The latest short-form news audio from FSN Bureaus worldwide
The global death toll from covid-19 is nearly 330 thousand according to Johns Hopkins University in the US.
Meanwhile the World Health Organisation reports that there are now 5 million people infected worldwide.
US correspondent Kate fisher reports.
IN: The tragic
OUT: SOC
DUR: 31
Actress Lori Loughlin and her husband, fashion designer Mossimo Gianulli have reportedly agreed to a plea deal in a college admissions scam.
They're accused of paying 500-thousand dollars to get their two daughters into the University of Southern California, as crew team recruits, even though they were not athletes.
Rachel Silverman has more.
IN:Loughlin and Giannulli
OUT:SOC
DUR: 35
GENERIC: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0521collegescam-rs-generic.mp3
Venezuela has filed a one-billion dollar lawsuit against the Bank of England over its refusal to release gold saved in its vaults. Venezuela is calling for some of the gold to be sold on humanitarian grounds, to help the country handle the coronavirus outbreak. Mary Triny Mena reports from Caracas.
IN:Venezuela says
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DUE: 40
GENERIC: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0521gold-mtm-generic.mp3
Five oil tankers have left Iran and are expected to arrive in Venezuela in the next couple of weeks.
Amid Venezuela's shortages of fuel, Iran is helping the South American country to bypass US sanctions.
Mary Triny Mena reports.
IN:Five Iranian
OUT:SOC
DUR: 32
GENERIC: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0521tankers-mtm-generic.mp3
The Chinese government has unveiled plans for a new security law in Hong Kong that would ban sedition, secession and treason.
The law was unveiled during the opening day of China's legislature….which had been delayed for several weeks by Covid-19.
The move is sure to spark public anger in Hong Kong, and international opposition.
From Beijing, Patrick Fok.
IN: "Well social media…."
OUT: "…prompt further unrest"
DUR: 22 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0521hk-fok1.mp3
{ALT}
Reporter Patrick Fok in Beijing says the announcement is already sparking demonstrations in Hong Kong.
IN: "There has been…."
OUT: "….underway right now"
DUR: 17 seconds
Hydroxychloroquine, the anti-malarial drug being taken by Donald Trump as an unproven protection against coronavirus, is being bought in bulk by the UK in case it does turn out to be a Covid-19 treatment.
Ministers are seeking 16 million tablets in packets of up to a hundred as part of a $42 million contract.
From London, Benji Hyer reports.
IN: There's no evidence
OUT: SOC
DUR: 30 seconds
Moscow's Mayor has warned that deaths from coronavirus will be significantly higher in May than they were in April, even though the outbreak now appears to be stabilising. The city's authorities have reported almost 1800 deaths so far. Lucy Taylor reports.