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Improving Immigrants' Employment Prospects through Work-Focused Language Instruction

This report describes the range of policies available to improve immigrants’ economic integration through language acquisition, especially those focused on getting immigrants into jobs or moving into higher-paying jobs. It assesses promising models and practices from Europe and North America.




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Five-year INDECOM Act inertia - Williams, Golding still want prosecutorial powers for commission; DPP, Chuck, cops not sold on idea

Almost five years ago, lawmakers on a bipartisan committee of Parliament agreed unanimously to amend the law to give the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) the power to arrest and prosecute cops. That proposed amendment, which was...




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LEP Workers & Access to Workforce Services: Perspectives on Current Barriers to Access and Prospects for Improvements Under WIA Reauthorization

In this webinar, experts discuss barriers immigrant and LEP individuals face in accessing the WIA system, how a revitalized WIA could address these barriers, and the extent to which the current Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee's WIA reauthorization proposal addresses these barriers.




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A Work in Progress: Prospects for Upward Mobility Among New Immigrants in Germany

This report analyzes the labor market integration of newcomers to Germany, who tend to have different national origins and higher levels of education than earlier waves of migrants. These new immigrants have had varying levels of success in finding employment and transitioning into higher-skilled jobs.




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Prospects for Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Testimony of Doris Meissner, Director of MPI's U.S. Immigration Policy Program, before the Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Citizenship, at its hearing: "Comprehensive Immigration Reform in 2009, Can We Do It and How?" 




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Senate Judiciary Testimony on Immigration Enforcement Priorities and Use of Prosecutorial Discretion

Testimony of Marc Rosenblum before the Senate Judiciary Committee for the December 2, 2015 hearing on priorities for immigration enforcement and the use of prosecutorial discretion. 




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Sweden: National Prosecutor Investigates Workplace Environment Crime After Nurse Dies of COVID-19

(May 4, 2020) On April 29, 2020, the Swedish National Prosecutor announced that it is investigating a workplace environment crime (arbetsmiljöbrott) after a nurse working at Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm died of COVID-19. The investigation comes following a report by the local safety representative (skyddsombud), who reportedly claimed that the hospital lacked the appropriate […]




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Hero XPulse T review: The lesser-talked about variant’s pros and cons explained

The Hero Xpulse T is supposed to be a road going tourer version but here is the catch behind this motorcycle.




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Renault Kwid AMT BS6 Review: Pros and cons of the Maruti Suzuki S-Presso rival

The Micro-SUV segment is just starting to take shape with Maruti Suzuki now getting on board with the S-Presso. But Renault, the pioneers of the segment, have updated the Kwid with a facelift that makes the little hatchback/SUV a little fresher. We drive to find out if the new changes have what it takes to stand strong against the new kids on the block.




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‘Project restart’: Pros and cons

In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel has given the go-ahead to Bundesliga’s resumption, in the second half of this month, ending a two-month suspension caused by the coronavirus pandemic.





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Obama optimistic about prospects for Iranian nuclear agreement

There's a chance for Iran to reach a comprehensive nuclear agreement that would benefit its people if the rights steps are taken, President Obama said Thursday.




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Likud launches assault on prosecution ahead of Benjamin Netanyahu trial


Amir Ohana attacks AG on way out the door




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Securing common prosperity in face of Covid-19

This pandemic is a new test to our collective strength and we must work together to address it.




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Hong Kong finance chief sees hope for third quarter, but warns return of protests could derail retailers’ prospects

Hong Kong’s financial chief said there could be light at the end of the tunnel for the city’s economy in the third quarter of this year on Sunday, while doubling down on his call for an end to protests, which he warned could further hurt local businesses and restaurants.Writing on his official blog, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po noted Hong Kong’s coronavirus-ravaged economy had suffered its worst decline on record, shrinking by 8.9 per cent year on year in the first quarter based on his…




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Defense lawyers rail about unfair prosecutions. Flynn's case shows why.

Analysis: It's rare to get a behind-the-scenes look at how federal investigators do their jobs.




