ZELENSKY MEETS LOCKHEED MARTIN EXECUTIVES TO FAST-TRACK PATRIOT MISSILE CO-PRODUCTION AFTER WHITE HOUSE TALKS WITH TRUMP

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has held talks at the White House with US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, pressing for licences that would allow Ukraine to manufacture Patriot missile interceptors on its own soil.

Ukraine says it does not have enough of the weapons to defend against near-daily Russian missile barrages, and wants to begin co-producing them with American defence contractors.

President Zelensky described the meeting as productive and said the two leaders also discussed reviving the diplomatic process to end the war.

Nick Harper reports from Washington.

IN: “They simply don't...”
OUT: “...discussed Patriot production.”
DUR: 21 seconds
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(ALT)

Reporter Nick Harper in Washington says President Zelensky followed up the White House meeting by going directly to Lockheed Martin executives to discuss weapons technology sharing.

IN: “He then went...”
OUT: “...conflict with Russia.”
DUR: 23 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0728-2056harper-zelenskymissiles2.mp3

TRUMP AND NETANYAHU AGREE IRAN MUST NOT OBTAIN NUCLEAR WEAPON AS TEHRAN THREATENS STRAIT OF HORMUZ SHIPPING

Iran's joint military command has threatened to bar ships linked to frozen Iranian assets from transiting the Strait of Hormuz, as US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held closed-door talks at the White House on Tuesday.

An Israeli source says the two leaders agreed that Iran must not obtain a nuclear weapon, calling the meeting a major moment of coordination — but the White House has given few other details of what was discussed.

The meeting comes as Netanyahu faces a difficult election in October, and as the war between the United States and Iran enters its seventh month.

James Gooderson reports from Washington.

IN: “Of course, they...”
OUT: “...support behind him.”
DUR: 37 seconds
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(ALT)

Reporter James Gooderson in Washington says the US president may now look to pivot away from the stalled conflict with Iran and focus instead on achieving a peace deal in Ukraine ahead of the midterm elections in November.

IN: “President Trump's tried...”
OUT: “...any other details.”
DUR: 30 seconds
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THOUSANDS MORE EVACUATED FROM FRANCE'S ATLANTIC COAST AS BORDEAUX WILDFIRES FLARE AHEAD OF FOURTH HEATWAVE

French authorities have ordered nearly four thousand more people to evacuate from tourist sites on the Atlantic coast, as wildfires west of Bordeaux flared up again on Tuesday ahead of a fourth heatwave of the summer.

The blazes have already scorched more than four hundred square kilometres of forest in the Gironde region, with fires in France and Spain forcing an estimated three hundred and thirty thousand people from their homes.

Hundreds of evacuees are being sheltered at centres in Bordeaux, where volunteers are providing supplies.

Ross Cullen reports from Bordeaux.

IN: “I'm here at...”
OUT: “...several days now.”
DUR: 39 seconds
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(ALT)

Ross Cullen in Bordeaux says the meteorological outlook is set to worsen sharply, with temperatures forecast to exceed forty degrees Celsius on Wednesday.

IN: “We are expecting...”
OUT: “...continuing as well.”
DUR: 27 seconds
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(ALT)

Reporter Ross Cullen in Bordeaux says another four thousand people — many of them tourists on summer holidays — have been ordered to leave campsites to the west of the city.

IN: “Today, we've had...”
OUT: “...an evacuation center.”
DUR: 20 seconds
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TRUMP REBUKES NETANYAHU OVER INTELLIGENCE LEAK AHEAD OF FIRST WHITE HOUSE MEETING SINCE IRAN WAR BEGAN

US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are meeting at the White House on Tuesday in their first face-to-face talks since the war with Iran began in February.

Hours before the meeting, President Trump publicly criticised the Israeli leader on Fox News over leaked intelligence about Iranian nuclear activity, saying Netanyahu was trying to keep the United States involved in the conflict.

The relationship between the two leaders has soured in recent weeks, with reports of tense phone calls and growing frustration on the American side.

Nick Harper reports from Washington.

IN: “Potentially, if we...”
OUT: “...the Israeli leader.”
DUR: 20 seconds
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(ALT)

Nick Harper, our reporter in Washington, says the Israeli leader is expected to use intelligence about Iran's nuclear programme as leverage to push for renewed American military action.

