More than half a million ‘TikTok refugees’ flock to China’s RedNote as ban looms

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RedNote, also known as Xiaohongshu, rockets to top of US app stores, along with ByteDance’s Lemon8

New users have piled in to the Chinese social media app RedNote just days before a proposed US ban on the popular social media app TikTok, as the lesser-known company rushes to capitalize on the sudden influx while walking a delicate line of moderating English-language content.

In a live chat dubbed “TikTok Refugees” on RedNote on Monday, more than 50,000 US and Chinese users joined the room. Veteran Chinese users, with some sense of bewilderment, welcomed their American counterparts and swapped notes with them on topics such as food and youth unemployment. Occasionally, however, the Americans veered into riskier territory.

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Ukraine Gets First RCH 155 Wheeled Howitzer, Boxer Fighting Vehicles May Follow – The War Zone

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  1. Ukraine Gets First RCH 155 Wheeled Howitzer, Boxer Fighting Vehicles May Follow  The War Zone
  2. Pistorius in Kyiv ahead of Trump's return and German vote  DW (English)
  3. German defence minister arrives in Ukraine to send message of support  Reuters
  4. Armored vehicles, shells, drones: Germany handed over new batch of aid to Ukraine  Ukrinform
  5. German Defense Minister denies Scholz blocked proposal for $3 billion arms package for Ukraine, says decision awaits  Kyiv Independent
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Canada’s provincial leaders in disarray over response to Trump tariff threats

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Responses range from conciliation to retaliation, including cutting off electricity and halting the purchase of US liquor

Canada’s provincial premiers are sharply divided on how to prepare for US trade tariffs, less than a week before Donald Trump takes office with a threat to dramatically reshape the relationship between the two countries.

Canadian officials have sought to defuse the crisis with personal appeals to the president-elect, multimillion-dollar advertising sprees and targeted threats, but the country remains gripped by uncertainty over how Trump’s tariffs might take effect. On Monday, Bloomberg reported that the incoming US administration is weighing hiking tariffs by 2%-5% a month to avoid spiking inflation.

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Spain axes popular golden visa, plans 100% tax on foreign buyers in response to housing crisis – Fortune

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  1. Spain axes popular golden visa, plans 100% tax on foreign buyers in response to housing crisis  Fortune
  2. ‘Too many Airbnbs’: Spain’s prime minister wants up to 100% property tax on foreign buyers  CNN
  3. Spain eyes tax hike for holiday rentals in bid to lower rents  Reuters
  4. Spain’s Plan to Tax Foreigners’ Home Purchases Will Likely Struggle to Pass in Parliament  Bloomberg
  5. Spain has killed off the British holiday home dream – here’s what to do about it  The Telegraph
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Chinese officials reportedly discuss sale of TikTok in US to Elon Musk

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Tech company rejects as ‘pure fiction’ a report that a deal could take place if it fails to avoid an impending ban

Chinese officials have reportedly held preliminary talks about a potential option to sell TikTok’s operations in the US to the billionaire Elon Musk, should the short-video app be unable to avoid an impending ban. Another option is that Musk acts as a broker in a deal to sell the app.

Beijing officials prefer that TikTok remains under the control of its Chinese parent, Bytedance, but have discussed other options including a sale to Musk, Bloomberg reported. The Financial Times reported on the same day that the officials had discussed the preliminary possibility of Musk functioning as a go-between for Bytedance and any potential buyer that would prevent the app from being shut down.

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Frasers Group says two-thirds of retail staff are still on zero-hours contracts

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MPs examining plans for legislation were told 11,500 staff on the contracts, which do not guarantee weekly shifts

The owner of Sports Direct has confirmed that two-thirds of its retail workforce remain on zero-hours contracts ahead of new legislation designed to limit their use.

Frasers Group told MPs who are examining plans to strengthen protection for employees that 11,500 staff were on the contracts, which do not guarantee any weekly working shifts, and did not receive compensation even if shifts were changed at the last minute.

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Families cautiously optimistic that Israeli hostages may soon be free

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Relatives watch and wait as talks to broker ceasefire between Israel and Hamas continue in Qatar

The families of Israeli hostages held captive for 15 months in the Gaza Strip have voiced cautious optimism their loved ones may soon be free as talks to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas continued in Qatar.

“The reports suggesting a potential deal to secure the release of our loved ones offer a glimmer of hope, though we remain cautious,” a statement from the families released by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum headquarters said on Tuesday. “Our hearts are filled with both hope and apprehension as we await concrete developments. In these sensitive times, it is our shared responsibility to exercise care and consideration.”

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France must stand firm in face of ‘new world disorder’ embodied by Musk, says PM

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François Bayrou said France must look global powers ‘face on’ in reference to Donald Trump’s return to office

The French prime minister has said the country must stand firm in the face of figures such as Elon Musk, who represents a “new world disorder”.

In his first policy speech to parliament on Tuesday, François Bayrou, a veteran centrist, said there was “a new world disorder, that threatens all equilibrium and all rules of defence. There are a certain number of people who embody this without complex, such as Elon Musk.”

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Kate Middleton says her cancer is in remission – ABC News

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  1. Kate Middleton says her cancer is in remission  ABC News
  2. Catherine, Princess of Wales, Confirms She Is in Remission From Cancer  The New York Times
  3. Kate Middleton's cancer is 'in remission' as she remains 'focused' on recovery  Fox News
  4. Princess of Wales makes emotional visit to Royal Marsden Hospital  Daily Mail
  5. Kate Middleton Surprises Cancer Patients at Same Hospital Where She Was Treated  PEOPLE
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