Multilateralism, Utopia, and the Financial Stability Board
In this speech, John Schindler, FSB Secretary General, addresses the importance of international organisations in a shifting geopolitical landscape.
Global digest
Prism·XXII
A global digest of law, regulation, public affairs, governance and market-shaping institutional change.
The feed is curated around areas where legal frameworks, market structure, institutional practice and technological change intersect.
NOTICE OF INQUIRY INTO A MERGER INVOLVING TRAXTION (MAURITIUS) LIMITED AND SII RAIL INVESTMENTS GP PROPRIETARY LIMITED
EAC COMPETITION AUTHORITY MERGER INQUIRY NOTICE NO. 13 OF 2026. THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF CONTROL OVER TRAXTION (MAURITIUS) LIMITED BY SII RAIL INVESTMENTS GP PROPRIETARY LIMITED It is hereby notified in terms of Regulation 8 of the EAC Competition...
Saudi Energy gets more than $4bn Islamic loan from local banks
Saudi Energy, previously known as Saudi Electricity Company, has secured billions of dollars in new funding from a consortium of seven local banks to support its growth strategy. The SAR15.8 billion ($4.2 billion) sharia-compliant loan will be used for...
QatarEnergy extends force majeure on Edison for third time
QatarEnergy has extended its force majeure notice to Italian energy company Edison for the third time this year, from mid-August to the end of September. Edison, a unit of French group EDF, said in a statement that the state-run company has cancelled...
Secretary-General of ASEAN receives a courtesy visit from Guangxi Zishan Mining Co., Ltd.
Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today met with a delegation from Guangxi Zishan Mining Co., Ltd., at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat. The discussion highlighted the company’s interest in strengthening China–ASEAN cooperation in...
Comment Letter on the Proposed Semiannual Reporting Rule
I write in strong opposition to the proposal to reduce reporting to file semiannual reports on the new Form 10-S in lieu of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. I note that this was prepared entirely by me, without the aid of AI or any LLMs. I agree with many of...
The Delaware Supreme Court Issues a 3-2 Split Decision Allowing Post-Demand Evidence to Be Admissible in Section 220 Actions
There have been several notable split decisions over the years in the Delaware Supreme Court, but it is a rara avis to see the justices split 3-2 over an issue involving access to books and records. On March 25, 2026, a divided Delaware Supreme Court...
Hydrocortisone tablets: alleged excessive and unfair pricing, anti-competitive agreements and abusive conduct (50277)
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigated alleged excessive and unfair pricing, anti-competitive agreements and abusive conduct with respect to hydrocortisone tablets under Chapters I and II CA98 and Articles 101 and 102 TFEU.
Court upholds CMA findings that firms charged excessive and unfair prices for lifesaving NHS-funded medicine
The Court of Appeal has confirmed that firms broke the law by charging excessive and unfair prices for hydrocortisone tablets over a decade.
Secretary-General of ASEAN officiates the Opening Ceremony of the Fifth ASEAN Junior Fellowship Programme
Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, this afternoon officiated the Opening Ceremony of the Fifth ASEAN Junior Fellowship Programme (AJFP) with the ASEAN Headquarters/ ASEAN Secretariat. The four-week programme, running from 27 July to 21 August...
DIFC records 30% growth in registered companies
The number of companies registered with the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) exceeded 10,000 by the end of the first half of 2026. The region’s largest financial centre reported growth across banking and capital markets, wealth and asset...
Masdar advances Montenegro partnership with solar projects
Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) and Elektroprivreda Crne Gore (EPCG), Montenegro’s national power utility, have agreed to develop the country’s first 150MW solar projects. The equally owned joint venture will also explore building more than 400MW...
Secretary-General of ASEAN Receives President of ERIA
Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today welcomed the President of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), Professor Tetsuya Watanabe, at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat. Both sides discussed ongoing collaboration...
