NF-κB Inhibitors for Cancer, Inflammatory Diseases

The USPTO granted Patent US12606528B2 to the University of Pittsburgh covering compounds that inhibit NF-κB activity and their use in treating cancer, inflammatory conditions, and autoimmune diseases. The patent names Beibei Chen, Toren Finkel, and Yuan Liu as inventors and contains 33 claims. The patent application was filed on November 20, 2020.

Proposed Incidental Harassment Authorizations for Sparrows Point Container Terminal Marine Mammal Take

NMFS has received a request from Tradepoint TiL Terminal, LLC (TTT) for two consecutive incidental harassment authorizations (IHAs) under the Marine Mammal Protection Act to incidentally take Tamanend's bottlenose dolphins (Level B harassment only) during construction of the Sparrows Point Container Terminal in Baltimore County, MD. NMFS is requesting public comments on the proposed IHAs and possible one-time 1-year renewals by May 22, 2026. Neither TTT nor NMFS expect serious injury or mortality to result from the activity.

NOAA Office of Education Scholarship, Fellowship, and Internship Programs OMB Review

NOAA is submitting to OMB a revision and extension of an approved information collection (OMB Control No. 0648-0568) for its Office of Education Higher Education Scholarship, Fellowship, and Internship Programs. The collection supports the Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship Program and the Educational Partnership Program with Minority Serving Institutions (EPP/MSI). Changes include additions of Travel Request Forms and Onboarding/Scholar Information Form, and removals of demographic data collection and certain application surveys.

NMFS Finalizes 21 Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports Under MMPA

NMFS has finalized 21 marine mammal stock assessment reports (SARs) under Section 117 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), covering the 2018-2022 period for Alaska, Atlantic, Gulf of America, and Pacific regions. The revisions primarily update human-caused mortality and serious injury (M/SI) estimates and abundance estimates for affected stocks. NMFS responded to public comments from the Marine Mammal Commission and Center for Biological Diversity, addressing concerns about lost fishing gear, plastic pollution, and alternative data collection methods.

Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Francis Scott Key Bridge Rebuild, Baltimore MD

NMFS has received a request from the Federal Highway Administration for two consecutive incidental harassment authorizations to take marine mammals incidental to the Francis Scott Key Bridge Rebuild project in Baltimore, MD. The proposal would authorize Level B harassment take of Tamanend's bottlenose dolphins during pile driving activities. NMFS is requesting public comments on the proposed IHAs and possible 1-year renewals.

NMFS Closes South Atlantic Gag Recreational Fishing August 2

NMFS implements a temporary rule closing the recreational gag fishery in South Atlantic Federal waters effective August 2, 2026, through January 1, 2027. The closure results from 2025 recreational landings of 187,751 lb exceeding the annual catch limit of 176,665 lb by 11,086 lb. During the closure, bag and possession limits for gag are zero.

DOL Publishes 2026 LLSIL Income Thresholds for WIOA Youth Programs

The Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration (ETA) has published the 2026 Lower Living Standard Income Level (LLSIL) tables for use under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). These income thresholds, updated annually to reflect cost-of-living changes based on the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), are used by state and local workforce development boards to determine eligibility for youth and adult workforce services. The 2026 tables are applicable as of April 22, 2026.

Daily Federal Register Documents Index, 22nd Apr

The Federal Register published its daily index for April 22, 2026, cataloguing 87 documents from 36 federal agencies across 339 pages. The issue comprises 74 notices, 3 proposed rules, 9 final rules, and 1 presidential document.

PRC Notices USPS Competitive Product List Filings for Comment

The Postal Regulatory Commission published a notice on April 22, 2026, informing the public of USPS filings to add competitive negotiated service agreements to the Competitive product list. Two dockets are noticed: MC2026-209/K2026-208 (Priority Mail Express International, Priority Mail International & First-Class Package International Service Contract 111) and MC2026-216/K2026-214 (Fulfillment Standardized Distinct Product PM-GA Contract 966). Comments on the public proceeding are due April 27, 2026.

Boiler Service Tender, NMD Council, 42 Buildings, Closing 27 May

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has published an open tender for the servicing and emergency repair of oil-fired central heating boilers across 42 council buildings. The contract, valued at £0 with an estimated value to be determined by submissions, runs from 3 August 2026 to 2 August 2029. OFTEC-registered contractors are invited to submit tenders via the MultiQuote portal by 27 May 2026 at 12pm.

