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A number of governmental and international bodies have begun to take action in the so-called "war against terrorism". The IMF, the OECD (through its Financial Action Task Force, or FATF) and the US government have all set down plans to cut off the flow of legitimate and illegitimate to organizations supporting terrorist activities around the world.

Money laundering is a key target in the battle to cut off funds to terrorist organizations. In October the US passed legislation to crack down on laundered funds by requiring financial institutions to use strict compliance and due diligence programmes. Danforth Newcomb, Rachel Barnes and Saamir Elshihabi of Shearman & Sterling, New York, explain the implications

In alleged response to an insider bid by 30% shareholder CAIH in the recent contest for control of Hurricane Hydrocarbons, the Hurricane board declared a special dividend payable by way of senior unsecured notes. A controversy arose because the notes contained a change-of-control provision that would be triggered by the acquisition of more than 50% of the Hurricane shares. Upon a change-of-control, the holders of the notes could elect to have the notes redeemed. The net effect was a potential cash depletion of $200 million from Hurricane's cash flow.

The Competition Bill 2001, which seeks to repeal the Monopolistic and Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1969, was introduced during the monsoon session of parliament and may be passed during its winter session, starting November 21 2001. The Bill applies to all enterprises, including companies, firms, sole proprietorships, societies, trusts and any body corporate/associations of persons, whether incorporated or not in India, which carries on a business or commercial activity. The Bill seeks to prohibit or regulate: (i) anti-competitive agreements; (ii) abuse of dominant position; and (iii) combinations.

Like the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA), the European Federation of Energy Traders (EFET; www.efet.org) has set up a standard master agreement for the delivery and acceptance of electricity (the General Agreement). As in the schedule to the ISDA Master Agreements, the parties may choose between alternative concepts and may also fine tune the General Agreement to their liking in the election sheet.

Coudert Brothers LLP

The development of cross-border securitization deals with new asset streams offers the prospect of rich pickings. Sara Ver-Bruggen reports from Seoul on some of the latest transactions and the prospects for the liberalization in the legal market

Allen & Overy secure Greek hat trick

The Italian Constitution has recently been amended by constitutional law No 3, October 18 2001, in line with the general trend towards federalism.

Earlier this year the European Commission proposed the introduction of a new directive on market abuse. The proposed directive deals with insider dealing and market manipulation, and the definition of these activities is large enough to ensure that new abusive practices will fall under its scope of application.