AMLA and OLAF strengthen cooperation in the fight against financial crime
The European Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) and the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) have signed a working arrangement to strengthen cooperation and information sharing in the fight against money laundering, terrorist financing, fraud, and corruption. The framework provides for the exchange of strategic and operational intelligence, including criminal patterns, emerging risks, and prevention methods. It also authorizes OLAF to contribute to joint analyses coordinated by AMLA, subject to OLAF’s mandate and to the consent of participating Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs). The initiative aims at improving the early detection of money laundering linked to fraud involving EU funds. The arrangement operates within the framework established by Article 94 of the AMLA Regulation and the rules governing OLAF. > Read the press release.
DSA: The Commission investigates Booking.com
The European Commission has opened formal proceedings against Booking.com, which has been designated a “very large online platform” since 25 April 2023. It is seeking to determine whether the platform has violated the Digital Services Act (“DSA”). The investigation focuses in particular on risks related to fraudulent or non-compliant listings (nonexistent properties, identity theft); phishing risks associated with data sharing with accommodation providers; and the failure to identify “boosted” listings as advertisements. If these violations were to be established, they would constitute breaches of Articles 34 and 35 (systemic risks) and Article 26(1) (advertising transparency) of the DSA. The proceedings follow a preliminary investigation and requests for information sent in September 2025 and May 2026. > Read the article.
European Parliament raided as part of an investigation targeting the former RN parliamentary group
On 21 October 2026, the administrative offices of the former Identity and Democracy (“ID”) group in the European Parliament in Strasbourg and Brussels were raided. These operations, carried out on the instructions of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, are part of an investigation into allegations of embezzlement of European funds within ID, to which the Rassemblement national belonged during the 2019–2024 legislative term. This investigation had already led to searches in several member states, including France, in June. According to the Patriots group, the political successor to ID, the measure targets the group’s former secretary-general. The Patriots maintain that there is no legal continuity between them and ID, which was dissolved in 2024, and clarify that no elected officials are being targeted. > Read the article.
ICSID Publishes 2026 Annual Report, Highlighting Institutional Developments
The International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) has published its 2026 Annual Report, covering the fiscal year from 1 July 2025, through 30 June 2026. The report highlights sustained caseload activity, with 363 cases administered and 60 new cases registered, marking a record annual caseload for the Centre. Institutional developments include Honduras becoming the 166th signatory to the ICSID Convention and the announcement of new offices in Paris and Singapore. The report also highlights the publication of a study on contract-based investment arbitration, accompanied by dedicated caseload statistics and revised model clauses for contracts. Approved on 16 October 2026, the report documents the Centre’s expanding activities and international reach. > Read the article.
