Pakistan Rains Leave 42 Dead: Officials

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Mar 14, 2016

The death toll from torrential rain that has lashed Pakistan for the past five days has risen to 42, authorities said Monday, with collapsed roofs blamed for the fatalities.

Apart from the deaths, 70 injuries were reported and 75 houses damaged, said a statement by the National Disaster Management Authority. The rain began late Thursday across the country, with the southwestern province of Baluchistan and northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa worst hit.

Poorly-built homes, particularly in rural areas, are most susceptible to collapse during heavy spring rains. The death toll from the collapse of a coal mine shaft in northwest Pakistan rose to seven, with 10 injured.

Officials said the rescue at the mine in the far-flung mountainous Orakzai tribal district ended Monday morning after 16 people were saved.

“The rescue operation has ended and we have seven people dead, 10 injured while 16 others have been rescued from the mine,” Zubair Khan, a top government official in the district, told AFP.

More than 30 miners were trapped after the shaft collapsed amid heavy downpours on Sunday.

ICC World T20 2016: 5 Key Players in Group 1

By

AFP

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Mar 14, 2016

mohammad shahzad — Pic by Chris Whiteoak/whiteoakpictures Cricket: Afghanistan v Zimbabwe. 2nd T20 International. Sharjah cricket stadium, Sharjah, UAE. Afghanistan's Mohammed Shahzad makes 50 © Picture Copyright >> Christopher Whiteoak >> 0558117530

As the group stages of cricket’s World T20 begin this week, AFP takes a look at some of the players who are expected to light up the tournament. The following is a list of potential match-winners from the five teams competing in Group 1, which features the West Indies, South Africa, England, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan:

Chris Gayle (West Indies):

It’s been a while since Gayle played Test cricket but his appetite for T20s appears undimmed. While the biggest headlines from his recent stint in Australia’s Big Bash League revolved around his bid to chat up a TV reporter, he also bludgeoned a stunning 12-ball 50.

Gayle racked up the highest ever score in T20s while playing for the Bangalore Royal Challengers in the Indian Premier League three years ago, hitting an unbeaten 175 off 66 balls. And he lit up the first World T20 in 2007 by notching up the format’s first international century.

It could be the last chance for glory for a player, now aged 36, that captain Darren Sammy describes as “the most destructive” in T20 cricket.

Imran Tahir (South Africa):

With paceman Dale Steyn struggling with injury, the hopes of South Africa’s bowling attack will rest largely on the shoulders of leg-spinner Imran Tahir. The 36-year-old has been in the form of his life in 2016 and was the stand-out bowler in the recent T20 series against Australia and England.

Born in Pakistan, Tahir broke into the Proteas’ side at a relatively late age because of issues over his eligibility, but quickly became a fans’ favourite due to his ability to turn matches. The stylish spinner wears his heart on his sleeve and is a natural entertainer, famed for his often dramatic appeals for a wicket.

Joe Root (England):

He may have the appearance of a choirboy but the chirpy Yorkshireman is a steely competitor who gets up the noses of opponents. Widely seen as a captain-in-waiting, Root has excelled at all forms of the game and appears to relish the more aggressive style of cricket that England have pursued in the last year.

Still only 25, he has already scored more than 6,000 international runs since making his debut in India four years ago. Not only is he now the most prized English wicket, but he is also a handy offbreak bowler.

Angelo Mathews (Sri Lanka):

The batting all-rounder has been handed the unenviable task of ensuring the struggling islanders at least make a decent fist of trying to defend the World T20 title they won in 2014.

Sri Lanka have been on the decline since their triumph in Bangladesh, slumping to eighth in the world rankings, and come into this edition hot on the heels of a torturous Asia Cup campaign.

Mathews, 28, was appointed captain in place of the injured Lasith Malinga just hours before the squad were due to leave for India. Progressing to the semis is seen as a tall order, so if Sri Lanka succeed, then their new skipper will regard it as a job well done.

Mohammad Shahzad (Afghanistan):

A self-proclaimed fan of Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, wicket keeper-batsman Mohammad Shahzad has not only copied his idol’s ‘helicopter shot’ but possesses a similar never-say-die attitude.

The portly opener has been in the form of his life and is the main reason Afghanistan made the Super 10 cut. With scores of 61, 41 and 40 in the qualifiers, Shahzad is sure to make any opposition bowler wary of his presence.

Apart from his range of colorful shots, the 31-year-old Shahzad is regarded as the team’s chief motivator thanks to his chirpy presence behind the stumps.

Watch Adnan Malik’s Exclusive Interviews with Top Pakistani Celebrities on Urdu1

By

Maheen Nusrat

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Mar 14, 2016

For those who missed the glitz and glamour of Fashion Pakistan Week 2015, Urdu1 is bringing an exclusive coverage of its lounge conversation segment hosted by Adnan Malik.

The Urdu1 lounge was beautifully decorated and hosted by the handsome, Adnan Malik, where he sat and casually chatted with all the celebrities, models and show stoppers including Wasim Akram with his wife Shaneira, Mahira Khan, Adeel Hussain, Faysal Quraishi, Aijaz Aslam etc.

