Chapter News

Investing in infrastructure that unites: first gas interconnector between Finland and Estonia ends energy isolation

A first gas interconnector between Finland and Estonia will end the long lasting gas isolation of Finland and help, boosting security of supply and bringing an economic lift to the region. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, the Prime Minister of Estonia Taavi Rõivas and the Prime Minister of Finland Juha Sipilä have today witnessed the signing of a €187 million investment in the Balticconnector – the first gas pipeline connecting Finland and Estonia. This gas interconnector will end the energy...

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Member News

Portugal, a country where tradition and innovation go hand in hand

Portugal builds airplanes. Yes, planes. And automobiles as well. Portugal builds construction works which leave a mark. Bridges, highways, ports airports, sports stadiums, schools, hospitals and palaces. The Portuguese ability to build masterpieces is present worldwide. Surprised? Our history is made of discoveries, entrepreneurship, creativity and permanent innovation. We are a modern and sophisticated country that will surprise you. Our country develops medicine: Zebinix in the treatment of epilepsy, Opicapone in the treatment of the Parkinson disease. Two medicines developed...

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Member News

Pirelli: The future of an ‘internet of tires’ speeds ahead

Bard MBA spoke to Maureen Kline, vice president, public affairs and sustainability, Pirelli Tire North America, on the role that innovation and technology play in the present and future of the tire industry to not only to make it more sustainable but to also continue to improve performance and safety. In addition to her work with Pirelli, Kline writes a weekly column on sustainability for www.inc.com. She also chairs the board of the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada and...

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Chapter News

Commission puts forward commitments to reach global targets in sustainable urban development

In the context of the U.N. Habitat III conference, the European Commission has presented three commitments to meet the New Urban Agenda's global objectives. The New Urban Agenda, adopted at the U.N. Habitat III Conference taking place this week in Quito, Ecuador, contains guidelines to make cities all over the world more inclusive, green, safe and prosperous. It is a cornerstone in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and other milestone reform agendas, in particular the Paris...

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Chapter News, Trade & TTIP Related

After CETA: the EU trade agreements that are in the pipeline

EU countries are considering signing the free trade agreement with Canada this month, but the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) is far from the only deal the EU is working on. Various deals are being negotiated all over the globe, but they can only enter into force if the European Parliament approves them. Read on for an overview of negotiations in progress and a discussion of how it works. Types of agreements The EU has different types of agreements in place...

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Member News

Cross-border acquisitions

Cross-border acquisitions are becoming ever more popular, as US companies seek to enter overseas markets quickly and without the delay and logistical hurdles of building organically. Europe in particular has been a destination of choice where markets are mature, talent is readily available, IP can be protected, taxes are predictable and business cultural is familiar. What therefore could possibly go wrong? The answer is that assuming the right diligence has been completed on the target and local advice has been...

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Member News

Brexit High Court hearing: does the UK government need the approval of Parliament before it can invoke Article 50?

Today, the High Court has started hearing arguments on whether the UK government can go-it-alone and trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty – the legal mechanism to commence departure from the EU – without first seeking the approval of Parliament. Opening the case, Lord Pannick QC for the lead claimant emphasised that the challenge was not about whether or not the UK should leave the EU, but whether the government has the legal power to trigger Article 50, with...

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Member News

California Attorney General ‘Crowdsources’ Reporting of Privacy Policy Violations

This initiative by the Attorney General is effective immediately and is just the latest example of California’s effort to increase enforcement of laws aimed at protecting the privacy and data security of individual consumers. The California Office of the Attorney General (the Attorney General) launched a new online form on October 14 that consumers can use to report privacy policy violations. Citing the need to enhance transparency in the Internet of Things, as well as to fill privacy gaps caused...

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Member News

U.S. Sixth Circuit Holds that Customary Language in Amendment and Restatement Agreements May Extinguish Existing Security Interests via Novation

On August 23, 2016, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit held in the Chapter 7 bankruptcy case In re Fair Finance Company that an amendment and restatement of a loan and security agreement may have been a novation of the initial agreement and therefore extinguished the lender's existing security interest. As background, in 2002, the lenders and the debtor, Fair Finance Company, entered into a loan and security agreement (the "Original LSA") for a $22 million revolving...

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Chapter News

Towards a robust trade policy for the EU in the interest of jobs and growth

In the modern global economy, trade is essential for growth, jobs and competiveness, and the EU is committed to an open rules-based trading system. Exports now support almost one in seven manufacturing jobs in Europe (i.e. more than 30 million jobs – two thirds more than 15 years ago), while imports are a major source of productivity gains and allow consumers to benefit  from  access  to more  choice  and  lower  cost  products.  Production  in  the  EU  is dependent not...

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