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DOL’s Child Labor Enforcement Expected to Be Hotter Than Ever This Summer

Quick Hits The DOL is enforcing child labor laws through two key mechanisms: (1) preventing employers from shipping or profiting from “hot goods” and (2) assessing aggregate civil money penalties. An August 2023 DOL field assistance bulletin advises field agents on identifying violations of “oppressive child labor” and applying the “hot goods” provision—on top of assessing civil penalties. In November 2023, the DOL announced it would no longer be assessing…

  • Post category:Ogletree Deakins
  • Reading time:4 mins read
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The Importance of Trust for Managing through a Crisis

Brian Kenny: You may have heard of the “Butterfly Effect” in which a butterfly flapping its wings in Texas leads to changes in wind patterns that cause a tornado in Brazil. It's a simple and poetic way to explain Chaos Theory. In February of 2020, the butterfly took the form of a pathogen in Wuhan, China, and the resulting tornado was a global pandemic that created chaos the world over.…

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US Senators Introduce Comprehensive Stablecoin Bill

The bipartisan bill seeks to foster innovation and promote US dollar dominance while protecting consumers and mitigating illicit finance risks. By Jenny Cieplak, Arthur Long, Yvette D. Valdez, Stephen P. Wink, Adam Fovent, and Deric Behar On April 17, 2024, US Senators Cynthia Lummis from the Senate Banking Committee and Kirsten Gillibrand from the Senate Agriculture Committee introduced proposed legislation to create a US regulatory framework for stablecoins. The bipartisan Lummis-Gillibrand Payment Stablecoin Act (the…

  • Post category:Latham & Watkins
  • Reading time:11 mins read
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One in two children with ADHD experience emotional problems, study finds

In research published in Nature Mental Health, the team found that as many as one in two children with ADHD show signs of emotional dysregulation, and that Ritalin – the commonly-prescribed drug to help the condition – appears to be less effective at treating this symptom.ADHD affects around one in 14 young people under the age of 18 and in around half of these cases it persists into adulthood. The…

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How Africa Can Overcome Its Over-Reliance on Western Technologies

According to African governments, public-private partnerships are expected to play a crucial role in the development of innovation centres. These partnerships involve the state covering only a small portion of the overall costs associated with the construction of these centres, typically around 5-10%. The success of these projects largely depends on private companies, which are expected to get a favourable environment for their operations, Konstantin Pantserev writes. Upon gaining independence,…

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More than 1,000 may have died in Nazi camps on island of Alderney, report finds

A review of evidence, gathered by a panel of 13 international experts, including Cambridge archaeologist Dr Gilly Carr, has sought to give the most accurate possible assessment of how many prisoners and labourers died on the Channel Island between 1941 to 1945.During this time, crimes were committed against forced and slave labourers, transported from countries across Europe and brought to Alderney to construct fortifications as part of the German war…

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The ABCs of the ECB’s reaction function

22 May 2024By Christophe Kamps[1]Why do central banks mostly give their guidance for future monetary policy in qualitative terms rather than providing a numerical formula? The ECB Blog takes a look through the lens of the “ABCs” of the ECB’s qualitative reaction function.For thousands of years scholars have been chasing the idea of a “theory of everything” or “world formula” – or, in the words of Goethe’s Faust: “Dass ich…

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How to Come Back Stronger From Organizational Trauma

1. R.M. Vogel and M.C. Bolino, “Recurring Nightmares and Silver Linings: Understanding How Past Abusive Supervision May Lead to Post-Traumatic Stress and Post-Traumatic Growth,” Academy of Management Review 45, no. 3 (July 2020): 549-569. 2. R. Janoff-Bulman, “Assumptive Worlds and the Stress of Traumatic Events: Applications of the Schema Construct,” Social Cognition 7, no. 2 (June 1989): 113-136. 3. R.G. Tedeschi and L.G. Calhoun, “Post-Traumatic Growth: Conceptual Foundations and Empirical…

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What the Rise of Far-Right Politics Says About the Economy in an Election Year

As more than 50 countries hold elections in 2024, far-right politicians and policies look poised to gain ground, continuing a years-long trend evident in Europe, the United States, and South America.These movements often stoke grievances about international trade, immigration, fiscal policy, and the size of government and amount of state services. Paula Rettl spoke to Working Knowledge about her research examining these trends in Italy, Brazil and around the world.…

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SEC Chair Gary Gensler on the Future of Systemic Risk in Financial Markets

