NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart’s sweeping rollback of its diversity policies is the strongest indication yet of a profound shift taking hold at U.S. companies that are revaluating the legal and political risks associated with bold programs to bolster historically underrepresented groups in business. The followed a string of legal victories by conservative groups that have filed an onslaught of lawsuits challenging corporate and federal programs aimed at elevating minority and women-owned businesses and employees. The risk associated with some of programs crystalized with the election of former President Donald Trump, whose administration is certain to make dismantling diversity, equity and inclusion programs a priority. Trump’s incoming deputy chief of policy will be his former adviser , who leads a group called America First Legal that has aggressively challenged corporate DEI policies. “There has been a lot of reassessment of risk looking at programs that could be deemed to constitute reverse discrimination,” said Allan Schweyer, principal researcher the Human Capital Center at the Conference Board. “This is another domino to fall and it is a rather large domino,” he added. Among other changes, Walmart said it will no longer give priority treatment to suppliers owned by women or minorities. The company also will not renew a five-year commitment for a racial equity center set up in 2020 after the police killing of George Floyd. And it pulled out of a . Schweyer said the biggest trigger for companies making such changes is simply a reassessment of their legal risk exposure, which began after that ended affirmative action in college admissions. Since then, conservative groups using similar arguments have secured court victories against various diversity programs, especially those that steer contracts to minority or women-owned businesses. Most recently, the conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty won a victory in a case against the U.S. Department of Transportation over its use of a program that gives priority to minority-owned businesses when it awards contracts. Companies are seeing a big legal risk in continuing with DEI efforts, said Dan Lennington, a deputy counsel at the institute. His organization says it has identified more than 60 programs in the federal government that it considers discriminatory, he said. “We have a legal landscape within the entire federal government, all three branches — the U.S. Supreme Court, the Congress and the President — are all now firmly pointed in the direction towards equality of individuals and individualized treatment of all Americans, instead of diversity, equity and inclusion treating people as members of racial groups,” Lennington said. The Trump administration is also likely to take direct aim at DEI initiatives through executive orders and other policies that affect private companies, especially federal contractors. “The impact of the election on DEI policies is huge. It can’t be overstated,” said Jason Schwartz, co-chair of the Labor & Employment Practice Group at law firm Gibson Dunn. With Miller returning to the White House, rolling back DEI initiatives is likely to be a priority, Schwartz said. “Companies are trying to strike the right balance to make clear they’ve got an inclusive workplace where everyone is welcome, and they want to get the best talent, while at the same time trying not to alienate various parts of their employees and customer base who might feel one way or the other. It’s a virtually impossible dilemma,” Schwartz said. A recent survey by Pew Research Center showed that workers are divided on the merits of DEI policies. While still broadly popular, the share of workers who said focusing on workplace diversity was mostly a good thing fell to 52% in the November survey, compared to 56% in a similar survey in February 2023. Rachel Minkin, a research associated at Pew called it a small but significant shift in short amount of time. There will be more companies pulling back from their DEI policies, but it likely won’t be a retreat across the board, said David Glasgow, executive director of the Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging at New York University. “There are vastly more companies that are sticking with DEI,” Glasgow said. “The only reason you don’t hear about it is most of them are doing it by stealth. They’re putting their heads down and doing DEI work and hoping not to attract attention.” Glasgow advises organizations to stick to their own core values, because attitudes toward the topic can change quickly in the span of four years. “It’s going to leave them looking a little bit weak if there’s a kind of flip-flopping, depending on whichever direction the political winds are blowing,” he said. One reason DEI programs exist is because without those programs, companies may be vulnerable to lawsuits for traditional discrimination. “Really think carefully about the risks in all directions on this topic,” Glasgow said. Walmart confirmed will no longer consider race and gender as a litmus test to improve diversity when it offers supplier contracts. Last fiscal year, Walmart said it spent more than $13 billion on minority, women or veteran-owned good and service suppliers. It was unclear how its relationships with such business would change going forward. Organizations that that have partnered with Walmart on its diversity initiatives offered a cautious response. The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, a non-profit that last year named Walmart one of America’s top corporation for women-owned enterprises, said it was still evaluating the impact of Walmart’s announcement. Pamela Prince-Eason, the president and CEO of the organization, said she hoped Walmart’s need to cater to its diverse customer base will continue to drive contracts to women-owned suppliers even if the company no longer has explicit dollar goals. “I suspect Walmart will continue to have one of the most inclusive supply chains in the World,” Prince-Eason wrote. “Any retailer’s ability to serve the communities they operate in will continue to value understanding their customers, (many of which are women), in order to better provide products and services desired and no one understands customers better than Walmart.” Walmart’s announcement came after the company spoke directly with conservative political commentator and activist Robby Starbuck, who has been going after corporate DEI policies, calling out individual companies on the social media platform X. Several of those companies have subsequently announced that they are pulling back their initiatives, including , Harley-Davidson, and . Walmart confirmed to The Associated Press that it will better monitor its third-party marketplace items to make sure they don’t feature sexual and transgender products aimed at minors. The company also will stop participating in the Human Rights Campaign’s annual benchmark index that measures workplace inclusion for LGBTQ+ employees. A Walmart spokesperson added that some of the changes were already in progress and not as a result of conversations that it had with Starbuck. RaShawn “Shawnie” Hawkins, senior director of the HRC Foundation’s Workplace Equality Program, said companies that “abandon” their commitments workplace inclusion policies “are shirking their responsibility to their employees, consumers, and shareholders.” She said the buying power of LGBTQ customers is powerful and noted that the index will have record participation of more than 1,400 companies in 2025.
