White House to increase background checks & other measures to fight gun violence

US President Barack Obama is set to sign a bunch of executive orders designed to reduce gun violence

The measures include increased background checks and more agents to enforce gun laws

Our U-S correspondent Priscilla Huff has the details from Washington:

IN: "The White House …"
OUT: from Washington"
DUR: 40
 
GENERIC: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0105guns-huff.mp3

***

Saudi-Iran Rift Spreads to Other Nations

Bahrain and Sudan have severed diplomatic relations with Iran, siding with Saudi Arabia over a deepening sectarian rift in the region. 

The diplomatic rift follows the storming of the Saudi embassy in Tehran by protesters concerned about the execution of a prominent Shiite cleric in Saudi Arabia.

The United Arab Emirates has also recalled its ambassador to Tehran.

US State Department spokesman John Kirby is urging all sides to re-engage...

IN: We continue to believe...

OUT: ...regional tensions.

DUR: 20"

http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/0104tensions-kirby.mp3

Pres. Obama prepares executive orders on guns

The Obama administration is working on a new set of executive orders to close some loopholes in American gun regulations.

Following an Oval Office meeting with U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch, President Obama noted the U.S. Congress needs to act, but until then, his administration will do what it can to reduce gun deaths.

He defended his actions, saying  most Americans support these changes.

IN: "Over the next...

OUT: ...in this country."

DUR: 32

CLIP: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0104guns-obama1.mp3

The U.S. Constitution enshrines the right to own a gun, but U.S. President Barack Obama says the executive orders his administration is working on are well within constitutional limits.

IN: "I'm also...

OUT: ...the wrong reasons."

DUR: 41

CLIP: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0104guns-obama2.mp3

***

US Urges Saudi Arabia and Iran to Show Restraint

The United States is urging Saudi Arabia and Iran to cool tensions as the diplomatic row between the two continues to intensify.

The relationship crumbled after Saudi Arabia executed a prominent Shia cleric.

The White House says US Secretary of State John Kerry has spoken to his Iranian counterpart and American diplomats have also talked to Saudi officials.

White House Spokesman Josh Earnest says it's critical both sides show restraint.

IN: We do…

OUT: …the MiddleEasy.

DURATION: 12 seconds

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1204whsot1.mp3

ALTERNATE

White House Spokesman Josh Earnest says sectarian conflicts all over the Middle East must end.

IN: We have…

OUT: …the region.

DURATION: 22 seconds

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1204whsot2.mp3

ALTERNATE

White House Spokesman Josh Earnest says he is hoping deteriorating relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran don't derail Syria peace talks.

IN: It is…

OUT: …out of charity.

DURATION: 18 seconds

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1204whsot3.mp3

UN: Human Rights Envoy on Palestine resigns due to lack of access

The UN's special envoy on Human Rights in Palestine resigned this week
citing continued frustrations with Israeli authorities. Makarim
Wibosono tasked with monitoring human rights violations in the
occupied territories, said he was not provided the access he needed to
do his job.

Laura Cantekin reports from New York.

IN: "Unanswered requests.."
OUT: SOC
DUR: 30 secs.


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Protesters refuse to leave Oregon wildlife refuge

The armed demonstrators are refusing to leave the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon, even giving themselves a name, the Citizens for Constitutional Freedom.

Their leaders include the sons of Cliven Bundy, who got in a stand off with federal officials two years ago.

The Bundys say this is a property dispute, but the Hammonds - whose ranch abuts the refuge - tell a different story, saying they are willing to serve out the rest of their federal jail sentences for arson.

Ammon Bundy told reporters, the occupation of the building is about Americans being able to use land freely 

IN: "These things....

OUT: ...undue obedience."

DUR: 33

CLIP: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0104oregon-bundy1.mp3

***

UN deeply concerned over Saudi-Iran crisis

Top UN officials are expressing deep concern over the row between Saudi Arabia and Iran, which escalated over the weekend following Riyadh's execution of a prominent Shiite cleric.

