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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Australia holds funeral for Bondi Beach attack victims

INTRO: Hundreds of mourners gathered in a Bondi synagogue for the funeral of Rabbi Eli Schlanger on Wednesday, as the first funerals are being held in Australia for victims of Sunday's mass shooting on Bondi Beach.

Fifteen people were killed in the mass shooting, allegedly carried out by a father and son. Laura Westbrook has more from Hong Kong.

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Police say Indian family of alleged Bondi gunman unaware of "radical mindset"

Indian police say the family in India of the alleged gunman who died in Sunday's attack on Australia's Bondi beach weren't aware of his "radical mindset". They say that he left Hyderabad, where he was originally from, 27 years ago. 

Fifteen people were killed during the attack on a Hanukkah event. Police in Australia are investigating it as an act of terrorism.

Rebecca Bundhun has more from Mumbai.

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Rob Reiner's son charged with parents' murder

Prosecutors in Los Angeles have filed murder charges against Nick Reiner, the son of director Rob Reiner, over the killing of his parents. 

The 32-year-old did not appear in court Tuesday after his attorney said he had not yet been medically cleared for a hearing.

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Australia say Bondi gunmen inspired by ISIS

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the gunmen who killed
at least 15 people on Bondi beach were inspired by ISIS.

Authorities are investigating a trip the father and son suspects made
to the Philippines last month.

Nick Harper reports.

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Officials release new CCTV in Brown University shooting investigation

Officials in the U.S. state of Rhode Island are hopeful that new CCTV footage will lead them to the gunman who murdered two students at Brown University on Saturday.

Mitch McCann reports:

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US military blows up 3 more alleged drug boats as Trump weaponizes fentanyl

The US military says it has blown up three more alleged drug boats in the Eastern Pacific - killing eight people. The total death toll in the Trump Administration's revamped war on drugs is now closing in on 100. The latest strikes come as the Trump Administration ramps up its war on drugs, designating illicit fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction. Toni Waterman  

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EU to water down combustion engine ban

The European Union is set to weaken laws that would have effectively
banned the sale of new CO2 emitting vehicles from 2035.

Instead the bloc is set to require car makers to lower emissions by 90
percent instead of the original 100 percent plan.

William Denselow reports from Brussels.

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School student kills one, stabs several more in a school attack near Moscow

A teenager attacked students with a knife at a school outside Moscow. A ten-year-old child was killed, and several other students as well as a security guard were injured. The attacker allegedly possessed clothing and uniform elements with extremist nationalist slogans. Our correspondent Daria Bondarchuk reports from Moscow.

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