English Biscuit Manufacturers partners with Al Maya Group to distribute products across UAE

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Oct 3, 2022

English Biscuit Manufacturers (EBM), the leading FMCG Company in Pakistan, has collaborated with Al Maya Group to expand their international business to the United Arab Emirates. This marks one of EBM’s largest expansions in the Middle East and promises to spread the joy of EBM’s brands in the region.

EBM has a prolific international footprint in over 30 countries and a notable presence in the global market including the United States, Canada, the UK, the Middle East, and Africa. The journey of EBM’s product to international markets reflects the company’s commitment to R&D and innovation. For over 50 years, EBM has held the largest production capacity in Pakistan and this new endeavor enables the company to remain a leader of the FMCG sector both on a local and global scale.

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of EBM, Dr Zeelaf Munir expressed her views on the new journey “Over the past years we have provided our customers and consumers, at home and abroad, with innovative high-quality products. Our increasing presence in the international market is a testament to our commitment of providing every consumer with healthy & affordable nutritious brands. By extending our supply chain to the UAE with the largest distribution network, we will be able to introduce our innovative product range to new consumers and provide overseas Pakistanis with a taste of their homeland.”

Mr Deepak Pagarani, CEO of Al Maya Group, said “Al Maya has introduced the finest food brands of the world within the Gulf region. It has also assured a seamless supply of brands to retailers and international supermarket chains. We’re happy to have English Biscuit Manufacturers on board as we believe that we have what it takes to maintain the essence of the leading FMCG company through our exceptional B2B experience and trusted distribution network at the international level.”

EBM envisions to continue providing products that are rich in quality and nutrition, thus making an impact through its purpose of nourishing lives, hearts, and communities.

Jazz employees humbly contribute PKR 10 million to Alkhidmat Foundation’s flood-relief program

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Web Desk

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Oct 3, 2022

As a part of the company’s PKR 1 billion pledge towards flood relief efforts, Jazz, along with its employees, have humbly donated PKR 10million to Alkhidmat Foundation. The company’s employees voluntarily contributed PKR 5 million, and Jazz matched this amount for the nationwide relief effort, which includes immediate flood-relief aid comprising of critical emergency supplies, free on-net calls and restoration of essential communication services to flood-hit areas.

Homebridge by Beaconhouse partners with Cambridge International for Pakistan’s First Hybrid A Level School

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Web Desk

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Oct 3, 2022

Beaconhouse, Pakistan’s largest network of private educational institutions, under its A Level school, Homebridge, has signed an exclusive partnership agreement with Cambridge International to offer AS and A Levels qualification through the Homebridge online school programme for students.

Homebridge by Beaconhouse is Pakistan’s first hybrid Cambridge International A Level school, offering students an opportunity to study their Cambridge programme with online lectures, teachers and all the facilities required for an uninterrupted learning journey. Through the hybrid model, students have access to Beaconhouse campuses for extracurricular activities, libraries, and labs.

The signing ceremony was held at Cambridge International’s head office, in Cambridge, UK.

Speaking at the ceremony, Nassir Kasuri, Chief Executive Officer, Beaconhouse Group commented on the partnership saying, “As the world goes through a digital transformation, it is an opportune time for both organisations to work together on a hybrid school that will make A Levels accessible to a new group of students, breaking social barriers, as well as the widely prevalent gender gap in education in Pakistan. This collaboration is a source of social mobility in the country and we are confident that it will help open up new avenues and opportunities for the youth.”

Rod Smith, Group Managing Director, International Education, Cambridge International said, “Our relationship with Beaconhouse is close to 50 years old and continues to grow to offer new opportunities to learners. The number of students taking Cambridge qualifications and using our resources in Pakistan is phenomenal, and we greatly value our relationships with schools in Pakistan. I think the more we can do to strengthen these relationships, the more we can do to impact education for the benefit of the country.

We need partnerships because we need to continue to learn from each other. Our partners, like Beaconhouse, help us understand how the education services we develop in Cambridge are going to meet the needs of learners in Pakistan.”

