Strengthen

• On July 17, 2026, the European Commission published a Communication on the Competitiveness of the Banking Sector and the Single Market in Banking. • The European Savings and Retail Banking Group (ESBG) welcomed the roadmap, noting that it incorporates key recommendations from the group. • This initiative aims to strengthen the overall competitiveness of Europe's banking sector and improve the functionality of the single market.

• Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced plans to increase India's AI compute capacity to keep pace with rapid global technological advancements. • The initiative focuses on fostering strategic collaborations between the IT industry and educational institutions to drive innovation and continuous learning. • Vaishnaw urged the tech sector to develop next-generation solutions to strengthen India's competitive position as a global technology leader.

• The Council of Europe has announced the results of the fourth call for projects under its Pilot Programme for Series Co-Productions. • Seven European series have been selected to share a total funding pool of $2.4 million. • The initiative aims to strengthen cultural dialogue across Europe by supporting collaborative television and online storytelling.

• The European Commission has launched a new Action Plan designed to enhance AI integration and cybersecurity to boost overall cyber resilience across the EU. • A central initiative is the "EU Grand Challenge on AI for cybersecurity," which will unite researchers, public organizations, and private companies to create next-generation security solutions. • The plan emphasizes strategic investments in European AI infrastructure, specifically focusing on the development of AI Factories and future Gigafactories.

• The EU Commission has introduced a new Action Plan designed to integrate advanced artificial intelligence (AI) models into cybersecurity frameworks. • To drive innovation, the Commission is launching the ‘EU Grand Challenge on AI for cybersecurity,’ a competition targeting companies, researchers, and organizations. • This initiative aims to scale the European market by developing cutting-edge AI solutions to better protect digital infrastructure from evolving threats.

• South Korea is amending its communications act to implement stricter regulations and clamp down on individuals and entities spreading false information online. • The move aims to curb the proliferation of "fake news," though critics argue the legislation could threaten freedom of speech and press liberties. • This shift is significant as South Korea has maintained one of Asia’s most open media landscapes since transitioning from authoritarian rule in the late 1980s.

• Thailand is launching an aggressive tourism campaign for the second half of the year to sustain rising international arrivals and strengthen both long-haul and short-haul markets. • The strategy focuses on key Asian markets, utilizing digital campaigns in China, aviation expansion in India, and promoting cross-border travel for visitors from Malaysia. • To ensure regional leadership despite volatility, the initiative targets high-frequency connectivity in Taiwan and Hong Kong while treating the Philippines and Myanmar as emerging growth markets.

• China has launched a new summer cruise service operating from the Qingdao Cruise Terminal to South Korea to boost international visitor growth. • The initiative expands visa-free cruise tourism and strengthens travel connectivity between China and South Korea, while complementing tourism flows to Japan, Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia. • This development positions Qingdao as a strategic cruise hub intended to drive regional economic cooperation and increase mobility for travelers across Northeast Asia.

• Japan and India have announced new agreements to strengthen bilateral cooperation across defense, economic ties, maritime security, and artificial intelligence. • The initiative aims to deepen strategic partnerships between the two nations to enhance regional stability and technological integration. • Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun criticized the move on Thursday, claiming such alliances promote "confrontation and division" rather than peace.

• Singapore's Cyber Security Agency (CSA) released its latest cyber landscape report, identifying artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and critical infrastructure vulnerabilities as primary risks. • To mitigate these threats, the CSA has backed the Cyber Resilience Centre to provide SMEs with essential cybersecurity health checks and post-incident recovery assistance. • Eligible small and medium enterprises can further access co-funding for professional cybersecurity advisory services via the CISO-as-a-Service programme.