BRICS & Payments: Iran’s central bank governor Abdolnasser Hemmati says Tehran will soon join the BRICS New Development Bank, alongside talks on linking payment systems and digital currencies to speed cross-border transfers and cut costs. Sanctions & Energy Shock: US Treasury chief Scott Bessent warns of “economic isolation” measures “never seen before” against Iran next week, paired with an “indefinite” Strait of Hormuz naval blockade; markets react as oil firms and investors weigh supply disruption risk. Oil Prices & Inflation Spillover: A US war-with-Iran energy shock is feeding into household budgets, with petrol and broader energy costs still elevated versus earlier expectations. West Bank Siege Fallout: France demands Israel arrest and prosecute settlers harassing families in Qusra, where activists were blocked from reaching besieged homes and residents report cut water and electricity. Security Governance Shift: Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz orders IDF planning to transfer civilian law-enforcement responsibility for Israeli settlers in the West Bank to the Israel Police, while keeping IDF support in Areas A/B. FinTech/Investing: Cobi raises $1M pre-seed for an AI decision stack to unify fragmented customer signals across MENA; Bank Leumi partners with Galaxy to bring digital-asset trading into Israeli banking apps. Banking Results: Malaysia’s Affin Bank reports Q2 profit down 11.1% as impairment allowances rise, though revenue grows. Crypto Token Delay: World Liberty Financial delays a Maldives resort token sale amid the Iran war’s impact on travel and deal timing.