The latest short-form news audio from FSN Bureaus worldwide
Joe Biden says he will do whatever it takes to help communities impacted by a series of deadly tornadoes which killed more than eighty people.
The storms are among the deadliest in US history.
US correspondent Ira Spitzer reports
IN: The US president...
The U.S. Federal Reserve Chair has laid out plans that will likely lead to an increase in interest rates from the second quarter of 2022.
In a press conference on Wednesday, Jerome Powell outlined steps for economic recovery, while keeping inflation in check.
Caroline Malone reports from Washington.
OUT: Caroline Malone, Washington.
DUR: 0:37White House officials say there are NO plans for fresh restrictions or lockdowns in the US as the omicron strain spreads across the country.
It's now been identified in at least 36 of America's 50 states, and in some parts of the country including New York and New Jersey it is already responsible for 14% of new Covid-19 infections.
But Jeff Zients (PRON: ZEYE-NTZ), who heads President Biden's Covid-19 response team, told reporters there is no need for restrictions or any change in public behavior ahead of the Christmas holidays.
IN: "We have the…."
OUT: "….open".
DUR:" 23 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1215omicron-zients.mp3
And Dr. Anthony Fauci, President Biden's Chief Medical Adviser, said he currently foresees no need for the development of additional booster vaccinations that will specifically address the new strain.
IN: "Our booster…."
OUT: "….the booster shot"
DUR: 22 seconds
White House chief medical advisor, Dr Anthony Fauci, says there is currently no need for a variant-specific booster, as the U.S. confronts a looming tidal wave of the new coronavirus variant Omicron.
Omicron has been detected in 36 states, according to the CDC, and infections are doubling every three days.
The White House is calling for Americans to get boosters, but there is no sign of lock-downs or more travel restrictions.
Nina-Maria Potts has more:
IN: “ US public…
OUT: SOC
DUR: 45 seconds
Inflation in the UK has hit a 10 year high, according to the most recent figures.
The cost of living has jumped to 5.1% in the year ending November after the cost of fuel, clothing and energy all rose substantially.
Chris Jones has more from London
IN: 'It's been called'
OUT: SOC
DUR: 51 secs
British Formula 1 star Lewis Hamilton is now Sir Lewis Hamilton.
The 36-year-old was knighted at Windsor Castle in the U.K. on Wednesday...just days after he lost out on the F1 world title to his rival Max Verstappen.
Giles Gibson reports from London.
England's travel red list has been removed.
Now, all fully vaccinated travellers arriving in England will be able to isolate at home instead of so-called 'quarantine hotels'. And if they test negative on a PCR test after two days they will be permitted to leave isolation.
The red list was put in place to slow down the spread of the omicron Covid-19 variant, after its emergence in Southern African countries.
Despite the government's efforts, the variant is now widespread in England with around a third of all cases in London attributed to Omicron.
And because of that Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said that continuing the red list restrictions didn't make sense anymore.
IN: "I mean it's quite clear…"
OUT: "...and get on with things."
DUR: 17 secs
India has made it mandatory for international travelers from nearly fifty countries to undergo PCR tests upon arrival.
Previously they could instead choose a rapid antigen test that took only a couple of hours to produce results - as opposed to a PCR test, which can take up to 48 hours.
Authorities hope the new rules will help curb the spread of the Omicron variant, as Ishan Garg reports.
IN: The new rulesThe Japanese government systematically overstated construction orders data for years, and the practice may have inflated the country's GDP figures.
The revelations were made by one of the country's largest daily newspapers on Wednesday and have led to a swift apology in Parliament.
Phoebe Amoroso reports from Tokyo.
Moe than 800 thousand Americans have now died from COVID-19.
That's the highest national death toll from the coronavirus pandemic.
Rachel Silverman has this report from San Francisco.
IN: The grim
OUT:SOC
DUR: 32
GENERIC: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/11214milestone-rs-generic.mp3
US stocks fell on Tuesday ahead of a key Federal Reserve announcement.
US correspondent Kate Fisher reports
IN: Wall Street
OUT: SOC
DUR: 46 seconds
Generic: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/1214markets-kf.mp3