RBI Amends Urban Co-operative Bank Financial Statement Directions

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has amended the financial statement presentation and disclosure directions for urban co-operative banks. These amendments, effective April 1, 2026, require specific disclosures regarding the payment of Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) insurance premiums.

RBI Amendment to Rural Co-operative Banks Financial Statement Disclosures

The Reserve Bank of India has issued second amendment directions for rural co-operative banks regarding financial statement disclosures. These amendments modify the requirements for disclosing payments of DICGC insurance premiums, effective April 1, 2026.

Currency Chest Operations on March 31, 2026

The Reserve Bank of India has directed all Currency Chest (CC) holding banks to keep their currency chests open on March 31, 2026, a public holiday, to facilitate accounting for government transactions within the fiscal year. This measure ensures that necessary operations can be conducted to support branches dealing with government receipts and payments.

Ireland's National DNA Database Marks 10th Anniversary

Ireland's Department of Justice announced the 10th anniversary of the national DNA database, established under the Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence and DNA Database System) Act 2014. The database, managed by Forensic Science Ireland, has aided nearly 8,000 criminal investigations since 2015 and currently holds over 94,000 profiles.

Child Maintenance Calculator Launched in Ireland

The Irish Department of Justice has launched a new online child maintenance calculator to assist parents in determining child support payments. This tool follows the recent publication of Ireland's first Child Maintenance Guidelines and aims to facilitate direct arrangements between parents or with professional assistance.

EU Internet Forum Discusses Terrorism and Illegal Content Online

The EU Internet Forum met in Brussels to discuss combating terrorism, extremism, and illegal content online. Ministers endorsed a revised EU Online Crisis Response Framework to expedite the removal of terrorist content and enhance early warning alerts among member states' law enforcement.

EU Justice and Home Affairs Council Meeting Discussions

The Irish Minister for Justice attended the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting to discuss migration, security, and justice issues. Key topics included voluntary returns, EU support for transit countries, the EU Drugs Strategy, and the future mandate of Europol. Ministers also agreed on a general approach for a regulation protecting vulnerable adults.

Operation Encompass Cross-Border Meeting on Child Domestic Violence Support

The Irish Department of Justice convened a cross-border meeting to advance the introduction of Operation Encompass, an initiative to share information between police and schools to support children affected by domestic violence. The program, already successful in Northern Ireland, will be legislated for national rollout in Ireland, starting with a pilot in Drogheda.

EUIPO Message on Inclusivity for International Women's Day

The EUIPO has issued a joint message for International Women's Day, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity within the intellectual property sector. The message highlights the EUIPO's commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment for all.

EUIPO Mediation for IP Dispute Resolution

The EUIPO has published a news item highlighting the benefits of mediation in resolving intellectual property disputes. Mediation is presented as a tool to foster recovery and healing for parties involved in IP conflicts, promoting amicable solutions outside of formal litigation.

EUIPO: Women's Untapped Economic Potential in IP

The EUIPO has published a notice highlighting the untapped economic potential of women within the intellectual property landscape. The notice discusses the importance of gender equality in innovation and entrepreneurship and calls for greater support for women entrepreneurs and creators.

EUIPO Workshop on Intellectual Property Crime

The EUIPO hosted a workshop focused on combating intellectual property crime. The event brought together various stakeholders to discuss tools and strategies for fighting IP crime across the European Union.

EUIPO Trains Judges and Prosecutors on Dark Web Technologies

The EUIPO has conducted training for judges and prosecutors across the EU on open dark web technologies. This initiative aims to enhance their understanding and capabilities in addressing intellectual property rights infringements facilitated by these technologies.

EPO: Public Research Organisations Behind 63,000 Inventions

The European Patent Office (EPO) has released a report highlighting that public research organisations (PROs) contributed to nearly 63,000 European patent applications between 2001 and 2020. The report identifies leading institutions and key innovation areas, emphasizing the growing commercialization of research findings.