Iranian demonstrators stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran in protest, and Riyadh has cut ties with Iran.

Here's Correspondent Liling Tan in New York, on the UN's reaction.

IN: "Top UN officials..."

OUT: SOC

DUR: 47 seconds

AIR: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0104-UNonSaudiIranrow-lt-air.mp3

ARN: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0104-UNonSaudiIranrow-lt-arn.mp3 

FM4: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0104-UNonSaudiIranrow-lt-fm4.mp3 

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ICRT: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0104-UNonSaudiIranrow-lt-icrt.mp3 

RNZ: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0104-UNonSaudiIranrow-lt-rnz.mp3 

SABC: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0104-UNonSaudiIranrow-lt-sabc.mp3 

SRN: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0104-UNonSaudiIranrow-lt-srn.mp3 

VATICAN: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0104-UNonSaudiIranrow-lt-vat.mp3

NIGERIA: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0104-UNonSaudiIranrow-lt-von.mp3 

ZIZ: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0104-UNonSaudiIranrow-lt-ziz.mp3

US Justice Department Sues Volkswagen

The US Justice Department is suing the Volkswagen Group which installed devices designed to trick US vehicle emissions tests.

The civil lawsuit relates to nearly 600,000 vehicles under the VW, Porsche and Audi brands.

From Washington, Daniel Ryntjes reports...

IN: The complaint filed...

OUT: SOC

DUR: 38"

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ARN: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/0104vw-dr-arn.mp3

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Venezuela's opposition chooses new president for congress

Venezuela has chosen who will head the country's first opposition-led Congress in over a decade. 

Henry Ramos Allup will be the first opposition president of Congress in sixteen years. 

Andrea Arenas reports. 

IN: "72 year old..."

OUT: SOC

TIME: 47 Seconds

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ARN: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0104vene-aa-arn.mp3

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RNZ: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0104vene-aa-rnz.mp3

SRN: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0104vene-aa-srn.mp3

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ZIZ: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0104vene-aa-ziz.mp3

Wall St plummets as China halts trading

Wall Street has opened around 2% lower after a stock selloff in China.

Chinese authorities halted trading, sparking fears of more global
market volatility.

Nick Harper reports from New York.

IN: "The first trading...
OUT: SOC
DUR: 44 seconds

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VATICAN: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0104mkts-nh-vat.mp3
ZIZ: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0104mkts-nh-ziz.mp3

Head of Russian Military Intelligence Dies

The head of the Russian military intelligence service, the GRU has died.

Igor Sergun was 59.

Albina Kovalyova reports from Moscow.

IN: "The website of…"

OUT: SOT

DURATION: 35

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ZIZ: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0104grudeath-ak-ziz.mp3

Allies to Saudi Arabia cut diplomatic ties with Iran

Bahrain and Sudan have joined Saudi Arabia in severing diplomatic ties with Iran in an escalating row over the execution of a Shia Muslim cleric...

It follows attacks by demonstrators on the Saudi embassy in Tehran. Bahrain has given Iranian diplomats 48 hours to leave to the country, while the UAE has downgraded its diplomatic team. 

Saudi announced at the weekend that it had killed 47 people for terrorism offences, including a prominent Shia cleric. 

The UK's former ambassador to the country has caused controversy after saying some of the executions were understandable - but Shadow Human Rights Minister Andy Slaughter says the government must answer questions over its relationship with Saudi Arabia...

IN: I want to...
OUT: ...at risk. 
DUR: 22"

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0104sarabia-slaughter-1.mp3

Standoff continues at federal building in Oregon

The FBI is taking the lead, hoping to negotiate a peaceful end to the multi-day occupation of a federal building in Oregon.

The standoff began when two ranchers called on the community to support them in their call to open federal lands.

Our U.S. correspondent Priscilla Huff reports:

IN: "The FBI...

