RUBIO BEGINS ABU DHABI TALKS AS GULF STATES VOICE CONCERN OVER THREE-HUNDRED-BILLION-DOLLAR IRAN FUND

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in the Gulf for talks with regional leaders, as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz begins to recover following the US-Iran memorandum of understanding signed in recent days.

The strait was effectively shut down during four months of conflict, leaving thousands of seafarers stranded on vessels across the waterway.

The United Nations maritime agency has now announced plans to evacuate more than eleven thousand crew members still trapped in the region.

Fiona Nicole Mee has the story from Dubai.

IN: “It is a...”
OUT: “...been announced today.”
DUR: 39 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0624-1300mee-rubioirangulf3.mp3

RUBIO MEETS UAE PRESIDENT, NOW HEADING TO KUWAIT AS GULF ALLIES VOICE ALARM OVER IRAN DEAL

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has held talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and is now heading to Kuwait, as he tries to calm Gulf allies deeply unsettled by the terms of Washington's interim deal with Iran.

Gulf states fear a proposed three-hundred-billion-dollar reconstruction fund included in the agreement could be diverted by Tehran to rebuild its military, while the accord's failure to address Iran's ballistic missile arsenal has deepened concern across the region.

All three countries on Rubio's itinerary — the UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain — were hit by Iranian missiles and drones during the war.

Allister Dsouza reports from Washington.

IN: “The problem is...”
OUT: “...would be used.”
DUR: 34 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0624-1223dsouza-rubiogulftour1.mp3

FRANCE'S ALL-TIME TEMPERATURE RECORD SET TO BE SMASHED AGAIN AS HEATWAVE DEATH TOLL REACHES AT LEAST 45

France is enduring its most extreme heatwave on record, with the national average temperature expected to reach nearly 31 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, and at least 45 people have died.

Around 1,800 schools have been closed across the country because most lack air conditioning, and the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre in Paris have both shortened their opening hours.

Ross Cullen has the story from Paris.

IN: “When I left...”
OUT: “...across the country.”
DUR: 17 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0624-1029cullen-franceextremetemperatures3.mp3

IRAN'S PRESIDENT DECLARES MISSILE PROGRAMME WILL NEVER BE PART OF PEACE NEGOTIATIONS WITH WASHINGTON

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has declared that Tehran's missile programme will never be part of peace negotiations with the United States, saying it was not included in the memorandum of understanding and never will be — directly contradicting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's position that the memorandum covers all hostilities.

Rubio is in Abu Dhabi on the first leg of a three-nation Gulf tour, meeting leaders in the UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain — all of which were directly hit by Iranian drones and missiles during the recent war.

Gulf leaders have expressed deep reservations about the deal agreed between Washington and Tehran.

Fiona Nicole Mee reports from Dubai.

IN: “There is deep...”
OUT: “...US and Tehran.”
DUR: 35 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0624-0905mee-rubioirangulf1.mp3

EUROPE'S FIVE BIGGEST MILITARY POWERS HOLD FIRST-EVER LEADERS' SUMMIT IN BERLIN ON UKRAINE WAR

The leaders of Europe's five biggest military powers are meeting in Berlin on Wednesday in the first summit-level gathering of the so-called E5 group, as the continent seeks a greater role in efforts to end the war in Ukraine.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz convened the summit of leaders from Germany, France, Britain, Italy and Poland to forge a common European position ahead of the NATO summit in the Turkish capital Ankara next month.

The European Union's defence commissioner has also proposed turning the E5 into a permanent informal security council.

William Denselow reports from Brussels.

IN: “On the agenda...”
OUT: “...in Ankara, Turkey.”
DUR: 12 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0624-0821denselow-e5meeting1.mp3

US SENATE PASSES WAR POWERS RESOLUTION ON IRAN FOR FIRST TIME IN BOTH CHAMBERS AS WHITE HOUSE DISMISSES VOTE

The United States Senate has voted to approve a war powers resolution directing US President Donald Trump to withdraw American forces from the conflict with Iran — the first time such a measure has passed both chambers of Congress.

