The latest short-form news audio from FSN Bureaus worldwide
Intro:
WHO's Chief Scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan says India may be entering the endemic stage of COVID-19.
Infections rates have remained relatively low in the past two months after a devastating second wave in May.
But officials in New Delhi are still concerned as Ishan Garg reports.
IN: India's been
Movie directors in Hong Kong are condemning government proposals for a film censorship law. The government says the legislation will ban the screening of films deemed to support or glorify acts that could endanger national security.
Richard Kimber reports from Hong Kong.
IN: The new legislation
OUT: Richard Kimber, Hong Kong
DUR: 0.45
Japan is set to expand a state of emergency as rising COVID-19 cases threaten to overwhelm hospitals. The measures would cover almost half of the country's 47 prefectures.
Phoebe Amoroso reports from Tokyo.
IN: "The minister ..."
Airbnb has pledged to provide free housing for 20-thousand Afghan refugees. CEO Brian Chesky says the program will begin immediately.
Silicon Valley Correspondent Rachel Silverman has this report from San Francisco.
IN: Calling the
OUT:SOC
DUR: 33
GENERIC: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0824airbnb-rs-generic.mp3
President Biden says he's asked the Pentagon and the State Department to draw up contingency plans in case the timetable for America's military withdrawal from Kabul Airport needs to change.
He rebuffed demands by G7 leaders for the US military to remain in the Afghan capital for as long as necessary.
And in a much delayed appearance at the White House insisted he still hopes the mission can be completed by the end of the month.
Our Washington Correspondent Simon Marks reports.
IN: "He rebuffed...."
OUT: "....at risk"
DUR: 1:01
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(ALT)
President Biden insisted the mission can still be completed by the end of the month.
IN: "We are currently…."
OUT: "….to our operations"
DUR: 24 seconds
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But reports on the ground in Afghanistan indicate there are fresh disruptions by the Taliban to the evacuation effort….with Americans and Afghans alike claiming they cannot get to the airport.
White Press Secretary Jen Psaki today bristled when a reporter tried to raise a specific case with her.
IN: "If we are …."
OUT: "….in contact with them"
DUR: 11 seconds
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The President also said the threat of a terror strike on US forces in Kabul is real…and he said the longer they remain, the more they're at risk.
IN: "There are real…."
OUT: "….an innocent civilians"
DUR: 16 seconds
Charlie Watts, the drummer with the Rolling Stones has died at at the age of 80.
His publicist he passed away peacefully in a London hospital surrounded by his family.
Earlier this month he announced ill health would prevent him from touring with the Stones this autumn.
Reporter Sunta Templeton has more.
IN: "The statement…"
OUT: "…brilliant company"
DUR: 1:30
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(ALT)
Simon Marks reports.
IN: MUSIC
OUT: “…dead at 80”
DUR: 32 seconds
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Among those paying tribute, Paul McCartney of The Beatles.
IN: “Lots of love….”
OUT “…to his family”
DUR: 37 seconds
The head of the CIA met with the Taliban's de-facto leader on Monday, according to U.S. officials.
The secret meeting was held as the U.S. pushes to get Americans and Afghan allies out of the country before August 31.
Caroline Malone reports from Washington.
Pentagon officials say there are no plans currently for the US military mission at Kabul Airport to be extended beyond August 31st.
They say so far the US has helped evacuate more than 60 thousand people from Afghanistan, but they won't disclose how many of the evacuees were American citizens.
A leaked State Department memo suggests that number is only around 4 thousand.
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters plans are being drawn up to pull US forces out of Kabul International Airport by the end of the month.
IN: "The drawdown….."
OUT: "….do that appropriately"
DUR: 25 seconds
The Eritrean military has been accused of human rights abuses in the Northern Tigray region, where fierce fighting continues 10 months after it began.
Coletta Wanjohi reports from Addis Ababa.
The Taliban now say they will not allow foreign forces to evacuate Afghan citizens from Kabul airport….insisting the US led effort there must end by August 31st and should only withdraw foreign citizens from the country.
A Taliban spokesmen held a press conference in Kabul this morning….even as President Joe Biden was participating in a virtual summit with G7 leaders, many of whom are urging him to allow the military mission at Kabul airport to extend past the end of the month.
The Taliban's Zabihullah Muhjahid speaks here through an interpreter.
IN: "We ask…."
OUT: "….to foreign countries"
DUR: 19 seconds
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President Biden will speak on Afghanistan later today amid reports that his CIA Director William Burns secretly met with the Taliban's leader in Afghanistan earlier this week.
A leaked state department memo here is indicating that as of yesterday only around 4 thousand Americans citizens have been evacuated from Kabul….the White House last week indicated there could be as many as 15 thousand Americans in Afghanistan.
On Capitol Hill pressure is mounting on the President from his fellow Democrats in Congress and of course the Republicans.
Congressman Jim Banks is a Republican from Indiana.
IN: "If any American…."
OUT: "….on Joe Biden's hands"
DUR: 18 seconds
South Africa’s Independent Electoral Commission is awaiting judgement from the Constitutional Court regarding its request to postpone local government elections until February. The election date is currently set for 27 October, and political parties had until 5pm on Monday to submit lists of their candidates. On Monday, the IEC extended the deadline by four hours, which seems to have benefitted the ruling African National Congress. Mark Roughton reports.
IN: “Only 87 of South Africa’s…”
OUT: SOC
DUR: 0:35
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The Japanese government is putting pressure on Tokyo hospitals to accept as Covid-19 patients amid a chronic shortage of beds. The medical system is near collapse as the capital prepares to host the Paralympic Games, which open Tuesday evening.
Phoebe Amoroso reports from Tokyo.
IN: "The government is..."