The 3-day celebration was a grand affair with celebrities popping in and extraordinarily beautiful ensembles showcased by extremely talented Pakistani designers.

Watch the promo for Urdu1 Lounge here:

[fb_embed_post href=”https://www.facebook.com/urdu1tv/videos/vb.351811501531924/1029164603796607//” width=”550″/]

The Urdu1 lounge session will also be aired soon! Till then, view some of the memories in the images below.

Celebrities at Urdu1 Lounge FPW 2015 Day 3

Guests & Celebrities at FPW 2015 Urdu1 Red Carpet Day 3

World Twenty20 2016 Expectations

By

AFP

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Mar 14, 2016

Twenty20 cricket’s showpiece tournament begins in earnest Tuesday as India, once so sniffy about the glitzy World T20, get the group stages under way for the first time on home soil.

The build-up has been marred by rows over security for Pakistan and the late release of tickets, while the holders Sri Lanka are mired in turmoil.

But the controversies have done little to dampen the fervor of Indian fans who believe skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni has a date with destiny at the April 3 final at Kolkata’s iconic Eden Gardens.

ICC World T20 2016: 5 Players to Watch Out For

India, hosting the tournament for the first time, begin the group stages with a match in Nagpur against New Zealand on Tuesday night. Dhoni is expected to retire after the tournament and his team will be desperate to give him a fairy tale send-off, five years after he led them to victory on home soil in the 50-over World Cup.

The man known as ‘Captain Cool’ is trying to keep expectations in check, saying the 2007 champions “are looking to make a slow and steady progress, rather than think(ing) too far ahead”.

Pakistan’s World T20 2016 Team Kit Unveiled: Picture Gallery

But retired opener Virender Sehwag, Dhoni’s team-mate in the 2011 World Cup triumph, reflected the overwhelming mood of confidence when he said he was “99 percent certain” India would clinch a second World T20 title.

T20 ‘circus’

Dhoni was handed the T20 captaincy for the inaugural tournament in South Africa in 2007 when established stars such as Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid stayed at home.

India’s board, worried about the impact of Twenty20 cricket on the 50-over game, only reluctantly agreed to send a team to ensure the right to host the 2011 World Cup.

One senior board official lamented the tournament would be “a circus and our players will be clowns”, according to The Times of India.

The 2007 triumph, all the sweeter as it came over arch-rivals Pakistan, transformed the board’s perception of the game and spurred it into creating the money-spinning Indian Premier League (IPL).

World T20 2016: 5 Players Who Will Retire After The Tournament

The fireworks and dancing girls that are integral to an evening’s entertainment at the IPL should be even more prominent in the World T20. T20 matches involving India are guaranteed sell-outs and the format’s popularity has put question marks over the future of Test cricket.

After 10 wins in their last 11 games, few teams have begun a tournament as such strong favorites and India don’t have many obvious weaknesses. Powerful openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan have hit a purple patch, building platforms that allow star batsman Virat Kohli to let rip.

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin should thrive on home wickets and paceman Mohammed Shami’s comeback after lengthy injury problems is a major boon.

“This is a pretty formidable side at the moment and I think the all-around ability of this team is what excites me,” said Dravid.

But the former skipper said the high number of players with IPL experience meant a lot of teams were in with a shout, and he tipped the new-look England to make an impact with the likes of Joe Root in their ranks.

ICC World T20 2016: Venues, Stadiums & Schedule

“England, the way they played in the last year or so, they’ve played… a more aggressive brand of cricket — whether it’s with the bat and ball — and the results are already beginning to show,” he said.

Champions struggle

South Africa may be in decline with premier bowler Dale Steyn struggling for fitness, while the “chokers” tag which stems from a run of world cup heartaches hangs heavy. But in AB de Villiers, they possess arguably the game’s most lethal batsman.

His main rival for that title, Chris Gayle, will be the West Indies’ chief weapon as they try to prove they are still a force in T20 cricket despite their decline in Tests.

Australia will also look to batter opponents into submission, boosted by David Warner and Glenn Maxwell’s recent record stand of 161 against South Africa. But Steve Smith’s bowlers lack experience.

New Zealand, beaten by Australia in last year’s ODI World Cup final, have been weakened by last month’s retirement of talismanic skipper Brendon McCullum.

Sri Lanka, winners last time in 2014, have also struggled since the retirement of star batsmen Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene. They have changed their captain and coach since the turn of the year.

Pakistan have been widely written off and their preparations were hit by their delayed departure in a row over the venue of Saturday’s match against India, which has been shifted from Dharamsala to Kolkata.

Afghanistan and Bangladesh, who topped their groups in the preliminary stage which ended on Sunday, complete the line-up.

Android N Revealed, Bringing Multi-Window Mode & Improved Battery Saving

By

AFP

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Mar 14, 2016

Google has made a beta version of its new mobile operating system, Android N, available to developers on a handful of devices (the Nexus 5X, 6, 6P, 9, the Nexus Player and the Pixel C), revealing new features such as a multi-window mode, a simplified notifications system, new options for managing data use and enhanced battery saving.

The main innovation in Android N, now unveiled in a beta version for developers, is a split-screen function for using two applications simultaneously, open side by side (tablet) or one above the other (smartphone).

