Georgia Power Company Fuel Cost Recovery FCR-27 Hearing

The Georgia Public Service Commission has scheduled a public hearing for Georgia Power Company's Fuel Cost Recovery filing under Docket # 56765. The hearing is set for May 5, 2026 at 9:35 a.m. as part of the Commission's regular review process for FCR-27, which determines the fuel costs Georgia Power may recover from customers through rate adjustments.

USPS International Mail Services Product Change

The Postal Service gives notice of filing a request with the Postal Regulatory Commission to add International Priority Airmail, Commercial ePacket, Priority Mail Express International, Priority Mail International & First-Class Package International Service Contract 19 to the list of Negotiated Service Agreements in the Competitive Product List in the Mail Classification Schedule. The filing was made on April 14, 2026, under Docket Nos. MC2026-207 and CP2026-206.

SEC Unveils A-C-T Plan for Capital Markets Reform

SEC Chairman Paul S. Atkins delivered a keynote at the Economic Club of Washington marking one year in his third term, outlining the agency's new "A-C-T" strategy comprising Advance, Clarify, and Transform pillars. Key initiatives include Project Crypto, a crypto-token taxonomy distinguishing five categories of digital assets (with four not classified as securities), an upcoming "innovation exemption" for on-chain tokenized securities trading, and a new Cross-Border Task Force targeting cross-border evasion of investor protections. The Chairman also addressed private credit market monitoring, ETF share class reforms, and a broader return to economic materiality as the SEC's guiding principle.

Deep 7 Bottomfish ACL at 493,000 lb for 2025-2027

NMFS implements a final rule setting the annual catch limit (ACL) for Deep 7 bottomfish in the main Hawaiian Islands at 493,000 lb (223,621 kg) for fishing years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027. The rule maintains existing accountability measures requiring the fishery to close for the remainder of the fishing year if the ACL is reached, and a reduction in the following year's ACL if exceeded.

CanReview Research Ethics Initiative Funding Opportunity

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) has launched a directed funding opportunity for the CanReview initiative, providing interim support for the ongoing operation and expansion of a pan-Canadian single Research Ethics Board (REB) review model for multi-site clinical trials. Applications must be submitted by June 16, 2026. The initiative aims to reduce fragmentation and variability in ethics review processes across jurisdictions while maintaining Canada's competitiveness in clinical research.

Planning and Dissemination Grants – Institute/Initiative Community Support, Summer 2026 Competition

CIHR has opened the Summer 2026 competition for Planning and Dissemination Grants under the Institute/Initiative Community Support Program. The grants support planning and knowledge mobilization activities for Canadian health researchers, knowledge users, and community partners. Applications are due 2026-06-03, with funding starting 2026-11-01. Multiple CIHR institutes and initiatives co-sponsor this program.

USA v. Ullah - Material Support Conviction Reversed, Mass Transit Terrorism Convictions Affirmed

The Second Circuit reversed Kayed Ullah's conviction on Count One (material support to a foreign terrorist organization under 18 U.S.C. § 2339B), holding the evidence was insufficient to prove he provided or attempted to provide material support as required by the statute. The court affirmed his convictions on Counts Five and Six (terrorist attack on mass transportation under 18 U.S.C. § 1992(a)(2), and using a destructive device during a crime of violence under 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)). The court held that § 2332f(a)(1) constitutes a crime of violence for § 924(c) purposes. Defendant's life sentences remain intact on the affirmed counts.

United States v. Brown - Supervised Release Computer Monitoring Condition

The Second Circuit affirmed Mark Brown’s conviction and sentence for fourteen counts of making false, fictitious, or fraudulent claims under 18 U.S.C. § 287 and one count of theft of government funds under 18 U.S.C. § 641. Brown received 46 months’ imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release, plus $136,672.75 in forfeiture. On appeal, Brown challenged a special condition permitting probation officers to monitor all activity on internet-accessible devices and conduct unannounced device examinations without reasonable suspicion, arguing it was overbroad and constituted an impermissible occupational restriction. The Second Circuit rejected both arguments, holding that district courts have broad discretion to impose supervised release conditions and that monitoring work devices does not constitute an occupational restriction under U.S.S.G. § 5F1.5.

