Scam Alert: Chong Hing Bank and Chiyu Banking Fraudulent Websites

The HKMA issued fraud alerts on 30 March 2026 warning the public about fraudulent websites and internet banking login screens associated with Chong Hing Bank Limited and Chiyu Banking Corporation Limited. Affected customers who have provided personal information or conducted financial transactions through these scams should contact their respective banks and report the matter to the Hong Kong Police Force Crime Wing Information Centre at 2860 5012. The HKMA clarified that legitimate banks do not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks directing customers to carry out transactions, nor do they request sensitive information such as login passwords or one-time passwords by phone, email, or SMS.

Simmons v. Dove - Election Residency Challenge

The Maryland Supreme Court reversed the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County's dismissal of Gary Simmons's petition challenging John Calvin Dove Jr.'s candidacy for State Delegate from Legislative District 12B. The Court ruled that Simmons's petition under §§ 5-305 and 12-202 was not premature, despite Dove's argument that the six-month residency deadline under Article III, § 9 of the Maryland Constitution had not yet arrived. The judgment is reversed and remanded to the circuit court to hold an evidentiary hearing on the merits of the residency challenge.

Post-Pandemic Inflation Differences Across Advanced Economies

This FEDS Notes research analyzes whether post-pandemic inflation dynamics represent a structural shift rather than temporary normalization across the United States, euro area, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The authors find that despite headline inflation declining from 2021-2022 peaks, price pressures remain more widespread than pre-pandemic levels, with diffusion indexes showing a significantly higher share of CPI subcomponents experiencing inflation above 3 percent. The research suggests persistent broad-based wage growth in services may be contributing to these shifts, indicating potential changes in the underlying inflation process rather than transient sector-specific shocks.

Payment Stablecoins and Cross Border Payments: Benefits and Implications for Monetary Policy

This FEDS Note analyzes how the July 2025 Genius Act's regulatory framework for payment stablecoins may affect the Federal Reserve's balance sheet and monetary policy implementation. The authors examine three stablecoin issuer asset management scenarios: backing with bank deposits, holding Treasury bills, or setting aside central bank reserves. The analysis focuses on individuals, small banks, and businesses using payment stablecoins for cross-border payments, with large international banks acting as counterparties. The authors note that large-scale stablecoin adoption could require the central bank to recalibrate its reserve management policy due to volatile and sizable payment flows between banks and stablecoin issuers.

CLIA Program Medicare Lab Services Fact Sheet

CMS Medicare Learning Network published an updated fact sheet (MLN006270) explaining the CLIA Program requirements for Medicare-participating laboratories. The document covers enrollment procedures, types of laboratory certificates, and test method categorization.

Advance Care Planning Fact Sheet

The CMS Medicare Learning Network has published a fact sheet (MLN909289, March 2026) on Advance Care Planning, a voluntary Medicare-covered preventive service. The service is described as a face-to-face conversation between healthcare providers and Medicare beneficiaries to discuss the patient's health care wishes should they become unable to make their own medical decisions. This is informational educational material, not a new regulatory requirement.

Fee-for-Service Claims Processing Correction Notice

During the November 4 and December 9, 2025 claim cycles, Gainwell Technologies experienced a system error that prevented certain fee-for-service professional, outpatient hospital, and durable medical equipment (DME) claims from processing through the ClaimsXten (CXT) editing system, resulting in claims being paid without National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) edits. LDH has identified affected claims that should have received CXT or NCCI denials; these claims will be voided and then reprocessed to apply proper denials, with voids beginning in the March 31, 2026 remittance cycle and denials appearing in the following cycle. Providers do not need to take individual action as the correction is automatic; however, they should monitor remittance cycles and may contact Gainwell Provider Relations with questions.

129 WTO Members Issue Joint IFD Agreement Ministerial Declaration

129 WTO member countries participating in the Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) Agreement issued a joint ministerial declaration on 29 March 2026 at the conclusion of MC14 in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Bangladesh's accession brought the total to 129 parties, representing over three-quarters of WTO membership, including 92 developing members (32 African) and 28 least-developed countries. Research cited estimates implementation could increase global FDI by at least 9.1% and raise global GDP by nearly 1% over ten years. The EU announced up to EUR 300 million in initial financing for the EIB-WTO Trade and Investment Facilitation Initiative, China pledged USD 1.59 million to ITC for technical assistance, and the UK committed GBP 750,000 to the World Bank C-JET Fund.

Aliquippa Teachers FCU Merger into Friendly FCU

NCUA filed a notice regarding the proposed merger of Aliquippa Teachers Federal Credit Union into Friendly Federal Credit Union. The filing initiates regulatory review of the consolidation between the two credit unions. This is a standard merger approval proceeding subject to NCUA oversight.

