Category: 3. Business

OpenAI has quietly rolled out a new subscription tier titled ChatGPT Go, priced at around PKR 1,300 ($4.55 USD).

The plan offers compelling upgrades over the free tier, including access to GPT 5, and enhanced image generating capabilities. You also get advanced data analysis features. However, it is not for everyone.

What’s in the Go Plan?

While similar in name to Plus and Pro offerings, ChatGPT Go provides a mid level alternative for users seeking more than free access without committing to higher priced plans. It delivers:

• Access to GPT 5, albeit with some usage limits
• Expanded messaging throughput and upload capacity
• Integration of AI based image creation
• Limited deep research tools, longer memory retention, and advanced data analysis tools

ChatGPT Go: A Strategic Regional Rollout

OpenAI appears to be testing this tier strategically, targeting markets where affordability strongly influences adoption rates. A limited region rollout allows them to monitor performance and user reception before broader deployment.

This move addresses a gap in OpenAI’s lineup, positioned below the $20 ChatGPT Plus (PKR 5,600) and $200 Pro (PKR 56,000)tiers, and suggests efforts to democratize AI access and broaden user reach.

Broader Subscription Trends

OpenAI’s broader strategy continues to focus on subscriptions, with plans like Plus, Pro, Team, and Enterprise already in place. The Go tier takes a notable step toward making advanced AI features financially accessible by offering the tier for developing markets, such as India. However, it is still not available for Pakistan.

As the AI ecosystem becomes more competitive, such pricing innovations could preempt rising rivals. OpenAI may expand ChatGPT Go to other regions if early results are positive.

Performance and user feedback will determine if Go becomes permanent or evolves further.

MANILA, Philippines — Asian are generally higher after most stocks on Wall Street fell following a disappointing report that said inflation was worse last month at the U.S. wholesale level than economists had expected.

U.S. futures rose while oil prices slipped.

China reported data showing its economy was feeling pressure from higher U.S. tariffs in July, while property investments fell further.

Retail sales rose 3.7% year-on-year, down from 4.8% in June, while investments in factory equipment and other fixed assets rose a meager 1.6%, compared with 2.8% growth in January-June.

Uncertainty over tariffs on exports to the United States is still looming over manufacturers after President Donald Trump extended a pause in sharp hikes in import duties for 90 days following a 90-day pause that began in May.

The Shanghai Composite index added 0.8% to 3,694.91, but Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index fell 1.2% to 25,216.45.

“Chinese economic activity slowed across the board in July, with retail sales, fixed asset investment, and value added of industry growth all reaching the lowest levels of the year. After a strong start, several months of cooling momentum suggest that the economy may need further policy support,” ING Economics said in a market commentary.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 gained 1.7% to 43,381.10 after the government reported that the economy grew at a 1% annual pace in the April-June quarter. That was better than analysts had expected.

Elsewhere in Asia, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.7% to 8,938.60, Taiwan’s TAIEX gained 0.4%. India’s BSE Sensex edged 0.1% higher.

Attention later Friday will likely focus on an update on U.S. retail sales and on a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

On Thursday, seven out of every 10 stocks within the S&P 500 fell, though the index edged up by less than 0.1% to set another all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 11 points, or less than 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite fell less than 0.1% from its record set the day before.

The inflation report said that prices jumped 3.3% last month at the U.S. wholesale level from a year earlier. That was well above the 2.5% rate that economists had forecast, and it could hint at higher inflation ahead for U.S. shoppers as higher costs make their way through the system.

The data led traders to second guess their widespread consensus that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates at its next meeting in September. Lower rates can boost investment prices and the economy by making it cheaper for U.S. households and businesses to borrow to buy houses, cars or equipment, but they also risk worsening inflation.

Higher interest rates drag on all kinds of companies by keeping the cost to borrow high. They can hurt smaller companies in particular because they often need to borrow to grow. The Russell 2000 index of smaller U.S. stocks tumbled a market-leading 1.2%.

Thursday’s disappointing data followed an encouraging update earlier in the week on prices at the consumer level. A separate report on Thursday, meanwhile, said fewer U.S. workers applied for unemployment benefits last week. That’s a good sign for workers, indicating that layoffs remain relatively low at a time when job openings have become more difficult to find.

But a solid job market could also give the Fed less reason to cut interest rates in the short term.

