World Bank Syria Push: The World Bank approved a $100 million IDA grant to modernize Syria’s financial sector, aiming for safer, faster, more transparent payments and broader digital access for households and businesses. US-Iran Sanctions: The US Treasury imposed fresh sanctions on an Iran-linked financial network accused of moving hundreds of millions via front companies and intermediaries tied to oil revenue. EU Tech Compliance: A DORA update from European supervisors set expectations for how financial firms and ICT providers should manage frontier AI cyber and operational resilience risks. Hospital Cash-Flow Strain: A US hospital operator faces allegations of a $600,000 unpaid water bill amid wider financial trouble, underscoring how liquidity stress can spill into essential services. Local Financial Resilience: In the Philippines, agriculture officials released P4.9 million in indemnification to hog raisers hit by African Swine Fever to help restart livelihoods. Public Finance Debate: In St. Kitts and Nevis, PM Drew defended the Public Benefit Option as a financing mechanism for capital projects, contrasting it with a criticized prison deal. Market Talent Inflow: Hong Kong reported a surge in foreign employment visas for finance, helped by an IPO rebound and proposed fund-manager tax moves. Corporate Dealmaking: Ellington Financial is nearing an acquisition of a small servicer to expand its special servicing platform.