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Gaza as an Arena for the US Promotion of Middle Eastern Economic Peace

As an attempt to appeal to pan-Arabism, albeit with no international legal basis, Donald Trump's idea of ​​transferring control over the Gaza Strip to the US, in economic respects, resembles past regional initiatives such as those put forward during his first presidential term. In this regard, regardless of the prospects for implementation, this version of post-conflict development of the Palestinian enclave can be considered another step in outlining the contours…

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UK peatland fires are supercharging carbon emissions as climate change causes hotter, drier summers

More fires, taking hold over more months of the year, are causing more carbon to be released into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide.Fires on peatlands, which are carbon-rich, can almost double global fire-driven carbon emissions. Researchers found that despite accounting for only a quarter of the total UK land area that burns each year, dwarfed by moor and heathland, wildfires that burn peat have caused up to 90% of annual…

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Early Elections in Germany and the Global Turn to the Right

On February 20, 2025, the Valdai Club hosted an expert discussion ahead of the early Bundestag elections, titled “The Phenomenon of Modern Germany: Where Is German Politics Heading?” Fyodor Lukyanov, the moderator of the discussion, noted that the political situation in Europe is currently changing. The era of stable governments is fading into the past, and this is a characteristic of the new international environment. Judging by the fact that…

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TotalEnergies’ tightrope transition: A talk with Patrick Pouyanné

Among oil and gas majors, TotalEnergies stands alone in its plans to shift a fifth of its business to renewable-led integrated power by 2030. It’s a tightrope walk for the company’s long-time CEO Patrick Pouyanné—essentially a strategy that’s not “enough oil and gas” for traditional investors nor “enough renewables” for green ones. But after a decade in charge, the Frenchman is thinking about his legacy and remains confident his is…

  • Post category:McKinsey & Company
  • Reading time:17 mins read
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How to Embed Purpose at Every Level

Research Highlight Leaders must find ways to execute on sustainability aspirations throughout the organization, including prioritizing investments and optimizing operating plans. Stuart L. Hart February 20, 2025 Reading Time: 21 min  subscribe-icon Subscribe Share Aad Goudappel/theispot.com Thoughtful business leaders today recognize that the social and environmental challenges the world now faces require nothing short of a fundamental reorientation of the company. Business purpose must flip from maximizing short-term profit to…

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What’s the key to successful Retail M&A?

The critical role of people and culture in retail mergers and acquisitions Summary: Many Retail & Consumer M&A deals fail to realise full value due to overlooked people and culture factors. With rising costs and strategic shifts, businesses must balance integrations with maintaining brand DNA, consistency of culture, while ensuring people remain focussed on core delivery. Q5 helps organisations embed a people-centric approach to maximise synergies and drive long-term success.…

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  • Reading time:2 mins read
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Florida Enacts Immigration-Related Laws Expanding Law Enforcement, Restricting In-State Tuition, and Increasing Criminal Penalties

Quick Hits Under recently enacted state legislation, undocumented immigrants in Florida will no longer be eligible for in-state tuition benefits at public colleges and universities. Any undocumented immigrant convicted of a capital felony will face the death penalty. A new State Board of Immigration Enforcement will be created, and more than $298 million will be allocated to law enforcement for immigration-targeted hiring and training, including bonuses to officers who cooperate…

  • Post category:Ogletree Deakins
  • Reading time:3 mins read
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(Country of) origin story: Navigating country of origin claims in Canada and at the U.S. border

The simmering trade war launched by the U.S., Canada’s closest trading partner, is pulling Canadian producers in different directions. On the one hand, Canadian businesses are concerned – and rightly so – that their exports to the U.S.–protected by bilateral and regional trade agreements for nearly forty years – may soon be subject to hefty tariffs. On the other, there is growing – and unprecedented – consumer demand for “Canadian” products.…

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  • Reading time:3 mins read
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Microsoft at Legalweek: Help safeguard your AI future with Microsoft Purview​

Generative AI is reshaping almost every industry and the legal field is no different. A Thompson Reuters Institute study of legal professionals found “a remarkable 79% of law firm respondents anticipate AI will have a high or transformational impact on their work within the next five years—a significant 10-point increase from 2023.”1 There are many promising opportunities to streamline workflows and drive efficiency by bringing AI into legal and litigation workflows.…

