The billionaire Koch family and its network of donors are re-entering presidential politics, opposing Trump and backing Nikki Haley in the 2024 Republican primary. https://ift.tt/q5UdGNr

Ukrainian forces struck a large Russian warship during an air raid on a base in occupied Crimea, dealing another blow to Moscow’s Black Sea fleet. https://ift.tt/T4Uxwct

Israel’s war cabinet took an Egyptian proposal to end the war with Hamas to a wider group of ministers as domestic pressure grows to secure the release of hostages and as regional powers look for a solution to halt the fighting in Gaza. https://ift.tt/FzqiJRx

Iran has tripled production of nearly weapons-grade uranium in a move likely to deepen its confrontation with the West as Tehran helps allied militias to attack Israel and U.S. forces in the region. https://ift.tt/IGXFsaM

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China hit back at U.S. criticism of its human-rights record by imposing sanctions on a Los Angeles data-analytics firm and two analysts involved in scouring the country’s supply chain for abuses. https://ift.tt/BFJVC4g

Trump, preparing for a potential second term, has been stocking an arsenal of protectionist trade measures filled primarily with new levies on imports from China and elsewhere. https://ift.tt/wpWQsom

Investors piled into far-reaching corners of global markets in 2023, driving a rally spanning stocks, bonds, gold and cryptocurrencies. https://ift.tt/Hp3MxZu

U.S. retail sales rose 3.1% from Nov. 1 through Dec. 24, according to Mastercard SpendingPulse, which measures in-store and online sales, reflecting a year marked by higher prices and a strong U.S. job market. https://ift.tt/QWeDHB2

Apple appealed a decision by a federal trade agency that forced it to stop selling two models of its smartwatches after the agency said Apple violated patents of a competitor. https://ift.tt/FVk5b1P