BRIEF – ME! – DAILY NEWS BRIEFING
In today’s briefing update, a rescue mission is underway for a pilot whose refurbished fighter jet crashed in northwestern Iran.
Los Angeles prosecutors are reviewing eight cases against disgraced movie producer Harvey Weinstein.
Israel’s Prime Minister wins the party vote and will lead the Likud party into the March elections.
Tributes have been paid to the British man and his children who died in a resort swimming pool on Christmas Eve.
Entertainment, the return of Gavin and Stacey saw the biggest viewing figures in over a decade.
ALL this and more in today’s news briefing – A daily roundup of all the news headlines that you need to know, summarised as part of WTX News Briefing.
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Los Angeles prosecutors reviewing 8 cases against Weinstein
Arab News reports prosecutors in LA are reviewing eight cases accusing film producer Harvey Weinstein of sexual assault. 
The LA and Beverly Hills police departments each brought four investigations to prosecutors, according to Ricard Santiago, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
The office will decide whether to move forward with prosecution. No charges have been filed, Santigo said. And he does not know the details about the allegations or when the cases were presented to prosecutors.
Weinstein’s publicist said he had “nothing to add right now” in an email to The Associated Press.
Read the full story on Arab News
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Refurbished Iranian fighter jet crashes during test, rescue effort underway for the pilot
Fox News says a rescue mission has been launched to find a pilot who was in a recently overhauled Iranian fighter jet when it crashed during a test flight near the country’s northern border, according to Iran’s state television. 
The Russian-made MiG-29 went down in the mountainous Sabalan region near the Azerbaijan border after taking off from the Tabriz airbase in northwestern Iran, a report said.
The crash occurred near a dormant volcano, according to the Jerusalem Post. The pilot is said to have contacted the base after the crash.
Read the full story on Fox News
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Israeli’s Netanyahu winds Likud vote, set to helm party into next general election
France24 says Israeli PM, Benjamin Netanyahu declared a “huge” victory Friday, after winning a leadership primary that ensures he will lead his right-wing Likud party into the March elections. 
Netanyahu is currently facing a corruption indictment and a third general election in twelve months. But despite the turmoil, the victory has strengthened his position in the party he has dominated for 20 years.
Likud announced early Friday that Netanyahu had secured 72.5 per cent, with rival Saar winning 27.5 per cent.
“A huge win! Thank you to Likud members for their trust, support and love,” Netanyahu tweeted.
Read the full story on France24
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Tributes paid to family who drowned at a resort
BBC News says tributes have been paid to a British man and his two children who drowned in a resort swimming pool on the Costa del Sol on Christmas Eve. 
Gabriel Diya, 52, his daughter Comfort Diya, 9, and his son Praise-Emmanuel Diya, 16, died in the pool at Club La Costa World, near Fuengirola.
Police are checking claims the young girl got into difficulties in the pool and the father and brother died trying to save her.
The church where Mr Diya was a pastor said its prayers were with the family.
Read the full story on BBC News
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Gavin and Stacey the most viewed Christmas Day show in a decade
Sky News reports the return of Gavin and Stacey achieved the best Christmas Day viewing figures for more than a decade. 
The Christmas special broadcast on BBC One and was watched by an estimated 11.6 million people.
It secured 49.2% of the total viewing audience during its slot, according to the BBC.
The episode picked up 10 years after the previous instalment of the series. And ended on a cliffhanger, leaving room for future episodes.
Read the full story on Sky News
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