Regulations 19 December 2025 - 2 April 2026

Federal Bank EPFO Payments Go Live: What Changes For Employers Paying PF Dues
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Federal Bank EPFO Payments Go Live: What Changes For Employers Paying PF Dues

Federal Bank has enabled Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation payments through its net-banking platform, offering customers a direct online channel to pay EPF dues. The service, launched in New Delhi with EPFO officials present, aims to streamline compliance for businesses and individuals. Federal Bank shares traded at 295 rupees, down 0.69% at 2:22 p.m. Friday. EPFO’s network of empanelled banks rose to 32 from April 2025.
May 8, 2026
Lloyds Banking Group plc Keeps £1.95 Billion Motor Finance Provision After FCA Final Rules
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Lloyds Banking Group plc Keeps £1.95 Billion Motor Finance Provision After FCA Final Rules

Lloyds Banking Group will keep its £1.95 billion provision for motor finance compensation unchanged after reviewing the UK regulator’s final rules. The Financial Conduct Authority’s redress scheme covers about 12.1 million agreements, with total industry costs estimated at £9.1 billion. Lloyds will update investors again on April 29. Barclays and Close Brothers have set aside £325 million and £300 million, respectively.
April 2, 2026
International Consolidated Airlines Group SA Stock Price: IAG Shares Rise on EU Jet Fuel Rules Challenge
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International Consolidated Airlines Group SA Stock Price: IAG Shares Rise on EU Jet Fuel Rules Challenge

IAG shares rose 0.9% to 355.65 pence in late London trading as investors reacted to reports that major European airlines plan to challenge EU synthetic jet fuel rules. Air France-KLM and Lufthansa also gained, while Ryanair slipped. IAG remains down 5.5% over five days. British Airways extended Middle East flight cuts as Brent crude topped $101 a barrel amid the Iran war.
March 17, 2026
Tesla stock price slips as California ‘Autopilot’ ruling and EV rules lawsuit put regulators back in focus
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Tesla stock price slips as California ‘Autopilot’ ruling and EV rules lawsuit put regulators back in focus

Tesla shares fell 0.9% to $407.44 in early New York trading Thursday, underperforming a 0.4% dip in the Nasdaq-tracking QQQ ETF. California regulators said Tesla avoided a 30-day license suspension after dropping “Autopilot” from its marketing. Investors are watching a federal court hearing on California’s emissions waiver, which could affect Tesla’s regulatory credit revenue.
February 19, 2026
China’s ‘Hidden’ Door Handle Ban Targets Tesla-Style Designs From 2027
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China’s ‘Hidden’ Door Handle Ban Targets Tesla-Style Designs From 2027

China will require all new cars to have visible door handles and a mechanical release that works without electricity starting Jan. 1, 2027. Existing models have until Jan. 1, 2029, to comply. The rule targets flush, electronic handles used by Tesla and others after safety concerns. An analyst warned the change could force costly redesigns and influence global regulations.
February 3, 2026
EU puts WhatsApp Channels under toughest Digital Services Act rules, giving Meta until May
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EU puts WhatsApp Channels under toughest Digital Services Act rules, giving Meta until May

The European Commission has designated WhatsApp’s Channels as a “very large online platform” under the Digital Services Act, citing 51.7 million monthly EU users. Meta must comply with stricter rules targeting illegal and harmful content by mid-May. The new obligations apply only to Channels, not private messaging. Oversight will involve both the Commission and Ireland’s digital regulator.
January 26, 2026
Japan’s New Mobile Software Competition Act Forces Apple and Google Changes: iOS 26.2 Opens Alternative App Stores, New Payments, and Choice Screens
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Japan’s New Mobile Software Competition Act Forces Apple and Google Changes: iOS 26.2 Opens Alternative App Stores, New Payments, and Choice Screens

Apple has begun rolling out iOS 26.2 in Japan, enabling alternative app marketplaces and expanded payment options after the Mobile Software Competition Act took effect December 18. Google is adding search and browser choice screens and expanding billing alternatives. Apple set external payment fees up to 15%, Google up to 20%. The law prohibits blocking third-party payment services and imposes penalties for violations.
December 19, 2025

Stock Market Today

  • Oil prices drop below $100 on Iran peace deal hopes, markets rise
    May 25, 2026, 8:37 AM EDT. Oil prices fell below $100 a barrel for the first time in two weeks as hopes grow for a US-Iran peace deal. Brent crude dropped 5.5% to just under $98. The conflict's focal point remains Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical energy chokepoint. Equity markets responded positively, with Japan's Nikkei up nearly 3% and Europe's Stoxx 600 rising 0.8%. The dollar weakened while the pound hit its highest level since May. Analysts caution markets remain wary as past negotiations have stalled. Inflation fears have driven central banks to consider further rate hikes, with the Bank of England expected to raise rates twice in 2024.