SpaceX criticized for Chinese space station near misses

China has reported Elon Musk's SpaceX company to the United Nations
after accusations his satellites narrowly missed the Chinese space
station.

The American has faced a backlash on Chinese social media as a result
of the alleged incidents.

US correspondent Nick Harper reports.

IN: "Beijing...."
OUT: SOC
DUR: 40 seconds

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1228musk-nh.mp3

U.S. halves Covid isolation period to keep businesses running

The US has halved the self-isolation time for those testing positive
for Covid-19 in an attempt to get people back to work quicker.

As the Omicron variant spreads across the country, staff shortages
have caused disruption in particular for airlines.

Nick Harper reports from Washington.

IN: "The Centers...."
OUT: SOC
DUR: 38 seconds

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1228covid-nh.mp3

Delhi records highest number of COVID cases in 6 months, yellow alert issued

India's capital has issued a yellow alert and increased restrictions across the city after Delhi recorded over 300 coronavirus infections in the past day. 

This is the highest rise in COVID cases in the capital city since June 9th. 

Sreoshi Mukherjee has more from New Delhi.. 

IN: "Addressing the press..." 
OUT: SOC 
DUR:0:40 seconds

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1228-delhicovid-sm-generic.mp3

Russia and U.S. to hold security talks in January

Russia and the U.S. will hold security talks on January 10th. Confirmation comes amid tensions with Ukraine and demands from Russia over NATO expansion. Julia Chapman has more.

IN: The new year...
OUT: SOC
DUR: 0:44

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1228Russiasecurity-jc.mp3

India opens vaccination for 15-18 year olds; allows boosters for the most vulnerable

Intro:

India has changed its vaccination policy to allow people between the age of 15 and 18 to be vaccinated.

The nation has also allowed booster shots for frontline workers and those above the age of 60 with co-morbidities.

Local authorities are being urged to impose restrictions amid rising Omicron cases, as Ishan Garg reports from New Delhi.

IN: The federal government

OUT: SOC

Duration: 43 seconds

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1228-IndiaVaccineRules-ig-gen.mp3

S&P hits new record high after Christmas holiday

U.S. stocks rebounded strongly after the Christmas holiday as
investors shrugged off concerns over the Covid-19 omicron variant.

Some strong spending figures over the holiday shopping period also
gave traders reason to be merry.

William Denselow reports from New York.

IN: "The S&P 500…"
OUT: "... SOC"
DUR: 40 seconds

Generic: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/1227Mkts-wd-generic.mp3

Trump praised for promoting Covid-19 booster

America's top medical adviser, Dr. Anthony Fauci [FOW-chee] has
commended former President Donald Trump for telling supporters he'd
got a Covid-19 vaccine booster.

Some of Trump's supporters loudly booed the announcement during an
event in Dallas.

During his presidency Trump repeatedly downplayed the severity of the virus.

Fauci told ABC he was "stunned" people have reacted badly to the
President's admission…. but praised the former president for his
honesty.

IN: "I was..."
OUT: "...up."
DUR: 16 seconds

http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/1227trump-fauci.mp3

Baylor University infectious disease expert Dr. Peter Hotez has
similarly supported Trump's decision to promote the booster.

IN: "I'm glad..."
OUT: "...nonsense."
DUR: 20 seconds

http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/1227trump-hotez.mp3

President Biden meets with governors to address Omicron surge [CLIPS]

U.S. President Joe Biden has told the nation's governors that the
White House has their backs amid a surge in Covid-19 cases.

The Biden administration has pledged to make 500 million free at-home
Covid-19 tests available for the public but the move has come too late
to avoid huge disruptions over the holiday period.

Thousands of flights have been canceled and long lines have been
reported at testing sites across the country.

Addressing the country's governors on a remote-video call, the
president said his administration is taking steps to improve testing
capacity.

IN: "I know the…
OUT: … are more coming"
Dur: 13 seconds

Generic: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/1227Biden1-wd-generic.mp3

President Biden has acknowledged that the response to rising Covid-19
cases has been insufficient.

