The latest short-form news audio from FSN Bureaus worldwide
Intro:
Indian vaccine makers say they are cutting COVID-19 shot production as demand slumps.
One of the world's biggest vaccine makers has decided to half the production of the licensed version of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
They're now asking officials to authorise booster doses, as Ishan Garg reports from New Delhi.
IN: Indian authorities...
Conserative members of Japan's LDP held a press conference Thursday opposing a plan to give foreign residents voting rights in local referendums in a Tokyo suburb. The ordinance - to be debated next week - would be the first of its kind in Japan.
IN: "The proposed ordinace..."
Hong Kong is making it mandatory for the public to use a government contact-tracing app to enter a range of public venues such as restaurants and bars. Health authorities say it will improve the risk management of COVID-19 transmission in the community. Critics of the app say it is an invasion of public privacy.
Richard Kimber reports from Hong Kong.
IN: The Hong Kong
OUT: Richard Kimber, Hong Kong
DUR: 0.48
The head of Instagram has refused to commit to permanently cancelling plans to create a kids version of the social media platform.
Adam Mosseri is testifying before Congress for the first time amid child safety concerns raised by a whistleblower.
Kate Fisher reports from Washington.
IN: Instagram
OUT: SOC
DUR: 37 seconds
Generic: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/1208insta-kf.mp3
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced fresh Covid-19 restrictions, saying it's too early to assume that the Omicron variant is less severe than previous strains of the virus.
He says case numbers are doubling every two-to-three days in Britain and he cited statistics from South Africa showing an increase in hospitalizations there caused by the new strain.
IN: "We will reintroduce…."
OUT: "…slow transmission"
DUR: 25 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1208bojo-home.mp3
The Prime Minister also announced face-mask requirements for cinemas and theaters…and the use of vaccine passports to secure entry to nightclubs and sports stadiums.
Visa has announced a new consulting service for financial institutions focussed on cryptocurrency.
The world's largest payment processor says interest in the sector has skyrocketed, although regulation and price fluctuations could complicate its growth.
Ira Spitzer has more from San Francisco.
IN: Visa says its
Facebook's parent company Meta says it's expanding its ban on postings linked to Myanmar's military.
The new action comes just one day after a high-profile lawsuit was filed in California, on behalf of Rohingya refugees.
Rachel Silverman has this report from San Francisco.
IN: Facebook says
OUT:SOC
DUR: 46
POT: :26 (Myanmar military)
GENERIC: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1208fbmyanmar-rs-generic.mp3
Canada has become the latest country to join America's diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics.
Australia and Britain also confirmed on Wednesday that they will send neither government ministers nor other officials to attend the games, due to get under way in February.
In Ottawa, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau:
IN: "As a country…."
OUT: "…winter Olympic games"
DUR: 40 seconds
Allegra Stratton has resigned as a UK government adviser after a leaked video showed her trying to defend staff at Number 10 Downing Street who allegedly attended a Christmas party at the height of a Covid-19 lockdown last year.
Whilst social events were banned at the time, Boris Johnson insists no rules were broken, but the Prime Minister has now promised to investigate the party.
From London, Benji Hyer reports.
IN: In a tearful statement
OUT: SOC
DUR: 57 secs inc SOTs
An adviser to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has become the first casualty of the growing scandal over a possibly illegal Christmas party that may have taken place last December in Downing Street.
Allegra Stratton, seen on videotape laughing last Christmas as she rehearsed answers to questions about the party, has resigned.
She spoke to reporters camped outside her home.
IN: "My remarks…."
OUT: "….for them"
DUR: 16 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1208stratton-self1.mp3
Earlier, the Prime Minister said he had ordered an investigation into whether rules were broken last December within his own Downing Street complex.
IN: "I can understand…."
OUT: "….see that clip"
DUR: 12 seconds
The UK will not send ministers or officials to the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic games.
This comes after the US and Australia also announced a diplomatic boycott of the games over human rights concerns in China.
Chris Jones has more in London.
IN: "Inside the house of…"
OUT: SOC
DUR: 47 secs
Three doses of the Pfizer BioNTech COVID 19 vaccine offer significant levels of protection against the highly infectious new coronavirus variant, Omicron.
That’s according to the companies’ latest research, which reveals a 25-fold reduction in antibody levels against the new strain, among individuals who had only had two doses.
Nina-Maria Potts has more:
IN: “ The blood…
OUT: SOC
DUR: 45 seconds