Playboy is known to the world as the pioneer adult magazine being unabashedly explicit about mainstream nudity.
For obvious reasons was looked down upon by many for objectifying women. But there was more to Hugh Hefner than just that, there was his support for racial integration and gay rights.
In short, he was a character more complex than tabloid editors allowed. Here are some lesser-known facts about Hugh, that might leave you surprised.
1. Involvement in Civil Rights
Despite always having a gorgeous looking woman on the cover, the magazine’s most significant interviewees included civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr, Beatle John Lennon, and Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro.
2. Politically Impactful Series
In 1962, this famous Alex Haley magazine interview with Miles Davis inaugurated a series of important conversations with leading black cultural and political figures.
3. Launched Marilyn Monroe
The first issue of Playboy which featured the iconic Marilyn Monroe sold 50,000 copies.
4. Guinness World Records
Hugh holds two Guinness World Records: Longest tenure as editor-in-chief and the largest collection of personal scrapbooks
5. First Club to Allow Blacks
In 1960, when racial segregation denied black Americans equal rights, Hefner started the first Playboy Club in Chicago and offered admission to people of all races.
6. Centrefold Concept
The centerfold or centerfold of a magazine refers to a gate folded spread, usually a portrait such as a pin-up, inserted in the middle of the publication, or to the model featured in the portrait. The term was coined by Hugh Hefner.
7. Sky High I.Q.
Hugh had an exceedingly high I.Q. of 152 but surprisingly, he never excelled as a student.
8. Interview With The President of United States
Hefner also interviewed the 39th President of the United States, Jimmy Carter. Where Mr. President got a little too candid saying,“I’ve looked on a lot of women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times.”
9. Preserving the Famous ‘Hollywood’ Sign
In 2010, he donated $900,000 to preserve the 138 acres surrounding the Hollywood sign.
10. Served in WWII
He enlisted in the Army during WWII as an infantry clerk. He wrote and drew cartoons for the Army newspaper.
According to Dove’s new campaign, 3 out of 4 Indian women are rejected for their looks during the arranged marriage process.
Dove – Stop The Beauty Test
Dove’s #stopthebeautytest campaign has revealed the second leg of its promotional campaign covering a harsh truth about society. The video features a voice-over of a girl who shares all the comments the society has to share about them as soon as they reach a certain age. From having dark skin to curly hair and a curvy body, it is a contest where a report card is being made on how they look.
Dove also ran full print ads as part of this campaign. The ads were featured in the Sunday Times paper in different parts of the country.
Check this out:
HUL Chairman Sanjiv Mehta took to Linkedin to reshare the piece with a caption on daughter’s day. Here’s what he had to say,
“As a father to two lovely daughters, I feel deeply for the cause. You would agree that our children’s formative years are critical, and if done right, we set them up for life. Therefore, we must create an environment where girls can feel more confident about themselves and focus on who they are as individuals, not how they look,” he wrote as a caption to the video.
Dove’s campaigns relating to the beauty test have tried to draw emphasis on societal standards of beauty and how flawed these ideals are. The last edition of #StopTheBeautyTest also dealt with the issue of how women in arranged marriage scenarios are viewed. The film follows the story of different girls who had to fit into a certain beauty criterion to look appealing for the matrimonial proceedings.
Speaking on the initiative, Priya Nair, Executive Director, HUL & VP – Beauty and Personal Care South Asia, opined, “In a country of 631 million women, it is unfortunate that there is such intense pressure to adhere to one definition of beauty. Being owners of some of the largest beauty brands in the country. The onus to make beauty more positive and more inclusive is on us. Dove has always believed that beauty should be the source of confidence, not anxiety. With #StopTheBeautyTest, we want to go one step forward in that direction.”
Rising inflation has put everyone in a tight spot to manage their expenses and build cash reserves. The experts, on the other hand, have started to look for ways to cut down on the budgets to that they can juggle cash more mindfully.
Since inflation is at the highest as ever been since the early 1980s, many people — especially those living paycheck to paycheck — may be struggling to save any money at all.
Tammy Trenta, the founder and CEO of Family Financial, an adviser service for entrepreneurs, says,
“You may find that you will not only survive tough times but imagine if you could actually thrive. It can be a fun and empowering exercise.”
Managing your money might seem like a daunting task but it is never too late to look for inspiration and learn from the experts. Take a look at how experts are budgeting their money for everyday expenses.
The surge in gas/petrol prices has become the most difficult to manage with. For people, who especially have to travel miles for their work managing expenses for everyday fuel, has become extremely difficult. Working from home, carpooling, and planning trips accordingly, are some of the ways experts advise spending less on fuel.
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner, a personal finance blogger at Making Sense of Cents, pinpoints fuel as one area she is spending less on these days.
Image source: theguardian.com
“I do have the great privilege of being able to work from home, so it does help that I don’t need to go anywhere very often,” Schroeder-Gardner says. “But I do think about the trips and errands that I need to make a little more carefully.”
Dining
Dining out has been a favourite activity for most including everyday trips to the coffee shops and casual lunches. President of credit counselling company Illinois Credit Services, Jim Droske shares his newfound love for cooking food to replace eating out.
Image source: forbes
“I’ve become more adventurous with cooking in the kitchen and trying to make those meals you’d only typically eat at a restaurant,” Droske says. “Like grilled calamari and homemade pasta — that’s a lot of fun! It’s more work, but it’s fun to look up a new recipe, grab a glass of wine and roll up the sleeves.”
Groceries
The pandemic of the increasing pricing stickers in grocery stores has become the new norm for many. From using coupons to monthly discounts, visiting the local farmers market and planning budget-friendly meals are some of the ways to cut down the costs, but it still is difficult to step out without spending over the limit.
Bola Sokunbi, certified financial education instructor, founder of Clever Girl Finance and author of “Choosing to Prosper,” has also shared some tips about grocery shopping.
Image source: weekly
“My grocery budget and list are very much focused on the essentials,” Sokunbi says. “The ‘nice-to-haves-but-not-necessary’ are not a priority on my list due to the high costs.” According to her, she would rather save and use any extra money to bulk up her emergency savings given the ongoing economic uncertainty. Meanwhile, buying into the market to take advantage of the dip.