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IOI awards £5m to Oxford consortium to develop new therapies for drug-resistant tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is the oldest and most deadly disease in human history, causing over 1.2 million deaths every year. TB is an infectious airborne disease that mainly affects the lungs. It is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb).The main treatment option for TB is long courses of multiple antibiotics. However antimicrobial resistance (AMR) – a process in which bacteria have developed the ability to resist the action of medicines…

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Consumer goods: Seeking market expansion and growth

The industry overview The consumer-packaged-goods (CPG) industry has historically outperformed most other industries, thanks to high growth and consistent margins. But since 2012, the formula has broken down. Several factors, including inflation (which affects both consumer spending and corporate cost), market saturation, intense competition, changing consumer tastes and behaviors, and a fragmented consumer base have presented challenges for growth. Additional headwinds include climate change, which affects key ingredients, including cocoa.…

  • Post category:McKinsey & Company
  • Reading time:4 mins read
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Those who work less worry more: the effect of lower workloads on consumption

20 February 2024Pedro Baptista, Colm Bates, António Dias da Silva, Maarten Dossche and Marco WeisslerEuro area firms hold on to their workforce, despite poor economic conditions. For a significant share of workers this means a lower workload than usual. In turn, many put more money aside as they worry about job security and wages, as the ECB Blog shows.When the economy slows down, so does labour productivity. This link is…

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Generative AI tool marks a milestone in biology

Imagine being able to speed up evolution – hypothetically – to learn which genes might have a harmful or beneficial effect on human health. Imagine, further, being able to rapidly generate new genetic sequences that could help cure disease or solve environmental challenges. Now, scientists have developed a generative AI tool that can predict the form and function of proteins coded in the DNA of all domains of life, identify molecules…

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Lifestyle and environmental factors affect health and ageing more than our genes

The researchers used data from nearly half a million UK Biobank participants to assess the influence of 164 environmental factors and genetic risk scores for 22 major diseases on ageing, age-related diseases, and premature death. The study is published in Nature Medicine.Key findings:environmental factors explained 17% of the variation in risk of death, compared to less than 2% explained by genetic predisposition (as we understand it at present);of the 25…

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Seyfarth Creates Two C-Suite Roles to Lead Innovation Efforts

NEW YORK – February 19, 2025 – Seyfarth Shaw LLP, a pioneer in legal innovation for over two decades, announces the creation of two key leadership roles that reinforce the firm’s longstanding commitment to technology, AI, data-driven insights, and design strategy. Byong Kim will be the firm’s first Chief Data & AI Officer (CDAIO), and Zeynep Ersin will be the first Chief Innovation & Strategic Design Officer (CISDO). In the…

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The return of the steel tariffs

In two separate “national security” proclamations issued last week, the President of the United States “restored” tariffs on steel and aluminum that it had imposed on these same articles in 2018 and had suspended following agreements with the affected parties. One of those parties was Canada. One of those agreements was the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, negotiated by President Trump. This is what President Trump had to say about the CUSMA…

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  • Reading time:8 mins read
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3 ways to improve access to justice through court modernization

The legal maxim that “justice delayed is justice denied” has long been a rallying cry to encourage judges and courts to operate more efficiently. If legal redress or fair relief are potentially available to an injured party but aren’t promptly provided or supported, that is effectively no remedy at all. Today, the need for accessible and fair judicial systems is at least as relevant as when William Penn voiced it…

  • Post category:Microsoft
  • Reading time:7 mins read
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Global energy and materials: Overall deal value remains stable, but some segments are gaining share

The industry overview M &A activity in the global energy and materials (GEM) sector remained muted in 2024. The number of deals increased about 12 percent, and deal value grew from $722 billion in 2022 to $808 billion in 2024, consistent with 2023 figures. Deal value in 2024 was still 14 percent lower than it was in 2021 (in nominal terms). The Americas region was the major driver of deal…

  • Post category:McKinsey & Company
  • Reading time:9 mins read
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Forcing UK creatives to ‘opt out’ of AI training risks stifling new talent, Cambridge experts warn

The UK government should resist allowing AI companies to scrape all copyrighted works unless the holder has actively “opted out”, as it puts an unfair burden on up-and-coming creative talents who lack the skills and resources to meet legal requirements.This is according to a new report from University of Cambridge experts in economics, policy and machine learning, who also argue the UK government should clearly state that only a human…

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The Many Faces of Neocolonialism and Modern Africa

