Novo Nordisk announces £18.5 million of funding for a further 20 Postdoctoral Fellows

Leading global healthcare company Novo Nordisk has deepened its partnership with the University of Oxford by announcing £18.5 million of funding for a further 20 Postdoctoral Fellows in this prestigious scientific research programme, over the next nine years. This expanded collaboration also introduces an innovative ‘Springboard Fellowship’, which offers selected…

Comments Off on Novo Nordisk announces £18.5 million of funding for a further 20 Postdoctoral Fellows

Settling the Debate on Whether Green Investing Pays ‌‌

Can green investors help contribute to climate-change solutions and simultaneously earn a higher return? While roughly 60% of asset managers who responded to a 2019 survey expected their environmentally and socially aligned investment portfolios to outperform the market over the following five years, academics report starkly divergent findings when it…

Comments Off on Settling the Debate on Whether Green Investing Pays ‌‌

Unifying data and strategy: Citizens Bank’s path to Agile enterprise management

Company Details Industry: Banking Company size: 23,000+ employees Project Scope: Data Governance team Services provided: Enterprise Technology and Financial Management; Apptio Targetprocess implementation and optimisation Executive summary Citizens Bank was grappling with a tangle of disconnected systems and opaque processes. Cprime Elabor8’s experts helped align IT with Finance and open…

Comments Off on Unifying data and strategy: Citizens Bank’s path to Agile enterprise management

Supreme Court of Canada: Landmark decision on corporate attribution and transfers at undervalue

On Oct. 11, 2024, the Supreme Court of Canada (the SCC) released its decision in Aquino v. Bondfield Construction Co. – the first case in which it has addressed the doctrine of corporate attribution in the context of insolvency proceedings. In particular, the SCC considered the way in which the…

Comments Off on Supreme Court of Canada: Landmark decision on corporate attribution and transfers at undervalue

Emotional Discussion About Industrial Electricity: How Expensive Is Switzerland?

Are high electricity prices putting pressure on Swiss industry? In recent weeks, some industries, such as steel manufacturers, have raised concerns about a loss of competitiveness. The owner of Stahl Gerlafingen noted that electricity costs in Switzerland are roughly five times higher than in France. Public data on electricity prices…

Comments Off on Emotional Discussion About Industrial Electricity: How Expensive Is Switzerland?

New Opportunities in a Multipolar World: Russia, the Global South, and the Global Majority

On November 29, 2024, the Valdai Club hosted an expert discussion titled “Russia, the Global South, and the Global Majority.” Moderator Timofei Bordachev called the topic both timely and important. According to him, interaction with the countries of the global majority and the Global South is of great importance for…

Comments Off on New Opportunities in a Multipolar World: Russia, the Global South, and the Global Majority

Court of Appeal finds the British Columbia Securities Commission treated the appellants unfairly: No sheltering behind deference

On November 15, 2024, in Morabito v. British Columbia (Securities Commission), the Court of Appeal for British Columbia allowed the appeals from a decision of the British Columbia Securities Commission because the procedure adopted by the Commission panel hearing the appellants’ abuse of process applications denied the appellants a fair…

Comments Off on Court of Appeal finds the British Columbia Securities Commission treated the appellants unfairly: No sheltering behind deference

Business Email Compromise Scams: What They Are, and How to Avoid Them

According to the FBI, Business Email Compromise (BEC) scams often involve the spoofing of a legitimate, known email address or the use of a nearly identical address to appear as someone known to or trusted by the victim. Real Estate Wire Fraud is a subcategory of BEC, in which criminal…

Comments Off on Business Email Compromise Scams: What They Are, and How to Avoid Them

Recent changes to extended producer responsibility in Canada

Mandatory extended producer responsibility (EPR) systems continue to roll-out in Canadian provinces, making producers responsible for the products and product packaging they supply to consumers. The rollouts include new fees, third party verification of data, significant penalties for non-compliance, and expansion of scope.  Most provinces have now enacted EPR legislation,…

Comments Off on Recent changes to extended producer responsibility in Canada

8080 Books – Microsoft

As fans of books, especially in their physical format, it is our great pleasure to launch 8080 Books, an imprint of Microsoft. Our first title, No Prize for Pessimism, is authored by Sam Schillace, deputy chief technology officer at Microsoft, and is available today. Our second title, Platform Mindset, by…

Comments Off on 8080 Books – Microsoft

Is Working Yourself “To The Bone” Ever Worth It?

