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Venezuela’s Commercial Reopening: New Oil Regulations, Expanded Sanctions Authorizations and Heightened Compliance Expectations

Venezuela’s legal and commercial environment is entering a new phase. Recent hydrocarbons reforms and implementing regulations have expanded opportunities for private participation across the oil value chain, while the United States has issued a series of general licenses permitting defined categories of energy, minerals, financial-services and investment-related activity. These developments may create meaningful opportunities for Venezuelan businesses seeking foreign capital, technology, services, financing and access to international markets. They do…

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D.C. Circuit Rejects NLRB’s Post-Merger Bargaining Rule

Quick Hits The D.C. Circuit ruled that the NLRB’s “successor bar” rule violates the NLRA when it forces employers to recognize unions despite evidence of lack of majority support. The ruling reinforces employees’ rights to choose their representatives or to be union-free and challenges the NLRB’s authority to create additional barriers to change or remove union representation. This decision signals increased judicial scrutiny of NLRB decision-making, following the Supreme Court’s…

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Children and Monkeys Share a Common Understanding of Geometry

With their ability to use tools, remember faces and even learn how to communicate with humans through sign language, non-human primates are considered to be among the smartest creatures on earth. However, some concepts — geometry, for instance — have traditionally been thought of as beyond the abilities of humanity’s closest cousins.But a new study from Carnegie Mellon University published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences calls that…

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How Much Is Crawling Your Content Worth to an AI Bot?

“Best recipe for banana bread.” “How to fix running toilet.” “Is Harry Styles engaged?”For decades, a well-established business model allowed internet users to answer big life questions like these. Search engines directed readers to content on other websites—and those visits helped support content through advertisements, subscriptions, and product sales.AI-assisted search is already threatening the once-symbiotic relationship between search engines and content producers. On Google, for example, many queries now result…

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Loper Bright Strikes Again

In a July 21, 2026 decision, the D.C. Circuit struck down the National Labor Relations Board’s “successor bar” doctrine, holding that it is inconsistent with the National Labor Relations Act. In doing so, the majority opinion in Hospital Menonita de Guayama v. NLRB relied on Loper Bright and the court’s obligation to independently interpret statutes rather than to defer to an agency’s own interpretation of its statutory authority. The decision…

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Mexican Government’s Increased Workplace Inspections Raise Compliance Stakes

Quick Hits Employers must comply with obligations related to: (i) the prevention of discrimination and violence against women, (ii) NOM-035-STPS-2018 Psychosocial Risk Factors, and (iii) the Chair Law (“Ley Silla”). The government has increased workplace investigations, raising the importance of ensuring that employers are in compliance with employment-related laws.  Key Obligations Prevention of discrimination and violence against women. As a result of several amendments to guarantee an environment free of…

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Macroprudential policy and productivity: friends not foes

24 July 2026By Ellen RyanAmid ongoing concerns over European productivity growth, this ECB Blog post looks at the relationship between macroprudential policy and productivity.Recent years have seen rising – and well-founded – concerns over European productivity growth. As these concerns grow a suspicion emerges: is regulation to blame for the sluggish economy? This post looks at this question in the context of macroprudential regulation and argues that macroprudential policy can…

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Workplace Safety and the Offboarding Process: Strategies for Managing Employment Terminations

After the employment termination, employers may wish to continue monitoring for potential workplace safety threats and have strategic communication and crisis-response plans in place to address them. Quick Hits A pre-termination risk assessment and a carefully planned employment termination meeting can protect the safety and dignity of everyone involved. Prompt revocation of a departing employee’s system and building access, along with a coordinated return of company property, can help prevent…

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NJDOL Issues FAQs Making Clear That TDI/FLI Recipients Have Job Protection Under the NJFLA

Quick Hits The NJDOL has issued long-awaited guidance/FAQs on recent NJFLA amendments, which became effective on July 17, 2026. The guidance clarifies that employees receiving TDI or FLI benefits, whether through the state or a private insurance plan, are entitled to job protection for as long as they receive those benefits while on an otherwise unpaid leave of absence. The job protection is separate from reinstatement rights already provided under…

