Draft Apprenticeship Funding Rules, England, 2026 to 2027

The Department for Work and Pensions has published draft apprenticeship funding rules for England covering the 2026 to 2027 academic year (1 August 2026 to 31 July 2027). The draft rules apply to employers, employer-providers, and main providers, and include a summary of changes explaining specific rules that will change from 1 August 2026. Feedback is requested by Wednesday 6 May 2026 via email, with an updated version to be published in May 2026.

PIP Digital Self-Serve Application Route Evaluation Findings

The DWP published evaluation findings on the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Digital Self-Serve (DSS) application route on 26 March 2026 (updated 22 April 2026). The report covers impact and process evaluation findings across the full PIP customer journey from initial registration through to appeal stage, using administrative data analysis and qualitative research with customers and DWP staff including Healthcare Professionals and Case Managers. The research forms part of the Health Transformation Programme evaluation.

CBI Iraq Information Security Department Holds GRC Workshop

The Central Bank of Iraq's Information Security Department held a workshop on Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) covering the role of governance in institutional decision-making, cybersecurity and information security risk management frameworks, and the importance of compliance with applicable regulations and legislation. The workshop was conducted on 22 April 2026 and targeted awareness of GRC as a foundational pillar of effective institutional operations within the Iraqi financial sector.

Islamic Deposit Certificate Auction Results (ICD813, ICD165, ICD614)

The Central Bank of Iraq published auction results for Islamic Deposit Certificates under auction IDs ICD813, ICD165, and ICD614 covering tenors of 7, 14, and 182 days respectively. A PDF attachment provides detailed auction information for these Islamic deposit instruments. The announcement appears as a routine monetary policy communication from CBI Iraq.

Islamic Deposit Certificates and Central Bank Transfers Auction

The Central Bank of Iraq announces two separate auctions for execution on April 26, 2026: Islamic Deposit Certificates auction ICD166 (14-day term) for Islamic banks, and Central Bank Transfers auction B349 (14-day term) for traditional banks. Investment sizing for both auctions is based on 50% of private sector deposits as of April 9, 2026, submitted via the BSRS system during April 12–14, 2026. The CBI mandates exclusion of current account balances from the private deposit calculation base, with both auctions published through the Central Securities Depository (CSD) system.

March 2026 Taipei FX Market $10.1T Trading Volume

CBC Taiwan published March 2026 Taipei foreign exchange market statistics showing total net trading volume of US$10,110.8 billion across designated banks and offshore banking units, with average daily volume of US$45.96 billion. Trading breakdown by counterparty, currency pair, and transaction type is provided, with swap transactions comprising 52.3% of volume (US$5,287.0 billion) and direct trading accounting for 65.7% (US$6,642.8 billion). USD/TWD was the largest currency pair at 41.4% (US$4,186.4 billion), followed by USD/CNY at 14.0%.

March 2026 Weighted Average Interest Rates on New Loans from Five Major Banks in Taiwan

Taiwan's Central Bank released March 2026 weighted average interest rate data for new loans from the five major domestic banks (Taiwan Bank, Taiwan Cooperative Bank, First Bank, Hua Nan Bank, and Land Bank of Taiwan). The weighted average rate was 2.105%, up 0.019 percentage points from February's 2.086%, driven by an increase in working capital loan rates. Excluding Treasury borrowings, the rate was 2.142%, down 0.047 percentage points from February's 2.189%.

Virtual Ethics Meeting, April 23, 3:30 p.m.

The Wisconsin Ethics Commission will hold a virtual open session meeting on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. The meeting will proceed from open session directly into closed session under Wis. Stat. § 19.85(1)(c), (g), (h) and § 19.851 for consideration of complaints, investigations, employment matters, legal counsel consultations, and confidential advisory opinion requests. Members of the public may attend the brief open session via Microsoft Teams or by phone before being excused.

