US AND IRAN DUE TO TALK IN OMAN

The US and Iran are due to hold talks in Oman on Friday amid threats of war.

They're the first direct discussions between the two countries in 8 months, as Washington looks to curb Tehran's nuclear programme.

President Trump has repeatedly threatened military action if no diplomatic solution is found.

Iran says it's willing to discuss the nuclear issue but not additional demands.

Negar Mortazavi, an editor and host of The Iran Podcast, says military confrontation is still possible.

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India's import of Russian crude oil falls to three-year low

Days after US President Donald Trump claimed that India had agreed to 'stop buying Russian oil' as part of a trade deal signed with New Delhi, government data shows India's imports have fallen to a three-year low.

India has neither confirmed nor denied President Trump's claims but has said it is 'diversifying energy sources in keeping with market conditions and evolving international dynamics'.

Neha Poonia has more.

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China said to halt Panama deals after ports operation nulled, Bloomberg News reports

INTRO: China is asking state firms to stop talks over new projects in Panama, according to Bloomberg.

It's seen as part of Beijing's broader retaliation after Panama voided Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison Holdings's contract to operate two ports along its strategic canal. Laura Westbrook reports from Hong Kong.

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White House open to immigration enforcement reforms

The White House has signaled it's open to negotiating with Democrats
over immigration enforcement reforms to end a funding fight.

Lawmakers are facing a Friday 13th deadline to secure funding for the
Department of Homeland Security, following controversial killings in
Minneapolis by the department's employees.

As Nick Harper reports from Washington.

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US layoff data worst since 2009

Layoffs from US companies have hit their highest level since the 2009
global financial crisis.

January's data was up more than 200% on the previous month as many US
firms continued to downsize amid economic uncertainty.

Nick Harper has more from Washington.

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Nuclear treaty extension talks underway per Axios

The U.S. and Russia are closing in on a deal to continue to observe the expired New START arms control treaty according to news site Axios.

It reports that negotiation to extend the treaty have been taking place on the sidelines of Ukraine talks in Abu Dhabi.

Kate fisher reports from Washington 

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310 prisoners exchanged amid Ukraine - Russia talks

Russia and Ukraine have exchanged over 300 prisoners...amid peace talks in Abu Dhabi. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the talks were not easy, but said Ukraine has been and will remain as constructive as possible. Meanwhile, Moscow said Zelensly does not seek peace. Dasha Chernyshova has more from Moscow.

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​Trump says Iran’s Supreme Leader “should be very worried”

President Donald Trump says Iran's Supreme Leader should be "very worried" as tensions mount ahead of nuclear talks on Friday. The President made the comments in an exclusive interview with NBC news. Toni Waterman has more.

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US TV Star Savannah Guthrie Makes Emotional Appeal Over Missing Mother

US television presenter Savannah Guthrie has made an emotional plea alongside her siblings, following the reported kidnapping of her 84 year old mother in Arizona.

Mitch McCann reports:

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KEIR STARMER APOLOGISES FOR APPOINTING MANDELSON U.S. AMBASSADOR

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is vowing to fight on despite speculation of a leadership challenge.

It comes after criticism over his appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US, despite his links to Jeffrey Epstein.

Stuart Smith has more from London.

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High-stakes talks between the US and Iran have been confirmed for Friday

High-stakes talks between the US and Iran have been confirmed for Friday in Oman after appearing close to being cancelled

 

Blake Sifton reports from Tel Aviv

 

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Former French culture minister said Jeffery Epstein was "charming" as calls for him to step down from official post grow

The former French education minister has refused calls to step down from his current role as president of the Arab World Institute in Paris after his name came up in the latest batch of files related to late paedophile financier Jeffery Epstein.

Jack Lang said earlier this week that Jeffery Epstein was "courteous, so charming, so generous".

On Thursday, the leader of the Socialist Party said Lang should consider stepping down "to protect the institution he heads"

Ross Cullen reports.

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EU agrees framework for Ukraine loan

European Union ambassadors have agreed a framework on how to allocate
the roughly 106 billion dollar loan for Ukraine.

It follows tough negotiations over how Ukraine can use the funds to
buy non-European equipment.

William Denselow reports from Brussels.

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Pakistan deploys helicopters to fight militants in the south west

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Pakistan's security forces have deployed helicopters and drones in the southwestern province of Balochistan to combat militants.

The move comes days after a series of coordinated attacks in the southwest of the country, where militants stormed government buildings, triggering unrest.

Islamabad alleges the Afghan administration is providing sanctuary to the militants to carry out cross border terrorism - a charge Afghan authorities deny

Hira Mustafa has more.

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STARMER UNDER LEADERSHIP PRESSURE AFTER MANDELSON REVELATIONS

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is under growing pressure from his own MPs, with speculation he could soon face a leadership challenge.

On Wednesday Keir Starmer admitted appointing Peter Mandelson to be US ambassador, knowing Mandelson had had contact with Jeffrey Epstein after his conviction.

MPs have voted for documents to be released about what was known during that appointment process.

Former Labour cabinet minister Lord Hutton says it could be the Prime Minister's downfall.

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James Lyons used to be Keir Starmer's Director of Strategic Communications, and believes he can fight on until the next general election.

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Conservative shadow minister Alicia Kearns says Mandelson should never have been appointed by the PM.

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UK aviation authority demands explanation over Air India fuel switch incident

Britain's aviation authority is asking Air India for an explanation as to how a plane took off from London with a fuel switch that that could possibly have been faulty.

Air India earlier this month said it grounded a Boeing Dreamliner after a pilot reported a possible defect with the plane's fuel control switch.

Rebecca Bundhun has more from Mumbai.

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Donald Trump and Xi Jinping discuss Taiwan and trade ahead of US state visit to Beijing

INTRO: US President Donald Trump discussed trade, Taiwan and the situation in Iran during a phone call with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

The two leaders met in South Korea three months ago and struck a trade truce. Donald Trump is expected to visit Beijing in April. Laura Westbrook reports.

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LA 2028 Chair Under Scrutiny After Ghislaine Maxwell Emails Emerge

Pressure is mounting on the chairman of the Los Angeles Olympics to resign after his name surfaced in the Epstein files.

The documents reportedly show flirtatious emails between Casey Wasserman and convicted sex trafficker and Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell.

Mitch McCann reports:

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Border Tsar pulls back 700 agents from Minnesota

The Trump administration is reducing the number of federal agents in Minnesota by 700, following weeks of violent confrontations and the fatal shootings by officers of two U.S. citizens.

President Trump's border tsar Tom Homan said the departing group includes officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Custom and Border Protection. 

Kate Fisher reports from Washington

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US proposes ‘preferential trade bloc’ with price floors for critical minerals to rival China

The US is proposing a preferential trade bloc with price floors for critical minerals - aimed at displacing China as the global leader in mining and processing. Vice President JD Vance made the announcement in front of delegates from more than 50 countries - who are in Washington for the White House's inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial summit. Toni Waterman has more.

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