Your morning briefing, the business news you need in just 15 minutes.

On today's podcast:

(1) President Joe Biden said Israel should hold off from attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities in retaliation for a missile barrage this week, as Group of Seven nations sought to tamp down a spiraling conflict that threatens to pull the US even deeper in.

(2) OpenAI has completed a deal to raise $6.6 billion in new funding, giving the artificial intelligence company a $157 billion valuation and bolstering its efforts to build the world’s leading generative AI technology.

(3) French President Emmanuel Macron endorsed a temporary tax on the country’s largest companies, supporting his new government’s strategy even as it departs from his longstanding pro-business stance.

(4) Prime Minister Keir Starmer promised to “stand firm” during what are likely to be difficult negotiations to forge closer ties with the European Union, as he announced the first-ever UK-EU bilateral summit next year.

(5) UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer paid back more than £6,000 ($8,000) worth of gifts and hospitality he has received since entering 10 Downing St., as he sought to quell a freebie controversy that has distracted from the early work of his administration.