As much as we liked to think otherwise, self-care days also require a little money to indulge in your favourite activities. Cutting down on weekly salon visits to twice a month has helped many to budget their spending costs.
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments belowl.
Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.
26th September, 2022, Karachi: The countdown begins! Advance booking for Pakistan’s most anticipated movie ‘The Legend of Maula Jatt’ has been announced for the 30th of September from 7:00pm onwards in Pakistan. The movie is set to release on the 13th October, 2022, in all the leading cinemas and the audiences can start booking their tickets.
The Legend of Maula Jatt is a hard reboot of the 1979 classic ‘Maula Jatt’ and it is based on the rivalry of Maula Jatt and his arch nemesis Noori Natt. The release of the character posters has already created a lot of hype all around the world, and the biggest cinema screen in Norway is almost sold out.
The film boasts one of the largest ensembled star-cast including Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan, Hamza Ali Abbasi, Humaima Malick, Mirza Gohar Rasheed, Faris Shafi and Ali Azmat. It not only marks the comeback of Fawad Khan, but also the comeback of the most cherished on-screen couple of Mahira and Fawad. With international standard VFX expertise, TLOMJ is the kind of film that has never been seen before in Pakistan and viewers are on the edge of their seats.
The film has already been cleared for release in Sindh with PG rating by Sindh Censorboard.
The cinematic masterpiece has been directed by Bilal Lashari, known for his directorial debut with ‘Waar’ and produced by Ammara Hikmat under the joint venture of Encyclomedia & Lashari Films in association with AAA Motion Pictures. The screenplay is by Bilal Lashari and dialogues have been penned down by Nasir Adeeb.
The filmmakers have partnered with Pakistan’s largest media conglomerate and an important contributor to the revival of Pakistani cinema, Geo Films, as their presenting partner. The film will be locally distributed by Nadeem Mandviwalla of Mandviwalla Entertainment, who is well known for his work and contribution to cinema over the decades and internationally the film will be distributed by MovieGoers Entertainment.
The gaming community of Free Fire, one of the most popular mobile games in Pakistan, has pledged to donate 25000 Kg of rice as humanitarian assistance to support the people affected by the unprecedented floods in Pakistan. According to preliminary estimates, 65% of Pakistan’s main food crops including 70% of its rice have been swept away during the floods. The rice is expected to provide immediate relief to around 200,000 people in the most affected communities.
A call for support was issued to the whole community through an online event, held inside the game, where each Free Fire player could donate the virtual tokens that they earned by simply playing the game. Each token collected was equivalent to 100g of rice. This event produced an overwhelming response and ended up creating a social media movement where users circulated the hashtag #KheloApnoKayLiay and over 250,000 tokens were generated within just 3 days, which was equivalent to 25,000 Kg of rice.
Total Tokens donated: 250,000+
This 25,000 kg of rice was then donated to the trusted JDC Foundation to be distributed to the flood victims in the most adversely affected areas. A well-known content creator from Free Fire’s Community, Rauf Khalid, otherwise known as Rufe Bhai, was present on-site to handover the rice to JDC Foundation: “I am extremely honoured and proud of how the gaming community has come together to help our nation in such times. It was amazing to see community members from all over Pakistan join hands and be able to create this impact. A huge shout out to Free Fire for helping make all of this possible”
It’s difficult to think of a more beautiful landscape than Pakistan’s rocky peaks, undiscovered settlements, and windswept plains on World Tourism Day! Pakistan is an incredibly beautiful nation and we’re here to add some places from it to your travel list!
Swat Valley looks like it came straight from a fairytale. Just imagine lush green fields and forests, charming towns, and rivers with shades of blue so pure and beautiful you will not believe they are real.
Image Source: Advisor
2. Ushu Forest, Kalam
The Ushu forest has deodar trees abound in this lush, and well-kept forest. Moreover, it is a great location to get lost in with your friends and loved ones. The highway that enters the woodland is just as beautiful and worth a drive on.
Image Source: Tour and Trips
3. Hunza, Gilgit Baltistan
How have you not heard of Hunza yet? Hunza is a sizable region made up of multiple valleys and communities, so don’t let the word “valley” fool you. It has gorgeous lakes, attractions, and forts too!
Image Source: Trip Advisor
4. Phander Lake, Koh-i-Gizar (Gilgit Baltistan)
This is nearly too good to be true. Phander Lake, which is situated in Phander Village, is a sight to behold. The light-green trees and turquoise lake look like they belong in a landscape painting and you can see it yourself.
Image Source: Wikipedia
5. Broghil Valley, Chitral District
The Broghil Valley, which is far to the north and near to Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor, was formerly only reachable on horseback. The once-secret location is now accessible only by a perilous jeep track. It is so worth the effort. Secluded, charming, and chilly.
Image Source: Istock
6. Hingol National Park, Makran Coastal Region
The Hingol National Park seems other-worldly and is our best-kept secret. The park, which spans an area of more than 6,000 square kilometers, is home to countless animal species, enormous canyons, and even a mud volcano. You can see it for yourself!
Image Source: Rising Pakistan
7. Kalash Valley, Chitral District
Most of our parents went on their honeymoon here. The Kalash Valleys, which are made up of Bumboret, Rumbur, and Birir, are insanely gorgeous. Kalash has been called Pakistan’s most picturesque location.
Image Source: Zameen
8. Shimshal Valley, Gilgit Baltistan
The Shimshal Valley is well worth the effort required to reach it. The locale is known for being a major adventure destination that’s particularly popular amongst climbers and mountaineers.
Image Source: Travel Girls Pakistan
9. Deosai, Skardu
Simply heaven on earth. The Deosai plain is often referred to as the roof of the world. And it basically is at 4,117 metres (13,497 feet). The massive plateau is the second-highest on the planet and is only really accessible during summer.
Image Source: Wander Adventures
10. Fairy Meadows, Gilgit Baltistan
Fairy Meadows is no doubt a stunner. The meadows offer an incredible view of Nanga Parbat, the world’s 9th highest mountain peak. You will forget all your worries at this tourist destination.
