Good morning. Donald Trump may have buyer’s regret over his Pentagon pick. Insurers are feeling similarly wobbly about paying for weight-loss shots. And if you want to avoid travel regret, read to the end. Listen to the day’s top stories.

Pete Hegseth. Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg

Donald Trump may be about to ditch Pete Hegseth as his pick to run the Pentagon. The new favorite? Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, according to the Wall Street Journal. That’s even after Republican senators had rallied in support of Hegseth, who faces allegations of rape and other sexual misconduct that he has repeatedly denied. It’s been smoother sailing for Treasury secretary nominee Scott Bessent, who is planning meetings with key senators before his confirmation hearings.

A few more wins may be in the cards for Trump. His lawyers told a judge that his New York hush money conviction must be dismissed because the president-elect was unfairly targeted by prosecutors. Their legal precedent: Hunter Biden. And dig out your tux and gowns, it’s Fox News’ annual awards tonight. Trump is set to pick up “Fox Patriot of the Year.” Just don’t mention the key California 13th House Seat. 

Canada is hoping that growing trade tensions between the US and China may bring it closer to its neighbor. The Mining Association of Canada said China’s move to ban exports of rare metals to the US highlights the need for trade cooperation. Few of us have ever heard of gallium and germanium but they’re vital to—among other things—the screen on which you’re probably reading this. Here’s a primer.

Whatever happened to a quiet holiday season? We’re still trying to get our heads around yesterday’s shock declaration—and equally quick lifting—of martial law in usually stable South Korea. Luckily, here’s a Q&A to make sense of it all. For now, it looks like the president will be impeached. As for France, President Emmanuel Macron would very much like the government to survive a no-confidence vote later today. Given it looks like “non,” here’s what might happen next.

In corporate news, the future of the 7-Eleven’s owner is still in the balance. One plan may mean the listing of its North American stores. Campbell’s CEO Mark Clouse is swapping soup for the NFL, taking the role of president of the Washington Commanders. And speaking of fresh starts, Starbucks needs one—but can it pull it off? 

Deep Dive: The Price of Weight Loss

Vials on the Wegovy line at a Novo Nordisk production facility in Denmark. Photographer: Carsten Snejbjerg/Bloomberg

Weight loss shots like Mounjaro and Ozempic are meant to be taken indefinitely. But due to list prices in the US of more than $1,000 a month and their extreme popularity, insurers are deciding many people don’t need them or dropping coverage.

• Patients are left with hard choices. Some are rationing their doses while others switch to copycat versions made by compounding pharmacies that still cost hundreds of dollars and may be low quality. Many quit altogether.
• This lack of access is muting the potential world-changing health impact of these medications, essentially forcing droves of people back into a world of yo-yo weight loss.
• Meanwhile, the battle for the best shot intensified as Eli Lilly’s Zepbound outperformed rival Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy in a head-to-head trial, with patients losing an average of 20% of their body weight.

The Big Take

Opinion

Members and supporters of South Korean opposition parties protest in front of the National Assembly in Seoul. Photographer: Tina Hsu/Bloomberg

The list of normally stable and healthy democracies now mired in serious political uncertainty—France, Germany, Japan, South Korea—is growing, John Authers writes. Thrashing out their futures, while the America pull backs support, promises to be perilous. 

Before You Go

Travelers at a Tunisair check-in desk in Montreal, Canada. Photographer: Graham Hughes/Bloomberg

For a happier holiday season, you may want to avoid certain airlines. Tunisair was the most delayed and complained about carrier in 2024, according to AirHelp. As for the best, Brussels Airlines and Qatar Airways held the top spots.

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