Latest news with #LRA
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Super Bowl Champion Willie Colon Drives Discovery at 2025 Annual Lupus Research Alliance Golf Fundraiser
Over 300 attendees raised $450,000 to fuel research breakthroughs for those living with lupus SUMMIT, N.J., June 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Lupus Research Alliance, the world's largest private funder of lupus research, partnered with Super Bowl Champion and current Fox Sports 1 co-host Willie Colon on the 11th Annual Willie Colon Golf Outing – raising an incredible $450,000 for lupus research. The sold-out event on June 23 brought together over 300 golfers in honor of Colon's late mother Jean Davis, who had lupus, a chronic, complex autoimmune disease that affects millions worldwide. To date, the event has raised nearly $3 million to help the LRA fund and fuel innovative breakthroughs that aim to improve the lives of those living with lupus. "Eleven years ago, my family chose to partner with the Lupus Research Alliance with this golf outing – all in the hopes of supporting lupus research that can improve treatments and find a cure," said Colon, a long-time and highly committed LRA board member. "Although my mother died before a cure was discovered, I have confidence that future generations will benefit from the research the LRA is funding now. While no one individual, no one family, and no one organization can conquer lupus, together we can, and we will." A host of sports stars joined Colon, the former Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets lineman, aiming to score a hole-in-one for lupus research. Those in attendance included Craig Carton (FS1), Greg Giannoti (WFAN), Brian Custer (ESPN), and Connor Hughes (SNY). Former New York Jets players in attendance include Ryan Fitzpatrick, Brandon Marshall, David Harris, Erik Coleman, Fred Baxter, Dave Szott, Matt Simms, and Chris Ivory. Other sports celebrities supporting the event include Darnell Stapleton (Pittsburgh Steelers), Brandon Hunt (Las Vegas Raiders), Adalius Thomas (Baltimore Ravens), Kendall Simmons (Pittsburgh Steelers), Chris Canty (New York Giants), and Mike Adams (Carolina Panthers). At the event, Colon thanked the five chairs who helped organize the outing -- Xavier V. Goss, at (Capital Group), Ted Knauss (The PNC Financial Services Group), Daniel LaVecchia (Cantor Fitzgerald), Nidhi Patel (BlackRock), and Julius D. Williams (Invesco). Thanks also went to primary sponsors: Tito's Handmade Vodka, Tunnel to Towers Foundation, and the Willie and Aikisha Colon Foundation. About Lupus Lupus is a chronic, complex autoimmune disease that affects millions of people worldwide. In lupus, the immune system, meant to defend against infections, produces autoantibodies that mistake the body's own cells as foreign, causing other immune cells to attack organs such as the kidneys, brain, heart, lungs and skin, as well as blood and joints. Ninety percent of people with lupus are women, most often diagnosed between the ages of 15-45. Black, Latinx, Indigenous, Asian and Pacific Islander people are disproportionately affected by lupus and more likely to experience severe lupus symptoms. About the Lupus Research AllianceThe Lupus Research Alliance is the largest non-governmental, non-profit funder of lupus research worldwide. The organization aims to transform treatment by funding the most innovative lupus research, fostering scientific talent, and driving discovery toward better diagnostics, improved treatments and, ultimately a cure for lupus. Because the Lupus Research Alliance's Board of Directors funds all administrative and fundraising costs, 100% of all donations goes to support lupus research programs. For more information or to donate to lupus research, visit the LRA at and on social media at: X, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Lupus Research Alliance
Zawya
10-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa: Deeming provision, 'indefinite' employment does not mean 'permanent' employment
The South African labour market shifts constantly. To help businesses roll with the punches, temporary employment services (TES) providers are instrumental in connecting industries with flexible staffing solutions, and skilled job seekers with work. However, the 'deeming provision' contained in the Labour Relations Act (LRA) can introduce a layer of complexity to this relationship that often leads to misunderstandings and disputes. For companies considering engaging with a TES provider to benefit from workforce agility, a clear understanding of the deeming provision is essential. Image source: damedeeso – Unpacking the misconceptions - revealing the 'deemed' reality At the heart of the matter is section 198A of the Labour Relations Act. According to this provision, if a temporary employee is assigned to a client for longer than three months, and is not performing a genuinely temporary service, they are 'deemed' to be the employee of the client for the purposes of the LRA. It is this seemingly straightforward rule that has become the source of heated debate. The biggest misconception is usually that 