This mode is even more eagerly awaited since it already features in third-party interfaces for Google’s OS — like those made by Samsung and LG — as well as in competitor platforms iOS and Windows. Developers are being offered a 25% reduction on the Pixel C in the US Google Store to take full advantage of the new beta OS.

Other new features include revamped notifications, promising a faster and easier-to-use system no matter what applications are open. Google also promises improved battery saving, plus options for limiting data use by reducing the quality of images and video streams, which could prove handy for users with limited data packages.

Google is expected to present the latest features of its Android mobile operating system in detail at the Google I/O conference, held in Mountain View, California, May 18-20, 2016.

By giving developers a first look in March, Google could start rolling out Android N from this summer on a new line-up of Nexus devices, before quickly following with updates for Android Marshmallow products.

All that remains now is to find a suitable snack to name the OS. Three years after teaming up with KitKat, could Google have an Android Nutella in store?

Google I/O runs May 18-20, 2016, in Mountain View, USA. Website: events.google.com/io2016

PSFW 2016 Day 3: Pictures & Event Highlights

By

Nyda Mokhtar

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Mar 14, 2016

Day 3 of PSFW showed some momentum as a roaster of eminent designers was lined up to showcase their creativity and ingenuity through their collections.

The day was high in energy, drama and fashion power. When fashion mavens gathered together under one roof on the third day of PSFW, they witnessed some really inspiring designs and some not-so-cool collections. Let’s see which designer’s work impressed us and which one got our thumbs down.

Khaadi Khaas

Khaadi Khaas presented its Translucent collection on day 3 of PSFW. What really stood out in this collection is its color mixing technique as well as lady-like silhouette of the dresses. Addition of neon, bright pinks and pastels on a monochromatic base of fabrics created a refreshing feel.

Swarovski crystals, pearls and acrylic usage brought the factors of sheen and shine. Many pieces that were shown in the collection can be styled in multiple ways, which makes this assemblage commercially viable.

The House of Kamiar Rokni

The House of Kamiar Rokni showed its complete collection that the designer trio actually designed for Fashion DNA programme at Fashion Scout as part of the prestigious London Fashion Week.

This collection truly sets an example about how prêt shows at fashion weeks should look like. Rehan Bashir, Tia Noon and the man himself Kamiar Rokni presented a collection that has modern touch with a lot of variations in designs.

The usage of rilli, thread and zardozi work were dominant in all the designs. Intricately embroidered jackets, jamavar and karandi pants, organza button ups; the assemblage has a variety of pieces all done with a great sense of aesthetics.

Zonia Anwar

Inspired by culture of the Kievan Rus era from medieval times, Zonia Anwar showcased her Kievan collection. Floral and cross stitch prints and embroidered pattern won the game for Zonia.

She used some usual and old cuts, but they were truly complimenting the embroidery and prints on the dresses. Additional tassels and pop of orange embroidery on white dresses made her collection uber chic and bohemian.

Saira Shakira

The duo of talented designers came to the ground with their Ysatis collection. They made Pantone’s colours of the year Rose Quartz and Serenity as their basic colour palette and added some appeal in it by bringing the dark hue of black.

The entire assemblage was a victim of confusion and the designers could not juxtapose various elements that were seen in the collection. Sheer fabric, geometric prints, asymmetrical cut, bow and huge floral embroidery all in one outfit is too much to bear.

Zara Shahjahan

Zara Shahjahan is a powerhouse of talent. Whether its PSFW or FPW, she never fails to impress and always leaves an ever lasting impact of her work. She displayed her Sartorialist collection on the ramp and is probably one of the best collections so far. Her collection was highly impactful, completely wearable and fashion-forward without adding even an ounce of drama.

Based on the colour palette of earthy tones, Shahjahan brought forward some edgy cuts that can be epitome of today’s age modern woman. She totally killed it with her simplistic designs. It was a brilliant collection owing to its designs without relying on anything dramatic.

HSY

The finale for day 3 was presented by the king of couture HSY. He presented a short video before the commencement of his show in which he played as a matchmaker for heartthrob Bilal Ashraf. After presenting many options to Ashraf, in the end, he concluded that an ideal or the best woman is one who is just herself.

Aligning with this short story, his collection was also inspired by the concept of ‘Be Yourself’. This collection by HSY was bright and bold. Comprising a myriad of cuts and silhouettes the offering had everything from cropped jackets to pants to tunics.

The best part of the collection was intricate embroidery, which is where HSY’s forte lies; however, there were some pieces that had too much of embroidery and were overshadowed by it. Bilal Ashraf was the showstopper for HSY.

WT20 2016: “We Get More Love in India Than in Pakistan” – Shahid Afridi

By

AFP

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Mar 14, 2016

Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi on Sunday brushed off concerns over security for his team at the World T20, saying he was looking forward to playing in front of India’s raucous crowds.

The 36-year-old said his team had always been “physically and mentally” prepared for the tournament despite weeks of uncertainty over whether they would be allowed to travel to arch rivals India, hosts of the World T20.

Pakistan only announced on Friday it was sending the national team after receiving assurances from India following negotiations with its neighbour over security arrangements.

“We are cricketers and not politicians,” Afridi told a press conference in Kolkata.

