PIB India - No Press Releases Available

The PIB India press release page returned a navigation template with no substantive content. The page header lists Indian government ministries and departments, date/month/year selectors, and a message in Hindi indicating no releases are available for the selected period. This is a technical navigation page, not a regulatory document.

404 Error: Bhrikuti Stock Broking License Suspension Notice

A broken link on the Nepal Securities Board (SEBON) website returns a 404 error for a document titled 'Bhrikuti Stock Broking License Suspension Notice.' No actual notice content is available; the underlying document could not be retrieved from sebon.gov.np.

IPO Financial Statement Review Guidelines 2082

The Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) has issued the IPO Financial Statement Review Guidelines 2082, establishing standards for the examination of financial statements submitted in connection with Initial Public Offering applications. These guidelines apply to companies seeking to list securities on Nepal's capital markets and the professionals responsible for preparing and reviewing their financial disclosures. The document is available for download in Nepali from the SEBON official website.

N.C. 58 Wilson County Closure for Culvert Replacement

Contract crews for the N.C. Department of Transportation will replace an aging metal culvert on N.C. 58 in Wilson County near the Nash County border with a larger and more durable aluminum-based drainpipe. The highway is scheduled to close at 7 a.m. Monday and reopen by May 8, 2026, weather permitting. A signed detour will route drivers onto Cliftonville and N.C. 97, and the department has been repairing or replacing other culverts along N.C. 58 before the highway is resurfaced later this year.

Morreene Road Durham Closure for Pipe Repair April 27–May 4

NCDOT maintenance crews will close Morreene Road in Durham County for approximately one week beginning at midnight April 27 to repair a pipe. The closure affects both directions from Erwin Road to Mordecai Street and will remain in effect through the evening of May 4, weather permitting. Detour signs will guide motorists around the work zone, and officials encourage travelers to plan ahead and allow extra commute time.

Montgomery County N.C. 731 Closed for Pipe Replacement

The N.C. Department of Transportation has temporarily closed a section of N.C. 731 in Montgomery County for crossline pipe replacement. Both directions of N.C. 731 are closed between Bowles Road and Pekin Road, with a detour directing traffic via Bowles Road, Valley View Church Road, and Pekin Road. The closure is expected to remain in effect until 3:30 p.m. on May 1, 2026, weather permitting. Drivers in the area are advised to plan ahead, be alert to construction crews, and obey all posted traffic signs.

Five California Press Releases: Parks, Arts Council, Minimum Wage

Five new press releases from Governor Newsom's office published April 22, 2026: Governor appointments announcement, Earth Day announcements for three new state parks (also in Spanish), California Arts Council 50th anniversary, and fast food minimum wage impact data showing 730K workers benefited. The most substantive item is the fast food minimum wage analysis citing economic data on worker impact and employment outcomes.

Secretary General Alain Berset Official Visit to Ireland Dublin 24 April

Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset will make an official visit to Ireland on 24 April to discuss democratic security, international rule of law, migration, and accountability for Ukraine. During the visit he will meet Ireland's President Catherine Connolly, Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan, and Minister of State Thomas Byrne. The Secretary General will also meet with civil-society organisations chaired by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, and discussions will address ongoing negotiations towards a political declaration on migration and the European Convention on Human Rights ahead of the 15 May foreign ministers meeting in Chișinău.

Denis Bećirović Warns Bosnia Constitutional Order Undermined

Chairperson of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Denis Bećirović addressed the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg on 22 April 2026, reaffirming the country's commitment to the organization it joined in 2002. Bećirović warned of continued political tensions and attempts to undermine Bosnia and Herzegovina's constitutional order, calling for comprehensive constitutional and electoral reform to eliminate systemic discrimination identified in European Court of Human Rights case-law. He outlined priorities including accelerating Euro-Atlantic accession and ensuring full alignment with European standards, including Venice Commission opinions.

Berset Urges Parliamentarians to Advance Democracy and Continue Work for Ukraine

Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset addressed parliamentarians at the Parliamentary Assembly in Strasbourg on April 21, 2026, emphasising that 'democracy is still alive' based on recent elections in Bulgaria and Hungary. He discussed Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine, now in its fifth year, and highlighted progress toward establishing a Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. Berset also affirmed that the independence of the European Court of Human Rights 'must be untouchable' amid concerns about pressure on the Court from EU member states.

