Trump's missile strikes in Nigeria, a Zelenskyy-Trump meeting at Mar-a-Lago, and escalating conflicts in Syria highlight a volatile international landscape, challenging notions of American exceptionalism and the effectiveness of multilateralism, while also impacting US policy on global internet regulation.

• Why bomb Sokoto? Trump’s strikes baffle Nigerians — Financial Times -
• Zelenskyy to meet Trump at Mar-a-Lago this weekend — Financial Times -
• Mosque bombing in Alawite district in Syria leaves at least 8 dead — Financial Times -

• So long, American exceptionalism — Financial Times -
• Spy chief Andrew Shearer: ‘I’ve never seen our agencies so stretched’ — Financial Times -
• The malaise of multilateralism — Financial Times -
• Trump says US struck Isis targets in Nigeria over attacks on Christians — Financial Times -
• Trump’s second term tests deeply polarised Congress — Financial Times -
• Ancient trade in Persian carpets imperilled by western sanctions — Financial Times -
• They Seek to Curb Online Hate. The U.S. Accuses Them of Censorship. — The New York Times Business -

The AI boom is significantly boosting US tech billionaires' net worth and driving massive data center investment in India, even as concerns emerge over AI companies' debt and the exaggerated hype around humanoid robots, all while YouTube's dominance in streaming continues to grow and tech employees voice discontent.

• The relentless rise of YouTube — Financial Times -
• Tesla Robotaxis Are Big on Wall St. but Lagging on Roads — The New York Times Business -
• As A.I. Companies Borrow Billions, Debt Investors Grow Wary — The New York Times Business -

• Data Center Surge Reaches India as American Tech Giants Invest Billions — The New York Times Business -
• Despite Crackdown on Activism, Tech Employees Are Still Picking Fights — The New York Times Business -
• AI boom adds $500bn to net worth of US tech billionaires in 2025 — Financial Times -
• Even the Companies Making Humanoid Robots Think They’re Overhyped — Wall Street Journal -

California's proposed wealth tax could prompt billionaires to leave, while global dealmaking hits record highs, amidst activist investor pressure on retailers like Target, supply chain overhauls by Coty, and strategic moves by luxury brands like Rolex to counter resellers and drinks giants explore new product lines, alongside a review of the FTSE 100's performance, challenges in America's largest oil field, and UK aid spending cuts.

• A Wealth Tax Floated in California Has Billionaires Thinking of Leaving — The New York Times Business -
• Why Sears’s Last Great Hope Was a Promise That Never Materialized — The New York Times Business -
• Pressure grows on Target as activist investor builds stake — Financial Times -

• Coty Is Speeding Up Its Supply Chain to Turn Around Sagging Sales — Wall Street Journal -
• Global dealmaking hits $4.5tn in second-best year on record — Financial Times -
• Black economic empowerment has failed — except on the rugby pitch — Financial Times -
• Rolex Tries to Beat Watch Flippers at Their Own Game — Wall Street Journal -
• Cocktails in a can: the new frontier for drooping drinks giants — Financial Times -
• Solar power surplus in Spain triggers ‘discount season’ for plants — Financial Times -
• How tax trackers influence wealthy Americans’ holiday plans — Financial Times -
• UK aid sector braces for spending cuts in 2026 — Financial Times -
• The FTSE 100’s worst and best performers in 2025 — Financial Times -
• America’s Biggest Oil Field Is Turning Into a Pressure Cooker — Wall Street Journal -

Tariffs on Kentucky whiskey and increased customs crackdowns are impacting imports, as China expands its luxury food exports, while the EU debates regulation to maintain competitiveness, and the 'Made in Italy' label faces scrutiny over alleged labor abuses.

• Opinion | A Tariff Mash for Kentucky Whiskey — Wall Street Journal -
• Customs Crackdown Leads to Blocked, Destroyed Imports — Wall Street Journal -
• EU will lose ‘race to the bottom’ on regulation, says competition chief — Financial Times -

• China isn’t just dumping cheap goods anymore — it’s sending caviar — Financial Times -
• Raids and recriminations: luxury’s ‘Made in Italy’ label is coming apart at the seams — Financial Times -

A major snowstorm in the New York area is leading to widespread airline delays and hundreds of flight cancellations, causing significant disruption for travelers.

• Airline Delays and Cancellations Pile Up Ahead of New York-Area Snowstorm — Wall Street Journal -