Ferrovial BAM Rail ISA Service Tender, £150k-£250k

UK Government Contracts Finder has published an open tender opportunity for an Independent Safety Assessor (ISA) for Ferrovial BAM Rail JV's track system packages. The contract value is estimated at £150,000 to £250,000 with a closing date of 1 May 2026. The ISA must be appointed in accordance with EN 50126, 50128, and 50129 standards, and for subsystems requiring CCS NTSN compliance, the ISA must also be an accredited Assessment Body in the United Kingdom.

PEACEPLUS Thriving Together Tender, £0, closing 20th May

Newry Mourne & Down District Council, funded through the PEACE+ programme, is seeking consultancy firms to tender for design, development and delivery of a Minority Community Support Programme. The programme comprises two initiatives using community-led approaches to increase understanding and integration of minority communities across the Newry Mourne & Down council area. Tenders close on 20 May 2026.

MoD POMS Medical Supply Procurement £100k-£300k Closing 6 May

The Ministry of Defence, through Unite Procurement UK Limited, is seeking suppliers for rapidly deployable Point of Medical Supply (POMS) systems with detachable pouch sets, valued between £100,000 and £300,000. The contract runs from 7 May 2026 to 7 May 2028 and is open to multiple suppliers via the Unite Procurement Platform. Suppliers must register interest by 6 May 2026 at 10am; applications will be accepted on a rolling basis thereafter.

Tatton Park Play Equipment Tender, £450k, Deadline June 19

Cheshire East Council has published an open tender opportunity for the design, supply, and installation of play equipment at Tatton Park. The contract is valued at £450,000 with a closing date of 19 June 2026 at 12pm. The contract period runs from 3 August 2026 to 30 July 2027. The procurement is classified as a Works contract using an open procedure above threshold and is not suitable for SMEs or VCSEs.

Minister KATAYAMA Meets BIS General Manager Hernández de Cos

Japan's Minister of Finance and Minister of State for Financial Services met with the BIS General Manager in Tokyo. The officials exchanged views on recent financial sector developments and digital finance. No new regulatory measures, compliance obligations, or policy commitments were announced.

Warning Letter to vapepengood.com for Marketing Unauthorized Nicotine Pouches

The FDA Center for Tobacco Products issued a warning letter to vapepengood.com (Flushing, NY) on April 9, 2026, for marketing unauthorized nicotine pouch products, specifically Icy Blackcurrant XX Strong Nicotine Pouches by Zyn and Zyn Red Fruits Nicotine Pouches, without required premarket authorization under section 910(c)(1)(A)(i) of the FD&C Act. The products are adulterated under section 902(6)(A) and misbranded under section 903(a)(6). The firm must respond within 15 working days describing corrective actions and a compliance plan, and failure to address violations may result in civil money penalties, seizure, and/or injunction.

CGMP Violations, Insanitary Conditions, Data Integrity Failures at Chinese Drug Manufacturer

FDA issued Warning Letter 320-26-56 to Xiamen Kang Zhongyuan Biotechnology Co., Ltd., a Chinese drug manufacturer (FEI 3027976266), citing CGMP violations, insanitary conditions, and data integrity failures discovered during an August 12-15, 2025 inspection. Observed violations included grime and discolored lubricant on manufacturing equipment, standing water in production areas, flies and cockroaches in manufacturing spaces, and apparent mold on air-conditioning vents. The firm's Chief Quality Officer admitted to providing false documents related to finished drug product testing, and the firm submitted altered manufacturing records after the original logbook appeared incomplete. FDA placed all drugs from this firm on Import Alert 66-40 on March 20, 2026, and the firm agreed to recall certain lots of mentholated cough drops following a March 4, 2026 teleconference.

Eaglelionton Int'l Trading Co Inc FSVP Warning Letter Brooklyn NY

FDA issued a Warning Letter to Eaglelionton Int'l Trading Co Inc, a Brooklyn-based food importer, following an FSVP inspection conducted January 29 through February 12, 2026, and a prior inspection from May 1-17, 2023. The firm was found to be non-compliant with section 805 of the FD&C Act and 21 CFR part 1, subpart L, specifically for failing to develop, maintain, and follow an FSVP for any imported foods including coconut milk and canned products from identified foreign suppliers. FDA has not received a response to the Form FDA 483a issued on February 12, 2026. The importer must respond in writing within 15 working days with documentation of corrective actions.