“We have always enjoyed playing in India and have been loved by Indians crowds more than crowds back home in Pakistan. Cricket has always brought people together and I think politics should be kept away from cricket.”

In his first comments since arriving with the team on Saturday night, Afridi said they were confident of success in their first outing against an unknown qualifier on Wednesday and the much-anticipated showdown against India on Saturday.

India switched the venue for the March 19 showdown from the northern hill station of Dharamsala to Kolkata after Pakistan’s concerns over threats from Hindu extremists and warnings of street protests.

Diplomatic tensions between the two countries have meant that the two teams have not played any bilateral series for more than three years, and their rivalry is restricted to multi-national tournaments such as the World T20.

Afridi said he expected a strong performance from Pakistani pacer Mohammad Amir, who is returning from a five-year spot-fixing ban.

“Amir is a top international bowler and he has given great performances recently,” he said.

Despite being confident of his team’s chances, Afridi said India were playing “very good cricket” at the moment and would be tough to beat in front of their home crowds.

He singled out “great performances” from Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh during Pakistan’s loss to their archrivals at the recent Asia Cup in Dhaka.

Ayesha Omar Endorses Kurkure Extra Free Offer!

By

Hareem Zafar

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Mar 11, 2016

Roping in the uber-gorgeous Ayesha Omar as the new brand ambassador, one of the most popular snacks brands in Pakistan, Kurkure is offering a little something extra!

The crunchy snack is offering 22% extra on a Rs. 5 pack and 10% extra on the Rs. 10 pack for its two popular flavours, Kurkure Chutney Chaska and Kurkure Red Chilli Jhatka!

Check out the fun TVC here and grab your Kurkure pack as you #GottaLoveEXTRA

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for more updates!

World T20 2016: Pakistan Cricket Team To Leave For India

By

AFP

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Mar 11, 2016

Pakistan on Friday announced it would send its national cricket team to India for the World Twenty20 following security assurances from New Delhi.

The interior minister “Chaudhry Nisar (Ali Khan) has given permission to Pakistan’s team to play in India,” Najam Sethi, chairman of the executive committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) told reporters after a meeting with the minister.

Pakistan interior minister Thursday ruled out sending the national cricket team to India for the World Twenty20 until security assurances come from New Delhi, saying the threats from extremists are concerning.

Pakistan sent a security assessment team to India on Monday after voicing repeated concerns about arrangements, saying there had been threats from Hindu activists.

On Wednesday the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Board of Cricket for Control inIndia (BCCI) shifted the March 19 game after the chief minister of the north Indian state of Himachal Pradesh refused to provide security for the match.

Diplomatic tensions have meant that the two teams have not played any bilateral series for more than three years, and their rivalry is restricted to multi-national tournaments such as the World T20.

Indian West Bengal Government Gives Security Assurance To Pakistan Team For World T20 2016

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for more!

Apple To Unveil New Creations on March 21st

By

AFP

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Mar 11, 2016

Apple on Thursday sent out invitations to a press event at which it is expected to unveil new iPhone and iPad models. In keeping with its practice, Apple revealed little about the event other than it will take place on March 21 at the company’s campus in the Silicon Valley city of Cupertino in California.

A message on copies of the invitations posted online simply states “Let us loop you in.”

Rumors have been circulating for weeks that Apple is poised to introduce upgraded versions of its small-screen iPhone and of the iPad, with the new tablet perhaps tailored for use by businesses.

A four-inch screen iPhone that looks similar to the iPhone 5s on the outside by boasts improvements under the hood is expected to get the spotlight at the event, along with an iPad with a screen slightly less than 10 inches diagonally.

The iPad may have keyboard and stylus features aimed at making it more attractive for getting work done. Apple has been trying to ignite sales of its tablets, which declined in the final quarter or last year.

Apple has partnered with IBM on iPad applications for use on the job, and Microsoft has tailored versions of its productivity software for the tablet.

The press event later this month is also expected to feature fashionable new bands for Apple Watch.

Apple has not publicly released sales figures for its Apple Watch, but IDC estimated the company sold 11.6 million of the wearable computing devices last year.

That gave the California giant a market share of around 15 percent, even though its smartwatch sales began in June of last year.

The media event will come a day before Apple faces off with the FBI in federal court in Southern California over whether the company can be compelled to help break into a locked iPhone used by one of the San Bernardino attackers.

Digital rights activists warn that the issue provides little middle ground — that once law enforcement gains a “back door,” there would be no way to close it.

But FBI Director James Comey told a congressional panel that some answers are needed because “there are times when law enforcement saves our lives, rescues our children.

Samsung Galaxy S7 Vs iPhone 6S Plus Comparison: Features & Specifications

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for more updates.

Rainfall Forecasted In Karachi Today- Countrywide Wet Spell

By

Maria Shafiq

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Mar 11, 2016

In the next six days, there will be rain and thundershowers throughout the country. As per the predictions of the weather advisory for the Meteorological Department, there will be rain showers in the lower Sindh region including Hyderabad and Karachi with a bit of hailstorm.