With surging inflation and rising real estate prices, the world is witnessing its middle-class shrink day by day, and millions of individuals living below the poverty line. However, when some people lose money, some make money which is what is happening. According to Bloomberg reports, millionaires will see their wealth increase by 40% in the next 5 years and the “how” is very simple. The rich own most of the assets and with the asset prices increasing day by day, money is going into their pockets. In addition to that, Credit Suisse Group claims that by 2026, the world would witness 87.6 new millionaires with net worth amounting to $1 million.
Forecasts indicate that the number will increase more quickly in emerging economies with China’s population of millionaires nearly doubling. Despite the fact that the world’s 500 richest people collectively lost $1.4 trillion in wealth in the first half of the year, Credit Suisse predicts a quick rebound, particularly for developing economies. Even while its economy is beginning to show symptoms of strain due to Covid-19 lockdowns and crackdowns in areas like IT and real estate, the Swiss bank expects China to continue accumulating enormous amounts of wealth. Private wealth is expected to increase by 36% to $169 trillion by 2026, according to Credit Suisse, with wealth per adult expected to increase by 28% globally and reach $100,000 in 2024. There will be 385,000 people who are ultra-high net worth, defined as having more than $50 million.
Image Source: Council on Foreign Relations
Although many individuals and corporate sectors had seen their assets plummet downward due to the pandemic and the lockdown that followed it, these corporate industries were quick in gaining their lost momentum and are making all-time-high profits now. Within the next five years, according to Credit Suisse, they should close the gap with the developed world. Compared to a 4.2% increase in high-income countries, fortunes will increase by 10% yearly in emerging economies.
Global wealth increased by 9.8% to $463.6 trillion in 2021 from 2020, registering the largest rise since the century’s commencement. The richest 10% of persons controlled 82% of the world’s wealth, while the top 1% owned 46% of all household assets. More than 140,000 ultra-high net worth individuals were found in the US, followed by 32,710 in China.
Image Souce: Investopedia
Although the gap between the middle class and upper class is widening in some economies, this is not the case with countries in general. The gap between rich and not-so-rich countries is narrowing down since economies are growing exponentially using technology to their advantage and shifting to renewable sources of energy, especially as the Russia-Ukraine war has strained the supply of oil and petroleum.
Airpods are one of the most convenient gadgets to enhance work efficiency or just listen to music. While they are supposed to work seamlessly with your iOS devices, a few issues can result in a few glitches now and then. Getting a new pair might be tempting but looking out for troubleshooting tips and tricks.
Here are a few things you can do to make your AirPods work again.
1. Disconnect & Reconnect
If your AirPods are lagging and you are facing connection issues, one thing you can do is disconnect and reconnect the connection with your iOS devices. Just put your AirPods or AirPods Max in the Charging Case or Smart Case, wait for a few seconds, and then take them out again to reconnect them.
2. Clean The Airpods
In certain instances, the dirt, earwax, or moisture buildup in the AirPods can also cause Bluetooth distortion leading to connectivity issues. The only way to solve the problem is to clean the AirPods with alcohol and a cotton swab. Dip the cotton bud in alcohol and rub it onto the earpiece. Use the cotton swab to get into all of the crevices of the devices. The loose debris can be removed with a clean cloth. Once the debris is removed the process is to clear our leftover debris.
Image Source: Trusted Reviews
3. Reset Airpods
A range of issues including random disconnections, and lack of prompt charging can start to develop over time. One way to kick-start your AirPods is to reset them. Resetting the AirPods can remove any paired device history. This will effectively reset them back to factory settings so that your device is the first to pair with them.
Installing updates has been the way to solve problems in the AirPods ever since their launch. If your AirPods have a software-related problem updating the version can help. Open the settings app and go to Software Update. If an update is available, install it. The AirPods automatically update when they’re charging and near your iPhone.
5. Disable Automatic Ear Detection
Automatic Ear Detection is a feature that automatically detects when your AirPods are in your ears. But it can also cause the audio to disconnect, especially if you tend to fidget with the left or the right AirPod while wearing them. If your AirPods don’t stay connected to your iPhone, turning off Automatic Ear Detection can help.
Wireless interference can also prevent your AirPods from working correctly. Identifying and eliminating common sources of interference around you—such as poorly shielded power cables, microwave ovens, and wireless speakers can solve the problem.
Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.
Arabic cuisine is all about rich, exotic flavors with a hint of spice. The dishes from the Greek, Roman, Persian, and Turks cultures also have a major influence on Arabic cuisine. From falafels to shawarma and mandi, the Arabic menus are full of delicious tasting recipes made with a handful of ingredients. Mandi is an Arabic delicacy that was introduced in Pakistan a few years ago by small-scale eateries. Ever since then, Pakistanis developed the taste for it and gave more room for the expansion of the treat.
Today, we share such eateries where you can try delicious Arabic Mandi.
1. Al-Ridan House Of Mandi
Al-Ridan was one of the eateries which set the ground for Mandi restaurants in Karachi. Their exquisite and consistent taste is still one of the reasons why Mandi lovers go to the restaurant again and again.
This Arabic-themed eatery is famous for its delicious Arabic menu which offers a wide range of options including Arabic desserts and Mandi. With a decent ambiance and a dedicated staff, the restaurant’s signature Mandi dishes are some of the best in town.
Maskan Mandi is another favorite restaurant of the Karachiites located in the vicinity of phase 5 in Defence. Maskan Mandi is in business for 15 years with a professional team. Their Bajaj Mandi and Kharif Mandi are quite a hit!
Curb your Mandi cravings with a home delivery service from Mandi house. The middle eastern themed restaurant serves a variety of mandi platters known for their signature taste with meat cooked to perfection.
Try the Middle Eastern flavors and delicacies by Mandi Al Khaleej and get a first-hand experience of what Arabic cuisine tastes like. Their Mandi can be customized according to the level of spice and comes with a variety of options making it a perfect place to visit at least once.
Today, Spotify launched the first episode of its digital series Spotify Talks, dedicated to women in music. Hosted by Anoushey Ashraf and featuring Momina Mustehsan, EQUAL Pakistan Ambassador for September, alongside previous EQUAL Ambassadors Natasha Baig and Zoha Zuberi, the episode sheds light on the journeys women creators embark on when pursuing a career in music.
