Zimbabwe's annual inflation stormed to a record 1,042.9 percent in April, surging into four figures for the first time, official figures showed on Friday (12 May). The world's highest inflation rate is the product of an economic meltdown also marked by shortages of foreign currency, fuel and food and rising unemployment. The data had been due for release on Wednesday, but that was abruptly cancelled and CSO officials would not say what had caused the delay. The CSO said on a monthly basis, the consumer price index leapt by 21.1 percent from 19.8 percent in March as prices increased on an almost daily basis, according to Reuters.