By Maureen McGetrick | Partner | BDO | 212‑885‑8391 Every type of industry is impacted by the passing of the bill known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), and the construction industry was not left out of the party.  However, the precise impact will depend upon the structure of the business and the nature of its operations. For construction businesses organized as C corporations, the most significant changes are the reduction in the corporate tax rate, the 100-percent bonus depreciation deduction,...

Philips Lighting (Euronext: LIGHT), the world leader in lighting, today unveiled its new Philips GreenPower LED toplighting with a light spectrum optimized for cut rose cultivation at an event of the Philips Rose Expertise Group.  The new GreenPower LED toplighting with cut rose spectrum allows growers to increase light levels year-round without increasing heat. During extensive trials undertaken by research institutes Delphy and Wageningen University, and monitored by experienced rose growers, the new lighting with cut rose spectrum improves the quality of the...

By ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq:CNOB) (the “Company” or “ConnectOne”), parent company of ConnectOne Bank (the “Bank”), today announced that it plans to release results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2018 before the market opens on Thursday, April 26, 2018.  Management will also host a conference call and audio webcast at 10:00 a.m. ET on April 26, 2018 to review the Company's financial performance and operating results. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Frank Sorrentino III and Chief...

EAST-WEST RELATIONS Tensions rise as West contemplates Syria military intervention after suspected chemical weapon attacksWith the relationship between the West and Russia having already plummeted to its lowest point in decades following allegations of poisoning, diplomatic expulsions and election interference, it reached crisis point over the last few days when a suspected chemical weapons attack by the Syrian president Bashar Hafez al-Assad on the city of Douma left western leaders considering military action.   Dozens were killed last Saturday when a reported...

By Sharon L. Sutherland | Nadia Woodhouse | EY As corporate boards and senior management increasingly focus on countering technological disruption and seizing new routes to growth, M&A is considered a fast lane to innovation and expansion. For M&A to be effective, demonstrating how the combination can become more than the sum of the parts is crucial. This relies on best-in-class M&A integration strategies that allow the combined entity to achieve its potential. It’s the board’s responsibility to ensure that M&A is successful, and post-merger integration is...

IIE hosted the Annual Best Practices in Internationalization Conference at IIE’s Headquarters on March 15-16, 2018. Leading experts in the field and the winners of the 2018 Andrew Heiskell Awards for Innovation in International Education presented successful strategies and best practices on a range of themes in internationalizing higher education, including a new theme dedicated to internationalizing the professions. Highlights of the conference included a keynote speech by Mariet Westermann, Executive Vice President for Programs and Research at Mellon Foundation and member of the Scholar Rescue...

Two opportunities for 2018 Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Short-term Program in Brazil and Spain are still accepting applications in Cycle 2.If you are a U.S.*: Primary and/or secondary classroom teacher Guidance counselor Curriculum specialist Curriculum head Talented and Gifted coordinator Special Education coordinator Media specialist/librarian Other types of educators eligible The award funds travel costs, lodging, meals, local transportation, and related costs.  *Eligibility Requirements This program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and...

Business France today published its “2017 Annual Report: Foreign investment in France. The international development of the French economy”.   In 2017, France basked in the renewed confidence of foreign investors, whose investment decisions were an acknowledgement of France’s potential, highlighting the country’s key strengths in various job-creating and high value-added sectors.   On average, 25 foreign investment decisions were made in France every week throughout the year. France attracted a total of 1,298 new job-creating foreign investments in 2017 – up 16% from...