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Do not allow 'biased' election watchdog power to prosecute, say MPs

The election watchdog has revealed that it is pressing ahead with plans to hand itself powers to prosecute campaigners and political parties, putting itself on a collision course with ministers. The Electoral Commission is planning to publish a consultation setting out proposals to hand itself a "prosecutions capability", despite senior Tories insisting that the body is "not trusted to be impartial". The disclosure comes after the Metropolitan Police confirmed that it had ended investigations into Darren Grimes and Alan Halsall, two pro-Brexit campaign figures, two years after a referral by the commission for alleged breaches of spending rules. The move prompted calls for the commission to be "overhauled", with Mr Grimes describing the body as a "kangaroo court" that was not "fit for purpose". Separately, the National Crime Agency found no evidence that any criminal offences were committed by Arron Banks, another prominent Brexiteer, after another referral by the watchdog. Last night Matthew Elliott, who was chief executive of the official Vote Leave campaign, claimed that the commission's record showed that if it acquired the new powers, "there will be countless travesties of justice, and democracy will be undermined.” Sir Bernard Jenkin, the former chairman of the Commons public administration committee, said: "These proposals appear to be doubling down on a failed system. Parliament should change it." Another Conservative MP said: "I can't think of any public body that is less deserving of prosecuting powers than the Electoral Commission, who have shown themselves to be biased and, frankly, vindictive." Last year Jacob Rees-Mogg, now the leader of the Commons, and Brandon Lewis, who has also been appointed to Boris Johnson's cabinet, both expressed alarm at the watchdog's plans to hand itself powers currently exercised by the police and Crown Prosecution Service - after the move was revealed by this newspaper. The watchdog has faced repeated accusations of bias against bodies that campaigned for Brexit in 2016, which it strongly denies. The commission claims it could hand itself the powers without ministers bringing forward legislation, by altering its enforcement policy following a public consultation - due to open in the coming weeks. But MPs warned that some groups could be unfairly targeted. Speaking last year, while Tory chairman, Mr Lewis pointed out that one senior figure at the commission - the same official spearheading the proposals - had previously said that she would "not want to live under a Tory government". He suggested the body was not seen as a "fair" arbiter. As a backbencher, Mr Rees-Mogg called for the Conservatives to formally oppose the move, saying: "The Electoral Commission is not trusted to be impartial and a number of its leading figures have said very prejudicial things about Brexit." The commission's corporate plan for the period from 2020 to 2025 states: "To deter people from committing offences, and to make sure we can respond proportionally if they do, we will continue to build the capacity to prosecute suspected offences. We will consult on the way we approach the use of prosecutions." An Electoral Commission spokesman said: “Later this year we will be consulting with political parties, the police and the CPS on changes to our enforcement policy, which includes a prosecutions capability, and will bring our regulatory work in line with a wide range of other regulators. “Extending our work in this direction would enable us to bring lower order offences before the courts in a way which is swift and proportionate, freeing up the resources of the police and prosecutors and delivering more effective regulation of political finance to support public confidence.” Mr Elliott said: “The Electoral Commission’s track record at conducting investigations is woeful. "In the case of Leave campaigners ... they assumed that we were guilty until proven innocent ... Thankfully, the Metropolitan Police and Crown Prosecution Service looked at the evidence thoroughly, and saw through the conspiracy theories that the Electoral Commission had believed without question." The commission insisted it was "right that potential electoral offences are properly investigated by the appropriate authority". A spokesman said there was "no substance to allegations that the Commission is biased", saying the organisation had investigated campaigners and parties across the political spectrum.





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Venom as a cure? Intriguing prospects in treating cancer, diabetes, pain...


Venom as a cure? Intriguing prospects in treating cancer, diabetes, pain...


(Third column, 21st story, link)






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Prost: Mercedes dominance 'part of the game'

Four-time world champion Alain Prost says he does not understand the complaints about Mercedes' domination after Australia as he says it is "part of the game"




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OECD’s Gurría welcomes call for ‘Social Compact for Digital Privacy and Security’ as critical first step for trust and economic prosperity

On the occasion of the Global Conference on Cyberspace meeting today in The Hague, the Global Commission on Internet Governance (GCIG) issued a statement calling on ‘the global community to build a new social compact between citizens and their elected representatives, the judiciary, law enforcement and intelligence agencies, business, civil society and the Internet technical community..




