Panama rejected Trump’s call for the US to take back the canal

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

On Tuesday, Moldova’s pro-EU president-elect Maia Sandu will attend her inauguration. Her narrow election victory in October, despite accusations of Russian interference in the process, would put the former Soviet nation on the path to EU membership.

On the other hand, Georgia will be sworn in as president on Sunday, Mikheil Kavelashvili, a supporter of Russia, and Croatia will hold the first round of the presidential election on Sunday.

Mozambique’s top court will deliver its verdict on Monday on the country’s disputed election in October, as opposition parties in Albania block demands for Prime Minister Edi Rama to step down.

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda will give a speech on Christmas Day. Economists will pore over his words for clues about how President-elect Donald Trump’s tariffs will affect the pace and trajectory of monetary policy.

UK third-quarter GDP figures will be published on Monday, following months of disappointing economic statements from chancellor Rachel Reeves.

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