IN: “We're told, according...”
OUT: “...at the moment.”
DUR: 35 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0728-1644harper-trumpnetanyahumeeting2.mp3

NETANYAHU MEETS TRUMP AT WHITE HOUSE FOR FIRST TIME SINCE IRAN WAR BEGAN

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has arrived at the White House for a closed-door meeting with US President Donald Trump — their first face-to-face since the war on Iran began roughly five months ago.

Israel's ambassador to the United Nations has said the top item on the agenda is scaling down the conflict, though he acknowledged there are different options on the table.

President Trump earlier rebuked the Israeli leader for publicly revealing intelligence about an Iranian nuclear site, asking why he had not raised it privately.

Kate Fisher reports from Washington.

IN: “When Donald Trump...”
OUT: “...conflict in Iran.”
DUR: 28 seconds
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(ALT)

Reporter Kate Fisher in Washington says the Israeli prime minister has domestic political reasons for wanting to repair the relationship with the American president, with Israeli elections approaching later in the year.

IN: “Benjamin Netanyahu has...”
OUT: “...him domestically, politically.”
DUR: 32 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0728-1603fisher-netanyahutrumpmeeting2.mp3

TRUMP REBUKES NETANYAHU OVER IRAN NUCLEAR CONCERNS AHEAD OF WHITE HOUSE MEETING

US President Donald Trump has rebuked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for publicly airing concerns about Iran's Pickaxe Mountain nuclear facility, saying the matter should have been raised privately.

The two leaders are meeting at the White House on Tuesday for the first time since the war with Iran began in February, with the agenda also covering a framework agreement for peace in Lebanon and efforts to expand the Abraham Accords.

But the meeting comes amid reports of angry phone calls and shouting matches between the two men in recent months.

Nick Harper reports from Washington.

IN: “There's been reports...”
OUT: “...running dangerously low.”
DUR: 38 seconds
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(ALT)

Nick Harper in Washington says the Ukrainian president's priority at the White House was securing the means to defend against continued Russian bombardment.

IN: “In a word...”
OUT: “...House behind me.”
DUR: 37 seconds
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TRUMP HOSTS ZELENSKY AND NETANYAHU FOR BACK-TO-BACK WHITE HOUSE TALKS AS IRAN WAR AND UKRAINE DEFENCE TOP AGENDA

US President Donald Trump is hosting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for back-to-back meetings at the White House on Tuesday, with air defence for Ukraine and the war in Iran dominating the agenda.

President Zelensky arrived in Washington saying his top priority is securing approval to buy Patriot missile interceptors, while Mr Netanyahu has said Iran is at the top of his agenda in what will be his first face-to-face meeting with the US leader since February.

Both leaders are also in the US capital for the funeral of Senator Lindsey Graham.

Kate Fisher reports from Washington.

IN: “Certainly, in recent...”
OUT: “...vital to Ukraine.”
DUR: 32 seconds
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(ALT)

Reporter Kate Fisher in Washington says President Trump has become increasingly frustrated with the Israeli prime minister as the two leaders' ambitions for the Iran conflict have diverged.

IN: “Donald Trump has...”
OUT: “...the diplomatic resolution.”
DUR: 37 seconds
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BORDEAUX WILDFIRES DID NOT ADVANCE OVERNIGHT BUT FRANCE BRACES FOR NEW HEATWAVE

French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez says the wildfires near Bordeaux did not advance overnight, but has warned that authorities must remain on high alert as forecasters predict another heatwave will hit France later in the week.

The blazes have burned some forty-two thousand hectares of forest and forced more than two hundred thousand people from their homes, threatening the city of eight hundred and fifty thousand residents.

French President Emmanuel Macron chaired an emergency cabinet meeting on Monday before travelling to the region, where he warned the battle against the fires could last not just weeks but months.

William Denselow reports from Bordeaux.

IN: “There is good...”
OUT: “...region on Monday.”
DUR: 36 seconds
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(ALT)

William Denselow, our reporter in Bordeaux, says French President Emmanuel Macron has warned the fight against the fires could stretch on for months.

