Gulf Finance Tensions: Saudi banks have reportedly blocked or delayed payments to UAE accounts since May, a sign of a widening Saudi-UAE rift that could disrupt cross-border business. AI Risk in Banking: South Africa’s regulators warn that AI in finance must protect trust, transparency, and customer consent, while the ECB and BoE push for “guardrails” to prevent AI-driven market instability and cyber risk. Public Money Under Scrutiny (South Africa): The Madlanga Commission heard that loopholes in South Africa’s financial disclosure rules can hide assets via family exclusions and missing beneficial-ownership checks. Student Aid Overhaul (US/Canada context): UND says federal changes will remove SAVE and Graduate PLUS, adjust Parent PLUS, and pro-rate some undergraduate loans—mostly shifting workload to universities. Social Protection Funding (France): Macron appoints experts to rethink France’s social protection financing model, with a report due by end-2026. Local Government Cash Crunch (South Africa): Impendle faces constitutional intervention over unpaid salaries and missing CFO capacity; Maquassi Hills faces SCOPA scrutiny after adverse audits and withheld equitable shares. Energy Financing (World Bank): The World Bank approved major funding to scale India’s rooftop solar program, targeting jobs and lower household power costs. Crypto Treasury Move: Empery sold 1,400 BTC for about $87.1m to cut debt and bolster cash.