In some sectors, workers are constantly pushed to extremes, not unlike stunt performers whose bodies are treated as tools – stretched and sacrificed to meet professional demands. Notably, similar patterns are observed in soul-sucking, albeit prized, careers such as consulting, investment banking and other financial services. The recent deaths of…

Comments Off on Is Working Yourself “To The Bone” Ever Worth It?

Austin Calling: As Texas Absorbs Influx of Residents, Rekor Taps NVIDIA Technology for Roadway Safety, Traffic Relief

Austin is drawing people to jobs, music venues, comedy clubs, barbecue and more. But with this boom has come a big city blues: traffic jams. Rekor, which offers traffic management and public safety analytics, has a front-row seat to the increasing traffic from an influx of new residents migrating to…

Comments Off on Austin Calling: As Texas Absorbs Influx of Residents, Rekor Taps NVIDIA Technology for Roadway Safety, Traffic Relief

New Ruling Says Engagement Ring Must be Returned to Donor if the Engagement Fails

In a diversion from longstanding Massachusetts law, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (“SJC”) has adopted the modern trend that following a failed engagement, regardless of which party breaks off the engagement, the engagement ring must be returned to the donor. The decision overturns the Commonwealth’s previously settled rule that if…

Comments Off on New Ruling Says Engagement Ring Must be Returned to Donor if the Engagement Fails

Take Two: Proposed Amendments to Alberta’s PPCLA and the PWA​ (Bill 30)

Background On Nov. 4, 2024, the Minister of Service tabled Bill 30, the Service Alberta Statutes Amendment Act, 2024 (Bill 30). Bill 30 introduces proposed amendments to Alberta’s Prompt Payment and Construction Lien Act (the PPCLA) and the Public Works Act (the PWA) that could result in changes to the…

Comments Off on Take Two: Proposed Amendments to Alberta’s PPCLA and the PWA​ (Bill 30)

Watermarked LLMs Offer Benefits, but Leading Strategies Come With Tradeoffs

It's increasingly difficult to discern between content generated by humans and artificial intelligence. To help create more transparency around this issue and detect when AI-generated content is used maliciously, computer scientists are researching ways to label content created by large language models (LLMs). One solution: using watermarks. A new study(opens…

Comments Off on Watermarked LLMs Offer Benefits, but Leading Strategies Come With Tradeoffs

How a European growth company kept on trucking through market setbacks

For sennder, a leading European digital road freight forwarder, challenges have been catalysts for growth. Founded in 2015, the Berlin-based trucking company has rapidly transformed the European industry by digitalizing road logistics. Although sennder’s growth has been explosive, it hasn’t come without hurdles. However, thanks to a culture of learning,…

Comments Off on How a European growth company kept on trucking through market setbacks

OCMT chokes on Bitfarms 15 per cent poison pill

The Ontario Capital Markets Tribunal (OCMT) cease traded the Bitfarms Ltd. (Bitfarms) shareholder rights plan pursuant to its public interest powers. The OCMT’s decision found the Plan “undermined, in a real and substantial way, the principles underlying the take-over bid regime.” The reasons for the decision provide important insights into…

Comments Off on OCMT chokes on Bitfarms 15 per cent poison pill

Transmitting an Unwritten Culture: Hermès HR Leader Sharon MacBeath

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…

Comments Off on Transmitting an Unwritten Culture: Hermès HR Leader Sharon MacBeath