Mobily in early talks with PIF entity to sell telecom towers
Etihad Etisalat Company (Mobily) has confirmed it is in early talks with Tawal, Saudi Arabia’s largest telecommunications infrastructure company, about selling telecom towers. The clarification follows a Semafor report that Tawal, owned by the Public...
Oil prices extend slide after pause on US and Iran attacks holds
Oil prices continued to slide in early Tuesday trading as the pause in the US-Iran conflict held. Brent crude futures were down 1 percent at $87.49 by 04:24 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate fell 1 percent to $81.80 a barrel. Prices dropped almost 8...
Secretary-General of ASEAN Briefs the Diplomatic Corps and the Media on Key Outcomes of the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Related Meetings, in Manila
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today briefed the diplomatic corps and the media, at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat, on the key outcomes of the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM), Post-Ministerial Conferences (PMC), 27th...
PIF-backed fund commits $1bn to Saudi investments
A new private equity fund backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has raised nearly $2 billion and will allocate half of it to investments in the kingdom. PIF, the $1 trillion Saudi sovereign wealth fund, is the anchor investor in the fund,...
The Perverse Effect of Corporate Leniency Programs
Corporate law gives corporations the ability to own assets, enter contracts, raise funding, and operate at scale. The central commitment corporations make in return is to act lawfully. Yet when violations of the law are hard to detect and penalties …
D.C. Circuit Review – Reviewed: A Busy Week
(The following post is by our new contributor, Alexis Abboud, who does not yet have login credentials). It was a busy week at the D.C. Circuit last week! The court issued eight administrative-law-related opinions across a range of domains plus a contracts...
Revolut sets out UAE ambitions after regulatory approvals
Digital banking group Revolut is going all-in on the UAE after receiving regulatory approval to offer accounts, cards and international money transfers, alongside preliminary approval for cryptocurrency services. The London-headquartered fintech received...
Iran war has cost Iraq $45bn, government aide says
Iraq has lost tens of billions of dollars in revenue since the Iran war began in late February, after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz slashed oil exports, according to an aide to the country’s leader. Several development projects in Opec’s...
WTO panel issues report regarding Turkish measures on EVs and other types of vehicles
On 28 July, the WTO circulated the panel report in the case brought by China in "Türkiye — Measures Concerning Electric Vehicles and Other Types of Vehicles from China" (DS629).
Lithuania gives EUR 30,000 to help developing economies and LDCs improve trade skillset
Lithuania is contributing EUR 30,000 (approximately CHF 28,000) in 2026 to finance training programmes for government officials from developing economies, including least-developed countries (LDCs). This contribution to the WTO Global Trust Fund will...
Resolución de aprobación por adquisición de control en Puentes y Calzadas Grupo de Empresas, S.A. parte de CRBC Spain Investment Company, S.L.U.
Informe de adquisición de control en Puentes y Calzadas Grupo de Empresas, S.A. parte de CRBC Spain Investment Company, S.L.U.
2026 Summer Supplement to Hickman Pierce Walker Federal Administrative Law Casebook
The 2026 summer supplement to our federal administrative law casebook can be downloaded here. From the introduction to the supplement: Administrative law is a dynamic field, and there are always interesting new cases being decided and new debates unfolding....
Small Business Forum’s Report to Congress Highlights Recommendations to Improve Capital-Raising Policy
The Securities and Exchange Commission released a report to Congress today highlighting policy recommendations from the SEC’s 45th Annual Government-Business Forum on Small Business Capital Formation. The report provides a summary of the forum…
D.C. Circuit Review – Reviewed: Did You Forget About the Postal Regulatory Commission? You Did, Didn’t You?
The midterms and mail-in voting are approaching, and as they do, the federal courts are already deciding cases about postal operations. One such case began in the summer of 2020, a time of pandemic and postal policy changes. The policy changes “included a...
