The latest short-form news audio from FSN Bureaus worldwide
The UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing increasing scrutiny over the decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as the British ambassador to Washington.
The first set of documents concerning the vetting process for his appointment were released on Wednesday.
They revealed Starmer was warned of a "reputational risk" over Mandelson's links to Jeffrey Epstein.
The government is also facing criticism over the reported $100,000 severance payment to Mandelson, who denies any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein.
Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds admits that due diligence fell short:
IN: I think…
OUT: …taken up.
DUR: 00:25
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0312MandelsonThomas-Symonds.mp3Inflation in the US rose in February at a relatively subdued 2.4 percent annual pace, the same as in January, according to the latest government consumer price index report.
It's still slightly above the Federal Reserve's inflation target of 2 per cent and analysts say the war in Iran threatens to push inflation higher as the conflict causes oil prices to soar.
Kate fisher reports from Washington
IN: Food and
OUT: SOC
DUR: 00:36
The New York Times is reporting that a preliminary investigation says outdated information may have resulted in the Tomahawk missile strike.
Our Washington Correspondent Simon Marks reports.
IN: "US officials….."
OUT: "…the war began"
DUR: 31 seconds
The UK Government has banned a pro-Palestinian march in London this weekend, the first time a protest march has been banned in the capital for more than 10 years.
The Home Secretary backed the police request to ban the Quds Day march, held annually in support of Palestinian rights, to "prevent serious public disorder".
The decision was made due to concerns about the scale of protest and counter-protest amid tensions over the ongoing US/Israeli war with Iran.
The organisers insist it is always a peaceful demonstration. A spokesperson for the Islamic Human Rights Commission called the ban a "sad day for freedom of expression".
Cabinet minister Darren Jones explained the decision:
IN: So the Metropolitan…
OUT: …keep people safe.
DUR: 00:10
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says that Tuesday would be the "most intense day" of American strikes against Iran since the start of the war, after President Trump sent mixed messages over when the conflict might end.
He said on Monday that the war could end "very soon" before warning of even more aggressive action if Iranian leaders continue to choke off oil tanker traffic.
Kate fisher reports from Washington
IN: Mr Hegseth
OUT: SOC
DUR: 00:49
MPs in the UK have voted against banning social media for under-16s.
The proposal had been backed by the House of Lords, but did not make it through parliament.
Conservative MP Alicia Kearns was among those backing a ban…
IN: "Social media platforms…"
OUT: "...skills before sixteen."
DUR: 0:11
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0310AliciaKearns.mp3
A ban could still happen in future though.
Education minister Olivia Bailey says a consultation is still taking place to find ways to better protect children online...
IN: "Crucially, the consultation…"
OUT: "...raised from thirteen."
DUR: 0:14