Credit Union Merger: MAC Federal CU into Credit Union 1

NCUA provides notice of a credit union merger whereby MAC Federal CU in Fairbanks, Alaska will merge into Credit Union 1. The merger is processed through NCUA's standard regulatory review. This is an administrative notice documenting the merger approval process.

MAC Federal Credit Union Member Notice

The National Credit Union Administration filed a member notice from MAC Federal Credit Union on March 30, 2026. This routine regulatory filing provides required notification to members of the federally chartered credit union. No new obligations, deadlines, or penalties are associated with this filing.

NCUA Merger Notice for Aliquippa Teachers FCU

NCUA posted a merger notice for Aliquippa Teachers Federal Credit Union (Aliquippa, PA). This is a routine regulatory filing as part of the credit union merger approval process. No new obligations, penalties, or policy changes are associated with this notice.

Overtime and Holiday Inspection Fee Reductions for Small and Very Small Establishments

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced a temporary fee reduction program for FY 2026 using $20 million in de-obligated funds from the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program. Small establishments will receive a 30% reduction and very small establishments will receive a 75% reduction on overtime and holiday inspection fees. Eligible establishments must submit FSIS Form 5200-16 to qualify, with retroactive refunds available for fees paid since October 5, 2025.

Laboratory Assessment Requests Information Collection Renewal

FSIS is announcing the renewal of an approved information collection (OMB No. 0583-0183) for non-FSIS laboratories (state, local, or private) that test food samples during illness outbreak and recall investigations. There are no changes to the existing information collection requirements. The approval for this collection expires August 31, 2026. Public comments are requested by May 26, 2026.

Extension of Information Collection on Reporting Purchases from Foreign Sources

The General Services Administration has submitted to OMB a request to extend OMB Control No. 9000-0161, the information collection requirement for Reporting Purchases from Sources Outside the United States. The collection requires offerors to indicate whether manufactured end products are predominantly manufactured in the United States or outside the United States under FAR provision 52.225-18. GSA estimates 23,134 respondents with 1,295,504 annual responses totaling 12,955 burden hours. Comments are due April 29, 2026.

Secretary Rubio Interview on Iran Policy with Al Jazeera

Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed U.S. Iran policy in an interview with Al Jazeera on March 30, 2026. Rubio stated that direct talks with Iran are occurring through intermediaries, and outlined U.S. demands: Iran must abandon nuclear ambitions, stop sponsoring terrorism, and halt missile and drone programs. The Secretary rejected Iran's counter-demands, particularly sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, calling it illegal and unacceptable. Rubio stated U.S. military objectives are ahead of schedule and will be achieved in weeks.

Secretary Rubio's Call with Georgia Prime Minister Kobakhidze

Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Georgia Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on March 30, 2026. The call focused on areas of mutual interest, specifically security in the Caucasus and Black Sea region. This readout represents a routine diplomatic exchange between the United States and Georgia with no binding commitments or regulatory obligations announced.

OFSI Fines Apple Distribution International £390,000 for Sanctions Breach

OFSI imposed a monetary penalty of £390,000 on Apple Distribution International Limited (ADI) on 19 March 2026 for breach of financial sanctions. ADI is an entity incorporated in the Republic of Ireland and a subsidiary of Apple Inc. The penalty was imposed under section 146 of the Policing and Crime Act (PACA) 2017.

USCIS Strengthened Screening and Vetting Update

USCIS issued a comprehensive update on strengthened screening and vetting procedures for immigration benefit applications, referencing Executive Order 14161 and Presidential Proclamations 10949 and 10998. The agency disclosed that prior vetting measures were inadequate, resulting in approvals of individuals who should not have been naturalized. USCIS has placed holds on pending asylum applications, diversity visa adjustments, and benefit requests from high-risk countries under three policy memoranda (PM-602-0192, PM-602-0193, PM-602-0194), while implementing enhanced practices including shortened Employment Authorization Document validity periods, updated biometric verification, Operation PARRIS re-interviews, and expanded social media vetting.

Lora Johnson v. City Council - Civil Appeal Affirmed

Lora Johnson filed a civil appeal against the City Council in the Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal, docket number 2025-CA-0560. The appellate court affirmed the trial court ruling, with Judge Lobrano concurring in the result. The concurring opinion does not elaborate on the basis for agreement with the outcome, suggesting potential reservations about the reasoning below.