United States v. Goklu — Bitcoin Money Laundering Conviction Affirmed

The Second Circuit affirmed Mustafa Goklu's conviction for money laundering and operating an unlicensed money transmitting business based on bitcoin-for-cash exchanges with a DEA undercover agent totaling approximately $130,000. The court rejected Goklu's challenge to jury empanelment, his sufficiency-of-evidence challenge on the unlicensed money transmitter charge, and his challenge to the jury instruction defining 'money transmitting' to include bitcoin-for-cash exchanges. The defendant's sentencing challenges were dismissed as moot because he had completed serving his term of imprisonment.

Cruz v. Banks - Second Circuit Affirms IEP Classroom Placement Ruling

The Second Circuit affirmed the SDNY judgment in Cruz v. Banks, rejecting an appeal challenging the NYC DOE's placement of student O.F. in a 12:1:4 classroom under IDEA. The NY Court of Appeals had clarified that 8 N.Y.C.R.R. § 200.6(h)(4) provides alternative placements rather than cumulative stacking requirements for students with disabilities. The court deferred to the SRO's educational judgment that the 12:1:4 placement was appropriate.

Vidal v. Venettozzi - Due Process Rights in Prison Disciplinary Segregation

The Second Circuit vacated a Southern District of New York summary judgment in favor of DOCCS officials, holding that Joseph Vidal's 180-270 days of disciplinary segregation in the Special Housing Unit constituted an atypical and significant hardship triggering Fourteenth Amendment procedural due process protections. The court remanded for further proceedings consistent with its opinion.

Schneiderman v. American Chemical Society - Diversity Jurisdiction Ruling

The Second Circuit affirmed the dismissal of plaintiff Arnold Schneiderman's disability discrimination lawsuit against the American Chemical Society for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. The court held that 28 U.S.C. § 1332(c)(1)'s principal-place-of-business provision does not independently establish corporate citizenship for diversity purposes—it applies only in conjunction with the state-of-incorporation provision. Because ACS is a federally chartered corporation not incorporated by any state, it is not a citizen of any state for diversity jurisdiction purposes. Judge Menashi dissented.

Kwok Alter-Ego Claim Affirmed — HK Assets Belong to Bankruptcy Estate

The Second Circuit affirmed the district court's judgment holding that HK International Funds Investments (USA) Limited, LLC was an alter ego of Chapter 11 debtor Ho Wan Kwok. The court upheld the Trustee's standing to assert alter-ego claims on behalf of the bankruptcy estate's creditors and found that the only reasonable conclusion from the record was that HK was the debtor's alter ego. HK's assets, including the Cayman-Islands-registered yacht Lady May worth tens of millions of dollars, belong to the bankruptcy estate.

United States v. Pence Murder-for-Hire Appeal

The Second Circuit affirmed Christopher Pence's conviction for using a facility of interstate commerce in connection with murder-for-hire under 18 U.S.C. § 1958(a). Pence appealed the district court's denial of his motion to suppress statements he made to FBI agents before receiving Miranda warnings, arguing he was in custody during questioning. The court held that the government proved by a preponderance of the evidence that a reasonable person in Pence's circumstances would not have believed he was in custody.

United States v. Manuel Zumba Mejia - Illegal Reentry

The Second Circuit reversed the SDNY's dismissal of illegal reentry charges against Manuel Zumba Mejia, holding that Mejia could not collateral challenge his underlying removal order because he failed to satisfy 8 U.S.C. § 1326(d)'s mandatory exhaustion requirements. The court ruled that Palomar-Santiago (2021) abrogates the prior Sosa framework, and no court may excuse a failure to exhaust administrative remedies under § 1326(d). The case is remanded for further proceedings.

