New Zealand Budget 2026: The government will fund Reserve Bank prudential oversight via a new prudential levy on banks, non-bank deposit takers, insurers and financial market infrastructure providers, targeting about NZ$209m over four years and aiming for a mid-2027 start after consultation. Rail Reliability Push: Budget 2026 also backs rail renewals, with Greater Wellington warning the funding must be sustained and long-term to rebuild trust and cut cancellations/delays. Japan Market Flows: Foreign investors bought Japanese stocks for an eighth straight week (net ¥1.08tn), led by AI and semiconductors after strong demand outlooks; long-term bond buying returned as yields became more attractive. Japan AI Investment: SoftBank-led plans to create a domestic “physical AI” model are drawing major Japanese corporate backers and seeking government support to tackle productivity and labor shortages. Philippines-Japan Deal: Marcos’ Tokyo meeting secured about $3.4bn in Japanese investment pledges tied to jobs and industrial upgrades. ASEAN CSR Platform: ASEAN-BAC and AVPN launched a regional CSR working group to mobilize corporate philanthropy and align cross-sector investment in Southeast Asia. Crypto Law Update: Russia’s State Duma advanced rules targeting illegal digital-currency mining and unregistered mining infrastructure operators, with fines and potential prison terms. Space IPO Buzz: Investors are positioning for SpaceX’s Nasdaq IPO race, lifting sentiment across space stocks.