At the Crossroads: Brazil in the Face of BRICS Expansion

During the South Africa Summit held in 2023, the BRICS countries agreed to invite Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to become new members in 2024. Although it was welcomed by the foreign offices of the member countries as a demonstration of the group's strengthening,…

Directors in a VUCA World: Pitfalls and Upsides

  • Post category:INSEAD Knowledge
  • Reading time:12 mins read

In the tumultuous seas of the ever-evolving global economy, geopolitics and technology, board directors must become agile captains, navigating the relentless waves of change with strategic foresight and adaptability. This requires a clear view of the path ahead.At the recent INSEAD Directors Forum, Professor of Economics Pushan Dutt and Professor of…

New capabilities to help with AI transformation

  • Post category:Microsoft
  • Reading time:10 mins read

AI is transforming our world, unlocking new possibilities to enhance human abilities and to extend opportunities globally. At the same time, we are also facing an unprecedented threat landscape with the speed, scale, and sophistication of attacks increasing rapidly. To meet these challenges, we must ensure that AI is built,…

Wealth planning for women

More women than ever are following their own careers and enjoying significant earning potential. So, when it comes to managing money, are things different for women who are high earners? George Howard, Chartered Financial Planner, looks at some of the key factors for women when it comes to financial planning…

CEOs Invest Less in Corporate Social Responsibility When Their Own Money Is At Stake

Should corporations invest in green production methods, offer employees generous health benefits, or allow employees time during the work week to volunteer? Whether and how for-profit companies should invest in corporate social responsibility (CSR) and other forms of socially motivated spending is hotly debated. Some argue that companies have a…

New vaccine effective against coronaviruses that haven’t even emerged yet

This is a new approach to vaccine development called ‘proactive vaccinology’, where scientists build a vaccine before the disease-causing pathogen even emerges.The new vaccine works by training the body’s immune system to recognise specific regions of eight different coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-1, SARS-CoV-2, and several that are currently circulating in bats…

Low for long? Reasons for the recent decline in productivity

6 May 2024By Óscar Arce and David SondermannSurprisingly strong employment growth in an environment of weak economic activity has recently led to declining labour productivity in the euro area. The ECB Blog discusses causes and prospects for a cyclical recovery in productivity growth. Over the first two decades of the…

The Influence of Culture on India’s Foreign Policy

India’s culture plays a significant role in shaping its foreign policy. India employs soft power, such as music, dance, literature, yoga, and cuisine to promote its image abroad. Indian cinema has a massive global appeal. India’s doctrine of Ahimsa (non-violence) has influenced its foreign policy approach. India played a crucial role in…

The hospital teacher

Kathy Ho tries to see every new teen on her list within 72 hours of their arrival. For some, it’s too soon, or they’re too sick. But for others, she is a beacon of normalcy. Ho teaches high school inside Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford (LPCH). “Sometimes I don’t like…

CEO succession: Avoiding the unanticipated Domino Effect

A large financial services company promoted a key leader into the position of CEO. Two of their peers were also vying for the top job. Almost immediately, the other two executives left the company. This created an unexpected leadership vacuum that cascaded within their respective departments, where no one on…

Minnesota Legislative Update 2024, Part III: Entering the Homestretch—Legislators’ Time to Make It or Break It

  • Post category:Ogletree Deakins
  • Reading time:8 mins read

Quick Hits Minnesota lawmakers are attempting to secure enough votes ahead of this year’s legislative session deadline to place numerous bills on the governor’s desk, many of which, if enacted, will affect employers. Bills address drug testing, earned sick and safe time, pay transparency in job postings, wage deductions for…

Upcoming Event! Seyfarth Privacy Salon: Roundtable on Cross-Border Data Transfers, Privacy, and Cybersecurity

AddressSeyfarth Shaw Hong Kong OfficeSuite 3701 & 3708-3710, 37FEdinburgh Tower, The Landmark15 Queen’s Road CentralCentral, Hong Kong Tuesday, 21 May 2024 (HKT)8.30 – 9.00 a.m. Check-in and Breakfast9.00 – 10.00 a.m. Roundtable10.00 – 10.30 a.m. RefreshmentsBreakfast will remain available during the roundtable CostThere is no cost to attend, but registration…

Department of Labor Issues Comprehensive Artificial Intelligence “Promising Practices” Designed to Avoid Bias: All Employers Should Take Note

