Initiate Magazine

  • Home
  • Initiate Magazine

Initiate Magazine Connect with us for Daily Business Insights, Entrepreneurial Journeys, and Startup Success.

A giant coral, the largest known in the world, has been discovered in the Solomon Islands. Spanning 183 meters in circum...
16/11/2024

A giant coral, the largest known in the world, has been discovered in the Solomon Islands. Spanning 183 meters in circumference, this massive coral is around 300-500 years old and consists of millions of individual polyps. It was found by the National Geographic Pristine Seas team in the “coral triangle,” home to a diverse marine ecosystem.

The coral, mostly brown with vibrant hues of yellow, blue, and red, is a haven for fish, crabs, and shrimp. While this discovery is significant, marine ecologist Enric Sala warned that it is still threatened by global warming and human activity, despite its remote location.

Unlike a reef, this is a single, standalone coral. Initially mistaken for a shipwreck, the coral had never been documented before. Local fishers had likely confused it with a boulder.

For the people of the Solomon Islands, this discovery highlights the importance of safeguarding natural wonders. Scientists hope the healthy coral will serve as a beacon of hope in the fight against climate change.

Hello Initiators,Recharge for the week ahead!Ditch the business plans and binge on inspiration! Our recommended Netflix ...
16/11/2024

Hello Initiators,

Recharge for the week ahead!

Ditch the business plans and binge on inspiration! Our recommended Netflix series for entrepreneurs are here.

Happy Weekend!

Zopa, a British online lender backed by SoftBank, is set to double its profits and increase its revenue by 35% this year...
16/11/2024

Zopa, a British online lender backed by SoftBank, is set to double its profits and increase its revenue by 35% this year, according to CEO Jaidev Janardana. The company expects to surpass £300 million in revenue, up from £222 million in 2023. Zopa also anticipates pre-tax profits will rise twofold, after hitting £15.8 million last year.

The company, which operates as a regulated bank, offers products like credit cards, personal loans, and savings accounts through its mobile app, similar to fintech rivals like Monzo and Revolut. Zopa plans to launch a current account in 2025 to expand its product range. Janardana cited the improving UK economy and the increasing relevance of Zopa’s offerings, especially in a tight market where customers are seeking higher savings rates.

Despite the fintech sector's volatility, Zopa is not currently focused on an IPO. The firm had initially planned to go public but paused those plans due to the market downturn in 2022. Janardana noted that an IPO is not a priority, though he sees potential for more favorable market conditions in 2026.

Zopa raised $300 million in a 2021 funding round, was valued at over $1 billion, and made key hires, including a new CTO and COO.

At a recent media meet-up, HBL Bank Chairman, Mr. Sultan Ali Allana, discussed how the bank is revolutionizing the banki...
16/11/2024

At a recent media meet-up, HBL Bank Chairman, Mr. Sultan Ali Allana, discussed how the bank is revolutionizing the banking industry by simplifying processes and prioritizing customer needs. He shared his personal journey, expressing gratitude to his mentors who guided him throughout his career. Allana emphasized HBL’s commitment to transforming traditional banking, especially in rural Pakistan, where many people struggle to understand complex forms in English. HBL became the first bank to introduce account opening forms in Urdu, making banking more accessible to a wider population.

Allana highlighted HBL’s significant growth, with over 1,600 branches nationwide, and its investment in technology to enhance banking services. He emphasized the importance of merit and how it’s central to HBL’s success. He also discussed HBL’s game-changing initiatives, such as the Konnect app and its microfinance programs, where loans are approved within eight hours and 30% of beneficiaries are women. The bank’s efforts in agriculture, including providing farmers with affordable machinery, were also mentioned, as well as HBL’s recognition by Princeton University for its innovative practices.

Concluding, Allana stated that HBL is more than just a bank; it is an integral part of Pakistan’s development and continues to lead with innovation, technology, and inclusivity.

