SMB Optimism: NFIB says small business optimism in the U.S. jumped 2.4 points in July to 99.8, with hiring plans rising and uncertainty still elevated. Payments Pressure: UK SMEs say customers expect more than debit at checkout, and flexible options like BNPL can boost conversion and repeat buys, but compliance and regulation costs worry them. Local Retail Support: Newark Alliance launched a Small Business Support Pilot with grants up to $50,000 for retail fit-outs and scheduled purchases for tiny retailers (20 or fewer employees), with applications open through Aug. 28. Cash-Flow Reality Check: Malaysia’s employers group urges a coordinated MSME survival package—tax relief, faster financing, quicker payments, and more procurement access—as costs and cash-flow strain mount. Hosting Costs: A guide warns British businesses to compare web hosting by real monthly totals, not headline prices, renewals, and add-ons. Postal Access: West Park, New York’s post office closed after 130 years, drawing pushback from Sen. Chuck Schumer over impacts on packages and small businesses. SME Financing in Practice: Bank Negara Malaysia highlights CGC guarantees supporting hundreds of thousands of SMEs, while stressing firms must boost productivity as shocks keep recurring. Tourism Micro-to-Medium: Malaysia’s MARA says it has backed Perak tourism entrepreneurs with RM2M+ in financing and grants to help micro operators scale up. Tech for Small Spaces: Pudu Robotics launched the ET1 AI-native compact scrubber-dryer aimed at cleaning 100–800 sq. meters for small commercial sites. Public Contract Rules: UK procurement guidance narrows “social value” scoring, raising concerns for charities and social enterprises bidding for government work. Workforce & Rural Housing: Iowa Democratic candidate Rob Sand released an economic agenda including rural housing focus and ADU task force ideas. Afghanistan Women-Led Business: A women’s soap workshop in Herat shows how entrepreneurship is helping families survive under severe restrictions. Street Disruption Hits Sales: Vancouver’s West Broadway closures and construction are driving sharp drops in foot traffic and business revenue for retailers and restaurants. AI Border Scrutiny: U.S. Customs is using AI to monitor global goods flows, signaling tighter enforcement for importers. Small Business Credit & Compliance: Equifax reports “quiet exits” among SMEs as tax debt mounts, underscoring the risk of insolvency pressure.