EAST-WEST RELATIONS Tensions rise as West contemplates Syria military intervention after suspected chemical weapon attacksWith the relationship between the West and Russia having already plummeted to its lowest point in decades following allegations of poisoning, diplomatic expulsions and election interference, it reached crisis point over the last few days when a suspected chemical weapons attack by the Syrian president Bashar Hafez al-Assad on the city of Douma left western leaders considering military action.   Dozens were killed last Saturday when a reported...

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By Sharon L. Sutherland | Nadia Woodhouse | EY As corporate boards and senior management increasingly focus on countering technological disruption and seizing new routes to growth, M&A is considered a fast lane to innovation and expansion. For M&A to be effective, demonstrating how the combination can become more than the sum of the parts is crucial. This relies on best-in-class M&A integration strategies that allow the combined entity to achieve its potential. It’s the board’s responsibility to ensure that M&A is successful, and post-merger integration is...

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IIE hosted the Annual Best Practices in Internationalization Conference at IIE’s Headquarters on March 15-16, 2018. Leading experts in the field and the winners of the 2018 Andrew Heiskell Awards for Innovation in International Education presented successful strategies and best practices on a range of themes in internationalizing higher education, including a new theme dedicated to internationalizing the professions. Highlights of the conference included a keynote speech by Mariet Westermann, Executive Vice President for Programs and Research at Mellon Foundation and member of the Scholar Rescue...

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Two opportunities for 2018 Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Short-term Program in Brazil and Spain are still accepting applications in Cycle 2.If you are a U.S.*: Primary and/or secondary classroom teacher Guidance counselor Curriculum specialist Curriculum head Talented and Gifted coordinator Special Education coordinator Media specialist/librarian Other types of educators eligible The award funds travel costs, lodging, meals, local transportation, and related costs.  *Eligibility Requirements This program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and...

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Business France today published its “2017 Annual Report: Foreign investment in France. The international development of the French economy”.   In 2017, France basked in the renewed confidence of foreign investors, whose investment decisions were an acknowledgement of France’s potential, highlighting the country’s key strengths in various job-creating and high value-added sectors.   On average, 25 foreign investment decisions were made in France every week throughout the year. France attracted a total of 1,298 new job-creating foreign investments in 2017 – up 16% from...

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By Tim Rezendes | Osborne Clark The growing digital economy, shifting demands of tenants and the convergence of technology within the real estate sector will have significant implications in the coming years for all companies who occupy commercial real estate, technology companies, real estate developers, operators and investors.  Some of the key factors forcing these changes are: The changing property occupier work styles, office needs and demographics e.g.: Companies moving to open floor plans, diverse working locations and break-out spaces within the...

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By Grant D. Petersen (Tampa)| Simon J. McMenemy (London) | Hendrik Muschal (Berlin)| Danielle Vanderzanden (Boston) | Stephen A. Riga (Indianapolis) On March 27, 2018, Helen Dixon, the data protection commissioner for Ireland, outlined the enforcement priorities of the Irish data protection authority (DPA) for the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) during the International Association of Privacy Professionals Global Privacy Summit in Washington, D.C. The Irish DPA has been ramping up its compliance capabilities for the GDPR and will undoubtedly serve as the lead DPA for GDPR...

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  By  Jim Blaeser | Esben Christensen | Srini Gopal | Brian Nemeth | Henry Pringle The industry enjoyed modest improvement in 2017, but it still needs to address the dual challenges of rising costs and oversupply—driven mostly by fleet expansion—to keep the momentum going. Download the full report HERE Compliments of Alix Partners

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By Giulio Coraggi | DLA Piper Italian companies can now rely on guidelines on how to comply with the European privacy regulation (GDPR) which unvail some interesting positions.  After the French and the Dutch data protection authorities, the Italian privacy regulator, Garante per la protezione dei dati personali, (the “Italian DPA“) issued its 6 step methodology on the GDPR which aims at also increasing awareness on the most relevant changes introduced: 1. More detailed consent and broader legitimate interest As already provided by the current regime, any type of processing...

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