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Digital Economy: Innovation, Growth and Social Prosperity

On 21-23 June 2016, Ministers and stakeholders will gather in Cancún, Mexico, for an OECD Ministerial Meeting on the Digital Economy: Innovation, Growth and Social Prosperity, to move the digital agenda forward in four key policy areas foundational to the growth of the digital economy: Internet openness, digital trust, global connectivity, jobs and skills in the digital economy.




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OECD Ministerial Declaration on the Digital Economy: Innovation, Growth and Social Prosperity

Ministers and high-level representatives from 41 countries and the European Union committed today at the closure of the OECD’s 2016 Digital Economy Ministerial Meeting in Cancun, Mexico, to work together to preserve an open Internet, close digital divides, promote digital skills and generally do more to seize the potential of the digital economy.




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Discrimination and poor job prospects hit children of immigrants

The children of immigrants continue to face major difficulties integrating in OECD countries, especially in the European Union, where their poor educational outcomes leave many struggling to find work, according to a new OECD/EU report.




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Luxembourg has achieved high levels of growth and well-being but must do more to preserve and share prosperity

Luxembourg’s economy has grown at a robust pace and has enviable levels of well-being, but public policy can do more to make growth sustainable and inclusive, according to a new report from the OECD.




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Improving water safety and global prosperity: Preparedness, participation and return

In January of this year I visited the Mexican state of Tabasco– a state crossed by rivers and facing the Gulf of Mexico. The state’s population has doubled over the past 30 years and its economy relies heavily on oil and natural gas resources. It has its challenges as well: unemployment, poverty and a lack of resources.




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Workshop: Skills strategies for inclusive development in India – Accelerating prosperity through policy coherence (New Delhi, India)

The Institute for Competitiveness India, the National Skill Development Corporation India and the OECD LEED Programme in collaboration with the ILO are joining forces to discuss local skills strategies for job-rich and inclusive growth in India.




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Lack of support for motherhood hurting women’s career prospects, despite gains in education and employment, says OECD

Progress has been made in narrowing the gender gap in pay, especially in employment, over the past decade but much remains to be done in many countries. Women pay a high price for motherhood, with steep childcare costs and taxes deterring many from working more, according to a new OECD report.




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Sweden: Tackling mental health problems is critical to boosting job prospects of young Swedes

Sweden should make greater efforts to prevent and address mental health problems among people under the age of 30, in order to boost their job prospects and reduce government spending on health care and out-of-work benefits, according to a new OECD report.




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Brazil should continue efforts to boost education and improve young people’s job prospects

Brazil’s strong economic growth has helped cut the youth unemployment rate over the past decade to levels below those of most OECD countries. Increased investment in education and vocational training is also helping young people get a foot in the jobs market, according to a new OECD report.




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Youth employment and regional development must rank as top priorities in Tunisia to secure stability and prosperity

Tunisia has made great strides since 2011 towards greater inclusivity and fairness in its political system, based on the rule of law, transparency and good governance.




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Promoting longer working lives is vital to improving Poland’s future prosperity

Encouraging more people to work later in life would help Poland meet the challenges of a rapidly ageing population. The percentage of old to younger groups (defined as share of over 65s to people aged 20-64) is projected to nearly triple from 22% in 2012 to 63% in 2050, according to a new OECD report.




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Latvia should expand work-based vocational training to boost young people’s job prospects

Latvia should step up its efforts to improve the employment prospects of young people by continuing to reform its vocational education system and pursuing the commitments made as part of the Youth Guarantee to further reduce the share of young people under 30 who are not in employment, education or training.




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Promoting longer working lives is vital for Denmark’s future prosperity

Encouraging more people to continue to work later in life would help Denmark meet the challenges of its rapidly ageing population. The ratio of the population aged 65 and over to the working-age population is projected to increase from 30% in 2012 to 43% in 2050, according to a new OECD report.




