EU App Rules for Small Apps: Apple will apply new unified business terms in the EU from Oct 1, letting developers use alternative app stores and web distribution (with conditions) and changing fee structures—good news for smaller software firms trying to cut platform costs. EU Trade & Parcels: Swiss Post says the EU’s €3 customs duty on small parcels from third countries has already reduced parcel volumes, with retailers and platforms looking for workarounds like warehouses in Europe. UK SME Budget Pressure: A UK SME confidence survey says many firms are holding back investment until the Budget, while hospitality and other sectors push for lower business rates and even a VAT cut from 20% to 10% to protect jobs. Northern Ireland Energy Squeeze: SSE Airtricity raised gas prices by about 19% for domestic and small business customers, adding roughly £172 to a typical annual bill and raising winter affordability fears. AI Adoption Gap in Europe: A warning from a Barcelona AI tokenization CEO says delayed access to key AI tools could push European founders to hire and launch abroad, widening the gap between early movers and laggards. EU Presidency for SMEs (Ireland): Ireland’s EU Presidency highlights priorities that could matter for small and medium businesses: agreeing the EU long-term budget and pushing “simplification” to reduce regulatory burdens. Spain Housing Shock: Spain proposes an eviction ban until 2030 after outrage over the treatment of an 87-year-old pensioner, a move with major implications for household stability and local business confidence. South Africa R&D Funding: A report finds business share of R&D spending fell to 29%, raising questions about whether incentives are driving enough private innovation investment.