Signs Bill Lifting Nuclear Moratorium, Creates Nuclear Task Force

Governor Mikie Sherrill signed legislation S3870/A4528 to lift New Jersey's de facto moratorium on new nuclear power plant construction, removing a permitting hurdle created by the Coastal Area Facility Review Act (CAFRA). The law allows the DEP Commissioner to approve permits based on safe, NRC-compliant waste storage methods, which have a 100 percent effective safety record in the U.S. Concurrently, the newly established Nuclear Task Force, created under Executive Order 2, will organize its work across five focus areas: Financing, Supply Chains and Technology Development, Workforce Growth and Training, Regulatory and Permitting Framework, and Public Trust and Confidence.

NJ DEP Adds Shark River Basin and Lower Passaic River Regions to Resilient NJ Flood Program

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection announced the addition of two new regions — the Shark River Basin in Monmouth County and the Lower Passaic River in Essex County — to its Resilient NJ flood resilience planning program. The expansion brings the total number of participating regions to six, with the program now working with 87 municipalities across coastal and inland areas. NJ DEP is also accepting applications for up to four additional planning regions, with grants of up to $300,000 each available to selected regional teams.

NJ DEP Awards $14.8M in Natural Climate Solutions Grants for Flood Protection

NJ DEP announced $14.8 million in grants through its Natural Climate Solutions Grant Program for three flood protection projects in Cape May, Cumberland, and Ocean counties, NJ. Recipients include the Barnegat Bay Partnership ($4.8M), American Littoral Society ($5M), and Ocean City ($5M), each focused on restoring coastal ecosystems such as salt marshes to provide natural storm-surge and flood protection.

Public Adjuster Arrested for Stealing $703k from 13 Homeowners After Hurricane Ian

Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia announced the arrest of public insurance adjuster Francisco Javier Chaparro-Araus on March 30, 2026, after an alleged theft of over $703,000 in Hurricane Ian claim funds. Investigators from the Department of Financial Services Criminal Investigations Division allege that Chaparro-Araus forged victims' signatures, concealed insurance settlement checks from 13 homeowners, and deposited funds into his business account. Prosecution falls under the jurisdiction of the Broward County State Attorney's Office, and Chaparro-Araus faces charges including organized fraud and financial exploitation of an elderly person.

Media Briefing Schedule for Execution of Chadwick Willacy

The Florida Department of Corrections announced a media briefing schedule for the execution of inmate Chadwick Willacy on April 21, 2026, with briefings scheduled for 3:30 p.m. and immediately following the 6 p.m. execution at Florida State Prison in Raiford. The execution was subsequently confirmed as carried out at 6:15 PM EST. Media were directed to a staging area across from the prison for updates.

SR 400 Express Lanes Breaks Ground in Alpharetta, Georgia

The Georgia Department of Transportation announced the groundbreaking ceremony for the SR 400 Express Lanes project in Alpharetta, Georgia. This infrastructure project represents a significant investment in regional transportation capacity. The document serves as a project announcement and public information release.

Georgia DOT District 3 October 2025 Letting, Six Projects Awarded

Georgia DOT District 3 completed its October 2025 letting, awarding contracts for six infrastructure projects. The announcement, distributed via the GA DOT Network newsletter, lists the project awards made through the competitive bidding process. No specific project descriptions, contract values, or awarded contractor names are visible in the available content. This is a routine procurement announcement for state highway and road improvement projects in Georgia's District 3 area.

Cherokee County Highway 20 Widening Contract Awarded

The Georgia Department of Transportation has announced the award of a contract for the next phase of Highway 20 widening in Cherokee County. The announcement, distributed via the GA DOT Network newsletter, provides notification of the procurement decision. No compliance deadlines, penalties, or new regulatory obligations are associated with this contract award notice.

Railroad Crews to Work SR 27/90, May 17-21

GA DOT announces that railroad crews will be working on SR 27/90 in Dooly County, Georgia, during the week of May 17-21, 2026. The announcement is brief and does not provide specifics on the nature or scope of the railroad work to be performed.

I-285 Westside Rebuild Community Meeting, 23rd Apr

The Georgia Department of Transportation has issued a community meeting invitation for the I-285 Westside Rebuild Project in Fulton County. The meeting is scheduled for April 23rd and appears designed to gather public input on the highway reconstruction initiative. No compliance obligations, deadlines, or penalties are associated with this invitation.