Campbell v. Broome County - 2nd Circuit Affirms § 1983 Dismissal

The Second Circuit affirmed the district court's sua sponte dismissal of plaintiff's § 1983 claims alleging Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment violations arising from interactions with law enforcement regarding firearms. The court affirmed the dismissal as factually frivolous for most defendants but vacated and remanded the claim against Officer Nicholas Mushalla for allegedly unreasonably seizing firearms and other items from plaintiff's home.

United States v. Barrett: Second Circuit Remands for Resentencing After Supreme Court Clarifies Dual 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) Convictions

The Second Circuit vacated in part its prior judgment and remanded Dwayne Barrett's case to the Southern District of New York for resentencing consistent with the Supreme Court's decision in Barrett v. United States (2026). The Supreme Court clarified that Congress has not authorized convictions under both 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i) and (j) for one act that violates both provisions. The appellate court withdrew Part III.A.2.c. of its prior opinion and directed the district court to vacate one of the two convictions and resentence accordingly. Barrett's request for reassignment to a different judge was denied.

Waldman v. Palestine Liberation Organization - Personal Jurisdiction Affirmed

The Second Circuit granted plaintiffs' motion to recall its original mandate and affirmed the district court's judgment against the Palestine Liberation Organization and Palestinian Authority in this Anti-Terrorism Act case. The court reversed its prior ruling that the PSJVTA was unconstitutional under the Fifth Amendment, finding instead that the statute tied federal jurisdiction to conduct closely related to the United States that implicates important foreign policy concerns. The Supreme Court's intervening decision in this matter controlled the outcome.

Arizona SB1123 Medical Examiners Bill Signed 13th Apr

Arizona SB1123 was signed into law as Chapter 33 by the Governor on April 13, 2026. The bill amends Title 11 medical examiner provisions to address authorized persons, decedent definitions, disease hazard duties, petition powers, and testing requirements for suspected significant exposures. The legislation passed the Senate 29-1 and the House 53-6.

SB1142 Vetoed: Federal Tax Credit; Scholarships

Arizona Governor vetoed SB1142 on April 13, 2026. The bill would have authorized a state election to participate in a federal tax credit program for individual contributions made to scholarship-granting organizations. The measure passed the Senate (16-11-3) and the House (33-26-1) along near-party-line votes before being vetoed.

FDIC Provides Supervisory Relief for Washington Banks After Storms

The FDIC has announced supervisory relief measures for FDIC-supervised financial institutions in areas of Washington affected by Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides. The relief is intended to help institutions recover and to provide regulatory flexibility. Affected banks are directed to review the FDIC's Disaster Page for information on available relief.

LTS Therapy Systems Importer Registration Application for Schedule I Controlled Substance

DEA published notice that LTS Therapy Systems, LLC (West Saint Paul, Minnesota) applied on March 6, 2026 to be registered as an importer of Dimethyltryptamine (Drug code 7435, Schedule I). The company plans to import the controlled substance as bulk API for internal research, development, and analytical purposes only. Registered bulk manufacturers and applicants may submit electronic comments or written hearing requests on or before May 18, 2026.

184 North Carolina Organizations to Receive Bicycle Helmets

NCDOT's Integrated Mobility Division announced 184 North Carolina organizations as 2026 grant recipients of the Bicycle Helmet Initiative. Recipients include local governments, schools, nonprofits, and public health agencies. The helmets will support giveaways, safety workshops, and community outreach to increase helmet use statewide.

Davidson County Bridge Repairs Close Piedmont School Road

NCDOT bridge crews will close Piedmont School Road in both directions for bridge repairs starting April 27 at 8:30 a.m., weather permitting. The closure is expected to last until May 8 at 4:30 p.m. A signed detour will route motorists via N.C. 47, Skeen Road, and Cranford Road.

