TRUMP THREATENS TO TAKE BACK PANAMA CANAL

Intro:

President-elect Donald Trump is suggesting the United States may intend to take back control of the Panama Canal.

America ceded control of the critical shipping route in 1999, after an agreement signed by Jimmy Carter.

Mitch McCann reports:

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UK GDP: ZERO

The UK economy didn't grow in the three months between July and September.

Revised figures show GDP flatlined over the quarter - down from an earlier estimate of 0.1% growth.

Chief secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones says delivering growth remains the Labour government's objective for next year.

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ISRAEL VOWS STRONGER FORCE AGAINST YEMEN'S HOUTHI MILITANTS

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue airstrikes across Yemen after the country's Houthi rebel group fired two missiles at Tel Aviv. 

Trent Murray has more. 

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Christmas market attacker previously known to authorities

The man accused of killing five people and injuring dozens more at a
Christmas market in Germany was previously known by the authorities.

The Federal Criminal Police Office says it received a tipoff from
Saudi Arabia back in 2023.

William Denselow reports from Brussels.

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India & Kuwait elevate ties to "strategic partnership"

Intro:

India and Kuwait have decided to upgrade their ties to a strategic partnership with focus now on boosting trade and defence cooperation.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Kuwait's Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on Sunday in what was the first visit by an Indian PM to Kuwait in nearly half a century.

Ishan Garg tells us more from New Delhi.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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:

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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