EPO Report: Quantum Tech Surge, Slow Market Adoption

A new report by the European Patent Office (EPO) and OECD reveals that quantum technologies have surged five-fold in patenting activity over the past decade, with a projected global market of €93 billion by 2035. Despite this growth, market adoption and scaling remain slow, particularly in Europe, which leads in startups but lags in funding.

EPO Report: Women Underrepresented in Tech Startups and Innovation

The European Patent Office (EPO) has released a study indicating that women remain significantly underrepresented as inventors, patenting startup founders, and patent professionals in cutting-edge technology fields across Europe. Despite increasing numbers of women in STEM, the gender gap persists across career stages, with only 13.8% of inventors and 13.5% of patenting startups having a woman founder.

EPO Partners with Mistral AI for Patent Process and OCR Enhancement

The European Patent Office (EPO) has partnered with Mistral AI to deploy an advanced optical character recognition (OCR) model. This initiative aims to enhance the patent granting process by transforming non-machine-readable documents into structured data, supporting prior-art searchability and analysis.

European Patent Applications Exceed 200,000 for First Time

The European Patent Office (EPO) reported a record 201,974 patent applications in 2025, a 1.4% increase from the previous year. Key growth areas include computer technology, AI, quantum, semiconductors, and digital communication. China entered the top three countries of origin for the first time.

James R. Eckley - Suspension for Professional Misconduct

The Oregon Supreme Court has ordered a suspension of 6 months and 1 day for attorney James R. Eckley, effective February 13, 2025. This reciprocal discipline stems from violations of professional conduct rules related to client communication and conflicts of interest, as previously determined by the Arizona Supreme Court.

Joseph Domingo Suspended 60 Days for Rule Violations

The Oregon State Bar has suspended attorney Joseph M. Domingo for 60 days due to violations of professional conduct rules, including communication and trust account management. The suspension is effective March 15, 2025, following an order approving a stipulation for discipline.

Frederic E. Cann Publicly Reprimanded for RPC 1.7(a)(1) Violation

The Oregon State Bar has publicly reprimanded attorney Frederic E. Cann for violating Rule of Professional Conduct 1.7(a)(1) concerning conflicts of interest. The reprimand stems from Cann representing both a husband and wife in immigration matters and subsequently agreeing to represent the husband in a divorce proceeding against the wife, without a conflict check and while still representing both in immigration matters.

Gary M. Bullock Publicly Reprimanded for Rule Violations

The Oregon State Bar has publicly reprimanded attorney Gary M. Bullock for violations of RPC 1.6(a) (confidentiality of information) and RPC 3.4(c) (fairness in judicial proceedings). The reprimand stems from two consolidated cases, 22-146 and 23-132, involving inadvertent disclosure of client files and a fee dispute. The order approving the stipulation for discipline was effective February 19, 2025.

Wade Bettis Publicly Reprimanded for RPC 1.7(a) Violation

The Oregon State Bar has publicly reprimanded attorney Wade Bettis for violating RPC 1.7(a), which governs conflicts of interest. The disciplinary board approved a stipulation for discipline, resulting in a public reprimand effective June 17, 2025.

Felicia Dern - Voluntary Surrender of Pharmacy Tech License

The New Hampshire Board of Pharmacy has accepted the voluntary surrender of Felicia Dern's Registered Pharmacy Technician license (PHT-130661). This action follows allegations of drug diversion and substance misuse disorder, which led to her termination from Rite Aid.

Walmart Pharmacy Disciplinary Final Order

The New Hampshire Board of Pharmacy issued a disciplinary final order against Walmart Pharmacy concerning multiple locations. The order details the procedures and timelines for filing petitions for rehearing and the right to appeal the decision to the New Hampshire Supreme Court.

