On December 1, 2025, the Department of Energy (DOE) publicly announced its decision to allocate up to $134 million in new funding to enhance domestic supply chains for rare earth elements (REEs). REEs are 17 elements identified in the periodic table (lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, and lutetium). REEs are critical to national security and economic growth as they are used extensively in the production of batteries, magnets, electronics, and communications equipment. This latest...

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The evaluation insights is a streamlined accelerated assessment of the EIB’s Energy Lending Policy undertaken to inform the new EIB Group Energy Sector Orientation. The evaluation found that the Policy offered a solid, yet flexible framework aligned with EU clean energy transition goals and marked a pioneering shift away from unabated fossil fuels. The Policy’s adaptability enabled swift support for the REPowerEU Plan and a significant scale-up in EIB’s clean energy investments. EIB lending focused on mature technologies and...

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Business leaders worldwide have grown more confident about international trade compared to six months ago. This is driven by the adoption of new strategies, deployment of new technologies, and exploration of new markets. However, uncertainty surrounding the global economic and political landscape continues to challenge corporate decision-making. Rising costs and widespread liquidity pressures remain key concerns. Following the release of the first report in May 2025, this latest edition provides fresh insights from 6,750 business leaders across 17 markets survey...

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Consumer protection has become a key policy focus in the EU, as policymakers modernize competition and consumer laws to reflect the realities of the digital economy. The EU has implemented landmark regulations designed to reshape the obligations of online platforms, focusing on promoting fair competition and enhancing user protections in digital markets. Key among these are the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and the Digital Services Act (DSA). See Wilson Sonsini’s previous factsheets for more information on the DMA and DSA. In this context,...

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Younger generations of savvy, digital natives are investing in their financial futures with more confidence and control than older generations. To dig deeper into how people are navigating investment and wealth decision-making, we surveyed more than 10,700 affluent investors* as part of our Affluent Investor Snapshot 2025 report. The findings tell us that younger generations feel more vulnerable and anxious compared with older generations, due to the rising cost of living and current economic and geopolitical uncertainly. It’s likely they’ve...

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Investments into the German energy and energy infrastructure may prove to become a driver to the overall German economy and provide the required kick-start everyone is waiting for to get the German economy back on track. In our current briefing, we analyse in detail the status of funding programmes, regulatory incentives and barriers for relevant asset classes in the energy and energy infrastructure sector. On this basis, we have developed a heat map on the attractiveness of such investments, which...

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On Wednesday 19 November 2025, the European Commission published its Digital Omnibus Regulation proposal as part of its Digital Omnibus Package (the “Digital Omnibus”).  The Digital Omnibus proposes reforms across EU data, AI and cyber legislation, aimed at simplifying existing laws and boosting innovation, whilst maintaining high standards. The package proposes significant amendments to the EU General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”), ePrivacy Directive, Data Act, Data Governance Act and NIS2 Directive, as well as the EU AI Act. It should be noted...

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Facing concerns from industry and citing implementation challenges at the governmental level, the European Commission this week proposed a deferral of aspects of the AI Act and proposed other substantial amendments. Major proposed amendments include: Postponing enforcement of the “high-risk” provisions to December 2, 2027, or August 2, 2028, for systems deemed high-risk pursuant to EU harmonization legislation. This development is significant for employers, given that use of AI systems in “employment, workers management and access to self-employment” is one area deemed...

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With the effects of the government shutdown still looming and the holiday season upon us, the IRS’s slow operational rebound remains a critical factor for taxpayers navigating year-end responsibilities. As the IRS resumes full operations, taxpayers and practitioners alike are bracing for a complicated recovery period. The agency faces a significant restart, with backlogs piling up and staffing stretched thin even as regular operations resume. Below, we share some observations on how these issues may impact taxpayers. A Gradual Return to...

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In today’s rapidly evolving legal landscape, staying informed about changes in employment laws is crucial for employers. Recent updates across the nation have introduced significant shifts that impact workplace policies, employee rights, and compliance requirements. Whether you are managing a small boutique or overseeing a large chain of stores, understanding these changes is essential to maintaining a compliant workplace. Quick Hits California and New York are implementing stringent measures to curb “stay or pay” contracts. A Florida appellate court ruled...

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