Briefly

UNITED STATES

Trump extends TikTok deadline for 3rd time

US President Donald Trump will give TikTok a fresh 90-day extension to find a non-Chinese buyer, the White House said on Tuesday, the third time he has put off a threatened ban on the popular app. A federal law requiring TikTok's sale or ban on "national security" grounds was due to take effect on Jan 19. "President Trump will sign an additional Executive Order this week to keep TikTok up and running," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said.

Japan, US steel firms 'finalize' partnership

Nippon Steel and US Steel announced on Wednesday they have finalized a partnership in which the United States government will essentially have veto power over significant decisions affecting US jobs. The agreement modifies an original deal in which Nippon Steel of Japan had agreed to acquire US Steel for $14.9 billion. But the outright acquisition sparked bipartisan political opposition, including from President Donald Trump, whose administration worked with the companies on a revamped deal in which the US government will have a "golden share" of the company.

INDIA

18 dead as rains lash western state

At least 18 people have died since Monday as torrential rains lashed parts of India's western state of Gujarat, officials said. "Eighteen people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents, while dozens have been rescued across low-lying areas by disaster response teams," the state government said on Tuesday.

Agencies - Xinhua