Spencer Graham Winkles v. Kristen Graham Winkles - Writ Denied

The Louisiana Court of Appeal, First Circuit, denied a supervisory writ application in Spencer Graham Winkles v. Kristen Graham Winkles (Docket 2026 CW 0389) on March 30, 2026. The court found the application procedurally deficient for failure to include the required affidavit under Rule 4-4(A), failure to comply with Rule 4-4(B), and failure to include the judgment/order/ruling complained of, all supporting pleadings, opposition and attachments, court minutes, and notice of intent and return date order, in violation of Rules 4-5(C)(6), (8), (9), (10), and (11). The court will not consider supplementation or rehearing. Any new application must be filed by April 29, 2026, contain all missing items, and comply with Rule 2-12.2.

$1M Apprenticeship Grants for Texas Healthcare Workforce

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) and Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) announced $1 million in apprenticeship grant funding to strengthen the state's healthcare workforce. Through this initiative, $500,000 will be available in fiscal years 2026 and 2027, as appropriated by the 89th Texas Legislature and approved by Governor Greg Abbott in Senate Bill 1, to support the creation or expansion of health care apprenticeship programs at Texas hospitals. The funding will cover training and development costs to address staffing shortages while supporting the Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) Program, which provides essential care to communities across Texas.

Solvency II Supervisory Reporting and Disclosure ITS Amendments

EIOPA has published a final report containing amendments to two Implementing Technical Standards governing supervisory reporting and public disclosure under Solvency II. The amendments incorporate changes from the recent Solvency II review and support the European Commission's regulatory simplification agenda. The reporting burden is to be reduced by at least 25% across all sectors, with a more ambitious 35% reduction targeted for SMEs. Annexes include revised guidelines on financial stability reporting and supervision of third-country insurance branches.

RBI Imposes Monetary Penalty on Davanagere Co-operative Bank

The Reserve Bank of India imposed a monetary penalty of ₹1.50 lakh (Rupees One lakh fifty thousand only) on The Davanagere District Central Co-operative Bank Limited, Karnataka, by order dated March 24, 2026, for violations of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 and non-compliance with RBI's Know Your Customer directions. The penalty was imposed following a statutory inspection by NABARD with reference to the bank's financial position as of March 31, 2025, and a subsequent show-cause process including oral submissions. Three specific charges were sustained: holding shares in other co-operative societies in contravention of the BR Act, allotting multiple customer identification codes instead of a UCIC, and failing to upload KYC records to the Central KYC Records Registry within the prescribed timeline.

Scheduled Commercial Bank Lending and Deposit Rates – March 2026

The Reserve Bank of India released monthly statistical data on lending and deposit rates for scheduled commercial banks (SCBs) for February-March 2026. The weighted average lending rate on fresh rupee loans declined to 8.44 percent in February 2026 from 8.49 percent in January 2026. The 1-year median MCLR declined to 8.40 percent in March 2026 from 8.45 percent in February 2026. New sector-wise weighted average lending rate tables (Table 8 and Table 9) for outstanding and fresh rupee loans are being released starting this month.

India International Trade in Services Statistics February 2026

The RBI released monthly data on India's international trade in services for February 2026. Service exports (receipts) were valued at US$34,708 million, up 9.7% year-over-year, while service imports (payments) stood at US$16,865 million, up 16.2% from the prior year. The release also includes revised data for October through December 2025, with January-February 2026 figures marked as provisional. No regulatory obligations or compliance requirements are imposed by this statistical release.

India International Investment Position December 2025

The Reserve Bank of India released India's International Investment Position data for end-December 2025. Net claims of non-residents on India declined by US$10.9 billion from end-September 2025 to US$260.5 billion, driven by a US$12.8 billion rise in Indian residents' overseas financial assets versus a US$1.9 billion increase in foreign-owned assets in India. India's assets-to-liabilities ratio improved to 82.1% from 81.4% in the prior quarter and 74.6% a year ago. Reserve assets stood at US$687.7 billion as of end-December 2025, declining US$12.4 billion sequentially but rising 8.2% annually.

RBI penalty, ₹3 lakh, Nagar Sahakari Bank, Etawah

RBI penalty, ₹3 lakh, Nagar Sahakari Bank, Etawah

India's Invisibles Data for Q3 October-December 2025-26

The Reserve Bank of India released data on India's Invisibles for the third quarter (October-December) of fiscal year 2025-26, formatted per the IMF's Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual (BPM6). The data was published on March 30, 2026 under Press Release 2025-2026/2355 and signed by Ajit Prasad, Deputy General Manager (Communications). The spreadsheet is available on the RBI's official website.