IN: “French President Emmanuel...”
OUT: “...even potentially months.”
DUR: 12 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0728-1020denselow-wildfires2.mp3

Magnitude 7.1 earthquake hits Japan's Kyushu region

INTRO: A 7.1-magnitude earthquake hit southwestern Japan on Tuesday, the Japan Meteorological Agency said, issuing a tsunami alert.

Officials said the government was checking for casualties following the quake. Laura Westbrook reports from Hong Kong.

IN: The earthquake

DUR: 43"

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/2807.JAPAN.QUAKE.LW.mp3

FRANCE'S NUCLEAR-SIMULATION FACILITY AND MISSILE FACTORIES SHUT DOWN AS BORDEAUX WILDFIRE THREATENS STRATEGIC SITES

France's nuclear-simulation research centre near Bordeaux has been completely shut down as a precautionary measure, as wildfires in the Gironde department continue to threaten strategic military and defence sites in the south-west of the country.

The blaze has burned through more than 42,000 hectares and forced some 220,000 people from their homes, while factories linked to France's submarine-launched ballistic missile programme have also been evacuated.

French President Emmanuel Macron has described the fires as unprecedented, and authorities warn the battle to contain them could last weeks.

William Denselow reports from Bordeaux.

IN: “No new growth...”
OUT: “...these firefighting efforts.”
DUR: 36 seconds
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(ALT)

William Denselow, reporting from Bordeaux, says the more than 200,000 people displaced by the fires face deep uncertainty about when they will be allowed to return and what they will find when they do.

IN: “Huge questions remain...”
OUT: “...by the fires.”
DUR: 33 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0728-0858denselow-wildfires2.mp3

FRANCE'S GIRONDE WILDFIRE STABLE FOR SECOND NIGHT BUT AUTHORITIES WARN BATTLE COULD LAST MONTHS

European authorities are warning that wildfires burning across southern France and Spain may not be fully extinguished for months, even as the blaze in the Gironde department west of Bordeaux has held steady for a second consecutive night.

More than two hundred thousand people have been evacuated from the region in what has been described as France's largest peacetime evacuation since the Second World War, with some forty-two thousand hectares destroyed.

French President Emmanuel Macron visited the area on Monday and chaired an emergency cabinet meeting to coordinate the response.

William Denselow reports from Bordeaux.

IN: “Essentially no major...”
OUT: “...to be working.”
DUR: 38 seconds
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(ALT)

William Denselow, our reporter in Bordeaux, says French President Emmanuel Macron has cautioned that the unprecedented scale of the fire demands humility, with rising temperatures expected to give the blaze fresh momentum later in the week.

IN: “Emmanuel Macron, the...”
OUT: “...it in check.”
DUR: 22 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0728-0804denselow-francewildfires2.mp3

INDIA'S MODI GOVERNMENT PUSHES EXAM FRAUD BILL THROUGH PARLIAMENT AS OPPOSITION DEMANDS APOLOGY OVER PROTEST CRACKDOWN

The Indian government has introduced a bill in the lower house of parliament that would sharply increase penalties for exam fraud — but opposition lawmakers are blocking debate, demanding an apology from the interior minister over a police crackdown on student protesters.

The Public Examinations Amendment Bill was tabled on Monday, days after the education minister resigned following more than five weeks of youth-led protests triggered by the leak of medical entrance exam papers affecting some two million candidates.

The bill proposes prison terms of up to ten years and fines five times higher than the current maximum.

Ishan Garg reports from New Delhi.

IN: “This bill is...”
OUT: “...as 10 years.”
DUR: 33 seconds
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(ALT)

Ishan Garg in New Delhi says some analysts believe the opposition may face pressure to allow the bill to pass, given it forms a core part of the government's promises to the protest movement.

IN: “There are a...”
OUT: “...those education reforms.”
DUR: 19 seconds
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INDIA'S MODI GOVERNMENT TABLES TOUGHER EXAM FRAUD BILL AS PARLIAMENT DESCENDS INTO CHAOS OVER PROTEST CRACKDOWN

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has tabled a bill in parliament to toughen penalties for examination fraud, but opposition lawmakers are blocking debate over a police crackdown on student protesters.