The White House has dismissed the vote as having no legal significance, but four Republican senators broke ranks to support the resolution alongside Democrats.

Mitch Mccann reports from New York.

IN: “It's ineffective in...”
OUT: “...in his grave.”
DUR: 38 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0623-2324mccann-usiransituation1.mp3

(ALT)

Mitch Mccann in New York says Gulf partners are also concerned about reports that Iran wants to impose a toll on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz — though both the White House and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio have dismissed the idea.

IN: “Marco Rubio says...”
OUT: “...going to happen.”
DUR: 30 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0623-2324mccann-usiransituation2.mp3

WALL STREET TECH SELL-OFF DEEPENS AS S&P 500 FALLS AND NASDAQ SLIDES

A sell-off in technology shares has deepened on Wall Street on Tuesday, with the S&P 500 falling around one per cent and the Nasdaq Composite dropping more than one per cent as concerns over artificial intelligence spending and the prospect of higher interest rates weigh on markets.

The losses accelerated overnight after memory-chip stocks tumbled across Asian markets, though some of the major indices came off their worst levels as defensive shares moved higher.

Mitch Mccann reports from New York.

IN: “Monday's selloff has...”
OUT: “...down 1.4 percent.”
DUR: 21 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0623-1649mccann-usmarkets1.mp3

TALIBAN DELEGATION GIVEN ONE-DAY VISA FOR CONTROVERSIAL BRUSSELS TALKS ON DEPORTATION OF AFGHAN NATIONALS

A Taliban delegation has held talks with European Commission officials in Brussels — the first such visit since the group seized power in Afghanistan five years ago.

The trip has drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups, with Amnesty International staging a protest outside the European Commission building displaying a banner reading "shame."

Germany remains the only European country to have accepted diplomatic appointments from the Taliban government.

William Denselow has more from Brussels.

IN: “The Taliban spokesperson...”
OUT: “...five years ago.”
DUR: 26 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0623-1539denselow-middleeasttalks1.mp3

(ALT)

William Denselow in Brussels says the Taliban visit drew visible opposition from rights organisations outside the European Commission headquarters.

IN: “It is a...”
OUT: “...not the Taliban.”
DUR: 18 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0623-1539denselow-middleeasttalks2.mp3

(ALT)

William Denselow, our reporter in Brussels, says the European Commission has stressed the narrow scope of the talks — describing them as a technical discussion requested by twenty member states.

IN: “As far as...”
OUT: “...a security risk.”
DUR: 21 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0623-1539denselow-middleeasttalks3.mp3

IRANIAN PRESIDENT PEZESHKIAN VISITS PAKISTAN IN FIRST TRIP ABROAD SINCE US-ISRAELI STRIKES ON IRAN

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has arrived in the Pakistani capital Islamabad for a state visit — his first trip abroad since the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran in February.

The visit comes days after the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between Washington and Tehran, which Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif co-signed as mediator.

Analysts say the trip is a signal of gratitude for Pakistan's role in brokering the deal.

Hira Mustafa reports from Islamabad.

IN: “Experts who we...”
OUT: “...president to Pakistan.”
DUR: 22 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0623-1235mustafa-pakistanhelpingnegotiations1.mp3

(ALT)

Hira Mustafa in Islamabad says the Iranian president's talks with Pakistani leaders are expected to focus on the next phase of nuclear negotiations as well as bilateral economic ties.

IN: “He will be...”
OUT: “...and regional connectivity.”
DUR: 39 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0623-1235mustafa-pakistanhelpingnegotiations2.mp3

(ALT)

Hira Mustafa, reporting from Islamabad, says Pakistani officials are hopeful the temporary easing of sanctions on Iran could revive long-stalled energy cooperation between the two countries.

