Small Business Lending & Growth: STAR Financial Group says it will launch Denova, a fintech subsidiary focused on digital tools for small businesses and entrepreneurs, with a 2027 rollout. Policy Pressure on SMEs: Trinidad and Tobago stakeholders are urging strategic shifts ahead of the 2026 budget, including targeted small-business relief and food security support. Tariffs Hit the Checkout: Connecticut breweries warn Trump’s tariff fight with Canada could raise costs (including aluminum cans), while Connecticut leaders call tariffs “a tax” that lands on businesses and consumers. Outdoor Dining Relief: NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani signed a law making outdoor dining year-round, reversing Adams-era winter shutdown rules that raised costs for restaurant operators. Franchise Fairness: Australia’s ACCC secured changes to a fitness franchisor’s contracts after concerns about unfair terms and misleading claims about NDIS-funded services. Tech for SMBs: Limecube launched Limecube Social, an all-in-one AI app that writes, designs, schedules, and publishes social posts for small businesses across major platforms. Payments Cost Relief: CBA will cut merchant service fees ahead of Australia’s surcharging ban, aiming to ease pressure on small retailers. Big Tech Ad Pricing Lawsuit: FTC and 22 states accuse Amazon of hiding an ad surcharge scheme that allegedly overcharged more than a million sellers, including many small businesses. Compliance & Risk: A D.C. Circuit ruling upheld EPA designations of PFOA/PFOS as hazardous substances, expanding liability and reporting obligations for companies tied to the chemicals. Local Business Spotlight: U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst named Iowa’s Henningsen’s Meat Processing and The Bread Board as Small Business of the Week winners. Cybersecurity for SMBs: KnowBe4 launched Defend for Google Workspace to help small businesses spot phishing and business email compromise in Gmail and collaboration tools.