Mihai Popșoi Outlines Moldova's Council of Europe Presidency Priorities

Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Mihai Popșoi delivered a speech at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 22 April 2026, outlining the priorities of Moldova's presidency of the Committee of Ministers. Priorities include women's rights through implementation of the Istanbul Convention, social rights, implementation of European Court of Human Rights judgments, local democracy, youth participation, and protection of journalists. A ministerial meeting is scheduled to take place in Chișinău on 15 May 2026.

Rising Violence Against Politicians Threatens Democracy, Women and Minorities Targeted

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted a resolution on 21 April 2026 warning that rising violence and hate speech against politicians poses a direct threat to democratic life and pluralism in Europe. The resolution calls on member states to adopt robust legislation recognising violence against politicians as specific criminal offences and requests the Committee of Ministers establish a mechanism to identify and track threats at local, regional and national levels. Women politicians and representatives of minority groups are disproportionately targeted and require specific attention under the New Democratic Pact for Europe.

Parliamentary Assembly Calls for Consent Laws, Cites Spain

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted a resolution on 22 April 2026 in Strasbourg calling on European countries to include free and informed consent in national legislation on preventing and combating sexual violence. The resolution, based on a report by Zita Gurmai (Hungary, SOC), urges adoption of a 'only yes means yes' approach, places the burden of proof on the perpetrator, and calls for outlawing the concept of 'marital duty' to recognise marital rape as a crime. The resolution cites Spain's 2023 sólo sí es sí law as a model for placing consent at the heart of emotional and sexual relationships.

RPA Defines Woodland as 0.5ha+ With Dense Trees

The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) published guidance defining woodland for rural payment scheme purposes in England, based on the Forestry Commission definition. Land qualifies as woodland when it is at least 0.5 hectares in area, at least 20 metres wide, and contains dense trees not scattered across agricultural land. Smaller areas may also qualify as woodland if fully covered by trees, located within arable land, adjacent to larger woodland, or forming a mostly continuous canopy.

Observational Study Sensory Stimulation Brain Function

ClinicalTrials.gov registration NCT07544563 documents an observational behavioral and neurophysiological study examining the effects of controlled sensory stimulation (such as music) on brain function, with the study focusing on three conditions: Epilepsy, Anxiety, and Depression Anxiety Disorder. The study is registered as observational with no stated intervention, indicating it involves passive data collection rather than active treatment administration. This registration provides transparency into ongoing clinical research but creates no compliance obligations for any party.

Poly-L-Lactic Acid for Vulvovaginal Tissue Regeneration

A randomized controlled trial (NCT07544667) has been registered on ClinicalTrials.gov to evaluate poly-L-lactic acid (Sculptra), an FDA-approved biostimulant, for the treatment of anterior wall pelvic organ prolapse (stage 2 cystocele) in women. The study will compare intravaginal PLLA injection versus placebo and will investigate safety and preliminary efficacy, including impact on sexual function. The trial plans to enroll women with stage 2 cystocele and follow them to assess whether regenerative biologics can shift prolapse management from surgical reconstruction to tissue regeneration.

PBM Study, Corniche Hospital, 2018-2025, Transfusion Reduction

ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry NCT07544017 describes an observational study conducted at Corniche Hospital assessing Patient Blood Management (PBM) implementation and blood product utilization among obstetric deliveries from 2018 to 2025. The primary objective is to estimate changes over time in mean blood product units transfused per delivery, with a hypothesis that increasing PBM maturity following comprehensive implementation in 2022 will correlate with significant reductions after adjusting for case-mix changes.

Immersive Virtual Reality and Exercise Programs in Multiple Sclerosis (NCT07543900)

ClinicalTrials.gov registered study NCT07543900 titled 'Immersive Virtual Reality and Exercise Programs in Multiple Sclerosis' evaluating virtual exercise-based interventions for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The study identifies conditions including Multiple Sclerosis, Exercise, Physical Therapy, Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy, and Rehabilitation Exercise. MS is described as a chronic neuroimmunological and degenerative disease and one of the leading causes of non-traumatic disability in young adults, with considerable healthcare burden. The trial is part of the ExeRVIEM II project examining high-intensity exercise programs with immersive VR.

Phase 2 JSKN003 Versus Trastuzumab for HER2+ Recurrent/Metastatic Breast Cancer

NIH registered Phase 2 randomized controlled trial NCT07545044 on April 22, 2026, comparing JSKN003 against trastuzumab combined with pertuzumab and docetaxel as first-line treatment for participants with HER2-positive recurrent or metastatic breast cancer who have not previously received systemic therapy for advanced disease. Participants who have undergone one prior endocrine treatment regimen remain eligible for enrollment. The open-label multicenter superiority trial is sponsored by an unnamed pharmaceutical entity and will assess both efficacy and safety endpoints.

