EU Digital Rules for SMEs: OpenAI says ChatGPT Ads hit a $1bn annualised run rate in under 200 days and has opened self-serve buying across Europe, India, the Middle East and North Africa—lowering the barrier for small and medium businesses to advertise directly. EU Compliance Pressure: France’s new e-billing rules start 1 September 2026, requiring many businesses, self-employed people and most landlords to switch to electronic invoicing, with smaller firms getting a later signup deadline for receiving e-invoices. Packaging Costs for Small Traders: Malta’s MEP Peter Agius urges the EU to suspend new packaging and packaging-waste rules, warning registration and compliance costs can exceed €200 per member state for small sellers. Cybersecurity Reality Check: Kaspersky reports many SMBs are still getting hit—phishing, software flaws and remote access are the most common incidents, with attackers increasingly targeting smaller firms. SME Hiring Support (Spain): Murcia offers grants for permanent hiring, with higher support for long-term unemployed people, older workers and women affected by gender-based violence. Cross-border Trade Strain (Maine/Canada): A Maine governor’s op-ed argues US-Canada tariffs are raising costs and disrupting supply chains, threatening jobs and investment plans. UK Data Reform Push: Reform UK renews calls to scrap UK GDPR and replace it with a lighter privacy model, framing it as a way to cut red tape for small businesses. AI Funding for SMEs (Spain): Spain is distributing €180m across 372 AI projects, with 7 in 10 driven by SMEs, including a healthcare-focused track. SME Growth via Marketplaces (Spain): A Temu study says Spanish sellers are expanding capacity and reaching new international markets after joining the platform.