Daira Marks First Anniversary with Renewed Commitment to Financial Inclusion in Pakistan:
Mobile-first digital nano-lending platform, Daira marked its first anniversary of operations in Pakistan with a renewed commitment to advancing financial inclusion and access to finance for the country’s unbanked and underbanked populations. Daira was launched by Pakistan fintech company Finleap, a part of global financial technology leader FinVolution Group (NYSE: FINV) that connects millions of consumers and micro- and small-sized enterprises with over 130 financial institutions worldwide. The platform benefits from global best practices and financial models to enable Pakistan’s financially excluded segments.
South Korea Turns Trading Into a Live Esports Spectacle:
In Seoul, South Korea, trading is being transformed into a high-stakes public competition, modeled after the excitement of esports. In packed arenas, traders compete in front of live audiences, using identical accounts to double their investments as quickly as possible within a set time limit. Giant screens display real-time graphs and price movements, creating an intense atmosphere that blends skill, luck, and adrenaline. According to financial analysts, this new trend is blurring the lines between finance, gaming, and gambling.
Teen Accounts on Instagram Will Now Have their Apps Censored:
Instagram is introducing a major update aimed at protecting teenage users by filtering their feed to display only content suitable for a PG-13 audience. The move, announced by Meta, comes in response to growing concerns about the platform’s influence on young users and will apply globally over the coming months. The update ensures that all accounts belonging to users under 18 are placed into a default “13+” content setting. This setting limits access to posts with strong language, dangerous stunts, drug-related themes, and other mature material. Meta confirmed that even if teens try to search for such topics, the system will block not only the keywords but also common misspellings.
Internet Services Fully Restored Across Pakistan After Submarine Cable Repair:
Internet services across Pakistan have been fully restored after the successful completion of repair work on a submarine cable system. According to a spokesperson for PTCL Group, the international cable consortium has completed maintenance on the repeater installed in the submarine cable, ensuring normal internet connectivity nationwide. The repair operation, which began on October 14 at 11 a.m., was part of scheduled maintenance announced earlier by the consortium. The work continued for approximately 18 hours and involved technical procedures to restore the stability and performance of the undersea communication link connecting Pakistan to the global network.
Beware of These Dangerous WordPress Plugins Infecting Pakistani Websites:
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued a cybersecurity advisory warning website administrators and developers about multiple vulnerabilities detected in several popular WordPress plugins, posing serious security risks to websites, including those in Pakistan.According to the advisory, multiple Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerabilities have been identified in plugins, including MetricThemes Munk Sites, FancyWP Starter Templates, OneStore Sites, WP Keyword Monitor, URL-Preview-Box, Vignette Ads, Show Notice or Message on Admin Area, WP Social Stream, and WP Admin Custom Page. These flaws could allow attackers to perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users without their consent.
HBO Max Launched in Pakistan — Here are the Prices:
HBO Max has officially launched in Pakistan as part of a broader regional rollout that includes Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Brunei, Laos, Cambodia, Mongolia, and Macau. With these additions, the platform will surpass 100 global markets by the end of the year. HBO Max is now available in Pakistan for cheap, starting at only Rs. 800 a month for its Standard package. This brings you 1080p video streaming, 30 downloads to watch on the go, and the ability to stream on 2 devices at once.
OpenAI’s New Broadcom Chips Will Generate Enough Power to Run an Entire City:
OpenAI has partnered with chipmaker giant Broadcom to develop custom processors for artificial intelligence, the company announced Monday. The chips are expected to launch next year and will deliver up to 10 gigawatts of computing power, roughly equivalent to the energy consumed by a major city.The move comes amid a series of major tech partnerships done by OpenAI seeks to take tighter control over its infrastructure as demand for AI services surges. CEO Sam Altman has recently inked deals with Nvidia, AMD, Oracle, Samsung, and SK Hynix, focused on expanding AI data centers and chip supply. Still, a few of the agreements, including the one with Broadcom, have not disclosed financial details.
Fake News Creators Face Arrests and Account Bans in Massive Government Crackdown:
The Government of Pakistan has announced a comprehensive crackdown against fake news and disinformation networks following recent protests by a religious group. Officials confirmed that several networks involved in spreading false information have been identified, and a list of key individuals linked to these operations has been prepared.According to official sources, cases will be registered against those involved under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). The National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency (NCCIA) and specialized units have been directed to initiate immediate arrests of suspects. Authorities have also activated a dedicated Deep Fake Lab to conduct forensic analysis of fabricated videos and audio clips circulating online. Notices have been issued to major social media platforms, instructing them to remove fake and harmful content within 24 hours. Repeated violations could result in the permanent suspension of accounts.