The heavy rainfall could lead to urban flooding in the cities; there could be flash flooding in some regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

The advisory has predicted frequent downpours in Bannu, Multan, Dera Ismail Khan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, Larkana divisions, Sukkur and Fata. According to their weather forecast, Quetta, Kalat, Naseerabad, Sibbi and Zhob will also experience heavy downpour with strong winds.

Rain with thundershowers have also been predicted for Karachi and Hyderabad divisions in Lower Sindh, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Hazara, Malakand, Peshawar, Kohat and Mardan regions.

Major Electricity Breakdown Hits Karachi Again!

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for more updates!

Samsung Galaxy S7 Available Worldwide

By

AFP

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Mar 11, 2016

After presenting its new flagship smartphone at this year’s Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, the Samsung Galaxy S7 goes on sale worldwide on Friday, March 11, 2016.

Samsung kept things pretty classic for this 2016 upgrade to its flagship handset. The 5.1-inch Galaxy S7 and 5.5-inch Galaxy S7 edge (with rounded edges) are similar in design to the current S6 and S6 edge but get improved processing performance of around 30% and 4GB of RAM. Both models run the latest version of the Android operating system, Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), with Samsung’s TouchWiz interface.

Upgraded camera, fast autofocus

The real innovation in the Galaxy S7 (and S7 edge) comes in the camera. The main, rear-facing camera sees its pixel-count drop from 16 to 12 megapixels, in turn promising improved image quality, particularly in low-light conditions and with moving subjects. This is thanks to Dual Pixel technology, which sees the camera take two pictures at once and then fuse them into one final super-sharp image. A 5-megapixel, wide-angle, front-facing camera is also on hand for selfie fans.

The Galaxy S7and S7 edge are water-resistant handsets that mark the return of the microSD memory card slot, dropped from Samsung’s S6. The smartphones also have a new “AlwaysOn” function to display certain information constantly onscreen (time, calendar, meetings, etc.) while keeping power use extremely low. In fact, Samsung promises over 10 hours of battery life.

Samsung is busy building a whole product ecosystem around its Galaxy S7, with current add-ons including the Gear S2 smartwatch, the Gear VR virtual reality headset and the new Gear 360 camera, which films 360-degree footage.

Not an essential upgrade for Samsung Galaxy S6 owners

In the end, the Samsung Galaxy S7 isn’t necessarily the most stylish or the most innovative smartphone of the moment (check out the LG G5 with its modular design), but it’s still in the running as one of the best smartphones on the market thanks to its performances and its camera.

So while upgrading from a Galaxy S6 to an S7 doesn’t seem essential, this smartphone is sure to suit users looking to invest in a good-quality high-end handset.

Check out the Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge in this promotional video:

https://youtu.be/cyohHyQl-kc

Samsung S7 vs LG G5: Features & Specifications

India-Pakistan Journalists Call For Joint TV Channel & Newspaper

By

Hareem Zafar

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Mar 11, 2016

Hoping for greater media connectivity between the two neighboring countries, journalists and legislators belonging to India and Pakistan called for joint TV channels and newspapers on Tuesday, reporting positive news from both the countries, fostering the relationship between the countries.

This idea was spread across at a “Third India-Pakistan legislators and Public Officials Dialogue on sharing of Experiences on Governance and Democracy” session, arranged by Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency.

Rajya Sabha MP, Vijay Darda and owner of Marathi media group stated that a collaborated newspaper between Pakistan and India must be launched to foster the relations between the countries and eliminating the hatred and misconceptions that the two countries’ people carry for each other.

Referring to the recent crackdown of Pakistan on extremist elements in the country, senator of country-ruling Pakistan Muslim League-N Abdul Qayyum showed disappointment stating that the military action against terrorism in the country was not shown in India. ”We should have a South East Asia-based TV channel or newspaper, where Pakistani, Indian, Bangladeshi or Sri Lankan, everybody can have equal say,” Qayyum said.

A former Pakistani information Minister, Javed Jabbar also supported the idea. However, he added that the collaboration of channels and newspaper must be free from any kind of political interest, commercial or political interest.

The TV anchor-turned-politician, Ashutosh said it was sad to see that channels bashed Pakistan only to get attention and raise TRPs instead of discussing concerning issues; he added that the Indo-Pak debates relations are nothing but ‘shouting and screaming.’

”When it comes to foreign policy, media cannot alter the perceptions. The greater responsibility lies with both countries’ regimes to improve the relations,” he added.

Editor-in-Chief of Daily Pakistan, Mujeeb-ur-Rehman called for increased interaction amongst the journalists said that India and Pakistan should have correspondents in both the countries to deliver a positive image.

”I wish if we could build some lounges on Atari Border in Punjab where journalists from both countries could come without any visa and meet each other over a cup of coffee,” Mr. Rehman stated.

#CleanKarachiCampaign Begins: #FixIt’s Alamgir Khan Teams Up

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Pakistani Girl ‘Eiza’ Wins UN Poster Competition

By

Maria Shafiq

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Mar 11, 2016

Fifteen-year-old Eiza Abid won the children’s poster competition held in Geneva by the United Nations. The theme around which the youngsters had to base their paintings was their understanding of freedom.