Shapiro Administration Announces Pennsylvania Auto Insurance Rates Dropping After Years of Increases

The Shapiro Administration announced on April 22, 2026, that average auto insurance rates in Pennsylvania are dropping after years of increases, contributing to household cost savings for state residents. The Pennsylvania Insurance Department published the announcement as part of its ongoing consumer-focused communications. The rate stabilization represents a reversal of multi-year premium increases for Pennsylvania auto insurance policyholders.

Peak Airway Pressure and Respiratory Mechanics During PRVC Ventilation in Laparoscopic Surgery

NIH has registered an observational clinical trial (NCT07543939) titled 'Peak Airway Pressure and Respiratory Mechanics During PRVC Ventilation in Laparoscopic Surgery,' last updated on April 22, 2026. The study will evaluate peak airway pressure, dynamic compliance, and other ventilatory parameters across different intraoperative phases in patients undergoing elective laparoscopic abdominal surgery under pneumoperitoneum. Findings are intended to guide ventilatory strategy optimization and reduce ventilator-associated complications in this surgical population.

KN057 Prophylaxis Phase 3 Haemophilia A or B Study

The NIH ClinicalTrials.gov registry published a record for NCT07545395, a Phase 3 open-label multicenter clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of long-term prophylactic treatment with KN057 in patients with Haemophilia A or B, with or without inhibitors. The trial includes a pharmacokinetic assessment comparing old and new manufacturing processes for KN057, with participants in Part PK randomized 1:1 between old and new process groups for 26 weeks each, and Part non-PK participants treated with new process KN057 for 52 weeks. Participants may be drawn from prior KN057-A-301 or KN057-A-302 studies.

Becotatug Vedotin Plus Pucotenlimab Phase 2 Trial for Locally Advanced Oral and Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

A Phase 2 clinical trial (NCT07545083) has been registered to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Becotatug Vedotin in combination with Pucotenlimab as neoadjuvant therapy for patients with locally advanced oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. The trial, listed under the intervention MRG003+Pucotenlimab, was registered with an April 22, 2026 status. Clinical investigators and oncology researchers may use this registry entry to identify ongoing studies in this therapeutic area.

Phase 4 Study Compares Topical Cream vs Injection for IUD Pain

A Phase 4 clinical trial (NCT07546370) registered on ClinicalTrials.gov compares topical prilocaine-lidocaine cream versus lidocaine injection for pain management during intrauterine device insertion. The study will enroll approximately 120 participants who will receive acetaminophen and naproxen as pre-medication, followed by either the topical cream or injectable lidocaine during the procedure. Participants will complete surveys on past medical history, anxiety, and pain outcomes. The trial aims to evaluate safety and efficacy of both analgesic approaches.

Effect of Non-pharmacological Intervention on Endothelial Function, Body Composition, and Physical Functionality in Recovered COVID-19 Patients

The NIH registered clinical trial NCT07544186, a randomized controlled study evaluating the effect of nutritional therapy combined with L-citrulline supplementation and pulmonary rehabilitation on endothelial function, body composition, and physical capacity in recovered COVID-19 patients. The intervention group receives 4g daily L-citrulline for 3 months plus pulmonary rehabilitation, compared against a control group receiving conventional treatment and pulmonary rehabilitation alone. The study includes an interim review session at 1.5 months and requires subjects to maintain supplement intake records.

Observational Study of Unapproved/Uncleared Medical Device - NCT07544329

NCT07544329 is an observational clinical trial registered on ClinicalTrials.gov for a medical device that has not received approval or clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The study was registered on April 22, 2026, and is categorized as observational in design, meaning participants are observed without an investigational device being administered. This registry entry provides public transparency into ongoing research involving unapproved medical devices but does not constitute regulatory approval or authorization.

