UK SME squeeze: Nearly a fifth of UK fish and chip shop owners say they’ll shut within a year, with 19% planning to leave the trade and 90% “not confident at all” in Labour’s support; the National Federation of Fish Friers urges a VAT cut to stop margins collapsing. Workforce rules for SMEs: An EU report finds Irish SMEs are far more likely than peers to try hiring non-EU staff (25% vs EU average 14%), but many struggle with difficulty hiring and integrating third-country workers. Seasonal farmworker safety: A Moroccan union is calling for stronger protections for Moroccan seasonal female workers in Spain after a reported heatstroke death in Huelva, citing unsafe conditions and repeated concerns. SME growth via events: Bahrain’s small businesses are gearing up for the FIFA World Cup, expecting bookings and demand to lift cafés, restaurants, hotels and retailers. Local business pressures: A UK council leader pitches a 10-step “Nottingham Vision” to attract investment, while a UK wedding boutique in Conshohocken closes after 45 years as online competition and rising costs bite. Regulation bottleneck abroad: Ghana Standards Authority’s understaffing is forcing regional producers to travel to Accra for certification, delaying exports and local sales. AI and business: Commentary highlights how AI “agents” and coding tools are commoditising fast, pushing firms to find new revenue paths.