Global political actions include Trump's decision to scrap National Guard deployments and US sanctions on Venezuelan oil traders, while China's rising national power and rupturing alliances between Saudi Arabia and the UAE highlight shifting geopolitical dynamics; simultaneously, Iran's central bank governor change amidst protests and Syria's currency relaunch without the Assad family signal internal national struggles.

• Trump scraps National Guard deployments to Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland — Financial Times -
• US sanctions four traders it says are shipping Venezuelan oil — Financial Times -
• How Saudi Arabia and the UAE’s long alliance ruptured — Financial Times -

• Iran replaces central bank governor in effort to contain cost-of-living protests — Financial Times -
• Syria removes Assad family from banknotes in currency relaunch — Financial Times -
• Xi hails China’s rising ‘national power’ — Financial Times -
• Israel’s allies condemn ban on dozens of aid groups — Financial Times -
• Drug gangs pose grave threat to European security, agency warns — Financial Times -
• Year in a word: ‘Peace’ — Financial Times -
• European investors must brace for a year of geopolitical instability — Financial Times -
• EU to launch carbon border tax despite opposition from trade partners — Financial Times -
• Milei battles to bring multinationals back to Argentina — Financial Times -
• Australia opens trade frontier on its doorstep as counterweight to China — Financial Times -
• The Incident That Prompted Trump to Ban Epstein From Mar-a-Lago’s Spa — Wall Street Journal -

Global stock markets saw third straight year of double-digit gains with AI boom continuing to drive up stocks, while Saks prepares for bankruptcy and **companies line up $1 trillion in asset sales** reflecting corporate shifts; US dirty money fines dropped significantly, and China's factory activity returned to growth, signaling diverse economic movements and future expectations for housing prices and **M&A deals**.

• Will the A.I. Boom Continue to Drive Up Stocks in 2026? — The New York Times Business -
• Saks Prepares for Bankruptcy After Missing Debt Payment — Wall Street Journal -
• Global stocks post third straight year of double-digit gains — Financial Times -

• Trump media group plans new token with Crypto.com — Financial Times -
• Companies line up $1tn of asset sales as activists push break-ups — Financial Times -
• Canada’s ‘man of steel’ calls for US-style protectionism — Financial Times -
• FirstFT: US dirty money fines drop 61% this year — Financial Times -
• Warren Buffett Stayed True to His Ways in His Final Year as Berkshire CEO — Wall Street Journal -
• A Shrimper, a Carmaker, a Lawyer: How the World Tackled Trump’s Trade War — Wall Street Journal -
• The Biggest Questions We Have for 2026 — The New York Times Business -
• ‘What will happen to house prices next year?’ — it’s a tricky question — Financial Times -
• Will I be responsible for unpaid tax on my late mother’s estate? — Financial Times -
• US fines for dirty money drop 61% as Trump retreats from enforcement — Financial Times -
• Netherlands overhauls its €1.8tn pension system — Financial Times -
• China factory activity returns to growth after record contraction — Financial Times -
• The upstart exchange drawing traders to the world’s best-performing stock market — Financial Times -
• Bankers Are Gearing Up for Another Onslaught of Monster Deals in 2026 — Wall Street Journal -

UK politics sees Labour leader Starmer expressing frustration at the pace of change and facing voter dislike alongside Chancellor Reeves, while Labour also faces accusations of conflict of interest involving a shadow attorney-general's legal work for Roman Abramovich; simultaneously, discussions arise on how the UK should celebrate 250 years of American independence and the potential for breaking traditional election rules of thumb amidst a Green party leader's openness to working with Labour under specific leadership.

• Starmer says he is frustrated at pace of change in New Year message — Financial Times -
• Labour accuses shadow attorney-general of ‘conflict of interest’ over legal work for Roman Abramovich — Financial Times -
• Zack Polanski: I would be open to working with Labour if Andy Burnham was leader — Financial Times -

• How should the UK celebrate 250 years of American independence? — Financial Times -
• Labour and Tories are wrecking an election rule of thumb — Financial Times -
• ‘There’s a real dislike, even loathing’: why voters hate Starmer and Reeves — Financial Times -

China's six-decade campaign to dominate rare earths highlights global resource strategies, while U.S. crude oil inventories declined amid lower imports; energy and utilities market talk continues, and questions arise over Donald Trump's ability to save American coal despite weak investor demand.

• Inside China’s Six-Decade Campaign to Dominate Rare Earths — The New York Times Business -
• Energy & Utilities Roundup: Market Talk — Wall Street Journal -
• U.S. Crude Oil Inventories Decline Amid Lower Imports — Wall Street Journal -

• Can Donald Trump save American coal? — Financial Times -

Meta's acquisition target navigated concerns over ties to China, while OpenAI offers unprecedented employee compensation, and tech startups adopt nicotine pouches for productivity; meanwhile, the number of festive drone shows in the UK hit record levels, showcasing diverse innovation and application of technology.

• How Meta’s Newest Acquisition Target Got Around Worries Over Its Ties to China — Wall Street Journal -
• Number of festive drone shows in UK hits record levels — Financial Times -
• Tech Startups Are Handing Out Free Nicotine Pouches to Boost Productivity — Wall Street Journal -

• OpenAI Is Paying Employees More Than Any Major Tech Startup in History — Wall Street Journal -

Consumer trends include the rise of services to return unwanted gifts, while travel is impacted by Eurostar delays and concerns over phone searches at U.S. borders; discussions also explore how Madrid balances tradition with new energy, the potential for private airports to mitigate snow delays, and the enchanting urban wildlife of London.

• Opinion | Private Airports Could Beat Snow Delays — Wall Street Journal -
• You Can Now Hire Someone to Return All Those Unwanted Gifts — Wall Street Journal -
• Eurostar warns of delays after restarting Channel Tunnel services — Financial Times -

• Phone Searches at U.S. Borders: What Travelers Need to Know — The New York Times Business -
• Forecasting the world in 2026 — Financial Times -
• Wild London — mesmerising urban doc is a true David Attenborough event — Financial Times -
• Can a Madrid in flux balance traditional charm and new energy? — Financial Times -