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Norway should do more to improve job prospects of low-skilled youth

Norway should step up its efforts to boost the job prospects of young people without upper-secondary qualification to further reduce the share of under-30 year-olds who are Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEETs), according to a new OECD report.




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In support of its active enforcement efforts, Italy should urgently extend timeframe for prosecuting foreign bribery

The Phase 3 Report on Italy by the OECD Working Group on Bribery evaluates and makes recommendations on Italy's implementation and application of the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions and related instruments.




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Hungary has improved legal framework for fighting foreign bribery, but must do more to detect and prosecute

Hungary’s law banning bribery of foreign public officials is relatively good on paper but lacks effective application, according to a new OECD report. Hungary must strengthen detection and prosecution of individuals and companies involved in foreign bribery.




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OECD seriously concerned at lack of foreign bribery convictions in France, but recognises recent efforts to ensure independence of prosecutors

France should intensify its efforts to combat the bribery of foreign public officials. Only five convictions – of which one, under appeal, involves a company – have been handed down in twelve years.




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Brazil should continue efforts to boost education and improve young people’s job prospects

Brazil’s strong economic growth has helped cut the youth unemployment rate over the past decade to levels below those of most OECD countries. Increased investment in education and vocational training is also helping young people get a foot in the jobs market, according to a new OECD report.




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Spain’s future prosperity depends on skills (OECD Education Today Blog)

Spain is emerging from a challenging period. The good news is that the economy has returned to moderate growth and unemployment rates are falling. Yet Spain’s progress along the path to inclusive growth may well falter if steps are not taken today to boost skills outcomes.




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Korea’s future prosperity depends on skills (OECD Education Today Blog)

The Korean economy has seen significant growth in the past decades. However, much of the economic growth has been supported by intensive labour resource utilisation. Korean workers work the second longest hours among OECD countries. This is not sustainable in the long-term because Korea’s working age population is projected to decline from 2017 onwards.




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Skills are the key to unlocking prosperity in Peru (OECD Education Today Blog)

Peru has been one of the strongest economic performers in Latin America with steady GDP per capita growth over the past decade.




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Workshop: Skills strategies for inclusive development in India – Accelerating prosperity through policy coherence (New Delhi, India)

The Institute for Competitiveness India, the National Skill Development Corporation India and the OECD LEED Programme in collaboration with the ILO are joining forces to discuss local skills strategies for job-rich and inclusive growth in India.




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Youth employment and regional development must rank as top priorities in Tunisia to secure stability and prosperity

Tunisia has made great strides since 2011 towards greater inclusivity and fairness in its political system, based on the rule of law, transparency and good governance.




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OECD Eurasia Week 2017 - Openness for shared prosperity (23-25 October 2017)

This high-level meeting will be organised for the first time in the Eurasia region, in Almaty, Kazakhstan. This event creates an opportunity to further strengthen relations between the countries of the region and the OECD and serves as a platform for a discussion on a broad spectrum of thematic issues relevant to further improving the region’s competitiveness.




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Living off prostitution


Women born into a Bedia family remain unmarried. They engage in prostitution in order to provide for the economic needs of their natal family. And Bedia men have developed a strong resistance to any change in their mode of living, writes Anuja Agrawal.




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From prosperity to a struggle for dignity


A severe drought and acute water and electricity shortage is ending self-sufficient agri-livelihoods in the six districts of Madhya Pradesh's Bundelkhand region. Sachin Kumar Jain and Sumika Rajput ring the warning bells.