RBI Imposes ₹31.80 Lakh Penalty on Airtel Payments Bank for Disclosure Non-Compliance

RBI imposed a monetary penalty of ₹31.80 lakh on Airtel Payments Bank Limited on March 30, 2026, for non-compliance with directions on 'Disclosure in Financial Statements'. The penalty stems from findings during the Statutory Inspection for Supervisory Evaluation (ISE 2025) with reference to the bank's financial position as of March 31, 2025. RBI found that the bank failed to disclose certain complaints in its annual financial statements for FY 2024-25, sustaining charges after considering the bank's written and oral submissions in response to a show-cause notice.

Warrington NHS Trust Awards Audiology Booth Contract to IAC Acoustic

Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has awarded a contract for the supply and installation of an Audiology soundproof booth to IAC Acoustic Company UK Ltd. The contract is valued at £69,817 excluding VAT (£83,780 including VAT). The award was made using the below-threshold procedure without competition, with a contract term from 19 March 2026 to 30 September 2026. The supplier, IAC Acoustic Company UK Ltd (Companies House: 9950482), is classified as a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME).

Space Technology Solutions Contract Award to ROKE MANOR RESEARCH LIMITED

Crown Commercial Service issued a modification notice on 30 March 2026 under the Procurement Act 2023, adding ROKE MANOR RESEARCH LIMITED as a supplier for Space Technology Solutions. The supplier was added to over 35 CPS product categories including cryptographic technology, AI/ML software, communications services, space domain awareness, PNT (Positioning, Navigation, and Timing) systems, and geospatial services. Government procurement organisations seeking space technology capabilities should note ROKE MANOR RESEARCH LIMITED (Public Procurement Organisation Number: PRBD-7227-GXQW) as an approved supplier for these requirements.

Dorset Council maintenance tender, £44.4M, deadline 30th Mar

Dorset Council maintenance tender, £44.4M, deadline 30th Mar

Dalston Parish Council Award Notice - £41,763 Re-roofing Grade II Listed Building, Dalston

Dalston Parish Council has awarded a £41,763 contract (including VAT) for complete re-roofing of a Grade II listed building to Brian Hetherington Limited. The scope involves stripping the existing Westmorland slate roof, reusing sandstone ridge units and existing slates where possible, and re-slating with good secondhand Westmorland slates and new lead valley lining. Contract dates are estimated 8 June 2026 to 31 July 2026 (approximately 1 month 23 days). Five tenders were received, all submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with one supplier awarded and four unsuccessful.

SEND Transport Services Contract Award

Surrey County Council has awarded a £45,952.57 transport services contract to Xpert Cars Ltd for SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) transport provision. The contract was concluded on 30 March 2026 following an open procedure procurement. The award was made to a UK-based SME, with 22 tenders received in total.

DOH Cites Used Oil Transporter and Processor for Operating Without a Permit

The Hawaii Department of Health has issued a Notice of Violation and Order (NOVO) against Unitek Solvent Services, Inc. for violating state used oil management laws at facilities on O'ahu, Kaua'i, Maui, and Hawai'i Island. Unitek was found to have operated multiple used oil transporter/transfer facilities and a used oil recycling/processing facility without permits, failed to obtain an EPA ID number, and failed to submit required annual used oil reports. The DOH has assessed a penalty of $116,250 for nine violations, with Unitek ordered to correct the violations by submitting notifications, permit applications, and annual reports within 20 days.

USGS grant for non-native species biosurveillance research

The USGS has issued a funding opportunity (G26AS00095) offering up to $171,003 for research developing early detection and rapid response (EDRR) strategies to model first records of non-native species for biosurveillance purposes. Eligible applicants must be participating partners of the Hawaii-Pacific Islands Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit. Applications are due April 30, 2026.

Cooperative Agreement for Mercury Fish Data Research - California CESU Partner

The U.S. Geological Survey issued a funding opportunity for a California CESU partner to collect mercury methylation data in freshwater environments. The $270,000 maximum cooperative agreement aims to help reduce mercury concentrations in recreational and sports fish in hydroelectric reservoirs, managed wetlands, and lakes.

Freedom 250 Bangladesh Public Engagement Initiative

The U.S. Department of State's U.S. Mission to Bangladesh has issued a grant notice (Assistance Listings 19.040) for the Freedom 250 Public Engagement Initiative, celebrating 250 years of American liberty. The cooperative agreement will fund small-scale public engagement activities in Bangladesh through December 31, 2026, with individual awards ranging from $5,000 to $24,990. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, educational institutions, and individuals. Applications must be submitted by April 30, 2026.

Educational Opportunity Centers Program (EOC) Grant

The U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education, published a discretionary grant funding opportunity for the Educational Opportunity Centers Program (EOC) on Grants.gov. The TRIO EOC program provides information about financial and academic assistance for individuals seeking postsecondary education, assists with admission applications, and improves financial literacy of participants. Total program funding is $52,611,659 with 55 expected awards ranging from $238,000 to $3,000,000 each.