Auditing IT resources can enhance your ESG programs

A shift in thinking from “life cycle” to “use cycle” can help eliminate e-waste Instead of seeing ESG programs as an add-on, enterprises are increasingly recognizing that creating a culture of sustainability – and investing in technological advancements to support it – can have positive impacts on the business, brand,…

Comments Off on Auditing IT resources can enhance your ESG programs

Ontario Cyber Security Standard: Impact on licensed electricity transmitters and distributors

On Oct. 1, 2024, amendments to the Ontario Energy Board’s (OEB) Transmission System Code (TSC) and Distribution System Code (DSC, and together, the Codes) came into force. The amendments are intended to facilitate and enhance cyber security readiness, collaboration and innovation in Ontario’s electricity sector. The amendments require licensed electricity…

Comments Off on Ontario Cyber Security Standard: Impact on licensed electricity transmitters and distributors

Security, Emancipation, and Hope: Africa and the Middle East Address Turmoil

The Red Sea, between Africa and Asia, plays an essential role in international trade and oil transport. Any disruption or closure due to intensifying conflict in the Middle East would have immediate repercussions for the economies of many African states. For example, countries such as Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya and Egypt…

Comments Off on Security, Emancipation, and Hope: Africa and the Middle East Address Turmoil

Tax planning for non-doms: how to leverage the temporary repatriation facility in 2025

By Tahir Mahmood and Jonathan Gold | 18 Nov, 2024 A great deal has been written since Rachel Reeves delivered her maiden budget on 30th October. Much of it has focussed on her fiscal policies for raising taxes. Most notably for the UK-based investor community, some of the announcements focused…

Comments Off on Tax planning for non-doms: how to leverage the temporary repatriation facility in 2025

Capturing the generative AI opportunity for the Dutch labor market

The Dutch labor market is strong and evolving: labor force participation is notably high, and unemployment levels are historically low. But ongoing trends, including an aging population and declining productivity growth, are putting the labor market under pressure. Recently, McKinsey projected that labor market tightness could triple by 2030 if…

Comments Off on Capturing the generative AI opportunity for the Dutch labor market

Financial intermediation beyond banks: taking a macroprudential approach

28 November 2024By François Haas, Cornelia Holthausen and Vasileios Madouros[1]The European Commission is seeking the views of stakeholders on policies to guard against the build-up of systemic risk in the financial sector beyond banks. This ECB Blog post describes the pillars of a macroprudential approach for the so-called non-bank financial…

Comments Off on Financial intermediation beyond banks: taking a macroprudential approach

Holiday Shopping Surge: Bracing for the Increased Retail Workplace Violence Risks

Quick Hits Retail employers face increased risks of workplace violence during the holiday season due to larger crowds, heightened stress, and potential understaffing, among other factors. Retail employers may want to consider steps to mitigate workplace violence risks such as developing a workplace violence prevention plan, training staff, and enhancing…

Comments Off on Holiday Shopping Surge: Bracing for the Increased Retail Workplace Violence Risks

Why Indian Climate Tech Is the Sector to Watch

Already the world’s fastest-growing major economy, India is on track to become the third largest by 2030. However, this development comes with a significant challenge − sustainability. India ranks seventh globally for climate vulnerability, and both its consumers and companies are generally unwilling or unable to pay a ‘green premium’…

Comments Off on Why Indian Climate Tech Is the Sector to Watch

Bilateral Dynamism: New Comprehensive Russia-DPRK Partnership Treaty

On November 27, the Valdai Club hosted an expert discussion on the Russia-DPRK Treaty and the security situation in Northeast Asia. The moderator of the discussion was Ivan Timofeev, Programme Director of the Valdai Club. Dmitry Kiku, Deputy Director of the Department for Control over External Restrictions of the Ministry…

Comments Off on Bilateral Dynamism: New Comprehensive Russia-DPRK Partnership Treaty

