Askari Bank and Autosoft Dynamics Partner to Accelerate Digital Transformation in Lending:
Askari Bank Limited has entered into a strategic partnership with Autosoft Dynamics (Pvt.) Limited, a leading provider of banking technology solutions, to implement a state-of-the-art Digital Lending and Loan Origination System (LOS). This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the Bank’s digital transformation journey and reinforces its commitment to redefining customer experience through technology-driven innovation.Under this agreement, Autosoft Dynamics will deploy its advanced digital lending suite to automate and streamline the end-to-end credit process. The initiative will strengthen Askari Bank’s risk management framework, enhance operational efficiency, and substantially reduce turnaround times for loan processing—offering customers a faster, more transparent, and convenient banking experience.
Huawei’s First Ever AI Companion is a Smart Emotional Support Pet:
Huawei has introduced its first AI-powered emotional-companion pet, Smart Hanhan, during the Mate 80 series event. The product became available on Huawei Mall for $56, and all three color options sold out shortly after launch.Smart Hanhan is designed as a small plush companion focused on emotional support rather than entertainment. It measures 80 x 68 x 82 millimeters and weighs 140 grams without its limbs. Huawei uses plush fabric, silicone, plastic, and internal electronics to create a soft and expressive device.
Humanoid Robots Will Take These Jobs in Five Years: Xiaomi:
Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun says artificial intelligence is set to transform traditional industries over the next five years, and he expects humanoid robots to become a central part of that shift. In an interview with Beijing Daily, Lei described AI as a core force that will rebuild industrial systems rather than a peripheral tool.Lei pointed to Xiaomi’s electric vehicle factory as an early example of how AI can deliver major efficiency gains. Inspecting large die-cast components is typically slow and prone to human error. Xiaomi now uses an X-ray system combined with a vision AI model to complete the task in two seconds, providing ten times the speed and more than five times the accuracy of manual inspection. Lei called this a preview of what becomes possible when AI is deeply integrated into core manufacturing operations.
Honor Magic 8 Pro Reaches Global Market With 7,100 mAh Battery and 200MP Camera:
Honor has released the Magic 8 Pro in global markets after its initial debut in China last month. The international version is nearly identical to the Chinese model, with the only changes found in the battery size and wired charging speed. The Magic 8 Pro features a 6.71-inch LTPO OLED display with a 1.5K resolution of 1,256 x 2,808 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate. Honor states that the panel can reach up to 6,000 nits of peak HDR brightness. The phone is rated IP68, IP69, and IP69K for dust and water resistance. It measures 161.15 x 75 x 8.32 mm and weighs 219 g. It is offered in Black, Sunrise Gold, and Sky Cyan.
StormFiber Expands Its 100% Fiber-Optic Network to Daska, Marking Its 26th City Launch:
StormFiber, Pakistan’s leading Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) broadband provider powered by Cybernet, has officially launched its services in Daska, making it StormFiber’s 26th operational city.With this expansion, StormFiber brings reliable, high-speed fiber-optic broadband to thousands of households and small businesses across the city. The rollout aims to support Daska’s growing digital needs by offering a robust connectivity experience ideal for online learning, seamless video calling, and Ultra HD entertainment.
Only 25% of Pakistan’s Telecom Infrastructure Providers Are Doing The Work:
Only 25% of Telecom Infrastructure Provider (TIP) license holders have made meaningful progress in supporting Pakistan’s digital connectivity goals, according to a Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) document.The document reveals that out of 24 TIP licenses issued so far, only 14 companies have deployed optical fiber networks. Among them, just six licensees have laid 300 kilometers or more of fiber infrastructure.
PTA Proposes Stricter Rollout Obligations for Telecom Infrastructure Provider Licensees:
PTA has decided to introduce stricter rollout obligations for Telecom Infrastructure Provider (TIP) licensees as part of its efforts to ensure meaningful deployment of telecom infrastructure across Pakistan.The Authority has prepared a consultation paper proposing a structured set of mandatory rollout requirements that TIP operators will be required to meet over a multi-year timeline.
Google’s Circle to Search Feature is Getting Even Better:
Google is rolling out a major update to Circle to Search, bringing deeper AI-driven results to Android phones. The feature first launched with the Galaxy S24 Ultra, allowing users to highlight items in videos, apps, and social media posts to search for more information. Until now, it relied mostly on Google’s standard image search. With the latest update, Circle to Search will begin using Google’s AI Mode for follow-up queries.
HMD is Making Its First Ever Laptop – And It Might Be a Chromebook Flip:
HMD, the company that took over Nokia’s phone business before expanding into its own smartphone lineup, appears to be preparing a move into laptops for the first time.A new leak from X user @smashx_60 claims HMD is developing a 2-in-1 Chromebook known as the HMD (Chrome)Book CS-1 Flip, or HMD Book CS-1 Flip. The “Flip” branding suggests a 360-degree hinge and touchscreen, similar to convertible Chromebooks already on the market.