Big Tech stocks helped mask Wall Street’s losses. Amazon rose 2.9% to add to its gains from the prior day when it announced same-day delivery of fresh groceries in more than 1,000 cities and towns.

Because Amazon is so huge, with a market value of $2.45 trillion, the movements for its stock carry much more weight on the S&P 500 than the typical company’s.

In other dealings early Friday, U.S. benchmark crude lost 8 cents to $63.88 per barrel. Brent crude, the international standard, fell 11 cents to $66.73 per barrel.

The dollar edged lower to 147.11 Japanese yen from 147.20 yen. The euro rose to $1.1672 from $1.1654.

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AP Business Writer Stan Choe contributed.

Zong, Pakistan’s No.1 data network, and ZTE Corporation (0763.HK / 000063.SZ), a global leading provider of integrated information and communication technology solutions, have announced the commercial launch of the industry’s first high-power 8T8R Ultra-Broadband Radio (HP 8T8R UBR) and Digital Intelligent Antenna (DIA) solution.

This pioneering deployment marks a significant milestone for both companies. ZTE’s HP 8T8R UBR solution delivers the industry’s highest power (8x120W) for FDD dual band (1800MHz and 2100MHz), which are the key bands of Zong network. It is also the first such solution to be commercially launched worldwide.

This breakthrough in RRU high integration design enables a single unit to replace multiple legacy RRUs, saving up to 67% of RRUs for towers. This consolidation dramatically reduces the complexity of deployments, minimizes antenna space requirements, and lowers the overall equipment footprint.

Coupled with ZTE’s DIA antenna solution, the system supports the beamforming function by software definition which enables two 4T4R cells for current network or one 8T8R cell for the next-generation network.

The two companies are also exploring cost-efficient deployment strategies. For the scenario defined for newly rolled-out sites, they are used as “422” site which means one 4T4R cell and two 2T2R cells per site, particularly in scenarios where space and power are constrained.

Results from Zong’s commercial launch revealed significant performance enhancements, including a capacity increase of 34% in daily and 83% in busy hour, a user experience improvement of 173% in daily and 115% in busy hour. Beyond improved performance, it simplifies deployment and has proven to be a reliable and efficient alternative to traditional multi-radio setups.

Zong has expressed strong interest in scaling these solutions across its network, citing clear operational benefits, cost savings, and improved service quality.

This milestone underscores the shared commitment of Zong and ZTE to driving technological innovation and delivering next-generation network experiences. Through close collaboration, both companies are not only accelerating the evolution of Pakistan’s digital infrastructure but also setting a new benchmark for efficient, high-performance mobile networks across emerging markets. As the partnership deepens, Zong and ZTE will continue to explore cutting-edge solutions that empower users and enable sustainable growth.

Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund exited positions in several US-listed stocks in the second quarter, including Meta Platforms Inc., during a period of market volatility sparked by President Donald Trump’s tariff policies.

The $1 trillion Public Investment Fund also sold holdings in FedEx Corp. and Shopify Inc., according to a Bloomberg News analysis of its latest 13F filing. Meta, the parent of Facebook and Instagram, rose about 28% during the quarter and was among the PIF’s biggest exits.

• Vision 2027: Mahindra’s new generation of SUVs, based on NU_IQ platform, set to launch starting 2027
• Heartcore Design: The new SUV concepts showcase the next generation of Mahindra’s HEARTCORE design philosophy
• Exploring The New Impossible: The multi-energy NU_IQ platform has been engineered to address untapped white spaces across India and global markets
• World beating SUVs with no compromise:
  • Command Seating with Superior Driving Dynamics
  • Super Spacious Cabin with class-leading boot space
  • Flat form architecture takes first flat-floor ICE SUV from drawing board to reality
  • Lightweight design with top-tier safety standards
  • Sci-Fi Tech with Intuitive NU_UX: Next-gen Integrated Domain Architecture
• Endless Adaptability: Multiple Top Hats, Powertrains, FWD/AWD, LHD/RHD capability

 

Mumbai, August 15, 2025: Mahindra & Mahindra Limited, India’s leading SUV manufacturer, today unveiled its all-new modular, multi-energy NU_IQ platform that will underpin a new range of disruptive SUVs. The company offered a glimpse of its next-generation products by showcasing four world-beating concepts based on the new platform.