Observational Study of Lunar and Mars Habitat Systems Registered NCT07546461

NIH registered observational study NCT07546461 on ClinicalTrials.gov, evaluating operational, environmental, and habitation-system requirements for sustained human presence on the lunar surface, performance of the Lunar Gateway as a transit and staging architecture, and acceleration pathways for Martian surface habitation. The protocol examines habitat resilience, radiation exposure modeling, life-support continuity, EVA logistics, behavioral health in isolated environments, and systems-engineering workflows across lunar, transit, and Mars-analog environments. Special emphasis is placed on identification, extraction, processing, and utilization of lunar water-ice deposits as a critical resource for life-support, radiation shielding, and in-situ propellant production.

SII Correlates 30-Day Mortality in Postop ICU Patients

A new observational clinical study registered on ClinicalTrials.gov is investigating whether the Systemic Immuno-Inflammation Index (SII), calculated from neutrophil, lymphocyte, and platelet counts at ICU admission, correlates with 30-day mortality in postoperative adult ICU patients. The study focuses on geriatric anesthesia patients and will analyze the prognostic value of SII as a non-invasive biomarker. This registry entry documents the study's objectives and methodology rather than a regulatory action or clinical outcome.

Mediterranean Diet Study, Type 1 Diabetes, Oxidative Stress

ClinicalTrials.gov registered a new observational/interventional study (NCT07544368) examining the effect of a 12-week Mediterranean diet on oxidative stress markers in girls aged 10-18 years with type 1 diabetes who do not meet the metabolic target (HbA1c > 7%). The study is planned between March 2026 and March 2027 and will be conducted at the Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University. Participants in the intervention group will receive Mediterranean diet adherence guidance and monitoring over the 12-week period.

NCT07545200: Masseter Botox Study in Bruxism

A prospective pilot study registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT07545200) evaluates short-term clinical and ultrasonographic changes in the masseter muscle following botulinum toxin injection in patients with bruxism. The study uses Visual Analog Scale for pain evaluation and measures masseter muscle thickness and texture via fractal dimension and histogram parameters at baseline, 14 days, and 90 days post-treatment. Conditions include bruxism, myofascial pain, and masseter muscle hypertrophy, with botulinum toxin type A as the intervention.

UK Seafood Exports Get £1.5M Annual Boost

The UK government announced a £1.5 million annual boost to the Seafood Exports Package, funded through the Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund. Minister for Fisheries Dame Angela Eagle unveiled the package at Seafood Expo Global in Barcelona, the world's largest seafood trade event. The funding will provide practical support including expert advice on market access, export requirements, and buyer connections to help established exporters expand into new markets and give smaller firms confidence to begin exporting. The government is also working with industry to maximise the SPS agreement benefits, which will further support trade with the EU, the UK's largest seafood export market.

Precision Bred Oilseed Rape Release, England, 3rd May

DEFRA has published a notice of intention to release a precision bred oilseed rape plant in England under schedule 1 of the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Regulations 2025. The release is scheduled to occur on or after 3 May 2026, with reference number PBR/26/003. For further information, interested parties may contact the DEFRA precision breeding team at pb-regulation@defra.gov.uk.

Amendments to Chapter 8 Disciplinary Rules

Cboe EDGX Exchange, Inc. filed a proposed rule change with the SEC on March 2, 2026, to amend Chapter 8 of its Rulebook governing investigative and disciplinary matters. The Exchange proposes to harmonize its disciplinary rules with its affiliate exchanges (Cboe Exchange and Cboe C2 Exchange) by adopting new roles for the Business Conduct Committee, aligning hearing processes and timeliness requirements, removing Rule 8.14 (Agency Review) and Rule 8.18 (Release of Disciplinary Complaints), and adding a new rule regarding CRD reporting. The proposed changes affect Exchange Members and associated persons and are intended to create consistent disciplinary standards across the Cboe affiliated exchanges.

State Legislatures Consider AI Oversight in Health Insurance Decisions

This JD Supra article surveys proposed and enacted state legislation from the first quarter of 2026 governing health insurers' use of AI in prior authorization and utilization review. Indiana House Bill 1271 (enacted March 4, 2026) and Alabama Senate Bill 63 (enacted April 17, 2026) represent the only enacted measures among the states profiled; Pennsylvania House Bill 1925 and Senate Bill 1113, New Hampshire House Bill 1406, Oklahoma House Bill 3675, and Louisiana Senate Bill 246 remain pending. The proposed and enacted bills share common requirements: AI may not serve as the sole decision-maker for adverse determinations, licensed healthcare providers must exercise independent clinical judgment, and insurers must disclose AI use to providers, members, and state insurance departments.

