Australian state parliament reconvenes to push through stricter gun laws after Bondi mass shooting

INTRO:  Australia's most populous state pushed ahead Monday with what it said were the country's strictest gun laws after two gunmen killed 15 people celebrating a Jewish festival in Sydney last week.

The legislation would also ban the display of "terrorist symbols", including the flag of the Islamic State, which was found in a car linked to one of the alleged shooters. Laura Westbrook reports.

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US lawmakers plan to increase pressure on the Department of Justice over Epstein files

Lawmakers who drafted the Epstein files legislation say they're working on a new plan to increase pressure on officials, amid outrage over the volume of documents still to be released.

Mitch McCann reports from New York:

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US Justice Dept not releasing all Epstein files to hit deadline

The US Justice Department has confirmed it will not meet Friday's
deadline to release all the files relating to Jeffrey Epstein as
ordered by Congress.

Nick Harper reports from Washington.

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US to host Russian Envoy in Miami on Ukraine peace plan

Washington's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is hosting Ukrainian negotiators and Russian negotiators in Miami this weekend, trying to get signoff on the US's redrafted plan to end the war in Ukraine.

This comes after the EU greenlit a 90 billion Euro loan to Kyiv and opted not to tap into frozen Russian assets.

Our Washington correspondent Jagruti Dave has more on how developments in the EU could impact the talks in Miami.

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French court rejects suspension of e-commerce giant Shein

A judge in France has rejected the government's request to suspend the Chinese e-commerce giant Shein's website (PRON: Shee-inn).

The judge ruled that such a move would have been "disproportionate" after the Chinese company removed illicit products sold on its platform.

Ross Cullen reports.

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Pakistan tightens security outside the prison holding ex Prime Minister Imran Khan

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Pakistani authorities have stepped up security around Adiala Jail, where former Prime Minister Imran Khan is being held.

The move comes as his party holds weekly protests outside the prison, demanding family visits

The protests come amid claims by Khan's family that he is being mistreated in custody - a charge authorities deny

Khan has been in jail since 2023 on corruption charges, which he says are politically motivated.

Hira Mustafa reports from Islamabad.

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French PM to meet party leaders after parliament fails to reach agreement on budget,

The French prime minister will meet party leaders next week after parliament failed to reach an agreement on the 2026 budget, despite a special commission holding last-ditch talks on Friday.

Ross Cullen reports.

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US special envoy to discuss Gaza phase 2

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to host senior officials
from mediating countries in Miami on Friday to discuss Phase 2 of the
Gaza peace plan

Blake Sifton reports from Tel Aviv

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EU reaches 11th hour deal to fund Ukraine

The European Union has agreed to provide Ukraine with a loan worth
$105 billion to help finance the country for the next two years.

The announcement came after European leaders were locked in
negotiations deep into the night.

Ultimately the bloc failed to agree on a plan to use frozen Russian
assets to fund the loan, instead borrowing the money backed by the
EU's common budget.

William Denselow reports from Brussels.

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EPSTEIN FILES TO BE RELEASED

The Epstein files are due to be released later (Friday).

The US Department of Justice has until today to release all documents in relation to its investigation into the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

A new batch of photos from Epstein's estate were released by the House Oversight Committee on Thursday, including images of Bill Gates, Noam Chomsky and Steve Bannon.

Political expert at the University of Surrey Mark Shanahan says Friday's files may not give a complete picture.

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India's parliament passes landmark bill to open up nuclear power to private sector

India's parliament has cleared a landmark atomic energy bill that opens up the nuclear power sector to foreign and private companies.

But opposition parties argue that it dilutes nuclear safety and liability safeguards.

Rebecca Bundhun has more from Mumbai.

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Violent protests erupt in Bangladesh over death of student leader

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Violent protests have swept across Bangladesh after the death of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi.

The 32-year-old activist, shot in the head during his election campaign, succumbed to his injuries at a Singapore hospital on Thursday.

Ishan Garg has more.

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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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