Google Search and Photos Get Nano Banana AI Upgrade:
Google is expanding the reach of its AI-powered image editor, Nano Banana, by integrating it into several of its core services, including Google Search, NotebookLM, and Photos. The tool gained viral attention last month for its creative editing features, and Google is now building on that momentum by rolling it out to more apps and services.The most significant update is in NotebookLM, where Nano Banana is now enhancing the platform’s Video Overviews feature. This feature automatically creates animated explainer videos based on user documents. With the update, users will be able to apply six new visual styles, such as watercolor and anime, and generate contextual illustrations pulled from source material. Google is also introducing “Briefs,” a new format for short, AI-generated micro-videos. These enhancements begin rolling out to Pro users this week and will reach all users in the coming weeks.
Microsoft Finally Developed and Launched Its Own AI Image Generator:
Microsoft has launched MAI-Image-1, its first image-generation model developed entirely in-house, which represents a shift away from its dependence on OpenAI technologies, embedded deeply into most of its AI offerings, including Copilot. The new model, currently being tested on the public image comparison platform LMArena, is expected to be added soon to Microsoft Copilot and Bing Image Creator.The company says MAI-Image-1 is capable of generating photorealistic images, with improved rendering of natural lighting, reflections, and landscapes. Microsoft also claims that the model performs efficiently, delivering faster outputs with more consistency compared to some larger competitors, without naming any names. These capabilities were developed using feedback from professional artists and creative workers to avoid repetitive or low-quality results.
Govt to Launch Rs. 330 Million Digital Profiling System to Monitor Criminals and Terrorists:
The Punjab government has approved a new initiative to establish the province’s first digital profiling system, aiming to enhance early threat detection and support security agencies in preventing terrorism, organized crime, and cyber threats.With an estimated budget of Rs. 334 million, the project will be rolled out in two phases. The first phase has been allocated Rs. 204 million, while Rs. 130 million will fund the second phase. The system is expected to be fully operational once both phases are complete
Apple Just Found a Way to Cut iPhone Fold Costs – Here’s How:
Apple’s upcoming foldable iPhone is expected to feature a significantly less expensive hinge than previously anticipated, according to longtime Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. The device, widely rumored to launch in 2026, is still in development, but early reports indicate Apple has made notable cost reductions in one of its most complex components.Kuo reports that the hinge is now estimated to be $70 to $80 cheaper than earlier market expectations. This price drop is credited to an optimized assembly process developed by Foxconn, Apple’s key manufacturing partner. A joint venture between Foxconn and Taiwan-based Shin Zu Shing is expected to supply around 65% of the hinges, while US-based Amphenol will handle the remaining 35%.
AI couldn’t picture a woman like me – until now:
Hen Jess Smith uploaded a photo of herself into an AI image generator this summer, she wasn’t expecting a social experiment. The former Australian Paralympic swimmer wanted to vamp up her headshot and uploaded a full-length photo of her and prompted it really specifically that she was missing her left arm from below the elbow. But ChatGPT couldn’t create the image she was asking for and despite various prompts, the results were largely the same – a woman with two arms or one with a metal device to represent a prosthetic. She asked the AI why it was so hard to create the image and it said it was because it didn’t have enough data to work with. “That was an important realisation for me that of course AI is a reflection of the world we live in today and the level of inequality and discrimination that exists,” she says.
Outsourcing firm Capita fined £14m after millions had data stolen:
The UK’s data watchdog has fined outsourcing firm Capita £14m after the personal data of 6.6 million people was stolen in a cyber-attack. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) said Capita “failed to ensure the security of processing of personal data which left it at significant risk”. The fine was originally set at £45m but reduced after discussions between Capita and the watchdog. Capita’s boss Adolfo Hernandez said the firm was “pleased to have concluded this matter and reached today’s settlement”.
Infamous witch trials inspire new video game:
It is a centuries-old gruesome tale of fear, horror, injustice and alleged witchcraft in County Antrim. The infamous Islandmagee witch trials of 1711 have been given a very modern make-over in a ground-breaking video game. 1711 Ireland: A Witch’s Fate from Ulster University was one of the first productions launched at Studio Ulster, Northern Ireland’s largest virtual production studio. A partnership between Belfast Harbour, Ulster University and NI Screen, Studio Ulster aims to attract large-scale film and TV productions.
