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.

Gann v. State of Oklahoma - Corp Commission Rate Order Affirmed

The Oklahoma Supreme Court affirmed the Corporation Commission's Final Order (No. 746624) in a public utility rate proceeding involving Public Service Company of Oklahoma. State Representative Tom Gann, appearing pro se, appealed the rate order but the Court held that the issues raised were not first presented to and exhausted before the Corporation Commission. The Court also rejected Gann's collateral attack on three prior unappealed orders entered at least two years ago. The ruling reinforces the exhaustion doctrine requiring ratemaking issues to be presented to the Commission in the first instance.

Toomey v. Family Dollar Stores - Medical Marijuana Workers' Comp Denial Affirmed

Delaware Superior Court affirmed the Industrial Accident Board's denial of Rhonda Toomey's petition seeking workers' compensation coverage for medical marijuana treatment related to a 2004 workplace injury. The court found the Board's decision was supported by substantial evidence and free from legal error. Family Dollar's three board-certified expert witnesses were credited over the claimant's single witness, Dr. Valerie Harrison, D.N.P.

Blackstone v Nextera Energy Transmission - Motion to Dismiss Granted

The Delaware Superior Court granted Nextera Energy Transmission Investments LLC's motion to dismiss in the case brought by Blackstone Power & Natural Resources Holdco L.P. regarding earn-out payments under a 2020 purchase and sale agreement for GridLiance. The court held that Blackstone's claims for declaratory judgment and breach of contract regarding earn-out payments are subject to mandatory alternative dispute resolution through an expert determination process as specified in the parties' agreement. The court found that the PSA's remedy scheme waived the parties' ability to bring such claims in court while making expert determination the exclusive remedy. The case was dismissed without prejudice.

Yourway Transport v. Vincerx Pharma — New Trial Motion Denied, $7.65M Verdict Upheld

The Delaware Superior Court denied Yourway Transport, Inc.'s Motion for a New Trial or Remittitur, upholding a March 5, 2026 jury verdict awarding Vincerx Pharma, Inc. $7,650,000.00 in damages for destroyed cell banks caused by Yourway's breach of their Master Services Agreement. The court rejected arguments that the damages were speculative or against the weight of evidence, noting the jury heard a battle of expert witnesses and that Yourway waived its objection to Dr. Lindell's testimony by failing to object during trial.

State v. Jensen - Postconviction Relief Motion Denied

Nicholas Jensen, indicted in February 2024 on charges including first-degree rape, first-degree sexual abuse of a child, and dangerous crime against a child, entered a guilty plea to second-degree rape via Robinson plea in October 2024 and was sentenced to 25 years incarceration suspended after 15 years. Jensen filed a timely pro se Motion for Postconviction Relief in August 2025, raising three claims: ineffective assistance of counsel, failure to honor the plea agreement, and lack of evidence. The court denied the motion, finding the victim impact statement claim failed for lack of prejudice and the ineffective assistance claims were unsubstantiated conclusory allegations.

Kiss v. Lathrop - Expert Testimony Excluded Under Daubert Standard

The Delaware Superior Court granted Paul Lathrop's Daubert motion, excluding bike expert Sam Davis's testimony in Kiss v. Lathrop. The court found Davis's opinion lacked sufficient factual foundation because neither the clamp bolt nor nut from the bicycle were recovered or inspected, and the sample Davis examined was from a random seat post. Under the rigorous gatekeeping standard clarified in Zantac, the court held that Plaintiff's arguments went to admissibility, not merely weight. The exclusion significantly weakens Plaintiff's negligence and strict product liability claims, which depended on expert opinion to establish causation.

McGregor v. Mesa Jame Corp. - Liability Release Covers Negligence Only

Megan McGregor was injured at Sky Zone trampoline park in Delaware on January 15, 2024, after signing a Participant and Arbitration Agreement, Indemnification, General Release and Assumption (Release) on August 26, 2023. The Delaware Superior Court ruled that the Release bars negligence claims but does not insulate Defendants from claims of gross negligence or recklessness, consistent with prior rulings in Lynam v. Blue Diamond, LLC and Barth v. Blue Diamond, LLC. This holding establishes precedent regarding the enforceability and scope of liability releases in Delaware recreational business settings.

TouchDx Medical Surveillance Patent US12609197B2

USPTO granted patent US12609197B2 to TouchDx for a medical monitoring and surveillance system. The system uses a server communicating with a general-purpose personal device running a downloadable application that configures the device to perform medical tests using built-in sensors and functionality. The application reports test results to the server or a third party, with trigger events initiating associated tasks when predetermined criteria are met.