From the lack of social support for their career choices to having limited opportunities in the music industry, the panelists discussed the resistance they faced and how they persisted. Creating a path for themselves in a male-dominated industry requires hard work and personal drive to find the right avenues for their work to be seen and heard.
“For me, the reason that I ever made music is because I feel like it’s a tool of storytelling. So, I never even imagined a scenario where anyone would really be paying much attention to it,” tells Momina on why she started making music.
“I think everything comes with a cost. And yes, it was very hard to deal with the attention that I was getting initially, but looking back at it, I think every learning experience comes with some kind of process. And either you are able to deal with it or it takes you a little longer to try and figure it out,” she added while sharing her experience of going viral overnight.
Speaking of her experience as a woman hailing from Hunza Valley and choosing a career that is still not considered appropriate widely, Natasha shared how her choice impacted her relationship with her father. “My father never believed in my dreams. Although I was the first Hunzai girl coming all the way from the North who was dreaming about going into this commercial scene, I was quite confident about myself and so, I just told my father that I really want to do this.”
“I grew up with two brothers and what frustrated me the most was why all the rules were made for me and not for them. Just because I didn’t get to choose my gender does not mean that I give up all my dreams,” added Natasha.
The episode, spanning 60 minutes, also highlights how Spotify is leveling the playing field for women in audio through its music program EQUAL Pakistan which is opening doors for women, regardless of their career stage or genre, to have their music discovered across the globe.
“Women artists added to our EQUAL Pakistan playlist are 20 times more likely to get discovered by a new fan. We are seeing fans listening to EQUAL Pakistan from the US, UK, Canada, Saudi Arabia and India,” shared Rutaba Yaqub, Spotify’s Music Manager for Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Despite barriers surrounding music careers, many young creators find comfort in it, including Zoha Zuberi, who talked about how music empowered her to express herself.
“For me, music was always about how I felt, and it was nothing else. So I wrote down my feelings, composed what I wrote, and I just wanted to share that with the world like a personal diary that you are putting out there. Because as an introverted child, I had nothing else to communicate with. I only had music,” said Zoha.
Towards the session’s conclusion, the panelists highlighted the importance of educational avenues for the younger generation of Pakistani musicians while also discussing the value of collaboration between artists and how it fosters creativity.
Acknowledging the importance of collaborations Anoushey Ahsraf added, “This generation of musicians is more open to collaboration. It’s amazing to see Meesha Shafi and Atif Aslam collaborating with younger generations of musicians. They’ve decided to evolve instead of rejecting the idea of collaboration.”
As a close to the insightful and lively discussion, Natasha Baig performed a soulful rendition of her song, Wajood-e-Zan.
To watch the entire “Women in Music” episode, head to the Spotify Talks Ep 1 Session Link.
TORONTO: The Kashmir 8th HUM Awards were a testament to the worldwide clout of Pakistan’s entertainment industry and the popularity of HUM TV, one of the country’s most established TV networks. Held in Toronto, Canada at the First Ontario Centre on 24th September 2022, the star-studded event featured well-loved stars and was attended by an audience of over 12,000. Many miles away from Pakistan, the masses of fans gathered on the red carpet and the huge crowd attending the awards ceremony were an indication of the immense following that HUM TV’s dramas have worldwide. Also taking place on the red carpet was a donation drive for Pakistan’s flood-affected areas where attendees could simply donate by scanning a particular QR code on their phones.
The enthusiasm and love received by this year’s awards are truly an eye-opener to the power of the HUM TV Network and Pakistan’s burgeoning entertainment industry. The Hum Awards is the only Pakistani entertainment show to regularly take place internationally and has received a tremendous response in the UAE, the USA, and in Canada. The event could not take place in 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic and the two year lapse seems to have had built public anticipation to a high.
Image Source: Bridesandyou
The event was off to a powerful start with the singing of the Pakistani and Canadian national anthems. The Pakistani celebrities who were especially in Toronto for the event came on stage and they were accompanied by thousands in the audience, all united while singing the Pakistani anthem together.
This was followed by the President of HUM TV Network, Sultana Siddiqui and CEO Duraid Qureshi, coming on stage and talking about the network’s consistent efforts towards organizing an event of this scale internationally and how it helps improve Pakistan’s global image. Sultana Siddiqui acknowledged the many achievements made by HUM TV even while in the midst of a pandemic and thanked the overseas audience at the event for their constant support. On a more somber note, she talked about the HUMDard initiative, which is entirely focused on giving back to society. During the coronavirus pandemic and now, in the face of the devastation wreaked by floods in Pakistan, the initiative continues with its rehabilitative efforts in rural Sindh. She asserted that the HUM TV Network will always be focused on helping out Pakistan and it was only by staying united that the nation could work towards a better future.
Image Source: Fashiontimesmagazine
Multiple celebrities hosted the evening, namely Ahsan Khan, Hareem Farooq, Ali Rehman Khan, Yasir Hussain, Ushna Shah, Aymen Saleem, Ahmed Ali Butt and Bilal Ashraf. The opening act for the night was a very funny rendition of the classic song Ko Ko Korina by Yasir Hussain and Ali Rehman Khan. Scheduled in between the awards announcements was a lineup of dazzling performances. The first performance of the night featured Farhan Saeed and Hania Aaamir. Later in the night, there was a musical act by Azaan Sami Khan, a dance performance by Bilal Ashraf and Mahira Khan, a musical act by Atif Aslam and a dance by Zara Noor Abbas and Urwa Hocane. There was also a hilarious comic act delivered by Ahmed Ali Butt.
Pakistani entertainment’s most prestigious names presented the awards; namely Sultana Siddiqui, Duraid Quraishi, Imran Ashraf, Bilal Ashraf, Anoushey Abbasi, Shahzad Sheikh, Adeel Hussain, Komal Mir, Urwa Hocane, Nomi Ansari, Iqra Aziz, Ahmed Ali Akbar, Ayeza Khan, Osman Khalid Butt, Naumaan Ijaz, Zeba Bakhtiar, Sania Saeed, Sonya Hussain, Bushra Ansari, Ahsan Khan, Reema Khan, Farhan Saeed, Hania Aamir, Atif Aslam and Mahira Khan.
