Local Procurement Push: Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek says small businesses will get priority in state contracting, aiming to keep more investment local. MSME Backbone in Malaysia: Malaysia’s deputy PM Ahmad Zahid says MSMEs drive 97% of business transactions, about half of GDP and jobs, with up to RM40 billion pledged to boost competitiveness. Entrepreneur Support in the Philippines: Parañaque City and DOLE delivered livelihood packages to 73 residents to start or expand micro-enterprises. Export Drive in India: Piyush Goyal projects India can reach a USD 1T export target, urging states to speed up industrial parks, labor-code implementation, and testing/certification to cut MSME compliance costs. Tourism Boost for Small Firms (US): AP reports U.S. travelers are choosing domestic trips and day excursions, giving a summer lift to small businesses in destinations like Lake Tahoe and Asheville. Digital Payments Friction (Nigeria): A report highlights how failed POS/ATM transactions can debit customers first, leaving small operators and consumers stuck until reversals. Creative Sector Market Access (Nigeria): UNDP and Lagos push fashion and leather MSMEs toward financing and global buyers. Community Business Compliance (Ghana): Apex Bank warns community banks to meet Bank of Ghana capital rules by Dec. 31 or face sanctions. Tech Infrastructure Investment (Tanzania): YAS says it’s investing Sh1T to expand towers and connect more communities for commerce and digital services. Local Market Growth (South Africa): Cape Town’s BOSA names Roger Solomons as mayoral candidate with an affordability-first plan, including removing some municipal business licence fees for qualifying small businesses. NATO Disruption (Turkey): Ankara’s summit security and road closures are drawing criticism from residents and shop owners.