USPTO Grants VUNO Medical Image Patent

The USPTO granted Patent US12609194B2 to VUNO INC. on April 21, 2026. The patent covers a medical image processing method using pre-trained deep learning models to detect regions of interest and generate contour-based format information. The patent contains 20 claims and is classified under CPC G16H 30/40 and G16H 50/20.

USPTO Grants Patent US12609187B2 for Clinical Budget Data Transformation

USPTO granted patent US12609187B2 to Annex IP, LLC on April 21, 2026 for a computer-implemented method of reconciling clinical trial budgets. The system receives procedural items from sponsor budget, Medicare Coverage Analysis, and site charge master sources; normalizes text and generates vector embeddings; constructs approximate nearest-neighbor indices; retrieves candidates by cosine similarity; computes composite match scores combining code equality, textual similarity, numeric price proximity, and billing consistency; selects one-to-one matches via maximum-weight bipartite matching; aligns to Medicare Coverage Analysis items with code-family gating; and writes per-item audit records through an API. The patent contains 20 claims and is classified under CPC G16H 10/20.

ATOS PUBLIC SAFETY LLC Health Record Patent US12609188B2 Granted

USPTO granted patent US12609188B2 to ATOS PUBLIC SAFETY LLC on April 21, 2026, covering a method for providing health record data. The patent describes generating victim datasets, matching them with private information at predefined probability thresholds, aggregating activity information from multiple databases, and selecting best-matching aggregated information for data retrieval. The patent contains 11 claims and was filed on May 17, 2023.

US12609189B2 Care Plan Recommendation System with GPT Wound Analysis

The USPTO granted Patent US12609189B2 to Industrial Technology Research Institute on April 21, 2026, covering a care plan recommendation method and system that uses GPT to analyze wound images and generate dressing usage results and care instructions. The patent claims 12 items across multiple CPC classifications in health informatics.

Cardiac Arrest Resuscitation Patent, US12609190B2

The USPTO granted patent US12609190B2 on April 21, 2026 to inventors Tamara Aliza Freeman and Michelle Alyssa Freeman. The patent covers cardiac arrest resuscitation methods and equipment including a manual or automatic Pocket Crash Cart that attaches to patients via IV or OS for quick emergency medication administration. The patent also covers software for mirroring defibrillator and AED displays and transmitting patient information to medical professionals via internet for expert advice in hard-to-reach locations.

US12609192B2 - Direct Supply Inc. - Automated Dietary Management in Healthcare Facilities

The USPTO granted Patent US12609192B2 to Direct Supply, Inc. on April 21, 2026. The patent covers systems, methods, and media for automated dietary management in healthcare facilities. The application (No. 18899885) was filed on September 27, 2024, and the patent contains 18 claims.

Medical Imaging Device Spectral Analysis Assessment System

The USPTO granted patent US12609195B2 to KARL STORZ SE & Co. KG for a medical imaging device system capable of spatial and spectral image analysis for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. The patent, with 15 claims, was filed on 2023-02-20 under application number 18839946. This grant confers enforceable intellectual property rights to the assignee in the United States.

CDW LLC AI Patient Intake Patent, Apr 21

USPTO granted Patent US12609196B2 to CDW LLC on April 21, 2026. The patent covers AI-based technologies for improving patient intake, including NLP processing of verbal patient responses, care plan generation, and routing to recipient entities. The application was filed December 5, 2024 with 17 claims.

ZIPHYCARE Medical Diagnostic Kit, Cable Management, Multi-Port Hubs

The USPTO granted Patent US12609198B2 to ZIPHYCARE INC covering a medical diagnostic kit (MDK) with universal cable storage compartments, switchable multi-port hubs, and integrated diagnostic computer capabilities. The patent includes 25 claims and classifies under health informatics (G16H) and medical device (A61B) categories. The invention facilitates remote real-time medical examinations through configurable cable management and media conference connectivity.

DEEPX Neural Processor Predicts Cardiovascular Disease Using AI

USPTO granted Patent US12609200B2 to DEEPX CO., LTD. for a neural processing unit that implements an artificial neural network model to predict cardiovascular disease onset. The ANN model processes sensing data from ECG, respiration, pulse rate, acceleration, and body temperature to output probabilities for cerebral infarction, heart failure, and ischemic heart disease.

Data Processing Method for Exercise Energy Calculation

USPTO granted Patent US12609191B2 to Beijing Zitiao Network Technology Co., Ltd. on April 21, 2026, covering a data processing method for calculating exercise energy consumption. The patent discloses acquiring exercise data from a user's head, hands, and legs along with user-set physical parameters, then processing them through a pre-trained energy determination model. The patent contains 17 claims and names 8 inventors including Li Li, Matthew Boring, Dongpo Li, Yun Liao, Runchen Zhao, Tianjia Sun, Guanqun Zhang, and Can Jin.

