US House debate ahead of vote to impeach President Trump

The US House of Representatives is debating whether to impeach President Donald Trump.

A vote is likely to take place on Wednesday evening.

The president is accused of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress related to his dealings with Ukraine.

The Democratic-controlled House is likely to impeach him but he is then likely to be acquitted at a trial in the Republican-led Senate.

That's scheduled for January, as Kate Fisher reports

IN: We understand
OUT: argue over
DUR: 37"

CLIP: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/1218impeachment1-kf.mp3

Business morale rises in Germany

More signs that Germany's manufacturing crisis could be bottoming out. The latest IFO business sentiment survey showed German executives are cautiously optimistic about the state of business environment heading into the new year. Toni Waterman has the details from Frankfurt.

IN:  German business morale...

OUT: SOC

DUR:  41s

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1218GermanyIFO-tw.mp3

Judge dismisses NY fraud case against Trump campaign chief

A New York judge has thrown out a fraud case against former Trump
campaign manager Paul Manafort.

Prosecutors were trying to convict him on state charges to make sure
he remains in prison even if President Trump pardons him.

US correspondent Nick Harper reports.

IN: "Manafort...."
OUT: SOC
DUR: 41 seconds

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1218manafort-nh.mp3

EX LABOUR PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR BLAMES CORBYNISM FOR ELECTION DEFEAT

Ex Prime Minister and leader of the UK Labour Party, Tony Blair, says the reason for Labour's defeat at last week's general election was obvious.

He blamed Labour's "brand of quasi-revolutionary socialism" which he says never appealed to traditional Labour voters and never will.

Stuart Smith has more from London.

IN: "Tony Blair..."

OUT: SOC

DURATION: 45 Seconds

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1218blairblamescorbynism-ss-generic.mp3

French PM meets unions in attempt to end two week transport strike

The French prime minister, Edouard Philippe, is meeting representatives from all the major unions in an attempt to end a two-week transport strike - or at least get trains running over Christmas. 

On Tuesday, at least 615 thousand people took to the streets across France to protest against pension reforms, which the government still says it is determined to push through. 

Elena Casas reports from Paris.  

IN: «I am totally determined …

OUT: SOC

DUR: 48s

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1218strikes-ec.mp3

Russian ship being detained by UK authorities

A Russian cargo ship that ran aground off Cornwall in South-East England a year ago is still being detained by authorities. 

The Kuzma Minin had to be towed to safety and has been tied to a buoy in a nearby estuary since December 2018.

Benji Hyer reports from London. 

IN: It's been exactly a year since

OUT: SOC

DUR: 39 seconds

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1218ship-bh-generic.mp3

AUSTRALIA: Heat records fall as the drought and bushfires bite

Australia experienced its hottest day on record this week with the national average temperature reaching a high of 40.9 Celcius (105.6 Fahrenheit).
Arthur Stevens reports from a very hot Melbourne

IN: "It's been a very hot day..."
OUT: SOC
DUR: 42 sec

NOTE - TWO VERSIONS

TEMPERATURES CELCIUS

GENERIC: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/1218heatC-as-gen.mp3

TEMPERATURES FAHRENHEIT

GENERIC: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/1218heatF-as-gen.mp3



COURTESY AIR NEWS MEDIA - AUSTRALIA

Thai serial killer arrested...again

A paroled serial killer dubbed "Thailand's Jack the Ripper", after he was convicted of killing five women, was arrested by police on Wednesday.  

 

They allege he murdered a 51 year old woman just seven months after his released.

Daniel Quinlan reports.

IN: "Thai police set up ..." 

OUT: " ...drug-related offences." 

DUR: 00:49 SEC

LINK:  http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/UpdateThaiSK-dq-genric.mp3 

Japan and Russia in fishing row as foreign minister travels to Moscow

The Japanese Foreign Minister is on a visit to Russia, seeking to restart stalled negotiations over disputed islands.

The issue has prevented the countries from signing a formal peace treaty for the end of World War Two.

His visit comes just a day after Russia seized five Japanese fishing boats near the contested islands.

Ross Cullen has more.

IN: "Toshimitsu Motegi is..."

OUT: SOC
DUR: 0:43

GENERIC: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1218russiajapan-rc-generic.mp3

Supreme Court looks at petitions challenging the newly passed Citizenship Bill

The Supreme Court of India has refused to stop the government from enacting a newly-passed act that allows only non-muslims from three neighbouring countries to become citizens.

It comes after a week of continuous protests, with the government refusing to engage with the students and comply to their demand of scrapping the legislation.

Sreoshi Mukherjee reports from New Delhi.