2026 CAA Imposes PBM Transparency and Rebate Pass-Through Requirements

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026 (enacted February 3, 2026) formally designates pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) as "covered service providers" under ERISA, subjecting them to new reporting and transparency requirements. PBMs must provide detailed drug-level reports to large group health plans (100+ participants) and summary documents to all group health plans, at least every six months. The law mandates that PBMs pass through 100% of rebates, fees, alternative discounts, and other drug-related remuneration to plans or health insurers, with quarterly remittance required no later than 90 days after quarter close. Compliance with reporting requirements begins for plan years after August 3, 2028 (January 1, 2029 for calendar-year plans), while the rebate pass-through applies to contracts entered or renewed on or after that date.

States Lead Healthcare AI Regulation, Federal Framework Pending

More than 250 AI-related healthcare bills were introduced in state legislatures in 2025, addressing patient disclosure, bias and discrimination, clinician accountability, insurer AI restrictions, and scope-of-practice guardrails. The Trump Administration released a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence on March 20, 2026, proposing federal preemption of state AI rules, though executive orders lack the legal force needed to preempt state statutes. HHS agencies including FDA, CMS, CDC, and NIST are advancing AI policy through guidance, pilots, and voluntary standards rather than new federal rulemaking.

Garden of Choices: Triptych About Dutch Earning Potential

On 22 April 2026, DNB Executive Director Olaf Sleijpen delivered a speech at the Jeroen Bosch Summit in Den Bosch, using Hieronymus Bosch's Garden of Earthly Delights as a metaphorical framework to analyze Dutch earning potential. The speech presented a triptych structure: a stable starting point on the left panel, turbulent economic challenges in the center panel, and solutions for sustaining prosperity and a healthy business climate in the Netherlands and Europe on the right panel.

CSSF Revises UCITS Annex Document Version 3.2 for Article 17 Notifications

The CSSF has published Version 3.2 of its Annex to the notification letter under Article 17 of Directive 2009/65/EC (UCITSD), updating the previous version. The document is a standardized form (DOCX format, 115.3Kb) for management companies to use when submitting cross-border notifications. This update supersedes the prior version of the annex document and is relevant to investment fund managers operating under Chapter 15 of Luxembourg's regulatory framework.

IFM Guidelines on Cross-Border Management Notification and De-Notification Procedures

The CSSF has published guidelines on cross-border management notification and de-notification procedures applicable to Luxembourg investment fund managers. The guidance is addressed to alternative investment fund managers and management companies operating under Chapter 15 of Luxembourg law. A PDF user guide (744.15Kb) accompanies the publication to support practical implementation of the new procedures.

MiFID Annex Notification Letter Under UCITS AIFMD Articles

CSSF Luxembourg published a MiFID annex template for use in cross-border management notification letters under UCITS Directive Articles 17/18 and/or AIFMD Article 33. The form, effective 22 April 2026, is relevant for alternative investment fund managers and management companies subject to Chapter 15 requirements under Luxembourg's investment fund regulatory framework.

AIFMD Article 33 Notification Letter Requirements Version 3.2

The CSSF published version 3.2 of the Annex to the notification letter under Article 33 of Directive 2011/61/EU (AIFMD), updating the procedural requirements for alternative investment fund managers notifying the Luxembourg regulator. The document, available as a downloadable DOCX template, applies to AIFMs using the Luxembourg regulatory framework for cross-border notifications. The updated version supersedes prior iterations of the Annex.

Clear Path Energy Advisors LLC Application for Licensure

Clear Path Energy Advisors LLC filed an application for licensure as an Agent, Broker, and Consultant under Section 16-115C of the Illinois Public Utilities Act. The application was filed on April 22, 2026 under docket P2026-0361 and is currently pending administrative law judge action. The filing is categorized under the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity/Good Standing/Service Authority case type.

