an inflation rate of 24.92 percent in April, a slight decrease from 24.98 percent in March, the Lao Statistics Bureau said on Monday. According to the report released by the Lao Statistics Bureau on its website, the unstable price of fuel, gas and other imported goods, together with the depreciation of the Lao currency kip, are among the main drivers of the inflation. The highest price rise in April was recorded in the clothing and footwear category, which stood at 37.62 percent year-on-year. Other categories included medical care and medicines at 36.09 percent, alcohol and tobacco at 28.52 percent, household goods at 27.08 percent, and communications and transport at 25.99 percent. Laos' economy is exposed

JAPAN-TOKYO-JAPANESE YEN-U.S. DOLLAR-EXCHANGE RATE

JAPAN-TOKYO-JAPANESE YEN-U.S. DOLLAR-EXCHANGE RATE

(240425) -- TOKYO, April 25, 2024 (Xinhua) -- An electronic screen shows the real-time exchange rate of the Japanese yen against the U.S. dollar in Tokyo, Japan, April 25, 2024. The continuing depreciation of the Japanese yen has sparked wide concerns as the currency on Monday hit a 34-year low of 154.85 against the U.S. dollar, close to the sensitive threshold of 155. TO GO WITH "Explainer: Where Japanese yen to go after hitting 34-year low" (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

JAPAN-TOKYO-JAPANESE YEN-U.S. DOLLAR-EXCHANGE RATE

JAPAN-TOKYO-JAPANESE YEN-U.S. DOLLAR-EXCHANGE RATE

(240425) -- TOKYO, April 25, 2024 (Xinhua) -- An electronic screen shows the real-time exchange rate of the Japanese yen against the U.S. dollar in Tokyo, Japan, April 25, 2024. The continuing depreciation of the Japanese yen has sparked wide concerns as the currency on Monday hit a 34-year low of 154.85 against the U.S. dollar, close to the sensitive threshold of 155. TO GO WITH "Explainer: Where Japanese yen to go after hitting 34-year low" (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

JAPAN-TOKYO-JAPANESE YEN-U.S. DOLLAR-EXCHANGE RATE

JAPAN-TOKYO-JAPANESE YEN-U.S. DOLLAR-EXCHANGE RATE

(240425) -- TOKYO, April 25, 2024 (Xinhua) -- An electronic screen shows the real-time exchange rate of the Japanese yen against the U.S. dollar in Tokyo, Japan, April 25, 2024. The continuing depreciation of the Japanese yen has sparked wide concerns as the currency on Monday hit a 34-year low of 154.85 against the U.S. dollar, close to the sensitive threshold of 155. TO GO WITH "Explainer: Where Japanese yen to go after hitting 34-year low" (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

ZIMBABWE-HARARE-CURRENCY-DEPRECIATION

ZIMBABWE-HARARE-CURRENCY-DEPRECIATION

(240117) -- HARARE, Jan. 17, 2024 (Xinhua) -- A currency trader counts money on a street in Harare, Zimbabwe, on Jan. 16, 2024. The cost of goods and services keeps on increasing in Zimbabwe as the local currency depreciates against the U.S. dollar, a trend that accelerated at the beginning of 2024. (Xinhua/Tafara Mugwara) TO GO WITH Economic Watch: Zimbabwe's currency further tumbles against U.S. dollar

ZIMBABWE-HARARE-CURRENCY-DEPRECIATION

ZIMBABWE-HARARE-CURRENCY-DEPRECIATION

(240117) -- HARARE, Jan. 17, 2024 (Xinhua) -- People walk past a roadside grocery store in Harare, Zimbabwe, on Jan. 16, 2024. The cost of goods and services keeps on increasing in Zimbabwe as the local currency depreciates against the U.S. dollar, a trend that accelerated at the beginning of 2024. (Xinhua/Tafara Mugwara) TO GO WITH Economic Watch: Zimbabwe's currency further tumbles against U.S. dollar

