The latest short-form news audio from FSN Bureaus worldwide
G7 Health Ministers are set to hold emergency talks on the new Omicron variant of coronavirus. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the meeting following the discovery last week. The World Health Organisation has warned that the variant poses a 'very high risk globally' and could lead to severe consequences in some regions. Laura Makin-Isherwood reports from London.
IN: G7 nations…
OUT: Laura Makin-Isherwood, London
DUR: 0:40
http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/1129g7ukomicron-lmi-generic.mp3
Multiple cases of the Omicron Covid-19 variant have been discovered across the UK.
That's sparked a reaction from the nation's government who are expected to bring in countermeasures, such as booster shots, to slow down the spread from Tuesday.
But former British Prime Minister and current United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education, Gordon Brown, says the issue goes well beyond the UK.
He adds that developed countries should be doing more to help lesser-developed nations vaccinate their people to prevent the variant from spiralling out of control.
IN: "The real problem now is…"
OUT: "...as well as in their interest."
DUR: 32 secs
A global race is underway to contain the Omicron coronavirus variant by testing vaccines and restricting travel.
A raft of countries have limited travel or ordered quarantines on individuals arriving from southern Africa, while others say they are reviewing fresh restrictions.
South Africa’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa, has slammed travel bans as discriminatory and “completely unjustified”, while Malawi’s leader has accused western nations of “Afrophobia”.
Nina-Maria Potts has more:
IN: “ The US…
OUT: SOC
DUR: 48 seconds
The US will restrict travel from South Africa and seven other countries beginning Monday, over concerns about the Omicron coronavirus variant.
The European Union, Canada and several other countries have already announced similar measures.
US Correspondent Ira Spitzer reports.
IN: The travel ban...
The World Health Organization has called a newly detected coronavirus variant discovered by South African health authorities a "variant of concern".
The Omicron variant has shaken global markets and led to travel restrictions to countries in Southern Africa.
US Correspondent Ira Spitzer has more.
IN: The World Health...
After market jitters following the discovery of the new coronavirus variant in Southern Africa, Wall Street investors will be hoping for some better news this week.
They'll be watching a US home price index and a factory orders report closely.
Ira Spitzer has more from San Francisco.
IN: The week kicks...
UK Health secretary Sajid Javid has updated Parliament on the current situation involving the new B.1.1.529 variant found in southern Africa.
In a statement to the House of Commons on Friday, he warned that the variant may pose a serious threat to UK public health due to its large number of mutations.
He also thanked South African authorities for their swift scientific response in identifying the variant.
Flights bans from six southern African countries, including South Africa, are being put in place because of the variant, with the UK government emphasising the need for urgent action.
IN: "I wish to stress…"
OUT: "... an aligned response."
DUR: 22 secs
France's interior minister has cancelled talks with his UK counterpart after Prime Minister Boris Johnson wrote a letter calling on France to take back migrants who cross the English Channel by boat.
Gérald Darmanin expressed his disappointment in the letter, published on Twitter following the deaths of 27 people trying to get to Britain, in what was the biggest loss of life by drowning in the Channel on record.
With the latest, our UK correspondent Benji Hyer.
IN: Boris Johnson
OUT: SOC
DUR: 0:55 inc SOTs
Intro:
Thousands of farmers are gathering on the borders of New Delhi to mark one year of their deadly struggle against three contentious farm laws.
The government has decided to repeal them but many are asking for further farming reforms.
Ishan Garg tells us more from New Delhi.
IN: Farmers unions
OUT: SOC
Duration: 41 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1126-FarmersProtestOneYear-ig-gen.mp3
The Hong Kong government says it has met all the basic requirements required by Beijing for a re-opening of the border with China. Officials say they are now finalizing how to implement new health measures to allow quarantine-free travel to resume.
Richard Kimber reports from Hong Kong.
IN: Hong Kong's
OUT: Richard Kimber, Hong Kong
DUR: 0.39
Manchester United have reached an agreement with Lokomotiv Moscow's Ralf Rangnick to become interim manager at Old Trafford until the end of the season.
The search continues, though, for a permanent replacement for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who was sacked last weekend following a trophyless three-year spell as United boss.
With more, our UK correspondent Benji Hyer.
IN: Ralf Rangnick
OUT: SOC
DUR: 0:39