The award nominations and winners were well-deserved. Spanning 2019, 2020 and 2021, they were a reminder of the high benchmarks that continue to be set by the Hum TV Network.
The winners were as follows:
Performance Award 2019
Ranjha Ranjha Kardi
Performance Award 2020
Ehd-e-Wafa
Performance Award – Soap
Wafa Bemol
Performance Award – Drama Serial
Yaar Na Bichray
Best New Sensation – Female
Hadiqa Kiani for Raqeeb Se and Aymen Saleem for Chupke Chupke
Best New Sensation – Male
Arslan Naseer for Chupke Chupke
Zaviyaar Naumaan Ejaz for Qissa Meherbano Ka
Momin Saqib for Raqs-e-Bismil
Best Supporting Actor – Female
Saboor Ali Ansari for Parizaad
Best Supporting Actor – Male
Adeel Afzal for Parizaad
Best Original Soundtrack
Parizaad
Most Impactful Character in a Serial
Sania Saeed for Raqeeb Se
Best Actor in a Negative Role
Ahsan Khan for Qissa Meherbano Ka and Shahzad Sheikh for Phaans
Best Writer Drama Serial
Hashim Nadeem for Parizaad
Best Director Drama Serial
Shahzad Kashmiri for Parizaad
Best On-Screen Couple – Popular
Osman Khalid Butt and Ayeza Khan for Chupke Chupke
Best Drama Serial – Popular
Parizaad
Best Actor Female – Popular
Ayeza Khan for Chupke Chupke
Best Actor Male – Popular
Ahmed Ali Akbar for Parizaad
Best On-Screen Couple – Jury
Osman Khalid Butt and Ayeza Khan for Chupke Chupke
Food and hospitality is undoubtedly one of the biggest industries, globally. By the end of the year 2021, the food service market size had grown to a staggering $2,750 billion and it is projected to surpass $3,600 billion in worldwide sales by 2027. It is an extensive sector that shows no signs of stopping in terms of growth. The love for food seems just too tempting to resist!
The situation is no different for Pakistanis. Local foodies throng food streets and eateries spread across the country, enjoying delicacies from a variety of regions around the world. The growth of Pakistan’s restaurant sector is fueled further by a relative lack of other entertainment options when it comes to going out with families and friends.
People in Pakistan are therefore regularly searching for options to satisfy the cravings of their taste buds. This is where the innovative capacities of online platforms like foodpanda and their diverse offerings come into play. The latest and most convenient option from the brand in this regard is HomeChefs.
Launched in 2020, foodpanda HomeChefs has become a game changer for not just the food industry but also for individuals who possess the creative ability to plate exquisite delicacies for customers. The offering has given not just men but more importantly women the chance to embrace financial independence with minimal capital requirements and personalized training for maintenance of health and hygiene, proper packaging and a lot else.
foodpanda Homechefs has positively transformed the lives of people across different cities of Pakistan. Atika Zaeem, the owner of Zaeem’s Kitchen, shared her story of how the platform changed her life.
Her husband was already jobless for 2 years and COVID made it even harder for him to find employment. That is when Atika had to step up and became the sole breadwinner of the family. foodpanda HomeChefs provided her with an ideal opportunity to do just that. With complete support from her husband and foodpanda HomeChefs team, she developed her food brand from the ground up, designing the menu, sourcing ingredients and developing a customer base through the platform.
Having started in January 2022, today she is among the best known HomeChefs on the application. With the income that she makes, she not only provides for her family but also takes care of her ailing mother. She is now in a position where I look forward to opening my own catering business in the future.
There are hundreds of similar stories that have accumulated under the HomeChefs banner. The platform has grown with more than 5000 registered HomeChefs delivering food across different cities of Pakistan.
Mustaqeem is another example of passion and grit. He launched Burger 99 and registered himself as a foodpanda HomeChef in May 2020 after losing his only source of income due to COVID. He used to work as a waiter and assistant chef at a local restaurant. Being his first experience of an entrepreneurial venture, he put in diligent efforts to carve out a sustainable market share in an already crowded market. Although his journey was challenging in the start, he found a reason to continue thanks to his perseverance. His homemade burgers were soon the talk of the town and Mustaqeem is now planning to expand in different areas of Karachi.
One more HomeChef capitalizing on foodies and their love for local cuisines is Erum Wahid, the founder of Lazeez Restaurant. Hailing from Karachi, she has built a promising business for herself, working from the convenience of her home. The venture has enabled her to support her family as now she is also contributing to the household income while taking a significant burden off her husband. Similarly, a lot of other women like Erum have now become sole bread earners for their families which were adversely affected during COVID and were looking for means to economically empower their families.
foodpanda HomeChefs vertical provides a window of opportunity where both men and women can explore simple avenues to prosper. Not only does it fill the existing gap in the market for the need of quality food but also offers a chance for people to build businesses out of their already functional kitchen at home.
Do you know that your smartphones are reducing your cognitive ability even when you’re not using them? Recent studies have shown that when your smartphone is nearby, even if it is off, your cognitive ability is dramatically lowered. This is the key finding of a recent study from The University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business. Here’s how you’re becoming less cognitive-y:
In a study involving nearly 800 smartphone users, McCombs Assistant Professor Adrian Ward and co-authors gauged something that concerns us all. It was discovered for the first time how well people can perform tasks when their smartphones are nearby—even when they are not using them.
Image Source: Unsplash
In this experiment, the researchers needed study subjects to sit at a computer and complete a series of tasks that required complete focus to pass. The purpose of the tests was to gauge the participants’ available cognitive capacity. Alternatively, they wanted to know about the capacity of the brain to hold and process information at any given time. Before starting, participants were given the option of placing their smartphones face down on the desk, in their pockets, or in their personal bags. Everyone taking part was told to put their phones on silent.
What Happened?
The participants who kept their phones in another room fared noticeably better than those who left them on the desk. That’s not all. They also, slightly, outperformed those who kept them in a pocket or bag. The findings imply that even when people believe they are providing a task, their complete attention and focus, the sheer presence of a smartphone lowers available cognitive capacity and degrades cognitive functioning.