Brazil’s 2026 Elections: Institutional Design, Electoral Technology, and Democratic Integrity
Executive Summary Brazil will hold general elections in October 2026 to elect the President, National Congress, state governors, and state legislatures. With more than 155 million voters across 5,500+ municipalities, Brazil administers one of the world’s...
Handovers and launches send Binghatti profit above $800m
Dubai developer Binghatti Holding said revenue and net profit rose significantly in the first half of 2026, supported by new launches and the delivery of 1,700 units. Net profit increased 64 percent year on year to AED3 billion ($815 million), while revenue...
COMESA Launches Inaugural IDEA Annual Digital Forum in Lusaka
COMESA and the World Bank have officially opened the first-ever IDEA Annual Digital Forum, bringing together policymakers, regulators, development partners, and private sector innovators to drive a more inclusive and integrated digital economy across...
Prequalification of Contractors – COMESA Competition and Consumer Commission Office Complex
In connection with the Invitation for Pre-qualification indicated in Section II, Pre-qualification Data Sheet (PDS), the Client, as defined in the PDS, issues this Pre-qualification Document (PQD) to Applicants interested in bidding for the works described...
COMESA Launches Inaugural IDEA Annual Digital Forum to Advance Inclusive Cross-Border Digital Transformation in Africa
LUSAKA, ZAMBIA, 27 July 2026 – The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the World Bank have officially launched the inaugural Inclusive Digitalisation for East and Southern Africa (IDEA) Annual Digital Forum in Lusaka, Zambia. The...
Dubai and China explore energy equipment manufacturing
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) and Hong Kong Tinkam Capital are looking to develop a power and energy equipment manufacturing park in Dubai. The proposed park will look to attract upstream and downstream Chinese companies in sectors such as advanced...
What You are Likely to Hear in the Boardroom: External Forces Reshaping Executive Compensation
Key Takeaways The external environment surrounding executive compensation is changing rapidly. Economic uncertainty, evolving SEC priorities, shareholder activism, and shifts in proxy voting practices are creating new considerations for compensation...
Narrow Supreme Court Ruling Allows SEC to Obtain Disgorgement, But Leaves Questions Unresolved
Overview On June 4, 2026, the Supreme Court in Sripetch v. SEC unanimously held that the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) need not prove that investors suffered a pecuniary loss before obtaining disgorgement. In doing so, the Court resolved a...
Bahrain GP relocation deepens doubts over Gulf F1 finale
Tickets for Formula 1’s season-ending races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi remain on sale, but uncertainty hangs over the Gulf finale after Bahrain’s grand prix was moved to Malaysia. A decision on whether the final two races of the season will go ahead as planned...
Oil prices slide after US and Iran pause attacks
Oil prices dropped on Monday despite a Houthi attack on Saudi oil installations after the US and Iran paused fighting in the Arabian Gulf over the weekend, raising hopes the countries will return to the negotiating table. Brent crude futures dropped 4...
EAC Monetary Affairs Committee reaffirms commitment to East African Monetary Union and regional financial integration
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 27th July, 2026: The East African Community (EAC) Monetary Affairs Committee (MAC) has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating the implementation of the East African Monetary Union (EAMU) roadmap and...
Tadawul owner reports increased profit and revenue
Saudi Tadawul Group, which owns and operates the kingdom’s stock exchange, reported higher second-quarter profit as the regional war failed to dent operating revenue. Net profit rose 66 percent to SAR92.1 million ($24.5 million) between April and June, from...
Sabic Agri-Nutrients to pay dividend despite drop in revenue
The board of Sabic Agri-Nutrients, which is 50 percent owned by Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic), has announced a dividend payment despite a drop in revenue and profit in the first half of 2026. The fertiliser company said in a statement to the...
BP to boost Egypt’s Mediterranean gas output
UK energy company BP is set to increase natural gas production from an existing well off Egypt’s Mediterranean coast as the North African country seeks to reduce its energy import costs. BP will add an estimated 80 million standard cubic feet per day of gas...
