Key Developments from Washington, D.C. DEI EOs “Unblocked.” T. Scott Kelly and Zachary V. Zagger have the details on a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit that will allow the federal government to enforce its DEI-related executive orders (EO) (EO 14151 and EO 14173) while a decision on the merits awaits appeal. This means that the federal government can once again, for example, require federal contractors to certify that they do not operate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs...

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Damages experts have been known to rely upon many sources of information in preparing their positions regarding how much to award in damages/royalties. However, a recent U.S. district court decision cautions that a damages expert must understand their sources of information. By extrapolation, this should apply to any expert witness. In a Memorandum Opinion issued on March 14, 2025, Judge Richard Andrews of the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware ruled that the defendant’s damages expert opinion should...

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European Commission unveils its White Paper on Defence to rearm the EU On Wednesday, 19 March, the European Commission unveiled its White Paper on Defence, setting out a vision to rearm Europe by ensuring the European defence industry can produce at the requested speed and volume; and facilitating rapid deployment of military troops and assets across the EU. The White Paper introduces plans for a true European defence union in which EU countries will remain in charge of defence, while benefiting from added EU benefits to strengthen...

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At the March Federal Open Market Committee meeting, the Federal Reserve kept the policy interest rate unchanged and reiterated expectations of two rate cuts for 2025. Chairman Powell expressed considerable uncertainty regarding the new administration’s policies, noting heightened risks to growth, employment, and inflation. For commercial real estate (CRE) professionals, while current economic conditions remain robust, it’s important to acknowledge the potential downside risks in the macroeconomic environment that may affect business decisions. Economic Outlook The Federal Reserve's Summary of Economic Projections revealed...

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The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) deepened their long-standing partnership by signing a Mutual Reliance Agreement today to strengthen co-operation, facilitate co-financing and enhance the impact of public sector projects in countries of operation outside of the European Union. A key element of this approach is the mutual recognition of each institution’s procurement policies and procedures, thus reducing transaction costs and administrative burden. By streamlining project preparation and implementation, the agreement will allow...

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Deep in the rugged landscapes of Norway, a small rover makes its way through the snow. NAL Research’s SHOUT nano and QuickNav devices are attached, providing real-time position reporting while Blue Sky Network’s SkyLink® solution sits atop, enabling live video monitoring and the capacity for command and control (C2) of the vehicle. Inside a nearby building, side-by-side monitors display the video feed and the rover’s location through Blue Sky Network’s secure cloud-based portal, SkyRouter. This demonstration was made possible by the Arctic Warrior Experiment, an event sponsored...

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Different countries have varying tax regulations regarding business travelers and remote workers, and achieving compliance involves navigating these complexities to avoid penalties. Coordination across departments like payroll, tax, finance, HR, and mobility teams is crucial for maintaining compliance and reducing risks associated with globally mobile workers. Understanding the tax implications of globally mobile workers allows for better strategic planning. This includes making informed decisions about where to deploy talent and how to structure international assignments. As the modern workforce...

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IPTI’s usual monthly newsletter - the “President’s Message” - contains, inter alia, some summarised news articles from around the world. This IPTI publication - “Property Tax in the News” - contains some of the more interesting news articles concerning property taxes in North America and Europe which is where many of our members have a particular interest. Links to these and more, similarly summarised, articles - from North America, Europe and around the globe - can be found in...

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