Online Family Psychoeducation Trial for First-Episode Schizophrenia

NIH's ClinicalTrials.gov registry has posted a new study (NCT07545941) examining whether a mobile-based family psychoeducation program delivered via LINE application can reduce expressed emotion among family members and improve medication adherence in patients with first-episode schizophrenia. The single-arm trial is listed with an anticipated completion date of April 22, 2026. The registry entry identifies the condition as First-Episode Schizophrenia and specifies the intervention as a mobile-based family psychoeducation program.

36-Participant RCT Comparing Low-Dye and Calcaneal Taping for Plantar Fasciitis

A randomized controlled trial (NCT07544732) has been registered under the NIH ClinicalTrials.gov database, enrolling 36 participants with plantar fasciitis to compare Low-Dye taping versus Calcaneal taping over a two-week intervention period. The study will measure pain using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), functional ability via the Foot Function Index (FFI), ankle range of motion with a goniometer, and gait analysis, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. This trial registration represents standard prospective clinical research documentation and does not impose any compliance obligations on regulated entities.

Adjuvant 5-Fluorouracil Following Thermal Ablation for HPV in Kenyan Women With HIV

This Phase 2 randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial (NCT07545746) will evaluate self-administered 5% 5-fluorouracil (5FU) cream versus placebo to improve human papillomavirus (HPV) clearance after thermal ablation in women with HIV in Kenya. Participants will self-administer the cream intravaginally once every other week for 12 applications starting four weeks post-ablation, with clinic follow-up through 48 weeks. The trial's hypothesis is that 5FU will increase HPV clearance at 24 weeks and prove safe, well-tolerated, and acceptable in this population.

Health Web Te@m 1.0 Feasibility Study, Northern Sweden

A feasibility study for Health Web - Te@m 1.0, an interprofessional web-based group intervention supporting healthy ageing, has been registered on ClinicalTrials.gov under identifier NCT07545915. The study will evaluate the intervention's acceptability, implementation potential, adherence rates, and ability to detect outcomes among older adults in primary healthcare settings in northern Sweden. Conditions include Healthy Older Adults, with Health Web Te@m listed as the intervention type.

Ultrasound-Guided Low-Volume Brachial Plexus Block in Supraclavicular Region for Shoulder Reduction in Emergency Department

This NIH ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry documents NCT07544485, a retrospective, monocentric observational study analyzing routinely collected clinical data from an orthopedic emergency department between February 2018 and February 2024. The study evaluates the feasibility, safety, and clinical implementation of low-volume (approximately 5 ml local anesthetic) ultrasound-guided brachial plexus block in the supraclavicular region for adult patients with acute shoulder dislocation. Outcomes assessed include procedural success, block-related complications, and temporal trends reflecting adoption of the technique over time.

UK Cross-Government Space Procurement Category Guide

The Enterprise Space Category (ESC) is a cross-government procurement category launched in February 2024 to share intelligence, insights, and challenges across the space value chain, bringing together the Ministry of Defence, Cabinet Office Crown Commercial Service, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and the UK Space Agency. The ESC provides a unified category tree covering four level 2 areas: Space and Ground Segment Manufacturing, Space Operations, Space Applications, and Space Enabling Services. Suppliers across the space sector are invited to engage through quarterly Round Tables, an RFI questionnaire, and direct email contact to participate in market engagement activities.

35 Iraq Fatality Decisions Not to Establish Inquisitorial Inquiry

The Secretary of State for Defence, via letters dated 5 August 2025 and published on 22 April 2026, declined to establish inquisitorial inquiries in 35 separate Iraq-related cases. The decisions cover alleged unlawful killings, ill treatment, assault, sexual assault, torture, and rape of Iraqi nationals during military operations. Each decision is documented in a separate PDF linked from this page. Families and next of kin retain the option to pursue civil litigation as an alternative avenue for accountability.

Northern Ireland Gets £50M Defence Investment Boost

The UK government has launched a £50 million Defence Growth Deal for Northern Ireland, designed to support defence tech start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the defence supply chain. The deal will establish a Secure Innovation Hub for secure research and development, and includes funding for a skills initiative in partnership with industry, colleges, and universities. Northern Ireland already hosts 900 jobs directly supported by over £271 million in annual defence spending with industry, and the deal aims to create hundreds more highly-skilled, well-paid jobs while strengthening UK national security.