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Iran Hasn’t Collapsed. The Analytical Model for Understanding It Has

Why the 2026 War Has Become a Reason to Revise the Analytical Model for Understanding Iran Part I Every war tests more than just armies. It also tests the analytical models through which states, societies, and international crises become objects of political analysis. Some wars change borders. Others reshape the balance of power. But there are wars that, above all, reveal the limits of the explanatory power of the analytical…

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AI chatbots can be as effective as humans at emotional support – and sometimes better

Co-author Dr Belén López-Pérez, Lecturer in Psychology at The University of Manchester, said: “Our findings suggest that what makes emotional support effective is less about who provides it, and more about how it is delivered. Providing people with specific, actionable steps, rather than general reassurance, is a key ingredient for effective support, whether that comes from a person or a chatbot.She added: “While a human might typically suggest going for…

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Solar for All Grantees Fight for Return of Funding in Federal Claims Court

WASHINGTON – Several nonprofit solar grantees have now filed claims against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the Court of Federal Claims, challenging the agency’s decision to break grant agreements that had been awarded competitively under a nationwide program, Solar for All, meant to accelerate deployment of solar on residential homes and slash energy bills for millions of Americans. The Southern Environmental Law Center, Lawyers for Good Government, Seyfarth…

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Washington State Employers Face Major Changes to Background Checks

Quick Hits As of July 1, 2026, employers in Washington State with fifteen or more employees anywhere that inquire about or consider criminal history in employment decisions have significant new requirements under the Washington Fair Chance Act. The law applies to all sources of criminal history information. The amended law expands protections to current employees. The amendments also expand employer obligations to notify employees of their rights. The WFCA amendments…

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Carnegie Mellon Researchers Lead Three DOE Genesis Mission Awards to Advance the Future of AI-Enabled Scientific Discovery

Carnegie Mellon University, working with researchers, partners and collaborators at Department of Energy national laboratories and other universities, will lead three projects selected for funding(opens in new window) through the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Genesis Mission, positioning CMU at the forefront of a national effort to transform how scientific breakthroughs are made. Carnegie Mellon researchers will also contribute to five Genesis Mission projects led by partner institutions, extending the university's…

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Harnessing AI to Find Critical Minerals

Researchers from Carnegie Mellon University will develop a new artificial intelligence framework to better identify critical minerals in the ground, increasing America’s access to these valuable materials and reducing the cost and time for exploration and extraction. The CMU research team will work with Sandia National Laboratories, Colorado School of Mines and the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center(opens in new window) to use AI to identify geologic and biological clues that could indicate…

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Fathers who take solo parental leave remain more involved parents years later

Fathers who take sole responsibility for caring for their baby during parental leave are more likely to remain actively involved in childcare years later, according to major new research from The University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University.The five-year study found that periods of solo caregiving helped fathers develop confidence, practical parenting skills and a deeper understanding of the demands of childcare, leading to more equal sharing of work and…

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To Reduce Emissions, the Carbon Offsets Market Needs One Crucial Fix

Over the past decade, thousands of companies have taken public positions on climate change. Airlines, banks, tech giants, and consumer brands have pledged to reach “net zero,” promising to bring their greenhouse gas emissions down to nothing—or close to it—by some future date.But few companies can actually eliminate all of their emissions. Some activities—flying planes, making cement, running global supply chains—are difficult or impossible to fully decarbonize with today's technology.…

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EEOC Unveils Proposed Rule to Eliminate EEO Reporting Requirements

Quick Hits The EEOC has proposed rescinding federal EEO reporting requirements, including mandatory annual EEO-1 filings. As of the publication date of this article, the proposed rule has not yet been formally published in the Federal Register and remains subject to public comment. Current reporting obligations remain in effect unless and until the EEOC issues a final rule; the EEOC would retain authority to seek relevant records during investigations. The…

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Jodrell Bank demonstrates live radar observations of satellites and space debris

Dr Chris Blount at the UK Space Agency said: “The Long Baseline Multistatic Radar (LMBR) project has been a fantastic example of innovation and collaboration by incredible UK and international talent, and an exemplar case of the capability multiplication through collaboration the International Bilateral Fund (IBF) seeks to achieve. The LBMR team have taken the thorny challenge of real time on-demand monitoring of space objects on geostationary orbit, and through…

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What is Russian Сivilisation?

