SBA & Federal Contracting: The U.S. Small Business Administration issued a final rule that lets small firms qualify for the 8(a) business development program by claiming harm from DEI policies at a company or affirmative action programs at a university. Disaster Relief: SBA also opened low-interest federal disaster loans for drought-hit small businesses and nonprofits across parts of Iowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota, with rates as low as 4% and up to $2M in funding. Local Business Survival: A Seattle teriyaki shop owner says Uber Eats delayed about $40,000 in payouts for nearly 1,500 orders, and a longtime Raleigh restaurant is asking customers to help it stay open while construction disrupts downtown traffic. Policy & Compliance Pressure: California lawmakers are considering new training and wage rules for private security guards, raising costs concerns for small security providers. SME Financing & Growth: Pakistan’s government says it’s pushing banks to speed up SME lending under its Access to Finance plan, while also tightening rules to prevent export subsidy misuse. Supply Chain & Manufacturing: U.S. officials say they’re working with foreign investors to plug U.S. manufacturing supply gaps so small and mid-sized suppliers can scale as investment rises. Community & Hiring: South Korea’s small and mid-sized firms are seeing a big jump in workers age 50+ over the past decade, fueling debate over “generation-sharing” employment.