Andrew Merdinyan License Emergency Suspension Order

The New Hampshire Board of Pharmacy has issued an emergency suspension order for the license of Andrew Merdinyan, a Registered Pharmacy Technician. The suspension is due to findings of probable cause that the licensee engaged in conduct posing an imminent danger to public health, safety, and welfare, including admitting to taking controlled medications from a pharmacy.

Andrew Merdinyan - Pharmacy Technician License Surrender

The New Hampshire Board of Pharmacy has accepted the voluntary surrender of Andrew Merdinyan's pharmacy technician license (PhT-131188) due to allegations of controlled drug diversion. Merdinyan allegedly diverted approximately 1,236 tablets/capsules from a Walgreens pharmacy.

NH Board of Pharmacy - Emergency Suspension of Pharmacist License

The New Hampshire Board of Pharmacy has issued an emergency order suspending the license of pharmacist Justin Eric Lachance. The suspension follows findings of suspected diversion of controlled substances, including Clonazepam and Zolpidem, observed via Walgreens surveillance and confessed by the licensee.

Georgia Board of Pharmacy Consent Orders and Revoked Registrations

The Georgia Board of Pharmacy has issued consent orders for Musely Compounding Pharmacy East LLC and Cornerstone Medical, Inc. Additionally, registrations for technicians Amira Jayde Brooks and Cythnia Elaine Brannon have been revoked.

GA Board of Pharmacy Actions - February 2025

The Georgia Board of Pharmacy has issued a list of actions taken in February 2025. These actions include a voluntary cease and desist order for Steri-Tek PHWH004241 and a consent order for S2 Medical Supply, LLC (PHDME000685). Specific details on the nature of violations or penalties are not provided in this summary.

GA Board of Pharmacy Actions - January 2025

The Georgia Board of Pharmacy has revoked the registration of Yental Breanna Alford (PHTC051190) in its January 2025 public actions list. This action pertains to a pharmacy technician.

Georgia Pharmacy Board Actions - February 2026

The Georgia Board of Pharmacy has issued a list of actions taken in February 2026. These actions include a voluntary surrender for a technician and a consent order for a facility, Xttrium Laboratories, Inc. Specific details on the nature of the consent order and surrender are pending further documentation.

Georgia Pharmacy Board Actions - January 2026

The Georgia Board of Pharmacy has issued its January 2026 Public Board Actions List. This list details enforcement actions taken against licensees, including the summary suspension of a facility's license and the lifting of a pharmacist's suspension. Specific licensee names and license numbers are provided for each action.

Denmark DFSA Official Nominated for EU AMLA Management Role

The Danish Financial Supervisory Authority announced that Rikke-Louise Ørum Petersen has been nominated for a top management role in the EU's new Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA). The Council of Ministers is expected to make a final decision on May 22, 2025. This nomination signifies a significant development in the EU's efforts to strengthen anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing efforts.

Danish Banks Meet Capital Requirements in EU Stress Test

The Danish Financial Supervisory Authority announced the results of the EU-wide stress test for Danish banks. While capital ratios were significantly depleted, the participating institutions, including Danske Bank, Nykredit, and Jyske Bank, generally met capital requirements under an adverse scenario, showing improvement from previous tests.

DFSA Fee Collection Rules for Financial Companies

The Danish Financial Supervisory Authority (DFSA) is implementing new fee collection rules effective from 2025. These changes will affect securities broker holding companies, financial advisers, mortgage credit intermediaries, insurance intermediaries, investment advisers, and companies advising consumers on financial products. The rules clarify legal references and extend fee obligations to new entities.

CIBOR Notified as Significant Benchmark Under EU Benchmarks Regulation

The Danish Financial Supervisory Authority announced that CIBOR has been notified as a significant benchmark under the EU Benchmarks Regulation due to its use in financial instruments exceeding EUR 50 billion. This notification confirms CIBOR's continued subject to the regulation and supervision by the Danish authority following recent amendments to the BMR.

