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New Year Honours 2025

Professor Alison Etheridge DBE FRS, Professor of Probability at Oxford’s Department of Statistics, has been appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for services to Mathematical Sciences. Much of her work focuses on infinite dimensional stochastic processes and their applications. Most recently her central interest has been a collection of mathematical problems arising in population genetics.Professor Etheridge said: ‘This really is a huge honour and it's…

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MIT SMR’s 10 AI Must-Reads for 2024

Topics Data, AI, & Machine Learning AI & Machine Learning subscribe-icon Subscribe Share Carolyn Geason-Beissel/MIT SMR | Getty Images The wave of transformation that artificial intelligence tools — large language models and generative AI, in particular — have unleashed feels unprecedented. Unlike previous technological waves, these tools are disrupting even traditional organizational structures, as highlighted in Ethan Mollick’s MIT SMR article “Reinventing the Organization for GenAI and LLMs.” Leaders are…

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Fifth Circuit Nullifies Nasdaq’s Diversity Rule for Corporate Boards

Quick Hits The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals invalidated an SEC order approving a Nasdaq rule that would have required public companies to maintain a certain number of board members from underrepresented demographic groups or explain why they failed to do so. The diversity rule never took effect while it faced legal challenges during the past three years. The SEC could appeal the Fifth Circuit’s decision to the Supreme Court…

  • Post category:Ogletree Deakins
  • Reading time:5 mins read
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Russia’s covert propaganda network is largely ineffective, new study finds

A study led by The University of Manchester which examined the extent and effectiveness of Russian state-sponsored online propaganda efforts has found that - despite significant investment - the Kremlin's attempts to influence Western media and public opinion are largely failing. Focusing the recent EU elections, researchers analysed the output of five outlets with confirmed Kremlin sponsorship, and uncovered a network of websites and social media accounts designed to mimic…

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Coming AI-driven economy will sell your decisions before you take them, researchers warn

The near future could see AI assistants that forecast and influence our decision-making at an early stage, and sell these developing “intentions” in real-time to companies that can meet the need – even before we have made up our minds.This is according to AI ethicists from the University of Cambridge, who say we are at the dawn of a “lucrative yet troubling new marketplace for digital signals of intent”, from…

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Has Iran Lost Everything in Syria? Probably Not, for Ten Reasons

Based on these evidences and reasons, many analysts have considered Iran the main loser in the recent developments in Syria (Eliot A. Cohen, Lyuba Lulko & Dmitry Sudakov, Natasha Hall and Joost Hiltermann & Nicholas Kristof). But are these judgments correct, and has Iran lost everything in Syria?  The ultimate answer to this question is no, for several reasons. First, the difference between official and unofficial positions. Usually, individuals, groups,…

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What Oprah and Xi Jinping Can Teach Us about Status and Power

A few years ago, Tuck assistant professor Sonya Mishra was talking with her research colleagues, Charlotte Townsend and Laura Kray, about the Forbes rankings of the “Most Powerful People” and the “Most Powerful Women.” They noticed something intriguing. An assistant professor of business administration at Tuck, Sonya Mishra teaches Leading Diverse Organizations in the MBA program. The individuals on the “Most Powerful People” list consisted mostly of men, and these…

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AI Expands Potential for Discovery in Physics

The long-standing interplay between artificial intelligence and the evolution of physics played a pivotal role in awarding the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics to two AI trailblazers. “AI for physics and physics for AI are concepts you hear,” said Matteo Cremonesi(opens in new window), an assistant professor of physics at Carnegie Mellon University. “The fact that the Nobel Prize went to AI pioneers is not surprising. It’s a recognition of…

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The Fall of Barnier: Farewell to Macronism or Return of Napoleon III?

The terrifying context of a likely war of the EU against Russia for the Ukraine with French troops being sent on the Russian front is less a danger than an option to the French Europeanist tyrant: he can use it as a tool to unite the French political system around him, Olivier Roqueplo writes. The victory of Parliament over the Barnier Government seems to open the final chapter of the…

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Court of Appeal declares that India is not immune from the Devas investors’ enforcement efforts and reinstates IATA seizure

The evolving landscape of state immunity in award-enforcement proceedings in Canada The rise of investor-state disputes, which has taken place globally over the last two decades, has led to a growing number of recognition and enforcement proceedings of foreign arbitral awards before Canadian courts by award creditors seeking to execute against the Canadian assets of delinquent sovereign debtors in the recent years. Against this backdrop, the proceedings initiated by the…

