Monday, January 5, 2015

Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro, begins international tour to seek economic aid

Venezuelan president, Nicolas Maduro, has begun a tour in which he plans to seek economic aid from China and various Opec members, as Venezuela reels from falling oil prices.

During his trip, Mr. Maduro will participate in the summit between China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, known as CELAC, on January 8th and 9th.

Andrea Arenas reports. 

IN: President Nicolas Maduro 
OUT: SOC
TIME: 38 Seconds


Two Americans Charged in Gambia Coup Plot

The US has charged two American men with plotting to overthrow the government of Gambian President President Yahya Jammeh.

The FBI investigator has provided details of what appears to have been an inept coup attempt on December 30th.

Our Washington Correspondent Daniel Ryntjes reports…

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Rapist and murderer granted permission to undergo euthanasia in Belgium

Belgian authorities have granted permission for a convicted rapist and murderer to undergo euthanasia.

Frank van der Bleeken has been requesting to be put to death, rather than spend his life behind bars, since 2011.

Jack Parrock reports.

IN: "52 year old..." 
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DUR: 37 secs


Republicans Set To Take Control as Congress Returns


US lawmakers are set to return to work in Washington on Tuesday, for the opening of the 114th Congress. 

Following November's mid term elections, Republicans now control both the House of Representatives and the Senate, and they have several pieces of legislation they want to push through, as our correspondent Lorna Shaddick reports. 

IN: Thirteen new Senators...
OUT: SOC
DUR: 43 seconds

Jury Selections begins in Boston Marathon Bombing trial

Jury selection has begun in the Boston Marathon bombing trial.

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is accused of detonating two bombs at the 2013
marathon, killing 3 people and injuring 260 others.

He's pleaded not guilty to all 30 charges against him, but could face
the death penalty if found guilty.

Our correspondent in Boston Nick Harper says the jury selection
process will take several weeks.

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DUR: 41 seconds

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Our correspondent in Boston Nick Harper says jurors will be asked
about their opinions on the death penalty.

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OUT: SOC
DUR: 43 seconds

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US auto sales surge

Two of the Big Three American automakers posted double-digit sales gains for December 2014.

The increase in sales of cars in the United States is partly fueled by plummeting gasoline prices.

Our correspondent Priscilla Huff reports:

IN: "Americans purchased nearly...
OUT:  SOC
DUR: 38


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Afghan president calls on US to reconsider withdrawal

A suicide bomb near European police training headquarters in Kabul has killed one Afghan civilian and wounded several more.

The attack comes after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani called on the United States to re-examine its plan to pullout of Afghanistan by the end of 2016.

In an interview with CBS' "60 minutes" the Afghan president said that deadlines should not be "dogmas" signalling a need for flexibility on Washington's part.

Nina-Maria Potts reports:

IN: " The comments...
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DUR: 43 seconds



British party leaders launch election campaign

The British general election campaign gets underway in earnest on Monday, with Labour leader Ed Miliband to give a major speech to activists at a rally in Manchester, and Conservative ministers in the ruling coalition to counter it by making claims about the cost of Labour's spending plans.

It's the beginning of a hard fought campaign before the poll on May 7th, with polls predicting a very close race.

Elena Casas reports from London.


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Euro hits 9 year low against the dollar

The euro currency has fallen against the dollar to its lowest point in nine years.

It comes following comments from the president of the European Central Bank, Mario Draghi, hinting they are likely to launch a program of quantitative easing.

Our Europe correspondent Jack Parrock reports.

IN: "The Euro..." 
OUT: SOC
DUR: 40 secs


South Australian bushfires destroy more homes in Adelaide Hills

South Australian Firefighters are continuing to battle a blaze, which has razed at least 26 homes over the last four days and is still burning across more than 200 kilometres in the Adelaide Hills.

IN: "Country Fire Service..."
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NOTE: TWO VERSIONS - TEMPERATURES STATED IN CENTIGRADE OR FAHRENHEIT - SELECT MOST SUITABLE

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OLDHAM RECONSIDER SIGNING CONVICTED RAPIST

English football club Oldham Athletic are under growing pressure not to sign striker Ched Evans, who is a convicted rapist.

The 26 year-old was due to be revealed (Monday) on a long-term deal at the League One club.

But tens of thousands have signed a petition urging the club to change its mind - and a board meeting has been called to make a decision on the player.

Evans was found guilty in 2012 of raping a 19 year-old woman and was released from prison in October.

Football writer from the Sun newspaper Vikki Orvice says Oldham had felt he deserved a second chance.

IN: "There's a...
OUT: …with this." 
DUR: 29 seconds


ALT:

Football writer from the Sun newspaper Vikki Orvice says Oldham should have waited.

IN: "There was...
OUT: …over." 
DUR: 27 seconds


SAVE THE CHILDREN LAUNCH SPECIAL INVESTIGATION INTO EBOLA NURSE

UK charity Save the Children is to launch a special investigation into how a nurse working with it at an Ebola treatment centre in west Africa contracted the disease.

Pauline Cafferkey was diagnosed after returning to the UK a week ago.

She'd been working in Sierra Leone.

UK reporter Lorraine Horgan has more. 

IN: "Pauline Cafferkey...
OUT: …the community." 
DUR: 37 seconds

UK ELECTION CAMPAIGNING UNDERWAY

Britain's political parties have launched into a general election campaign on returning from their Christmas breaks.

It's now 122 days until Britons go to the polls and the official campaign period is underway.

The opposition Labour leader Ed Miliband is describing the election campaign as a 'once in a generation fight'.

