Safaricom and Visa Launch Virtual Card, ‘Da Vinci’ Robots Deployed in Surgery in UK, and Apple to Launch Pay Later in iOS 16

Africa

MFS Africa buys US-based GTP

MFS Africa, a digital payment processing firm, has acquired US-based Global Technology Partners in a $34 million deal. The acquisition will allow MFS Africa leverage GTP’s mobile payment solutions to empower more than 320 million mobile wallets across Africa.

Safaricom and Visa unveil virtual card

Safaricom has partnered with Visa to launch the M-PESA GlobalPay Virtual Card. The new card will allow Kenyans to easily shop for items from 200 countries around the world.

Klasha completes $4.5m funding round

Lagos-based e-commerce network, Klasha, has received $2.1 million to complete its $4.5 seed round, it has been announced. Klasha will expand to five African countries with a newly-branded KlashaCart app.

Europe

UK will not comply with EU common charger directive

The UK will not comply with the EU’s new common charging cable initiative. The EU has finalised agreement to ensure all portable devices use a USB Type-C charging cable by 2024.

UK acquires first ever quantum computer

UK’s defence ministry has acquired a quantum computer, making it the first government institution to do so. Quantum computers are designed to be faster and more efficient at solving complex problems.

Robots aiding surgery in the UK

New robots are being used to aid surgery at New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton. The two ‘Da Vinci’ robots were deployed in surgeries for cardiothoracic, colorectal, and other patients to tackle backlogs due to covid.

The Americas

YouTube allegedly not tackling fake Elon Musk livestream scams

Elon Musk has accused YouTube of failing to tackle fake livestreams showing the Tesla boss. Dozens of streams popped up allegedly showing the Tesla boss talking about crypto giveaways in what has been described as scams.

Apple to introduce Pay Later scheme

Apple is planning to introduce a buy now pay later scheme as part of the new iOS 16 operating system. Pay Later will allow customers to make installment payments over six weeks at zero interest charges.

AI-driven ship crosses the Atlantic

An AI-powered crew-less ship, Mayflower Autonomous Ship, has crossed the Atlantic and landed in Canada. The ship crossed 2,700 miles of open water to dock in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Asia

India loan app schemes blackmailing users

Loan app scammers in India are blackmailing users after collecting their data. Victims attracted by easy hassle-free loans are now forced to pay more than they took out after their phones get hacked.

Beijing to allow Ant Group IPO after crackdown

Jack Ma’s Ant Group has allegedly received initial green light to commence the group’s initial public offering, it has been disclosed. Sources claim the firm might begin listing efforts in Hong Kong and Shanghai as early as July.

Disney+ challenges markets in MENA Region

Disney+ has launched its streaming platform across the Middle East and North Africa to capture a young and eager population. The streaming platform is now live across 16 Arab-speaking countries.