Western nations join forces to break China’s grip on critical minerals

François Bayrou, a centrist heavyweight in French politics, has been appointed as the new prime minister following a vote of no-confidence that ended Michel Barnier's minority coalition. Bayrou faces challenges such as Moody's downgrade of France's credit rating due to political instability and the need to navigate the three-bloc impasse in the National Assembly. While Bayrou seeks to build bridges across political divides, concerns remain about potential leftward policy shifts and his leadership style characterized...

Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, highlights Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch's concerns over Nigel Farage potentially receiving a donation from Elon Musk, warning against the perception of politics being bought. Badenoch, facing competition from Farage's Reform UK, emphasizes the need for competition and thoughtful Conservatism, while acknowledging past failures in immigration policy. Despite facing challenges, Badenoch remains optimistic about her leadership and the Conservative party's future direction. Full Article

According to Zoopla's latest house price index, UK house prices rose by 1.9% in November 2024, with the average price reaching £267,500. The market is expected to continue growing in 2025, with a 2.5% increase projected. Buyers are becoming more price-sensitive, with average selling prices currently 3.6% below asking. Various regions in the UK experienced different rates of growth, with London seeing a 1.4% increase and Belfast a 6.9% rise in house prices. To avoid...

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's actions led to volatility on Wall Street, but the decision to pause further rate cuts seems justified following the release of a key inflation indicator and political uncertainty in Congress. Powell's leadership influenced market movements, while the decision to hold off on rate cuts appears to be supported by economic indicators and political developments. The week's events underscore the importance of Powell's role in guiding monetary policy amid changing economic...

Holiday spirit dominates news agenda, but key developments to watch globally include Moldova’s pro-EU president-elect Maia Sandu's inauguration on Tuesday, setting the country on a path to EU membership despite alleged Russian meddling. Georgia swears in pro-Russian Mikheil Kavelashvili on Sunday, while Croatia holds first-round presidential vote. Mozambique's top court to rule on disputed election, Albanian opposition demands PM's resignation. Bank of Japan governor to address Trump's tariffs impact on monetary policy, UK GDP figures...

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