Sexual harassment is a pervasive issue in society, spanning across various sectors and industries. Defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, sexual harassment can have detrimental effects on individuals' well-being and professional lives. In an effort to combat this issue effectively, experts are recommending a more refined and comprehensive definition of sexual harassment to improve the process of evidence gathering and strengthen punitive measures against offenders.
Through her actions, Zhao Lusi exemplified the true spirit of a role model, using her platform to spread positivity and kindness. Her unwavering support for her fans not only strengthened their bond but also inspired others to follow her example and stand up against bullying in all its forms. In a world where negativity and hate often prevail, Zhao Lusi's actions serve as a beacon of hope and a reminder of the power of empathy and solidarity.
SAN DIEGO , Nov. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Robbins LLP reminds shareholders that a class action was filed on behalf of all investors and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Xiao-I Corporation (NASDAQ: AIXI ) ADSs pursuant and/or traceable to the Company's initial public offering ("IPO") on March 9, 2023 , or between March 9, 2023 and July 12, 2024 . Xiao-I conducts business through its subsidiary Shanghai Xiao-I Robot Technology Co., Ltd., which comprises the Company's AI business. For more information, submit a form , email attorney Aaron Dumas, Jr. , or give us a call at (800) 350-6003. The Allegations: Robbins LLP is Investigating Allegations that Xiao-I (AIXI) Misled Investors Regarding its Business Prospects According to the complaint, the Offering Documents in support of the Company's IPO were negligently prepared. Additionally, throughout the class period, defendants failed to disclose that: (i) defendants had downplayed the true scope and severity of risks that Xiao-I faced due to certain of its Chinese shareholders' non-compliance with Circular 37 Registration, including the Company's inability to use Offering proceeds for intended business purposes; (ii) Xiao-I failed to comply with GAAP in preparing its financial statements; (iii) defendants overstated Xiao-I's efforts to remediate material weaknesses in the Company's financial controls; (iv) Xiao-I was forced to incur significant R&D expenses to effectively compete in the AI industry; (v) Xiao-I downplayed the significant negative impact that such expenses would have on the Company's business and financial results; (vi) accordingly, Xiao-I overstated its AI capabilities, R&D resources, and overall ability to compete in the AI market; and (vii) as a result of all the foregoing, there was a substantial likelihood that Xiao-I would fail to comply with the NASDAQ's Minimum Bid Price Requirement. What Now : You may be eligible to participate in the class action against Xiao-I Corporation. Shareholders who want to serve as lead plaintiff for the class must submit their application to the court by December 16, 2024 . A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. You do not have to participate in the case to be eligible for a recovery. If you choose to take no action, you can remain an absent class member. For more information, click here . All representation is on a contingency fee basis. Shareholders pay no fees or expenses. About Robbins LLP : Some law firms issuing releases about this matter do not actually litigate securities class actions; Robbins LLP does. A recognized leader in shareholder rights litigation, the attorneys and staff of Robbins LLP have been dedicated to helping shareholders recover losses, improve corporate governance structures, and hold company executives accountable for their wrongdoing since 2002. Since our inception, we have obtained over $1 billion for shareholders. To be notified if a class action against Xiao-I Corporation settles or to receive free alerts when corporate executives engage in wrongdoing, sign up for Stock Watch today. Attorney Advertising. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. SOURCE Robbins LLPThe event, which took place in a prestigious venue in the heart of the capital city, attracted a wide array of industry leaders, government officials, and business representatives. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation and excitement as the attendees gathered to witness the formal agreement signing and the unveiling of this innovative platform.
