Dec 23 (Reuters) - The following bids, mergers,

acquisitions and disposals were reported by 1115 GMT on Monday:

** News Corp ( NWSA ) has agreed to sell its Australian

cable TV unit Foxtel to British-owned sports network DAZN for

A$3.4 billion ($2 billion) including debt, cutting the

Murdoch-controlled media empire's exposure to a business

up-ended by streaming platforms.

** French cosmetics giant L'Oreal said on Monday

it had agreed to buy Gowoonsesang Cosmetics, which includes

South Korean skincare brand Dr.G., from Swiss retailer Migros.

** Honda ( HMC ) and Nissan ( NSANF ) have started talks

toward a potential merger, they said on Monday, a historic pivot

for Japan's auto industry that underlines the threat Chinese EV

makers now pose to some of the world's best known car makers.

** British insurer Aviva has reached an agreement to

buy smaller rival Direct Line in a 3.7 billion pound

($4.65 billion) cash-and-stock deal, the companies said on

Monday, creating the UK's largest home and motor insurer.

(Compiled by Jaiveer Shekhawat in Bengaluru)