Kuwait’s KPC signs $16bn crude oil pipeline deal
State-backed Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) has signed a multibillion-dollar lease-and-leaseback agreement for its crude oil pipeline network with an international consortium led by Blackstone, KKR and Brookfield. Under the $16 billion “Project...
Entityness, Takeover Premiums, and Coase’s Error
In M&A, an acquirer must pay an acquisition premium to target shareholders. However, much to academic puzzlement, this universal reality rubs against theory. Two fundamental ideas in modern financial economics are the efficient capital market hypothesis...
Davis Polk Discusses DOJ’s Most Recent FCPA Case
On July 17, 2026, Scoular, a Nebraska-based agricultural company, entered into a three-year deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) with DOJ to resolve a Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) case. The case has all the hallmarks of a standard FCPA resolution and …
Secretary-General of ASEAN to participate in the 10th ASEAN Media Forum
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, will participate in the 10th ASEAN Media Forum (AMF), to be held in Manila, the Philippines, on 29-30 July 2026. Marking a decade of fostering a regional dialogue, the AMF serves as a key platform connecting...
Danube’s father and son steer through Dubai property fog
Dubai’s property market has been slowing, but there is little sign of it in Danube Properties’ crowded office. On a Tuesday almost five months into the US-Israel-Iran war, brokers hurry between tables, families inspect a model villa and one man shows his...
Younger buyers push up Oman property sales
Younger buyers purchasing their first homes and taking advantage of concessional interest rates are underpinning Oman’s property market, analysts and brokers have said. Despite the Iran-US-Israel conflict, the number of sale contracts rose 7 percent to...
FCA secures majority of victims’ money back from convicted fraudster
Victims of convicted fraudster John Burford are set to recover the majority of the money they invested after the FCA obtained a confiscation order against him. In September 2025 Mr Burford, 86, was sentenced to 2 years in prison for defrauding over 100...
ESMA authorises EuroCTP as the Consolidated Tape Provider for shares and exchange-traded funds
ESMA authorises EuroCTP as the Consolidated Tape Provider for shares and exchange-traded funds 27 July 2026 Market data Press Releases Trading The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the EU’s financial markets regulator and supervisor, has...
Lytton’s Call for Book Workshop Proposals
From Professor Tim Lytton: Each May I organize a book manuscript workshop in the areas of torts, administrative law, or legal history. Georgia State University provides funding to invite 10-15 leading scholars from around the country for a one-day in-person...
The 44th ASEANAPOL Conference convenes in Manila, the Philippines
The 44th ASEANAPOL Conference brought together Chiefs of Police and senior law enforcement representatives from ASEAN Member States, alongside ASEANAPOL’s Dialogue Partners and Observers in Manila, the Philippines, on 22-26 July 2026. The Conference served...
New Day, New Rules: Five Key Aspects of Amended DGCL Section 144 and Section 220
In spring 2025, there was significant debate over Delaware’s Senate Bill 21 (SB21), which offered new Delaware amendments addressing controller and board conflicts, as well as access to books and records. These amendments, codified in amended Section 144...
Judicial Self-Critique and Its Limits in Indian Arbitration
[Kshitij Saruparia is an Advocate and a graduate of NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, and Apeksha Kachhawaha is an Associate at ASV Legal LLP, Delhi and a graduate of MNLU, Nagpur] In May 2026, the Supreme Court of India directed a state-owned road...
SEBI’s 2026 InvIT Amendments: Fixed in Regulation, Broken in Documentation
[Prakhar Suryawanshi is an Associate with the Projects, Energy & Corporate Law team at AZB & Partners] An infrastructure investment trust (InvIT) is a SEBI-regulated pooled vehicle that channels capital into operating infrastructure assets through a layered...
Sounding the Warning Bell: Reverse Piercing in Execution After Alpha Corp
[Tanishq Desai is a third-year B.A., LL.B. (Hons.) student at National Law University Delhi] In a recent two–part piece on this forum, Prof. Varottil argued for a more principled approach to judicial veil piercing in insolvency, in the wake of the Supreme...