The competition was held to celebrate 50th anniversary of two major human rights treaties, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

Eiza Abid expressed her thoughts through a mix of vibrant colors lined with darker hues. She explained, “My painting personifies the darkness and confinement within a person’s life and once the person is set free from the pressures and judgement of others, one can freely express their thoughts and imagination in their true colors, illustrating their unique vision and bright outlook.”

Fabian Salvioli, Chair of the Human Rights Committee said,“It is so important to have children celebrating the 50th anniversary of the human rights Covenants through this poster competition.”

“For the Covenants to continue to have meaning over the next 50 years, children must be aware of their rights and the importance of the Covenants to their lives and happiness.”

Waleed Sadi, Chair of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights said, “I am impressed by the dedication and resourcefulness of the winners and the quality of the posters that they submitted for the competition celebrating the 50th anniversary of the human rights Covenants.”

Mr Sadi also added,“The Covenants are more than legal treaties – they have meaning and significance for all peoples and day-to-day life. By turning rights into pictures, this would help us understand and appreciate even more the Covenants and their relevance to all. Our thanks and congratulations to everyone who took part.”

Director of the UN Information Centre in Pakistan, Vittorio Cammarota commented,“We are very proud of Eiza Abid’s achievement, she succeeded with expressing the concept of freedom through a very positive and inspiring artwork.”

“We will exhibit Eiza’s poster together with those from other 55 Pakistani children and young adults who participated in the competition, in April in Islamabad.”

Malala Congratulates Sharmeen Obaid on 2nd Oscar Win

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for more updates.

World T20 2016: Afghanistan Set-Up Zimbabwe Super 10 Shootout

By

AFP

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Mar 11, 2016

Spinners Mohammad Nabi and Wellington Masakadza helped Afghanistan and Zimbabwe register contrasting wins in the World Twenty20 Thursday as the two teams set up a Group B decider to make the Super 10s.

Off-spinner Nabi bagged four wickets to help Afghanistan canter to their second straight win in the group stage after humbling a struggling Hong Kong by six wickets.

Rocked by a fixing controversy prior to the start of the tournament, Hong Kong’s campaign in the sixth edition of the World Twenty20 has ended after two consecutive losses.

Electing to bat, the Hong Kong batsmen stumbled to 116 for six in their 20 overs, a score which Afghanistan were able to surpass in 18 overs.

In-form Mohammad Shahzad and Noor Ali Zadran provided a solid start for Afghanistan and despite a few hiccups the Asghar Stanikzai-led side still looked like favourites to make it to the next round.

ICC T20 World Cup 2016: Schedule & Match Fixtures

“I am very happy with my performance — my best figures in a World Cup,” man of the match Nabi said at the post-game presentations.

“The pitch conditions were slow and I decided to use my variations.”

Earlier, Sean Williams stroked a brisk fifty before left-arm spinner Wellington Masakadza helped Zimbabwe shut the door on Scotland after securing an 11-run win.

Choosing to bat, Zimbabwe suffered from regular dismissals but Williams’ 36-ball 53 enabled the side to post 147 for seven, a score which proved enough against a brittle Scotland batting line-up.

Skipper Hamilton Masakadza gave the new ball to his brother Wellington, who combined with medium-pacer Tendai Chatara to help dismiss Scotland, who slipped to their second loss, for 136 in 19.4 overs.

Zimbabwe though had a terrible start after a mid-pitch collision between the openers which resulted in the run out of Hamilton and an injury to Vusi Sibanda’s chin.

But Williams did well to drive Zimbabwe to a respectable score with some support from the lower-order batsmen.

Zimbabwe and Afghanistan are now in a direct tussle to top their group when they clash Saturday in order to make the Super 10 cut.

“This has been a long time coming. I am trying to help my team qualify. I tried to pick up wickets and put them under pressure early on,” said Wellington Masakadza, who finished with 4-28.

Hamilton Masakadza knows that Saturday’s clash with Afghanistan will be a tough encounter after the Asian side clinched a series win against them on African soil last year.

“We have been playing well. The guys are gelling and are believing a bit more. We are looking to turn things around against Afghanistan,” he said.

Oman will play Netherlands while Bangladesh meet Ireland in the two Group A matches on Friday.

ICC To Conduct Random Dope Tests in World T20 2016

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Indian West Bengal Government Gives Security Assurance To Pakistan Team For World T20 2016

By

Hareem Zafar

-

Mar 11, 2016

UPDATE: Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal has given assurance of foolproof security of the Pakistan cricket team during the World T20 tournament. Pakistan has been requesting for security for a long time now before sending the team India, due to security concerns.

The chief Minister of West Bengal has written to Bengal Cricket Association’s president Sourav Ganguly requesting to inform the BCCI and the ICC that the government will provide complete security to the Pakistan team at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata match to be held on 19th March.

Approval for players to travel to India expected in a few hours.

On the other hand, Kiren Rijiju, the India Minister of State for Home Affairs stated on Friday that no assurance in written form will be provided to Pakistan related to its security in the World T20 2016 matches to be held in India.

He stated that proper security is already arranged for all teams.

“We are there to protect all the teams who are participating in the World Cup and it is our obligation and sovereign duty to secure everybody who is in Indian Territory. It is our duty to provide security to each team. CISF will be the provided security at the venue,” reports NDTV.

