PUTIN SAYS CANCEL OPERATION TO STORM AZOVSTAL FACTORY

Russian President Vladimir Putin says it's unnecessary for Russian lives to be wasted trying to storm the Azovstal metal factory in the southern Ukrainian city of Mariupol — and ordered any assault to be cancelled.

He said it was important to consider the health and life of Russia's soldiers and officers — and that as long as 'not even a fly can pass' the blockade, there's no need for anyone to crawl underground into the catacombs.

Stuart Smith reports from Moscow, where restrictions on reporting the war are in place.

IN: "The Defence Minister..."
OUT: SOC
DURATION: 29 Seconds

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0421azovstal-ss-generic.mp3

QUEEN CELEBRATES 96TH

Britain's Queen Elizabeth is celebrating her 96th birthday.

She's seeing friends and family at her Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.

A new photograph of the Queen has been released to mark the occasion, in which she's standing with two of her pure white fell ponies.

Gun salutes are taking place in London.

Soprano singer Lesley Garrett, who's been involved in an anthem for the Queen's Jubilee, says she deserves to be celebrated.

IN: 'It's her...
OUT: ...community.'
DUR: 11 seconds

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0421queen-garrett1.mp3

UK PM Boris Johnson on a two day visit to India

Intro:

UK's Prime Minister Boris Johnson is in India on a two-day visit where he will discuss the crucial free trade agreement.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine is also likely to be on the agenda as western countries hope to lobby India to limit its trade with Russia.

Ishan Garg has more from New Delhi.

IN: Reports suggest...

OUT: SOC

Duration: 37 seconds

 http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0421-BoJoIndia-ig-gen.mp3

Australia – Pressure mounts over Chinese agreement with Solomon Islands

Australia's Defence Minister says there's a real possibility China could soon establish a military presence in the Pacific.

Beijing has signed an agreement with the Solomon Islands, to provide aid in natural disasters and assist with national security measures.

Shaun Bindley reports.

IN: The Solomons' Prime Minister...

OUT: SOC

DUR: 43 secs

GENERIC: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/0421denial-sb-gen.mp3

COURTESY AIR NEWS MEDIA - AUSTRALIA

Hong Kong businesses re-open after COVID-19 closures

Hong Kong is easing a wide range of COVID-19 restrictions, as virus cases continue to fall following the city’s worst outbreak. Social-distancing measures are being relaxed and many local businesses are re-opening.

Richard Kimber reports from Hong Kong.

IN:  For the first time

OUT: Richard Kimber, Hong Kong

DUR: 0.46

LINK: 

http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/220421HKopens.mp3

US Department of Justice to appeal ruling overturning mask mandate

The US Department of Justice plans to challenge a ruling by a federal judge in Florida that struck down the nationwide mask mandate on airplanes, busses and other forms of public transportation. 

The outcome could set a precedent for the power of US health authorities.

Ira Spitzer has more.

IN: The Justice Department

OUT: SOC.

DUR: :37

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0420dojmasks-is-generic.mp3 

US markets close in mixed territory as Netflix weighs on Nasdaq

US markets ended Wednesday’s session in mixed territory as Netflix helped drag down the Nasdaq index.

And new data showed the US exported a record amount of oil and petroleum products last week. 

Ira Spitzer has more.

IN: Shares of Netflix

OUT: SOC.

DUR: :52

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0420usmarkets-is-generic.mp3 

White House confirms more lethal assistance for Ukraine to be unveiled

The White House has confirmed that additional US weapons shipments for Ukraine are in the pipeline, amid reports that President Biden is preparing to authorize the transfer of another 800 million dollars worth of lethal assistance.

US officials say Ukrainian forces are now being trained outside the country in the use of Howitzer artillery systems.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki would not be drawn today on the precise composition of the next raft of assistance, but acknowledged the renewed Russian focus on eastern Ukraine is changing the nature of the battle.

IN:  "The types …."

OUT:  "….part of the country"

DUR:  30 seconds

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0420psaki-weapons.mp3

Navratilova opposes Wimbledon ban on Russian and Belarussian players

The move by the All England Tennis Club to ban Russian and Belarussian players from participating in this summer's championship has been condemned by the ATP which organizes the men's professional tour.

In a statement, the ATP said the move was "unfair and has the potential to set a damaging precedent".

Among those players speaking out against the ban, former Wimbledon champion Martina Navratilova...whose own parents were not permitted to leave Communist Czechoslovakia to witness her 1978 win.

IN:  "Yeah, I wish..."

OUT:  "...wrong decision"

DUR:  42 seconds

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0420navratilova-self1.mp3

UN Secretary General asks to travel to Ukraine and Russia

The UN Secretary General has asked to meet the leaders of both Russia
and Ukraine in their home countries.

It comes after a group of more than 200 former UN officials
called on Antonio Guterres to take a bigger role in negotiating peace
in the conflict.

