In BIG PICTURE NEWS, we look at further Venezuela and Greenland developments and Trump orders a chunky mortgage bond-buying spree while the UK government moves to ring-fence the City and climbs down on pub taxes. In CONSUMER, RETAIL & LEISURE NEWS, UK households spend less on booze, Tesco and M&S have a merry Christmas, Uniqlo benefits from tourists, Primark disappoints and Greggs puts prices up. In IPO & M&A NEWS, MiniMax is the latest Chinese AI company to list and Merck eyes Revolution Medicines while Glencore and Rio Tinto restart talks. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Chinese car exports are set to rise, GM takes a hit and LG Electronics expects a loss. AND FINALLY, I bring you a brave man...