China Competition Crackdown: China’s top market regulator says it will curb “involution-style” low-price rivalry by tightening standards, price enforcement and quality supervision, with platform companies in the spotlight for data, algorithms and traffic allocation oversight. Celebrity Ad Backlash: A newly launched sports betting brand’s Sydney Sweeney spot—featuring her covering a “naked” body with sports gear—has gone viral, but sparked sharp pushback from women athletes and debate over whether it harms women’s sport. QR Code Safety: A business column warns about the growing risk of dangerous QR codes used to steer users into scams or unwanted destinations. Cash-First Delivery in Israel: Israel’s Haat service tackles delivery access gaps for Arab communities by combining tech with cash-friendly payments, expanding restaurant reach beyond neighborhoods. AI Face Licensing: China’s “face licensing” platforms let verified users license their likeness for AI dramas, ads and games—turning appearance into paid digital assets. Local Commerce Boost: A coffee-processing startup in DRC’s South Kivu is building a domestic market for locally grown coffee, using marketing and sales roles to keep value in the region. Political Ads & Data Centers: Ohio Democrat Sherrod Brown’s data-center attack ad spotlights Google-linked facilities, raising questions about campaign money and messaging.