The legislation follows weeks of mass demonstrations triggered by the cancellation of a major medical entrance exam after question papers were leaked, a scandal that forced the education minister to resign on Saturday.

The bill proposes significantly harsher punishments for those convicted of involvement in paper leaks.

Ishan Garg reports from New Delhi.

IN: “This bill is...”
OUT: “...as 10 years.”
DUR: 33 seconds
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(ALT)

Reporter Ishan Garg in New Delhi says the Cockroach Janta Party is accusing the government of a complete breach of trust over its handling of detained protesters.

IN: “The main drive...”
OUT: “...the government side.”
DUR: 28 seconds
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(ALT)

Ishan Garg in New Delhi says the Cockroach Janta Party is warning it could resume street protests if the government does not release detained demonstrators and withdraw police complaints against them.

IN: “At this moment...”
OUT: “...streets once again.”
DUR: 17 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0728-0324garg-indiaeducationreforms3.mp3

US SECRET SERVICE INVESTIGATES IRAN-LINKED PROPAGANDA VIDEO THREATENING FIRST LADY MELANIA TRUMP AND SON BARRON

The United States Secret Service says it is investigating a propaganda video published by an Iranian news agency linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guard that details ways to assassinate First Lady Melania Trump.

The clip, released on Monday by the Tasnim News Agency, purports to map out the First Lady's movements and security routes in New York, and ends with a direct threat against her twenty-year-old son Barron Trump.

The video follows the appearance of billboards across Tehran depicting members of US President Donald Trump's family with the word "killed" written across them.

Nick Harper reports from Washington.

IN: “The title of...”
OUT: “...undercover inside hospitals.”
DUR: 37 seconds
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(ALT)

Nick Harper, our reporter in Washington, says the threat against the First Lady comes at a time of heightened security concerns, with US President Donald Trump having survived three assassination attempts in just over two years.

IN: “Any threat against...”
OUT: “...very, very closely.”
DUR: 27 seconds
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TRUMP CONCEDES HE WANTS MORE 'SOPHISTICATED' MUNITIONS AS ADMINISTRATION STRUGGLES WITH CONTRADICTORY STOCKPILE MESSAGING

US President Donald Trump has acknowledged the war in Iran is drawing down American stockpiles of advanced weapons, telling reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday that he would like more of what he called "the more sophisticated stuff" — while saying overall supplies are in "very good shape".

The comments came days after Vice President JD Vance and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff raised concerns in a White House meeting about depleting the country's missile reserves, with the Pentagon briefly pausing its bombing campaign on Iran on Friday.

Reports suggest the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been pressing for the conflict to be widened — a position at odds with the growing caution within the Trump administration.

Nick Harper reports from Washington.

IN: “Vance, the vice...”
OUT: “...reached its limit.”
DUR: 28 seconds
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(ALT)

Nick Harper, our reporter in Washington, says the Israeli prime minister appears to be arriving in Washington in a weaker position than he might have hoped for.

IN: “In many ways...”
OUT: “...the current region.”
DUR: 13 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0728-0016harper-usmunitionsstockpile2.mp3

IRAN REJECTS US DEMANDS IN ISLAMABAD TALKS AS NETANYAHU HEADS TO WASHINGTON FOR TRUMP MEETING

Iran has rejected two demands it calls extreme during talks with the United States in Islamabad, telling American negotiators to leave the table.

The collapse in diplomacy comes as the head of US Central Command has reportedly recommended halting bombing around the Strait of Hormuz, saying there are no viable military targets remaining.

A mutual halt in strikes between Washington and Tehran is now in its third day, though Houthi rebels have declared the pause over and announced a blockade of Saudi-linked shipping.

From Washington, Kate Fisher reports.

IN: “Mike Waltz, the...”
OUT: “...with munitions supplies.”
DUR: 30 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0727-1435fisher-usiranconflict2.mp3

MACRON VISITS GIRONDE AS FRENCH WILDFIRE AUTHORITIES WARN BLAZE COULD BURN FOR MONTHS

French President Emmanuel Macron is travelling to the Gironde region of southwestern France on Monday to meet emergency workers battling wildfires that have burned more than forty-two thousand hectares and forced some two hundred and twenty thousand people from their homes.

