Member News

U.K. telecom watchdog says Brexit is chance to strengthen M&A rules

Ofcom chief Sharon White's comments follow the regulator's push this week for a legal separation of BT's Openreach The U.K.'s exit from the European Union will create room for reinforcing M&A rules that can address loopholes and complexities missed under the European Union law, the country's telecom and broadcasting watchdog said. "Brexit means that some future mergers and takeovers involving U.K.-based companies would be presided over by U.K. regulators, based on domestic merger law," Ofcom chief Sharon White said in a...

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Chapter News

Commission launches European Solidarity Corps

"There are many young, socially minded people in Europe willing to make a meaningful contribution to society and help show solidarity. We can create opportunities for them to do so." - European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, 14 September 2016 On 7 December, European Commission Vice-President Kristalina Georgieva will launch the European Solidarity Corps as of 13.00 with the participation of a wide range of organisations and many young people in the Skyshelter dome on the Schuman roundabout in Brussels. Young...

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Member News

Maersk buys Hamburg Sud as consolidation shipping industry continues

The Danish conglomerate expects the deal to close by the end of 2017. Denmark's A.P. Moeller-Maersk A/S on Thursday, Dec. 1, bought the world's seventh-largest container shipping group Hamburg Sud from the Oetker Group, cementing its No. 1 standing. The deal is expected to enable the expanded group to cut shipping costs for customers. The move comes after the Danish conglomerate on Sept. 22 announced the company will be divided into divisions - transports and logistics; and energy - with the...

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Member News

Ernst & Young Renews DC Lease

According to November servicer watchlist notes, accounting and financial advisory firm Ernst & Young has extended its lease at 1101 New York Avenue NW in Washington D.C. The property backs the $212.1 million 1101 New York Avenue loan, which is split between a $106 million note (4.9% of MLMT 2007-C1), and another $106 million piece that represents 5.5% of BSCMS 2007-PW17. The collateral is a Class A office building that spans 374,033 square feet and was built in 2006. Ernst...

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Chapter News

Completing single market is essential to relaunch investment – EIB reports

Market integration, better regulation, strengthened public sector capacities and improved access to finance all help counter low investment and secure a brighter economic future. “Breaking Down Investment Barriers at Ground Level”, a new report from the European Investment Bank (EIB), finds that investment in the European Union is hampered by the insufficient functioning of the internal market, as well as administrative burdens, regulatory fragmentation, constraints of public-sector promoters to procure and implement large infrastructure projects and, not least, the...

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Chapter News

Commission launches Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition to help Europeans in their career and daily life

Today, the Commission is launching the Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition, together with Member States, companies, social partners, NGOs and education providers, to help meet the high demand for digital skills in Europe which are essential in today's job market and society. The Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition is one of the ten key initiatives proposed by the Commission under the New Skills Agenda for Europe, presented in June this year. Today a series of partners, including over 30 organisations...

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Member News

December FX Outlook – Fed hikes on the horizon, Europe remains in flux

The USD rose strongly in November after the unexpected Trump victory, despite most commentators and pre-election price action suggesting a Trump victory would be negative for the USD. In practice, expectations of looser fiscal policy have “trumped” concerns about the potential negative impact of protectionist policies or other more general worries about Trump’s suitability. The Fed is now fully expected to raise rates in December, and the focus has shifted towards European political risk and the Italian referendum on December...

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Chapter News

Commission proposes new tax rules to support e-commerce and online businesses in the EU

The European Commission has today unveiled a series of measures to improve the Value Added Tax (VAT) environment for e-commerce businesses in the EU. Our proposals will allow consumers and companies, in particular start-ups and SMEs, to buy and sell goods and services more easily online. By introducing an EU wide portal for online VAT payments (the 'One Stop Shop'), VAT compliance expenses will be significantly reduced, saving businesses across the EU €2.3 billion a year. The new rules will...

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Member News

A New Approach to International Trade

Tearing Up Trade Agreements Won't Help Workers A More Responsible Approach Just May In a new report published by the Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy at Salve Regina University, Blue Star Strategies' Karen Tramontano argues that the current heated debate over international trade is the outcome of a flawed public policy and political framework. With growing public sentiment against trade and political leaders on both the left and right opposing international trade agreements, the United States needs a...

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Member News

GPS Appears in The Washington Post

The intrigue and allure of discovering new parts of the world is one reason many people list travel at the top of their bucket lists. It is also huge draw for career opportunities, especially for millennials entering the workforce seeking adventure and new challenges with global companies. And even for those who don’t seek positions abroad, the demand for international competencies at all firms is growing. According to U.S. Census data, one in three U.S. mid- and large-size companies have...

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