Apple’s Irish ‘Luck’ Angers EU

Apple’s Irish ‘Luck’ Angers EU

Judges at one of the EU’s leading courts quashed an order by the European Commission (EC) for Apple to repay over €14.3bn in taxes to Ireland. The ruling stated that the EC had failed to achieve the ‘necessary legal standard’ when claiming that Apple had received an illegal and selective economic advantage from Irelands’ Revenue Authority.

Wirecard’s Woes: Firm Fabricates Existence of €1.8 billion

Wirecard’s Woes: Firm Fabricates Existence of €1.8 billion

The Wirecard incident is one of Europe’s biggest accounting fraud scandals. It shook confidence in corporate Germany as Wirecard was forced to file for insolvency last month after admitting that €1.9bn of its cash probably did not exist. This has triggered a criminal probe into the group’s former executives as well as an EU investigation into BaFin, Germany’s financial regulator.

Depreciation of the Nation’s Housing Transactions

Depreciation of the Nation’s Housing Transactions

A regional reduction in property prices coupled with diminished transaction levels has led to heedful property surveyors producing cautious property estimates. This can be largely contributed to an industry fear of over-valuation and a lack of post-COVID housing market data.

Is China a Detriment to Hong Kong's Economy?

Is China a Detriment to Hong Kong's Economy?

The national security law is a new piece of Beijing backed legislation that allows for the extradition of Hong Kong citizens to the Chinese mainland. It leaves some of the world’s largest businesses facing an unenviable choice: between losing out on the island’s unique financial possibilities and tacitly supporting an expansionist government.

Labour Abuse and Entrapment in the UK

Labour Abuse and Entrapment in the UK

Across various sectors in the United Kingdom (UK) workers are experiencing labour abuses creating a serious modern slavery problem in the UK. The latest Global Slavery Index released in July 2018, estimated the number of victims of modern slavery in the UK at 136,000

INTU falls into Administration- Is this just the start?

INTU falls into Administration- Is this just the start?

The administration of Intu properties has shown that if the current trend towards online over physical retail continues, firms could see a shift in their client’s business focus and an increase in administration and insolvency work for many high street retailers and shopping centres.

Modern Slavery in a World of Fast Fashion

Modern Slavery in a World of Fast Fashion

In recent years, online retailers such as ‘Missguided’ and ‘PrettyLittleThing’ can provide you with ‘wear once and throw away’ goods. They are cheap, cheerful and can be delivered to your doorstep within 24 hours of ordering. Yet, despite their benefits, cheaper on-trend garments come with consequences to those who are producing the goods.

Damn, this Dam is Controversial- should it be?

Damn, this Dam is Controversial- should it be?

Within the coming days, Ethiopia is to fill the $4.8bn Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERDP), which is set to become the largest on the continent. The ambitious reservoir has been deemed controversial by other nations, who view the mega-dam as a violation of historical water rights within the region.

Spain and France announce state aid to revive stricken car industries

Spain and France announce state aid to revive stricken car industries

What just happened?

Last week, Spain’s government injected €3.7 billion into reviving its ailing automobile industry. This followed an €8 billion pledge made by French President Emmanuel Macron to invest in green subsidies and research in hydrogen-powered vehicles and driverless cars.

Distortion of Competition, 'WhatsApp pay' is Suspended in Brazil

Distortion of Competition, 'WhatsApp pay' is Suspended in Brazil

What just happened?

WhatsApp has launched the free payment platform in Brazil, indicating the integration of payment services and social media. However, this new service has been suspended by the Brazilian regulator within one week.

2020 and Beyond: A Legal Space Odyssey

2020 and Beyond: A Legal Space Odyssey

What just happened?

The European Space Agency has confirmed that the world's First Space Debris Removal is expected to launch by 2025. The mission is being undertaken by ClearSpace, a startup-led commercial consortium to service orbital tourism, including Debris Removal.

Beyond Petroleum: COVID-19 forces Oil Industry to consider its future

Beyond Petroleum: COVID-19 forces Oil Industry to consider its future

What has just happened?

In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, oil companies around the world have been buffeted by decreased demand and mounting debt. As OPEC forecasts a 6.4 million barrel per day downtick in the global demand for oil, the route out of the crisis for oil producers appears to be a treacherous one.

Off-Shore or Off-Limits? The Legal Concerns Surrounding Gazprom’s Nord Stream 2 Project

Off-Shore or Off-Limits? The Legal Concerns Surrounding Gazprom’s Nord Stream 2 Project

What has just happened?

Gazprom have stated that they will sue Germany over the decision not to exempt their gas pipeline from EU competition standards under the EU Third Energy Package. The EU package prohibits energy monopolies and the supplier of gas from also owning the pipeline. This is intended to improve the functioning of the internal energy market and resolve certain structural problems.