Big Tech Investment: Amazon CEO Andy Jassy met India’s PM Narendra Modi and announced a $48B India plan for 2026–2030, including an extra $13B for AI and cloud plus AWS data center expansion in Mumbai and Hyderabad, with targets to support 3.8M jobs and help millions of small businesses. SME Finance & Payments: Erada Finance teamed with Egypt’s Axis Pay to let customers receive financing via e-wallets, aiming to speed disbursements and reach unbanked entrepreneurs (pending regulator approval). Local Retail Protection: India’s quick-commerce Blinkit hit a roadblock in Meghalaya after a tribal council denied its trading licence, citing risks to 4,000+ local grocery stores from discount delivery models. Cannabis Co-op Rules: Washington regulators are taking comments before drafting rules for cannabis producer co-ops, now capped at three producers to limit consolidation and protect small growers. Grants for Local Food Businesses (US): Washington’s WSDA awarded millions in Local Food System Infrastructure Grants and launched “Profiting from Your Pivot” coaching for specialty crop farms, with bilingual support and GAP audit reimbursement options. Credit Quality Warning (SME Lending): Australia’s Judo Bank flagged rising credit risk and cut profit guidance, pointing to pressure on SME borrowers as rate rises and costs bite. AI for SMBs (Practical Take): A new guide argues small businesses should build a clear brand voice, keep a human review step, and track one real outcome—otherwise AI content sounds generic.