In this Week’s Roar: geopolitics and emissions, adaptable supply chain management, a new trade route put on hold, positive Q1 news for shippers, and improving inventory management. In an era when supply chains around the world are trying to do more to decrease emissions, geopolitical issues in some parts of the world are working against those efforts. Specifically, we’re referring to the impact of the issues on the Red Sea. Diverting ships around the Cape of Good Hope is increasing emissions, as...

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Inter-institutional knowledge sharing and information exchange aims at reducing bottlenecks and improving access to finance for European space companies The European Commission, the European Investment Bank (EIB), and the European Space Agency (ESA) signed today at the Space Conference a collaboration arrangement to join forces to strengthen the European space sector. This will include small and medium businesses (SMEs) and start-ups and enhance Europe's position in space. The collaboration between the three institutions aims to foster cooperation and coordination with a...

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On Wednesday, the EU Commission announced a new approach to economic security, one which aligns the bloc more solidly with Washington’s strategy to counter geopolitical rivals. Five key initiatives are intended to set Europe on a path of “promoting the EU’s competitiveness” while “protecting against risks.”  “Europe must be a player, not a playground. The whole point of our economic security strategy is to de-risk our economic interdependencies,” said EU Commissioner Margrethe Vestager while presenting the package. The policy package follows an announcement from June of...

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The payments landscape in 2023 saw many legal and regulatory developments that will impact the payments industry in 2024. In this Payments 2023: A Year in Review, we summarize many of those developments, with the goal of ensuring you are fully informed and better able to execute your business strategy. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Updates: CFPB Report Highlighting Consumer Protection Issues in Medical Debt Collection November 16, 2023: The CFPB released its Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) Annual Report...

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In 2024, you'll encounter major developments in technology and law that could have a significantly impact on your organisation. Our Information & Communication Technology Group has identified five key areas that will influence your strategies and compliance efforts. #1 - AI policies and regulation morph into concrete action In 2024, the first steps in Artificial Intelligence (AI) regulation can be expected, in particular with the anticipated enactment of the European Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act). Key features of the latest version of the...

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Last year Generative AI dominated headlines, promising to transform the way in which organisations operate by drastically increasing efficiency and reducing labour-intensive tasks. As a result, the overarching narrative was one of adoption or risk becoming obsolete. While there is some truth to these claims, it's also important to bear in mind that as with any new technology, inherent risks equally exist. What is Generative AI? Generative AI is a branch of artificial intelligence that focuses on generating new data in the form...

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EIB Group signed €88 billion in funding for over 900 high-impact projects in key policy areas such as transport infrastructure and urban mobility, energy and water, digitalisation, new technologies, innovation, healthcare, affordable housing, education and support to SMEs A record €49 billion invested in green finance More than €21 billion invested in energy security   In 2023, the European Investment Bank Group signed new financing contracts for close to €88 billion for high-impact projects in EU policy priorities, including climate action,...

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Bank commercial real estate (CRE) lending grew by 3.2% in 2023, significantly slower than the 10.9% growth rate in 2022, according to Federal Reserve data compiled by Trepp.¹ The growth rate in 2023 was the slowest pace since 2012 when the CRE market was still in the throes of the Global Financial Crisis.  Bank CRE Lending in 2023 Bank CRE lending was slow throughout 2023, as higher interest rates took a bite out of transaction volume and negatively impacted real estate valuations....

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With 2024 underway, it’s worth reflecting on the flurry of lawsuits brought in 2023 by creators against owners of artificial intelligence technology companies that have forced the intersection of AI and intellectual property rights under the legal spotlight. With the unprecedented growth of AI as a search and content engine, the boundaries of creative ownership and conventional notions of copyright protections are being challenged. In our July 2023 article on the lawsuit initiated by comedian Sarah Silverman and other authors against Meta...

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Eurozone inflation increased to 2.9% in December from 2.4% in November, as reported by the Independent. This was the first rise in seven months and was driven mainly by the end of German and French energy subsidies, which increased prices in the Eurozone’s 2 largest economies. Inflation is still well down from the peak of October 2022 when inflation rose to over 10%. The inflation increase muddied the waters somewhat for any potential interest rate cuts in early 2024, with analysts now...

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