The price of oil dropped several more percentage points on Monday, falling below $50 for the first time since 2009. We do not pretend to be experts in Texas or Oklahoma geography, but we did take a crack at trying to put together a list of loans in certain geographies that could be affected by plummeting oil prices. Our analysts started by creating a list of zip codes that fell within the shale drilling areas. (One such shale map is here). From there,...

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In order to strengthen the EU’s policy of not recognising the annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by Russia, the Council of the European Union has decided to reinforce the package of restrictive measures adopted on 23 June1 and 30 July2 targeting cooperation and exchanges with those regions. The recent Council Regulation (EU) No 1351/20143 (hereinafter the “New Regulation”) substantially broadens the former restrictions, notably the scope of the ban on investments. Enlargement of the scope of the EU restrictive measures...

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By Frederick J. Pomerantz and Aaron J. Aisen on December 23, 2014 At exactly 12:00 a.m. on January 1, 2015, the New Year will be celebrated amidst ball drops and renditions of “Auld Lang Syne.”  However, amidst the celebrations, the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) will expire.While there is a very real possibility that Congress will pass legislation renewing it in some form when the 114th Congress convenes in January 2015, insurance companies and their insureds are already feeling the...

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An Austrian research consortium will focus on the further development of photovoltaic foils over the next three years. In the future such foils should be able to be printed at a speed of 40 meters per minute. An Austrian research consortium will focus on the further development of photovoltaic foils over the next three years. In the future such foils should be able to be printed at a speed of 40 meters per minute. The already-patented core innovation of the company...

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As relentless news reports have made clear, Sony Pictures Entertainment has suffered -- and continues to suffer -- a devastating cyber-attack on its computer systems.  According to press reports, a hacker group known as the “Guardians of Peace,” or “GOP,” has taken credit for the attack, which has paralyzed Sony’s network and leaked much as 100 terabytes of confidential information. Leaked data has included Social Security Numbers, employee and talent salaries, account and administrative passwords, sales plans, sensitive employee emails...

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