The latest short-form news audio from FSN Bureaus worldwide
Another wildfire in California is growing rapidly, forcing evacuations and destroying numerous structures.
Historically dry conditions in the American west are complicating fire containment efforts.
Ira Spitzer has more from San Francisco.
IN: The Caldor fire...
The US government is recommending that all adult Americans get a Covid-19 booster shot eight months after initially becoming fully-vaccinated against the virus.
White House officials say they hope the booster programme will begin next month after they looked at Israeli data showing the efficacy of the existing vaccines against the delta variant of Covid-19 declines over time.
The US Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, was asked why the US is prioritizing booster shots at a time when the World Health Organization says it's more important to address global vaccine inequity.
IN: "I do not…."
OUT: "….as we have been".
DUR: 24 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0818booster-murthy1.mp3
(MORE)
President Biden's chief medical advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci told reporters the move is precautionary, but the timing is right.
IN: "If you wait…."
OUT: "….than chasing after it"
DUR: 22 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0818booster-fauci1.mp3
(MORE)
Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump has told Fox News that the booster shot is nothing more than an effort by Pfizer and the other drug companies to make more money.
IN: "You know what…."
OUT: "…that runs Pfizer"
DUR: 27 seconds
The Republicans leader in the US Senate, Mitch McConnell says he supports Congressional hearings on the crisis in Afghanistan.
He accused the Biden administration of bearing sole responsibility for the botched US military withdrawal, but told reporters that he's willing to consider any White House requests for additional military muscle in Afghanistan.
IN: "If the administration…."
OUT: "….are barbarians"
DUR: 30 seconds
From Dar es salaam, Isaac Lukando has more.
IN: The Order was ...
OUT: SOC
DUR: 45-Secs
The UK government has been recalled to discuss the ongoing situation in Afghanistan.
The Taliban has taken control of the country, after it occupied the capital city, Kabul.
In the House of Commons on Wednesday, Member of Parliament and former soldier Thomas Tugendhadt described how he and many others felt after seeing the country fall.
IN: "Like many veterans…"
OUT: "...left us all hurting."
DUR: 34 secs
US lawmakers are launching investigations into how the Taliban took over Afghanistan so rapidly, calling on top Biden administration officials to testify.
An angry backlash at President Joe Biden’s handling of the pullout from Afghanistan has erupted in Washington, with the US now entirely dependent on the Taliban for the safety of American citizens there.
Nina-Maria Potts reports:
IN: “ Lawmakers…
OUT: SOC
DUR: 40 seconds
Boris Johnson has recalled parliament and opened an emergency debate over the critical situation in Afghanistan.
Speaking in the House of Commons, he said he did not foresee the collapse of the Afghan government and its forces and that it had come as a surprise.
He's met with other world leaders to discuss a way forward for the country.
IN: "We must also face..."
OUT: ".... concerted way."
DUR: 19 secs
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0818-JohnsonAfghanreality-CJ-generic.mp3
The UK government has now announced plans to allow 20-thousand refugees to resettle in the UK.
Around 5-thousand will be eligible in the first year of the scheme.
But opposition Labour party leader, Sir Keir Starmer, criticised the plan, he says it doesn't go far enough.
IN: "It is vague…"
OUT: "...There is no long term Mr speaker."
DUR: 21 secs
IN: "25 French citizens..."
OUT: SOC
GENERIC: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0818franceevacflights-rc-generic.mp3
Suggested Lead
South Sudan's President Salva Kiir has threatened to pull out of a peace process with opposition groups over increased violence in the country.
President Kiir's threat comes a day after two catholic nuns and three other people were killed on their way to the capital Juba when armed men ambushed the vehicle they were travelling in.
Patrick Oyet reports from Juba
INTRO: President Salva
OUT: SOC
DUR: 43 Seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0818PRESIDENTKIIR-PO-GENERIC.mp3
Intro
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised all possible help for the Afghan people.
He's also asked his core group of ministers to ensure that Hindu and Sikh minorities are granted safe passage.
Opposition leaders are calling the government's approach discriminatory.
Ishan Garg reports.
IN: Mr Modi
OUT: SOC
Duration: 44 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0818-IndiaAfghanRefugees-ig-gen.mp3
Despite much of the state of New South Wales being in locked down for over a week, delta strain infection rates continue to go up.
The state recorded another 633 new cases in the last 24 hrs, yet another record increase.
Shaun Bindley has more.
IN: In warning that...
OUT: SOC
DUR: 34 secs
GENERIC: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/0818covid-sb-gen.mp3
COURTESY AIR NEWS MEDIA - AUSTRALIA
Tensions are continuing to build between China and Taiwan, after Beijing carried out assault drills around the island.
China says the move is a response to what it calls "external interference" and "provocations".
Samuel Wong reports.
IN: "Taiwan's Defence Ministry..."
OUT: "...750 million US dollars."
DUR: 40 s
President Biden's approval rating has hit record lows in light of the botched US military withdrawal from Afghanistan.
A new survey published on Tuesday night shows the President lost 7 percentage points in support in just 72 hours.
Our Washington correspondent Simon Marks reports.
IN: "The Reuters/Ipsos….."
OUT: "…in Kabul"
DUR: 29 seconds
The Prime Minister has spoken to President Biden, becoming the first foreign leader to speak with his American counterpart since the fall of Kabul.
Number Ten says the Prime Minister stressed the importance of not losing the gains won in Afghanistan over the last 20 years.
Our Washington Correspondent Simon Marks reports.
IN: "One phone call…."
OUT: "…white house admits"
DUR: 32 seconds
White House officials say President Biden is taking full responsibility for every decision that led up to the botched military withdrawal from Afghanistan and the fall of Kabul.
But they've disclosed that the President has not yet spoken to a single foreign leader since the collapse of the Afghan government.
Our Washington Correspondent Simon Marks reports.
IN: "The revelation…."
OUT: "…do the walking"
DUR: 30 seconds