Tariff Pressure on Exports: Malaysia’s SME exporters are warning that a new 10% U.S. tariff (with some countries hit at 12.5%) will squeeze razor-thin margins and force painful choices—absorb costs or raise prices and lose buyers. Trade-Response Funding: Ontario is putting $302,000 into a Kingston program to help businesses diversify supply chains and find new export markets beyond the U.S. Startup Capital for Michigan: PitchMI opened 2026–27 applications, with four regional competitions (Defense & Aerospace, AI & Software, Advanced Manufacturing, Healthcare & Life Sciences) awarding $250,000 each plus a shot at $1M. Local Business Climate: Uniondale chamber leaders are pushing for downtown streetscape upgrades after earlier beautification work left the area still “not attractive enough” to draw customers. Policy & Permits: NYC’s government-efficiency panel advanced ballot changes aimed at speeding outdoor dining, construction permitting, street projects, and contracting—sparking debate over oversight. War Hits E-commerce Supply Chains: Ukraine’s drone strikes on Russia’s Wildberries warehouses are disrupting logistics and destroying inventory, with small sellers feeling the fallout. SME Skills Push: AFROTECH™ says it will train 1 million people in practical AI skills to help entrepreneurs and builders use AI responsibly. SMB Operations Help: A Long Island bookkeeping firm says it’s taking new clients for monthly and catch-up bookkeeping, including QuickBooks setup and training.