CITA Designated as Significant Benchmark

The Danish Financial Supervisory Authority (DFSA) has designated the CITA benchmark as significant under Article 24(7) of the EU Benchmarks Regulation. This designation means CITA remains subject to the regulation and supervision by the DFSA, impacting its administration and use in financial markets.

CSSF Warning: Fraudulent Websites Impersonating Golding Capital Partners

The CSSF has issued a warning regarding fraudulent websites (www.goldingfx.com, www.goldingdigital.com, www.goldingdigital.net) impersonating GOLDING CAPITAL PARTNERS. The official company is authorized and not related to these illicit sites.

CSSF Warning: vivid-money.lu impersonates VIVID MONEY S.A.

The CSSF has issued a warning regarding the website www.vivid-money.lu, which is impersonating the legitimate electronic money institution VIVID MONEY S.A. The fraudulent website is using deceptive contact details, including email addresses and a French phone number, to engage in illicit activities. Consumers are advised to be cautious.

CSSF Warning: www.smtbeurope.com Impersonates Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank

The CSSF has issued a warning regarding the website www.smtbeurope.com, which is impersonating Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank (Luxembourg) S.A. The warning highlights identity theft and illicit activities associated with the fraudulent website and associated contact details.

CSSF Warning: JPMorgan Asset Management Name Misused for Fraudulent Activities

The CSSF has issued a warning regarding fraudulent activities by unknown persons impersonating JPMorgan Asset Management (Europe) S.à r.l. The warning highlights specific websites, email addresses, and phone numbers used in these illicit activities, distinguishing them from the official contact details of the legitimate company.

CySEC Consultation on Beneficial Owners Directive Updates

The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) has launched a consultation on proposed amendments to its Directive on the Register of Beneficial Owners. The changes aim to restrict public access to beneficial ownership information, granting it only to those demonstrating a legitimate interest, in line with EU directives and court rulings. The consultation period closes on March 24, 2026.

CySEC Announces Investment Compartment Dissolution and Liquidation

The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) announced the dissolution and liquidation of the investment compartment M-RinIT2 of AIF Monterock Investments AIF V.C.I.C. Plc. This action follows the total redemption of its units and is in accordance with the Alternative Investment Funds Law of 2018.

CySEC Announces RAIF Dissolution and Liquidation

The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) announced that 7Q Asset Management Ltd, the external manager for ELINET RAIF V.C.I.C. PLC, has initiated the dissolution and liquidation procedure for the RAIF. The RAIF will remain registered and appear on CySEC's website with a 'under liquidation' notice until the process is complete.

CySEC Promotes Youth Financial Literacy During Global Money Week

The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) is participating in Global Money Week 2026 with various educational activities to enhance financial literacy among young people. Initiatives include lectures, educational material development, social media campaigns, and media publications.

CySEC Updates CIF Annual Fees Form and Deadline

The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) has updated the CIF annual fees calculation form (87-03-01) to include fees for 2025. Cyprus Investment Firms (CIFs) must use the revised form to calculate and submit their annual fees, along with audited financial statement extracts and proof of payment, by April 30th.

FIAU Malta Signs MoU with ASAE Portugal

The FIAU Malta has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Portugal's ASAE to enhance cooperation on monitoring cash payment restrictions. This agreement facilitates information exchange and joint training to improve enforcement of EU regulations.

FATF Report on Stablecoin and Unhosted Wallet Illicit Finance Risks

The FATF has published a report detailing illicit finance risks associated with stablecoins and unhosted wallets, particularly in peer-to-peer transactions. The report encourages countries to implement FATF Recommendation 15 and outlines good practices for mitigating these risks.

FATF Report on Offshore Virtual Asset Service Provider Risks

The FATF has published a report detailing the risks associated with offshore virtual asset service providers (oVASPs) and methods to mitigate them. The report highlights how regulatory gaps are exploited for illicit activities and provides best practices for supervision and cooperation.