UK and France Lead Military Planning for Strait of Hormuz

The UK Ministry of Defence announced that UK and France will convene military planners from over 30 nations at Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood, North London, for a two-day conference to advance planning for reopening the Strait of Hormuz following a sustainable ceasefire. The planning sessions will develop detailed military plans including command and control, force deployment, and mine clearance operations to protect merchant vessels and commercial shipping.

5 New California Press Releases on Apr 21, 2026

Governor Gavin Newsom's office published five press releases on April 21, 2026. Topics include the proclamation of John Muir Day 2026, recognition of California as the nation's top agricultural state on California Agriculture Day, 56 Earth Day honors, heat protection measures at 215 schools, and the proclamation of Autism Acceptance Month.

BECOME-D Intervention Pilot for Dementia, NCDs, Mental Health

NIH ClinicalTrials.gov has registered a new pilot study (NCT07543341) evaluating the BECOME-D behavioral intervention adapted for individuals with dementia or mild cognitive impairment and their caregivers. The study targets co-occurring noncommunicable diseases (diabetes, hypertension) and common mental disorders (depression, anxiety) using community health worker-delivered skills-based training adapted to cognitive capacities. This is a research study registration with no compliance obligations for external parties.

JADE101 IgA Nephropathy Phase 2 Study

NIH registered a Phase 2 clinical trial (NCT07541287) for JADE101 in participants with immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy on ClinicalTrials.gov. The open-label study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of JADE101 as an investigational treatment for this kidney condition.

Balance & Respiratory Muscle Strength in Healthy Adults

The NIH registered a new observational study (NCT07541950) examining the acute effects of balance exercises on balance performance in healthy individuals aged 18-25. The single-blind pre-test/post-test study will assess participants using the Single Leg Stance Test before and after an 8-10 minute balance exercise program including single-leg stance, eyes-closed balance, and unstable surface training.

Phase 3 DEXmedetomidine vs Midazolam for Delirium in Critically Ill Children

NIH has registered a Phase 3 clinical trial (NCT07542990) evaluating dexmedetomidine as first-line sedation in critically ill children requiring mechanical ventilation for more than 12 hours. The trial will compare dexmedetomidine against midazolam, measuring whether it reduces the proportion of children experiencing at least one delirium episode during their ICU stay. Participants are randomized to receive sedation per study protocol.

MBSR Training Reduces Fear, Improves Bonding, Breastfeeding

NIH's ClinicalTrials.gov published a randomized controlled study (NCT07540923) evaluating Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) training for adolescent pregnant women and their partners. The study will assess the intervention's effects on fear of childbirth, maternal and paternal bonding, and breastfeeding success compared to routine care controls.

International Federated Wearable Motor Monitoring in Young Children With Spinal Muscular Atrophy: Active-NBS Study

NIH registered NCT07543003, an international observational study evaluating wearable-derived remote motor monitoring in young children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). The study will recruit up to 60 SMA patients and 30 healthy controls over a maximum of 30 months using the Syde and MAIJU wearable devices worn at home, without additional hospital visits. The federated data model enables collaborative sites across the UK and internationally to collect harmonised motor development data.

Rezdiffra Pregnancy and Lactation Registry, NCT07541469

The NIH has registered an observational study (NCT07541469) on ClinicalTrials.gov titled 'Rezdiffra Pregnancy and Lactation Registry'. The study evaluates pregnancy and clinical outcomes in women with MASH (Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis) and their infants after exposure to Rezdiffra at any time during pregnancy and/or lactation. The study is sponsored by a pharmaceutical firm and is listed as observational, generating no new compliance obligations for affected parties.

NYCBS Cancer Biorepository Collects Patient Samples

New York Cancer and Blood Specialists (NYCBS) registered an observational biorepository study on ClinicalTrials.gov under NCT07543159. The study collects and stores biological samples and clinical data from cancer patients, high-risk populations, and survivors to support translational cancer research. Samples will be used to understand cancer progression and develop new therapies.

