US government shutdown looms after House rejects Donald Trump-backed funding bill

The UK stock market will be closed on New Year's Day, Wednesday, January 1, 2024. In 2025, the London Stock Exchange will observe certain holidays, including New Year's Day, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day, affecting trading hours. Investors can refer to the provided list of bank holidays to plan their trading activities accordingly. Full Article

Europe's Russian liquefied natural gas imports have hit a record high this year, reaching 16.5mn tonnes as of mid-December, despite the EU's aim to reduce dependence on Russian gas. Spot market purchases of Russian LNG have increased, with 33% of EU imports under spot contracts this year. EU officials are working towards ending all imports of Russian fossil fuels by 2027, with plans to increase US imports as an alternative. Full Article

and special characters out of the summary. Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky's £3.6 billion takeover of International Distribution Services, the owner of Royal Mail, has passed a national security review, with the state retaining a "golden share" in the company. Unions have praised the deal, with promises of employee dividends and a say in company decisions, while shareholders are expected to approve the takeover despite concerns about weakening Royal Mail's finances and the long-term viability of...

Teamsters delivery drivers at seven Amazon.com Inc. facilities launched a strike due to the company's alleged refusal to negotiate, impacting holiday deliveries. The union accused Amazon of unfair bargaining practices as shoppers rush to purchase gifts. The walkout highlights growing tensions between workers and the online retail giant during the busy holiday season. Full Article

OpenAI has introduced a new way for U.S. users to connect with its AI chatbot ChatGPT via phone call by dialing 1-800-CHATGPT. The feature allows users to interact with ChatGPT without creating an account, offering services such as identifying landmarks and providing translations. OpenAI's goal is to make AI accessible to more people, with plans to expand the feature globally through WhatsApp messaging. This initiative was part of OpenAI's "12 Days of OpenAI" event, which...

Kylie Kelce's podcast "Not Gonna Lie" has quickly risen to the top of Apple's podcast chart and reached the No. 2 spot on Spotify, offering relatable content for busy women with humor and candor. With 25 million social views and audio downloads in its first week, Kelce's podcast has gained traction despite facing criticism for nepotism and parenting advice. Kelce remains focused on creating content that resonates with her audience, unconcerned with any negativity or...