Türkiye's hiking inflation may ease in mid-2024: Turkish economist

STORY: Türkiye's hiking inflation may ease in mid-2024: Turkish economist SHOOTING TIME: Dec. 28, 2023 DATELINE: Dec. 29, 2023 LENGTH: 0:02:48 LOCATION: Ankara CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of people on the streets and shopping in Türkiye 2. various of Turkish Central Bank 3. various of Turkish lira 4. SOUNDBITE (Turkish): ARDA TUNCA, Istanbul-Based Economist And Columnist STORYLINE: Türkiye has been struggling with economic woes due to high inflation, sharp depreciation of the currency and rising borrowing costs. Arda Tunca, an Istanbul-based economist and columnist, told Xinhua in a recent interview, that the effect of the Turkish government's monetary-tightening measures to curb inflation is likely to be felt starting mid-2024. SOUNDBITE (Turkish): ARDA TUNCA, Istanbul-Based Economist And Columnist "The monetary tightening that we witnessed since June has prepared the base of what is coming next. This was a preparatory period. From now on, we can expect the effect of these measures on infl

Egypt's inflation up to 38 pct in September

STORY: Egypt's inflation up to 38 pct in September DATELINE: Oct. 11, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:17 LOCATION: Cairo CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of markets in Egypt (file) 2. various of restaurants in Egypt (file) 3. various of markets in Egypt (file) STORYLINE: Egypt's annual urban consumer price inflation rose to 38 percent in September from 37.4 percent in August 2023, Egypt's official statistics authority said on Tuesday. Monthly prices of food and beverages climbed by 3.6 percent, vegetables by 19.2 percent, fruits by 5.4 percent, and sugar by 2.9 percent, Egypt's Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) said. Egypt has been struggling to curb the inflation rates that have been rising over the past few years, amid local currency depreciation and foreign currency shortage. On Monday, Egypt's Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said the government will reduce the prices of seven basic food commodities by 15 percent to 25 percent, adding that "containing inflation and cont

Egypt's inflation hits record 39.7 pct

STORY: Egypt's inflation hits record 39.7 pct DATELINE: Sept. 11, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:20 LOCATION: Cairo CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of markets and customers in Cairo 2. various of restaurants in Cairo 3. various of goods in store 4. various of streets in Cairo STORYLINE: Egypt's year-on-year headline inflation hit a record high of 39.7 percent in August, compared to 38.2 percent in July and 15.3 percent in August 2022, data from the country's official statistics authority showed on Sunday. According to Egypt's Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics, the prices of food and beverages surged by 71.9 percent, alcoholics and tobacco by 57.6 percent, restaurant and hotel services by 49.5 percent, and furniture and household appliances by 42 percent in the past 12 months. Egypt has been struggling to curb the inflation rates that have been rising over the past few years, amid local currency depreciation and foreign currency shortage. In early August, the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE)

Turkish Lira Hits Record Low

Turkish Lira Hits Record Low

Illustration of Turkish Lira, Turkish Lira hits record low of 27 Lira to the US Dollar, in July 2023. Turkish inflation soared to 9.49 percent month-on-month in July, official data showed on Thursday, rising slightly more than forecast and driven by various tax hikes and the lira’s sharp depreciation. Photo by Abdurrahman Antakyali/Depo Photos/ABACAPRESS.COM

Turkish Lira Hits Record Low

Turkish Lira Hits Record Low

Illustration of Turkish Lira, Turkish Lira hits record low of 27 Lira to the US Dollar, in July 2023. Turkish inflation soared to 9.49 percent month-on-month in July, official data showed on Thursday, rising slightly more than forecast and driven by various tax hikes and the lira’s sharp depreciation. Photo by Abdurrahman Antakyali/Depo Photos/ABACAPRESS.COM