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  • Reading time:12 mins read
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Disruptive forces & critical success factors for the consumer packaged goods industry

Executives in the consumer packaged goods industry face a complex landscape marked by increased competition, evolving consumer behaviours and the need for sustainability. Although inflation is expected to stabilise, ongoing shifts in consumer expectations and market dynamics demand innovative strategies to preserve profitability and enhance resilience. As interest rates begin to decrease, a potential rise in consumer confidence could fuel spending, providing new growth opportunities for brands that are prepared…

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Alternatives-2024: Results of the Valdai Discussion Club Expert Programme

In 2024, Valdai Club continued its cooperation with colleagues from Pakistan, which has been actively developing for several years. In April, 2024, the Club held a Russian-Pakistani conference on strategic stability, a topic that is becoming extremely acute amid the current geopolitical conditions. Pakistan, as a nuclear power, has its own views on the problems of global and regional strategic stability, which resulted in an interesting and frank dialogue between…

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From Then to Now: The History of Loyalty Retail Programs 

In today’s consumer landscape, loyalty retail programs are seamlessly woven into both traditional brick-and-mortar stores and the digital realm of eCommerce. They serve as powerful tools to enhance customer retention, and to truly understand their significance and growth, we break down the history of loyalty retail programs below.  18th to 20th Century Loyalty Programs  The creation of loyalty programs in the late 18th century was considered the “premium marketing” of…

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Federal District Court Dismisses Another 401(k) Forfeitures Suit

Seyfarth Synopsis:  Since September 2023, there have been at least 25 lawsuits filed claiming the ability to choose between using 401(k) forfeitures to reduce plan expenses or the plan sponsor’s contributions is a fiduciary choice, and that choosing to reduce the plan sponsor’s contributions constitutes a violation of ERISA’s fiduciary duties.  In the latest decision in connection with a defendant’s motion to dismiss such a 401(k) plan forfeiture claim, in…

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The EU Steps Up the Fight Against Sanctions Evasion

The EU’s coercive measures no longer act as an alternative to secondary sanctions. On the contrary, administrative and criminal prosecution can be combined with the use of secondary restrictions, which creates additional risks for European businesses still working with Russian partners, writes Polina Chupriyanova, Program Coordinator at the Russian International Affairs Council. The threat of applying secondary sanctions is often perceived as a key way to influence violators of foreign…

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Five Tune-Ups Your Company Needs in 2025

subscribe-icon Subscribe Share Carolyn Geason-Beissel/MIT SMR | Getty Images Here at MIT Sloan Management Review, we’re lucky to have a growing number of columnists — true experts who write on their topics regularly — to share the latest lessons and trends that they’re seeing in their fields. Our columnists are constantly looking under the hoods of organizations to see how they work, what they’re struggling with, and what kinds of…

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Olympic Sized Wages: LA City Council Takes Next Steps on “Olympic Wage” Ordinance

Seyfarth Synopsis: The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics is already bringing change to the city. On December 11, 2024, the Los Angeles City Council voted 12-3 to approve a draft ordinance to amend the Living Wage Ordinance and the Hotel Worker Minimum Wage Ordinance in 2025.  If the City Council approves of the City Attorney’s draft ordinance, the proposed wage increases will make a splash across the tourism industry leading up…

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Keeping Your Ducks in H-1B Row: Compliance Strategies for Employers

With an incoming administration vocal about its stance on immigration enforcement and safeguarding U.S. workers, employers who hire foreign workers on H-1B visas should make certain that they are maintaining compliance with U.S. immigration regulations. To avoid potential fines, penalties, or jeopardizing the status and work authorization of H-1B employees, it is critical to prepare for heightened scrutiny. This is especially important considering the new rule published on December 18,…

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  • Reading time:11 mins read
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Additional Protections for Seattle App-Based Workers Take Effect On January 1, 2025

Seattle continues to expand protections for app-based workers (sometimes referred to as “gig workers”) working within the City of Seattle with its new App-Based Worker Deactivation Rights Ordinance.  Overview of the New Ordinance Effective January 1, 2025, the City of Seattle’s “Ordinance relating to app-based worker labor standards; establishing labor standards on deactivation protections for app-based workers working in Seattle” (Ordinance 126878) (the “Ordinance”) takes effect. The Ordinance requires network…

