By: Sarah J. Hawk, Rebecca J. Bernhard, Tejas Shah, Barnes and Thornburg Highlights • The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposed a new rule that would affect the H-1B visa selection process. • The rule remains a proposal and is open for public comments for the next 30 days. • This proposed rule, if implemented, marks a third major shift to the H-1B lottery in the last decade. • Legal challenges to a final rule, if implemented, are possible. On Wednesday, September 24, 2025, the DHS proposed a rule that,...

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The Trepp CMBS Special Servicing rate receded moderately in August, falling another 19 basis points to 10.29%. This was the second consecutive monthly decrease, after the rate peaked at an all-time high in June. The main cause for the decrease in the headline rate was the overall balance of loans outstanding falling nearly $14 billion from $597.0 billion to $583.0 billion from July to August. When analyzing by property type, three sectors experienced substantial shifts in their respective rates. The two...

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By: Ethan G. Ostroff, Genna Garver, Kim Phan, Keegan T. McCoy, David Madrazo, James Shreve, Peter E. Jeydel, and Yulian Y. Kolarov, Troutman Pepper Locke LLP The Report authored by the Presidential Working Group on Digital Assets Markets (PWG), titled “Strengthening American Leadership in Digital Financial Technology,” along with the accompanying fact sheet, outlines several key objectives aimed at positioning the U.S. as a leader in digital asset markets. Among its objectives are reinforcing the role of the U.S. dollar, modernizing Anti-Money Laundering/Countering...

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European Commission proposes suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement The situation in Gaza has caused several divisions in the EU, with some Member States wanting to introduce measures against Israel while others resist. The Commission has mostly stayed out of the discussion until now. However, on Wednesday, 10 September, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed a partial suspension of the EU-Israel Agreement due to a push from several Member States.  Later, on Wednesday, 17 September, EU High Representative Kaja Kallas confirmed...

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• EIB Group pledges €17.5 billion to support energy efficiency improvements by small and medium-sized European businesses. • Commitment aims to spur energy savings by more than 350,000 companies over next three years, nearly doubling EIB Group financing in this area. • EIB Group also teams up with nonprofit Solar Impulse Foundation to promote energy efficiency as a service. • New report highlights drivers of and barriers to energy efficiency investments in Europe. More than 350,000 companies across Europe are set to make...

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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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