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Phospho­rescent mono- and diiridium(III) complexes cyclo­metalated by fluorenyl- or phenyl-pyridino ligands with bulky substituents, as prospective OLED dopants

The crystal structures of tris­[9,9-dihexyl-2-(5-meth­oxy­pyridin-2-yl-κN)-9H-fluoren-3-yl-κC3]iridium pentane monosolvate, [Ir(C31H38NO)3]·C5H12, (I), di-μ2-chlorido-bis­{bis­[2-(5-fluoro­pyridin-2-yl)-9,9-dihexyl-9H-fluoren-3-yl]iridium} pentane 0.3-solvate, [Ir2(C30H35FN)4Cl2]·0.3C5H12, (II), di-μ2-cyanato-bis­{bis­[9,9-dihexyl-2-(5-meth­oxy­pyridin-2-yl)-9H-fluoren-1-yl]iridium} pentane monosolvate, [Ir2(C31H38NO)4(NCO)2(NCO)2]·C5H12, (III), and {μ-N,N'-bis­[3,5-bis­(tri­fluoro­meth­yl)phen­yl]oxamidato}bis(bis{2-[4-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)pyridin-2-yl]phenyl-κ2C1,N'}iridium)–chloro­benzene–pentane (1/2.3/0.4), [Ir2(C20H19N)4(C18H6F12N2O2)]·2.3C6H5Cl·0.4C5H12, (IV), synthesized in the quest for organic light-emitting devices, were determined. The bis-μ2-chloro and bis-μ2-cyanato complexes have ΔΔ and ΛΛ configurations of the distorted octa­hedral Ir centres in racemic crystals, whereas the oxamido complex has a centrosymmetric (meso) structure with the ΔΛ configuration. The bridging oxamido moiety has a nearly planar anti geometry. All structures show substantial disorder of both host mol­ecules and solvents of crystallization.




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CryoEM at 100 keV: a demonstration and prospects

100 kV is investigated as the operating voltage for single-particle electron cryomicroscopy (cryoEM). Reducing the electron energy from the current standard of 300 or 200 keV offers both cost savings and potentially improved imaging. The latter follows from recent measurements of radiation damage to biological specimens by high-energy electrons, which show that at lower energies there is an increased amount of information available per unit damage. For frozen hydrated specimens around 300 Å in thickness, the predicted optimal electron energy for imaging is 100 keV. Currently available electron cryomicroscopes in the 100–120 keV range are not optimized for cryoEM as they lack both the spatially coherent illumination needed for the high defocus used in cryoEM and imaging detectors optimized for 100 keV electrons. To demonstrate the potential of imaging at 100 kV, the voltage of a standard, commercial 200 kV field-emission gun (FEG) microscope was reduced to 100 kV and a side-entry cryoholder was used. As high-efficiency, large-area cameras are not currently available for 100 keV electrons, a commercial hybrid pixel camera designed for X-ray detection was attached to the camera chamber and was used for low-dose data collection. Using this configuration, five single-particle specimens were imaged: hepatitis B virus capsid, bacterial 70S ribosome, catalase, DNA protection during starvation protein and haemoglobin, ranging in size from 4.5 MDa to 64 kDa with corresponding diameters from 320 to 72 Å. These five data sets were used to reconstruct 3D structures with resolutions between 8.4 and 3.4 Å. Based on this work, the practical advantages and current technological limitations to single-particle cryoEM at 100 keV are considered. These results are also discussed in the context of future microscope development towards the goal of rapid, simple and widely available structure determination of any purified biological specimen.




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Estimating local protein model quality: prospects for molecular replacement

Model quality assessment programs estimate the quality of protein models and can be used to estimate local error in protein models. ProQ3D is the most recent and most accurate version of our software. Here, it is demonstrated that it is possible to use local error estimates to substantially increase the quality of the models for molecular replacement (MR). Adjusting the B factors using ProQ3D improved the log-likelihood gain (LLG) score by over 50% on average, resulting in significantly more successful models in MR compared with not using error estimates. On a data set of 431 homology models to address difficult MR targets, models with error estimates from ProQ3D received an LLG of >50 for almost half of the models 209/431 (48.5%), compared with 175/431 (40.6%) for the previous version, ProQ2, and only 74/431 (17.2%) for models with no error estimates, clearly demonstrating the added value of using error estimates to enable MR for more targets. ProQ3D is available from http://proq3.bioinfo.se/ both as a server and as a standalone download.