3 Ways to Manage Post-Election Stress at Work and Home This Holiday Season

Elections are more than debates and opinions—they’re emotional whirlwinds that don’t end when the polls close. This year, presidential election stress is breaking records, with reported levels higher than in both 2020 and 2016. And the fallout lingers. A University of Nevada study found that moderate to severe anxiety and…

Comments Off on 3 Ways to Manage Post-Election Stress at Work and Home This Holiday Season

The state of grocery retail in Latin America

Latin America’s grocery retailers are finally on firm ground again. After several volatile years—with grocers battling everything from the COVID-19 pandemic to inflation and rising joblessness—the sector showed signs of stabilizing in the first half of 2024, leading to increases in spending. Yet challenges persist. Our latest report finds four…

Comments Off on The state of grocery retail in Latin America

Climate issues catch up with India

The city’s hospitals have also reported a huge surge in the number of consultations for pulmonary infections and respiratory difficulties. Pollution is estimated to be responsible for around 12,000 deaths a year in New Delhi, equivalent to over 10% of all deaths in the city. The authorities are in denial,…

Comments Off on Climate issues catch up with India

European nongrocery retail: Transition and transformation

Over the past five years, nongrocery retailers in Europe have faced twin challenges: navigating fierce macroeconomic headwinds and a heightened competitive landscape while catering to increasingly selective consumers. On the first count, inflation-adjusted sales have yet to return to 2019 levels in all top European markets, and generalist marketplaces and…

Comments Off on European nongrocery retail: Transition and transformation

A Better Way to Avoid Project Delays

Frontiers Many organizations estimate project timelines inaccurately. Working from past project examples, however, can improve on-time completion. Matej Lorko, Maroš Servátka, and Le Zhang November 27, 2024 Reading Time: 6 min  Topics Operations Project Management Frontiers An MIT SMR initiative exploring how technology is reshaping the practice of management. More…

Comments Off on A Better Way to Avoid Project Delays

Breaking Down the Implications of Using Generative AI in Retail Advertising

Generative AI tools have advanced tremendously in recent years, moving beyond novelties to becoming indispensable tools for companies to leverage. The ability of AI to generate images and videos, not just text, has caught the attention of many retailers, with brands such as Levi’s, Dove and Nike already capitalizing on…

Comments Off on Breaking Down the Implications of Using Generative AI in Retail Advertising

The capex crystal ball: Beating the odds in mining project delivery

The past few decades have not been easy for project deployment in metals and mining. Historically, the approach to project execution has been characterized by poor front-end project definition, misaligned incentives, constrained resources, and deeply ingrained legacy practices. Further complicating matters, the outbreak of COVID-19 created a whirlwind of volatility…

Comments Off on The capex crystal ball: Beating the odds in mining project delivery

Military Aspect of Turkey’s Foreign Policy in the Middle East and North Africa: The Case of Libya

For a long time, Turkey’s military industry has been critically dependent on Western financing, institutions and technology, the fragmentary manifestations and consequences of which persist today. However, during the AKP period, the Turkish military-industrial complex has gone through two main stages of development: eliminating external dependence and developing the country’s…

Comments Off on Military Aspect of Turkey’s Foreign Policy in the Middle East and North Africa: The Case of Libya

Protecting Workers From Heat Illness: Nevada’s New Regulation

Quick Hits On November 15, 2024, the State of Nevada adopted a regulation to protect workers from heat-related illnesses, requiring covered employers to conduct job hazard analyses, designate employees for emergency response, and implement comprehensive safety programs. The regulation requires employers to implement measures that will “reasonably mitigate the risk…

Comments Off on Protecting Workers From Heat Illness: Nevada’s New Regulation

Lord Hague of Richmond elected as new Chancellor of Oxford University

Lord Hague will be formally inaugurated as Chancellor early in the New Year and serve for a term of 10 years. He becomes the 160th recorded Chancellor in the University’s history, a role that dates back at least 800 years.Lord Hague, the Chancellor-elect, said: ‘Thank you to my fellow Oxonians for…

Comments Off on Lord Hague of Richmond elected as new Chancellor of Oxford University