FDA Crystallography Toolbox, Small Molecule Structure Determination

The FDA published a Crystallography Toolbox document on Regulations.gov to support small molecule structure determination in pharmaceutical research and development. The document, filed as FDA-2026-P-4112-0049, provides technical resources for analytical chemistry applications. Access to the full content is restricted due to copyright limitations.

GE 2024 Financial Exhibit, FDA Regulatory Document, Restricted

A financial exhibit for 2024 filed by GE with the FDA, catalogued on regulations.gov under docket FDA-2026-P-4112-0081. The substantive content of the exhibit is not publicly available as it is restricted due to copyright.

Zyloprim Approval Package Background Material

FDA published the background material for the Zyloprim (allopurinol) approval package. Zyloprim is a xanthine oxidase inhibitor used to treat gout and conditions involving elevated uric acid. The document is available for download from Regulations.gov as FDA-2026-P-4112-0070.

Bristol-Myers Squibb FDA Response to Thomas Hayes M.D

Bristol-Myers Squibb submitted a response to FDA on regulations.gov regarding Thomas Hayes M.D. The document is accessible via a PDF download link. No substantive content text is visible in the source.

VEMLIDY Exclusivity Summary

FDA posted an exclusivity summary for VEMLIDY (tenofovir alafenamide), a hepatitis B treatment marketed by Gilead Sciences. The document was filed to the regulatory docket on April 21 and is accessible via regulations.gov. The posted content consists of a download link to the PDF; no substantive exclusivity determination text is visible in the source.

Kuballa NMR Spectroscopy Transitions to Multi-Analysis Method

FDA filed a response to a petition from Kuballa regarding NMR spectroscopy methodology transitioning to a multi-analysis method. The document, filed under docket FDA-2026-P-4112, is available as a downloadable PDF attachment. No compliance obligations, deadlines, or penalties are stated in the available source content.

USAN Council Issues Statement on Aliskiren Fumarate Naming

The United States Adopted Names (USAN) Council issued a statement assigning the official non-proprietary name 'aliskiren fumarate' for the drug compound. This designation provides the standardized USAN name that pharmaceutical manufacturers must use in labeling, applications, and communications. The statement was filed with the FDA as document FDA-2026-P-4112.

FDA Exhibit 58 Background Material Apr 21

FDA filed Exhibit 58 as background material in administrative docket FDA-2026-P-4112. The exhibit supports the administrative record with supplementary documentation. No substantive obligations, deadlines, or enforcement actions are described in the available content.

Novothyrox Prescribing Information From May 2002

FDA received a filing containing historical prescribing information for Novothyrox (a thyroid medication) originally dated May 2002. The document is available as a PDF attachment via regulations.gov. No new regulatory requirements, compliance obligations, or enforcement actions are described.

USAN Council Adopts TAM Nonproprietary Name

The USAN Council, operating in cooperation with the FDA, has adopted the nonproprietary name 'TAM' for a substance. The adopted name has been filed with the FDA as a public notice. This naming action establishes the official United States Adopted Name for the substance, which will serve as its standard nonproprietary designation in pharmaceutical and medical contexts.

Orange Book 46th Edition

The FDA has published the 46th edition of the Orange Book (Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations). The Orange Book is the authoritative FDA reference listing approved prescription drug products, including patent and exclusivity information used by generic drug manufacturers, pharmacy benefit managers, and healthcare payers to assess therapeutic equivalence.

FDA Closes Complaint on Potential Regulatory Violation

FDA's Center for Tobacco Products filed complaint FDA-2026-H-4016 alleging a potential regulatory violation. The complaint was closed on April 21, 2026, with no further visible action taken. The document listing on regulations.gov contains no downloadable attachments or enforcement details.

CITT Initiates Preliminary Injury Inquiry on Steel Racks from China

The Canadian International Trade Tribunal initiated Preliminary Injury Inquiry PI-2026-002 on April 21, 2026, following a complaint by five Canadian steel rack manufacturers (Arpac Storage Systems Corporation, Etalex Inc., Industries Cresswell Inc., The Econo-Rack Group (2015) Inc., and North American Steel Equipment Inc.) alleging injury from the dumping and subsidizing of certain steel racks from China. The inquiry, conducted under the Special Import Measures Act, follows the CBSA's initiation of dumping and subsidizing investigations. The Tribunal will determine by June 18, 2026 whether there is a reasonable indication of injury or threat of injury; if so, CBSA will issue preliminary determinations by July 17, 2026, potentially resulting in anti-dumping or countervailing duties.