In 2009, Andrew Metrick and Gary Gensler were both serving in the Obama Administration on the front lines of the response to the Global Financial Crisis. In fact, they worked together to address hidden risks in the “repo” market that played a major role in the market crashes of that era. Fifteen years later when Gensler, now the chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, visited Yale SOM to…

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Cooperation Between Good Neighbours

On May 20th, the Valdai Club hosted an expert discussion titled “Russia and Central Asia in new strategic conditions” following the 4th Central Asian Conference that took place in Ufa on May 14-15. The discussion was moderated by Timofei Bordachev, Programme Director of the Valdai Discussion Club.Political scientist Akbope Abylkasimova, a member of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan, stressed that Russia is a major economic partner for Central Asian…

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Colorado’s Artificial Intelligence Act: What Employers Need to Know

Quick Hits With Governor Jared Polis’s signing into law SB 24-205, Colorado becomes the first U.S. state to enact comprehensive legislation regulating the use and development of AI systems. The law addresses, among other things, the risk of algorithmic discrimination “arising from the intended and contracted uses of … high-risk artificial intelligence system[s].” The Colorado AI Act will take effect on February 1, 2026. Colorado’s AI Act, SB 24-205, is…

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Three risks that must be addressed for new European Union fiscal rules to succeed

There is however a solution that would avoid the risk of an early degeneration of the reform. It would require a clarification that, even if a country has been placed in an EDP only for breach of the deficit criterion, it should also satisfy the debt criterion of the EDP for the procedure to be abrogated. At first sight this specification would seem to contradict the provisions quoted above, which seem…

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Granite Does Not Melt: The Prospects for Cooperation Between Central Asia and Russia

The well-being of the peoples of the six countries of Eurasia, as well as, in many ways, the peace and stability of the region depends on how the trust-based bilateral and multilateral (Central Asia plus Russia) dialogue, as well as the multifaceted cooperation that has developed between the parties is maintained and improved upon, writes Rashid Alimov, Doctor of Political Sciences, Professor at the Academy of Public Administration under the…

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How to Combat an “Always On” Work Culture

Imagine a world where your boss could be fined for contacting you after hours. California is considering a law to make this a reality.  The "right to disconnect" movement is gaining traction globally, with Australia joining France, Italy, Slovakia, Luxembourg, Portugal and the Canadian province of Ontario in passing legislation to empower employees to switch off outside of working hours. But is legally banning after-hours communications the solution? Or is there a better way…

  • Post category:INSEAD Knowledge
  • Reading time:6 mins read
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To Navigate Conflict, Prioritize Dignity

Frontiers Four interrelated practices can bolster dignity, leading to more constructive problem-solving and collaboration. Merrick Hoben May 20, 2024 Reading Time: 5 min  Topics Frontiers An MIT SMR initiative exploring how technology is reshaping the practice of management. More in this series Rafael Lopez/theispot.com Conflicts between businesses pursuing commercial objectives and communities defending their interests arise regularly and often inevitably, especially when companies don’t prioritize engagement with their neighbors. Consider…

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An Alliance of Compliance: Why (and How) Founders Should Align with Policymakers

With deepfakers, fraud agents and identity thieves growing in numbers and sophistication, the landscape of cybersecurity technology is growing in parallel. These days, it’s not enough to add an exclamation point to the same password you use for everything (seriously, don’t do that). The proliferation of global cybercrime and data security issues has drawn the attention of global policymakers, who have responded by issuing new regulation, from the California Consumer…

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  • Reading time:8 mins read
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Open your mind, open the world

James Doty, MD, discusses how we can create new neural pathways in our brain to help us advance toward a goal. James Doty starts his new book, Mind Magic: The Neuroscience of Manifestation and How It Changes Everything (Avery, 2024), with an abrupt and clear statement to readers: The universe doesn’t care about you. It’s unexpected coming from a world-renowned neurosurgeon and founding director of Stanford’s Center for Compassion and…

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Why Investing in Enhanced Organisational Policy Entitlements is a Game-Changer

  During their career most women face obstacles that hinder their progression which has resulted in a disproportionate number of men occupying top positions. Globally it is estimated that women make up 39% of the workforce however they only make up 16% of the traditional energy sector1. In 2023 only 29% of board seats in the UK energy sector were held by women and of these, women are in just…

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Colorado Governor Signs Broad AI Bill Regulating Employment Decisions

Seyfarth Synopsis: On May 17, 2024, Colorado Governor Jared Poils signed Colorado SB 24-205, making Colorado the first state to enact broad legislation regulating employers’ use of AI to make “consequential decisions.” Colorado SB 24-205 broadly covers a wide range of AI applications, including employment, and incentivizes AI risk management practices that have long been the subject of discussion by regulators at the federal, state, and international level. For many applications,…

