Monday, April 29, 2019

Japan's Emperor Akihito Preparing to Abdicate on Tuesday

Japanese Emperor Akihito will end his three-decade reign this week when he abdicates on Tuesday.

His son Crown Prince Naruhito will become emperor on Wednesday.

Akihito has cited concerns about his age and declining health and is the first Japanese emperor to abdicate in 200 years. 

James Lindsay from the Council on Foreign Relations says it's a huge transitional moment for the Japanese people.

IN: The hope many...
OUT: ...better times.
DUR: 19"

Iran's Foreign Ministry Thinks Trump is Inadvertently Being Pushed to War

Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif has told U.S. media that he thinks four influential figures intend to push Donald Trump into conflict with Iran.

Trump's National Security Advisor, one of the four named by Zarif, describes the comments as 'completely ridiculous' and part a 'carefully prepared propaganda script'.

The other three are the leaders of Israel and the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. 

Zarif described his theory to the CBS show Face the Nation...

IN: We don't believe...
OUT: ...their way.
DUR: 31"

US Not Ready for Multi-Party Talks on North Korea


The United States isn't ready to abandon one-on-one nuclear talks with North Korea. 

President Trump's National Security Adviser John Bolton said President Trump was still open to a third summit with Kim Jong Un.

Last week Russian President Vladimir Putin met Chairman Kim and then suggested a return to what's known as the six-party talks.

That also includes Russia, China, South Korea, and Japan.  

But Bolton, speaking on Fox News Sunday, says Trump isn't changing his approach...

IN: Well, he still looks...
OUT: ...excluded.
DUR: 26"


But Bolton, speaking on Fox News Sunday, is skeptical of the North Korean leader's step-by-step approach...

IN: Past policies...
OUT: ...25 years.
DUR: 15"


Sunday, April 28, 2019

Sri Lanka marks one week since deadly suicide bombings

Sri Lanka is marking one week since the Easter Sunday suicide bombings at churches and hotels which claimed more than 250 lives

Security is tight in the country amid warning of the risk of further attacks.

Our correspondent Rebecca Bundhun reports from Colombo.

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DUR: 32 secs


Saturday, April 27, 2019

Fifteen bodies found following shoot out and explosion in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka's police and military say fifteen people have been killed following a shoot out and blast in Sri Lanka as a raid took place following the suicide bombings on Easter Sunday.

Explosives and ISIS uniforms were found at another location.

Our correspondent Rebecca Bundhun reports from Colombo in Sri Lanka.

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Friday, April 26, 2019

Trump announces US exit from Arms Trade Treaty at NRA speech

US president Donald Trump said Friday the US is leaving the global Arms Trade Treaty that regulates trade in conventional weapons such as guns.


The president made the announcement in his speech to the National Rifle Association. 


Here's our US correspondent Liling Tan with the details.


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Russian Maria Butina Sentenced Over US Infiltration

Russian agent Maria Butina has been sentenced in connection with her infiltration of influential Republican circles ahead of the 2016 American elections.

The thirty-year-old will be deported after nine months when she completes the remainder of her jail time.

From Washington, Daniel Ryntjes reports...

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ReplyForward

CORBYN BOYCOTTS TRUMP STATE DINNER

The leader of the UK's opposition Labour Party is refusing to attend a State Dinner for US President Donald Trump.

President Trump is making a controversial State Visit to the UK in June.

Olly Barratt reports from London.

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US economy grows by 3.2 percent in first quarter

The US economy expanded 3.2 percent in the first three months of 2019, beating expectations.

Consumer and business spending slowed sharply though, and economists expect the rate to drop during the year.

Our US Correspondent Harry Horton reports.

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Japan PM Shinzo Abe meets with President Trump at White House


Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is in Washington for talks with US President Donald Trump as their two countries edge towards a trade deal.

The negotiations were triggered when President Trump pulled the US out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership or TPP.

Our Washington correspondent Giles Gibson has the details:

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Trump denies $2m Warmbier payment to N Korea

US President Donald Trump has denied reports America paid North Korea
$2 million dollars for the medical care for Otto Warmbier.

The US student was jailed for 17 months in North Korea, until he was
released in 2017, in a coma, but died just days later.

Nick Harper reports.

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OUT: SOC
DUR: 35 seconds

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SPANISH ELECTIONS

Spanish voters will go to the polls on Sunday (April 28th) in the country's third general election in four years.


The current Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who heads the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party, called the snap election in February after his budget was rejected in Parliament. 


There are five main parties voters can choose from.


With more here's our Europe Correspondent Briohny Williams from Brussels.


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Ethiopia to Extradite Homicide Suspect to US

Ethiopia will extradite one of  its nationals to the United states to face murder charges. 


This follows a request by the United States Department of Justice Criminal Division.

The man is accused of killing two fellow Ethiopians in the U.S. state Virginia.

Coletta Wanjohi reports from Addis Ababa:

In : The office 
Out : US government 
Dur:  37 seconds 

Chinese Nationals Kidnapped in Nigeria


Intro

Two Chinese expatriates have been kidnapped in Ebonyi State, South-east Nigeria by unknown gunmen.

Correspondent Phil Ihaza has more from the nation's capital, Abuja.



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Phil Ihaza
Correspondent - FSN Abuja
No 2 Amisi Musa street, off Alex Ekwueme road, Jabi, Abuja.
Email: ihazap@featurestory.com
Mobile: +2348034660451
Twitter: @philipIhaza
Website: www.featurestorynews.com

UK WARNS AGAINST SRI LANKA TRAVEL

The UK Foreign Office is advising British nationals against all but essential travel to Sri Lanka, after the Easter attacks across the island.

More than 250 people - including eight Britons - died in a series of bomb attacks on churches and hotels.

Ross Cullen has more from London.

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SAS PILOTS STRIKE

Thousands of passengers across Europe have canceled or delayed flights as pilots from Scandinavian Airlines go on strike.


The pilots union has been in wage increase negotiations but no agreement has been found.


Briohny Williams has more from Brussels.



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UK MINISTERS TOLD TO CO-OPERATE WITH LEAK PROBE

UK government ministers are being told to co-operate in an investigation into leaks about discussions about Chinese telecoms firm Huawei.

Details of decisions about Huawei's potential role in the UK's 5G network were leaked in the UK media after a National Security Council meeting.

The UK's top civil servant is now investigating.

After ministers and advisers met at the National Security Council it was reported Huawei would be allowed limited access to the 5G project - despite security concerns.

Former senior civil servant Lord Kerslake says it's a serious breach.

IN: "We've got...
OUT: ...leak happening."
DUR: 19 seconds

Sri Lanka revises down death toll in Easter Sunday bombings

Sri Lanka says the death toll is about one hundred less than originally from the suicide bombings on churches and luxury hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday.

This was due to the difficulty identifying victims from the mutilated body parts, according to the country's health ministry.

Our correspondent Rebecca Bundhun reports from Colombo in Sri Lanka.

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DUR: 36 secs


Amazon Reaches A New Record Profit

Amazon has doubled its profit in the first three months of this year, according to its latest earnings report.

The company now plans to spend $800 million on speeding up its delivery times.

From Washington, Daniel Ryntjes reports...

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Thursday, April 25, 2019

Macron reveals new Yellow Vests measures

French President Emmanuel Macron has revealed his plans to appease Yellow Vest supporters in a nationwide TV address. 

The French leader announced tax cuts worth an estimated 5 billion euros as well as a plan to give local mayors more powers. 

But as our Paris correspondent Oliver Whitfield-Miocic explains it's unlikely Macron's measures will be enough to stop the violent demonstrations.
 
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OUT: ...not listening to them" 
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