Chair’s Statement of the 27th ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers Meeting
The 27th ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was chaired by H.E. Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines. Review and Future Direction of ASEAN Plus Three Cooperation The Meeting noted the progress in...
ARF Manila Plan of Action (2026–2036)
We, the Foreign Ministers of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Participants, decided on the ARF Manila Plan of Action (MPOA) 2026–2036; Recalling the ARF Vision Statement (2009), the Ha Noi Plan of Action to implement the ARF Vision Statement (2010), and the...
Chair’s Statement of the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum
The Thirty-Third Meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) was held in Manila, Philippines, on 23 July 2026. The Meeting was chaired by H.E. Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, under the ASEAN 2026 Chairship theme of...
Chair’s Statement of the 16th East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
The 16th East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was convened on 23 July 2026 in Manila, Philippines. The Meeting was chaired by H.E. Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines. Review and Future...
Delaware Chancery Clarifies Implied Covenant Limits
Key Points The decision clarifies that a party’s using a contractual gap to “intentionally harm” the counterparty may constitute a breach of the implied covenant. The court rejected ASM’s argument that the parties had intentionally left a contractual gap...
FNE realizará el jueves 30 de julio la presentación de su Cuenta Pública Participativa 2025
La Fiscalía Nacional Económica (FNE) realizará el jueves 30 de julio a las 10.00 am la presentación de su Cuenta Pública Participativa 2025, en la cual detallará la labor realizada por la institución durante el año pasado y sus principales desafíos. La...
Iraq hunts for $77bn missing funds in corruption crackdown
Iraq has launched a probe to trace ID100 trillion ($77 billon) allegedly lent to government officials, ministries and other public entities over the past 22 years. The Federal Board of Supreme Audit (FBSA), the Iraqi government’s top financial watchdog,...
nexfibre / Substantial merger inquiry
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is investigating the anticipated acquisition by Liberty Global, Telefónica and InfraVia, through their joint venture nexfibre, of Substantial (including Netomnia, Brsk, Brsk ISP and YouFibre). Liberty Global and...
Referral of the proposed British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme by the Department for Business and Trade
The Subsidy Advice Unit (SAU) has published a report providing advice to the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) concerning its proposed British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme.
Comment Letter on the SEC’s Proposal to Replace Quarterly Reporting with Semiannual Reporting
We refer to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)’s request for comment on the proposed amendments to allow companies to file semiannual reports on new Form 10-S in lieu of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q to meet their interim reporting obligations...
Weekly Roundup: July 17-23, 2026
Statement by Chair Atkins on Regulation E-Delivery Posted by Paul Atkins, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, on Friday, July 17, 2026 Tags: digital communications, e-delivery, electronic communications, electronic delivery, investor disclosures, paper...
Secretary-General of ASEAN attends Ministerial-Level conference of High Contracting Parties marks the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today participated in the High-Level Conference of High Contracting Parties to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), in Manila, the Philippines, as part of the commemorative activities...
ADCB earnings jump by a third on strong loan book
Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) said earnings rose in the first half and second quarter of 2026 on higher non-interest income and loans. Net profit gained 34 percent to AED6.7 billion ($1.8 billion) in the January-June period versus a year earlier, the...
RWE energy code modification appeal
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is considering an appeal brought by companies within the RWE group against Ofgem’s 1 May 2026 decision to reject a proposed modification to the Connection and Use of System Code (CUSC).
Union Properties revenues rise 70% but earnings fall
Dubai developer Union Properties said revenue rose by more than half in the first six months of the year compared with 2025, with profit also up substantially. Revenue was up by 68 percent year on year to AED529 million ($144 million), lifting net profit 29...
DTC delays 2026 dividend call to year-end
The board of Dubai Taxi Company (DTC), a subsidiary of the emirate’s transport regulator, said it will decide on the dividend for 2026 by year-end as the US-Iran conflict weighs on earnings and revenue. Softer airport- and tourism-related demand affected...