The Gironde prefecture said the situation overnight was "globally stable" — a change from previous days — but fire authorities have warned the blaze could take months to fully extinguish.

Mios is one of several towns near Bordeaux where evacuation orders were issued on Sunday.

Will Denselow reports from Mios.

IN: “We're here in...”
OUT: “...in unpredictable directions.”
DUR: 36 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0727-1315denselow-francefires1.mp3

(ALT)

Reporter Will Denselow in Mios says strong and unpredictable winds have been one of the biggest obstacles for firefighters trying to hold back the advancing flames.

IN: “The fact is...”
OUT: “...from really happening.”
DUR: 16 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0727-1315denselow-francefires2.mp3

SUDANESE ARMY RECAPTURES KEY NORTH KORDOFAN TERRITORY AS RSF DENIES LOSSES

The Sudanese army has recaptured the city of Bara and other strategic positions in North Kordofan state after heavy fighting with the Rapid Support Forces.

The military says it destroyed dozens of RSF vehicles during the operation, which it says has opened a vital supply corridor to the besieged city of El Obeid and reduced the threat to the capital Khartoum.

The advances come as the army demands a full RSF withdrawal from all cities it controls as a condition for agreeing to a US-proposed ninety-day truce.

Naba Mohideen reports from Khartoum.

IN: “People are right...”
OUT: “...of North Kurdufan.”
DUR: 35 seconds
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(ALT)

Naba Mohideen in Khartoum says multiple sources on the ground confirm the army's territorial gains, even as the RSF continues to dispute the military's account without issuing an official statement.

IN: “Right now, there...”
OUT: “...an official statement.”
DUR: 35 seconds
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MACRON HOLDS CRISIS MEETING AS BORDEAUX WILDFIRES FORCE MORE THAN 250,000 TO FLEE

French President Emmanuel Macron has held a crisis meeting on the devastating wildfires bearing down on Bordeaux, with more than a quarter of a million people forced from their homes in one of the largest evacuations in French history.

The blaze, which began on Wednesday in the Gironde region of southwest France, has burned more than 42,000 hectares and was reported to be just 15 kilometres from the city on Sunday.

Authorities say the overnight situation was "globally stable" for the first time, but a fresh heatwave forecast later in the week is adding to concerns.

William Denselow reports from Bordeaux.

IN: “We're here in...”
OUT: “...of the city.”
DUR: 14 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0727-1049denselow-bordeauxfires1.mp3

(ALT)

William Denselow in Bordeaux says firefighters on the front lines are struggling to contain blazes that can escalate from small embers to infernos in moments.

IN: “Yesterday we were...”
OUT: “...city of Bordeaux.”
DUR: 32 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0727-1049denselow-bordeauxfires2.mp3

(ALT)

William Denselow in Bordeaux says the European Commission has deployed around a dozen aircraft and helicopters to assist firefighting efforts in both France and Spain.

IN: “We know that...”
OUT: “...well as helicopters.”
DUR: 36 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0727-1050denselow-bordeauxfires3.mp3

MACRON TO CHAIR EMERGENCY CABINET MEETING AS BORDEAUX WILDFIRE FORCES FRANCE'S BIGGEST PEACETIME EVACUATION

French President Emmanuel Macron is chairing an emergency cabinet meeting on Monday as wildfires in the Gironde region force France's biggest peacetime evacuation since the Second World War.

More than a quarter of a million people have now been ordered to leave their homes in the Bordeaux region, with the blaze burning some 42,000 hectares and advancing to within ten miles of the city itself.

More than five thousand firefighters, soldiers and police are battling the flames, but conditions on the ground are changing rapidly.

William Denselow reports from Bordeaux.

IN: “Conditions here at...”
OUT: “...battle these blazes.”
DUR: 31 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0727-0624denselow-bordeauxfires1.mp3

(ALT)

Bordeaux's mayor says the flames may be at the gates of the city but there are no plans yet to evacuate its population of around 800,000.

William Denselow has more from Bordeaux.

IN: “First of all...”
OUT: “...the national front.”
DUR: 39 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0727-0625denselow-bordeauxfires2.mp3