Image Source: FDA
You keep looking towards it thinking the screen is blinking. The notification also keeps turning your attention to it. How can you focus?
The Report
Image Source: BTrix24
“We detect a linear trend that shows that individuals’ available cognitive ability declines as the smartphone becomes more evident,” said Ward. Your conscious mind isn’t thinking about your smartphone but the act of forcing your mind to focus elsewhere consumes part of your limited cognitive capacity. It’s a brain drain.” So, are you going to be keeping your phone near you next time you want to complete a task?
Free Fire’s animated series, Free Fire Tales, is back with an all-new chapter, Free Fire Tales: Double Trouble. This latest chapter follows the journey of new character Tatsuya Garcia and his brother, Shirou, as they navigate the challenges of brotherhood and find out what it means to be “Stronger Together.”
Fans and players can look forward to dramatic plot twists and jam-packed action as Double Trouble delves deeper into the game’s lore with the release of its main film Free Fire Tales: Double Trouble on 24 September. In the lead up to the film’s release, an exciting lineup of activities such as a special web event and exclusive in-game content will also drop on 23 September.
Dive deeper into the Free Fire Universe as brothers Tatsuya and Shirou overcome evil
Set to premiere on 24 September, the main film, Free Fire Tales: Double Trouble, follows the story of brothers Tatsuya and Shirou as they learn to put aside their differences and work together to defeat a greater evil. Told through the lens of Tatsuya, the tale of self-discovery and buried secrets will show the brothers the importance of brotherhood, even as the life they once knew changes around them.
Check out the action trailer for the main film Free Fire Tales: Double Troublehere.
Free Fire Tales: Newest updates to this chapter
Hints of Tatsuya’s story will be unveiled within Free Fire through a full reskin of the lobby, various themed weapons and collections, and other in-game content. Starting 23 September, players and fans can immerse themselves further in the action by roleplaying as Tatsuya and competing against Shirou in the themed in-game mission. Furthermore, players can participate in the “Griza Fighter” Web event, where they will take on multiple villains and eventually battle against the ultimate boss.
Other Patch Day Highlights
In the same period, Free Fire will also introduce several updates to the game on 21 September:
Free Craftland Custom Rooms: Players will now get a certain number of “Free-Play” room cards to create Craftland custom rooms for free
Customizable Droid Apocalypse in Craftland: Easily modify the layout, parameters, and rules to create the perfect PvE battle according to your liking
“Official Recommendation” section on Craftland’s homepage: Players will now regularly get recommendations for new and interesting thematic maps to try out
Stay tuned for more updates and the latest Free Fire news on Facebook and YouTube.
ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) hosted a large-scale corporate conference in Peshawar, themed ‘Rethinking a better world – Sustainable Growth for Pakistan,’ featuring representation from the country’s top businesses, thought leadership and policymakers.
The conference provided a platform for the region’s key stakeholders and brightest minds to engage in interdisciplinary, forward-thinking conversations to propose an agenda to revitalise the private sector and kick start an era of sustainable, inclusive economic growth.
The conference was attended by many prominent names in the corporate sector, as well as leading policymakers and provincial cabinet members.
At the conference, ACCA shared insights, practical guidance, strategies, and solutions to enable businesses and policymakers to embrace new technologies and create a conducive environment for innovation and entrepreneurship. Featuring contributions from forward-thinking thought leaders, the conference program included a future-focused panel conversation on the KP Roadmap to Pakistan’s Economic Recovery- Challenges and Way Forward. The conversation leaders for the segment included Henna Karamat – Director Planning, KP Education Foundation, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Mohsin Khan – Director IM Sciences – Peshawar, Ali Gulfaraz – MD/CEO Bank of Khyber, Jehan Bahadar – Collector – KPRA, Asim Khan – Project Director NIC Peshawar.
Taimur Saleem Khan Jhagra, Minister for Finance, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Shahid Khattak – CFO, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Economic Zones Development and Management Company (KPEZDMC), Ali Ibrahim – Head Communications & Marketing, Fayyaz Jarral – Executive Director – FF Steel were among the keynote speakers who shared their insights and proposed tips for organizations to become future-ready.
National University for Security Sciences, SKANS, SOS Pakistan Pvt. Ltd., and TMUC Pakistan joined ACCA as Strategic Partners. The Bank of Khyber and Mobilink Microfinance Bank were the Platinum Partners, DHA Peshawar, Evyol Group, LMKR, Mukhtar A Sheikh Hospital, Professionals’ Academy of Commerce (PAC), and Simplifiers joined as Gold Partners.
City University, DigiKhata, ICMAP, IM Sciences, KP IT Board, KPRA, Pakistan Stock Exchange, P@SHA, Rehman Medical Institute, SMEDA, and KP Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry joined as Supporting Partners. Bera, CXO Global Forum, Connected Pakistan, NIC Peshawar, and Toyota Khyber Motors joined as Community Partners. Nutshell Group powered the conference as a Knowledge Partner.
ACCA is the world’s leading body for professional accountants, with more than 241,000 fully qualified members and 542,000 future members worldwide. It uses its unrivaled connections across the globe to connect people with fulfilling careers, organizations with the best finance talent, and economies with the ingredients for growth. With strong partnerships with top employers and the social sector across the globe and an award-winning Professional Insights program offering ground-breaking future insight, ACCA is at the forefront of finance talent development and creating future-proof careers.
Huawei nova Y series is reputed for bringing some solid features that are mostly seen on flagship or mid-range smartphones to the entry-level segment. These smartphones are designed to provide users with access to a powerful smartphone experience at a friendlier price point. The newest addition to the series, the HUAWEI nova Y70 – Huawei’s latest entry-level phone with the longest battery life; continues in the same tradition and brings to the table a 6000mAh battery with 22.5W HUAWEI SuperCharge, a large and gorgeous 6.75” HUAWEI FullView Display, a solid 48MP AI Triple Camera setup and ample storage with 128GB Storage.