The revolutionary NU_IQ platform is the result of innovation born out of Mahindra’s strategy in the automotive space by creating products that rewrite the rules of mobility and free consumers from compromises. The manifestation of this vision has been showcased via four world-beating SUV concepts – the Vision.S, Vision.T, Vision.SXT and Vision.X, which address the white spaces while staying true to Mahindra’s core attributes of turn-on design – unmissable presence, spirited performance – on-tap power, world-class safety, sci-fi today and tough yet sophisticated.

R Velusamy, President – Automotive Business (Designate), Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. and Managing Director, Mahindra Electric Automobile Ltd., said, “NU_IQ is a strategic blueprint for the future of Mahindra SUVs globally. With its modular, multi-energy architecture, it gives us the flexibility to innovate across multiple top hats and powertrains whilst staying true to our SUV DNA. Designed to resolve paradoxes, NU_IQ forms the foundation for our next generation of SUVs. It marks a bold step and the start of a new era that frees customers from compromises and puts truly desirable, premium core SUVs squarely in the mainstream.”

Pratap Bose, Chief Design & Creative Officer – Auto & Farm Sectors, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., said, “The NU_IQ SUVs, designed at our Global Design studios in Mumbai and Banbury, represent the start of a new chapter of our HEARTCORE design philosophy. They build on the central tenet that great design should create an emotional bond between people and their vehicles while re-imagining it for a new future. Based on the theme ‘Opposites Attract’, where the juxtaposition of contrasting elements creates an expressive new design language, these concepts promise to shape experiences that inspire adventure, confidence, and connection on any terrain, anywhere in the world.”

Nalinikanth Gollagunta, Chief Executive Officer – Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. and Executive Director, Mahindra Electric Automobile Ltd., said, “NU_IQ blends innovation, global design and advanced technology to disrupt the white spaces in the automotive industry in India and internationally across Right-and-Left-Hand-Drive markets. The four concepts we are showcasing here offer a bold preview of what’s to come. They usher in a new no-compromise era of mobility and give freedom a new meaning.”

The Next Phase of HEARTCORE Design Philosophy:

Vision.S,Vision.T,Vision.SXT andVision.X, each represent a distinct expression ofMahindra’s future- ready NU_IQ platform. These concepts represent Mahindra’s commitment to redefining personal, all-terrain mobility for a global audience, combining strong brand heritagewith advanced, expressive design. From the Born Iconic spirit of Vision.T and Vision.SXT, to the Sporty Solidity of Vision.S, and the Sculptural Athleticism of Vision.X, each model is crafted with a clear, unique personality. Developed collaboratively by Mahindra India Design Studio (MIDS) in Mumbai and Mahindra Advanced Design Europe (MADE) in Banbury, UK, the four concepts are a testament to the brand’s evolving design language, one that balances timeless brand cues with modern, future-focused innovation.

These concepts, engineered at Mahindra ResearchValley, will go into production starting 2027. This bold strategy furthers Mahindra’s vision of delivering class-leading, luxury SUVs to a larger audience in India, while redefining the premium SUV experience in global markets, including Left-Hand Drive regions.

Social Media Addresses for Mahindra Auto and Mahindra Electric Origin SUVs:

• Brand website: https://auto.mahindra.com/ | https://www.mahindraelectricsuv.com/
• Instagram: @mahindra_auto | @mahindraelectricsuvs
• Twitter (X): @mahindra_auto | @mahindraeSUVs
• YouTube: @MahindraAutomotive | @mahindraelectricsuvs
• Facebook: MahindraAutomotiveIndia | @mahindraelectricoriginsuvs
• Hashtags: #Freedom_NU #MahindraAuto #MahindraElectricOriginSUVs

 

About Mahindra

Founded in 1945, the Mahindra Group is one of the largest and most admired multinational federation of companies with 260,000 employees in over 100 countries. It enjoys a leadership position in farm equipment, utility SUVs, information technology and financial services in India and is the world’s largest tractor company by volume. It has a strong presence in renewable energy, agriculture, logistics, hospitality, and real estate.

The Mahindra Group has a clear focus on leading ESG globally, enabling rural prosperity and enhancing urban living, with a goal to drive positive change in the lives of communities and stakeholders to enable them to Rise.