Elon Musk has intensified his legal battle with OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, by reviving a lawsuit against the compan...
16/11/2024

Elon Musk has intensified his legal battle with OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, by reviving a lawsuit against the company and adding Microsoft as a co-defendant. Musk, a co-founder of OpenAI, accused the organization and the tech giant of monopolistic practices in an updated legal complaint filed on Thursday.

The lawsuit follows earlier claims that OpenAI violated the principles established when Musk co-founded it in 2015. While Microsoft declined to comment, OpenAI dismissed the claims as "baseless," with a spokesperson describing Musk's latest attempt to reframe his accusations as "even more baseless and overreaching" than before.

The amended filing, submitted in a California court, also names LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman as a defendant. Musk’s lawsuit alleges OpenAI transitioned from a "tax-exempt charity" to a profit-driven entity valued at $157 billion, which it claims monopolized the AI market, including Musk's xAI. According to the complaint, these actions have enriched the defendants by "hundreds of billions" while misleading Musk and the public.

Founded in 2015 to develop artificial general intelligence (AGI), OpenAI adopted a "capped profit" structure in 2019 to attract investments. Shortly afterward, Microsoft invested $1 billion in the company, expanding this into a multi-billion-dollar partnership by 2023. Musk's lawsuit accuses OpenAI CEO Sam Altman of "rampant self-dealing," claiming the firm now operates as a "closed-source de facto subsidiary" of Microsoft.

OpenAI counters these claims, asserting that Musk previously supported the move to a profit-based model and had sought "absolute control" over the company at one point. The renewed legal action coincides with news of Musk’s appointment by President-elect Donald Trump to a government cost-cutting role as part of efforts to reduce bureaucracy when Trump assumes office next year.

Google has released a smartphone app for its AI chatbot, Gemini, on Apple's App Store, introducing the latest generation...
16/11/2024

Google has released a smartphone app for its AI chatbot, Gemini, on Apple's App Store, introducing the latest generation of its voice assistant to iOS users. The Gemini app includes Gemini Live, a voice-based feature designed to enable natural conversations with the chatbot. According to Brian Marquardt, Google’s senior director of product management, the feature is ideal for activities such as preparing for interviews, seeking travel advice, or brainstorming creative ideas. Meanwhile, Apple has announced plans to integrate OpenAI’s ChatGPT into an updated version of its voice assistant, Siri.

Gemini, Google’s response to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, was initially launched in February 2023 under the name Bard. Since then, Google has expanded its capabilities while addressing various controversies. The voice feature, first revealed at an August event, was initially rolled out to Android devices before being extended to iPhones. Advances in AI, driven by large language models, have enabled the development of voice assistants more powerful than earlier technologies like Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s Siri, and the original Google Assistant.

Gemini Live replaces Google Assistant, an eight-year-old product built on older AI technology. As part of a company-wide reorganization aimed at increasing efficiency, hundreds of employees from the Voice Assistant team were laid off earlier this year. In a further consolidation, the Gemini app team was integrated into Google’s AI research lab, DeepMind, a move that CEO Sundar Pichai attributed to efficiency efforts. DeepMind is now leveraging advanced techniques to refine AI models, moving beyond the traditional strategy of creating increasingly large models, which has faced unforeseen delays and challenges, as reported by Reuters.

Electric vehicle (EV) adoption in Pakistan is expected to rise significantly, with projections showing 30% adoption by 2...
16/11/2024

Electric vehicle (EV) adoption in Pakistan is expected to rise significantly, with projections showing 30% adoption by 2030, 90% by 2040, and 100% by 2050. Additionally, the country aims to have a fully zero-emission vehicle fleet by 2060. According to the draft of the Energy Vehicle Policy 2025-30, the government plans to promote EV manufacturing by allocating 20% of special technology zones to the sector. Investors contributing Rs. 3 billion in the policy’s first five years will be incentivized with concessional land leases of up to 50 years.

