Apple Upgrade (leasing): Apple’s new “Apple Upgrade” program, launched in the US with Klarna, expands leasing beyond iPhones to Macs, iPads, Apple Watches and more, with monthly payments starting around $11.99–$24.99 and end-of-term options to return, upgrade, or pay the remaining balance. AI travel shopping: Radisson Hotel Group and Accenture launched a ChatGPT hotel discovery app with live rates and availability across 1,000+ hotels, aiming to shift bookings from websites to conversational search. Retail tech + finance: Performa rolled out a major upgrade to its finance-ops platform for digital-native SMBs, adding faster self-serve onboarding, non-custodial fiat settlement, and broader pricing for fiat + digital-asset operations. Consumer safety + enforcement: Maharashtra restaurant bodies urged the FDA to issue improvement notices before suspending licenses and to stop “name & shame” publicity ahead of due process. Supermarket reshuffle: Asda closed an 11,000 sq ft store in Atrincham as Waitrose prepares to take over the site. New product/brand push: atis will launch breakfast in London starting August, rolling out in phases and adding a build-your-own yoghurt bar plus grab-and-go options. EV momentum: Rivian shares rose after Q2 results beat expectations and guidance improved alongside R2 launch edition conversions. Cybersecurity rules: US and international agencies issued updated guidance on minimum software bill of materials elements to strengthen cybersecurity practices. 5G rollout: Kyivstar, VF Ukraine and lifecell tested 5G in Kyiv on launch day, reporting multi-terabyte traffic and peak speeds near 2 Gbps.