Hiya and welcome to the working week.
On Monday, the US Congress will preside over the electoral school vote depend, which can certify Donald Trump’s election victory. Though that is usually not more than a small formality, the final prevalence 4 years in the past was tarnished by the assault on the US Capitol constructing.
The Biden administration’s days are numbered. The FT’s Washington workforce can be conserving a detailed eye on any last-minute initiatives from the White Home over the approaching days, particularly on Ukraine and the local weather, because the outgoing president seems to consolidate his legacy.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet South Korean overseas minister Cho Tae-yul on Monday, the primary high-level diplomatic talks since President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment. (Final week’s Lunch with the FT is an illuminating guide to Blinken’s overseas coverage considering.) Over the approaching days, South Korea’s major opposition, the Democratic occasion, plans to summon Yoon to a parliamentary listening to and appoint particular counsels to investigate his failed bid to impose martial legislation.
On Friday, Trump is ready to seem for sentencing within the New York “hush cash” felony case. Justice Juan Merchan, who has presided over the trial, signalled in final week’s order that the president-elect might attend the listening to just about and would not face jail time over the conviction.
That very same day, the US Supreme Court docket will hear arguments on a legislation that will outlaw TikTok within the nation if it isn’t bought to an American firm. The ban is ready to come back into impact on January 19, a day earlier than Trump’s inauguration. Nonetheless, the president-elect has urged the courtroom to delay the ban, saying he would like “to pursue a political resolution” as an alternative.
Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro is ready to be sworn in for a 3rd time period following his disputed election victory in July. Because the vote, Maduro has clamped down on his political opponents. Dozens of human rights campaigners and journalists have had their passports cancelled and opposition chief Edmundo González has sought political asylum in Spain. Anticipate a tightly choreographed present of energy as his authorities stays on excessive alert.
There are a raft of buying and selling updates from UK retailers this week, together with Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Marks and Spencer. Anticipate evaluation on what the experiences reveal about client power this Christmas season. Furthermore, analysts will research the experiences for clues on which supermarkets will be capable of stand up to the headwinds from the Labour occasion’s Funds in 2025, as elevated employers’ nationwide insurance coverage contributions squeeze grocers’ margins.
Yet one more factor . . .
It’s a giant week for movie and TV. Film buffs can binge-watch the Critics Alternative Awards, the Nationwide Board of Assessment gala, the AARP awards and the Golden Globes over the approaching days. I gained’t be becoming a member of them. I haven’t watched a lot of something this 12 months. And shamefully, I missed all 10 of our film critic’s best films of 2024.
What must-see movie of the final 12 months did I miss? Let me know at harvey.nriapia@ft.com.
Key financial and firm experiences
Here’s a extra full record of what to anticipate when it comes to firm experiences and financial information this week.
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
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Greggs This fall buying and selling replace, B&M Q3 buying and selling assertion, Marks and Spencer Christmas buying and selling replace, Tesco Q3 and Christmas buying and selling assertion
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Peru rate of interest
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Financial institution of Mexico financial coverage minutes
Friday
World occasions
Lastly, here’s a rundown of different occasions and milestones this week.
Monday
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US Congress meets to certify Trump’s election
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Antony Blinken to fulfill South Korean International Minister Cho Tae-yul
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Golden Globe Awards
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Malaysia’s courtroom of attraction to listen to jailed former prime minister Najib Razak’s bid for home arrest
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Epiphany
Tuesday
Friday
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US Supreme Court docket to listen to arguments on a legislation that will ban TikTok if it isn’t bought to an American firm
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Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro to be sworn in for a 3rd time period following his disputed election victory
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President Joe Biden to fulfill Pope Francis and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome
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Donald Trump to be sentenced in ‘hush cash’ trial
