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GIM/TCR Merger Cleared Without Opposition

The European Commission granted unconditional clearance to the proposed acquisition of TCR by GIM under the EC Merger Regulation. The Commission determined on 15 April 2026 that the concentration would not impede effective competition in the internal market. This Phase I clearance is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. The full decision will be made publicly available after removal of business secrets.

M.12389 – GIM / TCR: Non-Opposition to Notified Concentration

The European Commission published notice in the Official Journal that it decided on 15 April 2026 not to oppose the notified concentration in Case M.12389 (GIM / TCR) and declared it compatible with the internal market. The decision was taken under Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (EC Merger Regulation). The full text of the decision will be made publicly available in English after redaction of business secrets, via the Commission's competition cases website and EUR-Lex.

Syria Sanctions Revoked on Gold, Precious Metals, Diamonds

The UK Secretary of State has revoked trade prohibitions on gold, precious metals, diamonds, and luxury goods under the Syria (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 via S.I. 2026/436, effective 22 April 2026. The amendments follow the fall of the Bashar Al-Assad regime in December 2024 and remove regulations 42-46, which previously prohibited trade in these categories. Consequential changes update terminology from 'Governing Authority of Syria' to 'Government of Syria' and revise petroleum product definitions.

Two Russian Disinformation Entities Added to EU Sanctions List

The Council of the European Union has adopted Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/885, amending Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2024/2642 to add two Russian disinformation entities to the EU sanctions list. The entities added are Euromore (also known as Euroview and Euroview Media), a Brussels-based media platform that amplifies pro-Kremlin narratives, and the Foundation for the Support and Protection of the Rights of Compatriots Living Abroad (Pravfond). Both entities are now subject to the restrictive measures under the EU's Russia sanctions regime, including asset freezes and prohibitions on making funds available to them.

EU Extends Moldova Sanctions to April 2027

The Council of the EU extended restrictive measures targeting persons destabilising the Republic of Moldova until 29 April 2027. The sanctions regime, first introduced in April 2023 at Moldova's request, currently covers 23 individuals and 5 entities. Listed parties remain subject to asset freezes, prohibitions on making funds available, and travel bans preventing entry into EU member states.

Climate Change Agreements Amendment 2026 Regulations (Energy-intensive Installations and Eligible Facilities)

HM Treasury and the Secretary of State have drafted regulations to amend the Climate Change Agreements (Administration, Energy-intensive Installations and Eligible Facilities) regime under Schedule 6 to the Finance Act 2000. The instrument, effective 1st January 2027, introduces updated definitions for eligible processes and energy-intensive installations, modifies the interpretation of the Waste Framework Directive for these purposes, and provides revised criteria for determining which installations qualify for climate change levy relief. The draft regulations are subject to approval by a resolution of the House of Commons.

Draft Statutory Instrument Amending the Cryptoasset Regulations

HM Treasury has published a draft statutory instrument amending the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Cryptoassets) Regulations 2026, along with a policy note explaining the proposed changes. The amendments aim to provide greater certainty for firms seeking to offer stablecoin payments services and to remove barriers to certain other use cases while maintaining an internationally competitive UK regime for cryptoassets.

£1M CYPMHS Eating Disorder Contract Awarded to First Steps ED

Hertfordshire County Council has awarded a £1,000,000 contract for a Children and Young Peoples' Mental Health Service (CYPMHS) Early Help Eating Disorder Service to First Steps ED. The contract, awarded via Direct Award Process C under the Provider Selection Regime, runs from 1st June 2026 to 31st May 2028 with options to extend to 31st May 2030. The Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 apply; standard public procurement regulations do not. The standstill period for representations closes on 5th May 2026.

PSR Direct Award Process C, Surrey NHS, £330,298

Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust published an intention to award notice for PSR Direct Award Process C. The contract covers provision of a Monitoring Service for AED (Attention Deficit Disorder/Hyperactivity) waitlist, with an approximate contract value of £330,298.11 for services from 01/05/2026 to 30/04/2027 (with an optional 6-month extension to 31/10/2027). The procurement is governed by the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023.

