AI Policy & SME Skills: Malaysia’s Budget 2027 push should focus on helping people adapt to AI, not just adopting it, with SMEs highlighted as key to productivity gains. Short-Term Rental Rules: Airbnb urged Malaysia to set clear, national STR guidelines so small hosts can comply and local authorities can enforce them. SME Grants in Rural Malaysia: Kedah’s KEDA says 1,172 entrepreneurs received RM20.11m in grants (2023–2025), with RM6.87m more allocated for training, mentoring, branding and equipment support. Digital Payments for MSMEs: GCash expanded cashless checkout at Davao’s ASEAN Innovation Summit using Tap to Pay and QR, aiming to help MSMEs accept digital payments nationwide. Disaster Loans for Small Businesses: The U.S. SBA opened low-interest drought Economic Injury Disaster Loans for small businesses and nonprofits across parts of Utah, Idaho and Wyoming. AI Safety & IPO Warnings: Anthropic’s IPO filing warns advanced AI could pose “catastrophic or existential” risks, while OpenAI scrapped a new model launch over security concerns. AI for Operations in Housing/Healthcare: EliseAI raised $350m at a $4b valuation to automate more housing and healthcare workflows. Startup Growth Programs: Peak XV launched its 12th Surge cohort with 18 early-stage startups across AI, robotics, space, healthcare, fintech and consumer tech. Fraud Pressure on Small Firms: Georgia’s AG flagged rising scam losses and urged a smarter consumer-protection approach as fraud tactics evolve. Mortgage Credit Pricing Certainty: TransUnion extended $0.99 VantageScore 4.0 mortgage pricing through end-2028 to support adoption and competition.