Tuesday, December 20, 2016

IMF Boss Christine Lagarde Keeps Job After Conviction

Christine Lagarde will keep her job as head of the International Monetary Fund, despite a conviction on charges of negligence over a state payout she made while French finance minister in 2008.

Ms. Lagarde told reporter at the Fund's headquarters in Washington D.C that she wouldn't appeal against the conviction, but the IMF Board has full confidence in her ability to lead.

Here's our US correspondent Lorna Shaddick.

IN:The executive board...
OUT: SOC
DUR: 46 seconds

Michelle Obama: US is "Feeling What Not Having Hope Feels Like"

Michelle Obama has been speaking to US TV host Oprah Winfrey, in her last formal interview as First Lady - and she seemed to have a sombre view of America in the wake of November's election. 

Although she didn't mention Donald Trump by name, Mrs. Obama used the interview, which aired on CBS on Monday night, to talk about her husband's campaign promise of hope and change:

IN: Now, we're feeling...
OUT: ...don't have hope
DUR: 24 seconds

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1219michelle.mp3

Monday, December 19, 2016

Electoral College vote confirms Donald Trump as president

More than 270 electors have voted in favor of Donald Trump as the 45 president of the United States.

But as our Washington correspondent Priscilla Huffreports,
there's one more step before Electoin 2016 is fully validated and confirmed.

IN: "Only a few ...
OUT:  SOC
DUR: 46
POT: 30


***

Nine dead, dozens injured in Berlin Christmas market attack

At least nine are dead and dozens injured after a truck plowed into a Christmas Market in Berlin, Germany.

German officials are suggesting this was a terror attack.

The driver of the truck has been arrested.

Our correspondent in Berlin Ira Spitzer:

IN: "Local police...
OUT: ...found dead."
DUR: 30


Earlier, the U.S. State Department issued a travel warning for Europe, specifying threats to Germany's traditional Christmas Markets.

Our correspondent in Berlin Ira Spitzer reports that a possible attack on another city was stopped.

IN: "Well there's...
OUT: ...to the public."
DUR: 31


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Obama commutes hundreds of prison sentences

US President Barack Obama has shortened the prison sentence of hundreds of convicts and pardoned dozens others, the White House said on Monday.

The reduced sentences, mainly for low-level drug offenders, are part of President Obama's efforts to tackle mass incarceration in the United States.

Harry Horton reports from Washington.

IN: "In 2014, President..."
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DUR: 00"38

Cash Crisis Continues in Venezuela

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has postponed the date for taking the 100 bolivar banknote out of circulation. 
He had ordered the 100 bolivar note to be withdrawn last Thursday, but changed the date after thousands of Venezuelans took to the streets over the lack of cash.
Our Latin America correspondent Juan Carlos Lamas has more from Caracas.

IN: The withdrawal
OUT: SOC
DUR: :39

 

North Carolina Reportedly Plans to Repeal Bathroom Law

US confirms China will return drone

The U.S. military is confirming that they are working with the Chinese military to return the underwater drone.

Last week, a Chinese navy ship confiscated the UUV which is used by the American navy to collect information on water currents, depths and temperature using unclassified systems.

Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook confirmed the vehicle will be returned.

IN: "Now to....
OUT: ....are ongoing."
DUR: 15


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New York Man Gets 30 Years For Plot To Kill Muslims With X-Ray Device

A 52 year old man from New York has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for plotting to kill Muslims with a weapon of mass destruction.

Glendon Scott Crawford is the first person to be found guilty of trying to use a radiological dispersal device, or so called 'dirty bomb', since they were banned by Congress in 2004.

Here's our New York correspondent Lorna Shaddick.

IN: Last year, a...
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DUR: 45 seconds

US condemns assassination of Russian ambassador in Turkey

The U.S. is condemning the assassination of the Russian Ambassador, with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry  offering assistance to Russia and Turkey as they investigate this "despicable attack."