Other members of Cambridge International’s senior management team also attended the ceremony, including Uzma Yousuf, Country Director, Pakistan; Ian Harris, Deputy Director, Marketing Communications; and Jonathan Hardy, Head of Schools Development.

This unique partnership will support Beaconhouse and Cambridge International’s continuing work to make high-quality education accessible to students across Pakistan, particularly students in remote areas where access to international qualifications may be difficult.

realme C25Y Makes a Comeback on an Amazing Price of PKR 28,999/-

By

Talal Ajmal

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Oct 3, 2022

realme – one of the most Gen-Z centric tech brands is known for bringing out affordable smartphones that don’t let the quality fall. Its C-Series is all about reliability, quality and steal-worthy prices – and once again realme is introducing its realme C25Y, with an undeniably exciting price drop of PKR 2,000/-. The realme C25Y now carries a price tag of PKR 28,999/- yet the features still pack a punch for today with the powerful Unisoc T610 processor, 5000mAh mega battery, 50MP Al triple camera, 18W Quick Charge, 6.5” Fullscreen Display and a 4GB + 64GB Memory.

This attractive discount on realme C25Y runs from Saturday, October 1^st 2022 all way till the end of the month, giving people the chance to make the most of this offer. realme C25Y is recognized as an economical smartphone, but it also attracts attention for the advanced features in its price bracket with fast charging technology, a good camera module, and a lot of computing power. realme is offering a rare discount to their customers so they can grab this phone and not regret missing out later.

Focusing on quality, realme is a company that never compromises on its products. Quality for sure is the first priority of a customer and realme goes above and beyond to fulfill this basic requirement. The primary goal of any realme product and device is to demonstrate that your money is a valuable resource thus the product that you buy should not be one that you can easily discard. That is why realme follows the pattern to give value to your money and makes sure that you feel satisfied after you spend it.

So, if you’re already convinced by the amazing deal, what are you waiting for? Go get your realme C25Y today!

Skytrax Announces World’s Best Airline 2022

By

Lyza Rashid

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Oct 3, 2022

Skytrax Announces World's Best Airline 2022 — Image Source: worldairlineawards

Skytrax recently announced the world’s best airline and it’s not unexpected. The past year has been tough and then some for the airline industry and as things go back to normal, there’s a cause for celebration. Do you think you know the best airline?

Skytrax Ceremony and Decision

The Skytrax World Airline Awards 2022 were held at the Langham Hotel on Friday in London. This was the first time the ceremony was held in person since 2019. Who wouldn’t celebrate it?

skytrax best airline — Image Source: World Airport

Skytrax, a UK-based airline and airport review and ranking site went a long way to determine the result. They polled more than 14 million customers in more than 100 nations between September 2021 and August 2022. The winner of this year had previously stood on the podium.

The Best Airline 2022

It was Qatar! Since the awards were established in 1999, the newly crowned Qatar Airways has taken home the highest honor seven times in total. Besides being called the best airline, Qatar also took home eight other awards. These included Best Business Class, Best Business Class Seat, Best Business Class, and more.

The airline ranked first on AirlineRatings.com’s list of the world’s top airlines just two months ago. So Qatar has been making rounds everywhere.

Qatar Spokesperson’s Remarks

Akbar Al Baker, the chief executive of Qatar Airways Group, expressed gratitude for his “amazing staff'”. He said, the airline plans to be “continuing dedication and drive” and noted that “to win these honors in the same year that we celebrate our 25th anniversary is even more fulfilling.”

Shortly after winning the honor, he told CNN Travel that the key to the airline’s ongoing success was simple. There is “total dedication from everyone who works in the airline. Consistent service, consistent product, consistent attention to passengers.”

Here’s a complete list:

The world’s top 20 airlines in 2022, according to Skytrax

1. Qatar Airways

2. Singapore Airlines

3. Emirates

4. ANA (All Nippon Airways)

5. Qantas Airways

6. Japan Airlines

7. Turkish Airlines

8. Air France

9. Korean Air

10. Swiss International Airlines

11. British Airways

12. Etihad Airways

13. China Southern Airlines

14. Hainan Airlines

15. Lufthansa

16. Cathay Pacific

17. KLM

18. EVA Air

19. Virgin Atlantic

20. Vistara

Here’s what the other airlines were ranked for

Emirates, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, came in third and won multiple prizes too. They took home awards for Best Economy Class, Best Economy Class Catering, and Best Premium Economy Class Seat.

