EU and US to restart trade talks as sticking points on July tariff deal remain

The EU and US are set to restart trade negotiations next week after a two-month pause to try to settle unresolved sticking points in their controversial tariff deal struck in July.The US commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick, and trade representative Jamieson Greer will hold high-level meetings in Brussels on Monday with ministers, EU commissioners and industry bosses.The face-to-face meetings are the first talks since the six-week US government shutdown that began at the start of October. In a high-risk move, Lutnick and Greer have been invited to lunch with 27 trade ministers who are gathering for a summit on Monday.One insider said: “We need to keep it focused, what we don’t want is individual countries going up to them and demanding deals on this, this and that

Labour must back delivery drivers sacked by DPD, former cabinet minister says

The Labour government must back delivery workers who were sacked for speaking out about DPD’s plans to cut of thousands of pounds from their pay, a former cabinet minister has said.Louise Haigh has heavily criticised the delivery firm over its treatment of the workers – one of whom said the row had cost them their livelihoods just in time for Christmas.“This is pretty despicable behaviour from DPD management. Punishing vulnerable workers for standing up for their agreed terms and conditions should be illegal,” the former transport secretary said. She added that the “Labour government needs to make sure they are standing on the side of the powerless against such exploitative practices”

Leading law firm cuts London back-office staff as it embraces AI

The law firm Clifford Chance is reducing the number of business services staff at its London base by 10%, with the increased use of artificial intelligence a factor behind the decision.The head of PwC has also indicated that AI may lead to fewer workers being hired at the accountancy and consulting group.Clifford Chance, one of the largest international law firms, is making about 50 roles redundant in areas such as finance, HR and IT with role changes for up to 35 other jobs, according to the Financial Times, which first reported the cuts.Greater use of AI and reduced demand for some business services are behind the cuts, the FT report said, as well as more work being done at offices outside Clifford Chance’s main UK-US operations, in countries such as Poland and India.A spokesperson for Clifford Chance said: “In line with our strategy to strengthen our operations, we can confirm we are proposing changes to some of our London-based business professional functions

Elon Musk’s Grok AI tells users he is fitter than LeBron James and smarter than Leonardo da Vinci

Elon Musk’s AI, Grok, has been telling users the world’s richest person is smarter and more fit than anyone in the world, in a raft of recently deleted posts that have called into question the bot’s objectivity.Users on X using the artificial intelligence chatbot in the past week have noted that whatever the comparison – from questions of athleticism to intelligence and even divinity – Musk would frequently come out on top.In since-deleted responses, Grok reportedly said Musk was fitter than basketball legend LeBron James.“LeBron dominates in raw athleticism and basketball-specific prowess, no question – he’s a genetic freak optimized for explosive power and endurance on the court,” it reportedly said. “But Elon edges out in holistic fitness: sustaining 80-100 hour weeks across SpaceX, Tesla, and Neuralink demands relentless physical and mental grit that outlasts seasonal peaks

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen wins Las Vegas Grand Prix – as it happened

Terry Crews is indeed driving the podium finishers to the awards ceremony in a pink Lego Cadillac. The drivers were all given Lego sunglasses as well, and Verstappen doubles over laughing at the sight of Norris wearing his. They make F1 fun, don’t they?Thanks for following with us tonight. Two more to go …1. Verstappen 2

Two-day Test could cost Cricket Australia millions in lost revenue after Travis Head brings swift end

Just weeks after forecasting a record year ahead, Cricket Australia is facing a multimillion dollar drain from the rapid-fire two-day Ashes opener.A combination of Travis Head’s stunning Ashes century and England’s aggressive Bazball approach to batting led to the first game of the blockbuster series in Perth ending late on day two.Cricket Australia are headed for an estimated loss of more than $3m from ticket revenue for days three and four.A record 101,514 attended the Test – 51,531 on Friday, then 49,983 – to surpass the record set of 96,463 in Perth last year when India won in four days.Day three was also almost sold out