AI Skills for MSMEs: The Philippines opened an AI and Scale-Up Center with free training and tools for micro, small and medium firms, aiming to turn AI experiments into real growth. SME Access to Capital: Zimbabwe’s Parliament praised the ZSE’s July performance and backed ZEEX, a tech-driven exchange meant to broaden funding access for SMEs and startups. Secured Lending Boom: Aditya Birla Capital is entering India’s gold loan market, targeting up to 1,000 branches in three years to complement its retail and MSME lending. Regulatory Cost Shock for Small Sellers: The EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation is now binding, creating new cross-border registration, fees and traceability burdens for smaller businesses. Payments Push: Nigeria’s central bank urged wider adoption of alternative payment channels to boost financial inclusion and economic activity. Skill Games Deadline in Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court ruling could force skill games to shut down by Oct., unless lawmakers pass a regulatory fix—small venues and nonprofits are lobbying hard. SBA Contracting Rule Update: The U.S. SBA proposed major changes to size standards and NAICS structure, potentially expanding eligibility for federal small business contracts to 114,000+ firms. Health Insurance for Small Employers: Minnesota politics spotlighted a plan to help small businesses subsidize employee health coverage. Local Finance Support: Wells Fargo backed Ascendus with a $1.3M grant to fund loans/lines of credit and coaching for small businesses in multiple states. Inflation Pressure on SMEs: UK business groups warned inflation and energy costs are squeezing SME margins and investment, urging use of a cost-tracking calculator.