Rakbank profits rise by a quarter
The National Bank of Ras Al Khaimah (Rakbank) said net profit rose by a quarter in the first half of 2026, driven by higher operating income and loan book growth. Net profit increased to AED1.7 billion ($463 million) between January and June. Non-interest...
‘Non-trade matters’ slowing talks on EU deal, says UAE minister
Negotiations on a free trade deal with the European Union are progressing more slowly than talks with other countries, the UAE’s foreign trade minister has said. The seventh round of trade agreement negotiations with the EU has concluded, Thani bin Ahmed Al...
Secretary-General of ASEAN Meets with Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today held a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Hon. Vijitha Herath, M.P., in Manila, Philippines, on the...
Asian markets slide due to inflation fears from soaring oil
Asian stock markets fell on Friday as traders bet that surging oil prices, driven by the escalating US-Iran war, could push up global inflation. Brent crude contracts rose above $100 a barrel on Thursday after Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea, raising...
Secretary-General of ASEAN Meets with Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today met with Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, H.E. Waleed Elkhereji, on the sidelines of the High-Level Conference of High Contracting Parties to the Treaty of Amity and...
Secretary-General of ASEAN Meets Foreign Minister of the Netherlands
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today held a bilateral meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, H.E. Tom Berendsen, in Manila, the Philippines, on the sidelines of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of...
Secretary-General of ASEAN attends the signing ceremony of the instrument of accession to the TAC by new High Contracting Parties to the TAC
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, on 24 July 2026, witnessed the ministerial-level signing ceremony of the Instruments of Accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) by the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of...
Higher oil prices likely to reduce Oman’s budget deficit
Oman should be able to cut its deficit significantly and even balance its budget on the back of higher oil prices in the first six months of this year, officials say. Average prices of Omani crude increased by nearly 10 percent in the first six months of...
Kuwait tightens rules for jewellers in anti-money laundering push
Kuwait is asking local jewellers to tighten action against suspected money laundering and terror funding as the Gulf nation seeks to have its name removed from a “grey list” designation imposed by an international watchdog. The Paris-based Financial Action...
Path set for Iraqi banks to rejoin global finance system
The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) has announced it has secured an agreement under which seven restricted Iraqi banks would be reintegrated into the US dollar system. The announcement coincided with a visit to Washington by prime minister Ali Al-Zaidi, a major...
The Half-Trillion-Dollar Joint Venture Blind Spot
Joint ventures (JVs) have become the load-bearing walls of the industrial economy. In mining, over three-quarters of copper and nearly two-thirds of lithium production come from JVs [1] . In oil and gas, roughly half the output at majors like …
SEC Commissioner Peirce Warns Crypto Activities May Trigger Securities Laws
The Commission, the Crypto Task Force, and staff across the Divisions have done tremendous work in the past year and a half to provide clarity to crypto markets as to when a certain asset or activity is subject to the …
Secretary-General of ASEAN Meets with Foreign Minister of Brazil
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today held a bilateral meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federative Republic of Brazil, H.E. Mauro Vieira, on the sidelines of the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in...
Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Chile
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Chile, H.E. Francisco Pérez Mackenna, in Manila, the Philippines, on the sidelines of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity...
Secretary-General of ASEAN Meets with Foreign Minister of Panama
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today had a bilateral meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Panama, H.E. Javier Eduardo Martínez-Acha Vásquez, in Manila, the Philippines, on the sidelines of the celebration of the 50th...
Russia requests dispute panel on EU carbon border adjustment and emissions trading scheme
At a meeting of the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) on 24 July, members considered a request from the Russian Federation for the establishment of a dispute panel to review the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) Package and alleged...