Turkish Lira Hits Record Low

Turkish Lira Hits Record Low

Illustration of Turkish Lira, Turkish Lira hits record low of 27 Lira to the US Dollar, in July 2023. Turkish inflation soared to 9.49 percent month-on-month in July, official data showed on Thursday, rising slightly more than forecast and driven by various tax hikes and the lira’s sharp depreciation. Photo by Abdurrahman Antakyali/Depo Photos/ABACAPRESS.COM

Turkish Lira Hits Record Low

Turkish Lira Hits Record Low

Illustration of Turkish Lira, Turkish Lira hits record low of 27 Lira to the US Dollar, in July 2023. Turkish inflation soared to 9.49 percent month-on-month in July, official data showed on Thursday, rising slightly more than forecast and driven by various tax hikes and the lira’s sharp depreciation. Photo by Abdurrahman Antakyali/Depo Photos/ABACAPRESS.COM

Turkish Lira Hits Record Low

Turkish Lira Hits Record Low

Illustration of Turkish Lira, Turkish Lira hits record low of 27 Lira to the US Dollar, in July 2023. Turkish inflation soared to 9.49 percent month-on-month in July, official data showed on Thursday, rising slightly more than forecast and driven by various tax hikes and the lira’s sharp depreciation. Photo by Abdurrahman Antakyali/Depo Photos/ABACAPRESS.COM

Turkish Lira Hits Record Low

Turkish Lira Hits Record Low

Illustration of Turkish Lira, Turkish Lira hits record low of 27 Lira to the US Dollar, in July 2023. Turkish inflation soared to 9.49 percent month-on-month in July, official data showed on Thursday, rising slightly more than forecast and driven by various tax hikes and the lira’s sharp depreciation. Photo by Abdurrahman Antakyali/Depo Photos/ABACAPRESS.COM

Turkish Lira Hits Record Low

Turkish Lira Hits Record Low

Illustration of Turkish Lira, Turkish Lira hits record low of 27 Lira to the US Dollar, in July 2023. Turkish inflation soared to 9.49 percent month-on-month in July, official data showed on Thursday, rising slightly more than forecast and driven by various tax hikes and the lira’s sharp depreciation. Photo by Abdurrahman Antakyali/Depo Photos/ABACAPRESS.COM

Turkish Lira Hits Record Low

Turkish Lira Hits Record Low

Illustration of Turkish Lira, Turkish Lira hits record low of 27 Lira to the US Dollar, in July 2023. Turkish inflation soared to 9.49 percent month-on-month in July, official data showed on Thursday, rising slightly more than forecast and driven by various tax hikes and the lira’s sharp depreciation. Photo by Abdurrahman Antakyali/Depo Photos/ABACAPRESS.COM

Turkish lira falls ahead of central bank decision

STORY: Turkish lira falls ahead of central bank decision DATELINE: July 19, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:54 LOCATION: ISTANBUL, Türkiye CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Istanbul city 2. various of exchange office in Istanbul 3. various of Türkiye's central bank 4. various of Hafize Gaye Erkan, governor of Türkiye's central bank STORYLINE: Turkish lira weakened more than 2 percent on Tuesday against the U.S. dollar ahead of a key rate decision by the central bank. The lira stood at 26.96 against the dollar at 4:00 p.m. local time (1300 GMT) after falling to a record low of 27. The currency has lost about 30 percent of its value against the greenback this year. Lira's depreciation came as the central bank is due to make a decision on its key interest rate on Thursday. In June, the bank hiked the interest rates by 15 percent, the first increase in 27 months, under the central bank's new governor Hafize Gaye Erkan. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a staunch supporter of low rates policy despite soaring infl