On February 19, 2025, the Valdai Club hosted an expert discussion, titled “Neocolonialism in African Countries: Modern Context”. Moderator Oleg Barabanov, programme director of the club, called the topic of neocolonialism very acute for almost all African countries and emphasised that the solidarity that Russia shows to African countries in the fight against neocolonialism is extremely important and significant, as it genuinely resonates on the continent. Konstantin Pantserev, professor at…

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Dealmaking through challenges: Lessons from the automotive industry

There has always been an elemental symmetry to M&A: A seller concludes that a business or asset does not fit its enterprise portfolio, and a natural buyer recognizes that the same target is a strategic match. Put simply, there’s a buyer for every seller, or so the logic goes. However, the ideal does not always meet the reality. Despite a recent increase in M&A activity across many sectors during 2024…

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  • Reading time:12 mins read
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How Leaders Champion Culture: Six Essential Lessons

Topics Culture Champions Building a healthy culture is one of the most important — and hardest — leadership jobs. These articles, based on a webinar series and research by Donald Sull and CultureX, share actionable advice from leaders whose cultures produced exceptional business results and a world-class employee experience. More in this series subscribe-icon Subscribe Share Aleksandar Savic Most companies espouse an official corporate culture. We studied nearly 700 large…

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A new level unlocked

Today Microsoft released Muse, a first-of-its-kind generative AI model that we are applying to gaming. But it’s so much more than that. What we’re sharing today is a huge step forward for gameplay ideation. And what’s even more exciting is what this breakthrough represents in our journey of building and using generative AI, and what industries, developers and creators of all interests will be enabled to do next. The impressive abilities…

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Are Trump’s Tariffs Repairing Market Failures or Eroding Global Trust?

This commentary originally appeared in Fortune. The views expressed are the authors’ own. With reports of widespread business uncertainty and confusion leading to an unanticipated 10-year record plunge in January dealmaking, air is rushing out of business’s balloon of early euphoria for the Trump agenda. President Trump’s language of schoolyard bullying and vindictiveness toward our closest allies undermines those moves where his lieutenants at the Treasury and Commerce Departments may…

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Financial services: Dealmakers adapt to a shifting landscape

The industry overview M &A in the financial-services industry is recovering from the global slowdown of 2023. Monthly deal value in 2024 returned to the average monthly value of the prior five years, and total deal value for 2024 was 30 percent higher than that seen in 2023. Nine out of ten financial-service deals in 2024 were made within national borders—up from six out of ten in 2021—reflecting global economic…

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  • Reading time:5 mins read
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Lord Hague’s Chancellor admission speech

Lord Hague of Richmond has been officially admitted as Oxford’s 160th Chancellor in a ceremony that took place at the Sheldonian Theatre today after winning the election for the Chancellor of the University of Oxford role in November 2024.Õrātor Publice, ita exordīrī velim ut grātiās tibi ex animō agam, ut quī tali benignitāte sīs locūtus, adeōque familiāriter salūtātiōnibus, adeō cūrātē officiīs decōrīs operam dederīs,  quae laudem quandam peperērunt huīc Ūniversitātī. Vice-Cancellāriae quoque…

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Stanford faculty elected to the National Academy of Engineering

Stanford faculty members Jennifer Cochran and Christopher Manning have been newly elected to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE). This honor is among the highest professional distinctions accorded engineers and recognizes accomplished experts from business, academia, and government.“As a member of the National Academy of Engineering, these professionals belong to a select group of national and international peers who advance the welfare and prosperity of the nation by providing independent…

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Monetizing Data With AI: MIT CISR’s Barb Wixom

Topics Artificial Intelligence and Business Strategy 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. In collaboration with More in this series Get updates by email Please enter a valid email address Thank you for signing up Privacy Policy Barbara (Barb) Wixom, principal research…

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New York Public Employers Face New Workplace Violence Prevention Duties

Quick Hits Expanded Risk Evaluation: Public employers will have to include “abusive conduct and bullying” in their workplace risk evaluations. Enhanced Reporting Systems: Existing reporting systems for incidents of aggressive behavior will have to be amended to include reporting “abusive conduct and bullying.” Broader Training Requirements: Existing training requirements will be expanded to require training on how to identify, prevent and report workplace “abusive conduct and bullying.” Lack of Definitions:…

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Lord Hague officially admitted as Oxford University’s Chancellor