'deemed employment' amounts to 'permanent employment', which is a fundamental misunderstanding. What happens after the three-month period passes is that the client and the TES provider become jointly and severally liable for labour matters, while the original triangular employment relationship persists. Where does this misunderstanding on 'deemed employment' come from? Several factors contribute, including the complexity of the legislation, a difference of interpretive opinion between employers and unions, and the lingering confusion between the concepts of 'indefinite' and 'permanent' employment. Building legal clarification through the Assign Services and Swissport rulings In the Assign Services judgment, it was confirmed that the deeming provision establishes a triangular relationship, without constituting a complete transfer of employment. After three months, the client assumes joint liability, but does not replace the TES provider as the primary employer. Then, in, GIWUSA obo Mgdezi & Others vs Swissport & Workforce Staffing, the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration delivered much-needed insight into the 'equal treatment' aspect of the deeming provision. According to this principle, temporary employees who are deemed to be employees of the client after three months must be treated fairly and comparably to the client's permanent employees, particularly in terms of their employment conditions. However, the Swissport ruling emphasised the need for a legitimate comparator when assessing equal treatment and doubled down on the distinction between indefinite and permanent employment, pointing out that deemed indefinitely employed does equate to permanent status. Operational impacts - what businesses need to know The deeming provision brings it home for businesses. After three months, clients become accountable for labour relations matters, including dismissals and unfair labour practices. This increased accountability is designed to ensure fair treatment and protect vulnerable temporary employees from exploitation. Essentially, this provision takes a strong stance on the promotion of ethical employment practices, by preventing the indefinite use of temporary labour without taking on the employment responsibilities. It also encourages clients to actively engage in labour relations on their job sites, contributing to a more equitable working environment. However, challenges with this provision remain. Complexity of interpretation, enforcement issues, and the need for ongoing education on its implications persist. Where businesses seek workforce agility that solves more problems than it creates, partnering with credible, compliant TES providers is the way to go. These professionals have the experience and expertise to understand, apply and manage the impact of the deeming provision on the three-way working relationship. The final word on the deeming provision For business leaders trying to iron out the complexities of temporary staffing and separate fact from fiction, it is important to remember the following truths about the deeming provision: - 'Deemed' does not amount to 'permanent.' The client and TES provider share responsibility. - Joint and several liability arises after three months. Businesses must be prepared to address labour relations matters. - Partnering with a compliant TES provider must be a priority. This ensures labour law compliance and mitigates risks, while unlocking the benefits of flexibility. - The provision protects vulnerable employees. Businesses must uphold fair treatment standards. - Differentiate between indefinite and permanent employment. Deemed indefinite employment does not confer permanent status. With a clear understanding of the LRA's deeming provision forming the foundation of a solid working partnership with a reputable TES provider, businesses can take full advantage of flexible staffing solutions, while participating in ethical employment practices and ensuring their labour law compliance. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Belfast Telegraph
10-06-2025
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
Ulster University partnership aims to revolutionise digital dispute resolution
The pilot collaboration will focus on developing artificial intelligence-based solutions to address the overwhelming backlog of claims resulting from the Agnew ruling on underpaid holiday leave. The LRA is currently dealing with more than 250,000 registered cases involving around 30,000 potential claimants, placing unprecedented pressure on existing systems. The initiative seeks to improve efficiency, reduce processing times, and deliver a more scalable approach to dispute resolution. By combining academic research, public sector leadership and private sector innovation, the project aims to deliver long-term benefits for both claimants and the legal system in Northern Ireland. John Keers BL, Director of the Centre for Legal Technology at Ulster University, said the collaboration demonstrates how different sectors can come together to tackle major social and legal challenges. For the Labour Relations Agency, the partnership is a