Turks flock to Georgia to buy smartphones ahead of tax hikes

STORY: Turks flock to Georgia to buy smartphones ahead of tax hikes DATELINE: July 11, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:21 LOCATION: ISTANBUL, Türkiye CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Türkiye-Georgia border, long car traffic of people trying to get to Georgia 2. various of Türkiye-Georgia border, people going to Georgia at the customs building STORYLINE: Turkish people have flooded into neighboring Georgia to buy smartphones ahead of tax hikes, local media reported on Monday. A convoy of vehicles lined up on the border between the two countries over the last weekend, while some Turks were seen to have walked across the frontier before the latest tax hikes took effect on Monday, Sozcu TV reported. The government decided to increase the fees for registration of smartphones bought abroad by 228 percent, from 6,091 Turkish liras (233 U.S. dollars) to 20,000 liras. Mobile phones are already expensive in Türkiye because of the depreciation of the lira and the latest tax raise pushed the prices even higher

TÜRKIYE-ISTANBUL-LIRA PLUNGES TO NEW LOWS

TÜRKIYE-ISTANBUL-LIRA PLUNGES TO NEW LOWS

(230624) -- ISTANBUL, June 24, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Tourists are seen at an exchange office in Istanbul, Türkiye, on June 23, 2023. Turkish currency on Friday sank to fresh lows against the U.S. dollar a day after the central bank hiked its key interest rate well below market expectations. The lira hit 25.0 against the greenback at around 11 a.m. local time (0800 GMT). The currency's depreciation has exceeded 20 percent since the beginning of the year. (Photo by Omer Kuscu/Xinhua)

TÜRKIYE-ISTANBUL-LIRA PLUNGES TO NEW LOWS

TÜRKIYE-ISTANBUL-LIRA PLUNGES TO NEW LOWS

(230624) -- ISTANBUL, June 24, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People walk past a billboard displaying exchange rates in Istanbul, Türkiye, on June 23, 2023. Turkish currency on Friday sank to fresh lows against the U.S. dollar a day after the central bank hiked its key interest rate well below market expectations. The lira hit 25.0 against the greenback at around 11 a.m. local time (0800 GMT). The currency's depreciation has exceeded 20 percent since the beginning of the year. (Photo by Omer Kuscu/Xinhua)

TÜRKIYE-ISTANBUL-LIRA PLUNGES TO NEW LOWS

TÜRKIYE-ISTANBUL-LIRA PLUNGES TO NEW LOWS

(230624) -- ISTANBUL, June 24, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People change money at an exchange office in Istanbul, Türkiye, on June 23, 2023. Turkish currency on Friday sank to fresh lows against the U.S. dollar a day after the central bank hiked its key interest rate well below market expectations. The lira hit 25.0 against the greenback at around 11 a.m. local time (0800 GMT). The currency's depreciation has exceeded 20 percent since the beginning of the year. (Photo by Omer Kuscu/Xinhua)

Turkish lira dips after central bank hikes interest

STORY: Turkish lira dips after central bank hikes interest DATELINE: June 23, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:30 LOCATION: ISTANBUL, Türkiye CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Istanbul city in Türkiye 2. various of an exchange office in Istanbul, Türkiye 3. various of the Istanbul Stock Exchange in Türkiye 4. various of Türkiye's central bank 5. various of Hafize Gaye Erkan, governor of Türkiye's central bank (courtesy of Ihlas news agency) 6. various of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, Türkiye (file) 7. various of Turkish Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek in Ankara, Türkiye (file) STORYLINE: Turkish currency on Thursday hit an all-time low against the U.S. dollar after the central bank hiked the interest rate well below market expectations. The lira hit 24.49 against the greenback on Thursday afternoon after the rate decision, dropping further from Wednesday's rate of 23.55. The currency's depreciation against the greenback has exceeded 20 percent since the beginning of the year. Meanwhile, Türk

EGYPT-CAIRO-TOURISM BOOM

EGYPT-CAIRO-TOURISM BOOM

(230613) -- CAIRO, June 13, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Tourists visit the Giza Pyramids in Giza, Egypt, June 12, 2023. TO GO WITH "Feature: Thrifty tourists pile into Egypt as travel costs dive amid currency depreciation" (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