The BCCI has already moved the Dharamshala clash between India and Pakistan to Kolkata. As the protests by former Army personnel were on the rise in Dharamshala, PCB made the request to shift the venue which was later agreed to.

Shehryar Khan also sent a letter to the interior ministry as well as the written assurance received from Chief Minister of Bengal. Shehryar Khan stated that had Pakistan failed to participate in the World t20 tournament PCB would have faced a loss of 1.5 billion.

Indian interior minister Rajnath Singh claims that Indian government will be given foolproof security to Pakistan team in mega event of ICC.

Pakistan has its first World t20 Match on the 16^th of March with the qualifying team.

Pakistan interior minister Thursday ruled out sending the national cricket teamto India for the World Twenty20 until security assurances come from New Delhi, saying the threats from extremists are concerning.

The Pakistan team were due to fly out on Wednesday to play in the World Twenty20 cricket tournament but their departure was put on hold by the government.

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“Until and unless clear guarantees on security come from the Indian government, unfortunately, we are not in a position to decide sending the team,” Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan told the media.

Khan said the government and every Pakistani wanted to see the former champions play in India.

“Despite a lot of apprehensions and the fact that India does not want to playPakistan (in bilateral series) on one or other pretext, the government and every Pakistani fan want to see our team, who are former champions, to go and play,” he said.

“This is a world event, but can cricket be played under the shadow of threats? It is the government’s responsibility to ensure players’ security and that we are doing.”

Pakistan sent a security assessment team to India on Monday after voicing repeated concerns about arrangements, saying there had been threats from Hindu activists.

On Wednesday the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Board of Cricket for Control in India (BCCI) shifted the March 19 game after the chief minister of the north Indian state of Himachal Pradesh refused to provide security for the match.

Khan said the first part of Pakistan‘s demand was met when the match was shifted from Dharamsala to Kolkata, but added that even a full to capacity Eden Gardens stadium could be risky.

“What are we demanding? We are demanding an even playing field,” said Khan.

“We want our players to play without any pressure,” said Khan. “There will be near to 100,000 people at Eden Gardens and even a bottle thrown at our players can disturb them.”

Diplomatic tensions have meant that the two teams have not played any bilateral series for more than three years, and their rivalry is restricted to multi-national tournaments such as the World T20.

The arch-rivals have not played a full series since 2007 and although Pakistandid tour India late in 2012 for a short limited over series that failed to revive the ties fully.

India did not play an agreed series with Pakistan in December last year, citing refusal from New Delhi amidst heightened tensions between the South Asian nuclear rivals.

Pakistan’s World T20 2016 Team Kit Unveiled: Picture Gallery

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Major Electricity Breakdown Hits Karachi Again!

By

Sumaira Shiraz Alwani

-

Mar 11, 2016

The commercial hub Karachi once again loses itself into darkness on Friday morning, leaving most of the areas without power. According to the reports issued by K-Electric, the power breakdown occurred when a high extension line tripped early Friday morning after reported light showers in different parts of the metropolis.

North Nazimabad, Gulshan, Gulistan-e-Johar, Clifton, Federal B Area, Garden, North Karachi, Korangi & Defence were the affected areas.

Karachi Power Breakdown As Lines Trip Near Jamshoro

Due to the disruption, many grid stations went down. On the other hand, the spokesperson of power utility revealed that soon after the blackout, the restoration work was started and they were able to provide electricity to most of the areas until now.

Meanwhile, the reports further revealed that the power breakdown in Karachi also caused the water supply to suffer. Pumping Stations including Dhabeji, Gharo and Pipri areas were unable to supply water to many parts of the city due to the power outage.

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for more updates.

Atif Aslam Endorses Huawei Honor 5X Smartphone

By

Web Desk

-

Mar 11, 2016

To enrich the promotional campaigns with more inspiration, Huawei Pakistan brings on board the popular Pakistani singer and Pop music Icon – Atif Aslam as Huawei’s new brand ambassador.

The first Huawei gadget to be endorsed by Atif Aslam is the Huawei Honor 5X, featuring a full metal body and completely secured fingerprint scanning technology. The new Television Commercial for Honor 5X featuring Atif has already been shot in Dubai recently.

The new TVC has been launched and up on social media, creating much hype with Atif Aslam promising something totally new to the fans.

Watch the TVC here:

Client: Huawei Mobiles

Agency: Synergy Dentsu

Production: Slingshot Films

Director: Asad ul Haq

Previously Huawei fans in Pakistan have been mesmerised by the brands former ambassadors including the stunning Mahira Khan and the tantalising Humaima Malik. Popular celebrities like Syra Yousaf, Shehroz, and Shehryar Munawar continue to appear as brand ambassadors of Huawei.

https://youtu.be/JmXf47RTvv4

All these stars enjoy the tremendous fan following across Pakistan, given their glitzy lifestyles and amazing talent and also truly represent the success and joy that comes with Huawei’s unmatched technology.

Atif Aslam’s musical career, from its humble beginning in a small band – Jal in Pakistan, has soared to incredible heights of international stardom, within a few years.