IN: "We went from…
OUT: … we could have"
Dur: 14 seconds

Generic: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/1227Biden2-wd-generic.mp3


Faced with rising Covid-19 cases fueled by the Omicron variant,
President Biden has urged unvaccinated Americans to get a shot.

IN: "America has made…
OUT: … seeing hospitalizations rise"
Dur: 12 seconds

Generic: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/1227Biden3-wd-generic.mp3


President Biden warns that surging Covid-19 cases means that some
hospitals will get overrun. But he has told governors that steps are
being taken to support the healthcare system.

IN: "We have stockpiled…
OUT: … help staff hospitals"
Dur: 12 seconds

Generic: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/1227Biden4-wd-generic.mp3

New Covid-19 vaccine mandates take effect in NYC

Stricter Covid-19 vaccination requirements have come into effect in
New York City.

Starting today private sector workers will need to have had at least
one jab and New Yorkers aged 12 and up have to be fully vaccinated to
participate in indoor activities.

William Denselow reports from New York.

IN: "Earlier this year…"
OUT: "... SOC"
DUR: 40 seconds

Generic: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/1227Mandate-wd-generic.mp3

U.S. retail sales hit 17-year high despite Omicron concerns

Retail sales in the US hit a 17-year surge helped by Christmas and
holiday buying.

The latest data comes despite an increase in Omicron cases and supply
chain issues.

Nick Harper reports from Washington.

IN: "Online..."
OUT: SOC
DUR: 32 seconds

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1227sales-nh.mp3

U.S. Omicron cases spike as travel disruption continues

Cases of the Omicron variant are spiking in the US with some states
already seeing higher caseloads than last year's winter peak.

It comes as testing centers struggle to keep up, with the government
promising to increase at-home tests next month.

Nick Harper reports from Washington.

IN: "Cases..."
OUT: SOC
DUR: 42 seconds

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1227covid-nh.mp3

Desmond Tutu, anti-apartheid hero, dead at 90

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, one of the giants of South Africa's anti-apartheid movement, has died at the age of 90.

He was diagnosed with prostate cancer over a decade ago, but continued to remain active politically until the end of his life.

He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for his courage confronting the apartheid system and urging US President Ronald Reagan and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to abandon their tolerance of the country's white-minority government.

In a 2007 interview with the Nobel Institute, he said he saw the need to speak out in order to fill a void.

IN: "I became…."

OUT:  "….great privilege, yeah"

DUR:  49 seconds

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/xxxxtutu-self1.mp3

(ALT)

In a 2007 interview with the Nobel Institute, he was asked if he'd always been a rabble rouser.

IN:  "I'm actually very…."

OUT:  LAUGHTER

DUR:  23 seconds

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/xxxxtutu-self2.mp3

(MORE)

Our US Correspondent Simon Marks interviewed Desmond Tutu on numerous occasions and says the Archbishop's spirit was simply unquenchable.

IN:  "I've never encountered….."

OUT:  "….an unique"

DUR:  1:13

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/xxxxtutu-marks1.mp3

(ALT)

In November 1984, Archbishop Tutu addressed the United Nations and a new constitution that had been unveiled in South Africa, formalizing the exclusion of black people from the political process.

IN:  "The tragedy…."

OUT:  "….unchristian system"

DUR:  36 seconds

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/xxxxtutu-self3.mp3

(ALT)

In October 1985, on a visit to London, the Archbishop publicly chided then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, accusing her siding with the apartheid government.

He called on her to change course and said Britain should stop backing repression.

IN:  "We need…."

OUT:  "….do the reminding"

DUR:  42 seconds

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/xxxxtutu-self4.mp3

1.7 million people across the UK had Covid-19 last week according to new figures

1.7 million people across the UK had Covid last week according to the latest figures from the Office For National Statistics.

That's the most in a week since these kinds of figures were first recorded in Autumn 2020.