IN: “Officials here in...”
OUT: “...could be restarted.”
DUR: 26 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0623-1236mustafa-pakistanhelpingnegotiations3.mp3

US AND IRAN ISSUE CONFLICTING ACCOUNTS OF NUCLEAR INSPECTION DEAL AFTER SWITZERLAND TALKS

US President Donald Trump has said Iran has agreed to the highest level of nuclear inspections, but Tehran has made no such commitment — with Washington and Iranian state media issuing directly contradictory accounts of what was agreed at talks in Switzerland on Monday.

Vice President JD Vance said after the negotiations that Iran would allow International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors back into the country, calling it a major milestone — but Iranian officials have not confirmed any agreement on inspections.

President Trump echoed Vice President Vance's account on Truth Social, warning there would be no further negotiations without what he called nuclear honesty.

Kate Fisher reports from Washington.

IN: “The US, J.D...”
OUT: “...no further negotiations.”
DUR: 37 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0623-1225fisher-usiran1.mp3

(ALT)

Kate Fisher in Washington says Secretary of State Marco Rubio faces a difficult diplomatic task as he tries to reassure Gulf allies while defending the agreement signed by his president.

IN: “He has a...”
OUT: “...in their region.”
DUR: 29 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0623-1225fisher-usiran2.mp3

(ALT)

Reporter Kate Fisher in Washington says Secretary of State Rubio must address Gulf allies' concerns over Iran's ballistic missile programme, the reconstruction fund, and control of oil shipments through the region.

IN: “Of course, he...”
OUT: “...for Marco Rubio.”
DUR: 27 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0623-1225fisher-usiran3.mp3

IRAN ACCUSES UAE OF COMPLICITY IN MILITARY STRIKES AT BRICS SECURITY SUMMIT IN NEW DELHI

Iran has accused the United Arab Emirates of actively participating in military strikes against Iranian infrastructure during the recent US-Israeli operation, in a heated exchange at the BRICS security summit in New Delhi on Tuesday.

India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval opened the two-day gathering of security chiefs from all eleven BRICS nations by welcoming the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping lane.

Doval said a lasting resolution to the conflict would have far-reaching benefits for the developing world.

Neha Poonia has more from New Delhi.

IN: “Ajit Doval, when...”
OUT: “...for member countries.”
DUR: 27 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0623-1115poonia-bricssecuritymeeting2.mp3

INDIA'S DOVAL AND CHINA'S WANG YI HOLD TALKS ON SIDELINES OF BRICS SECURITY CHIEFS' MEETING IN NEW DELHI

India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held what New Delhi described as constructive talks on Monday, on the sidelines of the BRICS national security advisers' meeting in the Indian capital.

India's foreign ministry said both sides noted progress towards a gradual normalisation of ties, while Beijing's readout urged both countries to respect each other's core interests.

The meeting is Wang Yi's first visit to India since August last year, and is seen as laying the groundwork for a possible visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to India for the BRICS summit later this year.

Ishan Garg reports from New Delhi.

IN: “So far, the...”
OUT: “...months and years.”
DUR: 31 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0623-0453garg-bricsnsa1.mp3

US-IRAN PEACE TALKS CONCLUDE FIRST SESSION IN SWITZERLAND WITH BOTH SIDES AGREEING TO ESTABLISH HIGH-LEVEL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE

The first session of US-Iran peace talks at the Bürgenstock resort in Switzerland has concluded, with co-mediators Pakistan and Qatar announcing that discussions were conducted in a positive and constructive atmosphere — and both sides agreeing to establish a High-Level Committee to oversee future negotiations.

The talks are the first under the sixty-day window set out in the Islamabad Memorandum — the fourteen-point framework agreement signed last week to end the war — with Iran's nuclear programme and ballistic missile arsenal still unresolved.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is now visiting the Pakistani capital, where officials hope the easing of some sanctions on Iran could revive a long-stalled energy project between the two neighbours.

Hira Mustafa reports from Islamabad.