Huawei Offers Discounts On Mate 8 For World T20 2016

After appearing in his first Pakistani movie BOL, Atif has never looked back, venturing into Bollywood and continuing to gain immense popularity as a singer and musician in the Indian film industry too.

The Huawei Honor 5X is an innovative, high-performance, smart device that promises the most exciting features to enhance lifestyles of the tech-savvy consumers, especially the youth. This fascinating device endorsed by Atif is a perfect match that reflects a truly desirable lifestyle and popularity.

Check out the specification of Honor 5X:

The Powerful Honor 5X comes with 2GB of RAM
16 GB of internal memory
MicroSD support for up to 128 GB
1.5 GHz Quad-Core Cortex, powered by a non-removable 3000 mAh battery.

The primary camera of this phone offers 13MP with auto-focus, while also featuring Geo-tagging, touch focus, face detection, panorama, and HDR to ensure great picture quality, along with a 5MP front shooter for capturing superb selfies. It is dual SIM device with Micro-SIM/Nano-SIM support.

Huawei P9: Specifications, Features & Release Date

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Salman Khan Pleads Innocent In Antelope Case

By

AFP

-

Mar 11, 2016

The actor is accused of using weapons with an expired licence to target black bucks in a protected forest area, where hunting the animals is illegal, in 1998.

Khan, wearing a floral shirt and sunglasses, said in court that forest officials had pressured him to sign a statement saying he had procured the arms from a contact in Mumbai.

“I am innocent and have been framed by the forest officials,” Khan said in his plea to the judicial magistrate in a Jodhpur district court.

The Bollywood actor was previously found guilty of poaching endangered gazelles in a separate case in 2006 and is appealing a year-long jail sentence.

Additional Public Prosecutor Dinesh Tiwari said the court had given Khan, 50, a chance to produce witnesses or evidence in support of his defence in the arms case on April 4.

“If he does so, they will be examined in the court otherwise the case will be listed for final arguments,” said Tiwari.

The case was registered nearly 18 years ago when Khan was shooting for the Bollywood mega-hit “Hum Saath Saath Hain” (We Are Together) at a village near Jodhpur.

Other cast members from the film, including well-known actors Saif Ali Khan and Sonali Bendre, are co-accused in the case.

The black buck is a species of antelope native to India and has been listed as near-threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature since 2003.

One of the Indian movie industry’s biggest box-office draws, Khan was last year cleared of killing a homeless man in a hit-and-run crash.

Khan has starred in more than 100 films and television shows since his first hit “Maine Pyar Kiya” (I Fell in Love) in the 1980s.

Salman Khan Recieves Death Threat Phone Call!

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Outdoor Sports & Water Adventures in Karachi

By

Sahar Iqbal

-

Mar 11, 2016

Life can get really boring if we stay in our comfort zone and don’t challenge ourselves every day. Challenging yourself includes taking risks, going on adventures, traveling and making every moment count. It can be as simple as stargazing or planning a day trip with your friends and as complicated as doing things which you could never have imagined.

With sky being the limit, we have always tried to move the sky farther by continuously improving and working towards living life to the fullest! While one must think Karachi is a dead city for the adventurous souls amongst us, I take absolute pleasure in politely informing all those miserable souls that they are unquestionably wrong! Karachi offers a wide range of outdoor opportunities for those who dare.

Here are a number of pages and groups on Facebook that can make your living on the edge dream come true. Have a look:

Karachi Gliding Club:

Incepted in 2013, Karachi Gliding Club offers a range of air, land & sea sports including paragliding, paramotoring, powered parachuting, ultralight & sports flying, RC aircraft flying, Air Safari, hiking/trekking, camping, shooting, archery, off-roading, jet skiing, speed boating, snorkeling and a couple of other sports too on on-demand basis.

A discount of up to 25% is being offered to students based on the adventure that they choose. Check out their packages here.

Scuba Adventure Pakistan

Their motto is-Dive, Explore and Experience the endless undersea world. The club provides a Complete Range of PADI – SCUBA DIVING Courses and CPR and First Aid courses. Join them for Training, Exploration, Conservation and Excursion – SCUBA trips.

In order to learn more about them, visit their page.

Divers Reef Karachi

In order to have a once in a lifetime adventure under water, Divers Reef presents you with Snorkeling, Scuba diving, Water frenzy and Speed 360 along with amazing underwater pictures. Calling all the candid picture lovers, this is your chance to get a picture and an experience which you will cherish forever.

Visit their Facebook page for further details.

Karachi Water Sports Club

KWSC consists of a team of people who are fun-loving and welcoming. They provide excursion services like cliff-diving, snorkeling, scuba diving, beach parties and speed boats charter. They also book huts for special occasions.

For further details, visit their page.

Indus Scuba

The first PADI Dive and EFR center which is operating throughout the country, Indus Scuba provides a thrilling yet snug experience. They have the largest number of dive sites and offer all types of diving – from open water to night dives, wreck dives, and other thrilling experiences. They also arrange diving trip abroad.

Their promise is that the customers can be assured to get the best service from courses to equipment and dive trips regardless of whether they are taking the first plunge or are a seasoned pro.

I am sure after looking at all these amazing pictures, you all have started planning your day out with your friends.

Let us know how your experience was!

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