TikTok avoids US ban: The popular video app TikTok has been granted a last-minute reprieve by the US government that allows it to remain available in app stores for download. This decision comes after President Trump initially ordered TikTok to be banned due to national security concerns. The app is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, which has been under scrutiny by the US government for its handling of user data. Despite security concerns, TikTok has gained immense popularity among users, particularly younger audiences, for its short-form videos and viral challenges. The ban, which was set to go into effect on November 12, has been temporarily halted as the deal between ByteDance and Oracle and Walmart is reviewed for approval. This deal would create a new company, TikTok Global, that would be based in the US and comply with all security requirements set by the government. While the future of TikTok in the US remains uncertain, for now, users can continue to enjoy the app and stay connected with their favorite content creators.