Multiple Antihypertensives Increase Post-Induction Hypotension Risk in Cardiac Surgery

NIH has registered observational study NCT07541222 investigating whether preoperative use of multiple antihypertensive drug classes increases post-induction hypotension burden in cardiac surgery patients. Researchers will observe whether combinations of ACE inhibitors, ARBs, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers correlate with higher incidence and severity of blood pressure drops and increased vasoactive support needs between anesthesia induction and surgical incision.

OMO Standing Deposit Facility 151,519 Million Rupees

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka Market Operations Department reports daily monetary operations for April 21, 2026. The Standing Deposit Facility recorded Rs. 151,519 million and the Standing Lending Facility Rs. 28,200 million. Call Money Market traded at weighted average rates of 7.75% (maximum) and 7.68% (minimum), while Repo Market rates ranged from 7.70% to 7.55%.

Lagarde Warns of Euro Area Economic Risks

Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, delivered remarks at the IMF International Monetary and Financial Committee on April 17, 2026, outlining economic risks facing the euro area. ECB staff projections forecast euro area real GDP growth of 0.9% in 2026, 1.3% in 2027, and 1.4% in 2028 under the baseline scenario. Headline inflation is projected to average 2.6% in 2026 before moderating to 2.0% in 2027 and 2.1% in 2028, with upside risks stemming from the Middle East conflict and associated energy price shocks.

Iceland Deputy Governor Financial Supervision Day

Iceland's Central Bank Deputy Governor Björk Sigurgísladóttir delivered a speech at the Annual Financial Supervision Day covering 2025 supervisory activities. The Bank completed a thematic review of sanctions screening across 14 entities using simulated data, finding screening systems reliable. Supervisory simplification reduced 21 guideline sets to 7, with 14 revoked and reporting requirements discontinued. Payment fraud volumes exceeded ISK 1 billion in transfers and ISK 0.5 billion in card fraud from mid-2024 to mid-2025.

Hyun Song Shin Inaugural Address: Four Policy Priorities 2026-2030

Hyun Song Shin delivered his inaugural address as Governor of the Bank of Korea on 21 April 2026, outlining four strategic priorities for his four-year term: conducting monetary policy with prudence and flexibility amid heightened uncertainty; strengthening financial stability monitoring through enhanced use of market-based indicators and expanded non-bank sector analysis; advancing Korean won internationalisation through 24-hour forex operations, offshore won settlement systems, and CBDC exploration via Project Hangang and Project Agorá; and contributing to structural reform addressing demographics, inequality, real estate, and household debt.

Bundesbank President Nagel on AI Economic Impact at Rome Symposium

Deutsche Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel delivered a keynote speech at the International Economic Symposium in Rome on April 21, 2026, examining artificial intelligence's economic impact. The speech addresses AI's implications for economic growth, inflation, and financial stability, while also assessing Europe's competitive position in the global AI landscape. The speaker draws historical parallels to early electricity adoption and notes that despite visible AI capabilities across applications, broader macroeconomic effects remain less apparent in aggregate statistics.

EPO President Campinos Visits Georgia, Strengthens IP Partnership

EPO President António Campinos visited Tbilisi, Georgia on 20-21 April 2026 for high-level meetings with Minister of Education, Science and Youth Givi Mikanadze and Sakpatenti Chairperson Soso Giorgadze, and participated in a conference on patents in technology transfer. Discussions highlighted Georgia's validation agreement with the EPO, which has resulted in more than 300 validation requests in two years.

EC Adopts Delegated Regulation on Equivalent Mechanism for Unfinished Property Under CRR3

The European Commission has adopted a Delegated Regulation supplementing CRR (EU) No 575/2013 as amended by CRR3, establishing regulatory technical standards (RTS) for equivalent legal mechanisms ensuring completion of residential property under construction. The RTS specify conditions including requirements for protection providers, qualifying completion guarantee features, and conditions for converting completion guarantees to repayment guarantees. The Delegated Regulation is based on the EBA's final draft RTS published in August 2025.

