EU Defence Funding Boost: The European Commission has amended the EIC Work Programme so start-ups and SMEs working on dual-use tech (AI, quantum, advanced materials, robotics) can apply for grants up to €2.5m and equity up to €30m under the EIC Accelerator and STEP Scaleup, aiming to strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy. SME Cyber Compliance Support (US): A US Senate Armed Services bill would create a CMMC grant programme for small businesses and new contractors to cover assessment costs, with grants capped at $100,000 and total funding at $50m, as DoD ramps up CMMC Level Two from November. Tourism Policy Cooperation (Greece–France): Greece and France signed a tourism agreement to share data, innovation and sustainability approaches, including better seasonal and geographic distribution to ease pressure on hotspots and support local communities. Arbitration Law for Trade Deals (Ireland): Ireland’s Arbitration (Amendment) Act 2026 clears a legal hurdle to ratify CETA and similar investment agreements by setting a new procedure to enforce tribunal awards. SMB Tech Security Push (Pax8): Pax8 is adding inforcer to help managed service providers standardise Microsoft 365 identity, device controls, security policy enforcement and Copilot readiness for SMBs. Energy Costs Debate (Ireland): Ireland’s government rejected a bid to levy data centres for energy costs, arguing data centres are beneficial while pointing to home retrofits as the better route. UK Youth Entrepreneurship Gap: A Xero study finds many 16–21-year-olds want to start businesses, but funding and financial know-how are major barriers, with many seeing entrepreneurship as only accessible to those with wealth or networks. Northern Ireland Labour Bill Fallout: A strike at Haldane and Fisher in Newry adds pressure to Sinn Féin’s “Good Jobs Bill,” with business groups worried about easier union access to premises and digital systems.