Through their mutual respect and admiration for each other, Söyüncü and Tah embody the values of teamwork, dedication, and friendship that make football a truly special and unifying sport. As they take to the pitch in the Champions League, their reunion reminds us of the connections that transcend borders and languages, bringing together players from different backgrounds in a common pursuit of excellence and success.Safety Micah Hyde rejoins the Buffalo Bills after being signed to practice squad
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Corey McKeithan's 27 points helped La Salle defeat Stetson 92-77 on Saturday. McKeithan also added five rebounds for the Explorers (5-2). Andres Marrero added 13 points while shooting 5 for 11, including 3 for 6 from beyond the arc while they also had six rebounds. Jahlil White had 13 points and shot 4 of 9 from the field and 5 of 8 from the free-throw line. Mehki finished with 20 points and seven rebounds for the Hatters (1-6). Abramo Canka added 14 points for Stetson. Jamie Phillips Jr. had 12 points and seven rebounds. The Hatters extended their losing streak to six in a row. La Salle went on an 18-3 run to make it 69-48 with 11:22 left in the half. White scored 10 second-half points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .As we celebrate The Holy Altar Duo's achievement, let us also look forward to the next chapter in their badminton journey. With their sights set on even greater heights, there is no doubt that Liu Xuanxuan and Zhang Yuwei will continue to inspire and dazzle fans with their exceptional performances on the court. The future looks bright for this dynamic duo, and we can't wait to see what more they will achieve in the years to come.
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Overall, the story of the 39 search and rescue dogs in Yunnan serves as a reminder of the dedication and sacrifice of these animals in the line of duty, as well as the importance of ongoing training and support to enable them to fulfill their vital roles in times of crisis. The bond between humans and canines in search and rescue operations remains unbreakable, demonstrating the enduring power of partnership and collaboration in serving the greater good.
Tweet Facebook Mail Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has caused uproar after backing Germany's far-right party in a major newspaper ahead of key parliamentary elections in the Western European country, leading to the resignation of the paper's opinion editor in protest. Germany is to vote in an early election on February 23 after Chancellor Olaf Scholz's three-party governing coalition collapsed last month in a dispute over how to revitalise the country's stagnant economy. Musk's guest opinion piece for Welt am Sonntag —a sister publication of POLITICO owned by the Axel Springer Group — published in German over the weekend, was the second time this month he supported the Alternative for Germany, or AfD. READ MORE: Death toll climbs in fiery plane crash President-elect Donald Trump listens to Elon Musk as he arrives to watch a SpaceX launch in November. (Brandon Bell/Pool via AP, File) "The Alternative for Germany (AfD) is the last spark of hope for this country," Musk wrote in his translated commentary. He went on to say the far-right party "can lead the country into a future where economic prosperity, cultural integrity and technological innovation are not just wishes, but reality". The Tesla Motors CEO also wrote that his investment in Germany gave him the right to comment on the country's condition. The AfD is polling strongly, but its candidate for the top job, Alice Weidel, has no realistic chance of becoming chancellor because other parties refuse to work with the far-right party. An ally of US President-elect Donald Trump, the technology billionaire challenged in his opinion piece the party's public image. "The portrayal of the AfD as right-wing extremist is clearly false, considering that Alice Weidel, the party's leader, has a same-sex partner from Sri Lanka! Does that sound like Hitler to you? Please!" he wrote. READ MORE: Man arrested as 82-year-old fights for life after suspected stabbing in Sydney People attend an AfD election campaign near the Christmas Market in Magdeburg, Germany. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi) Musk's commentary has led to a debate in German media over the boundaries of free speech, with the paper's own opinion editor announcing her resignation, pointedly on Musk's social media platform, X. "I always enjoyed leading the opinion section of WELT and WAMS . Today an article by Elon Musk appeared in Welt am Sonntag . I handed in my resignation yesterday after it went to print," Eva Marie Kogel wrote. A critical article by the future editor-in-chief of the Welt group, Jan Philipp Burgard, accompanied Musk's opinion piece. "Musk's diagnosis is correct, but his therapeutic approach, that only the AfD can save Germany, is fatally wrong," Burgard wrote. World's 10 richest people got $96 billion richer from Trump's reelection View Gallery Responding to a request for comment from the German Press Agency, dpa, the current editor-in-chief of the Welt group, Ulf Poschardt, and Burgard — who is due to take over on January 1 — said in a joint statement that the discussion over Musk's piece was "very insightful". "Democracy and journalism thrive on freedom of expression," they wrote to the dpa. "This will continue to determine the compass of the "world" in the future. "We will develop Die Welt even more decisively as a forum for such debates." DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP : Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play .As the investigation progresses, new leads and evidence are emerging, shedding light on Samantha's whereabouts and the circumstances surrounding her disappearance. The police are urging anyone with information to come forward and assist in bringing closure to this perplexing case. The well-being and safety of Samantha remain a top priority, and authorities are working diligently to ensure her recovery and well-being.