When discussing Russian values, concepts such as collectivism, service, the primacy of the spiritual over the material, and other concepts are often mentioned. Such values are more than significant for us. But they are also present in other civilisations and are common to many ethnic groups. They can be found in abundance even in the seemingly individualistic and materialistic West. Ultimately, any community is based, to varying degrees, on collective…

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DHS Rescinds 2022 Public Charge Rule

Quick Hits On July 20, 2026, DHS rescinded the 2022 public charge framework and restored broad discretion for officers to weigh all pertinent factors when assessing whether an applicant is likely at any time to become a public charge. The rule takes effect September 18, 2026. Under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), an applicant for a visa, admission, or adjustment of status is inadmissible if, in the reviewing officer’s…

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Fragmented system hampering UK response to economic crime, researchers find

A new study from The University of Manchester has offered the most comprehensive look to date at how the UK coordinates its response to economic crime, identifying the structural challenges that make this difficult to do well.The study examines the tensions that make these challenges resistant to easy resolution, and the enabling conditions needed for multi-agency collaboration to work more effectively. The research examined the work of the National Economic…

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CMU Study Finds New Forever Chemicals in Firefighters After Fires

Forever chemicals are so prevalent in consumer goods that they can be detected in nearly everyone. But firefighters are exposed to these complex chemical compounds, also called PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), more frequently than the general population. There are thousands of different kinds of PFAS, and they’re found in foam used to put out fires and in protective firefighting gear. Carnegie Mellon University’s Carrie McDonough(opens in new window), an associate professor in the Mellon…

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NYC Finalizes Rules for Updated Earned Safe and Sick Time Act—Effective July 23, 2026

Quick Hits New York City’s final rules for the amended ESSTA align with new requirements that employers provide an additional thirty-two hours of unpaid protected time off immediately upon hire and at the beginning of each calendar year. The final rules clarify that “protected time off” includes both paid and unpaid time for various circumstances, such as caring for a disabled household member or attending legal proceedings related to benefits.…

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Bill C-31 proposes major Defence Production Act changes affecting Canadian defence procurement

On June 3, 2026, the House of Commons completed second reading of Bill C-31, Budget 2025 Implementation Act, No. 2 (Bill C-31) which will now proceed to study in the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance. Alongside numerous policy changes to Canada’s defence procurement strategy, Bill C-31 includes amendments to the Defence Production Act, RSC 1985, c D-1 (the DPA).1 The tabled amendments to the DPA reflect Canada’s prioritization of…

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Family courts must do more to hear children’s voices, study says

Researchers say children's rights and wellbeing must be placed at the heart of family court proceedingsChildren involved in private family law proceedings in England can experience serious harm to their mental and physical health because their voices are too often ignored or dismissed, according to new research led by the University of Manchester in partnership with SHERA Research Group members and The Survivor Family Network.The study argues that children are…

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Russia’s Role in International Educational Mobility in the Modern World

One of the key characteristics of the modern world is the trend toward the increasing internationalisation of higher education, particularly at the master’s level. More and more universities are entering the international market for education and establishing themselves. Competition for international applicants is becoming increasingly intense, both between countries and within individual universities. International university rankings have contributed to this. Russia plays a special role in providing international educational mobility.…

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You’ve never been able to compare your own functions

How to compare the parts of your business that matter most Most organisations can benchmark financial performance, but few can compare the performance of their own functions. This article explores why measuring efficiency and effectiveness separately, using common and function-specific ratios, gives leaders a clearer view of where value is created, where it’s lost, and where to focus improvement. Reading time: 6 minutes You can compare your share price to…