strategic step towards ensuring operational resilience and delivering services more effectively in future. Legal tech company TalkTerms will provide its 'Swift Care' platform to support the pilot, aiming to demonstrate how responsible AI solutions can improve access to justice and public service delivery. Ulster University's Centre for Legal Technology continues to position itself as a hub for innovation, committed to research that drives positive outcomes for society. John Keers BL, Director of the Centre for Legal Technology at Ulster University said: 'This partnership highlights how academic expertise, public sector leadership, and entrepreneurial agility can come together to deliver real societal impact. We are passionate about solving complex challenges through innovation, and this project is a significant step towards transforming digital dispute resolution.' Mark McAllister, Chief Executive of the LRA added: 'The sheer scale of the miscalculated holiday pay claims means we must rethink our approach to case management. By working with Ulster University and TalkTerms, we are building the capabilities needed to deliver our services more effectively and sustainably into the future.' Gary Lyons, CEO of TalkTerms: 'We are honoured to partner with the Centre for Legal Technology at Ulster University and the LRA to showcase how our platform can revolutionise dispute resolution. 'This initiative allows us to scale our technology responsibly, ensuring it not only meets business needs but also contributes to the greater good by streamlining access to justice, enhancing public sector services and in using our 'Swift Care' platform to harness technology for meaningful societal impact.'
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tornado-hit properties set for demolition soon
ST. LOUIS – The city plans to demolish nearly 200 buildings damaged by the May 16 tornado, which are owned by the Land Reutilization Authority (LRA). According to partners at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 182 structures under the LRA were severely damaged during the tornado. The LRA was already in the process of demolishing 1,000 properties using federal pandemic aid money. City inspectors report that approximately 2,500 homes in the tornado's path have sustained significant damage. The demolition of the LRA properties is part of a broader effort to manage the aftermath of the tornado, which caused widespread destruction across the city. All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KTVI. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KTVI staff before being published. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
San Francisco Chronicle
03-06-2025
- General
- San Francisco Chronicle
ICC appeals judges greenlight first in absentia hearing over Ugandan rebel leader Kony
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Appeals judges at the International Criminal Court gave a final greenlight Tuesday for the tribunal's first in absentia hearing by allowing the next step in proceedings against notorious fugitive Ugandan rebel leader Joseph Kony. The Hague-based court has scheduled a so-called confirmation of charges hearing at which prosecutors will present evidence in September to back up charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity against Kony, despite his whereabouts being unknown. Kony, the leader of the brutal Lord's Resistance Army, faces dozens of counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes, including murder, sexual enslavement and rape. The ICC's rules do not allow trials entirely in absentia but can in some circumstances move forward with a confirmation of charges even if the suspect is not in custody. Kony's court appointed lawyers had argued his fair trial rights would be violated if the proceedings continued without their client. Judge Erdenebalsuren Damdin said the court has 'adequately robust safeguards' for suspects to allow the confirmation of charges hearing to be held in absentia. The case had been seen as a trial balloon for the court moving forward with other cases where the suspect is not in custody, such as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, the Kony decision was limited to situations where the wanted person has fled ICC custody or cannot be found, says Luigi Prosperi, an international criminal law expert at the University of Utrecht. Kony 'is a very peculiar situation,' he told The Associated Press. Kony was thrust into the global spotlight in 2012 when a video about his alleged crimes went viral. Despite the attention and international efforts to capture him, he is still at large. The LRA began its attacks in Uganda in the 1980s, when Kony sought to overthrow the government. After being pushed out of Uganda, the militia terrorized villages in Congo, Central African Republic and South Sudan. It was notorious for using child soldiers, mutilating civilians and enslaving women. In 2021, the court convicted Dominic Ongwen, a one-time child soldier who morphed into a brutal LRA commander of dozens of war crimes and crimes against humanity, ranging from multiple murders to forced marriages.