FDA Warns Par Health Endo USA for Sterile Injectable CGMP Violations

FDA issued Warning Letter 320-26-68 to Par Health USA LLC and Endo USA, Inc. on April 15, 2026, for significant CGMP violations observed during an October 6–20, 2025 inspection of their sterile injectable drug manufacturing facility in Rochester, MI. Investigators documented inadequate aseptic processing line design, excessive manual interventions requiring hundreds of interventions per batch, deficient environmental monitoring, and failed unidirectional airflow studies. The FDA determined that drug products manufactured at the facility are adulterated under Section 501(a)(2)(B) of the FD&C Act.

FDA Warns Shopcalismokes.com Over Unauthorized Zyn Nicotine Pouches

The FDA Center for Tobacco Products issued a Warning Letter to shopcalismokes.com (Farmington Hills, MI) on April 10, 2026, for selling two unauthorized Zyn nicotine pouch products—Zyn Pouches Slim Cool Skittle 15mg and Zyn Pouches Slim Fizzy Cola 15mg—in the U.S. market without required premarket authorization under Section 910 of the FD&C Act. FDA determined the products are adulterated under Section 902(6)(A) and misbranded under Section 903(a)(6). The firm has 15 working days from receipt to submit a written response describing corrective actions, including dates of discontinued sales and a compliance plan. Failure to comply may result in civil money penalties, seizure, and/or injunction.

UCSF Radiopharmaceutical Facility CGMP Violations Warning Letter

FDA issued a Warning Letter to UCSF Radiopharmaceutical Facility (FEI 3005947301) following an inspection from July 21-24, 2025, citing significant CGMP violations for drug manufacturing. The agency identified inadequate investigations of multiple failing sterility test results from 2022-2023 involving Bacillus species contamination, and failure to follow written quality assurance procedures for environmental monitoring investigations. The facility must conduct a comprehensive retrospective review of all invalidated sterility tests for the past three years and submit a detailed CAPA plan to CDER.

Florida AG Launches Criminal Investigation into OpenAI and ChatGPT

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced on April 21, 2026 that the Office of Statewide Prosecution has launched a criminal investigation into OpenAI and ChatGPT following a review of chat logs between ChatGPT and Phoenix Ikner, the gunman who opened fire at Florida State University on April 17, 2025. The Office of Statewide Prosecution subpoenaed OpenAI for policies and internal training materials regarding user threats of harm, cooperation with law enforcement, organizational charts, and materials related to the FSU shooting. Florida law states that anyone who aids, abets, or counsels someone in the commission of a crime may be considered a principal to the crime.

FL AG Issues CIDs to Eight Major Corporations and Environmental Groups for Antitrust Investigation

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier issued Civil Investigative Demands (CIDs) to eight entities, including major corporations and environmental groups, as part of an investigation into potential antitrust violations. The investigation targets suspicions that corporations may have engaged in collusive partnerships through and with environmental groups that restricted trade, increased prices for consumers, and diminished free market competition. All subpoenaed documentation must be provided by May 27, 2026.

AG Moylan Issues 105 Panhandling Citations Under 16 GCA § 3803

Guam Attorney General Douglas Moylan announced on April 22, 2026, that his Criminal Investigator team has issued 105 citations to panhandlers engaging in illegal solicitation at dangerous intersections since launching the Panbusters program in January 2025. The enforcement action is conducted under 16 GCA § 3803, which prohibits panhandlers from soliciting in roadways, medians, and other high-risk traffic areas. Citizens can report illegal panhandling via WhatsApp to 671-475-HELP (4357).

UK Calls for Greater Protection of Women and Indigenous Communities in Colombia at UN Security Council

UK Chargé d'Affaires Ambassador James Kariuki delivered a statement at the UN Security Council on 21 April 2026 calling for greater efforts to protect women and girls, and Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities in Colombia who are disproportionately affected by violence. The UK reaffirmed strong support for Colombia's 2016 Peace Agreement and highlighted that 491 peace signatories have been killed, including four during this period. The statement welcomed Colombia's peaceful congressional elections on 8 March 2026 and encouraged rural reform that has benefited women, including an all-women farm in Catatumbo.

