Panama rejects Trump call for US to take back canal

While the festive spirit will dominate the news agenda, there are notable developments around the world as the three defining themes of 2024 – elections, war and inflation – continue to reverberate in the background.

On Tuesday, the newly elected president of Moldova, Maya Sandu, will participate in his inauguration. His narrow election victory in October, despite alleged Russian interference in the process, would put the former Soviet country on the path to EU membership.

Georgia, on the other hand, will swear in Mikheil Kavelashvili as president on Sunday, pro-Russian fireworks, and Croatia will hold its first round of presidential voting on Sunday.

On Monday, Mozambique’s top court is due to rule on the country’s disputed October election, while Albanian opposition parties block roads to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama.

Kazuo Ueda, head of the Bank of Japan, will make a speech on the occasion of the Christmas holiday. Economists will watch his remarks to determine how President-elect Donald Trump’s tariffs will affect the pace and trajectory of monetary policy.

UK GDP figures for the third quarter will be released on Monday, after months of disappointing economic releases for Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

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