  • Post category:Seyfarth Shaw LLP
  • Reading time:12 mins read

Seyfarth Synopsis: On April 29, 2024, the Department of Labor published extensive guidance on the use of artificial intelligence in hiring and employment. While the guidance is addressed to federal contractors, all private-sector employers using or considering using artificial intelligence should pay attention. The guidance makes clear that long-standing nondiscrimination…

Illinois Lawmakers Nearing Passage of Bill to Stop ‘Per-Scan’ Damages for Privacy Act Violations

  • Post category:Ogletree Deakins
  • Reading time:3 mins read

On April 11, 2024, the Illinois Senate passed Senate Bill (SB) 2979, which would stop statutory damages under the Privacy Act from accruing for each unlawful collection or dissemination of an individual’s biometric information. Quick Hits The Illinois legislature is considering a bill that would amend the Privacy Act to…

Going Green: The Dos and Don’ts of Green Trade Marks

Green trade marks are trade marks that include any word related to the environment (such as “sustainable”, “eco”, “environment” or “green”) or images (such as flora, the planet or scenery etc.). These trade marks are used by companies who want to communicate environmental aspects and practices of specific products, product…

Key Developments In Equal Pay Litigation: Impact Of The Supreme Court’s Bostock Decision

By: Matthew J. Gagnon Seyfarth Synopsis: In its seminal decision, Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia, the Supreme Court held that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity is tantamount to discrimination on the basis of sex. Employers are just beginning to grasp the wide-ranging impact that decision will…

DOJ Launches New Pilot Program to Allow Whistleblowers Who Report Financial Crimes, Corruption to Avoid Prosecution

  • Post category:Ogletree Deakins
  • Reading time:5 mins read

The pilot program, entitled “Pilot Program on Voluntary Self-Disclosures for Individuals,” increases transparency regarding the circumstances under which prosecutors will offer leniency to cooperating witnesses and other individuals through use of a non-prosecution agreement (NPA) when they report potential criminal misconduct involving corporations. Quick Hits The DOJ launched a new…

Author Talks: The magic of unmuting yourself

Speaking up is vital to advancing meaningfully in our careers—yet many of us have made a habit of keeping quiet. In this edition of Author Talks, McKinsey Global Publishing’s Lucia Rahilly chats with Elaine Lin Hering, author, facilitator, and speaker, about her new book, Unlearning Silence: How to Speak Your…

Anant Bhalla on the convergence of insurance, asset management

Anant Bhalla became chief executive of American Equity Investment Life (AEL) in March 2020, a turbulent time as COVID-19 was spreading around the world. When he joined AEL, which was founded in the mid-1990s and based in West Des Moines, Iowa, the company was the last big independent seller of…

Looking Past the Headlines, the Impact of the FTC’s Ban on Non-Competes in M&A, Private Equity and Venture Capital

Last week on April 23, 2024, the FTC adopted a final rule that would effectively ban non-compete agreements in the context of employment relationships when the rule becomes effective on September 4, 2024, absent a stay or injunctive relief.  The rule would render unenforceable a broad array of employment-based non-competition…

HIPAA Privacy Rules Get a Post-Dobbs Refresh on Reproductive Health Care

  • Post category:Ogletree Deakins
  • Reading time:5 mins read

Quick Hits Final privacy rules under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) set basic limitations on the use or disclosure by covered entities (such as employer health benefit plans) and their business associates of reproductive health care information. The final rules state that reproductive care is,…

Security above all else: Expanding Microsoft’s Secure Future Initiative

  • Post category:Microsoft
  • Reading time:10 mins read

Last November, we launched the Secure Future Initiative (SFI) to prepare for the increasing scale and high stakes of cyberattacks. SFI brings together every part of Microsoft to advance cybersecurity protection across our company and products. Since then, the threat landscape has continued to rapidly evolve, and we have learned…

How Much Does Proximity Influence Startup Innovation? 20 Meters’ Worth to Be Exact

A new study of startups sharing a coworking space offers a new wrinkle in the debate over work-from-anywhere: Proximity matters, especially close proximity, to spread knowledge between disparate enterprises.“The more different the startups are, the more they’re going to benefit from being nearby,” says Harvard Business School assistant professor Maria…

Ice shelves fracture under weight of meltwater lakes

When air temperatures in Antarctica rise and glacier ice melts, water can pool on the surface of floating ice shelves, weighing them down and causing the ice to bend. Now, for the first time in the field, researchers have shown that ice shelves don’t just buckle under the weight of…

