SME Leadership & Jobs: South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung has nominated SMEs minister Han Seong-sook as prime minister, pitching her tech-and-SME background as key for leading the AI transition. Business Rates Pressure: UK Labour leadership contender Andy Burnham says he would cut business rates by 20% for pubs and reduce the burden on small firms, as revaluations and relief changes threaten higher bills. VAT Relief Push: UK hospitality landlords back a campaign to halve VAT from 20% to 10% to stop “crucifying” pubs and restaurants and boost growth. Entrepreneurship Access: The UK’s Maple Review calls for micro-loans, a business skills guarantee for young people, and better mentoring and digital access to tackle entrepreneurship inequality. Fintech for Merchants: Eastern Europe fintech Paypercut (Sofia) raised €5m seed to expand a payments platform for fragmented CEE markets, adding merchant tools and multi-currency settlement. AI & Work Skills (Ireland): Ireland plans to upskill 100,000 “white-collar” workers with AI-proof apprenticeships as ministers warn of job losses from AI-driven restructuring. Credit & Growth (Caribbean): A new “decade of decision” agenda in the Eastern Caribbean targets higher resilience, including financial wealth creation and digital transformation, amid concerns about expensive lending.