New Trial NCT07542912, Sintilimab Chidamide Azacitidine for ENKTL

A new open-label, single-arm, multi-center Phase II clinical trial (NCT07542912) has been registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, evaluating a sequential regimen of Sintilimab, Chidamide, and Azacitidine as first-line therapy for treatment-naïve patients with Stage I-II Extranodal NK/T-Cell Lymphoma (ENKTL). The study includes a Safety Lead-in Phase, a 2-cycle SCA Immunotherapy Induction Phase, and response-adapted consolidation therapy, followed by consolidative involved-field radiotherapy.

Immunogenic Trimers - International AIDS Vaccine Initiative

The USPTO granted Patent US12605441B2 to International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Inc. on April 21, 2026. The patent covers immunogenic trimer compositions including PGT121-germline-targeting designs, trimer stabilization designs, and trimer nanoparticle configurations for use in immunization regimens against HIV.

Single Visit Clinical Validation of ScreenFire HPV Test, El Salvador, 1,000 Women

NIH ClinicalTrials.gov registered a cross-sectional study (NCT07538050) to validate ScreenFire, a low-cost HPV test, in El Salvador. The study will enroll 1,000 women in remote areas over 10-15 weeks to assess a same-day screen-and-treat approach versus the standard two-visit regime. The hypothesis targets at least 10% fewer women lost to follow-up at six months compared to the historical >20% loss under the two-visit method.

UK FCA PS26/5 Final Rules on Short Selling Regime

The UK FCA published policy statement PS26/5 final rules for the UK short selling regime, creating a new Short Selling Sourcebook within the FCA Handbook. The rules take effect in two phases: Phase 1 on 13 July 2026 (new short selling rules, aggregate net short position disclosures, reportable shares lists) and Phase 2 on 30 November 2026 (bulk position reporting submissions). Key changes include a simplified single 'activity based' notification for market makers instead of per-instrument notifications, annual attestation requirements, and an extended implementation period of three months.

UK FCA Cryptoasset Perimeter Guidance, Deadline 3rd Jun

The FCA has published Consultation Paper CP26-13 seeking comments on draft perimeter guidance for the UK's new cryptoasset regime established under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Cryptoassets) Regulations 2026. The consultation covers territorial scope, definitions of qualifying cryptoassets, and new regulated activities including safeguarding, dealing, arranging deals, issuing stablecoins, and arranging staking. Comments are due by 3rd June 2026.

Real-World Cohort Study Comparing Adjuvant HP vs T-DM1 in HER2+ Breast Cancer Non-pCR Patients

NIH's ClinicalTrials.gov registered a multicenter, retrospective, real-world cohort study (NCT07540520) comparing two adjuvant treatment regimens for HER2-positive breast cancer patients with non-pCR after neoadjuvant therapy: trastuzumab combined with pertuzumab (HP group) versus ado-trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1 group). The study will analyze data from patients treated between July 2019 and July 2025 with a planned enrollment of 2,000 cases.

Consultation on Proposed CSD Regulatory Framework

The Monetary Authority of Singapore published Consultation Paper P006-2026 seeking public comment on proposals to update and enhance the regulatory regime for central securities depositories. The consultation opened on 19 March 2026 and closed on 20 April 2026. This framework update targets market infrastructure providers operating as CSDs within Singapore's financial system.

Phase 3 RCT of GAPP Induction and Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy for High-risk Locoregionally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

NIH registered a Phase 3 randomized controlled clinical trial (NCT07540390) evaluating GAPP induction therapy combined with concurrent chemoradiotherapy and toripalimab maintenance for high-risk locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (Stage III, AJCC 9th edition). The experimental arm combines PD-1 antibody (toripalimab), anlotinib, cisplatin, gemcitabine, and radiation, while the control arm uses the current guideline-recommended GPP induction chemotherapy regimen. The multicenter open-label study aims to generate evidence-based data on the efficacy and safety of this novel combination.

Suzetrigine Phase 3 Trial for Cardiac and Bariatric Surgery Patients NCT07539623

NIH registered Phase 3 clinical trial NCT07539623 on ClinicalTrials.gov, evaluating Suzetrigine as an addition to multimodal pain regimens for post-operative pain management in bariatric and cardiac surgery patients. The prospective, randomized study will assess whether Suzetrigine reduces opioid consumption and pain scores compared to placebo in participants undergoing weight-loss surgery or sternotomy.

TSE Handling of Tick Sizes from April 23 onward

Tokyo Stock Exchange announced that HISAMITSU PHARMACEUTICAL CO., INC. (Code 4530) will no longer be subject to the TOPIX 500 tick size table effective April 23, 2026. The change applies Rule 14, Paragraph 3, Item 1-b of the Business Regulations. This is a routine market microstructure update affecting the bid-ask spread regime for one constituent.

