SME Leadership Shake-Up (South Korea): South Korea President Lee Jae Myung nominated Han Seong-sook, the current SMEs minister and former Naver executive, to become prime minister—framing her tech background as key to accelerating AI-led growth. SME Support & Financing (Malaysia): Malaysia’s SME Corp Malaysia launched the SINAR programme, pledging RM205 million in MSME help through new financing initiatives and partner channels. Local Retail Pressure (UK): ONS-linked analysis says Medway Towns lost 40 shops in a year and sits among England’s weakest retail areas, with independents citing rent, energy, staffing costs, and weaker footfall. Procurement Training for Small Firms (US): Arkansas APEX Accelerator is running a free workshop on government procurement and SBA certifications to help entrepreneurs pursue contracts. Small Business Resilience (US): A Portland NW vendor mall store owner reported a break-in and theft of $30K in merchandise shortly after opening. Cost-of-Living Relief (Energy, Australia): Queensland set power price cuts from July 1, with renewables and storage cited as drivers for lower bills for regional households and small businesses. Disability Livelihood Grants (Ghana): Nkoranza Municipal Assembly disbursed GH¢384,200 to 83 people with disabilities to support petty trading, farming, health access, and education. Policy Flexibility for Vendors (Oklahoma): Oklahoma signed a law letting qualifying mobile food vendors use alternative fire suppression methods if they meet training and extinguisher requirements. Digital Governance Push (India): India highlighted digital reforms aimed at easing business setup, licensing, logistics, credit access, and tax compliance to cut paperwork and speed approvals. AI Skills for SMEs (Global): Multiple reports point to AI adoption as a competitiveness lever, with governments and programs urging SMEs to prepare for AI-driven workplace change.