The House of Representatives is now considering the Fiscal Year 2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The House Armed Services Committee (HASC) reported out the $513 billion measure on May 7th rejecting many of the Administration’s requests including reduction in military pay raise, authority for the base closures, as well as cancellation of older weapon
May 2014
Uncertainty in the European Political Landscape
By Allan Topol
Europe is on the verge of major political developments. On May 22-25, EU voters will elect members of the European Parliament. In June, the European Council will appoint a new President and High Representative in charge of Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to succeed the visible Cathy Ashton.
In the parliamentary elections, the center-right Christian…
Status of Tax Extenders Legislation
A funny thing happened on the way to renewal of the expired tax breaks discussed in “Important Tax Issues in Congress,” posted May 14, 2014.
On May 8, the House of Representatives passed its first bill to extend one of the expired tax breaks. On May 15, however, the Senate failed to advance…
East Africa: A Hotspot for Private Equity
By Cov Africa
African private equity (“PE”) presents a complex and rapidly evolving picture. Still a nascent industry, particularly when compared to more established emerging markets for private investment, African PE is seeking a toe-hold in an ever-changing continent. Susceptible both to the buffeting effects of global economic headwinds and local challenges such as lumpy pipelines of suitable…
Progress Towards a US-China Investment Treaty
Promising advances have been during the past year in negotiation of a bilateral investment treaty (BIT) between the US and China. Key objectives of the BIT are to accord certain protections to investors and also to ensure that each party will accord to investors and investments of the other party the same treatment it accords…
FCC Fines Company $2.9 Million for Political Robocalls to Cell Phones
Last week, the Federal Communications Commission announced plans to fine Dialing Services, LLC, nearly $3 million for making illegal “robocalls” to cell phones. The FCC has specific rules for automatic telephone dialing systems, also known as “autodialers,” that have the capacity to produce, store, and dial telephone numbers using a random or sequential number generator. …
Senate Subcommittee Examines Online Advertising and Security
By Yaron Dori
Yesterday, the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations held a hearing on “Online Advertising and Hidden Hazards to Consumer Security and Data Privacy.” The hearing was based on a year-long investigation into a broader set of issues related to consumer privacy and security on the Internet, which narrowed over time to focus specifically…
The European Commission Launches a Public Consultation on a EU Nano-Registry
The European Commission has launched a public consultation on possible EU measures to increase the transparency of nanomaterials on the European market. The consultation is the first step of a Commission drafting procedure that is likely to end in a proposal for a Regulation on an EU Nano-Registry that the Commission could formally present by…
Further Russia Sanctions
For companies concerned about further Russia sanctions, May 25 is critical. That is the date of elections in Ukraine. If those elections do not take place or if they are disrupted in the eastern part of the country, it is likely the United States would impose much stronger sanctions.
To date, sanctions have had a…
White House Announces $2 Billion Goal for Energy Efficiency Performance Contracts
Last week, the White House announced a goal of acquiring $2 billion in energy efficiency upgrades at federal buildings over the next three years. This $2 billion goal is in addition to existing commitments that the Obama Administration made in 2011, under which $2.7 billion has already been committed to fund energy efficiency upgrades. The…