Cost of living relief for all Australians to drive down inflation: PM

STORY: Cost of living relief for all Australians to drive down inflation: PM SHOOTING TIME: May 15, 2024 DATELINE: May 17, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:20 LOCATION: Canberra CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Parliament of Australia 2. various of Canberra street views 3. various of utility pole STORYLINE: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has defended his government's decision to offer every Australian, including high earners, cost of living relief. Under the federal budget for 2024-25, which was handed down by Treasurer Jim Chalmers on Tuesday night, every Australian will receive a tax cut from July and every household an energy bill rebate worth 300 Australian dollars (198.7 U.S. dollars) regardless of their income. Asked on Wednesday why the energy discount was not targeted to help only those in need of financial help, Albanese said offering it to every household would deliver cost of living relief and put downward pressure on inflation. "We want to make sure that every Australian gets

Inflation in France reaches highest level in 37 years

STORY: Inflation in France reaches highest level in 37 years DATELINE: June 27, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:08 LOCATION: LYON, France CATEGORY: ECONOMY/SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of supermarket goods 2. various of euro currency STORYLINE: Inflation in France reached 5.2 percent year on year in May, the highest level in 37 years. Meanwhile, the basic monthly salary index only increased by 2.3 percent from last year, according to the French Ministry of Labor. Food prices rose by 4.2 percent (3.8 percent last month) and those of services by 3.2 percent. The French Observatory of Economic Conditions announced in a press release that "this contraction in purchasing power will weigh on the dynamics of recovery through the weak dynamics of household consumption." The government promises new aid measures such as the extension of the energy tariff shield with the energy check or a new device on the price of gasoline for large rollers. Other measures include the rebate of 18 cents on fuel price until August an

Greek gov't announces 1.1-bln-euro support package to tackle energy price spike

STORY: Greek gov't announces 1.1-bln-euro support package to tackle energy price spike DATELINE: March 18, 2022 LENGTH: 00:00:45 LOCATION: Athens CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of street views in Greece 2. SOUNDBITE (Greek): GIANNIS OIKONOMOU, Greek government spokesperson STORYLINE: Greece's government presented on Thursday a three-month package of support measures worth 1.1 billion euros (1.2 billion U.S. dollars) to help households and businesses cope with the energy crisis. SOUNDBITE (Greek): GIANNIS OIKONOMOU, Greek government spokesperson "The measures we are announcing today exceed 1 billion euros and are addressed to 3.2 million of citizens, while the total amount of interventions to support Greek society reaches 4 billion euros to date." The new package of support measures will include power bill subsidies and a fuel rebate of 22 eurocents per liter for consumption up to 60 liters per month for those with an annual income of up to 30,000 euros. Taxi drivers, low-income pensioners