The UK economy delivered a surprise boost in November and Elon Musk’s platform X is under intense scrutiny after its AI tool Grok was linked to illegal content. Meanwhile, a major toy supplier for Pop Mart in China is under fire over alleged labour abuses and a new report reveals sports piracy in Britain has skyrocketed. Read on for LCN’s picks of this week’s top commercial stories!

We’ve made it to July and unlike the British weather right now, this round-up is hot, hot, hot with the latest commercial stories. We’re covering the Paris protests, ticket office closures, Just Stop Oil, conversion therapy and copyright law.

US trade sanctions: should non-US reinsurers be running scared?

The UK is set to co-host an AI safety summit to discuss regulation of the technology. The country is also experiencing a simultaneous rise in unemployment and wages. Plus, authors join forces in a boycott against fossil fuels and the Israel-Gaza war, and Marks & Spencer partners with a recycling technology company to trace the disposal of single-use plastic packaging. Read this week’s commercial news round-up to find out more.

Who are Gen Z, and why do they have so much influence on retail markets? 

Volunteering pro bono has almost as many benefits for students as it does for members of the public in need of legal advice. Read our student guide to pro bono work to discover how it can propel your legal career.

During a particularly difficult business law seminar one day, a peer of mine sat next to me, engrossed in his laptop. It wasn't that seminar's corporation tax calculation that had captured his attention, but, instead, the Law Society's legal aid desert maps, which he was exploring on its website – and to which he introduced me.

3D printing gives rise to all types of exciting possibilities, but are there IP issues that rights holders need to be aware of?

Bex Gerrard is a HR coordinator at Gowling WLG (UK) LLP. She opens up about her disability and experience at work, and outlines what she believes makes a truly inclusive workplace.

This week has been yet another week full of remarkable headlines. From the explosive release of the Casey report, which revealed some worrying truths about London’s police force, to Google’s late entry into the AI chatbot space, this week’s round-up isn’t one to miss.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is an often-referred to, often-quoted, but often-misunderstood topic that without a doubt has the potential to change every aspect of our lives. As I guarantee all of you reading will have heard about the basics of AI, I won’t go into detail explaining what exactly it is and is not; however, I will say that AI is an incredibly broad and multifarious concept, which takes many different forms. This blog will focus on the impact that AI will have specifically on law firms, both positive and negative, and which aspects of AI law firms are most interested in.

What are the implications of updated EU data protection legislation for companies and individual citizens?

Justice is absolute. But the law is a heady mix of acceptable compromise, injustice, corruption and politics – whatever makes the wheels run smoother. This is one of the key themes of Criminal Justice, BBC’s impressive five-part drama.

I hope you’re all enjoying the new year. I tend to find it easier to keep up with commercial awareness in the new year, especially as my commercial awareness routine usually takes place when I’m getting ready for university!

The US and Ukraine have finalised a significant agreement to share profits from Ukraine's mineral and energy reserves, while Barclays will prohibit transgender women from using female bathrooms in its buildings following the recent UK Supreme Court ruling. Meanwhile, Microsoft has surpassed Wall Street predictions for a fourth quarter in a row and the Co-op has shut down parts of its IT systems due to a hacking attempt. Read on to find out more!

This week, like many in the UK, has been a hub for commercial news. We’re taking a look at The Sun’s handling of the BBC presenter story, the junior doctor strike, the coronation’s impact on the economy, Meta’s latest brainchild Threads and ever-increasing mortgage rates. 

If you've just started applying, or have already finished all of your submissions, well done! You've completed, in my opinion, the hardest part. The next step is converting those applications into placement offers. In this post, I'll describe how you can succeed in the next stage of psychometric testing, and some advice for post-application worries.

What are the reasons for optimism among entrepreneurs dreaming of success in the Asia-Pacific region?

Weight loss jabs, cryptocurrency, Rishi Sunak’s small boats policy, a universal basic income trial and the legal duties of universities. This week’s commercial news round-up has a diverse group of stories for you, so why not pick a topic and try the PESTLE method to test your commercial awareness?  

Universal Basic Income (UBI) is a social welfare proposal in which all citizens of a given population receive a regular guaranteed pre-tax income without any means test or the need to be in work, and it would be received independently of any other income.