THE DAILY BRIEFING

RECORD PAYOUTS dividend payments by the world’s largest firms soared to a record £390bn in the second quarter of 2018 – 12.9pc higher than the same time last year, according to the Janus Henderson Global dividend index.

LOSE CONFUSED investor Alastair Gunn, of Jupiter Asset Management, says Admiral should spin off its price comparison site Confused.com to focus on more profitable motor insurance.

FLIGHTS THREAT More pilot strikes could hit Ryanair as unions meet today in Frankfurt to discuss further industrial action over pay and working conditions, following disruption this month that led to 400 flights being cancelled.

DRUG COSTS The state of California is facing a legal challenge from drug firms, including Britain’s GlaxosmithKline and Astra-Zeneca, over measures designed to keep prices down. The lawsuit was brought by the Pharmaceutical research and Manufacturers of America, which has dropped a similar case against nevada after the state made concessions.

NO ESCAPE Bosses at Google admit it logs the location of users even when they opt out of being tracked. it has updated its website to make this clear after critics said it was misleading customers.

NODDING OFF Exhausted British workers are taking naps under their desks, in toilets, canteens and on staff lounge sofas because they are so tired, according to a survey by Dreams. nearly a third of those polled said they had nodded off in a meeting due to lack of sleep, with one in five late every week due to oversleeping.