Myco to Bring ICC Cricket Closer to Millions of Fans in Pakistan:
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has appointed Myco as the master digital rights holder for all ICC events in Pakistan until 2027.Under this partnership, Myco will deliver world-class cricket coverage to millions of cricket fans across the country through Myco and our partners: PTV Sports, Tamasha & Geo Super. Additionally, Myco has sub-licensed the streaming rights for 2026 to Tapmad and ARY Zap, ensuring fans can access every match on multiple digital platforms.
Xiaomi’s New Ultra-Durable Smartwatch Can Last Up to an Impressive 1.5 Months:
Black Shark, a sub-brand of Xiaomi, has expanded its wearable lineup with the introduction of the GS3 Ultra, a rugged successor to the GS3 launched more than a year ago. The new model brings a reinforced design, upgraded durability, and improved tracking features.The Black Shark GS3 Ultra features a reinforced metal frame and includes four mechanical-style buttons for easier control during outdoor use. It comes with a 1.43-inch circular AMOLED display offering 466×466 resolution, 1,000 nits brightness, and support for 16.7 million colors. The screen is protected by 9H Gorilla Glass and includes 270 watch faces.
Ignored but Inevitable: The Rise of Crypto in Pakistan’s Shadow Economy:
Pakistanis have invested between $20–25 billion in crypto despite a national ban, placing the country eighth in global rankings for crypto activity, according to Chainalysis and the Asian Development Bank. This contradiction between official policy and on-ground reality framed a session titled “The Future of Cryptocurrency in Pakistan” at the Pakistan Business Council’s Dialogue on the Economy conference, held at Serena Hotel, Islamabad. The session, led by Dr. Asad Samar, CEO of Square Point Trading Group, focused on how cryptocurrencies work, their evolution, and the regulatory challenges and opportunities within the local context.
‘It’s the golden age of spreadsheet geekery’:
That is what the co-founders of the UK Microsoft Excel chapter said when explaining how the everyday computer programme Microsoft Excel became a competitive e-sport.For a few years now, spreadsheet masters have been working hard to get their hands on the wrestling style UK and world champion belts that are awarded to the winners of Microsoft Excel Championships – and in the west of England the race is on to find new talent to galvanise on the sport’s growing popularity.
Robots to deliver takeaways in student areas:
Robots will soon be delivering takeaways in one of Leeds’ busiest neighbourhoods.The autonomous machines, which run on six wheels, have been delivering groceries to residents in parts of Leeds since 2022, when a partnership with Co-op began.From next month the technology will be expanded to Headingley, Hyde Park and Woodhouse and open to a number of businesses through the Uber Eats app.
It’s time to lock in and let your winter arc begin:
Have you ever locked in? No, not finding yourself locked in a lift or a bathroom. We’re talking about locking IN – the phrase you might have seen on social media or heard people saying lately. To lock in is to focus; to endure short-term pain for long-term gain – whether that be building your body or your business. Do it today – not tomorrow. Everything else is a distraction.
Text scammers make tens of thousands a month – and spend it on designer shoes and bags:
“They don’t keep money, they spend it here and now.” Det Ch Insp Paul Curtis is showing us around an evidence room piled high with designer shoes and handbags. Thousands of items are neatly stacked in plastic containers on wooden shelves. The items here have been seized from financial fraudsters, some of whom send scam texts – known as smishing – to victims.
Barcelona distances itself from sponsor’s cryptocurrency after backlash:
The Spanish football giant Barcelona has told fans it has “no connection whatsoever” with the digital coin offered by its new crypto partner, following criticism over the deal.Clubs often pick up sponsors in unusual areas to bring in extra money – with Arsenal bringing in Persil as its fabric care partner in 2023, and Kellogg’s becoming Manchester City’s breakfast cereal partner that same year.
Asahi says 1.5 million customers’ data potentially leaked in cyber-attack:
Japanese beer giant Asahi revealed on Thursday that a massive cyber-attack in September has potentially leaked the personal information of more than 1.5 million customers.The drinks company published a statement on its investigation into the ransomware attack, which had crippled its operations across its factories in Japan and forced employees to take orders by pen and paper.
Lifelike mannequins to ‘transform’ doctor training:
“Breathing” mannequins that simulate medical conditions are being used to train medical students thanks to a grant of almost £1.4m. The University of Lincoln said it had invested in the hi-tech devices – which also include fake limbs with functioning veins – to “transform hands-on clinical training for the next generation of medics”. It means trainees at the city’s medical school can practise skills such as taking blood, inserting catheters and diagnosing conditions before treating human patients.
Cryptology firm cancels elections after losing encryption key:
A firm considered one of the leading global voices in encryption has cancelled the announcement of its leadership election results after an official lost the encrypted key needed to unlock them. The International Association for Cryptologic Research (IACR) uses an electronic voting system which needs three members, each with part of an encrypted key, to access the results. In a statement, the scientific organisation said one of the trustees had lost their key in “an honest but unfortunate human mistake”, making it impossible for them to decrypt – and uncover – the final results.