From the strong battery life to the high screen ratio, the device boasts a mix of exciting and innovative features that heed to user needs, giving them a practical, high-quality device with room for endless entertainment. We got our hands on this new smartphone and this is why we think it is a beast of an entry-level smartphone.
Long-lasting battery and SuperCharge capabilities
The large 6000-mAh battery of the HUAWEI nova Y70 gives 3 days of power on a single full charge. The strong battery life also allows for eight optimised consumption areas thanks to Huawei’s unique AI smart power saving technology. Moreover, the HUAWEI nova Y70 supports 22.5W HUAWEI SuperCharge, which allows for three hours of continuous video playback on just a ten-minute charge. This saves users time, allows for more use of their devices, and keeps them from worrying over their battery life while out of the house. It also affords them extensive time for entertainment when traveling, commuting, or just lounging.
FullView Display provides more room for viewing the screen
The HUAWEI nova Y70 features a 6.75-inch HUAWEI FullView Display, a larger screen than previous models. With the new display, you can easily watch content at a larger size, whether it be streaming videos, playing games, or scrolling through images. The design of the display itself is sleek and simple, with a narrow notch, to make the most of your mobile screen. In addition, the screen ratio of the display is quite high, at 90.26%, giving users a rich, immersive visual experience.
AI Triple Camera gives options for taking quality photos
The AI Triple Camera on the device allows for powerful, quality photography straight from your smartphone. The AI Triple Camera is comprised of a 48MP high-resolution Main Camera, a 120° 5MP Ultra-Wide Angle Camera and a 2MP Depth Camera. The Main Camera allows for more light in photos, which enhances the quality and setting of the photos. With this camera, a ray of light will not mess up your photo, and it is great for capturing portraits and scenery. The Ultra-Wide Angle Camera is perfect for squeezing all of your friends into a group picture, since the wide angle allows for more content in the frame. The Depth Camera blurs the background of a picture to keep the focus on the subject with 3D imaging and accurate depth. With the Triple Camera, you have multiple options of camera features on your phone to produce more dynamic, focused, higher quality photos.
Ample 128GB of storage
The HUAWEI nova Y70 comes with 128GB of storage, which can hold up to 170 episodes of television, 13,000 songs, and over 60 movies. If users need more storage for all of their favourite content, a MicroSD card will allow for up to 512GB of storage. Moreover, the EROFTS super file compression technology will help to download content quickly and easily. With this large amount of storage, users do not have to worry about taking too many photos or downloading loads of music albums.
AppGallery: Trusted, innovative, easy to use and secure
The trusted, innovative, user-friendly and secure AppGallery is available on the HUAWEI nova Y70 where users can easily navigate, explore, find and download a wide range of high-quality apps.
While all of these features are great on their own, they add to a great device with a reliable battery with HUAWEI SuperCharge, large display screen, impressive camera, and ample storage space. Together, these features make the HUAWEI nova Y70 one of the sleekest entry-level smartphones you can get today.
Telenor Pakistan has entered a strategic partnership with Convex Interactive to offer a Unified Communication Platform – Telenor Engage to enable businesses to manage customer interactions and communications. The signing took place at the 22nd ITCN Asia Conference in Karachi on 25, August 2022 with members of both organisations present.
Unifying both companies’ shared vision of bridging the gap between business and user, Telenor Engage is a one-of-its-kind platform in the industry, introduced by Telenor Pakistan and powered by Convex Interactive’s support. The forum will help teams manage customer relationships, customer service and support, omni channel customer communication, and customer insights. Telenor Business customers will have access to an entire suite of customer engagement channels, enabling businesses to deliver rich, branded messages via WhatsApp and other digital mediums.
Omer Bin Tariq, Chief Business Officer, Telenor Pakistan, said, “Telenor Pakistan is at forefront of launching beyond connectivity innovative solutions to make Pakistan businesses future ready! Businesses today require a direct communication channel with their end users that allows them to interact in a unified manner. Unified Communication as a Service (UCaaS) provides a cost-effective solution, where customers are equipped with the tools necessary to make their voices heard in an effective manner.”
Aamir Irfan Siddiqui, CEO, Convex Interactive, said, “In today’s constantly evolving digital world, where one has multiple options, keeping your customer satisfied and happy is essential for your business to grow. With Telenor Engage, a UCaaS platform, businesses can create engaging and impactful conversations using one unified platform taking customer interactions to the next level.”
Telenor Engage will allow businesses to have an always-on instant reply for common inquiries and FAQs through dynamic chatbots regardless of working hours or agent availability. In addition, it will enrich messages with multimedia images, documents, audio, video, and location attachments for a seamless conversation experience beyond text-only restrictions and language limitations. The platform will engage customers with personalised offers, timely promotions, and special deals to maximise brand awareness, increase conversions, and boost customer loyalty while improving RoI and solving queries and issues faster and more efficiently.
Businesses can also reach out to their customers over their preferred communication channels while learning essential insights into the performance of their teams and customer satisfaction, all thanks to the implementation of UCaaS. Through this partnership, Telenor Business has taken a vital step in advancing an area of the industry that has been slow in adopting digitisation practices. It’s a testament to Telenor Pakistan’s unrelenting dedication to providing highly sought-after solutions far beyond connectivity.
Technology is evolving at a rapid pace, improving upon itself in a continuous manner. With the advent of new technologies, the limits of the human imagination have been stretched allowing us to perform more complex tasks with ease and expanding the possibilities for creative expression. One such invention that has become a focus for smartphone companies in recent years in terms of development is the camera. Smartphones are always at the palm of your hand, allowing you to capture images in more spontaneous situations, and have replaced traditional cameras as the tool of choice for the average photography enthusiast.
realme understands the importance of a good camera module in the eyes of consumers as a factor affecting the smartphone that they choose to buy which is why the tech democratizer always puts in effort to deliver superior camera modules at an affordable price. The realme 9 4G is no exception as realme has delivered another incredible 108MP primary camera module but what sets it apart from the realme 8 Pro’s similar module is the inclusion of the first-ever Samsung HM6 sensor which greatly enhances the final photo.