Commissioner Miller Praises DOJ Antitrust Probe Into Major Meatpackers

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has publicly praised the U.S. Department of Justice for opening an antitrust investigation into major meatpackers. The Texas Department of Agriculture issued this statement to express support for federal antitrust enforcement targeting the meatpacking industry. This is an informational press release and does not itself create compliance obligations.

Anna Nordstrom Reflects on 30 Years in FX Markets

Anna Nordstrom, Head of the Markets Group at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, delivered a retrospective speech on 30 years of foreign exchange market evolution at the Norges Bank 2026 Markets Conference in Oslo, Norway. Drawing on her career at the Riksbank, European Central Bank, and New York Fed, Nordstrom traced the shift from voice trading to electronification, highlighting new participants such as high-frequency traders and non-bank market makers. She noted that deep, resilient liquidity remains the FX market's hallmark characteristic despite structural changes, and described the 2017 launch of the FX Global Code as a major professional accomplishment.

Minnesota Launches Candidate Resources, Filing Opens May 19

Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon announced new candidate resources four weeks before the filing period opens May 19, 2026, including updated webpages on mnvotes.gov, four versions of candidate affidavits, and the 2026 Campaign Manual. New laws require state and local candidates to show a photo ID and proof of residence when filing affidavits, with federal candidates and certain judicial/county offices exempt under Section 204B.06 MN Statutes. The filing period closes June 2, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.

Hasib Howlader Regulatory Penalty £6,000

On 11 December 2025 a Regulatory Penalty was made against Mr Hasib Howlader of London, United Kingdom. The Insolvency Licensing Committee imposed a penalty of £6,000 for his failure to comply with the principles of a Statement of Insolvency Practice (SIP), the Insolvency Act and associated rules and regulations. The specific breach involved failing to promptly deal with pension obligations across nine cases. The penalty applies to insolvency practitioners authorised in England, Scotland and Wales.

Appeals Panel Upholds Withdrawal of Patricia Marsh Insolvency Practitioner Licence

On 22 December 2025, the Appeals Panel of the Insolvency Service affirmed the decision of the Regulation and Conduct Committee to withdraw Ms Marsh's licence to act as an insolvency practitioner, but suspended the effect of that withdrawal on a non-extendable basis until 30 June 2026. The suspension is conditional: Ms Marsh must take no new appointments, submit monthly progress and closing reports to her IPA within 5 business days, pay licence renewal fees within 28 days, and use her best endeavours to appoint a joint officeholder for her open cases. The original decision to withdraw was notified to Ms Marsh on 28 August 2025. This enforcement action affects insolvency practitioners holding licences from UK-recognised insolvency practitioners associations (IPAs), particularly those subject to regulatory proceedings before the Regulation and Conduct Committee.

SB652 New Hampshire Tax Credit Bill Passes

NH SB652, sponsored by Sen. Timothy Lang, has passed both chambers and been enrolled. The bill modifies the maximum award of tax credits available for overpayment of due taxes. The Senate passed the bill on February 26, 2026, and the House adopted the Ought to Pass motion on April 9, 2026, by voice vote. The bill was referred to the Ways and Means Committee in both chambers and was placed on the Consent Calendar in both the Senate (5-0 vote) and House (19-0 vote).

International Reserves at USD128.8B, 4.7 Months Import Cover

Bank Negara Malaysia reported international reserves of USD128.8 billion as at 15 April 2026. The reserves position is sufficient to finance 4.7 months of imports of goods and services and represents 0.9 times the total short-term external debt. This is a routine statistical release providing the market with the central bank's reserve position data.

H.R. 5366 Doug LaMalfa Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act Deficit Estimate $408M

The Congressional Budget Office estimates H.R. 5366, the Doug LaMalfa Federal Disaster Tax Relief Certainty Act, would increase the federal deficit by $408 million over the 2026-2031 period. The cost estimate was published on April 21, 2026, as reported by the House Committee on Ways and Means on April 9, 2026. This is a procedural budget estimate for a bill that has not yet been enacted into law.

H.R. 7675, Securing Partner Supply Chains Act, $39M Cost Estimate

The Congressional Budget Office has published a $39 million cost estimate for H.R. 7675, the Securing Partner Supply Chains Act. The estimate was ordered reported by the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on March 26, 2026, and the CBO published its estimate on April 21, 2026. This document provides budgetary analysis to inform congressional consideration of the legislation.