Public Finance & Policy: Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb defended Budget 2026-27 and said some Finance Bill 2026 changes will reflect standing committee recommendations, rejecting claims of document “discrepancies” as a misunderstanding of GDP methodology. Anti–Money Laundering: India’s Vivek Aggarwal was elected Vice President of FATF, a boost for global counter–terror financing efforts. Financial Crime Watch: Namibia said FATF is removing it from the “grey list” after it addressed money-laundering and terrorism-financing gaps. Local Governance & Debt: Benue State’s inquiry panel alleged an unaccounted N139.8bn during the Ortom administration and recommended recovery from responsible parties. Banking & Inclusion: Kenya reported its refugee population at 852,000 and tied inclusion plans to its Shirika Plan, including expanded access to financial services. Scam Prevention: Pasig City launched a financial literacy program with BSP and BDO Foundation to help residents manage money and avoid scams. Markets & Rates: UK gilt yields jumped after Andy Burnham’s by-election win, as borrowing costs and the May deficit/interest bill raised concerns about public finances. Legal/Crypto: A London case tested whether Bitcoin debts can be repaid in Bitcoin versus pounds, with the court treating Bitcoin as property but stopping short of ordering repayment in crypto. Development Finance: Lesotho and the World Bank signed over M841m in deals for clean energy access, skills, and nutrition.