When compared to the previous generation’s Samsung HM2 sensor, the realme 9 4G’s HM6 sensor provides a whopping 123% increase in light sensitivity. This improvement has incredible implications for the quality of your photos as an increased light sensitivity means that the realme 9 4G’s camera module requires less light intake to take a high quality photo. This is greatly beneficial in low-light indoor settings, nighttime photography, monochrome photography, among many other styles of photography. You need not worry about loss of detail when taking zoomed in photos using the realme 9 4G as the sensor’s 3x lossless zoom ensures that your final image is clear and high quality.
One of the reasons that the realme 9 4G is able to capture pictures in such flawless quality is due to the HM6 sensor’s 108 million pixels, which are as small as 0.64μm, that allow for more information to be stored in your final picture leading to a highly-detailed final product. For motion photography enthusiasts, the realme 9 4G has a high autofocus pixel density which allows you to capture fast-moving objects without compromising on the quality of the image. Capturing videos is also a breeze as the ISOCELL HM6 sensor is capable of recording at 8K 24FPS and 4K 120FPS, allowing you to capture high quality videos in regular speed and in slow motion.
Technology will continue to evolve as mankind strives to expand its capabilities and realme will be right there to bring the cutting edge technology to the masses at an affordable price. The realme 9 4G’s superior camera module is just one example of realme’s commitment to tech democratization. The realme 9 4G also comes equipped with 8GB RAM, 128GB ROM, 33W dart charging, massive 5000mAh battery, 90Hz super AMOLED display, FHD+ resolution, Snapdragon 680 processor, and much more so get your very own today.
Addiction, especially nicotine addiction is very common amongst adults around the world and there are many who though are not happy with this addiction, and cannot get themselves to quit. Recently, many smokers have turned to e-cigarettes and vapes to put an end to their smoking habits and prevent harming their bodies. However, the question is: Are vapes and e-cigarettes really an ideal solution to end addiction?
Here are a few points about e-cigarettes and vapes that many are not aware of.
1. E-cigarettes don’t lead to quitting
Image Source: Mint
Although e-cigarettes are promoted to help quit smoking, the end result is the opposite. They, instead, get more addicted to nicotine as a user gets more of it than they consume it from a traditional cigarette. The user is provided with an option of getting a higher concentration cartridge with higher amounts of nicotine and vapes have an option of increasing voltage for a better hit with more volume of the addictive substance.
Hence smokers do not quit smoking. Instead, they start using both traditional and e-cigarettes.
It is not completely safe
Almost all vapes contain artificial flavors which are inhaled along with nicotine. Researchers believe that these flavors contain harmful chemicals which are yet unknown to most people. Although it is established that e-cigarettes contain far less chemicals than traditional ones, the ones that are present directly attack the lung and have resulted in various lung injuries amongst vapors, primarily due to a culprit called vitamin E acetate which is a thickener and present in liquid used in vapes and e-cigarettes.
Vaping leads to heart and gum diseases
Image Source: Provape
According to a recent study, e-cigarette users are 56% more likely to have an heart attack than non-users. The high levels of nicotine present in them directly shoots up adrenaline in the body and raises heart rate. This can lead to coronary heart diseases and heart attacks. Furthermore, the chemicals present also affect the gums by restricting blood flow and along with them nutrients to the mouth which damages the oral tissues.
A threat to the new generation
With the flashy colors used for marketing, the low per use cost and the lack of smell e-cigarettes are very common amongst the younger generation as it reduces the stigma attached to smoking. This is highly concerning as these vapes instantly kick start nicotine addiction rather than helping to quit. Nicotine addiction is now very popular amongst high school teenagers due to these smoke producing devices which many find very cool. It is now a new trend to get the latest vape in the most eye-catching colors and along with various new flavor.
The easy accessibility and feasibility of vaping
Image Source: Parents
The most popular reason to vape is the feasibility of vaping. You can sit and vape anywhere from a cinema theatre to a school canteen without anyone noticing. This makes the use of e-cigarettes more popular than ever and increase nicotine consumption making users more prone to health risks.
Although there is no doubt that smoking is injurious to health, there is no solid evidence that vaping is not, the lack of knowledge around the risks of vaping and the chemicals used in the process make it something that should be avoiding.
IKEA- a Swedish multinational company founded in 1943 has been the world’s largest furniture retailer since 2008. But how does IKEA do it? IKEA’s outlets, marketing strategies, designs, and ability to play with customers’ minds are everything the brand is famous for. While their stores are five times the size of a football field it is really hard to step into the store and not have an opinion about it.
These gigantic stores offer a glimpse of your future rooms as you wander around the halls picturing what your future home would look like. The availability of cafeterias and daycare only adds to the temptation since the customer gets to enjoy as much time as they can forget about the magic of the outside world – it is like that wonderland once you step inside.
What Makes The IKEA Experience Pleasant?
“Part of their strategy is to take you past everything,” Alan Penn, a University College London professor who studied how shoppers navigate and buy at Ikea, told the National Post in 2012.
“They get you to buy the stuff you hadn’t intended on. And that, I think, is quite a trick. Further, the guided pathway gets customers into a passive mentality in which they are more prone to suggestion,” says Penn.
Image source: reuters
“You follow the yellow brick road. You hand over control of where you are and where you go next. That’s quite psychologically disruptive, and I think that’s the first step toward actually buying.”
IKEA customers always have an assembling story of their own. With their products, even the most minimalist and beautifully designed pieces have 10 billion parts that people have to put together to get the minimalistic design.
Part of the reason why IKEA’s furniture is reasonably priced is that let’s be honest you can’t expect your customers to pay a fortune when they are doing half the work. The pocket-friendly prices coupled with minimalistic and esthetically pleasing designs sure do catch the eyes of millennials and Gen-Z – giving them a chance to build a classy home on a budget.
Image source: guardian
Staying True To Quality
Even with the products, you buy on a whim – you will never have to question the quality and that’s the thing about IKEA. The consistency in the quality of the products is one factor that keeps the customers hooked. Even some of the biggest names as Walmart and Amazon don’t come close.
The whole IKEA experience is about comfort so that the customers can feel at home. The feeling will often make them want to replicate the emotions in building their own homes. It’s like peeking into the life of your future self – a rare customer experience that combines unique prices, quality, and service all in one.
Image source: hypeph.com
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