  • Post category:Seyfarth Shaw LLP
  • Reading time:10 mins read
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Guts and Fairness: How Bacteria May Influence Your Behaviour

Every day, we make many decisions that affect not just ourselves but also the people around us. A few examples: Navigating different opinions at a team meeting, tipping wait staff at a restaurant, picking a weekend activity with friends, or choosing between conventional and sustainable but more expensive products. Traditionally, researchers have focused on self-interest, social norms and cognitive processes to explain how we make decisions in social contexts. A new…

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  • Reading time:5 mins read
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What on earth does the South Pacific have to do with Azerbaijan?

Baku is “meddling” and this meddling is “extremely harmful”. So said Gérald Darmanin after a New Caledonian separatist elected official signed a memorandum of collaboration with the Azerbaijani Parliament. Then there is the involvement of Tavini Huira’atira (formerly the Polynesian Liberation Front) in the Baku Initiative Group, created to “stand against colonialism”, which also counts among its members separatists from French Guiana, Martinique and Guadeloupe. As for Corsica, the Azerbaijani…

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Supreme Court Rules FAA Requires Courts to Grant Stay Requests After Compelling Arbitration

Quick Hits The Supreme Court held that Section 3 of the FAA requires federal courts to grant stays of lawsuits after claims are sent to arbitration, if a stay is requested. The ruling resolves a 6–4 circuit split regarding whether federal district courts must stay lawsuits pending arbitration or whether they have discretion to dismiss them. The unanimous decision in Smith v. Spizzirri reversed and remanded a ruling by the…

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  • Reading time:3 mins read
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Earth’s earliest sea creatures drove evolution by stirring the water

A study involving the University of Cambridge has used virtual recreations of the earliest animal ecosystems, known as marine animal forests, to demonstrate the part they played in the evolution of our planet.Using state-of-the-art computer simulations of fossils from the Ediacaran time period - approximately 565 million years ago - scientists discovered how these animals mixed the surrounding seawater. This may have affected the distribution of important resources such as…

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Russia – Central Asia: No Alternative or Natural Partnership?

On May 14–15, 2024, in Ufa, the very heart of Eurasia, the 4th Central Asian Conference of the Valdai Discussion Club took place. One of the participants lauded it as “a feast of intellectual thought.” We invite our readers to explore what was said, because not all discussions were open to the general public, and the most interesting things happen, as we know, behind closed doors. We will open this…

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Open Models and Maturation: Assessing the Generative AI Market

In this episode of the AI + a16z podcast, a16z partners Guido Appenzeller and Matt Bornstein discuss the state of the generative AI market, about 18 months after it really kicked into high gear with the release of ChatGPT — everything from the emergence of powerful open source LLMs to the excitement around AI-generated music. If there’s one major lesson to learn, it’s that although we’ve made some very impressive…

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Long-distance thinking: Applying a marathon mindset to mergers and acquisitions

Marathon season has arrived, and runners of all calibres gear up to conquer the daunting yet exhilarating challenge of endurance racing. Whilst the world of marathon running and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) may feel worlds apart, the mindset required is not too dissimilar. Whilst it presents opportunities for optimisation and growth, it requires endurance, preparation, resilience and a long term mindset to achieve sustained success. Just as every runner approaches their…

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How We Create Respectful Work Cultures

For the past 15 years, we have been dedicated to transforming toxic workplace cultures and fostering positive environments through executive coaching, corporate training, and large-scale culture change projects. We’ve serviced over 250 clients and their thousands of employees worldwide! We understand the daily struggles faced by employees in toxic environments, and our genuine care for their well-being drives our work. We are passionate about reducing the pain that thousands experience…

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Central Asia in Search of Water Cooperation

The freshwater situation is becoming increasingly politicised. We can confidently say that the hydrological and political issues are gradually converging and will soon form complementary categories, write Alexey Mikhalev and Kubatbek Rakhimov for the 4th Central Asian conference of the Valdai Discussion Club.Central Asia is one region where the future of the water supply can already be traced. While there are more challenges in this region than in many others,…

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Maryland Amends Pay Transparency Law to Require Wage Range Disclosure in Job Postings

Seyfarth Synopsis: Maryland Governor Wes Moore has signed into law a bill that will expand Maryland employers’ pay transparency obligations.  Effective October 1, 2024, employers must disclose in public or internal job postings a good faith wage range and a general description of benefits and other compensation offered for the position.  In the absence of a posting, an employer must affirmatively disclose the same information to applicants before discussing compensation…