Japan’s ANA (All Nippon Airways) ranked No. 4 and was named the World’s Cleanest Airline. This after two years of Covid-19, which has caused consumers to be especially conscientious about standards for cleanliness and hygiene, is a big achievement. In addition, it received four other honors, including Best Airport Services.

Here’s the complete list:

World’s Best Cabin Staff

Singapore Airlines

World’s Best Airline Cabin Cleanliness

ANA All Nippon Airways

World’s Best Independent Airport Lounge

Plaza Premium

World’s Best Business Class Lounge

Virgin Atlantic

World’s Best Leisure Airline

SunExpress

World’s Best Low-Cost Airline/Best Low-Cost Airline in Asia

AirAsia

Best Low-Cost Airline in Europe

Ryanair

Best Low-Cost Airline in North America

Southwest Airlines

Best Low-Cost Airline in Africa

FlySafair

World’s Best Long Haul Low-Cost Airline

Scoot

World’s Best in Class Airlines

The World Best First Class Airline: Singapore Airlines

The World’s Best Business Class Airline: Qatar Airways

The World’s Best Premium Economy Class Airline: Virgin Atlantic

The World’s Best Economy Class Airline: Emirates

In the study of more than 350 airlines that was performed in English, French, Spanish, Russian, Japanese, and Chinese, the Australian airline Qantas placed fifth.

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.

Dove Launches Real Virtual Beauty To Shatter Gaming’s Harmful Standards

By

Dr. Rida Qamar

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Oct 3, 2022

Dove enters the world of gaming with the global launch of Real Virtual Beauty. A campaign by LOLA MullenLowe that challenges the representation of women in games. It is supported by allies across the industry including Epic Games’ Unreal Engine’s education team and Women in Games.

Real Virtual Beauty

Dove Launched a study to analyse women’s representation in the virtual world. The Real Virtual Beauty was designed after Dove realized that 62% of adult women as well as 60% of girls do not feel represented correctly in video games. Meanwhile, more than 30% of these girls feel that their self-esteem is affected by it. Real virtual beauty wants to change this and turn everything known upside down.

When Women in Games and @Dove Unite at #EGX2022✨

It's such an honor to be a part of this incredible campaign along with @UnrealEngine & their app MetaHuman.

Seeing the excitement about this stand at @EGX shows just how important it is.

Read More: https://t.co/VnbLGkh61P pic.twitter.com/NFGpqWBXGu

— Women in Games (@wigj) September 26, 2022

Dove Training Programme

The launch of Real Virtual Beauty comes with a series of commitments in partnership with Epic Games and Unreal Engine. Including the Real Beauty in Games Training Programme. The program is dedicated to helping broaden beauty representation and redefine how women and girls are symbolised in games. Meanwhile, the program will train game creators to avoid design biases. They will be required to reflect beauty standards more accurately and help beautiful diversity present in our everyday lives.

Collaboration With Toya

Dove is also equipping the next generation of creators and players with the tools to build self-esteem and body confidence through the launch of SuperU Story, the world’s first Roblox experience – in partnership with Toya.

“Dove believes that beauty should be a source of confidence, in every aspect of life, both real and virtual. Although the games industry has made significant strides to become more inclusive. Progress needs to be accelerated to challenge the narrow definitions of beauty still visible in the virtual world. We hope to make a real impact on the millions of women and girls who are spending their free time playing games.” says Leandro Barreto, Dove Global Vice President.

“The toxic role that television or movies used to play in culture is now often experienced in the world of gaming. From a very young age, millions of girls are exposed to the negative stereotypes of beauty that games can portray. The Dove Real Virtual Beauty project demonstrates how difficult it is for women and girls to see real representation in the world of games. However, with the creation of avatars that are diverse and inclusive there is a solution to this issue” says Tomás Ostiglia, executive creative director of LOLA MullenLowe Madrid.