Securing the Software Supply Chain with LLMs

In this episode of the AI + a16z podcast, Socket founder and CEO Feross Aboukhadijeh, and a16z partner Joel de la Garza, discuss the open-source software supply chain. Feross and Joel share their thoughts and insights on topics ranging from the recent xz Utils attack to how large language models…

OSH Law Primer, Part V: Recordkeeping Requirements

  • Post category:Ogletree Deakins
  • Reading time:6 mins read

The first article in this series provided a general overview of the OSH Act and OSHA; the second article examined OSHA’s rulemaking process; the third article reviewed an employer’s duty to comply with standards; and the fourth article discussed the general duty clause. This article addresses OSHA’s recordkeeping requirements. Quick…

Microsoft introduces passkeys for consumer accounts

  • Post category:Microsoft
  • Reading time:10 mins read

Ten years ago, Microsoft envisioned a bold future: a world free of passwords. Every year, we celebrate World Password Day by updating you on our progress toward eliminating passwords for good. Today, we’re announcing passkey support for Microsoft consumer accounts, the next step toward our vision of simple, safe access…

The Southern Circuit of Russia: New Dynamics

The uniqueness of Russia's geopolitical position lies in the fact that it is the only world power naturally focused on the four most important strategic regions of Eurasia: Western Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia and Northeast Asia. When it comes to prioritising foreign policy efforts and interests, these areas…

Fashion forward

Riya Narayan, ’26, strolled gingerly in a full-length design by Dominique Schleider, ’26, that resembled a chainmail bell. Kirsten Lees, ’27, modeled a bodysuit and shawl crafted entirely of belts. Celeste Amadon, ’26, wore a black leotard covered in spiraling metal coils, with a long, lacy veil trailing behind her.…

Shedding Light on Dark Patterns – Best Practices for Online Businesses

  • Post category:Logan & Partners
  • Reading time:4 mins read

With recent regulatory changes impacting the topic, the term “dark patterns” is garnering attention and prompting online businesses to reassess their digital strategies. In this article, we’ll explore the definition of dark patterns, examine their legal implications in the European Union (EU), and provide guidance for businesses navigating this evolving…

What Successful Brick-and-Mortar Retailers Get Right

From virtual snowstorms to golden locker boxes, today’s thriving stores feature experiences shoppers can’t get online. Consider five successful tactics. Rob Angell May 02, 2024 Reading Time: 9 min  Neil Webb/Ikon Images Many retailers with physical stores have felt as if they have been fighting for their lives during the…

USCIS Announces Receipt Notice Delays From Lockbox Locations

  • Post category:Ogletree Deakins
  • Reading time:3 mins read

Quick Hits Beginning April 1, 2024, USCIS service centers stopped accepting paper-filed I-129 petitions requesting H-1B and H-1B1 classification, instead requiring petitioners to file at designated lockbox facilities. As a result, the filing volume at USCIS lockboxes has increased, and USCIS has now confirmed that it is experiencing delays in…

Introducing the 2024 Imagine Cup World Championship Judges

  • Post category:Microsoft
  • Reading time:7 mins read

Get ready for the pinnacle of startup innovation as the Imagine Cup World Championship unfolds live at Microsoft Build on May 21! Three outstanding startups from across the globe are poised to showcase their AI-solutions on the global stage, vying for the coveted title and a chance to win USD100,000…

The Primary Care Crisis and Other News

Howie and Harlan discuss health and healthcare headlines. From flatlining telehealth to Walmart closing retail clinics to months-long waits for healthcare appointments, they try to untangle the challenges in delivering healthcare. Also considered, H5N1 bird flu increasing the risks of drinking unpasteurized milk, promising research on open-source moderation of misinformation…

Programme of the 4th Central Asian Conference of the Valdai Discussion Club

On May 14–15, 2024, the Valdai Club will hold its fourth annual Central Asian conference, titled “Russia and Central Asia: Development and Security in a Changing World”. Programme of the 4th Central Asian Conference of the Valdai Discussion Club “Russia and Central Asia: Development and Security in a Changing World”…

Vision to Victory: Coaching as a Leadership Game-Changer – PODCAST

  • Post category:Clarasys
  • Reading time:45 mins read

In this episode of Nevermind the Pain Points, host Sophie Brazell-Ng and guest experts Sarah Partridge and Dr. Kristina Curtis explore the critical role that coaches play in unlocking the full potential of leaders. Tune in to discover how coaching can be your ally in navigating challenges, identifying your strengths,…