SME Finance Watch (Albania): An OECD review says Albania’s small businesses have slightly better access to financing (3.13/5), but bank lending still lags due to weak credit information and collateral registration, with no private credit bureau and utility data missing from the credit register. EU Prep Support (Albania): The government announced a new programme to help SMEs prepare for EU membership, plus a “Double Your Enterprise” scheme to boost production and readiness for tougher competition. Cash-Flow Pressure (South Africa): South African SMEs say cash flow is the biggest threat; unpaid government invoices and long private payment cycles keep money tied up for months, forcing many owners to use personal credit to bridge gaps. Disaster Aid (US—Michigan): Trump approved a major disaster declaration for Michigan storms and tornadoes, unlocking FEMA Individual and Public Assistance for multiple counties. Cybersecurity Alert: Bitdefender warns criminals are posing as Interpol to phish small businesses, pushing victims to open password-protected archives that deliver ransomware. Local Business Growth (UK—Basingstoke): Destination Basingstoke opened Inspire Awards nominations (deadline July 31), adding new categories for apprentices, rural firms, and innovation. Impact Investing (India): Next Bharat Ventures launched a Rs 2,000 crore impact fund anchored by Suzuki, targeting agriculture, healthcare, financial inclusion, rural mobility and AI for underserved communities. Tax Crackdown (UK—HMRC): HMRC published a list of deliberate tax defaulters, including small firms fined for large deliberate errors.