AI Startup Fairground to Launch AI-Exclusive FAST Channel
Colin Petrie-Norris, founder of Xumo and creator of a free, ad-supported television model, is launching Fairground Entertainment’s first AI-exclusive FAST channel.
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
News in Brief
Short updates, all on one page — read straight down like a newspaper.
Soviet Union launched ambitious AI programme in 1950s
Beginning in the 1950s, the Soviet Union initiated an ambitious programme aimed at developing artificial intelligence, which had a significant influence on the field despite remaining largely overlooked.
Sources
Interior Minister Naqvi calls for reform of governance system
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi addressed an economic summit in Islamabad on July 30, 2026, stating that Pakistan's current governance system has collapsed and proposing administrative units to address the challenges.
Sources
Sindh bans pillion riding province-wide for Chehlum
The Sindh Home Department has imposed a province-wide ban on pillion riding during the celebration of Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain.
Sources
ASE expects full-year LEAP revenue to exceed US$3.5 billion
ASE Technology Holding anticipates its full-year LEAP revenue will surpass US$3.5 billion due to increased demand for advanced packaging and testing, as well as stronger momentum in its EMS business.
Sources
Crackdown intensifies on illegal LPG refilling stations
The district administration has intensified efforts to shut down illegal LPG refilling operations in public transport vehicles, with several such stations sealed.
Sources
District administration reviews preparedness for monsoon season
The district administration is reviewing measures to effectively tackle issues related to the ongoing monsoon season.
Sources
Arshad Nadeem qualifies for Commonwealth Games 2026 javelin throw final
Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem secured a place in the finals of the Men's Javelin Throw event at the Commonwealth Games 2026 after finishing seventh with a throw of 78.63m.
Sources
OpenAI’s ChatGPT set to hit 1 billion weekly users
OpenAI's chatbot is poised to reach 1 billion weekly users, according to internal company data.
Sources
Fleming appointed as England Test coach
Stephen Fleming has been named as the new England Test coach, with Joe Root continuing in his role as captain.
Sources
Soybean prices hit three-week low due to US weather forecasts
Chicago soybeans fell to their lowest level in nearly three weeks on Thursday, pressured by expected crop-friendly weather in the US Midwest.
Sources
Saudi Arabia extends $5 billion deposit to Pakistan
Saudi Arabia has extended a $5 billion deposit to Pakistan for three years, according to top officials.
Sources
China-backed company Aishengna challenges ASML in DUV lithography
Shanghai-based Aishengna Electronic Technology Group, backed by the Chinese state with US$1 billion, is reportedly producing domestically developed immersion deep-ultraviolet (DUV) lithography systems.
Sources
Solicitor found liable for £1m fraud scheme
A High Court judge has ruled a solicitor guilty of fraud in a £1 million scheme, sentencing him to send the money to Pakistan.
Sources
Abu Bakar named new Pakistan hockey captain
The Pakistan Hockey Federation has appointed Abu Bakar as the new captain of the national team, replacing Ammad Butt.
Sources
High memory prices may hinder China’s AI expansion
A South Korean securities analyst predicts that elevated memory prices, expected to persist through 2026, could impede China’s advancement in artificial intelligence due to increased costs and supply constraints.
Sources
GlobalFoundries secures $300M for AI silicon photonics
GlobalFoundries has signed a letter of intent with the US Department of Commerce for a potential $300 million award to accelerate development of silicon photonics technologies used in artificial intelligence and high-performance computing data centres.
Sources
Astronomer uses cosmic fossils to study Milky Way’s birth
Galactic archaeologist Amina Helma is using ancient stars and other 'cosmic fossils' to investigate the violent formation of the Milky Way.
Sources
Pakistan repays $1.4bn Chinese loan
Pakistani authorities have successfully repaid a $1.4 billion loan to China, with expectations of refinancing within weeks.
Sources
Ennoconn signs MOU with SMF at AI forum in Singapore
Ennoconn Technologies held its 2026 Semiconductor x AI Applications Forum at Google's Asia-Pacific headquarters in Singapore on July 29 and signed a memorandum of understanding with the Singapore Manufacturers' Federation (SMF) on the same occasion.
Sources
AMD to Compete with Nvidia in AI Market Through Software and Partnerships
AMD is set to challenge Nvidia's dominance in the AI market by focusing on software, systems, and partnerships with Anthropic.
Sources
Lam Research raises WFE outlook due to AI-driven demand
Lam Research has raised its outlook for global wafer fab equipment spending, citing accelerating demand driven by artificial intelligence across memory and advanced logic sectors.
Sources
US launches multinational 6G initiative
The US government has initiated a global partnership to coordinate 6G development, intensifying competition with China in shaping next-generation wireless technology and international standards.
Sources
China’s 28nm DUV lithography systems enter factory validation
Shanghai Aishengna Electronic Technology has delivered its first five immersion deep ultraviolet lithography systems for China's 28nm DUV lithography programme, which is now in the factory validation phase.
Sources
Meta increases AI spending forecast
Meta Platforms has raised its 2026 capital expenditure forecast to US$130 billion, citing the need for increased investment in AI infrastructure.
Sources
Italy, US to Sign Pax Silica Pact on AI and Chip Supply Chains
Italy and the US are set to sign a cooperation agreement tied to the US-led Pax Silica initiative on July 31 to secure critical raw materials and semiconductor supply chains.
Sources
Qualcomm to supply chips for BMW’s next-gen vehicles
Qualcomm Technologies and the BMW Group have signed a long-term agreement, extending through the next decade, under which Qualcomm will provide compute silicon for BMW's advanced driver assistance and automated driving systems.
Sources
China defends industrial strategy against overcapacity claims
China's Ministry of Commerce has released a policy paper rejecting allegations that the country’s manufacturing sector suffers from 'overcapacity,' arguing the concept has been misused to justify protectionist trade measures.
Sources
Qualcomm confirms price increase and shifts focus
Qualcomm has announced plans to raise prices across its product range and expand into new markets such as automotive and data center solutions, amid a decline in Apple-related revenue.
Sources
Qualcomm expands into data centers and automotive technology
Qualcomm is intensifying its focus on data centers and automotive technology to diversify from smartphone reliance, according to a report by DigiTimes.