Baroness Chapman World Bank IMF Spring Meeting Remarks

UK Minister for Development Baroness Chapman delivered remarks at the World Bank Group and IMF 2026 Spring Meetings Development Committee plenary in Washington DC on 17 April 2026. She called for greater representation of sub-Saharan African nations in World Bank decision-making, advocated extending the Bank's climate strategy and 45% climate finance target, and affirmed UK support for Ukraine while acknowledging Middle East conflict impacts. The speech outlined the UK's position that multilateral development institutions must better reflect the world they serve.

Digital Payments E-Mandate Framework 2026

RBI has issued the Digital Payments - E-Mandate Framework, 2026, consolidating 8 prior circulars on e-mandate processing for recurring transactions using cards, PPI, and UPI. The framework mandates: one-time registration with AFA validation, 24-hour pre-transaction notifications with opt-out capability, no charges to customers for e-mandate facilities, and transaction limits of ₹15,000 without AFA (₹1,00,000 for insurance premiums, mutual fund subscriptions, and credit card bill payments). All Payment System Providers and Payment System Participants must comply with the new requirements immediately.

Clark Energy CPCN for Jeffersonville Franchise

The Kentucky Public Service Commission granted Clark Energy Cooperative a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) authorizing the cooperative to bid on and obtain an electric utility franchise for the city of Jeffersonville, Montgomery County, Kentucky. The Commission found a need and demand for electric service exists because Clark Energy is the only utility currently authorized to serve the area under KRS 278.018. Clark Energy must file written notice within 30 days indicating whether it was the successful franchise bidder, and if successful, must file the executed franchise agreement within 30 days.

Taylor RECC Complaint Dismissed, No Prima Facie Case Established

The Kentucky Public Service Commission dismissed Case No. 2025-00414 filed by Chad Alan Warner against Taylor County Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation. The Commission found that the complainant failed to establish a prima facie case that the utility violated a statute, regulation, tariff, or order. The complaint concerned billing and service at 3000 Eastridge Cemetery Road, Casey Creek, KY 42728, including a $1795.43 outstanding balance. The case is dismissed without prejudice as a hearing is not in the public interest.

Kentucky PSC Admits California Attorneys Pro Hac Vice for Sierra Club

The Kentucky Public Service Commission issued an order on April 21, 2026, admitting Kristin Henry and Nathaniel Shoaff, both attorneys with offices in California, to practice pro hac vice before the Commission on behalf of Sierra Club in Case No. 2026-00001, involving Kentucky Power Company's application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity to construct a mechanical draft cooling tower at the Mitchell Plant. The order requires that Joe Childers, or another member of the Kentucky Bar Association, act as co-counsel and be present at all proceedings.

Northern Kentucky Water District Management Training Approved

The Kentucky Public Service Commission approved Northern Kentucky Water District's management training program (Case No. 2026-00068) to satisfy six hours of annual commissioner training under KRS 74.020(6) and (7). The training, scheduled for April 29, 2026, in Erlanger, Kentucky, covers seven sessions including recent utility law developments, asset management planning, Kentucky Infrastructure Authority programs, water utility tariffs, and legal issues. The order does not approve the program for the 12-hour initial training requirement for newly appointed commissioners. Future training accreditation applications must be filed in optimized PDF format with bookmarks or will be rejected as deficient.

Kentucky PSC Initiates Six-Month Environmental Surcharge Review for Kentucky Power Company

The Kentucky Public Service Commission initiated a six-month review of Kentucky Power Company's environmental surcharge mechanism on April 21, 2026, covering the billing period ending December 31, 2025. The proceeding requires Kentucky Power to file prepared direct testimony, respond to Commission Staff's First Request for Information, and provide monthly environmental surcharge reports. Any party seeking to intervene must demonstrate a special interest not otherwise adequately represented or show that intervention will assist the Commission in fully considering the matter.

Fountain Run Water District #1 Formal Investigation Order

The Kentucky Public Service Commission established Case No. 2026-00008 to conduct a formal investigation into Fountain Run Water District #1 and its individual commissioners (Brenda Turner, Francis Howard, Jeremy Jones, John Pedigo, Will Downing) and manager (Christopher Veach) for failing to file either a general rate adjustment application, an alternative rate adjustment pursuant to 807 KAR 5:076, or a detailed explanation by July 31, 2025, as required in Case No. 2024-00376. The Commission entered this procedural order on April 21, 2026, establishing a schedule requiring parties to request a public hearing or submit the matter for written-record decision by May 15, 2026.