EGYPT-CAIRO-TOURISM BOOM

EGYPT-CAIRO-TOURISM BOOM

(230613) -- CAIRO, June 13, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Tourists visit the Giza Pyramids in Giza, Egypt, June 12, 2023. TO GO WITH "Feature: Thrifty tourists pile into Egypt as travel costs dive amid currency depreciation" (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

EGYPT-CAIRO-TOURISM BOOM

EGYPT-CAIRO-TOURISM BOOM

(230613) -- CAIRO, June 13, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Tourists visit the Giza Pyramids in Giza, Egypt, June 12, 2023. TO GO WITH "Feature: Thrifty tourists pile into Egypt as travel costs dive amid currency depreciation" (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

EGYPT-CAIRO-TOURISM BOOM

EGYPT-CAIRO-TOURISM BOOM

(230613) -- CAIRO, June 13, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Tourists visit the Giza Pyramids in Giza, Egypt, June 12, 2023. TO GO WITH "Feature: Thrifty tourists pile into Egypt as travel costs dive amid currency depreciation" (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

EGYPT-CAIRO-TOURISM BOOM

EGYPT-CAIRO-TOURISM BOOM

(230613) -- CAIRO, June 13, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Tourists visit the Giza Pyramids in Giza, Egypt, June 12, 2023. TO GO WITH "Feature: Thrifty tourists pile into Egypt as travel costs dive amid currency depreciation" (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

EGYPT-CAIRO-TOURISM BOOM

EGYPT-CAIRO-TOURISM BOOM

(230613) -- CAIRO, June 13, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Tourists visit the Giza Pyramids in Giza, Egypt, June 12, 2023. TO GO WITH "Feature: Thrifty tourists pile into Egypt as travel costs dive amid currency depreciation" (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

EGYPT-CAIRO-TOURISM BOOM

EGYPT-CAIRO-TOURISM BOOM

(230613) -- CAIRO, June 13, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Tourists visit the Giza Pyramids in Giza, Egypt, June 12, 2023. TO GO WITH "Feature: Thrifty tourists pile into Egypt as travel costs dive amid currency depreciation" (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

TÜRKIYE-CURRENCY-LIRA-DEPRECIATION

TÜRKIYE-CURRENCY-LIRA-DEPRECIATION

(230329) -- ANKARA, March 29, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A customer exchanges money at an exchange office in Ankara, Türkiye, March 27, 2023. Türkiye's national currency lira may continue to weaken against hard currencies as the import-reliant country grapples with a growing current account deficit, Turkish economists have warned. TO GO WITH "News Analysis: Turkish lira may continue to weaken after general elections in May, experts say" (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)

TÜRKIYE-CURRENCY-LIRA-DEPRECIATION

TÜRKIYE-CURRENCY-LIRA-DEPRECIATION

(230329) -- ANKARA, March 29, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Banknotes are pictured at an exchange office in Ankara, Türkiye, March 27, 2023. Türkiye's national currency lira may continue to weaken against hard currencies as the import-reliant country grapples with a growing current account deficit, Turkish economists have warned. TO GO WITH "News Analysis: Turkish lira may continue to weaken after general elections in May, experts say" (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)

TÜRKIYE-CURRENCY-LIRA-DEPRECIATION

TÜRKIYE-CURRENCY-LIRA-DEPRECIATION

(230317) -- ISTANBUL, March 17, 2023 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken in Istanbul, Türkiye on March 16, 2023 shows Turkish lira banknotes. The Turkish currency sank to a record low against the U.S. dollar on Thursday, trading at over 19 Turkish Lira amid local and global uncertainties. (Xinhua/Shadati)

TÜRKIYE-CURRENCY-LIRA-DEPRECIATION

TÜRKIYE-CURRENCY-LIRA-DEPRECIATION

(230317) -- ISTANBUL, March 17, 2023 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken in Istanbul, Türkiye on March 16, 2023 shows Turkish lira banknotes. The Turkish currency sank to a record low against the U.S. dollar on Thursday, trading at over 19 Turkish Lira amid local and global uncertainties. (Xinhua/Shadati)