In his speech, Lord Hague said: ‘I thank all of you, the Convocation, for electing me as your chancellor and for your enthusiastic welcome in recent weeks. Every visit I have made so far and every conversation, has intensified my excitement about the years to come. I happily dedicate myself today to working with you and for you.’What happens here is more fundamental to British prosperity than it has ever…

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Struggling with a Toxic Boss? Read This

Did you know that seven in ten U.S. workers say they would leave a job if they had a bad manager? That’s according to the latest findings of LinkedIn’s Workforce Confidence survey. Leaders who exhibit challenging behaviors don’t just cost their organizations talented employees, they also impact the bottom line and discourage future leaders from stepping into management roles. Working under a leader whose behavior is perceived as toxic feels…

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Value Principles of Cooperation Between Russia and African Countries

Over the past six years, the Russian Federation has significantly intensified its cooperation with African countries and the African Union as a whole. Africa is becoming one of the top priorities in Russian foreign policy. In 2019, the first Russia-Africa summit was held in Sochi. It established a permanent Russia-Africa Partnership Forum. In 2023, a second summit was held in St. Petersburg. It adopted a detailed and comprehensive action plan…

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China: growth is a “positive surprise” but serious questions remain

While China achieving its growth target is nothing new, the slowdown in a number of sectors (e.g. real estate and consumer goods) and the deflationary trend in the economy suggest that the reported growth number may be overstated. Worries over the strength and, above all, the sustainability of China’s economic model have not faded. There is also growing doubt about the transparency and credibility of China’s statistical machinery. Lastly, 2025…

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  • Reading time:11 mins read
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The transformation imperative: Igniting value creation in medtech

The medtech sector continues to face challenges in achieving profitable growth, causing some companies to embark on bold transformations to unlock value. Value creation and potential efficiencies are difficult to capture because they are often deeply interconnected across functions, requiring an evolved operating model and cross-functional collaboration to unlock. Executing a successful transformation in medtech can catalyze change by helping companies refocus on sustainable growth, reigniting a cycle of efficiency…

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  • Reading time:14 mins read
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What Leaders Get Wrong About Employee Motivation

Topics Workplace, Teams, & Culture Performance Management Dan Bejar/theispot.com Since managers started managing, they have questioned how to motivate employees to be productive and do good work — and, for most, their answers are still shaped by assumptions formed long ago. While modern leaders understand that the best performance comes from intrinsically motivated, highly engaged employees, many still use traditional management practices that assume people won’t work hard unless they…

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Does the Rasputin Curse Live Again?

This essay was originally published in Newsweek. The views expressed are the authors’ own. ‌ MAGA pillars such as Steve Bannon and Laura Loomer have been raising alarms over Elon Musk's blurring of public and personal business interests, with Bannon going so far as to call Musk "a truly evil person." They appear to be channeling deeper-rooted concerns within the Republican base: according to a new poll out from The…

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The Consequences of Slashing Medicaid Spending‌‌

This commentary was adapted from episode 161 of the Health & Veritas podcast. The views expressed are the author’s own. Subscribe to Health & Veritas for weekly doses of expert insight on health and the healthcare industry.‌ Congress is in the midst of considering massive tax and spending changes, and many of these may codify some of the changes recently made by executive order, including those related to USAID, the…

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New study shows how AI can help prepare the world for the next pandemic

A new study published in Nature outlines for the first time how advances in AI can accelerate breakthroughs in infectious disease research and outbreak response.The study,  which is published following last week’s AI Action Summit and amidst increasing global debate on AI investment and regulation, puts particular emphasis on safety, accountability and ethics in the deployment and use of AI in infectious disease research.Calling for a collaborative and transparent environment…

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Scientists develop ‘smart pyjamas’ to monitor sleep disorders

The team, led by the University of Cambridge, developed printed fabric sensors that can monitor breathing by detecting tiny movements in the skin, even when the pyjamas are worn loosely around the neck and chest.The sensors embedded in the smart pyjamas were trained using a ‘lightweight’ AI algorithm and can identify six different sleep states with 98.6% accuracy, while ignoring regular sleep movements such as tossing and turning. The energy-efficient…

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Expert Comment: Can the UK deliver the carbon storage needed to meet climate goals without taxpayer billions?

Meeting our climate targets requires rapidly reducing fossil fuel use. But we're far off track, and the science is clear: to reach net zero by 2050, we will also need to permanently store vast amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) underground. This is especially crucial for some industries, such as cement manufacturing, where there is currently no scalable way to eliminate emissions entirely without carbon capture and storage (CCS) - a…

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