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.

The 4-7-8 Relaxation Technique – How Does It Help You Sleep?

By

Dr. Rida Qamar

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Oct 3, 2022

Good sleep is a crucial part of overall health, but plenty of people struggle to get the recommended seven-plus hours a night. Data suggests that one in four women has symptoms of insomnia, like trouble falling asleep, issues staying asleep, or both, leaving many searching for help for sleep problems.

4-7-8 Relaxation Technique

The 4-7-8 breathing or relaxation technique requires a person to focus on taking a long, deep breath in and out. Rhythmic breathing is a core part of many meditation and yoga practices as it promotes relaxation.

This breathing pattern aims to reduce anxiety or help people get to sleep. Some proponents claim that the method helps people get to sleep in 1 minute. Dr Andrew Weil – a celebrity doctor and the founder and director of the University of Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine has introduced this technique. According to him, the 4-7-8 breathing technique can help with reducing anxiety, helping a person get to sleep, and managing cravings while controlling or reducing anger responses.

“What a lot of sleep difficulties are all about is people who struggle to fall asleep because their mind is buzzing,” said Rebecca Robbins, an instructor in medicine at Harvard Medical School and associate scientist in the division of sleep and circadian disorders at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.

“But exercises like the 4-7-8 technique allow you to practice being at peace. And that’s exactly what we need to do before we go to bed.”

“It does not ‘put you to sleep,’ but rather it may reduce anxiety to increase the likelihood of falling asleep,” said Joshua Tal, a New York state-based clinical psychologist.

How Does 4-7-8 Work?

The exercise doesn’t require any equipment. All you need to do is to sit in a comfortable position. Sitting in a calm and relaxed environment can further help with the technique.

The steps for the breathing pattern are as follows.

Place the tip of the tongue on the tissue right behind the top front teeth.
Empty the lungs of the air.
Breathe in quietly through the nose for 4 seconds hold the breath for a count of 7 seconds.
Exhale forcefully through the mouth, pursing the lips and making a “whoosh” sound, for 8 seconds.
Repeat the cycle up to 4 times.

Dr. Weil recommends using the technique at least twice a day to start seeing the benefits sooner. He also suggests that people avoid doing more than four breath cycles in a row until they have more practice with the technique.

A person may feel lightheaded after doing this for the first few times. Therefore, it is advisable to try this technique when sitting or lying down to prevent dizziness or falls.

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.

A Pakistani Property Developer Rewards The Commonwealth Winners With Cash Prizes

By

Lyza Rashid

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Oct 3, 2022

chakor1 — Top left to right: Mr. Fahad Yousuf, Managing Director of Chakor Ventures Mr.Bilal Khan, Guest, President of Chakor Ventures Mr.Asad Khan, CEO of Chakor Ventures Mr. Abbas Khan, Head of Finance Chakor Ventures Mr. Atif Hanif Bottom left to right: Inayat Ullah, Nooh Dastgir, General Manager of Chakor ventures Omer Khitab, Muhammad Inam, Arshad Nadeem, Sharif Tahir, Zaman Anwar

Chakor Ventures recently held an event that did everything we wanted to do for our Commonwealth representatives. The event honored all the sportsmen who won a medal at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022 with cash prizes. Read all about it here:

What Is Chakor Ventures?

Chakor Ventures is an emerging, fast-paced real estate developer in Pakistan that is taking real estate to the next level. This group specializes in building high-rise, innovative, and luxurious commercial projects to revolutionize Pakistan’s living style. They have some of the most iconic projects underway that would astound you.

Their guiding principle is quality and commitment. For instance, they have a project in the pipeline called Citadel 7. It is the latest venture, based in Islamabad.

What Is Citadel 7?

Citadel 7 is a CDA-approved project which is located in Blue Area, Islamabad. This real-estate project features a multi-storey high-rise building. What follows is a contemporary design and infrastructure. This singular building structure will offer 5 floors of a retail mall and 14 floors of corporate offices. The core principle of this project is to offer a variety of corporate setups to current and future entrepreneurs.

