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• Industry leaders concluded the Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2026 in Mumbai with a focus on AI-led growth and secure digital payments. • Participants stated that future growth depends on turning artificial intelligence and emerging technologies into scalable and inclusive financial solutions. • This shift means fintech companies must prioritize security and accessibility to expand their market reach and user adoption.

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman urged institutions to prioritize the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence rather than avoiding the technology. • The Minister stated that faster AI integration requires strict safety, accountability, and the continued use of human oversight to manage risks. • Financial institutions and regulators must now oversee AI deployment to prevent potential harms and reduce reliance on outdated legacy systems.

Ed Miliband to reassert support for Palestinian rights and a two-state solution in move likely to draw fierce criticism from US and IsraelEd Miliband will announce what he has described as a broad reset of the UK’s relations with Israel on Tuesday, promising the government will take a more active approach in supporting the Palestinian cause.In an intervention that is expected to draw fierce criticism from the US and Israel, the foreign secretary will impose a UK ban on the trade in goods and some services from illegal Israeli settlements. He has also told civil society groups he is determined to reassert the call for a two-state solution to the conflict with an appeal for the protection of Palestinian rights and respect for international law. Continue reading...

Togo-sponsored resolution calls to phase out traditional map that depicts continent as similar size to GreenlandThe UN general assembly will vote on Friday on a resolution for the world to formally phase out the traditional Mercator map of the globe in favour of one that more accurately displays Africa’s size.Robert Dussey, Togo’s foreign affairs minister, said the resolution was sponsored by Togo and backed by countries including the African Union’s 54 other member states. He did not specify the total number. Continue reading...

• Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information Tan Kiat How is urging Singaporean businesses and public-sector organisations to adopt a "problem-first" approach to artificial intelligence. • The initiative emphasizes practical outcomes and solving meaningful problems over the superficial adoption of AI technology for its own sake. • Key priorities for this strategic shift include workforce transformation, inclusive innovation, and the responsible deployment of AI at a meaningful scale.

• SMBC Asia Rising Fund and Singtel Innov8 have invested in fileAI to support the company's expansion into the Japanese market. • The funding will facilitate the launch of fileScout, a proprietary solution designed to map and harness unstructured data for enterprises. • This investment comes as enterprise AI adoption accelerates across Asia, highlighting the growing demand for tools that manage complex corporate data.

• AI and generative AI investments across Asia are projected to surge, reaching an estimated $175 billion by 2028. • Singapore and India are emerging as primary strategic hubs for the development and deployment of AI technologies. • The trend is driven by widespread adoption, with many employees across the Asia-Pacific region already integrating AI tools into their weekly work routines.