Learn more about Mahindra on www.mahindra.com / Twitter and Facebook: @MahindraRise/ For updates subscribe to https://www.mahindra.com/news-room.

Media contact information

Siddharth Saha

Sr. Manager, Marketing Communications, Mahindra Automotive

Email – [email protected] 

You can also write to us on: [email protected]

The owner of Kingsmill has agreed to buy its rival Hovis in a deal that would create the UK’s biggest bread brand if the competition regulator approves it, but also put jobs at risk.

The deal comes after decades of decline in the popularity of the packaged sliced loaf, with Hovis, owned by the private equity company Endless, and its rival Kingsmill – part of Associated British Foods (ABF) – struggling to get out of the red for some years.

ABF, which also owns the Primark clothing chain, said the tie-up would combine the production and distribution activities of the two businesses, which is expected to lead to roles being shed.

The potential merger between the UK’s second- and third-largest bread brands will attract scrutiny from the competition watchdog, which it is understood could take a year. The Competition and Markets Authority will have to decide if the brands face sufficient rivalry on price and quality from supermarket own labels and other options as well as the UK’s current market leader, Warburtons.

The Hovis directors said in accounts recently published at Companies House that they thought any deal was “unlikely to be concluded” before September next year and that scrutiny was likely to continue until at least then.

Sales at Hovis, which employs 2,925 people, fell almost 9% to £447m in the year to 28 September 2024 as pre-tax losses widened to £4.7m from a loss of £3.6m a year before after £530,000 in one-off costs, the majority of which related to restructuring.

It said it had been battling “extreme price volatility across key raw materials” during the year.

Meanwhile, ABF’s bakery division, Allied Bakeries – which includes Kingsmill, Allinson’s and Sunblest – incurs annual losses of about £30m despite sales of about £400m, according to analysts at Panmure Liberum.

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Both businesses are facing strong competition from the family-owned Warburtons, now the UK’s biggest bread brand, which has gained a bigger slice of the market through innovation – from giant crumpets to seeded flatbreads. It is now understood to account for more than a quarter of packaged bread sold.

Cybersecurity researchers have uncovered a sophisticated Android banking Trojan named PhantomCard, capable of hijacking contactless payments.

Disguised as a card protection app, it tricks users into tapping their banking card to their phone, secretly relaying card data to fraudsters who then complete ATM or POS transactions remotely.

How PhantomCard Works

PhantomCard is delivered through fake Google Play pages that host a deceptive app called “Proteção Cartões”. The app uses NFC to read EMV card data and request your PIN without requiring suspicious permissions. It then transfers this sensitive information to a relay server, allowing criminals to use your card as if it were physically present at the point of sale or ATM.

Variants of the malware are sold as Malware as a Service (MaaS), enabling multiple affiliates to carry out tailored NFC relay attacks in regions like Brazil and potentially worldwide.

Echoes of Past NFC Threats and Global Trends

Tech experts compare PhantomCard to earlier NFC threats like NGate and NFCGate, malicious toolkits that paved the way for real-world NFC relay attacks in Europe. The malware’s evolution underscores how contactless payments, once seen as secure, are now a major attack vector.

Another variant, SuperCard X, also blends smishing, fake bank alerts, and NFC relay to clone cards and steal funds via ATM and POS terminals, first spotted in Italy through Telegram-run campaigns.

What You Should Do to Protect Your Wallet From PhantomCard

• Download only from trusted stores, and ignore suspicious links or unsolicited apps.
• Disable NFC when not in use, especially if your device allows it.
• Install mobile security software with malware detection, like zDefend or Google Play Protect.
• Watch for unusual banking alerts, double-check any prompts, and never share your PIN or allow card taps without context.

Fraudsters are now empowering remote NFC relay scams that bypass typical banking safeguards. Since smartphones naturally support contactless communication, this technique gives cybercrime a whole new level of stealth and efficiency.

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) closed flat on Friday as profit-taking wiped out earlier gains.

PSX’s benchmark KSE-100 Index closed at 146,491.63 points after losing 37.67 points or 0.03%, down from the previous close of 146,529.30 points.

However, the PSX registered +0.76% week-on-week increase. Topline Securities said attributed the weekly rise largely to the account of buying by mutual funds. “However, decline in positive stride was observed during the week.”

