UK Politics & Devolution: Andy Burnham, Britain’s prime-minister-in-waiting, is set to unveil his economic agenda, leaning on devolution and pledging to stick to current borrowing limits to calm markets. SME Finance & Trade: Afreximbank puts Africa’s trade finance gap at about $74bn (2025), with small firms hit hardest; Ecobank and AfCFTA are pushing new financing to help SMEs, women-led and young entrepreneurs trade across borders. EU Carbon Costs for Small Firms: India is seeking to cut the compliance burden from the EU’s carbon border rules, with reporting costs for MSMEs described as steep and hard to meet. SME Digital Payments: A Mastercard study says South African SMEs show strong digital maturity, with high online payment acceptance and clear demand for simpler, safer payment options. Tax Compliance Pressure: HMRC has named a major UK tax defaulter list, including a Bolton-area alcohol smuggling-linked case involving £490k unpaid tax. Platform Rules & Extremism: An investigation says far-right “femonationalist” groups have used PayPal for merchandise and donations despite hate-discrimination restrictions, raising questions about enforcement. Energy Transition Markets: New reports flag rapid growth ahead for solar panels and lithium-ion batteries, with investment and EV/energy-storage demand driving expansion. Tourism Readiness: Nepal’s tourism boom is real, but coverage warns government institutions and infrastructure are still unprepared for the surge.