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Seyfarth Further Expands Sophisticated Real Estate Offerings with Addition of Chris McCoy as a Partner in Charlotte

July 20, 2026 – Seyfarth Shaw LLP has further expanded its world-class Real Estate department by adding Chris McCoy as a partner in the firm’s growing Charlotte office. McCoy is the 12th Real Estate partner who has made a lateral move to Seyfarth since January 2025 – and the fifth partner since the beginning of 2026 to join Seyfarth’s Real Estate group, which ranks among the largest in the United…

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California Court of Appeal Holds Sexual Orientation Harassment Triggers the EFAA

In Decloedt v. Radnet Management, Inc., the California Second Appellate District affirmed the denial of an employer’s motion to compel arbitration, concluding that the plaintiff-respondent’s allegations of severe or pervasive sexual orientation harassment by a coworker fell squarely within the EFAA’s exemption from the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA). Quick Hits In Decloedt v. Radnet Management, Inc., the California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, held that harassment on the basis…

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The Supreme Court clarifies Canada’s methods of medical treatment doctrine

On July 17, 2026, the Supreme Court of Canada released its long-awaited decision in Pharmascience Inc. v. Janssen Inc., 2026 SCC 26, providing the most significant guidance in decades on the patentability of methods of medical treatment in Canada. While the Court ultimately upheld Janssen's patent, which the Court characterized as being for dosing regimens for formulations used to treat schizophrenia, the broader significance of the decision lies in its…

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The King of the North and the ‘Manchester Model’ – a media round-up

Andy Burnham became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom today.Styled as ‘King of the North’ for his successes as Mayor of Greater Manchester between 2017 and 2026, Burnham’s oversight of our region - which has been dubbed ‘Manchesterism’ - saw it become the fastest growing place in the UK. Now it is up to him to recreate the regional success of Greater Manchester on a national scale.As the eyes of…

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Thriving at the Intersection of Athletics, Engineering and Naval ROTC

On any given weekday, Dylan Provencher is up and running at Carnegie Mellon University long before most students hit snooze. By 5:30 a.m., the junior mechanical engineering major is already at physical training with the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC). Later in the morning or afternoon, he’s lifting weights or practicing with the Tartans football team. In between, he’s immersed in demanding engineering coursework — while also leading a…

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A Prescription for Rebuilding Trust in the FDA

This commentary was originally published in Fortune. The views expressed are the authors’ own.The FDA occupies a unique position at the intersection of science, medicine, public health, and innovation. Patients depend on the agency to evaluate therapies rigorously and fairly; innovators depend on predictable regulatory pathways; and investors depend on confidence that scientific evidence will guide decision-making.That’s why it’s so disappointing and disheartening to see that only about half of…

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Researchers challenge evidence behind high-profile parental alienation study

The Hine study, covered by media outletscalls for policy and legal reforms, including the development of school programmes to teach children how to identify so-called “parental alienating behaviours.” The study has also been cited within official Family Justice Council guidance raising questions about the robustness of the evidence appraisal and guideline development process of the guidance, particularly given the methodological concerns with the Hine study that have since been identified.…

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Global Oil Markets and Their Three Load-Bearing Columns

The US attack on Iran sent shockwaves throughout oil markets as prices soared following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and subsequent critical disruptions in global energy flows. From the chaos emerged three energy leaders that are set to shape market dynamics for years to come, writes Konstantin Simonov, Director General of the National Energy Security Fund. Experts had already begun summing up the latest conflict surrounding Iran when…

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College Sports’ Search for Order Continues

By: Alison Silveira, Lilah Wylde, and Natalie Costero The House settlement was expected to bring long-awaited structure to college athletics. Instead, it has marked the beginning of a new phase of litigation, regulatory disputes, and legislative activity  that will shape how Universities implement revenue sharing, manage NIL programs, and interact with third-party partners. For Universities now one year into the effectiveness of House, the challenge is no longer simply preparing…

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