News in Brief -- 20th January -- 05:30 GMT

Human rights groups have slammed Britain for a dramatic rise in its arms sales to Saudi Arabia, saying the weapons are being used against civilians. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir says Iran’s nuclear deal will provide it with extra money, which he claims Tehran may use to fund quote-nefarious activities. The White House has finally acknowledged that missing former FBI agent Robert Levinson is NOT in Iran. The president of the European Council says the E-U’s passport-free travel zone is at stake unless it can overcome the ongoing refugee crisis in two months. Asian stock markets have declined amid mounting concerns over a slowdown in global economic growth and a relentless slide in oil prices. Israeli forces have stormed the West Bank city of Tulkarm and fired live bullets at Palestinians. Nigeria's army chief has once again defended the military’s deadly attacks on Muslims in the northern city of Zaria last month. The French interior minister says hate crimes against Muslims in France tripled last year.