UNITED STATES OF AMERICA interesting latest news

FTC letters target more unproven MLM health and earnings claims by Seena Gressin Attorney, Division of Consumer & Business Education, FTC Worried about getting sick with COVID-19 or making ends meet because of a pandemic-related job loss? You may see social media posts offering an answer. Some posts advertise products that they say can prevent or treat COVID-19. Others offer the chance to join a multi-level marketing company (MLM) and make lots of money selling the products to people you know. But, before declaring your worries are over, read on to learn about the problems with these pitches. Read more >

More FTC warnings about scam Coronavirus treatments

by Colleen Tressler
Consumer Education Specialist, FTC
The FTC continues to seek out and warn sellers who peddle so-called Coronavirus treatments with no proof they work. If you see an ad that says a product can prevent, treat, or cure COVID-19, stop. Think to yourself: if there’s actually been a medical breakthrough, am I really going to hear about it for the first time from an ad or sales pitch? The answer is clearly “no.” So train yourself to ignore those types of false ads.
Read more >

Donating in difficult times

by Jennifer Leach
Associate Director, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC
These days, there are just so many reasons why people want to do to something to help, to make a difference, to take action. In addition to volunteering or putting their feet to the pavement, lots of people are putting their hands in their wallets to try to make an impact. Once again, though, scammers will be there. As ever, they follow the headlines and pop up wherever there’s money to be made. So, before you make a donation to support any cause, here are a few things to think about and do.
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FTC again warns multi-level marketers about unproven health and earnings claims By Seena Gressin Dear Multi-Level Marketer. Stop it. Stop all promotions that push your products by claiming they prevent or treat COVID-19. Stop all misleading or unsubstantiated promotions that push your business opportunity by claiming people can earn substantial income peddling your products. The claims are unproven and deceptive. Whether you or your distributors are making them, you’re responsible. That means you could be breaking the law. Read more >

Washington, D.C. Headquarters June 5, 2020 EEOC UNVEILS NEW WEBPAGE ON COMMISSIONER CHARGES AND DIRECTED INVESTIGATIONS Agency Explains Important Processes to Fight Discrimination WASHINGTON – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) today posted a new document on its website explaining the role and procedures of two key EEOC processes to combat employment discrimination -- Commissioner charges and directed investigations. Federal law authorizes any Commissioner to file a discrimination charge alleging that an employer violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), or the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), after which the charge is investigated by the appropriate EEOC field office. In addition, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) and the Equal Pay Act (EPA) authorize EEOC field offices to initiate investigations of possible violations of those two statutes even without a charge from an aggrieved individual.  These processes are in addition to the more common pro­cedure of EEOC field offices receiving discrimination charges from individual employees or job appli­cants and then evaluat­ing and investi­gating those charges.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR update

U.S. Department of Labor June 5, 2020 2.5 Million More Jobs in May Payroll employment increased by more than 2.5 million in May, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ jobs report released today. Supporting Small Business Employers U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia joined President Trump and Vice President Pence for a bill signing that increases flexibilities for small businesses using the Paycheck Protection Program. #WB100 The Women’s Bureau was created 100 years ago today, on June 5, 1920, to promote the welfare of wage-earning women, improve working conditions, increase efficiency, and advance opportunities for women to access profitable employment. Reopening Safely In North Carolina this week, Secretary Scalia joined business leaders for a roundtable discussion on reopening the economy safely. Secretary Scalia also toured a local Lowe’s store, met with workers, and discussed the reopening process with Lowe’s leaders. Coronavirus Test Costs If your healthcare provider recommends a COVID-19 test, you can get diagnosed without a copay, coinsurance, or deductible charge. COVID-19 UPDATES AND RESOURCES Release: OSHA guidance for stockroom and loading dock workers Release: OSHA guidance for farmworkers Website: All Department of Labor coronavirus resources IN CASE YOU MISSED IT Coronavirus Leave A Minnesota city has paid $1,696 in back wages to an employee wrongly denied paid sick leave after her healthcare provider recommended a quarantine for coronavirus-related reasons. Veterans’ Employment Challenge As part of the Veterans’ Employment Challenge, three finalists have been selected to build an application that will better match transitioning service members’ skills with employers’ needs. Private Equity Investments The Department issued guidance on private equity investments in professionally managed asset allocation funds as an investment option for defined contribution plan participants. Wages Recovered An Iowa restaurant has paid $3,059 in back wages after failing to pay 14 workers for payroll earned before the restaurant closed due to the pandemic. Safety Citation OSHA has cited two New Jersey construction companies for exposing workers to safety hazards, and proposed $148,264 in penalties. Debt Management Secretary Scalia signed an order on debt management to improve accountability and payments to workers who are owed money. Legal Achievement Award Associate Regional Solicitor Samantha Thomas received an award for leading the Blackjewel litigation team in recovering $5,867,536 in back wages for mine workers in four states. COMPLIANCE ASSISTANCE HIGHLIGHT Federal Contractor Guidance The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs has tools and guides to help federal contractors.

EUROPEAN BANK update

EBRD newsletter - Friday 5 June

05-06-2020 02:32 PM BST
A digest of recent news from the EBRD

EBRD funding secures completion of wastewater project in Croatia
05-06-2020 11:30 AM BST

Treatment facility to benefit coastal town of Poreč

EBRD provides US$ 90 million trade facility to Ukrgasbank
05-06-2020 08:55 AM BST
New trade limits create fresh opportunities for Ukrainian exporters and importers

EBRD announces winners of the 2020 Sustainability Awards 05-06-2020 09:01 AM BST Winners demonstrate innovation, best practice and leadership

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION update

Latest on COVID-19 Updated guidance on the use of masks

Fabric masks Medical masks

WHO has published updated guidance on the use of masks for control of COVID-19. Our new guidance is based on evolving evidence and provides updates on who should wear a mask, when it should be worn and what it should be made of. It remains critical that people who use masks continue to take a comprehensive approach to protecting their health, including physical distancing and hand hygiene. Find out more Download information materials Basic psychosocial skills for COVID-19 responders This guide is to enable workers supporting the COVID-19 response to provide psychosocial support to people affected by the pandemic. "It didn't kill me, but I came out stronger" A nurse contracted COVID-19 from one of his patients, recovered, and returned to work with much more resolve and compassion.  COVID-19 impacts on health services for NCDs Prevention and treatment services for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), like cancer and diabetes, have been disrupted since the COVID-19 pandemic began, according to a WHO survey completed by 155 countries during a 3-week period in May. The impact is global, but low-income countries are most affected. Other hot topics World Food Safety Day 2020 Food safety, everyone's business World Food Safety Day is celebrated on 7 June 2020 to draw attention and inspire action to help prevent, detect and manage foodborne risks. Food safety is a shared responsibility between governments, producers and consumers. Everybody has a role to play from farm to table to ensure the food we consume is safe and will not damage our health. WHO welcomes crucial new funding for vaccines WHO welcomes funding commitments made at Global Vaccine Summit, hosted virtually by the UK government. The Summit is Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance’s third pledging conference. The new pledges will enable Gavi to protect the next generation and reach an additional 300 million children with lifesaving vaccines by 2025.