Tax Relief for Small Firms: The Philippines House Ways and Means approved bills that raise the personal income tax exemption ceiling to ₱350,000 (from ₱250,000) and exempt microenterprises from the 2% Minimum Corporate Income Tax, aiming to boost take-home pay and ease pressure on the smallest businesses. SMB Funding Stress: A UK survey found 23% of SMEs now struggle to access finance (up from 7% in Q1), with late customer payments worsening cash flow and tightening lending conditions. Roads and Revenue: Manitoba’s Highway 10 reopened after flooding damage, restoring access for local shops and services and reducing detours that hurt small businesses. Business Connectivity Push: Comcast Business completed a network expansion in Waterbury, bringing high-speed internet, cybersecurity tools, and mobile services to downtown businesses. Creator Tools Go Free: Zorcha made its Instagram DM automation free for creators and small businesses, removing software costs for unlimited automated conversations. Power for Local Economies: Papua New Guinea’s Hela province is set to commission a 3MW solar project to bring more reliable electricity to communities, businesses, schools, and health facilities. Event Marketing Upgrade: Walls.io partnered with EventMobi to let event teams display real-time attendee posts and reactions on social walls. AI for Manufacturing: Eyelit launched Agent EyeQ, an AI suite embedded in manufacturing operations to plan, predict, and execute fixes when processes drift. Startup Growth Stage: Startup World Cup returns to the East Bay on Sept. 10, hosted with the East Bay SBDC, giving Northern California startups a path to a $1M prize.