Banking Oversight & Depositor Protection: Iraq’s Al-Taif Islamic Bank will restart withdrawals next week under a capped percentage-based payout system after 18 months of central-bank guardianship, aiming to restore access while protecting depositors. Anti-Corruption & Financial Governance: Malaysia’s MACC remanded two corporate brothers for five days over alleged abuse of position tied to an investment of about RM10 million, with luxury assets seized. Digital Banking Push: Bangladesh Bank issued letters of intent to five proposed digital banks, requiring Tk 300 crore paid-up capital and a six-month trial before final licences. Policy & Social Finance: Malaysia began crediting Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) aid via MyKad, with monthly amounts for STR recipients, seniors and single individuals, and approved categories of essentials purchasable at thousands of stores. Geopolitics Meets Capital Markets: South Korea said the US’s $200bn energy investment announcement went beyond what was agreed, while still confirming work on the Alaska LNG project only if commercially viable. Corporate Finance & Funding: PZ Cussons reported Q1 revenue up 9.8% to N64.8bn, while CleanChoice Energy secured $166m financing for two solar projects. Tech, Markets & Regulation: UK’s Bailey warned AI could bring market shocks; SEC moved to clarify crypto-asset securities rules; and Deutsche Bank flagged Meta and ServiceNow among tech picks for the next AI trade leg. Investment Access Platforms: KoreInside and Alice Group unveiled a RegA+ marketplace designed to connect primary capital formation with secondary trading. Ukraine Funding Plan: Ukraine and the European Commission set the format and timing to cover Ukraine’s financial and defense needs for 2026-2027, including steps toward a EUR 45bn 2027 support loan.