Royal Mail takeover by Czech billionaire approved for £3.6bn

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

In a legislative crisis, the US Congress must find a deal to keep the government open, with the House of Representatives voting down a funding bill supported by Donald Trump. The failed deal aimed to extend government spending, provide disaster relief, and suspend federal borrowing limits, but fell short of passing. Trump and Elon Musk criticized the bill, leading to a scramble for a new solution before a government shutdown deadline. Full Article

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...

The Bank of England kept interest rates at 4.75% due to concerns about stubborn inflation, despite predicting zero growth in the final quarter of the year. While some members of the Monetary Policy Committee favored rate cuts, the majority emphasized the risks of inflation persistence and the potential trade-off between inflationary pressures and economic weakness. The decision led to a decrease in sterling and gilt yields, with investors focusing on the possibility of further rate...