Rates & Household Impact: The Federal Reserve lifted interest rates by 0.25 percentage points to a new 3.75%–4% range, the first hike since 2023, raising borrowing costs for mortgages, credit cards and other consumer debt. Public Finance Scrutiny: Bahamas lawmakers pressed Finance Minister Michael Halkitis over the National Investment Fund after its balance reportedly fell from $265.3m (Dec 2025) to about $200,000 (Mar), with the government citing infrastructure spending. Governance & Audits: A Cook County judge backed the Chicago Teachers Union in a dispute over access to financial audit reports, allowing only summaries under CTU bylaws while plaintiffs plan an appeal. Development Finance: The U.S. International Development Finance Corp approved $8bn+ in new investments across Ukraine, Jordan and Africa to support trade, energy and digital infrastructure. SME Support: Pakistan’s PM directed SMEDA to expand strategies for financial assistance to SMEs, including women-focused programs and digital access to markets. Local Financial Controls: Oklahoma County commissioners moved toward a potential state audit after bookkeeping errors and questions around county clerk finances. Corporate/Deal News: Grab agreed to buy 60% of Atome Financial for about $1.49bn, signaling continued push into consumer lending. Compliance & Security: Gadsden County, Florida reported a cybersecurity incident that delayed its annual financial audit submission.