The White House says the shooting of diplomats is unacceptable.

Andrey Karlov was shot by a single gunman shouting "don't forget Syria!" during an event at an art gallery.

Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook.

IN: "We are...
OUT: ...their families."
DUR: 09


***

US condemns assassination of Russian ambassador in Turkey

The U.S. is condemning the assassination of the Russian Ambassador, with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry  offering assistance to Russia and Turkey as they investigate this "despicable attack."

The White House says the shooting of diplomats is unacceptable.

Andrey Karlov was shot by a single gunman shouting "don't forget Syria!" during an event at an art gallery.

Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook.

IN: "We are...
OUT: ...their families."
DUR: 09


***

UK Prime Minister: "Important" EU leaders meet without her

UK Prime Minister Theresa May says it is important for EU leaders to meet without the UK being represented to discuss Brexit...

Theresa May was excluded from a short meeting of her EU counterparts in Brussels last week as they discussed their position ahead of formal negotiations over the UK's exit from the Union, due to begin by the end of March 2017.

Updating MPs, Theresa May said she wants the UK to become a close partner with the EU...

IN: It is right...
OUT: ...enjoy.

ALT

Theresa May confirmed she was looking for assurances for EU and British nationals living abroad...

IN: At the council...
OUT: ...withdrawal.

FIFA fines UK football associations over poppies

The world football governing body FIFA has fined the four football authorities of the UK for wearing poppies during World Cup qualifying games...

The poppies - a symbol of remembrance for those who have died in wars - are banned by FIFA rules.

Our UK correspondent Dan Whitehead reports...

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At least 41 people die after drinking bath oil in Siberia

LEAD:
At least 41 people have died after drinking scented bath oil in the Siberian city of Irkutsk. Russia's Investigative Committee said it was consumed as if it was alcohol.  Russian authorities called it 'a terrible tragedy' and one of the deadliest cases of its kind in years. Julia Lyubova reports from Moscow.
IN:  The investigators said that..
OUT: SOC
DUR: 57'

US Electoral College votes for 45th President

French court convicts Christine Lagarde of negligence

The head of the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde, has been convicted of criminal negligence over her failure to overturn the ruling of an arbitration panel that paid out 425 million dollars to businessmen Bernard Tapie.
The court says she won't face jail time or a fine. 
Our Europe correspondent Elena Casas reports from Brussels.


IN: "Christine Lagarde…
OUT: SOC
DUR: 38s











UN approves monitors to help Aleppo evacuations

The United Nations Security Council has unanimously approved a plan to
send monitors to the Syrian city of Aleppo to oversee the safe
evacuation of civilians.

It will also allow the delivery of humanitarian aid to people who
chose to stay behind.

Nick Harper report from the UN un New York.

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DUR: 45 seconds
POT: 33 seconds

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AMNESTY: CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY IN MYANMAR

Rights group Amnesty International says Myanmar's military may be committing 'crimes against humanity' against the Rohingya minority.

It follows allegations of violence in Rakhine state after an anti-insurgency operation was launched in October.

Olly Barratt reports.

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DUR: 52 seconds
POT: 41 seconds

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Polish Parliament blocked by press freedom protests

Protesters in Poland have been holding a sit-in outside Parliament since Friday, against government plans to restrict journalists' access to Parliament. 
Opposition supporters are furious that the government held a budget vote on Friday with only its own MPs in attendance, with opposition lawmakers and press excluded.
Elena Casas reports from Brussels.


IN: "Protesters blocked…
OUT: SOC
DUR: 48s (poss out at 36s)











Italy says 2016 has been record year for migrant rescues in the Mediterranean

The Italian government says they have rescued more refugees and migrants from smugglers boats in the Mediterranean in 2016 than in any other year.

The coastguard says 180 thousand people have been saved during its operations.

Our Europe correspondent Jack Parrock reports.

IN: "Italy says  ..."
OUT: SOC
DUR: 40 secs