Laos's inflation hits 23-year high of 40.3 pct in January

STORY: Laos's inflation hits 23-year high of 40.3 pct in January DATELINE: Feb. 7, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:47 LOCATION: Vientiane CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the market STORYLINE: Laos's inflation rate climbed to 40.3 percent year-on-year in January 2023, the highest in 23 years, with a surge in energy and consumer goods prices. According to a report issued by the Lao Statistics Bureau on Monday, the soaring price of fuel, gas and other imported goods, compounded with the depreciation of the Lao currency kip, are among the main factors driving inflation. The price of communications and transport rose 49.9 percent, affecting both the cost of production and the cost of living. Meanwhile, the price of food and non-alcoholic beverages category jumped by 47.1 percent. The cost of medical care and medicine increased by 42.2 percent. The cost of household utilities gained 34.2 percent. According to the report, the cost of the hotel and restaurant category surged 34 percent. The cost in the alcohol an

Laos' average inflation for 2022 rises to 23 pct

STORY: Laos' average inflation for 2022 rises to 23 pct DATELINE: Feb. 3, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:55 LOCATION: Vientiane CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the Central Bank of Laos 2. various of the traffic and market STORYLINE: Laos' annual average inflation rate was 23 percent in 2022, jumping from 3.8 percent in 2021, according to a report issued by the Lao Statistics Bureau on Thursday. The soaring price of fuel, gas and other imported goods, compounded with the depreciation of the kip, the Lao currency, is among the main factors driving inflation, according to the report. The price of food and non-alcoholic beverages category rose by 22 percent on average in 2022. The cost of medical care and medicine increased by 27.6 percent. The price of the communications and transport surged by 41.3 percent. The cost of the hotel and restaurant category rose by 18.8 percent. The cost in the alcohol and tobacco category rose by 14.2 percent. In addition, the cost of clothing and footwear category surged by 1

U.S. dollars flow into Egypt currency market after Egyptian pound depreciation: bankers

STORY: U.S. dollars flow into Egypt currency market after Egyptian pound depreciation: bankers DATELINE: Jan. 13, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:03 LOCATION: Cairo CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. Egypt's central bank 2. U.S. dollars 3. National banks STORYLINE: Bankers said on Thursday that hundreds of millions of dollars have flowed through Egypt's interbank market since the central bank allowed the Egyptian pound to depreciate by 13 percent. According to Reuters, one banker said that more than 800 million U.S. dollars were traded in the interbank market on Wednesday, an amount confirmed by a second banker. Egypt has been suffering a shortage of foreign currency since the war in Ukraine hit tourism revenue, raised commodity import bills and led foreign investors to pull more than 20 billion dollars out of the economy. The Egyptian pound has lost about 51 percent of its value since March. Bankers said there were signs of international institutions pouring money into Egypt ahead of Thursday's auction of local treasur

Inflation in Laos climbs to 39.3 pct in December

STORY: Inflation in Laos climbs to 39.3 pct in December DATELINE: Jan. 9, 2023 LENGTH: 0:01:55 LOCATION: Vientiane CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the Central Bank of Laos 2. various of the market STORYLINE: Inflation in Laos increased to 39.3 percent year-on-year in December, the highest rate of 2022, according to a report issued by the Lao Statistics Bureau on Saturday. The year-on-year inflation rate in Laos increased from 38.46 percent in November to 39.3 percent in December. The higher prices of the communications and transport, consumer goods and the continuing depreciation of the Lao currency kip are among the main factors driving inflation. According to the report, costs in the communications and transport category rose by 50.4 percent year-on-year in December. The price of food and non-alcoholic beverages has surged by 45.9 percent. In addition, the cost of the housing category surged by 32.1 percent. The cost of medical care and medicine increased by 42.1 percent. Meanwh