BJS FY25 National Prison Rape Statistics Program Assessment Funding Opportunity

The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) published a funding opportunity for the FY25 National Prison Rape Statistics Program (NPRSP) Assessment, offering a single cooperative agreement of $500,000 to assess BJS's current data collections related to prison sexual abuse, consult stakeholders, and develop recommendations for improving utility while minimizing provider burden. Applications close May 4, 2026. Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status, and businesses including small businesses.

Microsoft Word Table of Authorities Feature for Legal Briefs

The American Bar Association published a tutorial on using Microsoft Word's Table of Authorities (TOA) feature to automate citation management in legal briefs. The guide walks through marking citations, categorizing sources (cases, statutes, treatises), and inserting and updating the TOA. No compliance obligations or deadlines apply.

Senior Associate Mentorship Programs in Large Law Firms

The American Bar Association published guidance on leveraging senior associates as mentors for junior lawyers in large law firms. The article emphasizes the unique position of senior associates to provide empathetic, practical mentorship that bridges formal training and day-to-day practice realities. Key benefits outlined include reduced learning curves, increased junior associate confidence, and improved work product quality.

Vertical Integration in Healthcare Provider Markets

The ABA Antitrust Law Section released a podcast episode featuring Dr. Zack Cooper of Yale University discussing vertical integration in healthcare provider markets. The episode examines the competitive implications of hospitals and insurers acquiring physician practices, home health providers, and nursing facilities. This is an informational educational resource for legal and compliance professionals.

Capital Market Exposure Amendment Directions Deferred to July 2026

The RBI has deferred the effective date of the Amendment Directions on Capital Market Exposures from April 1, 2026 to July 1, 2026, responding to representations from banks, capital market intermediaries, and industry associations flagging operational and interpretational issues. The revised directions include clarifications on acquisition finance (expanding the definition to include mergers and amalgamations), caps on loans to individuals against securities at Rs1 crore per individual at banking system level, and modifications to credit facilities for capital market intermediaries. Banks and small finance banks should prepare for the new July 1, 2026 effective date.

RBI releases NGNF public limited companies financial data

RBI releases NGNF public limited companies financial data

Mecca Brands Entities Pay $594,000 in Infringement Notices for Late FY24 Financial Reports

Three large proprietary companies associated with the Mecca beauty retail group—Mecca Brands Pty Ltd, Mecca Brands NZ Pty Ltd, and RTCH Pty Ltd—have paid a combined $594,000 in ASIC infringement notices ($198,000 each) for allegedly failing to lodge audited financial reports for the year ended 28 December 2024 by the statutory deadline of 28 April 2025. ASIC commenced inquiries with Mecca in July 2025, and the companies lodged their financial statements shortly after being contacted. Payment of an infringement notice is not an admission of guilt or liability.

Foreign Trade Regulations Streamlining

The Bureau of the Census issued a final rule amending 15 CFR part 30 to streamline foreign trade regulations by consolidating and removing redundant cross-references and restatements of other authorities. The rule consolidates the general language of §30.19 into §30.15 and removes §§30.16, 30.17, and 30.18, which merely cross-referenced other export control and licensing requirements. The rule takes effect March 30, 2026.

NCUA Launches Streamlined Charter System Phase 1

The National Credit Union Administration announced the release of a streamlined Phase 1 system for new charter applications, focusing on obtaining preliminary approval of a proposed credit union's field of membership. In December 2024, the NCUA Board approved $2 million to develop the online chartering system. Additional updates to remaining Phases are planned, with a fully automated system for processing charter applications expected in 2027.

Weekly Filings: Proposed Decisions on Pipeline Rate Hike, Climate Credit, AMI Deployment, Diablo Canyon Costs

CPUC's weekly filings summary for March 23-27, 2026, reports three Proposed Decisions open for public comment: a 10 percent rate increase on Crimson California Pipeline L.P.S. Southern California pipeline system (A25-06-026), dismissal of a joint petition for modification (R12-11-005), and an order requiring immediate improvements to the California climate credit to lower electric and gas bills (R25-07-013). New applications include Southern California Edison's Advanced Metering Infrastructure 2.0 deployment authorization (A26-03-030), Pacific Gas and Electric Company's Diablo Canyon Power Plant extended operation cost recovery for 2027 (A26-03-031), Western Riverside Council of Governments' Inland Regional Energy Network Portfolio Plan (A26-03-028), and a passenger stage corporation application from The Landline Company (A26-03-027).