Digital Payments & Compliance: Orange Money (Orange Jordan) teamed up with ADSTRA to deploy AI-powered AML/CFT screening, including sanctions-list checks and customer risk scoring, to strengthen fraud and financial-crime controls. AI & Digital Trade: The League of Arab States and AFDE pushed a new China-Arab digital cooperation phase at Hangzhou, focusing on AI, cross-border e-commerce, digital payments and smart-city partnerships. Energy & Markets: Iraq said 41% of its electricity supply is still purchased from investment projects and neighbors, while hydro output fell 50.8% amid water scarcity. Renewables Push: Türkiye reported renewables at 62.9% of installed capacity, with solar and wind driving growth toward COP31 targets. US-Iran / Hormuz Risk Premium: Iran renewed a proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days if the US lifts its blockade, releases frozen assets and waives oil sanctions; Trump meanwhile posted “Trump Strait” branding. Azerbaijan Investment Drive: Azerbaijan signed $10bn+ in potential deals at its Baku forum, including Absheron gas field final investment decisions. Banking & Finance Watch: Dubai Financial Market liquidity topped AED 9.62bn last week as banking and real estate led trading.