Housing Finance: Absa Bank Kenya unveiled a developer-led home financing solution with an 8.9% per annum home-loan rate and up to 105% financing, aiming to tackle Kenya’s housing deficit of over two million units. Consumer Protection: India’s Central Consumer Protection Authority slapped ₹1 lakh penalties each on Storia Foods and English Oven maker Mrs Bectors over misleading “100%” claims, ordering the firms to withdraw the wording from packaging and digital platforms. Labour Mobility: Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman urged Malaysia to reopen its labour market to Bangladeshi workers, citing concerns over exploitation, debt bondage and stranded workers since hiring restrictions began in 2024. Retail & Crime: A retail crime crackdown led to almost 40 new arrests, as authorities push back against theft and organised targeting of stores. Tech for Trust: UK mobile networks launched a “kill switch” to permanently disable brand-new stolen phones flagged in a database, aiming to curb the stolen-device black market. Markets & Investment: India’s NSE signed an MoU with BME to promote non-ferrous metal derivatives, while Goldman Sachs flagged India’s data-centre boom as AI demand accelerates. Business Compliance: Sri Lanka lowered the VAT/SSCL registration threshold to Rs 36 million annual turnover (about Rs 100,000 per day) from July 1, requiring more service and retail businesses to register. Wildlife Enforcement: Maritime police in Zamboanga City arrested a suspect selling turtle eggs at the public market and seized 60 eggs, with charges being prepared under wildlife trading laws.