Weekly Compliance News - Around the World

GCSG's Weekly Compliance News feature is a compilation of some of the previous weeks interesting trade compliance, anti-bribery and corruption, fraud, and due diligence news bites, from around the world.

Global Executives Cooling on M&A Deals Amid Trade Uncertainty | Industrial Distribution

"Executives around the world are cooling to the idea of mergers and acquisitions in the face of rising trade tensions, notably between the U.S. and China, a leading adviser on international corporate deals said Monday." (Click here for the article) - Global

US Imposes Additional Sanctions on Russia | Thompson Hine

"The United States has announced additional financial sanctions on three individuals and nine entities supporting Russia’s attempt to integrate the Crimea region of Ukraine through private investment and privatization projects or engaging in serious human rights abuses in furtherance of Russia’s occupation or control over parts of Ukraine." (Click here for the article) - EU, US, Russia, Ukraine

Africa church leaders join fight against graft | The FCPA Blog

"Eliud Wabukala, a retired Anglican archbishop, became chairman of Kenya's Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission in 2017. In September, he launched a bible-based anti-graft campaign that includes an anti-corruption bible study." (Click here for the article) - Kenya, Africa

The Growing Menace of Cyber Attacks in the Asia-Pacific region | Entrepreneur Asia Pacific

"Over the past few years, cyber attacks have emerged as one of the biggest global threats to businesses and governments. In September, the largest social networking platform, Facebook announced that data of at least 50 million accounts have been exposed to hackers through a breach." (Click here for the article) - Asia-Pacific region

Top Ten Things to Know About Expanded US Sanctions on Iran | Latham & Watkins

"As reported in the Latham Client Alert dated May 10, 2018, President Trump announced on May 8 that the United States was withdrawing from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the January 2016 nuclear non-proliferation agreement among China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, the US and Iran..." (Click here for the article) - US, Iran

US DOJ Unveils New China Initiative | Thompson Hine

"On November 1, 2018, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the creation of a “China Initiative” aimed at identifying priority Chinese trade theft cases for investigation and enforcement." (Click here for the article) - US, China

Illicit Procurement Network Used Firms in China, Portugal, and Turkey to Supply Iran | Iran Watch

"A recently unsealed indictment provides detail on Iran’s use of deceptive practices to procure export controlled items with military applications from the United States and elsewhere. The indictment details an elaborate, multi-year conspiracy directed by an Iranian-born Canadian to procure such items for an Iranian firm, with help from co-conspirators in China, Portugal, and Turkey." (Click here for the article) - US, Iran, Canada, China, Portugal, Turkey

Romanian anti-corruption prosecutors targeted by new work requirements | Euractiv

"Romanian prosecutors said they feared for their jobs and the rule of law after a new government ordinance increasing the years of professional experience required of them was published...Prosecutors will now need at least 10 years experience to work in the country’s National Anti-corruption Directorate, the anti-mafia bureau or the Public Prosecutor’s office." (Click here for the article) - EU, Romania