The policy also outlines customs duties for EV parts, with a 1% duty on specific imported parts, and local and non-local parts facing taxes of 15% and 45%, respectively. For electric scooters and bicycles, customs duties will start at 5% in the first year, increasing to 10% in the second year and 15% in the third year. Non-local EV parts will follow the same duty progression, while local EV parts will face duties of 15% in the first year and 25% in the second year.

To strengthen the EV industry, the government will collaborate with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan to develop manufacturing strategies. This collaboration is expected to foster growth in the sector and help accelerate the transition to electric vehicles in Pakistan.

Pakistan's textile exports saw a 10.44% increase during the first four months (July-October) of the current fiscal year ...
16/11/2024

Pakistan's textile exports saw a 10.44% increase during the first four months (July-October) of the current fiscal year (4MFY25), reaching $6.146 billion, up from $5.565 billion during the same period last year, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). Overall, the country's exports for 4MFY25 totaled $10.889 billion (provisional), marking a 13.55% rise compared to $9.590 billion in the same period of the previous year.

In October 2024, exports amounted to $2.984 billion (provisional), a 5.22% increase over September 2024 ($2.836 billion) and a 10.97% rise compared to October 2023 ($2.689 billion). Textile exports in October 2024 grew by 13.11% year-on-year, reaching $1.625 billion, up from $1.437 billion in October 2023, and increased by 1.30% month-on-month compared to $1.604 billion in September 2024.

However, cotton yarn exports experienced a significant decline of 45.59% during July-October 2024, totaling $221.759 million compared to $2,407.564 million in the same period last year.

On a month-on-month basis, cotton yarn exports grew by 13.83%, reaching $59.180 million in October 2024, up from $51.991 million in September 2024. Year-on-year, cotton yarn exports fell by 35.79% compared to $92.160 million in October 2023.

Jazz, Pakistan’s leading digital operator, has partnered with the national women’s cricket team, including captain Fatim...
16/11/2024

Jazz, Pakistan’s leading digital operator, has partnered with the national women’s cricket team, including captain Fatima Sana, Sidra Amin, Nida Dar, Nashra Sandhu, and Gul Feroza, to promote women’s empowerment and support female athletes.

This collaboration, marked by a contract signing at Jazz’s Islamabad office, aligns with the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. Jazz will support initiatives to advance women’s cricket, nurture emerging talent, and encourage young girls to pursue sports through training programs.

Ali Fahd, Vice President Marketing at Jazz, emphasized the company’s dedication to gender equality and empowering women. Fatima Sana expressed gratitude for Jazz’s backing, confident it will inspire young girls and strengthen women’s cricket in Pakistan.

Through its platform Tamasha, Jazz recently live-streamed the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, expanding visibility for women’s sports across Pakistan.

Meet Fatima Wali, our inspiring Initiator of the week and the creative force behind Vase and Co. Her passion and resilie...
15/11/2024

Meet Fatima Wali, our inspiring Initiator of the week and the creative force behind Vase and Co. Her passion and resilience have turned her dream into reality, crafting handmade vases and vintage-style furniture that stand out.

Initiators, do you have a story that deserves to be shared? We want to hear from you!

Send us your journey or follow us for more incredible tales of passion, perseverance, and growth. Let’s inspire each other.

Honda  is making a bold move in the electric motorcycle market with its new "EV Fun Concept," part of the company's ambi...
15/11/2024

Honda is making a bold move in the electric motorcycle market with its new "EV Fun Concept," part of the company's ambitious plan to launch 30 electric motorcycles by 2030. This concept marks Honda's first electric sports motorcycle, boasting a minimalist naked design with sharp contours and a visible battery pack. Designed to deliver performance comparable to a mid-sized internal combustion engine motorcycle, the EV Fun Concept is expected to offer a range of over 96 kilometers on a full charge.

The motorcycle features a fixed battery integrated into the frame, which can be recharged using a standard CCS2 charger, similar to Honda’s existing electric car lineup. Honda has announced that the EV Fun Concept will enter production soon, with plans to have it available in showrooms by late 2025.

