TikTok has signed the deal to spin off its US entity with American investor group

INTRO: TikTok says it has signed a joint venture deal with investors that would allow the company to maintain operations in the United States and avoid a ban threat over its Chinese ownership.
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The deal is a milestone for the short video app used regularly by more than 170 million Americans. Laura Westbrook has more from Hong Kong.

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TikTok inks deal with US investors: reports

TikTok has reportedly signed binding agreements to sell its US operations to a group of American and international investors. The Trump administration gave the app's Chinese owners ByteDance until January 23rd to sell or face a complete ban in the country. Toni Waterman has more.

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TWO CALLING FOR "INTIFADA" ARRESTED AS LONDON POLICE ENFORCE NEW POLICY

Hours after England's two largest police forces said calling for "intifada" would be a criminal offence, pro-Palestine protestors have been arrested outside the Ministry of Justice in London for allegedly chanting slogans using that word.

While not previously banned, London and Manchester's police forces say the context has changed after last week's terror attack against Jews in Australia.

Stuart Smith has more.

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French farmers continue protests over cattle cull and Mercosur deal

French farmers are continuing protests over a government-ordered cattle cull to stop the spread of bovine disease.

Agriculture unions are also demonstrating against the impending deal between the European Union and the South American bloc, Mercosur.

Ross Cullen reports.

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UN and humanitarian organizations urge Israel to lift aid restrictions and ease NGO registration process

The UN and humanitarian organizations are urging Israel to lift limitations on aid operations in Gaza, warning that restrictions are preventing the delivery of crucial supplies.

Blake Sifton reports from Tel Aviv.

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EU faces make or break decision over frozen Russian assets

European leaders are in the Belgian capital for crunch talks over
whether to use billions of dollars worth of frozen Russian assets to
help support Ukraine.

Ukraine's president will be at the talks in an effort to persuade
several hesitant European nations to back the plan.

William Denselow reports from Brussels.

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UK GOVT LAUNCHES VAWG STRATEGY

Teachers in England will be trained to spot signs of misogyny, as part of a new strategy to tackle Violence Against Women And Girls.

The UK government has committed to halving VAWG in the next decade.

Plans focus on preventing the radicalisation of young men, and more teaching in schools around issues of consent, the dangers of sharing intimate images, and finding positive role models.

Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips says there will be a range of measures to tackle the problem.

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Delhi invokes strict anti pollution rules as toxic smog continues engulfing the city

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New Delhi is cracking down on polluting vehicles as a toxic smog continues engulfing the city.

Officials say vehicles that don't adhere to emissions standards will not be allowed to purchase fuel.

Ishan Garg tells us more from New Delhi.

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US approves $11 billion in weapons sales to Taiwan: Taipei

INTRO: Donald Trump's administration has given its approval to sell $11 billion of weapons to Taiwan, the second batch of such sales since the US president returned to office.

Taiwan's defence ministry says it still needs approval from the US Congress. Taiwan has widespread cross-party support. Laura Westbrook reports from Hong Kong.

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President Trump backs his chief of staff after explosive Vanity Fair interviews

US President Donald Trump says he is not offended by his Chief of Staff's description of him as having "an alcoholic's personality".

Susie Wiles made the remark during a series of interviews with Vanity Fair, where she also called Vice President JD Vance a "conspiracy theorist".

Wiles has characterized the story  as a "framed hit piece" and said "significant context was disregarded".

Vanity Fair's journalist says every interview they did was recorded.

Jagruti Dave has more on President Trump's reaction.

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​Trump orders “total and complete blockade” of sanctioned oil tankers near Venezuela

President Trump has ordered a total and complete blockade of sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, in a dramatic escalation with the South American nation - which has included strikes against dozens of alleged drug boats and the seizure of an oil tanker last week. In a social media post, the President also declared the Maduro government a foreign terrorist organization, paving the way for more military action. Toni Waterman has more from Washington.

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Warner Bros. Discovery urges shareholders to reject hostile bid from Paramount Skydance

The board of entertainment giant Warner Bros. Discovery has instructed its shareholders to reject a hostile takeover bid from Paramount Skydance, favouring the offer proposed by its competitor, Netflix.

Mitch McCann reports:

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UK TO REJOIN EU'S ERASMUS STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAMME IN 2027

UK students will once again have access to the European Union's "Erasmus" programme, which allows students to study at a university in a different country for part of their degree.

London has paid around $760 million dollars to join the scheme for the 2027-2028 academic year — at a 30% discount. But future participation will depend on further negotiations.

Stuart Smith has more from London.

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Emmanuel Macron says EU-China relations need to be 'rebalanced'

The French president says that there needs to be a rebalancing of EU-China relations.

Emmanuel Macron made the comments in an opinion piece for the Financial Times, in which he added that "Resolving serious trade imbalances will require co-operation and co-ordinated action".

Ross Cullen reports.

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Iran and Russia discuss nuclear programme, bilateral cooperation

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is in Moscow for talks with his Russian counterpart and other government officials. The visit, third one this year, comes amid a crisis in Teheran's relations with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and ongoing disagreements with the West over Iran's nuclear programme. Russia, who upgraded its relations with Iran to a strategic partnership earlier this year, has previously criticised Israel's strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, and is now offering mediation. Daria Bondarchuk reports from Moscow.

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Hezbollah Israel talks to take place in Paris

Senior officials from the US, France and Saudi Arabia are reportedly
meeting in Paris on Wednesday to discuss escalating tensions between
Israel and Hezbollah.

Blake Sifton reports from Tel Aviv

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UK INFLATION FALLS MORE THAN EXPECTED

UK inflation has fallen to 3.2%, the lowest rate in eight months.

It's a bigger drop than expected, but remains significantly above the Bank of England's 2% inflation target.

Finance minister Rachel Reeves has welcomed the news but says there is 'more to do' to ease the high cost of living.

Jaya Sood, senior economist at the New Economics Foundation, says the central Bank should cut interest rates on Thursday.

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Another Doctors Strike Begins In England

Junior doctors in England have started another five-day strike over pay and working conditions. It's the 14th walk out by members of the British Medical Association in two and a half years.

Hospital bosses have warned the industrial action could be "more challenging" than previous ones as health trusts struggle with a widespread flu outbreak.

The health secretary Wes Streeting described the strike as "self-indulgent and dangerous":

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Man Charged As First Bondi Funeral Takes Place

A man has been charged with multiple counts of murder and a terrorism offence over the Bondi Beach attack.

24 year old Naveed Akram  is accused of opening fire on a Hanukkah event on Sunday - killing 15 people.

In total he has been charged with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder and one of committing a terrorist act.

The first funeral for one of the victims has been held in Sydney.

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India-Oman FTA likely during Modi's visit

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to agree on a landmark Free Trade Agreement with Oman on Wednesday.

His visit comes as India looks to diversify its trading partners amid mounting pressures from Washington and a widening deficit with China.

Ishan Garg reports from New Delhi.

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