Ofqual Rebukes WJEC CBAC for Exam Qualification Failures

Ofqual's Chief Regulator has issued a formal rebuke to WJEC CBAC Ltd for serious failures concerning 4 Eduqas GCSE, AS and A level qualifications between 2019 and 2025. This non-statutory enforcement response was taken under Ofqual's Supporting Compliance and Taking Regulatory Action policy, where the seriousness of the failings requires a formal public outcome but the circumstances do not warrant a financial penalty. The action applies to exam board operations in England.

First Chief Regulator's Rebuke Issued to WJEC for Eduqas Qualification Failures

Ofqual's Chief Regulator Sir Ian Bauckham issued the first 'Chief Regulator's Rebuke' to WJEC CBAC Ltd for serious failures involving 4 of its Eduqas GCSE, AS and A level qualifications between 2019 and 2025. The exam board admitted failing to collect and monitor centre declaration forms for drama, geography, and computer science qualifications—in breach of its conditions of recognition. The rebuke, a new non-statutory enforcement tool introduced in October 2025, is used for cases requiring a public outcome but falling short of merit-ing a fine. The failures had the potential to prejudice students and undermine public confidence, though no actual adverse effects on students were identified.

Sri Lanka Overnight Money Market Rates, April 22, 2026

CBSL published daily overnight money market operational data for April 22, 2026, including Standing Deposit Facility amounts of Rs. 167,007 million and Call Money Market volume of Rs. 16,000 million. Repo market weighted average rates ranged from 7.55% to 7.80%, while CBSL Treasury Bill/Bond holdings stood at a face value of Rs. 2,508,920.63 million. This is routine statistical reporting of monetary policy operations with no new regulatory obligations.

Delaware CGP Reauthorization Deadline June 15 2026

Delaware DNREC has reauthorized the Delaware NPDES Construction General Permit, effective March 11, 2026. All permittees and co-permittees with previously approved Notices of Intent must complete the reauthorization process under the 2026 CGP by June 15, 2026. Instructions were distributed via mail and email to affected parties, with additional guidance available on the Sediment and Stormwater Program website.

Revised Auditors List for Listed Companies Effective January 2026

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka has published a revised list of 17 auditors eligible to conduct statutory audits of Public Listed Companies, effective for financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2026. The list includes major international firms (Ernst & Young, KPMG, Deloitte, BDO Partners, Kreston MNS) alongside 12 Sri Lanka-based audit practices. Companies listed on the Empower Board are excluded from this requirement. Listed companies must ensure their appointed statutory auditors appear on this approved list going forward.

Shariah Scholar Application Deadline Extended to April 20, 2026

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka has extended the application deadline for accreditation as a Registered Shariah Scholar to April 20, 2026. The SEC Act, No. 19 of 2021 establishes Shariah Scholars as Supplementary Service Providers authorized to certify Shariah compliance for Islamic Capital Market products. In 2024, the SEC selected six professionals through in-person interviews and has now revised the guidelines to attract a more diverse pool of local and international scholars. Applicants must submit a CV and signed affidavit to applications@sec.gov.lk, and short-listed candidates will be contacted for preliminary interviews.

Director HR and Supervision Roles, Deadline Apr 20, 2026

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) has announced two Director-level vacancies: Director Human Resources and Director Supervision. The roles carry a competitive compensation package including salary, annual performance incentives, overseas training, comprehensive medical and life insurance, and sponsorship for higher studies. Applications must be submitted by email or registered post by 20 April 2026; canvassing in any form will result in automatic disqualification.

Bill S926 Requires Arbitration Organizations to Disclose Consumer Case Data

New York Senate Bill S926, sponsored by Senator Brian Kavanagh with co-sponsors Cordell Cleare and Robert Jackson, has passed the Senate and proposes to amend General Business Law Section 399-c to require private arbitration organizations administering 50 or more consumer arbitrations per year to collect, publish at least quarterly, and make available in a computer-searchable database information including party names, dispute types, and consumer location data. The bill also prohibits financial conflicts of interest and defines 'arbitration organization' broadly to include any neutral entity that initiates, sponsors, administers, or is involved in appointing arbitrators, except for entities whose only involvement is a contract clause authorizing arbitration.