OUT:  SOC

DUR: 50

POT: 37

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RNZ: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0104oregon-ph-rnz.mp3

SABC: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0104oregon-ph-sabc.mp3

SRN: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0104oregon-ph-srn.mp3

VATICAN: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0104oregon-ph-vat.mp3

ZIZ: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0104oregon-ph-ziz.mp3

***

BRITON FACES JAIL IN KYRGYZSTAN OVER HORSE PENIS COMMENTS

The UK Foreign Office says it is ready to provide consular assistance to a Briton reportedly arrested in Kyrgyzstan for comparing the country's national dish to a horse's penis.

Michael McFeat is said to have used a Facebook post to make the observation, but could now face a prison sentence.

UK correspondent Olly Barratt reports.

IN: "The Foreign….
OUT: SOC
DUR: 34 seconds

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RNZ: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0104penis-ob-rnz.mp3
SRN: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0104penis-ob-srn.mp3
VATICAN: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0104penis-ob-vatican.mp3
ZIZ: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0104penis-ob-ziz.mp3

European stock markets tumble amid China woes

Stock markets across Europe fell on the first full trading day of 2016, as economic data out of China worried investors...

China's factory activity fell for a 10th straight month - with markets also volatile to a rebound in oil prices.

Our UK correspondent Dan Whitehead reports...

IN: Half way through...
OUT: ...SOC.
DUR: 40"

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UK urged to do more to help refugee crisis

A number of leading refugee charities have criticised UK Prime Minister David Cameron's response to the refugee crisis.

Britain has promised to resettle 20 thousand Syrians from refugee camps over the next five years, however many aid and refugee agencies believe more needs to be done.

Our UK correspondent Natalie Powell reports…

IN: A letter sent

OUT: SOC

DUR: 43 seconds

POT: 37 seconds 

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ZIZ: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0104refugee-np-ziz.mp3

Japan calls for peace talks with Russia

The Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has called for peace talks with Russia's president Vladimir Putin.

The aim of the talks is to negotiate a peace treaty over the disputed islands between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Okhotsk.
Albina Kovalyova reports from Moscow.

IN: "Mr. Abe told…"

OUT: SOT

DURATION: 46

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ZIZ: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0104japanislands-ak-ziz.mp3

Catalonia to re-run election

The Spanish region of Catalonia is to go back to the polls in March - after regional leader Artur Mas failed to get enough parliamentary support to stay in power.

The deadlock comes after an inconclusive general election just before Christmas - which may well have to be run again.

Elena Casas reports from Brussels.

IN: "Catalan President…"

OUT: SOC

DUR: 40 secs

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SRN: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0104spain-ec-srn.mp3

VATICAN: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0104spain-ec-vatican.mp3

ZIZ: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0104spain-ec-ziz.mp3

German leaders spar over refugee limit

The leader of the German state of Bavaria has called for drastic reduction to the number of refugees in 2016. However, other German officials were skeptical of the proposal.

Ira Spitzer reports from Berlin.

IN: Bavarian Premiere Horst…

OUT: SOC

DUR: :38

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ZIZ: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0104germanrefugees-is-ziz.mp3

SAUDI ARABIA EXPELS TEHRAN ENVOYS

Saudi Arabia has told Iranian diplomats to leave the country within two days, as a row intensifies over the execution by Saudi Arabia of a Shia Muslim cleric.

Demonstrators stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran after Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr was executed along with 46 others on Saturday for terror-related offences.

Iran accused Saudi Arabia of provoking tension in the region, while the US has urged calm and diplomatic engagement.

But the diplomatic crisis is also leading to further scrutiny for other countries' relations with Saudi Arabia.

In the UK, political reporter Theo Usherwood says it has exposed divisions within the Conservative government, and allowed the opposition to criticise the status quo.

IN: "Labour…
OUT: …Saudi Arabia."
DUR: 47 secs

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0104saudi-usherwood1.mp3