Presidente de la sala de Defensa de la Competencia del Tribunal de Indecopi de Perú dictó charla en la FNE
El Presidente de la sala de Defensa de la Competencia del Tribunal del Instituto Nacional de Defensa de la Competencia y de la Protección de la Propiedad Intelectual (Indecopi) de Perú, Andrés Calderón, dictó una charla para profesionales de la Fiscalía...
As trust in the United States erodes, China becomes familiar—and hard to ignore
China does not need to be admired to expand its influence in Latin America. It only needs to be present, useful, and increasingly more predictable than Washington.
The Supreme Court’s Business Docket: October Term 2025 in Review
by John F. Savarese, Kevin S. Schwartz, Adam L. Goodman, and David P.T. Webb The Supreme Court’s October Term 2025 was one of the most consequential in years. While the Court grappled with contentious, blockbuster cases concerning birthright citizenship,...
SEC Announces Roundtable on Preparations for 24-Hour Trading
The Securities and Exchange Commission announced today that it will host a roundtable on Sept. 17, 2026, to discuss moving towards 24-hour trading in the U.S. equity markets, including preparations to support overnight trading, operations and resiliency…
Kuwait says $6bn bonds are three times oversubscribed
Kuwait raised $6 billion from the sale of a three-tranche sovereign bond, with global investors oversubscribing three times. The issuance comes at a time when the US-Iran war has restarted, with Tehran occasionally targeting US bases in Kuwait The issuance...
Press release - European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee delegation concludes mission to China
In Beijing and Shanghai, MEPs discussed the geopolitical implications of EU-China ties, while reaffirming the EU’s principled stance and commitment to dialogue. Committee on Foreign Affairs Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP
Turkish central bank holds rates steady in face of war pressures
Turkey’s central bank has held its main policy rate steady for another cycle, citing inflationary pressures from the ongoing conflict in the Gulf and rising energy prices as reasons not to lower borrowing costs. The bank’s monetary policy committee (MPC)...
EAC strengthens health security with launch of Uganda Virus Research Institute as Regional Centre of Excellence in Virology
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 23rd July, 2026: The region’s capacity to prevent, detect and respond to infectious disease outbreaks has been significantly strengthened following the official launch and operationalisation of the...
US and Saudi Arabia sign nuclear accord for uranium enrichment
The US and Saudi Arabia have signed a landmark deal that could allow the kingdom to build civil nuclear reactors and enrich uranium domestically. The Department of Energy described the pact as a “peaceful nuclear co-operation agreement” that will create a...
Secretary-General of ASEAN gives interview to Asahi Shimbun
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today gave an interview to Asahi Shimbun, on the sidelines of the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and related meetings, in Manila, the Philippines. During the interview, Dr. Kao underscored the...
Aldar unveils final phase of Saadiyat Island master plan
Aldar, Abu Dhabi’s largest developer, has unveiled the final phase of Saadiyat Island’s master plan. Marsa Al Saadiyat, renamed from Saadiyat Marina District by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is a residential...
Emission Impossible: Corporate Climate Goals Moving from Adoption to Execution
This report draws on executive insights and disclosure data from US public companies to assess where corporate climate targets are credible, where emissions trends are off track, and what business leaders should do to govern, track, and communicate climate...
The 2026 Shareholder Proposal Exclusion Experience and Takeaways for the 2027 Season
Executive Summary What’s new: Under the SEC Staff’s hands-off approach to company exclusions of shareholder proposals, companies excluding shareholder proposals in 2026 experienced litigation, the threat of proposal submissions under advance notice bylaws...
Secretary-General of ASEAN Meets with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Qatar
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today met with the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, Sultan bin Saad bin Sultan Al-Muraikhi, on the sidelines of the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Related Meetings, in...
Co-operative Group / Southern Co-operative merger inquiry
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is seeking views on the anticipated acquisition by Co-operative Group Limited of Southern Co-operative Limited.
Transparency and disclosure: updating our general guidance
The CMA consulted on updates to its general guidance on transparency and disclosure.