Teens create app to tackle mental health stigma:
A group of students are having an app developed to help break down the barriers around mental health for young people. It comes after the teenagers, from Blythe Bridge High School in the Staffordshire Moorlands, won a competition put on by suicide prevention charity the Oli Leigh Trust. Their app, Mindful Mondays, hopes to break down the barriers that young people face around their mental health. Sophie Hodgkinson, who is 15 and one of the female students behind the idea, said: “A lot of people struggle with it silently and don’t feel like it’s ok to talk about it. There’s a lot of negative stigma around it.”
Pupils struggle to spot untrue AI content – report:
The vast majority of teenagers use artificial intelligence in their schoolwork but many struggle to spot misinformation, a report has suggested. More than 2,000 pupils aged 13 to 18 were asked by Oxford University Press (OUP) how they regarded AI. Just over half said it was difficult to tell whether content was true. The OUP said worried students were turning to teachers for help, but a third felt their tutors were not confident in using AI tools.Assistant headteacher Dan Williams, from Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School in Sutton Coldfield, said most pupils at his school were using AI for homework or revision.
Bitcoin worth $14bn seized in US-UK crackdown on alleged scammers:
The US government has seized more than $14bn (£10.5bn) in bitcoin and charged the founder of a Cambodian business empire, the Prince Group, with allegedly masterminding a massive cryptocurrency scam, which involved forced labour camps.
UK and Cambodian national Chen Zhi was charged on Tuesday in New York for allegedly engaging in a wire-fraud conspiracy and money laundering scheme. Mr Chen’s businesses were also sanctioned by the US and the UK as part of a joint operation. The UK government says it has frozen assets owned by his network, including 19 properties in London – one of which is worth nearly £100m ($133m). US prosecutors said it was one the biggest financial takedowns in history and the largest ever seizure of bitcoin, with approximately 127,271 bitcoin being held by US government.
ChatGPT will soon allow erotica for verified adults, says OpenAI boss:
OpenAI plans to allow a wider range of content, including erotica, on its popular chatbot ChatGPT as part of its push to “treat adult users like adults”, says its boss Sam Altman. In a post on X on Tuesday, Mr Altman said upcoming versions of the popular chatbot would enable it to behave in a more human-like way – “but only if you want it, not because we are usage maxxing”. The move, reminiscent of Elon Musk’s xAI recent introduction of two sexually explicit chatbots to Grok, could help OpenAI attract more paying subscribers. It is also likely to intensify pressure on lawmakers to introduce tighter restrictions on chatbot companions.
Personal data potentially stolen in Asahi cyber-attack:
Personal data may have been stolen in the ransomware attack that forced Asahi to halt beer production, the company has said. Japan’s biggest brewer was forced to pause operations at most of its 30 factories in the country after a cyber-attack late last month disrupted everything from beer shipments to its accounting system. All of Asahi’s facilities have now partially reopened and restarted production but computer systems remain down, meaning orders are being processed using pen, paper and fax machines. In a statement on Tuesday, Asahi said it was investigating whether personal information was stolen in the attack.
Cyber attack contingency plans should be put on paper, firms told:
People should plan for potential cyber-attacks by going back to pen and paper, according to the latest advice. The government has written to chief executives across the country strongly recommending that they should have physical copies of their plans at the ready as a precaution. A recent spate of hacks has highlighted the chaos that can ensue when hackers take computer systems down. The warning comes as the National Cyber-Security Centre (NCSC) reported an increase in nationally significant attacks this year.
Google to invest $15bn to build AI data hub in India:
Google’s parent company Alphabet will invest $15bn (£11.29bn) to build an AI data hub in southern India’s Andhra Pradesh state.
The facility, which will be set up in the port city of Visakhapatnam, will be part of Google’s global network of AI centres spread across 12 countries.
“It’s the largest AI hub that we are going to be investing in anywhere in the world, outside of the United States,” Thomas Kurian, the CEO of Google Cloud, said at an event in the capital Delhi on Tuesday, adding that the investment will be spread over the next five years. The announcement comes at a time when US President Donald Trump has been asking American companies to prioritise domestic investment.India has emerged as a key destination for AI data centres. The country’s low data costs and rapidly growing internet user base have made it a hub for cloud and AI expansion for tech giants.