Global tensions persist with US soldiers killed in Syria and Hamas accusing Israel of ceasefire sabotage, while trade relations face hurdles as a U.S.-U.K. deal hits a stumbling block and transatlantic alliances show rupture over Trump's national security strategy. Also featured are EU actions on frozen Russian assets and Belarus freeing a Nobel laureate following US sanctions relief, alongside Iran's rising petrol prices and Venezuela's opposition leader Machado's gambit.

• Two US soldiers and a civilian killed in attack in Syria — Financial Times -
• U.S.-U.K. Trade Deal Hits Stumbling Block — The New York Times Business -
• Hamas accuses Israel of sabotaging ceasefire after commander is targeted — Financial Times -

• Belarus frees Nobel laureate after US lifts potash sanctions — Financial Times -
• Transatlantic rupture — Financial Times -
• EU freezes Russian assets ahead of pivotal Ukraine talks — Financial Times -
• Greece’s Eurozone presidency marks big turnaround from era of crisis — Financial Times -
• Iran raises petrol prices as sanctions force costly imports — Financial Times -
• Machado’s risky gambit in escaping Venezuela and relying on Trump — Financial Times -
• Russia Sues Holder of Frozen Assets Europe Wants for Ukraine Loan — The New York Times Business -
• Sanctions and seizures: Trump turns up the heat on Venezuela — Financial Times -
• US lawmakers question basis for allowing sale of Nvidia H200 chips to China — Financial Times -

President Trump suggests 'cute' tiny cars to address vehicle affordability, as student loan delinquencies rise and Social Security Disability benefits reach a crossroads. The Federal Reserve's 'fashionably late' rate cuts and Carney's fossil fuel pivot also spark discussion amidst a release of Epstein photos featuring Trump and Clinton.

• Trump’s Surprise Answer to Vehicle Affordability: ‘Cute’ Tiny Cars — Wall Street Journal -
• More than 9mn US borrowers miss student loan payments as delinquencies rise — Financial Times -
• Carney’s fossil fuel pivot bewilders climate experts and business leaders — Financial Times -

• The fashionably late Fed — Financial Times -
• Social Security Disability, a Financial Protection for Some Workers, Is at a Crossroads — The New York Times Business -
• Donald Trump and Bill Clinton pictured in newly released Epstein photos — Financial Times -

OpenAI revises its compensation policy to end 'vesting cliffs' in a fierce talent war, while Elon Musk's SpaceX is **valued at $800 billion as it prepares for a potential IPO. Lawmakers question the sale of Nvidia H200 chips to China, and Australia sees users flock to new platforms after a social media ban for under-16s**.

• OpenAI Ends ‘Vesting Cliff’ for New Employees in Compensation-Policy Change — Wall Street Journal -
• SpaceX Tells Staff It Is Preparing for a Potential IPO Next Year — Wall Street Journal -
• Australian users flock to new platforms after social media ban for under-16s — Financial Times -

• Elon Musk’s SpaceX Valued at $800 Billion, as It Prepares to Go Public — The New York Times Business -
• The Hottest Toy of the Year Is Made by a Tech Startup You’ve Never Heard Of — Wall Street Journal -

Coca-Cola is in last-ditch talks to salvage the Costa Coffee sale, and Apollo takes a bearish software view with bets against corporate debt due to AI concerns. Financial regulators intervene over Euronext's ETF settlement plans, and Lululemon's CEO prepares to depart amidst a busy bonus season for traders, while Christie's fine art management and an obituary for investment banker Arthur L. Carter are also noted.

• Coca-Cola holds last-ditch talks in bid to salvage Costa Coffee sale — Financial Times -
• Apollo took bearish software view with bets against corporate debt — Financial Times -
• Bonus season might see traders lose out again — Financial Times -

• Taxes take the shine off pubs’ festive narrative — Financial Times -
• Regulators intervene over Euronext’s plans for ETF settlement — Financial Times -
• Arthur L. Carter, 93, Dies; Investment Banker Founded a Cheeky Newspaper — The New York Times Business -
• Calvin McDonald, Lululemon CEO, Will Depart Yoga Clothing Maker in January — The New York Times Business -
• The Fine Art of Managing Christie’s — The New York Times Business -

**A retired lawyer lost $85,000 to tech support scammers, highlighting consumer fraud risks, while over 9 million US borrowers are missing student loan payments. Discussions around internal migration and redefining special needs in education also emerge, alongside a workplace incident involving a drunk boss at a Christmas party and a heroic act involving a bomb**.

• My Boss Got Way Too Drunk at the Christmas Party — The New York Times Business -
• Tech Support Scammers Stole $85,000 From Him. His Bank Refused a Refund. — The New York Times Business -
• The other kind of migrant — Financial Times -

• How redefining special needs rocked education — Financial Times -
• ‘It’s just a bomb’ — Financial Times -

New Yorkers share their SantaCon stories, while London's private members' club scene is thriving with new institutions opening their doors. Insights from the Mandarin Oriental's head chef and a look at Afghan crafts at Ishkar add to a nostalgic Christmas party theme.

• It’s Christmas, so party like it's the 1990s — Financial Times -
• London’s private members’ club scene is growing. Just don’t call them clubs — Financial Times -
• Ishkar, a London hub for Afghan crafts — Financial Times -

• Fleece, Love and Vomit: New Yorkers’ Best (and Worst) SantaCon Stories — The New York Times Business -
• We Followed the Mandarin Oriental’s Head Chef During the Craziest Time of the Year — Wall Street Journal -

A United Airlines flight returned to Dulles Airport after an engine failure during takeoff, landing safely, as reported by the F.A.A.

• Flight Returns to Dulles After Engine Failure During Takeoff, F.A.A. Says — The New York Times Business -