Guidance: Transparency and disclosure - statement of CMA’s policy and approach: CMA6
The Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) policy and approach to transparency and information disclosure.
Loan growth lifts Emirates NBD profit to $3.5bn
Emirates NBD, Dubai’s largest lender by assets, said net profit rose in the first half of this year, driven by loan growth. Net profit increased 3 percent year on year to AED12.9 billion ($3.5 billion) in the first six months of 2026, as total income...
Flynas adds new Airbus jets to back growth and Syria ambitions
Saudi Arabia’s Flynas will purchase 25 additional Airbus jets to support its global growth strategy and its new Syria-based budget airline. The airline, partly owned by billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, will acquire five A330neo wide-body aircraft and...
Joint Communique of the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
The 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) was held on 21 July 2026, in Manila, Philippines. The Meeting was chaired by the Philippines under the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together.” ASEAN COMMUNITY- We noted that this year marks the first year of...
Regional headwinds fail to dent du earnings
Emirates Integrated Telecommunications, operator of the du brand in the UAE, said net profit increased in the second quarter and first half of 2026 despite regional headwinds. Revenue in the second quarter rose 5 percent year on year to AED4.1 billion ($1.1...
FAB beats guidance with rise in profit and operating income
First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), the UAE’s largest lender by assets, said operating income and net profit rose in both the second quarter and first half of 2026, beating its medium-term guidance. Net profit rose 1 percent year on year to AED10.7 billion ($2.9...
DP World to cut Hormuz reliance with new Fujairah terminals
DP World will build two terminals on the UAE’s east coast, reducing its reliance on the Strait of Hormuz – a vital waterway for global trade that is now almost closed following the resumption of the US-Iran war. The state-backed company has signed a 50-year...
ASEAN-New Zealand Joint Statement on Strengthening Regional Resilience
We, Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and New Zealand, met on 22 July 2026, in Manila, under the Philippines’ 2026 ASEAN Chairship for the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference with New Zealand.At this time of heightened global...
Sky / ITV merger inquiry
The CMA is seeking views on the anticipated acquisition of ITV M&E Holdings Limited (ITV) by Sky UK Limited.
Oil hits six-week high on Red Sea tanker attacks
Oil prices hit a new six-week high in early Thursday trade as the US continued strikes on Iran and Yemen’s Houthis attacked two Saudi tankers in the Red Sea. Brent crude futures rose $2 to $96 a barrel, the highest level since June 8. US West Texas...
Secretary-General of ASEAN participates in the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today participated in the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in Manila, the Philippines, joining Foreign Ministers and representatives of the ARF Participants. The Meeting discussed efforts to further strengthen...
The Governance Payoff of Board Refreshment
Boards are under pressure to become more diverse, but diversity is often measured at a particular moment rather than over time. Missing is any attempt to determine whether the board is renewing itself. In a new paper , we study …
Wachtell Lipton Discusses the Supreme Court’s Business Docket for October Term 2025
The Supreme Court’s October Term 2025 was one of the most consequential in years. While the Court grappled with contentious, blockbuster cases concerning birthright citizenship, voting rights, and transgender rights, the Term ultimately was dominated by...
Secretary-General of ASEAN attends the 27th ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Manila
Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today participated in the 27th ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, in Manila, the Philippines. The Ministers reviewed the progress made in the implementation of the APT Cooperation Work Plan...
Legacy: the secrets of family businesses
This week, AGBI launches Legacy – or Irth in Arabic: a series of films on the vexed but fascinating issue of succession planning in family-owned businesses in the Arabian Gulf. In the first piece Shruthi Nair, our multimedia editor, talks to Yogesh and...
Deserted island: what happened at Sindalah and what’s next
Somewhere on Saudi Arabia’s Sindalah island, behind padlocked doors, were tens of thousands of bottles of wine. They had been shipped in for the launch of the ultra-luxury holiday destination – an event widely expected to mark a milestone: the first serving...