Stipulated Agreement, Railroad Safety, Wyckles Road Crossing

The Illinois Commerce Commission filed a stipulated agreement on April 21, 2026, among Macon County Highway Department, Illinois Central Railroad Company, and the State of Illinois, Department of Transportation, to improve public safety at the Wyckles Road highway-rail grade crossing near Warrensburg, Macon County, Illinois. The crossing is designated as AAR/DOT #292834K, railroad milepost 70.60-B. The agreement is currently in initial status and pending completion.

Market Risk Prudential Requirements FRTB Consultation

The European Commission has launched a public consultation on a draft delegated act implementing the Fundamental Review of the Trading Book (FRTB) market risk capital requirements for EU banks. The FRTB, part of the global Basel III framework from the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, introduces more advanced risk-measurement methods to better align capital requirements with actual trading risks. With all other Basel III requirements having applied since January 1, 2025, the FRTB is targeted for January 1, 2027 implementation. The proposed amendments aim to offset the negative capital impact for EU banks for three years to support a level playing field internationally.

Policy Statement: Reconsideration of Decisions for Priority Review Status and AC-NOC/c

Health Canada announces a policy change effective April 22, 2026, eliminating the reconsideration pathway for rejected Priority Review Requests and rejected Requests for Advance Consideration under the Notice of Compliance with Conditions (AC-NOC/c) Policy. Requests for priority review status or AC-NOC/c submitted before April 22, 2026, that are rejected will still be eligible for reconsideration. Sponsors dissatisfied with a decision may file a second request with new information 60 days after the original request date.

State v. Elizabeth A. Erickson Criminal Case Opinion

Wisconsin Court of Appeals released a criminal case opinion styled State v. Elizabeth A. Erickson, Case No. 2025AP001150-CR, on April 22, 2026. The opinion originates from District 2 and was filed in Fond du Lac County. The PDF document is available for download through the court's electronic opinions system.

State v. Jacquelyn R. Harris

The Wisconsin Court of Appeals released its opinion in State v. Jacquelyn R. Harris, case number 2025AP000489-CR, on April 22, 2026. The case was decided in District 2, Ozaukee County. The opinion is available in PDF format through the court's electronic opinions system.

Port Washington State Bank v. Roxanne D. Hendon

The Wisconsin Court of Appeals published opinion 2025AP002276 in the matter of Port Washington State Bank, a Wisconsin Banking Corporation v. Roxanne D. Hendon. The opinion was released on April 22, 2026, in District 2, Ozaukee County. Electronic opinions are made available in PDF format.

Zorina K. Reed v. Sentry Select Insurance Company, Civil Case

The Wisconsin Court of Appeals released an opinion in Zorina K. Reed v. Sentry Select Insurance Company (Case No. 2024AP002132) on April 22, 2026. The case originates from Kenosha County, District 2. The opinion is available in PDF format and is subject to further editing and modification before publication in the official reports.

Domestic Violence Conviction Affirmed, Sufficiency of Evidence

The Ohio Court of Appeals, Ninth Judicial District, affirmed Clifford Atkinson's domestic violence conviction under Akron City Code 135.16(A), rejecting his sufficiency of evidence challenge. The court found sufficient evidence that Atkinson knowingly caused physical harm to L.H., who qualified as a "family or household member" under the cohabitation standard, and that the evidence allowed the jury to reasonably conclude the essential elements of domestic violence were proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Atkinson was sentenced to 180 days in jail with 164 days suspended, 6 months probation including anger management, and ordered to have no contact with L.H.

State v. Mounts - Murder Conviction Reversed for Ineffective Counsel

The Ohio Court of Appeals, First Appellate District, reversed the trial court's murder conviction of Joshua Mounts (Appeal No. C-210608) and remanded for a new trial after finding both trial and appellate counsel provided ineffective assistance. Trial counsel failed to object to undisclosed expert testimony under Crim.R. 16(K) and to improper prosecutorial comments during closing argument; appellate counsel then failed to raise those trial errors on direct appeal. The court vacated its prior judgment in State v. Mounts, 2023-Ohio-3861.