EU Wealth Taxation Study Covers Net, Capital, Exit Taxes

The European Commission has published a two-volume study on wealth taxation commissioned in 2024 to support informed policy debate. Volume 1 surveys wealth-related tax regimes across EU Member States, while Volume 2 provides case studies from Austria, France, Germany, Spain, Norway, Switzerland, and Colombia. The study finds that existing wealth taxes have not been major revenue sources due to tax gaps from reliefs, exemptions, and inadequate compliance. The analysis highlights the importance of effective exchange of information on beneficial owners and real estate, as well as tax administration digitalisation.

UK FCA Final Rules Relax Market Maker Exemption

The FCA published final rules (PS26/5) on 16 April 2026 amending the UK Short Selling Regime. The main commencement date is set as 13 July 2026, giving firms three months to prepare. Among the key changes, the FCA has further simplified the market maker exemption by removing the requirement for firms to notify each financial instrument they want to benefit from the exemption, replacing it with a single activity-based notification.

MSK Physiotherapy Services Contract Award, North Central London, £226,170

Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust awarded a £226,170 contract for MSK (Musculoskeletal) Physiotherapy Services in North Central London (Barnet/Brent). The contract was awarded via NHS SBS Insourcing Framework as a direct award under the Provider Selection Regime (PSR). Services include Paediatric MSK Physiotherapy over 14 weeks and Adult MSK assessments over 21 weeks to reduce waiting lists and meet referral-to-treatment targets.

OFSI Analysis: Bank of Scotland £160k Penalty for Russia Sanctions Breach

OFSI published details of a £160,000 monetary penalty imposed on Bank of Scotland Plc (Lloyds Banking Group) for breaching UK Russia financial sanctions. The breach involved a spelling variation of a designated individual's name evading automated screening. OFSI highlighted that weaknesses in screening, escalation procedures and training contributed to the breach, offering lessons for all UK-regulated firms on sanctions compliance controls.

AUSTRAC Guidance on New Compulsory Examination Powers

AUSTRAC published guidance on its new compulsory examination powers under section 172A, which were introduced by the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Amendment Act 2024. The guidance explains what information is included in examination notices, the examination process, the role of the examiner, legal representation rights, and how information is handled. The guidance clarifies that compulsory examinations are not routine or punitive and are used to understand money laundering risks and how businesses are managing those risks.

Feedback Statement on Financial Services (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026

The Isle of Man Financial Services Authority published a Feedback Statement on 14 April 2026 responding to the public consultation on the Financial Services (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026. Following significant engagement from the financial services sector, the Authority revised civil penalty provisions for individuals, narrowing scope to controlled function roles and requiring contraventions to be significant and material. The Authority removed or deferred several other provisions, including extension of warning notice powers and certain appeal rights.

PenCom Circular on Personal Pension Plan Contribution Categorisation

The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has issued a circular directing Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) to distinctly categorise contributions under the Personal Pension Plan (PPP). PFAs must now differentiate between 'Self-Contributions' and 'Employer-Remitted Contributions' in all reporting and statements, effective immediately.

Australia DFAT Sanctions Risk Advisory for Incoming Funds from Iran

The Australian Sanctions Office (ASO) has issued an advisory note to the Australian financial sector regarding increased sanctions risks associated with incoming funds from Iran. The advisory highlights potential red flags and recommends enhanced due diligence and transaction monitoring for financial institutions.

Indefinite Prohibition - Nicholas Buckley - Retail Intermediaries

The Central Bank of Ireland issued an indefinite Prohibition Notice to Nicholas Buckley, effective 25 February 2026. Buckley, while employed at two retail intermediaries between 1 February 2021 and 12 December 2023, diverted client invoice payments to his personal bank account and misrepresented his financial qualifications. The prohibition bars him from performing any controlled functions in regulated financial services indefinitely.

OFAC 50 Percent Rule: Ownership Aggregation and Sanctions Compliance

The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued guidance clarifying its 50 Percent Rule. This rule treats entities owned 50 percent or more in aggregate by blocked persons as themselves blocked, regardless of whether they are individually listed. The guidance emphasizes the need for sophisticated beneficial ownership tracing beyond simple list screening.