KY PSC Orders MYSO LLC to Respond to 19 Siting Interrogatories

MYSO LLC has been ordered by the Kentucky Public Service Commission's Siting Board to file responses to 19 interrogatories by May 6, 2026, regarding its application for a certificate of construction for an approximately 200-megawatt merchant solar electric generating facility in Graves County, Kentucky. The interrogatories cover construction timeline, noise impacts on nearby residences, construction traffic distribution, vegetative screening plans, setbacks from sensitive features, BESS unit plans, and decommissioning commitments.

Crab Run Solar 45MW Facility Evidentiary Hearing Procedures

The Kentucky State Board on Electric Generation and Transmission Siting issued an Order establishing procedures for an evidentiary hearing in Case No. 2025-00276, involving Crab Run Solar, LLC's application for a construction certificate to build an approximately 45-megawatt merchant electric solar facility in Marion County. The hearing is scheduled for April 28, 2026, at 9 a.m. EDT in the Richard Raff Hearing Room in Frankfort, Kentucky. The Order sets cross-examination procedures, requires 20 paper copies of any evidence, prohibits opening statements, and lists the order in which 11 intervenor parties will conduct cross-examination of the applicant's witnesses.

Lee v Farmdale Water District Complaint Scheduling Order

The Kentucky Public Service Commission entered a procedural scheduling order on April 21, 2026 in Case No. 2024-00279, Lee v. Farmdale Water District, directing both parties to adhere to discovery deadlines and electronic filing requirements. The order sets a five-step discovery schedule with initial requests due May 7, 2026, responses by May 21, 2026, supplemental requests by May 28, 2026, supplemental responses by June 11, 2026, and requests for a public hearing or written-record determination by June 17, 2026.

Southern Water District Rate Violation Investigation Procedural Schedule

The Kentucky Public Service Commission entered this Order on April 21, 2026 establishing a procedural schedule for Case No. 2025-00233, an investigation into Southern Water & Sewer District and its five individual commissioners for allegedly assessing an unapproved rate in violation of KRS 278.160. The District and commissioners filed initial responses between September 1-2, 2025, and the District responded to Staff's First Request on October 14, 2025. The Appendix sets May 15, 2026 as the deadline for parties to request a public hearing or submit the matter for decision on the written record. The Order also establishes electronic filing requirements, hearing notice provisions requiring live-streaming disclosure, and procedural rules governing witness testimony and motions for continuance.

Kentucky PSC Approves American Water Acquisition of Essential Utilities and Delta Natural Gas

The Kentucky Public Service Commission has approved the merger whereby American Water Works Company, Inc. becomes the ultimate corporate parent of Essential Utilities, Inc. and its subsidiary Delta Natural Gas Company, Inc. Under the merger agreement dated October 26, 2025, Essential shareholders will receive 0.305 shares of American Water common stock for each share held, resulting in American Water shareholders owning approximately 69 percent and former Essential shareholders owning approximately 31 percent of the combined company on a fully diluted basis. As a condition of approval, Joint Applicants committed that Delta will not seek rate recovery for transaction costs, goodwill will not be recorded on Delta's books, and existing Delta tariffs will remain unchanged following the merger close.

Garrard County Water Association Staff Report Recommends $227k Rate Increase

Commission Staff filed its report recommending a base rate revenue increase of $227,277 (8.38 percent) for Garrard County Water Association, reduced from the utility's original request of $314,279 (11.59 percent) following corrected revenue requirement calculations provided during discovery. The utility must file written comments regarding Staff's recommendations within 14 days from the date of service of this report. The report also flagged water loss averaging 22.3325 percent over five years—well above the 15 percent regulatory threshold—with $97,624 in annual costs for water loss in excess of the allowable limit being disallowed for ratemaking purposes.

Australia Lists Threatened Ecological Community EC186

The Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water has made the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (List of Threatened Ecological Communities (EC186)) Instrument 2026, adding a new ecological community to the list of threatened ecological communities under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. This listing creates new compliance obligations for actions that may significantly impact the newly listed community.

ASIC Corporations (Wholesale Equity Scheme Trustees) Instrument 2017/849

ASIC Corporations (Wholesale Equity Scheme Trustees) Instrument 2017/849 provides licensing relief for eligible wholesale equity scheme trustees, exempting them from the requirement to hold an Australian financial services licence under the Corporations Act 2001. The instrument sets out conditions that eligible trustees must satisfy to rely on the exemption, including requirements relating to scheme constitution, compliance, and disclosure. The latest version carries identifier F2026C00346 and was current as of 27 March 2026.