The Commonwealth Winners

Chakor Ventures’ contributions are not only in the real-estate world. They are also working to honor Pakistan’s known names and encourage and inspire them to do better. After all, they’re putting Pakistan on the map. They hosted a reward ceremony for the medalists of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022.

The gold medalists were rewarded a cash prize of PKR. 300,000. The silver medalists were awarded Rs. 200,000, and the Bronze winners were awarded Rs. 100,000. There were seven medalists altogether, including Arshad Nadeem, Muhammad Nooh Dastgir Butt, Zaman Anwar, Muhammad Inam, Muhammad Sharif Tahir, Shah Hussain Shah, and Inayat Ullah.

From left to right: CEO of Chakor Ventures Mr. Abbas Khan, President of Chakor Ventures Mr.Asad Khan, and Muhammad Nooh Dastgir Butt

From left to right: CEO of Chakor Ventures Mr. Abbas Khan, President of Chakor Ventures Mr.Asad Khan, and Arshad Nadeem

From left to right: Guest speaker Himayat Ullah Khan and Zaman Anwar

From left to right: Guest speaker Himayat Ullah Khan and Muhammad Inam

From left to right: CEO of Chakor Ventures Mr. Abbas Khan, Managing Director of Chakor Ventures Mr.Bilal Khan, and Muhammad Sharif Tahir

This was followed by the CEO giving an inspiring speech. What stood out for us was: “We believe in promoting local talent. The best way to recognize these heroes is to reward them, encourage them, and make them feel respected for their unconditional efforts and determination. This ceremony is just a little step towards prosperity and community-building.”Mr. Abbas Khan also added a thought, saying; I have played my part in building a community that I envision. I expect other successful businesses to follow the suit, this will motivate these sportsmen further and help them excel in their passion”.

From left to right: CEO of Chakor Ventures Mr. Abbas Khan, Managing Director of Chakor Ventures Mr.Bilal Khan, and Inayat Ullah

From left to right: Inayat Ullah, Nooh Dastgir, Muhammad Inam, Arshad Nadeem, Sharif Tahir, Zaman Anwar

From left to right: General Manager of Chakor ventures Omer Khitab, Managing Director of Chakor Ventures Mr.Bilal Khan, CEO of Chakor Ventures Mr. Abbas Khan

From left to right: Fahad Yousuf, Managing Director of Chakor Ventures Mr.Bilal Khan, CEO of Chakor Ventures Mr. Abbas Khan

In the end, we believe bridges are being made. The athletes were grateful for the initiative taken by Chakor Ventures. One of them added, “I would like to thank Chakor Ventures for the token of appreciation; such events help us feel more motivated. Other companies also need to arrange such events to attract upcoming youngsters and sportsmen.”

Learn more about Chakor Ventures and Citadel 7, follow the complete event story on: https://chakorventures.com/events/

6 Ice Cream Parlors In Karachi That Are Better Than International Outlets

By

Omair Alavi

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Oct 2, 2022

The weather in Karachi is usually hot around the year and despite a small burst of winter, the Karachiites consider themselves ‘hot’ and ‘humid’ due to suffering summers all year.

To break away from the ‘uncool’ weather, people in the city throng to Ice Cream Parlors to quench their thirst and keep their temperature in check.

We bring you six such ice cream parlors that are unique in their own way and give tough competition to all the international outlets in the city, making Karachi proud and cool at the same time.

1) Kaybees

Kaybees is one of the oldest Ice Cream shops in the city; they have now taken over the city expanding from one outlet in Mohammad Ali Society to half a dozen ones in Karachi including one at Khadda Market, another in Defence Market followed by one in Hyderi and another in the newly opened Nueplex at Rashid Minhas Road.

Summer hai cool at Kaybees. 😉 😋#kaybees #icecreams #summerhaicool

Kaybeeさんの投稿 2018年5月3日木曜日

The ‘mix’ Ice Cream Cone and Cup are what makes Kaybees a crowd favorite as people from all parts of the city visit their outlets to check out Chocolate Vanilla, Chocolate Coffee and Mango flavors that aren’t found anywhere else.