Hyundai  is gearing up to launch its new electric three-row SUV, the Ioniq 9, following Kia's introduction of the EV9 ov...
15/11/2024

Hyundai is gearing up to launch its new electric three-row SUV, the Ioniq 9, following Kia's introduction of the EV9 over a year ago. The Ioniq 9 will debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show next week, with teaser sketches revealing a sleek exterior design and a luxurious, “lounge-like” interior. Drawing inspiration from the 2021 Seven concept, the Ioniq 9 retains much of its original design and will serve as an electric alternative to Hyundai’s popular Palisade SUV. Built on the E-GMP platform, the Ioniq 9 shares its foundation with Hyundai’s other EVs and Kia’s EV6 and EV9.

The Ioniq 9 is expected to feature specifications similar to the EV9, including rear- or all-wheel drive options, a range of 370 to 489 kilometers depending on the model, and power outputs ranging from 201 hp to 379 hp. Anticipated to start at around $50,000, the Ioniq 9 is expected to arrive in the U.S. market by 2025.

The matchmaking conference, held alongside the Pakistan Industrial Exhibition, brought together over 40 companies from S...
15/11/2024

The matchmaking conference, held alongside the Pakistan Industrial Exhibition, brought together over 40 companies from Shandong Province and 100+ Pakistani business leaders. Shandong representatives showcased advanced manufacturing and high-tech products, sparking interest from Pakistani businesses and resulting in several cooperation agreements.

Pakistani participants praised the event for fostering face-to-face networking and resource sharing. Shandong companies gained insights into the Pakistani market, while Pakistani businesses better understood Chinese technology and quality, paving the way for future partnerships.

Running from November 9, the 8th Pakistan Industrial Expo drew nearly 100 Chinese companies, focusing on machine tools, engineering machinery, and more. The event featured forums on industrial growth and innovation, strengthening ties and expanding market opportunities in China, Pakistan, and South Asia.

The European Commission has criticized Meta's strategy, claiming that it forces Facebook users into Marketplace, giving ...
15/11/2024

The European Commission has criticized Meta's strategy, claiming that it forces Facebook users into Marketplace, giving it a significant advantage over competitors. The commission also highlighted that Meta imposed restrictive conditions on third-party classified ad platforms that advertised on Facebook and Instagram, allowing Meta to use data from rival advertisers to benefit Facebook Marketplace.

Meta has denied these allegations, asserting that it did not use competitors' ad data to gain an advantage. The company expressed disappointment with the EU’s ruling, pledged to comply, and plans to appeal.

This fine is one of the largest antitrust penalties imposed on tech giants by the EU, underscoring the "duration and severity" of Meta's actions, according to the commission. European regulators are increasingly scrutinizing Big Tech companies, reinforcing the EU's view that market leaders must take responsibility to prevent anti-competitive behavior.

Tesla has issued its sixth recall for the Cybertruck EV this year due to a malfunctioning drive inverter, which could le...
15/11/2024

Tesla has issued its sixth recall for the Cybertruck EV this year due to a malfunctioning drive inverter, which could lead to a complete loss of torque and propulsion. This recall impacts over 2,400 units manufactured since late 2023. Throughout 2024, the Cybertruck has been subject to multiple recalls for various issues, including improper warning light font sizes, unintended acceleration from a trapped pedal, a malfunctioning front wiper, removable truck bed trim, and a rear camera display fault. However, this latest recall is the most serious, as it poses a risk of losing all driveability.

The issue occurs when the truck fails to generate torque when the accelerator is pressed, increasing the collision risk. Tesla identified 2,431 affected trucks produced between November 2023 and July 2024. Although the total production volume for Cybertrucks remains unknown, a previous recall involved nearly 27,000 units. This latest recall affects a smaller portion of the fleet. Tesla will replace the faulty inverters free of charge.

