With the Russian ruble in a nosedive under the pressure of Western sanctions and slumping oil prices, the country's central bank decided on Monday to scrap currency controls and let the ruble float freely on the currency markets. The...

HEADLINE: Democrats, Republicans reach deal on tax rebates CAPTION: Democratic and Republican congressional leaders reached a tentative deal Thursday on tax rebates of $300 to $1,200 per family and business tax cuts to jolt the slumping...

Spanish/Nat Chile announced Tuesday it is next in line to join the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) by the end of this year. But opposition groups have warned that negotiations could stall unless the government proves its...

The Malaysian central bank on Wednesday (2/9) fixed the ringgit's exchange rate at 3.80 to the US dollar with immediate effect. The announcement by Bank Negara Malaysia came a day after Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad announced sweeping...

HEADLINE: Top bargainers announce payroll tax cut deal CAPTION: House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi says her party is mostly satisfied with a bill extending payroll tax cuts and benefits for the unemployed. Speaker John Boehner says he...

English/Nat Even before they saw the details, U-S and Chinese businesses praised a new China U-S market-opening agreement as a major step toward greater opportunity for both sides. In exchange for U-S support in its long campaign to...

English/Nat Top economic officials from the world's fastest growing region have gathered in the Philippines to search for ways to finance the huge infrastructure investments needed to prolong their economic success. Finance ministers...

1. US President George W. Bush approaching podium 2. Bush stepping onto podium 3. Close of blocks of cheese 4. Close of oranges and vegetables 5. Pan along tractors and trucks 6. Close of tractor 7. SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush,...

AP Television Washington, DC - February 1, 2010 1. Woman stacking up copies of the White House budget plan to be distributed on Capitol Hill 2. Pan from stacks of budget books on table to lines of people waiting for them to be handed...

HEADLINE (48 characters): Obama weekly address: No silver bullet for gas prices CAPTION: (255 characters): President Barack Obama says one answer to high gasoline prices is to spend money developing renewable energy sources. (April...

1. Wide view both leaders in the Oval Office 2. SOUNDBITE: (English) George W Bush, US President: "You're probably wondering what the prime minister is sharing with me. First of all, welcome. We're talking mountain biking. Actually, he's...

English/Nat The U-S dollar surged against the yen on Thursday as Washington confirmed its strong dollar policy. Tokyo share prices closed higher for a fifth consecutive session. The dollar bought 119.12 yen at 5 p.m. (0800 GMT), up 1.80...

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is on a week-long tour of New Zealand, Australia and Papua New Guinea, a trip which analysts say will focus on boosting economic partnerships and defence ties. Abe is due to arrive in Australia later on...

HEADLINE: Bush says 'Congress must act' on bailout CAPTION: President Bush has issued a warning to Congress: act now on a financial rescue plan or the economy could face "painful and lasting" damage. (Sept. 30) [Notes:ANCHOR VOICE] ...

California - April 2009 1. Wide of students in front of solar panels 2. Mid of students in front of solar panels 3. Close up of man training 4. Mid of man working with solar panels 5. SOUNDBITE(English) Matt Canepa, Student at San...

1. Mid side view of Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke at Joint Economic Committee hearing 2. Wide of hearing 3. SOUNDBITE (English) Ben Bernanke, Federal Reserve Chairman: "Recognising the drawbacks of persistently low rates the...

English/Nat U-S Vice President Al Gore is now embroiled in a deepening row with his hosts at the APEC economic summit in Malaysia. He caused offence at a dinner speech in which he praised protestors trying to oust the country's...

1. Wide shot of podium 2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Robert Zoellick, US Trade Representative: "This is a win-win, state-of-the-art free trade agreement for the modern economy. It not only slashes tariffs, but it reduces barriers for...

1. SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, US President: ++Overlaid by graphic of Bush giving weekly radio address++ "Congress's first priority should be to provide the funds and flexibility to keep our troops safe and help them protect our...

Trilateral talks between the EU, Ukraine and Russia took place in Brussels on Friday in an attempt to alleviate fears from Moscow that an EU - Ukraine free trade agreement would harm Russia's economy. European Union trade commissioner...

1. Wide of head of states of BIMSTEC countries 2. Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa (left) and Myanmar Prime Minister Thein Sein (right) 3. (From left) Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Bhutanese Prime Minister Jigmi Thinley,...

1. Graphic of Gerorge W. Bush (WITH FOLLOWING RADIO BROADCAST OVERLAID) 2. SOUNDBITE (English) George W. Bush, United States President: "I am currently travelling in Asia on a trip to Japan, South Korea, China, and Mongolia. The leaders...

HEADLINE: Another week, another Fed rate cut CAPTION: The Federal Reserve cuts a key interest rate for the second time in just over a week, hoping to boost the U.S. economy and calm financial markets. (Jan. 30) [Notes:ANCHOR VOICE] ...

Springfield, Virginia 1. US President Barack Obama walking with Virginia Governor Tim Kaine 2. Obama greeting soldier 3. Various of Obama and Kaine walking to microphones in heavy wind 4. SOUNDBITE: (English), Barack Obama, US...