IN: "Sixty petitions were"
OUT: "India taking the lead"  
DUR: 0:29 seconds


http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1218-SCindiaProtests-sm-generic.mp3

In furious letter to Democrats, Trump decries impeachment process

President Trump says his expected impeachment by members of Congress on Wednesday will be an "unprecedented and unconstitutional abuse of power" by Democrats.

In a furious letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President compares the impeachment process to the Salem witch trials of the 1600s.

Our Washington Correspondent Simon Marks reports.

IN:  "The President's…."

OUT:  SOC

DUR:  28 seconds

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1217letter-marks.mp3

Trump aide sentenced to 45 days in jail for lying to FBI

A former top aide to President Trump has been sentenced to 45 days in jail and three years of probation after being convicted of conspiracy and lying to the FBI.

Rick Gates received the relatively lenient sentence after co-operating with prosecutors investigating President Trump's 2016 election campaign.

Our Washington Correspondent Simon Marks reports.

IN: "The sentence…."

OUT:  "…severe fate"  

DUR:  26 seconds

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1217gates-marks.mp3

Crews Assess Damage after Tornadoes Swept U.S. Southeast, Killing at least 3

Survey teams are assessing the damage Tuesday,  after severe storms swept the country's southeast.  A series of tornadoes, which tore down Monday, have left at least three people dead, and several others injured.

Jillian Wolf reports.  

IN:  " Strong winds … "  

OUT:  SOC 

DUR:  25  seconds   

Weblink: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1217severestorms-jw.mp3  

  

Ethiopia to own its first satellite

Intro 

Ethiopia confirms that it will launch its first earth observatory satellite on December 20 .

 

The launch will be from a space station located 500 km from Beijing, China, but its command centre will be in Ethiopia.

 

 Coletta Wanjohi reports from Addis Ababa: 

 

In: The satelite

Out: progress

Dur: 39 sec

GENERIC: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1712ethiopiasatelite-cw-generic.mp3

US death penalty support declines

Support for capital punishment in the United States has fallen to it's
lowest rate in decades according to a new report.

Fewer executions have been carried out by the country this year than last year.

Sarah Walton reports from New York.

IN: "The Death Penalty…
OUT: SOC
DUR: 47 seconds
POT: 35 seconds

Generic: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/1216deathpenalty-sw-generic.mp3

UK GOVT TO MAKE BREXIT EXTENSION AFTER 2020 ILLEGAL

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson says he'll rule out any extension to the Brexit transition period in law.

The transition is due to conclude at the end of 2020, after the UK leaves the EU by January 31st, giving just eleven months to agree the future relationship.

But many in the European Union do not think that's enough time.

Stuart Smith reports from London.

IN: "As UK lawmakers..."

OUT: SOC

DURATION: 39 Seconds

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1217brexitby2020-ss-generic.mp3

Students Oppose the New Citizenship Amendment Act

Protests against the newly passed Citizenship Amendment Bill have spread across India to several cities.  

This comes after a major university in New Delhi faced a police crackdown after its students opposed this bill.

Neha Poonia has more from New Delhi

IN: "For the sixth"
OUT: SOC
DUR: 49 seconds


http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1217-AllIndiaProtests-NP-generic.mp3

UK GOVT TO LEGISLATE TO AVOID BREXIT TRANSITION EXTENSION

The UK government is going to legislate to make it illegal for Parliament to extend a Brexit transition period beyond the end of 2020.

A clause will be added to the Withdrawal Agreement Bill which will be voted on by MPs on Friday.

It'll mean the UK leaves the EU on January 31st, and then concludes a transition period at the end of next year.

Critics say that's not enough time to reach a trade deal, therefore opening up the prospect of a No Deal departure.

But cabinet minister Michael Gove says Prime Minister Boris Johnson can get a trade deal in that time frame.

IN: "We've...
OUT: ...2020."
DUR: 18 seconds

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1217brexit-gove1.mp3

Russia and China submit draft UN resolution calling for sanctions relief in North Korea

Russia and China have submitted a draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council calling for sanctions relief in North Korea to help improve the humanitarian situation.

The document suggests lifting some of the sanctions put in place to try to halt the isolated country's nuclear missile programmes.

Ross Cullen has more.

IN: "The two nations..."

OUT: SOC
DUR: 0:40

GENERIC: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1217russiachinaNK-rc-generic.mp3

Boeing announces temporary suspension of 737 MAX production

Boeing says it's halting production of the controversial 737 MAX jet, blamed for two separate crashes that claimed 346 lives.

The company insists the production halt is only temporary, but aviation industry analysts increasingly wonder whether the 737 MAX will ever return to the skies.

Our US Correspondent Simon Marks reports.

IN:  "The announcement…."

OUT:  "….doomed product"

DUR:  26 seconds

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1216boeing-marks.mp3