AI Investments Boost Lloyds Banking Group's Expectations; Two More Students Detained by ICE; and More

Lloyds Banking Group Plc is on track to see a £100 million benefit from using artificial intelligence (AI) this year, as the bank continues to invest heavily in technology. According to a report in Bloomberg, the bank's CEO, Charlie Nunn, stated that the investment in AI will help Lloyds to reduce costs, improve customer service, and enhance its digital capabilities.

ICE Detains Two More Students from Liam Ramos's School

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has taken custody of two children from the same Minnesota elementary school as Liam Ramos, a five-year-old boy who was detained earlier this month. The mother of the two children, who has a pending asylum case, was also detained, and the family has since been transported to a Texas detention facility.

The Case for Raiding Your 401(K)

Economist and Bloomberg Opinion columnist Allison Schrager argues that individuals should be allowed to raid their 401(K) retirement savings to buy a house. Schrager believes that this option could help young people get on the property ladder, especially in areas where housing costs are high.

International Paper Splitting into Two Listed Companies

International Paper Chairman and CEO Andy Silvernail has announced plans to break up and spin off the European packaging business to create two independent, publicly traded companies. The move is expected to help the company focus on its core North American operations and improve its financial performance.

Long-End Treasuries Fluctuate as Traders Await US Jobs Data

US Treasuries fluctuated as investors looked ahead to jobs data for clues on the path of interest rates and surging commodity prices kindled concerns about sticky inflation.

Emergency Loans Offered to Civil Servants Waiting on Pensions

Cabinet Office Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds has announced that emergency loans will be offered to retired civil servants who are facing lengthy waits for their pensions. The announcement follows growing concern over the delays, which have left some pensioners in financial hardship.

Urgent Call to Save Britain's Oldest Rollercoaster

A council has written to the culture secretary to intervene and save Britain's oldest rollercoaster, which is at risk of being dismantled and sold for scrap. The rollercoaster, which dates back to 1920, is currently located at the Pleasure Beach amusement park in Blackpool.

Packaging Giant International Paper Explores Breakup

International Paper Co. is exploring a breakup, according to people familiar with the matter. The company is considering splitting its North American and European operations into two separate entities to improve focus and financial performance.

First Arrest after High-Value Museum Raids

Detectives are still hunting for four other suspects and have released new CCTV images following the high-value raid at the London museum.

What It's Like to Do Big Ag Business in Venezuela and Ukraine

Dealing with dollar shortages and much more.

'Danger to Life' Flood Warning as More Rain Forecast

More than 50mm of rain fell across Hampshire, Dorset, and the Isle of Wight on Tuesday, prompting a 'danger to life' flood warning.

US DoJ Announces Federal Civil Rights Investigation into Killing of Alex Pretti

The US deputy attorney general, Todd Blanche, has announced that the justice department has opened a federal civil rights investigation into the fatal shooting of Minneapolis nurse Alex Pretti by immigration officers.

Trump Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick Arranged to Visit Epstein Island, Files Show

Newly released documents reveal that Howard Lutnick, currently serving as Trump's US secretary of commerce, arranged to visit Jeffrey Epstein's island in 2012.

Girl, 7, Swept Out to Sea on Holiday in Morocco

Inaayah Makda remains missing after being caught out by a rapidly incoming tide while on holiday in Morocco.

US Trade Gap Widens to $56 Billion in November

The US trade deficit widened to $56 billion in November, as overall imports rose by 5% and the value of exports fell by 3.6%.

Adani Eyes $1.5 Billion Yen Debt in Bid to Diversify Credit Mix

Adani Group is seeking to raise as much as $1.5 billion worth of yen-denominated debt in the next year and a half to diversify its financing.

Boss of Post Office IT Scandal Firm Fujitsu to Step Down

Paul Patterson, the boss of Fujitsu, the company at the heart of the Post Office IT scandal, will step down and become the chair of Fujitsu's UK business responsible for its inquiry response.

Girl, 12, Strangled and Raped, Court Hears

Afghan nationals Ahmad Mulakhil and Mohammad Kabir have denied offenses against a young girl in Nuneaton.

Banks Borrow Record £100.9 Billion from BOE Short-Term Repo Tool

Banks borrowed a record amount from a Bank of England repo facility, signaling growing demand for cash at a time when the central bank continues to drain excess liquidity from the financial system.

Tepco Unit to Sell 150 Billion Yen Worth of Kandenko Shares

A unit of Tokyo Electric Power Co. plans to reduce its stake in an electrical-infrastructure builder, as Japan's biggest utility seeks to raise funds.