The coalition-leading Conservatives say Labour is already promising over $30bn (US) in unfunded spending commitments for their first year in government - should they win the election.

Both main parties face a growing threat from the anti-EU, anti-immigration UK Independence Party.

Gideon Skinner from pollsters IPSOS/MORI says it's one of the most unpredictable elections in British history.

IN: "Our polls...
OUT: …to call." 
DUR: 27 seconds


ALT:

Gideon Skinner from pollsters IPSOS/MORI says voters are telling them there are three top issues for this election.

IN: "The economy...
OUT: …as well." 
DUR: 26 seconds

Football player shot dead in Russia

A player for the Russian football club Anzhi Makhachkala in Russia has been shot dead while driving.


The shooting occurred near his home in Russia's troubled North Caucasus region.


Tom Barton reports.



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Boston prepares for Boston Marathon Bombing trial

The American city of Boston is preparing itself for what is likely to be the biggest US trial in recent history [EDITORS: starts Monday 5th January].

21-year-old Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is charged with detonating two homemade bombs at the 2013 Boston Marathon, killing three people and injuring more than 260 others.

Marc Fucarile [PRON FOO-ka-ril] was one of 17 people who lost limbs as a result of the bombing. He says he’s ready for the trial. 

IN: “We had…”
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DUR: 15 seconds 

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[ALT] Boston criminal attorney Bob Bloom says holding the trial in the city where the attack took place could make a fair trial difficult. 

IN: “I think…”
OUT: …actually sit.”
DUR: 22 seconds 

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Boston criminal attorney Bob Bloom says the nature of the attack shocked many. 

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OUT: …other crimes.”
DUR: 26 seconds 

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Chinese student Lingzi Lu died in the attack. One of her friends Yujue Wang [PRON YEE-joo wong] still struggles to talk about the defendant Tsarnaev.

IN: "We all have…”
OUT: …bad things.”
DUR: 19 seconds 

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Chinese student Lingzi Lu died in the attack. One of her friends Yujue Wang [PRON YEE-joo wong] says the trial won’t change what happened. 

IN: “I feel like…”
OUT: …past.”
DUR: 15 seconds 

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Civil liberties campaigner Valerie Vanetta believes the trial should be heard in another city, away from Boston. 

IN: “Do you…”
OUT: …public.”
DUR: 17 seconds 

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Culture professor Salvatore Fallica feels the extensive media coverage will make it difficult to find jurors with no prior knowledge of the case. 

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DUR: 17 seconds 

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On the streets of Boston many are still unsure if they'll follow the trial. 

IN: “If it’s..”
OUT: …Boston.”
DUR: 22 seconds 

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Sunday, January 4, 2015

USA Avian Flu Fears


An outbreak of avian flu in the Canadian province of British Columbia has led to a quarter of a million chickens being euthanized in an attempt to stop the disease from spreading.

 

But the recent discovery of a strain of the H5 avian flu virus in a wild duck across the border with the United States has put authorities there on high alert, as Tim Exton reports from Seattle.


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North Korea denounces US sanctions

The regime of Kim Jong Un has denounced the latest round of sanctions imposed by the Obama administration as inveterate repugnance and hostility toward the D.P.R.K.

The sanctions were imposed as part of the response to the hack attack on Sony Pictures, the distributor of the film, The Interview, which centers around the imaginary assasination of the North Korean leader.

Priscilla Huff reports:

IN: "North Korea...
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DUR: 45
POT: 31


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114th U.S. Congress set to convene

The 114th U.S. Congress is set to convene, with Republicans in control of both chambers.

Ahead of the first meeting of America's legislative body, the Republican leadership was indicating, their top priority was to tackle controversial legislation, such as the Affordable Care Act and the Keystone XL pipeline.

In an interview with CNN's State of the Union, incoming U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he is aware that with a Democrat in the White House, somehow common ground will have to be found.

IN: "Now he....
OUT: ...some agreement."
DUR: 17


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2015 UN goal remains zero Ebola cases

The outgoing head of the United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response says the only acceptable outcome is zero Ebola cases by the end of 2015.

More than 7900 have died from the viral infection.

Currently, a Scottish nurse is in serious condition in a London hospital after being infected while working with patients in Sierre Leone, while an American surgeon is en route to specialized care in Nebraska after possibly being infected.

Anthony Banbury - who is leaving the role of UN Ebola coordinator - says just four months ago, Ebola caseload estimates were much higher 

IN: "We have....
OUT: ...four percent."
DUR: 14


U.S. Senator Chris Coons, a Democrat from Delaware, just returned from West Africa where 2,400 U.S. soldiers are helping support the efforts to combat Ebola.

On CBS's "Face the Nation," U.S. Senator Chris Coons said he's open to some American troops coming home, but the fight against Ebola is not over.

IN: "We can't....
OUT: ...troops now."
DUR: 07


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Funeral for second slain NYC police officer

Thousands of New York City police officers and many more from around the United States attended the funeral of Wenjian Liu, who was shot to death last month while on patrol with a fellow officer.

The violence against law enforcement has highlighted the issue of race in the United States, and for the second time, at this funeral, police officers turned their backs on elected officers, to demonstrate silently that they feel the police are not being supported.

However, in an interview with CBS's "Face the Nation,"CBS's "Face the Nation," programme, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer attempted to be optimistic that things can change, especially for New York City.

IN: "We need...
OUT: ...is unbridgeable."
DUR: 12


Senator Schumer is a Democrat and the senior senator from New York State.

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