China says US is ‘playing with fire’ after latest military aid for Taiwan

INTRO: China says US is 'playing with fire' after latest military aid for Taiwan.

US President Joe Biden authorized Saturday the provision of up to $571 million in Defense Department material and services and in military education and training for self-ruled Taiwan. Laura Westbrook has more.

IN: Beijing has...
SOC
DUR: 40"

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1223.taiwan.lw.mp3

Trump says he might keep TikTok in the US

Donald Trump has indicated he might allow TikTok to continue operating in the US following his own success on the social media platform during the election campaign.

The social media app is facing a potential ban next month.

Jagruti Dave reports from Washington.

IN: "President Elect Trump..."
OUT: "...sold or banned."
DUR:
CLIP: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1222TrumpTikTok-jd.mp3 

US House passes last-minute spending bill to avert shutdown

Lawmakers in the US House of Representatives have voted by a margin of 366 to 34 in favor of a bill to fund the government and avert an imminent shutdown.

Senators will now vote on the bill before it can be signed by President Biden.

Nick Harper has more from Washington

IN: Quite incredible the...

OUT: SOC

DUR: 1:04

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1220shutdown-nh-generic.mp3 

US shutdown averted at last minute

Representatives in the United States Congress have voted to keep the government funded for the next few months, narrowly avoiding a shutdown.

For days, lawmakers in the House of Representatives couldn't agree on a deal — but with just hours to spare until the deadline at midnight local time, they passed a slimmed-down stopgap measure that will keep the money flowing in Washington. 

From there, Benji Hyer reports.

IN: A last-ditch effort

OUT: Benji Hyer, Washington 

DUR: 71 secs (ALT OUT @ 28 secs)

   

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1221shutdown-bh-generic.mp3     

WHAM! TAKES UK CHRISTMAS NO.1 TOP SPOT FOR HISTORIC SECOND YEAR IN A ROW

"Wham!'s" 1984 single "Last Christmas" has won the title of UK "Christmas Number 1" for a second year in a row.

It's the first time since the Official Charts were founded in 1952 that the same song has nabbed the top spot two years in a row.

Stuart Smith has more from London.

IN: "As is tradition..."

OUT: SOC

*With music*

DURATION: 43 Seconds

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1220No1christmasMUSIC-ss-generic.mp3

*Without music*

DURATION: 41 Seconds

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1220No1christmas-ss-generic.mp3

US says strike killed ISIS leader in Syria

The leader of ISIS has been killed in an American airstrike in Syria, according US officials.

US Central Command forces say they conducted a "precision airstrike" targeting Abu Yusif on Thursday.

It comes as an American delegation is in Damascus meeting leaders of the HTS, the militant group ruling the country since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad two weeks ago.

Sally Patterson has more.

IN US officials say

OUT SOC

DUR 54

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1220-Syria-SP-generic.mp3

Biden deportations highest in decade

New figures show that US president Joe Biden carried out more
deportations over the last 12 months than at any point in the last
decade.

However, President-elect Donald Trump has promised to be even tougher
and dramatically increase deportations when he returns to the White
House.

Nick Harper reports from Washington.

IN: "More than..."
OUT: SOC
DUR: 37 secs

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1220deport-nh.mp3

United States teters closer to a government lockdown

The United States government is perilously close to shutting down for the first time in almost six years, as lawmakers struggle to pass a deal that would keep funding flowing. 

The deadline to approve a deal is midnight local time on Friday, but after a vote failed in Congress last night, Capitol Hill looks no closer to consensus. 

From there, Benji Hyer reports. 

IN: The Art of the Deal

OUT: Benji Hyer, Washington 

DUR: 54 secs 

   

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1220shutdown-bh-generic.mp3       

BIDEN TO VISIT ITALY IN JANUARY, LIKELY LAST OVERSEAS TRAVEL AS PRESIDENT

US President Joe Biden is set to meet Pope Francis at the Vatican, in what is likely to be his final international trip as the Commander in Chief.

Biden will also meet with Italian government leaders during the journey in early January.

Mitch McCann reports:

IN: THE PRESIDENT

OUT: SOC

DUR: 00:47

CLIP: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/1220-MM-BIDEN.mp3

U.K. TO APPOINT PETER MANDELSON AS NEW AMBASSADOR TO U.S.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has chosen a former Labour Party communications director and ex-government minister to be the next ambassador to the United States.

The expected appointee, Lord Peter Mandelson, worked with former prime ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.

Lou Browne reports.