Askari Bank Limited is making strides in digital financial services with its latest initiative to establish a cashless e...
15/11/2024

Askari Bank Limited is making strides in digital financial services with its latest initiative to establish a cashless ecosystem. Building on its experience with innovative digital solutions, such as the industry’s first indigenous biometric verification system, the bank is committed to financial inclusion under its mission of "Getting Closer to the Customer." In collaboration with Karandaaz Pakistan, an impact investment platform focused on sustainable growth and inclusion, and Digital Miles, a fintech innovation lab, Askari Bank has launched Pakistan’s first comprehensive Cashless Ecosystem Project to digitalize communities.

A signing ceremony marked the launch, attended by key stakeholders, including Askari Bank’s Acting President and CEO, Mr. Saleem Anwar, and Karandaaz CEO, Mr. Waqas Ul Hasan. Mr. Anwar described the initiative as a transformative step towards building financially inclusive and smart communities. Mr. Hasan highlighted its potential to create cashless housing societies, enabling seamless digital transactions for residents, merchants, and institutions. Digital Miles CEO, Mr. Rehan Ahmad Akhtar, emphasized the role of fintech innovation in building a fully integrated cashless environment.

This groundbreaking project aims to digitalize all interactions within housing societies, including financial transactions, retail payments, supply chain payments, and employee salaries. It offers a unified platform to enhance the lifestyle experience of residents while enabling efficient management for society operators and institutions.

Following this pilot, Askari Bank plans to expand the project nationwide, setting a benchmark for cashless communities in Pakistan.

If you've been considering buying a Yamaha motorcycle but are concerned about the upfront cost, Standard Chartered’s Aas...
15/11/2024

If you've been considering buying a Yamaha motorcycle but are concerned about the upfront cost, Standard Chartered’s Aasan Instalment Plan could be just what you need. This plan allows you to purchase a Yamaha motorcycle and spread the payments over monthly installments with a 0% mark-up for up to 12 months. Through the Aasan Instalment Plan, you can select from a variety of Yamaha models and pay over 12 months without incurring any extra charges.

The main advantages include a 0% mark-up, meaning there are no additional fees on the installments, making it a cost-effective way to buy a motorcycle. The plan also provides flexible payment terms, allowing you to choose a 12-month repayment period to make the cost more manageable. This offer is exclusive to Standard Chartered credit cardholders, ensuring a smooth and simple process.

To purchase your Yamaha motorcycle, simply select the model you want and contact Standard Chartered at 021 111 002 002. Their team will guide you through the process and provide all the necessary details. This offer is only available for Standard Chartered credit cardholders, and terms and conditions apply.

YouTube  Premium’s biggest draw is the promise of an ad-free experience on the platform, which is otherwise loaded with ...
15/11/2024

YouTube Premium’s biggest draw is the promise of an ad-free experience on the platform, which is otherwise loaded with advertisements. Many users choose to pay for Premium to avoid ads, especially since most ad-blocking extensions no longer work on YouTube. However, some subscribers are still encountering ads on the app. One such case was shared by a Reddit user who reported seeing ads for NFL Sunday Ticket, despite having a Premium subscription.

When the user reached out to YouTube, the platform's support team explained that, while YouTube Premium generally removes ads, certain “promotional ads” may still appear due to “specific partnerships or limited-time offers.” YouTube further clarified that these promotions are targeted based on various factors such as the user’s location, viewing history, and account settings. In essence, YouTube confirmed this is not a bug or an oversight but an official policy where specific ads can still be displayed to Premium users.

The response from YouTube concluded with an apology and a reminder that YouTube Premium also includes free access to YouTube Music, highlighting the additional value included with the subscription.

Address


Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Initiate Magazine posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Initiate Magazine:

Videos

Shortcuts

  • Address
  • Alerts
  • Contact The Business
  • Videos
  • Claim ownership or report listing
  • Want your business to be the top-listed Media Company?

Share