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OFCCP Releases Guidance on Federal Contractors’ Use of AI and Automated Systems

Quick Hits OFCCP released its first detailed guidance on federal contractors’ use of AI and automated systems. The guidance instructs federal contractors to routinely monitor whether AI and automated systems have a disparate or adverse impact on protected groups and take actions to reduce those impacts or use different tools. The guidance further clarifies that federal contractors are ultimately responsible for meeting nondiscrimination and affirmative action obligations regardless of whether…

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6 classroom tools for Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2024

Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) is Thursday, May 16, 2024. It's a day dedicated to understanding and practicing accessibility concepts that support the more than 1 billion people worldwide with impairments and disabilities. Seventy-two percent of classrooms have students with individual education needs, while 84% of educators say it’s impossible to achieve educational equity without accessible learning tools.When all students can access learning experiences and content, the benefits impact everyone.…

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Webb detects most distant black hole merger to date

Astronomers have found supermassive black holes with masses of millions to billions times that of the Sun in most massive galaxies in the local Universe, including in our Milky Way galaxy. These black holes have likely had a major impact on the evolution of the galaxies they reside in. However, scientists still don’t fully understand how these objects grew to become so massive.The finding of gargantuan black holes already in…

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3 Questions With… Varun Krishna, Rocket Companies

This content first appeared in the May 2024 Fintech newsletter. If you’d like more commentary and analysis about news and trends from the a16z Fintech team, you can subscribe here. It didn’t take much to convince Varun Krishna, the Chief Executive Officer of Rocket Companies and Chief Executive Officer of Rocket Mortgage, to join the retail mortgage giant last year. The role provided the Intuit veteran with an opportunity to…

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May Fintech Newsletter: New a16z Fintech Podcast, Q&A With Rocket Companies’ Varun Krishna, and More

Posted May 16, 2024 This content first appeared in the May 2024 Fintech newsletter. If you’d like more commentary and analysis about news and trends from the a16z Fintech team, you can subscribe here. Introducing In the Vault For too long, technology and finance existed in parallel universes. Financial institutions believed they had to develop solutions entirely in-house, while startups struggled to navigate these complex organizations. But that culture is…

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New Jersey Supreme Court Declares Non-Disparagement Provisions ‘Impermissible’ When Used to Silence Victims Under NJLAD

Quick Hits The New Jersey Supreme Court invalidated an otherwise valid settlement agreement solely because the agreement contained a “non-disparagement provision,” the scope of which the court found “would bar individuals from describing an employer’s discriminatory conduct” in violation of NJLAD. The court held that the non-disparagement provision was broad enough to violate the NJLAD and that the defendants had used the provision to silence the plaintiff’s protected conduct. The…

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AI Hype and Skepticism: Economist Paul Romer

The Artificial Intelligence and Business Strategy initiative explores the growing use of artificial intelligence in the business landscape. The exploration looks specifically at how AI is affecting the development and execution of strategy in organizations. Paul Romer once considered himself the most optimistic economist. He rightfully predicted that technology would blow up as an economic driver coming out of the inflation of the 1970s but acknowledges he did not foresee…

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Ten Cambridge scientists elected as Fellows of the Royal Society 2024

The Royal Society is a self-governing Fellowship of many of the world’s most distinguished scientists drawn from all areas of science, engineering and medicine.The Society’s fundamental purpose, as it has been since its foundation in 1660, is to recognise, promote and support excellence in science and to encourage the development and use of science for the benefit of humanity. This year, over 90 researchers, innovators and communicators from around the…

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Nine Cambridge scientists elected as Fellows of the Royal Society 2024

The Royal Society is a self-governing Fellowship of many of the world’s most distinguished scientists drawn from all areas of science, engineering and medicine.The Society’s fundamental purpose, as it has been since its foundation in 1660, is to recognise, promote and support excellence in science and to encourage the development and use of science for the benefit of humanity. This year, over 90 researchers, innovators and communicators from around the…

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Building Resilience: Strategies for Countering Terrorism in Central Asia

Terrorism poses a serious threat to the peace and stability of any country. It is a challenge that requires collective action, as it knows no boundaries and has no values or principles. Whatever its outer garb, the innate objective of any form of terrorism reflects enmity towards humankind in general. In combating terrorism and extremism, it is critical to recognise the formidable barriers to establishing a regional or multilateral framework…

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