Christmas market in Beirut ends in celebration

STORY: Christmas market in Beirut ends in celebration DATELINE: Dec. 25, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:11 LOCATION: Beirut CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the Christmas market in Beirut STORYLINE: A festive celebration named "Christmas in Action" has come to an end in Friday in Beirut. From December 16 to 23, thousands of people flocked to the event everyday which boasted the "biggest" Christmas market in Lebanon's history. The area of more than 10,000 square meter was filled with Christmas parades, shows and decoration. The organizer said the event was to give everyone an opportunity to experience the holiday spirit, regardless of all the challenges they are facing in Lebanon. Since 2019, Lebanon has been suffering from the worst financial crisis in its history, leading to high unemployment and inflation rates as well as a sharp depreciation of the local currency, which pushed around 80 percent of the population into poverty. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Beirut. (XHTV)

M'bishi Motors net profit surges 30% in April-Sept.

M'bishi Motors net profit surges 30% in April-Sept.

TOKYO, Japan - Mitsubishi Motors Corp. Chairman Osamu Masuko attends a press conference in Tokyo, Japan, on Oct. 29, 2014. The company said while its group net profit for the April-September period surged 30.3 percent from a year earlier to 60.89 billion yen thanks to cost-cutting efforts and the yen's depreciation, it was downgrading its sales forecast for the entire fiscal 2014 to 2.18 trillion yen from the previously projected 2.3 trillion yen.

Chinese tourists flocking to Japan in Oct. holiday week

Chinese tourists flocking to Japan in Oct. holiday week

TOKYO, Japan - Chinese tourists visit Tokyo's Ginza shopping district on Sept. 24, 2014. A large number of Chinese travelers are expected to visit Japan during China's Oct. 1-7 holiday week for the National Foundation Day taking advantage of the yen's recent rapid depreciation against foreign currencies.

Sony group net profit up 8.6-fold in April-June

Sony group net profit up 8.6-fold in April-June

TOKYO, Japan - Sony Corp. Chief Financial Officer Kenichiro Yoshida announces the company's earnings report for the April-June quarter on July 31, 2014, in Tokyo, Japan. Sony's group net profit in the three-month period rose nearly 8.6-fold to 26.81 billion yen due to strong sales of its gaming console and the yen's depreciation.

Toyota earnings outlook

Toyota earnings outlook

TOKYO, Japan - Toyota Motor Corp. Managing Officer Takuo Sasaki speaks during a press conference in Tokyo on Aug. 2, 2013. Toyota revised upward its full-year earnings forecast for the current business year ending in March 2014, citing a favorable effect of the yen's depreciation that boosts export competitiveness.

Toyota lifts profit forecast

Toyota lifts profit forecast

TOKYO, Japan - Toyota Motor Corp. Senior Managing Officer Takahiko Ijichi holds a news conference in Tokyo on Feb. 5, 2013, on the company's earnings forecast. Toyota raised its group operating profit projection for the business year ending in March to 1.15 trillion yen, up 100 billion yen from its previous estimate, boosted by the yen's depreciation, cost-cutting efforts and improved vehicle sales.

Nikkei plunges 4%, closes below 13,000

Nikkei plunges 4%, closes below 13,000

TOKYO, Japan - A signboard at a securities firm in Tokyo's Nihonbashi district shows Japan's Nikkei Stock Average falling 610.84 points on March 3. The index closed below the 13,000 mark for the first time since Jan. 23 on the dollar's sharp depreciation against the yen and escalating fears of a hard-hitting U.S. recession.

Shiokawa calls for further credit easing

Shiokawa calls for further credit easing

TOKYO, Japan - Finance Minister Masajuro Shiokawa speaks in an interview with Kyodo News on Aug. 7. Shiokawa called for further credit easing by the Bank of Japan and said the yen's gradual depreciation is acceptable as long as it occurs as a result of the BOJ's monetary easing.