Bill S9598 Amends NY Public Health Law on Child Immunization Standards

New York Senate Bill S9598 passed the Senate, amending Public Health Law sections 2164, 2165, 2167, and 2803-j, along with Education Law and Social Services Law provisions. The bill shifts vaccine administration standards for children from federal U.S. Public Health Service standards to regulations issued by the New York State Commissioner of Health, based on generally accepted medical standards and recommendations from nationally recognized medical organizations. The bill also authorizes pharmacists to administer COVID-19 vaccines to patients two years and older under a physician or nurse practitioner order.

Bill S8372 Creates Rebuttable Presumption for Matrimonial Expense Evidence

New York Senate Bill S8372, sponsored by Senator Jabari Brisport at the request of the Unified Court System, passed the Senate on June 5, 2025. The bill proposes adding CPLR Rule 4533-c to create a rebuttable presumption that itemized bills or invoices up to $10,000 are admissible as evidence in matrimonial actions, including divorce proceedings, custody disputes, and related post-judgment matters. The rule aims to streamline proof of expenses for court-ordered obligations, child-related costs, and household expenses by allowing documented invoices to establish both necessity and reasonable value when accompanied by an affirmation from the service provider.

NAIC Spring 2026 Meeting Covers CLO RBC, SVO Backlog, Investment Framework

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) held its 2026 Spring National Meeting March 22-25 in San Diego, covering investment and RBC framework developments. The Invested Assets (E) Task Force and Investment Designation Analysis (E) Working Group held their first public meetings, with NAIC staff reporting a significant increase in Securities Valuation Office (SVO) filings in 2025—particularly for privately rated securities—creating a backlog that has strained existing resources. The RBC Model Governance Task Force received a dozen comment letters identifying areas for improvement in RBC framework governance and formula inconsistencies across life, property/casualty, and health sectors. The RBCIRE Working Group released for public comment a proposal on CLO RBC factors based on credit rating and tranche thickness (with a 45-day comment period ending April 16, 2026), while the American Academy of Actuaries recommended retaining the existing 45% pre-tax C-1 charge for residual CLO tranches.

SEC Staff Guidance on Crypto Broker Status

The SEC Division of Trading and Markets issued a staff statement on April 13, 2026 clarifying when crypto trading interfaces may qualify as broker-dealers under federal securities laws. The statement establishes that broker-dealer analysis is functional, not formal — focusing on how an interface behaves rather than what it is. Covered providers operating nondiscretionary interfaces where users control transaction parameters may avoid broker-dealer registration if conditions including user control, neutral route presentation, fixed compensation, and cybersecurity safeguards are met. The guidance follows similar CFTC no-action relief for Phantom Technologies Inc. and leaves open questions about optimization tools, institutional systems, and routing practices that may be examined in future enforcement.

FinCEN and OFAC Propose AML Sanctions Rules for Stablecoin Issuers Under GENIUS Act

FinCEN and OFAC jointly published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on April 8, 2026, to implement the GENIUS Act, which creates the first federal regulatory framework for U.S. payment stablecoins. The proposed rule would treat permitted payment stablecoin issuers as "financial institutions" under the Bank Secrecy Act, requiring them to establish AML/CFT programs and maintain effective sanctions compliance programs—the first time such compliance programs have been mandated by law. The rule would apply to three qualifying entity types: subsidiaries of insured depository institutions or credit unions, federal-qualified payment stablecoin issuers, and state-qualified issuers.

State AGs Demand Payment Networks Block Unauthorized E-Cigarette Sales

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, leading a coalition of 13 state AGs, sent a letter on April 14, 2026 to Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover requesting immediate action to deny services to merchants selling unauthorized e-cigarette products. The AGs claim illicit e-cigarettes account for over 80% of the U.S. market, generating more than $11 billion in annual retail sales, and allege that companies providing payment services to unlawful e-cigarette sellers may face exposure under the FDCA, PACT Act, FTC Act, and federal anti-money laundering statutes. Financial services providers—including card networks, sponsor banks, acquirers, ISOs, and PSPs—are identified as the next regulatory target following prior AG efforts against e-commerce platforms like Shopify.

SEC Reduces Tender Offer Period to 10 Days

The SEC Division of Corporation Finance issued exemptive relief on April 16, 2026, shortening the minimum tender offer period from 20 business days to 10 business days for equity securities offers meeting specified conditions (cash-only consideration at a fixed price, less than all outstanding securities, no competing tender offers). The relief applies to reporting companies under Regulation 14D or Rule 13e-4 and non-reporting companies under Rule 14e-1. Affected companies should evaluate whether the shortened timeline suits their operational needs and confirm their offer structure complies with the fixed-cash-consideration requirement.

