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Adoption of technology in the financial services industry has been accelerating in recent years. To assess its contribution to financial inclusion, we develop a novel digital financial inclusion index covering 52 emerging market and developing economies. We find that (i) the adoption of digital financial services has been a key driver of financial inclusion; and (ii) there is wide variation across countries and regions, with the greatest progress recorded in Africa and Asia. Given the accelerated adoption of digital payments during the COVID‐19 pandemic, policies are needed to close the digital divide to ensure continued progress in financial inclusion and safeguard trust in financial services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on Filipino musicians' performance of mainstream popular music in high-class hotels in Asia. It also examines the reasons behind the demand for Filipino bands in hotels throughout Asia and identifies the ways in which such musicians maintain the identity of being a Filipino, giving rise to a specific configuration of and implications for the diaspora in performance. Becoming an entertainer is more profitable that other occupations available to overseas Filipino workers. It also includes interviews with such musicians and information on the nature of the job.