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

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...

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...

Analysts have slightly adjusted their dividend expectations for the FTSE 100, now forecasting a payout of £78.5 billion in 2024 compared to the previous estimate of £79.7 billion. Despite minimal growth in dividends this year, the index still offers a dividend yield of around 3.6%, which increases to 6.5% when considering buybacks and takeovers. Looking ahead to 2025, analysts predict a 6.5% increase in dividends to £83.6 billion, with some concentration risk as 10 companies...