Sarah Walton reports

IN: "The UN says...
OUT: SOC
DUR: 44 seconds

Generic: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/0420-sgukraine-sw-generic.mp3

Biden administration to appeal mask ruling

The Biden administration says it plans to appeal a ruling from a judge
in Florida that scrapped a mask requirement on public transportation.

But the appeal will only come if the U.S. Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention deem an extension for the mandate necessary.

William Denselow reports from New York.

IN: "In a statement…"
OUT: "... SOC"
DUR: 36 seconds

Generic: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/0420Masks-wd-generic.mp3

Wimbledon bans Russian and Belarussian tennis players

Russian and Belarussian tennis players will not be allowed to compete at Wimbledon this year.

The All England Lawn Tennis Club is responsible for the decision to ban them and says it has a responsibility to "limit Russia's global influence through the strongest means possible".

Chris Jones has more from London

IN: "This is a …"

OUT: SOC

DUR: 49 secs

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0420-Wimbledonban-CJ-generic.mp3

Biden to unveil fresh lethal aid for Ukraine

President Biden is reportedly poised to unveil another 800 million dollars in lethal aid for Ukraine.

He's meeting his military commanders and top national security officials at the White House today after Ukrainian forces ignored another ultimatum today to surrender their last position in the besieged Black Sea port of Mariupol.

But reporter Tom Mutch in Kyiv says residents there are worried about what's happening in the East of the country.

IN: "People are…."

OUT:  "…to the best"

DUR:  20 seconds

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0420mutch-self1.mp3

Netflix stock plunges as subscribers tune out

Shares of Netflix plunged more than 30 percent on Wednesday after the video streaming company said it lost subscribers in the first quarter of the year.

The company is now reassessing its business model and promising to crack down on password sharing.

Toni Waterman has more.

IN:  It was the first…
OUT: SOC
DUR: 49s
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0420NetflixSharesPlunge-tw.mp3

Former UN officials call on Secretary General to take on bigger role in Ukraine crisis

A group of more than 200 former UN officials have called on the
Secretary General to take a bigger role in negotiating peace in
Ukraine.

They say the conflict is putting the future of the organization at risk.

Sarah Walton reports

IN: "The UN chief...
OUT: SOC
DUR: 48 seconds

Generic: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/0420-ukraineletter-sw-generic.mp3

NIGERIAN POLICE TO PROVIDE MAXIMUM SECURITY IN SCHOOLS, COLLEGES

INTRO

The Inspector-General of Police has ordered the police commissioners to boost security around schools and colleges in the country.

 

The police say this is to ensure the protection of schools and colleges, particularly boarding schools, tertiary institutions, and their campuses in areas prone to security breaches around the country.

 

Ajeck Mangut reports from Nigeria's capital Abuja..

INTRO: "According to...

OUT: SOC

DUR: 40"

Clip: http://www.fsnradionews/feeds/0420Nigeriapolice-AM-Generic.mp3

COURT ISSUES ASSANGE EXTRADITION ORDER

A UK court's issued an order to extradite Wikileaks founder Julian Assange to the US.

The decision to sign off on the extradition is now up to the UK's Home Secretary Priti Patel.

Olly Barratt reports from London.

IN: 'After a...
OUT: SOC
DUR: 49 seconds
POT: 35 seconds

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0420julian-ob-generic.mp3

Google Opens First Product Hub in Africa

Intro;

 

Google has opened a product development centre in Nairobi, its first in Africa.

 

The hub will focus on creating "transformative" products and services for the continent and the world.

 

In October last year, the tech giant revealed plans to invest $1 billion in Africa over the next five years.

 

Michael Baleke reports from Kampala;

 

IN: The hub in Nairobi ...

 

OUT: SOC

 

DUR: 00.58secs

 

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0420googlehub-mb-generic.mp3

JOHNSON TO INDIA DESPITE PARTY ROW AT HOME

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson flies to India on Wednesday, missing a vote on whether he misled Parliament due to take place on Thursday.

The opposition Labour Party is bringing forward a motion to force a House of Commons Committee investigation into the Prime Minister's conduct.

It follows Boris Johnson apologising to lawmakers on Tuesday after receiving a fine for breaking covid-19 lockdown rules in 2020.

Cabinet minister Paul Scully says further investigations may not be necessary.

IN: 'I'll see...
OUT: ...context.'
DUR: 29 seconds

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0420parties-scully1.mp3

Delhi civic body launches demolition drive to punish alleged rioters

Intro:

Delhi's civic body is beginning a drive to demolish properties owned by those accused of rioting on Saturday.

Officials say several buildings are illegally constructed in the area which saw violence after Hindu and Muslim groups clashed during a religious procession.

Ishan Garg reports from New Delhi.

IN: There's heavy...

OUT: SOC

Duration: 41 seconds

 http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0420-DelhiDemolition-ig-gen.mp3