ASIC Corporations (Share and Interest Purchase Plans) Instrument 2019/547

ASIC Corporations (Share and Interest Purchase Plans) Instrument 2019/547 is a legislative instrument made under the Corporations Act 2001 that provides exemptions for issuers and other regulated persons in connection with share and interest purchase plans. The instrument sets out specific requirements and conditions that must be satisfied for the exemptions to apply. Part 3 contains transitional provisions for existing purchase plans.

NEPT20-09 Electric Bicycles New Exporting Producer Treatment Review Initiated

The European Commission has initiated a New Exporting Producer Treatment Review (NEPT20-09) concerning electric bicycles, effective 28 March 2026. This review allows exporting producers that were not originally investigated during the initial anti-dumping investigation to request an individual duty rate. The Commission invites interested parties to make submissions and may conduct verification visits to confirm questionnaire replies.

Rollins Inc.; Proposed Consent Order for Non-Compete Agreements

The FTC has accepted for public comment a consent agreement with Rollins, Inc. settling charges that the company engaged in unfair methods of competition by entering into and enforcing non-compete agreements with employees in violation of Section 5 of the FTC Act. The proposed Decision and Order would require Rollins to remedy anticompetitive effects from its post-employment covenants not to compete. Comments will be accepted through May 22, 2026.

CFPB Final Rule Bars Disparate Impact Under ECOA Regulation B

The CFPB has finalized amendments to Regulation B (12 CFR Part 1002), implementing the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, removing disparate impact liability under the effects test. The rule further defines what constitutes discouragement of credit applicants and adds prohibitions and conditions for special purpose credit programs (SPCPs). The amendments facilitate compliance by clarifying creditor obligations under ECOA.

OBBBA Boosts Refunds 10.9%, $23B Increase Total

The Tax Foundation published an analysis noting that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) has increased average tax refunds by 10.9% ($3,571 average, up approximately $23 billion total) compared to the prior filing season. The legislation expanded the standard deduction and permanently lowered individual and joint filer rates, preventing an automatic tax increase for approximately 62% of filers. President Trump is touring the country to highlight the larger refunds families and individuals are receiving under the new rules.

California Proposal Would Mandate Worldwide Combined Reporting

California lawmakers are considering mandating worldwide combined reporting for corporate income tax purposes, which would eliminate the existing water's edge election. Under this proposal, California would become the only US state requiring mandatory worldwide combined reporting, bringing back a policy abandoned in the 1980s. The proposal would require corporations with foreign affiliates to include worldwide income in their California tax calculations, subject to state tax without credits for foreign taxes paid.

Oklahoma Proposes Weight-Based MST Tax at $1.72 Per Ounce

Oklahoma HB 3983 proposes converting the state's moist snuff tobacco (MST) tax from 60% of wholesale value to a specific weight-based tax of $1.72 per ounce. The bill is currently pending in the Oklahoma Legislature. Nearly half of U.S. states already use weight-based MST taxation, with rates ranging from $0.02 to $3.54 per ounce.

Hochul Proposes Second Home Tax, NYC $12B Deficit

Tax Foundation publishes an op-ed critiquing Governor Hochul's proposed annual 'pied-à-terre' tax surcharge on second homes in New York City valued at over $5 million. The article notes that Mayor Zohran Mamdani identified a $12 billion two-year deficit facing NYC and initially proposed steep income tax hikes on the wealthy and corporations to address the gap. The author argues the second-home tax proposal would accelerate out-migration, deter investment, and stifle growth in a city already burdened with some of the nation's highest combined tax loads.

ECB's Philip Lane Discusses Expanding Euro Safe Assets

ECB Executive Board Member Philip Lane delivered a keynote speech at the joint workshop of the European Systemic Risk Board Advisory Technical Committee and Advisory Scientific Committee on 22 April 2026 in Frankfurt. Lane argued that the current euro area financial architecture results in an undersupply of euro-denominated safe assets, with German Bunds being too small relative to the size of the euro area or global financial system to meet demand. He outlined several reform pathways including expanded EU-level common bonds, the recently revised EUREP repo facility, and the Blanchard-Ubide blue bond/red bond proposal, while noting governance challenges for joint programmes that do not fully match current EU membership.