Top positive contribution to the index came from EFERT, LUCK, ENGROH, MEBL & AIRLINK, as they cumulatively contributed +512 points, on the other hand OGDC, UBL, PPL, HUBC and MARI lost value to weigh down on the index by -499 points.

“It’s a range bound activity nowadays led by mutual funds’ liquidity and earnings seasons. Moody’s credit rating is already incorporated,” said AAH Soomro, an independent investment and economic analyst.

Moody’s upgraded Pakistan’s credit rating from Caa2 to Caa1, citing an improved external position and progress on reforms under the IMF (International Monetary Fund) Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme.

The agency noted that foreign exchange reserves are likely to continue improving, though dependent on timely financing from official partners, while fiscal strengthening is supported by a broader tax base. However, it cautioned that debt affordability remains among the weakest globally, with governance and political uncertainty still high.

This marks the third upgrade in four months, following similar moves by S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings, underpinned by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government’s commitment to fiscal consolidation and reforms.

On the performance front, Pakistan secured the top global spot for equity returns in USD over FY24–FY25 combined, Bloomberg data showed. In FY25 alone, Pakistan ranked eighth globally but outperformed regional peers, returning far more than India’s BSE Sensex (+3.2%), China (+14.8%) and India’s broader market (+6%), according to AHL data.

The State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) latest Monetary Policy Report (MPR) projected GDP growth at 3.25–4.25% in FY26 and a current account deficit between zero and 1.0% of GDP.

With the policy rate maintained at 11% in June and July, the SBP expects the real policy rate to remain positive to stabilise inflation within target. Reserves are forecast to reach $15.5 billion by end-December 2025, supported by projected financial inflows and continued SBP FX purchases.

Enhanced by Generative AI, Bixby now offers a more conversational and personalized experience for TV users to get more from what they’re watching without leaving the screen

 

Samsung Electronics announced an update[1] to its AI-powered Bixby feature on its 2025 TV lineup, introducing a more advanced Bixby voice assistant designed to make information discovery more natural, intuitive and seamless.

 

“Samsung has led the global TV market for 19 consecutive years, and we continue to raise the bar by delivering meaningful innovation that enhances everyday experiences,” said Hun Lee, Executive Vice President of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “With a smarter Bixby, we focused on making AI practical, helping viewers connect with content in smarter, more natural ways.”

 

 

Ask your TV Anything. A Smarter Bixby Answers

A smarter Bixby voice assistant on Samsung TVs now delivers a more natural and personalized experience. With a smarter Bixby, users can easily wake it up by voice or by pressing the mic button to start a conversation — no commands, no menus, no typing.

 

The new Bixby understands context and follow-up questions, enabling more fluid interactions that feel like a real conversation. Powered by Generative AI, Bixby can answer any questions you may have, whether you’re asking about general information, such as “How tall is Mount Everest?”, or recommendations like “Please suggest chill playlists for a rainy day”.  By simply asking, Bixby can help answer questions about on-screen content, as it retrieves the most relevant details and displays them on screen. It’s a smarter, faster way to get more out of your TV without breaking your viewing flow.

 

 

Effortless Home Device Management with Bixby and SmartThings

Equipped with a smarter Bixby, Samsung TVs can detect, connect and control appliances with Samsung SmartThings enabled. By speaking directly to their screen, users can leverage the SmartThings ecosystem to execute voice commands, such as “Turn off the oven now,” or “Set the air conditioner to 25 degrees,” transforming their smart TV into a central hub for managing other smart home appliances.

 

Moreover, Bixby is secured by Samsung Knox, the industry-leading security solution designed to protect users’ sensitive personal data. Users can enjoy AI-driven personalized features without worrying about privacy concerns, as no user voice data is stored on servers or TVs.

 

 

Ongoing Support and Availability

Smarter Bixby will be available on 2025 Samsung TVs, including Neo QLED, OLED, The Frame and QLED models, with availability starting in South Korea and extending to global markets in phases.

 

Building on the integration of Bixby within Vision AI, Samsung will introduce a newly upgraded version of Vision AI in October 2025. This evolved Vision AI will be available through Samsung’s 7-year free Tizen OS Upgrade program, which ensures ongoing software enhancements and long-term support.

 

For more information, please visit: https://www.samsung.com/my/.

 

 

 

[1] The update will start rolling out in the U.S. on August 4, with plans to expand to four European countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain) within August.