SEC Reduces Tender Offer Minimum to 10 Business Days

The SEC Division of Corporation Finance issued an exemptive order on April 16, 2026, permitting certain tender offers for equity securities to remain open for a minimum of 10 business days instead of the 20 business days ordinarily required under Rules 13e-4(f)(1) and 14e-1(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The relief applies to three categories of tender offers: third-party offers for reporting companies under Regulation 14D, issuer self-tenders for reporting companies, and issuer self-tenders for non-reporting companies.

GENIUS Act, CLARITY Act, CEA Report on Stablecoin Yield

Law firm commentary summarizing three concurrent federal developments on stablecoin yield policy: the OCC's February 2026 NPRM broadly interpreting the GENIUS Act's prohibition on yield payouts to close the affiliate-loophole gap; the Senate's draft CLARITY Act proposing to preserve the passive-holding prohibition while carving out activity-based rewards for payment and platform use; and the White House CEA's April 2026 report questioning whether a yield ban would materially reduce bank deposits or lending capacity.

FCA Finalises £7.5B Motor Finance Consumer Redress Scheme

The FCA published policy statement PS26/3 finalising the Motor Finance Consumer Redress Scheme, designed to return £7.5 billion to consumers who were subject to unfair motor finance agreements between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024. The scheme addresses undisclosed discretionary commission arrangements, high commission arrangements, and tied selling arrangements under the Consumer Credit Act 1974. Firms must contact potentially affected consumers by 30 June 2026 (Scheme 2) or 31 August 2026 (Scheme 1), with an estimated average redress payment of approximately £830 per agreement.

Basel III Endgame Reproposal: Securitization Framework Analysis

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP published an analysis of the March 19, 2026 joint reproposal by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (FRB), the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) regarding substantial revisions to the risk-based capital framework for U.S. banking organizations, with specific focus on the securitization framework.

SEC Approves NYSE Rule for Tokenized Securities Trading

On April 17, 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved with immediate effectiveness the New York Stock Exchange's proposed rule change (SR-NYSE-2026-17) enabling tokenized securities to be listed and traded on the NYSE. The rule integrates blockchain-based representations of traditional stocks and ETFs into the NYSE's existing trading infrastructure, building on the Depository Trust Company's (DTC) tokenization pilot program that received SEC staff no-action relief in December 2025. Eligible securities are limited to Russell 1000 constituents at service launch and ETFs tracking major indices such as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100.

GP Stakes Decoded – Part One: The Strategic Case for GP Stake Transactions

Mayer Brown published Part One of a three-part series analyzing general partner (GP) stake transactions in private equity. The article examines the strategic motivations of both sponsors (flexibility, control, founder liquidity, access to growth capital) and investors (visibility, protection, portfolio diversification, risk-adjusted yield). It covers the structural complexity of GP stake assets, key valuation inputs, and tensions between sponsor and investor approaches to deal economics. Part Two addresses structure and governance; Part Three addresses relational dynamics.

Iran Conflict Impact on Middle East LP Exposure in Fund Finance

Law firm analysis from Cadwalader examines how the Iran conflict may affect Middle East limited partners' ability to fund capital calls in fund finance structures. The article summarizes FitchRatings data showing Middle East LP exposure represents 6.7% of uncalled capital commitments across Fitch-rated subscription finance facilities. The analysis identifies existing credit agreement protections including exclusion events, capital commitment covenants, and concentration limits that protect lenders when LP funding is disrupted.

SEC Reaffirms Securities Framework for Tokenized Assets

The SEC and CFTC jointly issued guidance on March 17, 2026, classifying crypto assets into five categories: digital commodities, digital collectibles, digital tools, stablecoins, and digital securities. The SEC reaffirmed that tokenized securities remain subject to federal securities laws regardless of blockchain representation. Companies issuing, sponsoring, or interacting with tokenized securities must comply with the Securities Act of 1933 and Securities Exchange Act of 1934.