FCA CP26/13 Consults on Cryptoasset Perimeter Guidance

BCLP analyzes FCA Consultation Paper CP26/13, proposing amendments to the Perimeter Guidance Manual (PERG) within the FCA Handbook to clarify the regulatory perimeter for the UK's new cryptoasset regime under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Cryptoassets) Regulations 2026. The consultation seeks feedback by 3 June 2026, with the new regime taking effect 25 October 2027 and the authorisation window running from 30 September 2026 to 28 February 2027. Regulated activities include issuing qualifying stablecoins, safeguarding cryptoassets, operating trading platforms, and arranging qualifying cryptoasset staking.

SRB Response to EC Consultation on EU Banking Sector Competitiveness

The Single Resolution Board (SRB) published its response on April 15, 2026, to the European Commission's targeted consultation on the competitiveness of the EU banking sector. The SRB emphasizes that while the banking union has substantially strengthened the resilience of EU banks, its incomplete nature continues to hinder cross-border integration and efficiency. The SRB calls for progress toward a more integrated European deposit protection framework, a strengthened approach to liquidity in resolution, and improvements to cross-border capital allocation within banking groups.

Act 934 of 2025 Certified, Expanding Law on Intoxicating Hemp-Derived Products

Attorney General Tim Griffin certified Act 934 of 2025, which updates and expands Arkansas's 2023 law banning the sale and distribution of intoxicating hemp-derived products including Delta-8, Delta-9, and THC-O. The 2023 law was initially blocked by an industry-coalition injunction, but the Eighth Circuit reversed that ruling, and the state subsequently obtained a final judgment in its favor. The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration removed over 6,000 illegal products from store shelves and conducted more than 2,800 enforcement visits statewide.

NJ AG Warns Residents About Investment Scams on Meta Platforms

Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the Bureau of Securities issued a consumer alert on April 22, 2026, warning New Jersey residents about fraudulent investment schemes proliferating on Meta platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The alert describes three primary scam types: pump-and-dump stock and crypto schemes, confidence scams with fake investment platforms, and fraudulent cryptocurrency offerings often using deepfake technology and deceptive ads. Victims are directed to report suspected fraud to the Bureau at www.NJSecurities.gov or 1-866-I-INVEST.

FSCS Warns of Scam Red Flags: Cold Calls, URN Requests, Upfront Payment Demands

FSCS published updated scam alert guidance identifying key red flags for financial services customers, including cold calls from non-FSCS numbers (0208..., 0330...), requests for Unique Reference Numbers (URN) or Customer Reference Numbers (CRN), and demands for upfront payments. The latest documented scam from 09 April 2026 involves fraudsters sending emails falsely claiming FSCS protects cryptoassets and charging fees to increase compensation levels. FSCS reiterates it is completely free to make a claim and never communicates via WhatsApp or asks for upfront fees.

USPTO Seeks Comments on Patent Secrecy and Export License Information Collection Through May 22

The USPTO is seeking public comments on the renewal of OMB Control Number 0651-0034 for its Secrecy and License to Export information collection, covering patent secrecy orders and foreign filing license petitions. Comments are due May 22, 2026, providing an additional 30-day comment period following a prior 60-day period. The collection involves approximately 7,318 annual respondents with an estimated 4,207 total annual burden hours. Entities involved in patent applications subject to national security restrictions or foreign filing should review the existing requirements and consider submitting comments.

Christmas Tree Continuance Referendum May 22 to June 2, 2026

AMS will conduct a mail and electronic ballot referendum among eligible domestic producers and importers of Christmas trees from May 22, 2026 through June 2, 2026 to determine whether they favor continuance of the National Christmas Tree Research and Promotion Program. Eligible voters must have produced or imported 500 or more Christmas trees between September 1, 2025 and March 15, 2026. Approximately 1,200 persons are eligible to vote. If a majority favors continuance, USDA will continue the program; if not, USDA will follow suspension and termination procedures.

ZATCA Jeddah Port Seizes 2.9M Captagon Pills Hidden in Shea Butter Shipment

ZATCA at Jeddah Islamic Port successfully seized 2,916,180 Captagon pills concealed within a shipment declared as containing 'Shea Butter.' Following the seizure, ZATCA coordinated with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control, resulting in the arrest of two recipients inside the Kingdom. The Authority emphasized its commitment to tightening customs control over all imports and exports, standing vigilant against smuggling attempts to curb trafficking of prohibited goods.