IN: "Peter Mandelson…"
OUT: SOC
DURATION: 37 Seconds

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1220mandelson-lb-generic.mp3

Emmanuel Macron holds crisis meeting in Mayotte

The French president held a crisis meeting on the island of Mayotte, the French territory devastated by a deadly cyclone six days ago.

Emmanuel Macron is visiting the Indian Ocean island as Fench authorities continue aid deliveries after Cyclone Chido caused widespread damage, and killed at least 31 people.

Ross Cullen reports.

+++

IN: "President Macron..."
OUT: SOC
DUR: 0:24
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/2012mayotte-rc-generic.mp3

U.S. President Joe Biden to visit Rome in January for meetings with Pope and Meloni

U.S. President Joe Biden will visit Rome next month to meet with the Pope and Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

It's expected to be his final foreign trip before he leaves office on the 20th January.

Giles Gibson reports from Rome.

IN: "The White House…"

OUT: "...Giles Gibson, Rome."
DUR:  00:32

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1220-biden-gg-generic.mp3

Assault charges filed against India's Leader of Opposition

Intro:

India's ruling party MPs have filed a police complaint against the Leader of Opposition accusing him of intentionally causing harm to an MP.

This comes after a scuffle broke out in the parliament on Thursday during which the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's MP was injured and was later taken to the hospital.

Ishan Garg tells us more from New Delhi.

IN: India's leader...

OUT: SOC

Duration: 50 seconds

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1220-RGPolice-ig-gen.mp3

China's Xi urges economic diversification for gambling hub Macau

INTRO: Chinese president Xi Jinping has emphasised the importance of economic diversification for Macau, which has traditionally relied heavily on its casino industry.

The former Portuguese colony marked the 25th anniversary since it returned to Chinese rule following a handover to China on 20 December 1999, as Laura Westbrook reports.

IN: President Xi...
SOC
DUR: 39"

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1220.macau.lw.mp3

BOJ keeps rates unchanged

Japan’s central bank is leaving interest rates unchanged in a move widely expected by the market.

Its chief, Kazuo Ueda, says a lack of clarity over wage trends and uncertainty over the U.S. economy is behind the decision. 

Chris Gilbert reports from Tokyo. 

IN: Following a rare 

OUT: SOC

DUR: 0.44

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/241220-boj-rate-cg.mp3

US moves closer to government shutdown after House fails to pass Trump-backed spending bill

The United States has moved closer to a government shutdown after the House of Representatives failed to pass a slimmed-down spending bill that had the backing of President-elect Donald Trump and his ally, Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

If the US Congress can't agree on a deal Friday, government funding is set to lapse at midnight Saturday morning.

Benji Hyer has more from Washington

IN: Just to understand...

OUT: SOC

DUR: 1:32

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1219shutdown-bh-generic.mp3 

UN Chief warns 'AI arms race' could have major security implications

The UN's top official is warning artificial intelligence is evolving faster than our ability to govern it.

António Guterres said on Thursday there's an urgent need for global governance frameworks.

He joined US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at a Security Council meeting to discuss the opportunities and risks of AI.

Sally Patterson reports from New York, where the United Nations is headquartered.

IN António Guterres told

OUT SOC

DUR 42

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1219-UNSC-SP-generic.mp3

US govt shutdown likely after Trump kills deal

A US government shutdown seems increasingly likely after incoming US
President Donald Trump told lawmakers to vote against the proposed
deal.

The government will run out of money to pay for key services at the
end of Friday unless a last-minute deal can be negotiated in the
coming hours.

Democrat House Minority leader Hakeem Jeffries blamed Republicans and
said Americans would be affected by Trump's decision not to back the
deal.

IN: "House..."
OUT: "....worse."
DURATION: 41 seconds

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1219govt-jeffries1.mp3

UnitedHealthcare CEO murder suspect flown to NYC

The man suspected of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has
been flown to New York to face federal murder charges.

Luigi Mangione chose not to fight extradition from Pennsylvania where
he was arrested.

Nick Harper reports from Washington.

IN: "26-year-old..."
OUT: SOC
DURATION: 33 seconds

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1219mangione-nh.mp3

BANK OF ENGLAND HOLDS INTEREST RATES

The Bank of England has held UK interest rates at 4.75%, warning that Britain's economy is on the brink of stagnation following a combination of global factors, and the UK finance minister's spending plans for the year ahead.

Lou Browne has more.

IN: "The unchanged interest rate…"
OUT: SOC
DURATION: 39 Seconds

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1219interestrates-lb-generic.mp3