Chris Jones has more in London

IN: "One in 35…"

OUT: SOC

DUR: 49

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1224-1.7million-CJ-generic.mp3  

Satellite images show Russian military buildup continuing on Ukraine border

The latest satellite imagery shows the number of Russian forces positioned on the country's border with Ukraine are continuing to grow.

President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that he wants an immediate response from the West to his demands including guarantees that Ukraine will never be offered NATO membership.

The Biden administration says talks are possible, but only if America's European allies are included.

Anthony Glees is an Emeritus Professor at the University of Buckingham.

IN:  "I think…"

OUT:  "…extremely serious"

DUR:  26 seconds

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1224ukraine-glees.mp3

Travel chaos as Omicron causes holiday staffing shortages

The global aviation industry is struggling to keep flights running on schedule as a growing number of pilots and other staff test positive for Covid-19.

Millions of travelers are facing disruption around the world today.

In the US, Delta and United Airlines cancelled scores of flights…there were cancellations in Australia as well.

 

In Europe, the Channel Tunnel's Eurostar service was cancelling trains but that was due to lack of demand.

Travelers at John F Kennedy Airport in New York were trying to remain stoic.

IN: "Trying to get…."

OUT:  "…closing again"

DUR:  11 seconds

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1224sfx-pax.mp3

(MORE)

The White House meanwhile has announced it is lifting its travel ban on several southern African countries on New Year's Eve.

Our Washington Correspondent Simon Marks says many observers believe that move is long overdue.

IN: 'Well the Biden…."

OUT:  "…in the mouth"

DUR:  48 seconds

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1224travel-marks.mp3

UK Health Security Agency says omicron research offers 'glimmer of hope' but people should still be cautios

The UK's Health Security Agency says official findings of the Omicron Covid-19 variant offer a 'glimmer of hope' this Christmas.

Research has found that the strain is up to 70% less likely to cause hospitalisation, helped by the majority of the UK being fully vaccinated.

However, it still poses a high risk to public health as Chris Jones reports.

IN: "The results…"

OUT: SOC

DUR" 41 secs

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1224-Glimmerofhope-CJ-generic.mp3  

Belgian Covid cases drop, even as Omicron continues to spread

The number of new Covid-19 cases in Belgium continues to decline, with fewer than 700 coronavirus patients in intensive care for the first time since November. 

There are now a little more than 2,000 Covid patients in Belgian hospitals, which is a 26% drop compared to a week earlier.

From Brussels, Benji Hyer reports.

IN: These latest figures

OUT: SOC

DUR: 49 secs

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1224covid-bh-generic.mp3         

UK BOOSTER JABS TO CONTINUE THROUGH CHRISTMAS

Vaccination clinics across England will stay open throughout the
festive period, including on Christmas Day.

The booster jab push comes as new studies suggest the Omicron variant
is less likely to put people in hospital compared to other strains of
covid-19.

Immunologist Professor Danny Altmann says that doesn't mean Omicron
isn't dangerous for the National Health Service.

IN: 'Even if...
OUT: ...hospitals.'
DUR: 16 seconds

http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/1224omicron-altmann1.mp3

Australia – Health Minister backflips on booster shots

The wait time for Australians between the second and third shots of covid vaccine will be shortened from five months to four, on the 4th of January.

The window will be further reduced to three months on the 31st of January...making an additional four million people eligible for their booster.

Shaun Bindley reports.

IN: With infection rates...

OUT: Soc

DUR: 33 secs

GENERIC: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/1224booster-sb-gen.mp3

COURTESY AIR NEWS MEDIA - AUSTRALIA

Calls grow to delay regional elections and cancel political rallies amid Omicron scare in India

Intro:

Calls are growing in India to postpone regional elections and cancel political rallies amid fears of an Omicron-driven third wave.

The most populated state in the country is set for elections next year.

And concerns are that large gatherings during political rallies and again at the voting booths could lead to a surge in infections.

Ishan Garg reports.

IN: The High Court of the state 

OUT: SOC

Duration: 45 seconds

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1224-IndiaElectionsCovid-ig-gen.mp3