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Stanford art museums welcome visitors over the holidays

While the campus is closed for winter break from Dec. 23 through Jan. 3, Stanford’s art museums will remain open during regular hours, and campus visitors are welcome to explore the outdoor public art collection. The Anderson Collection’s 10th-anniversary exhibitions celebrate the museum’s roots and what it means to live with art, while the Cantor offers several exhibitions related to the Asian American Art Initiative and two galleries of new acquisitions…

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Fifth Circuit Court Stays Nationwide Injunction on CTA Enforcement – BOI Reporting Requirements Resume

On December 23, 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit issued an order temporarily staying the nationwide preliminary injunction previously granted in Texas Top Cop Shop, Inc., et al. v. Garland, et al. While the Fifth Circuit’s temporary stay is not the final word on the fate of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), the court determined that, among other things, the statute is likely constitutional on its…

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(Smart)Watch Out! The EEOC’s Take on Wearable Tech

By: Taylor Iaculla, Yoon-Woo Nam, and Andrew L. Scroggins Seyfarth Synopsis: On December 19, 2024, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) published a new fact sheet titled “Wearables in the Workplace: Using Wearable Technologies Under Federal Employment Discrimination Laws.” The fact sheet describes some of the technologies employees may be fitted with, the types of information that may be tracked –from smart watches that can monitor physical activity, to GPS…

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Indonesia With BRICS, A Bridge to the Future: Challenges and Opportunities

Indonesia’s unique opportunity with BRICS emphasises how it can navigate the new multipolar order while preserving its non-aligned and democratic values. As Indonesia considers joining BRICS, it stands at a crossroads, where aligning with emerging powers could unlock new growth while also challenging its traditional diplomatic principles, taking public benefits and strengthening global collaboration, writes Joko Susilo, a participant in the Valdai – New Generation project. Indonesia faces both opportunities and challenges…

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New book explores poet W.H. Auden’s life between two world wars

For many contemporary readers, their first introduction to the poetry of W.H. Auden came not in a course on English literature, but from a more mainstream source: the film Four Weddings and a Funeral, in which a character recites Auden’s 1937 poem Funeral Blues during the titular funeral.“It’s incredibly touching that a poet can write some words that continue to reverberate in the minds of people who don't think of themselves…

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Driving social change in 2024 with the Q5 Foundation

Reflecting on a year of meaningful impact 2024 was an amazing year for the Q5 Foundation, as we deepened our commitment to social impact and supported over 30 charities and community organisations globally. Together, we achieved remarkable milestones that demonstrate the power of collaboration, expertise, and passion. Reading time: 6 minutes A year of empowering communities This year, the Q5 Foundation proudly donated over £1 million in consulting time and…

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EPA-pocalypse Now!

Seyfarth Synopsis: A second Trump administration is likely to bring sweeping changes to environmental regulatory and enforcement agendas. During the first Trump term, his administration focused on significant deregulation in the environmental sector, including budget cuts and staff reductions at USEPA, and the rollback of key policies from the Obama administration. In his second term we expect further slashes in EPA staffing we sell as additional jurisdictional changes such as…

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DHS Finalizes H-2 Program Regulations, Expanding Worker Protections and Employer Hiring Options

Quick Hits DHS’s new final rule expands DHS’s authority to conduct site visits and impose penalties on employers that fail to follow the requirements of the program. The final rule expands H-2 worker flexibility and portability, includes expanded grace periods at the beginning and end of the H-2 petition validity period, and establishes the ability of an eligible H-2 nonimmigrant worker to begin working for a new employer upon the…

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  • Reading time:9 mins read
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FTC Posts $20 Million Settlement With Dealer Group For Alleged Deceptive Practices

On Thursday, December 19, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Illinois Attorney General announced a massive $20 million settlement with Leader Automotive Group, the operator of 10 dealerships in and around Bloomington, Illinois, for alleged unfair and deceptive acts and practices in connection with the sale of motor vehicles in violation of Section 5 of the FTC Act and Illinois state law. The FTC reported that the $20 million…

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New Illinois Law Prohibiting Employment Discrimination Against Caregivers to Take Effect January 1, 2025