IN: “As soon as...”
OUT: “...sanctions on Iran.”
DUR: 35 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0623-0320mustafa-pakistanhelpingnegotiations1.mp3

IRAN PUSHES BACK ON US CLAIMS TEHRAN HAS AGREED TO READMIT NUCLEAR INSPECTORS

Iran has pushed back against claims by US Vice President JD Vance that Tehran agreed during talks in Switzerland to readmit international nuclear inspectors — with Iran's foreign ministry saying cooperation with the UN's atomic watchdog would continue under existing procedures.

Vance had described the opening round of negotiations at Bürgenstock as "very, very good," but Tehran says substantive discussions on the nuclear issue have not yet begun.

The two sides have agreed a road map to reach a final deal within sixty days, with Qatar and Pakistan acting as mediators.

Kate Fisher reports from Washington.

IN: “The very fact...”
OUT: “...a nuclear weapon.”
DUR: 23 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0622-2323fisher-usirandeal1.mp3

(ALT)

Reporter Kate Fisher in Washington says the fact that Vance highlighted the inspectors issue as a breakthrough reveals how important access to Iran's nuclear sites is to the American side.

IN: “Clearly verification is...”
OUT: “...the United States.”
DUR: 30 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0622-2323fisher-usirandeal2.mp3

(ALT)

Kate Fisher, our reporter in Washington, says the lifting of sanctions on Iranian oil presents a challenge for the US — because Washington will have far less control over how Tehran spends the revenue it earns on the open market.

IN: “I think one...”
OUT: “...that oil money.”
DUR: 37 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0622-2323fisher-usirandeal3.mp3

TECH SELL-OFF DRAGS S&P 500 AND NASDAQ LOWER AS ALPHABET LOSES KEY AI ENGINEERS

A sharp sell-off in technology shares is dragging Wall Street's main indexes lower on Monday, with Alphabet down more than six per cent after reports that senior artificial intelligence engineers are leaving the company for rival firms.

The S&P 500 is down around 0.3 per cent while the tech-heavy Nasdaq has fallen more than one per cent, even as the Dow Jones Industrial Average bucks the trend, trading higher.

Shares in Amazon and Meta are also falling sharply.

Mitch Mccann reports from New York.

IN: “We're seeing a...”
OUT: “...the trading day.”
DUR: 30 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0622-1706mccann-marketslatest1.mp3

(ALT)

Mitch Mccann in New York says former Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan, who has died at the age of one hundred, is being remembered as a towering figure in American finance despite a contested legacy.

Mitch Mccann reports.

IN: “Greenspan was described...”
OUT: “...long time ago.”
DUR: 33 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0622-1706mccann-marketslatest4.mp3

FORMER FEDERAL RESERVE CHAIRMAN ALAN GREENSPAN DIES AT 100

Former Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan has died at the age of one hundred from complications of Parkinson's disease, his wife, NBC News correspondent Andrea Mitchell, has confirmed.

Greenspan's tenure at the helm of the US central bank spanned more than eighteen years and four presidencies, making it the second longest in the institution's history.

His career in public life began long before he took charge of the Federal Reserve.

Nick Harper has the story from Washington.

IN: “He was first...”
OUT: “...Bush in 2005.”
DUR: 30 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0622-1309harper-alangreenspandead3.mp3

IRANIAN PRESIDENT'S VISIT TO PAKISTAN EXPECTED AS ISLAMABAD'S MEDIATION ROLE DEEPENS AFTER LUCERNE SUMMIT

The first round of direct talks between the United States and Iran has concluded in Switzerland, with both sides agreeing to a roadmap for a final deal within sixty days and a communication line to prevent incidents in the Strait of Hormuz.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif co-mediated the negotiations alongside Qatar at the Bürgenstock resort, building on Islamabad's role brokering the original ceasefire in April and hosting the first direct US-Iran talks since 1979.

Diplomatic sources in the Pakistani capital now say Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is expected to travel to Pakistan in the coming days.