Quick Hits Illinois enacted a law prohibiting discrimination against employees who must care for family members at home. The law will not require employers to make accommodations or modifications to reasonable workplace rules and policies to allow employees to fulfill their caregiving responsibilities. The law will take effect on January 1, 2025. On August 9, 2024, Governor JB Pritzker signed House Bill (HB) 2161, Illinois’s family caregiver discrimination legislation, adding…

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Reflecting on Season 3 of Learning Through Experience

Thank you for tuning in this season on the Learning Through Experience podcast! In this season 3 reflection episode, I take a step back to reflect on the key themes, conversations, and experiences that shaped the show. This season featured several insightful and impactful conversations. I highlight discussions with guests like Lisa Lahey on overcoming change, Mark Brackett on emotional intelligence and attunement, Liliana Milkova and Jenny Frederick on the…

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Global Economics Intelligence executive summary, November 2024

Economies continue to face a range of geopolitical, climatic, and inflation-led challenges, with some also feeling the effects of structural issues. Against this backdrop, China, India, and the US are outperforming other surveyed economies. Among developed economies, US GDP continues to eclipse European output. Real GDP in the US increased at an annual rate of 2.8% in the third quarter of 2024. In the second quarter, real GDP rose 3.0%.…

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  • Reading time:10 mins read
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The Prospect of Regaining Strategic Stability

Of course, in order for every country to focus on its own national economic development, a peaceful environment and the security of its borders are a prerequisite and of utmost importance. This requires all countries to respect the security concerns of others instead of pushing their own interests regardless. That brings us to the subject of how to regain our strategic stability, not only in Europe but also in a…

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Students help Stanford archivists preserve the past

In an office on the third floor of Green Library, senior Bradley Strauss sifts through a box of files donated to Stanford University Archives by Cathy Haas, a lecturer in the School of Humanities & Sciences."}">svg]:su-mt-3 md:[&>svg]:su--mt-2 lg:[&>svg]:su-mt-4 [&>svg]:su-w-41 [&>svg]:su-h-43 md:[&>svg]:su-w-[97px] md:[&>svg]:su-h-[102px] su-mr-8 lg:su-mr-19">nIn an office on the third floor of Green Library, senior Bradley Strauss sifts through a box of files donated to Stanford University Archives by Cathy Haas,…

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Leading with others: Embracing a new era of leadership

The landscape of leadership is evolving as newer generations challenge traditional hierarchies. Outdated practices, focused on a top-down power dynamic, have fostered an “us vs. them” mentality, stifling collaboration, slowing innovation, and hindering sustained growth. In response, Future Relevant Organizations are adopting “next practices” that recognize and celebrate contributions, influence, and impact of contributions at all levels of the organization. Central to this shift is the movement from “leading others”…

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Mexico’s ‘Chair Law’ (‘Ley Silla’) Set to Take Effect in 2025: What Employers Need to Know

Quick Hits Under Mexico’s Chair Law, the main obligations for employers are: (i) having enough seats with a backrest for employees’ use, and (ii) avoiding prohibiting employees from taking seated breaks when the nature of the works allow it. Noncompliance with the Chair Law could trigger fines. The Chair Law’s General Content and Employers’ Main Obligations Employers in the service and retail industries, and similar sectors, are the main covered…

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Owning a home linked to longer life in the US

Dr Casey Breen, Senior Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Oxford University’s Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science and Department of Sociology, conducted the study, published in Demography. The study found that homeownership was associated with 0.36 years of additional life expectancy for Black male Americans who were born in the early twentieth century, and 0.42 years for their White counterparts. Dr Casey Breen said ‘My study finds homeownership has a meaningful positive…

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Five books to help you disagree productively in 2025

Even in a time of sharp division, people can learn how to have more open, empathetic, and constructive dialogue in disagreements.Norman W. Spaulding, the Nelson Bowman Sweitzer and Marie B. Sweitzer Professor in Law, helps people do just that through ePluribus Stanford, an initiative that seeks to cultivate constructive dialogue on campus.“When we improve skills like active listening and attention to cognitive bias and the ability to charitably summarize what…

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FTC Cracks Down on Use of No-Hire Agreements As Anti-Competitive

On December 4, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) ordered building services contractor Guardian Industries, Inc. (“Guardian”) to cease enforcement of no-hire provisions it included in customer service agreements with residential building owners and building management companies, prohibiting the hire of Guardian’s employees. Guardian, which operates in New York and New Jersey, was on the receiving end of a complaint before the FTC, claiming that the use of no-hire agreements…

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