Hira Mustafa has more from Islamabad.

IN: “Experts say the...”
OUT: “...ongoing peace negotiations.”
DUR: 14 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0622-1240mustafa-pakistan'smediationeffort1.mp3

BRITISH PRIME MINISTER STARMER RESIGNS AS ANDY BURNHAM EMERGES AS FRONTRUNNER TO SUCCEED HIM

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has resigned on Monday, triggering a Labour leadership contest that could now be resolved in a matter of weeks.

Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting — the only serious potential rival to Andy Burnham — has announced he will back Burnham instead of running, leaving the former Greater Manchester Mayor with a virtually uncontested path to Number 10 Downing Street.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has praised Starmer's contribution to European and Ukrainian security, while Ireland's Taoiseach Micheál Martin commended his efforts to reset London-Dublin relations.

From London, Stuart Smith reports.

IN: “This is pretty...”
OUT: “...this has developed.”
DUR: 30 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0622-1225smith-starmerresignation3.mp3

US AND IRAN AGREE 60-DAY ROADMAP AS TECHNICAL TALKS BEGIN IN SWITZERLAND

Technical talks between the United States and Iran have begun in Switzerland, a day after the two sides agreed a sixty-day roadmap towards a final deal on Tehran's nuclear programme, sanctions and other disputes.

US Vice President JD Vance, one of the lead American negotiators, has described the progress so far as a major milestone, while Iran's delegation — headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi — includes political, economic and legal experts.

But the talks face significant hurdles, with Tehran formally protesting what it calls serious violations of the agreement after US President Donald Trump issued threats against Iranian officials in a television interview on Sunday.

Nick Harper reports from Washington.

IN: “He has called...”
OUT: “...ceasefire in Lebanon.”
DUR: 30 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0622-1219harper-usiran1.mp3

(ALT)

Reporter Nick Harper in Washington says the ceasefire in Lebanon could prove a decisive factor in whether Iran stays at the negotiating table.

IN: “Lebanon, of course...”
OUT: “...targets. in Lebanon.”
DUR: 19 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0622-1219harper-usiran2.mp3

(ALT)

Nick Harper, our reporter in Washington, says the American side is signalling that Iran has agreed to allow inspectors into the country to examine its nuclear facilities, with discussions on the timeline expected within days.

IN: “Already some progress...”
OUT: “...a nuclear weapon.”
DUR: 36 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0622-1219harper-usiran3.mp3

CHINA'S WANG YI ARRIVES IN NEW DELHI FOR BRICS SECURITY TALKS AS BILATERAL MEETING WITH INDIA'S DOVAL EXPECTED ON BORDER ISSUES

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi has arrived in New Delhi for a two-day meeting of BRICS national security advisers, chaired by India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, with Russia's Sergei Shoigu also attending.

The gathering of all eleven BRICS member states comes after the bloc's foreign ministers' meeting in May ended without a joint statement, amid sharp divisions between Iran and the United Arab Emirates over the war in West Asia.

Delegates are expected to tackle what organisers call non-traditional security challenges, from artificial intelligence to counter-terrorism.

Ishan Garg reports from New Delhi.

IN: “The main outcome...”
OUT: “...comes to security.”
DUR: 35 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0622-1041garg-bricssecuritymeeting1.mp3

(ALT)

Ishan Garg, reporting from New Delhi, says a bilateral meeting between Wang Yi and India's national security adviser could yield movement on the long-running boundary dispute between the two countries.

IN: “You also have...”
OUT: “...leaders goes ahead.”
DUR: 38 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0622-1041garg-bricssecuritymeeting2.mp3

(ALT)

Ishan Garg in New Delhi says the mood around the India-China relationship has shifted markedly since the 2020 border clashes, with both sides now emphasising partnership over rivalry.

IN: “There is a...”
OUT: “...in the world.”
DUR: 38 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0622-1041garg-bricssecuritymeeting3.mp3