Yes, they did close a couple of their outlets in malls but that’s because their outlets and restaurants are doing better, keeping the waiters busy with orders. It remains an all-time favorite for families because their snacks are also an added bonus as you get to treat your stomach and taste buds at the same time, at the same place.

2) Dip Shop

Igloo’s Dip Shop may not be the oldest Ice Cream parlor in the city but it is one of the most loved for its uniqueness; when they introduced Mix In a couple of decades back, it became a sensation and regular followers of the outlet ensure they don’t miss their favorite ice cream when they are in Karachi.

Posted by Dip Shop on Thursday, April 19, 2018

Their two most successful branches are in Schon Circle Clifton and opposite Expo Center where people are always present, especially loyal customers. Where else would you be able to get a stick of Kit Kat mixed in with your favorite ice cream flavor with nuts and toppings as per your liking? Nowhere as the trend was started by Dip Shop and remains exclusive to them, despite many copycats spread over the city.

3) Ice Berg

Whenever you think of Blueberry Ice Cream, you instantly think of Ice Berg at Saddar because they provide young and old with heavenly flavors at nominal rates. The reason they are so popular is that they continue to provide their services as caterers to weddings in the city and most of the time when people fall in love with Ice Creams at Valimas or Shaadis, Ice Berg is the reason.

Umair Aliさんの投稿 2018年1月21日日曜日

Besides Blueberry they also specialize in Kino, Vanilla, and Chocolate flavors and now can be purchased from both the Saddar branch or the one at Bukhari Commercial, Defence.

4) Hot Spot Cafe

Situated near the famous 26th Street in Defence, Hot Spot Cafe is the best place to eat if you love your ice cream as much as films; laced with posters of iconic films, the place gives you creeps in a good way. Take your friends and colleagues if you are in the mood to have a dessert after a goodnight meal and if you are in the vicinity then don’t forget to treat your taste buds to what this Cafe offers.

Because icecream makes me happy. 🙈 …➡️Where: The Hotspot Cafe🍦➡️Flavor: Chocolate Chip brownie Battar & Chocolate…

The Food Lover from Capitalさんの投稿 2018年4月3日火曜日

Not only does in a deal in traditional Ice Creams but you can also get Ice Cream Cake, Waffle Cones, and other stuff at nominal rates. The ambiance is perfect for a date with friends and you will return after your first visit with another bunch of friends, such as the place’s impact on your mind.

5) Rajoo Ice Cream

If you have lived in Karachi then you may have had Rajoo Ice Cream for sure because the brand has now taken over the city because of its low-price and high-quality ice cream.

Injecting real flavours in our ice cream !Have it today !We are also Introducing Large Variety of Fast Food & Chaat +…

Rajjo Icecreamさんの投稿 2018年6月3日日曜日

Just like its competitor Baloch Ice Cream and Peshawari Ice Cream, Rajoo is now one of the leading local Ice Cream Parlors where you get Peshawari Ice Cream, Crunch Ice Cream and Kulfis that taste different to anything you might have experienced before.

They have outlets in all parts of the city including Defence, Clifton, and other areas, making them accessible to all so don’t be surprised if you meet a fellow Rajoo fan because the fandom is increasing day by day.

6) Lush Crush

Move aside Jet Sport, Lush Crush is here with its organic ice lollies that will remind the old of their youth and give the young something they have never experienced before. The Ice Lollies available at the Bukhari outlet of the new sensation in town in worth your money as it isn’t harmful like traditional ice lollies and isn’t very heavy on the pocket too.

View this post on Instagram

Give in to berrylicious delights! Dive into berry goodness with our precious range of flavours that are beyond irresistable! #LushCrush #SummerCrush #AllNatural #NoPreservatives #NoAddedColor #BeatTheHeat #IcePopsForDays #Bukhari #TipuSultan

A post shared by Lush Crush (@lushcrushpops) on Sep 4, 2018 at 5:39am PDT

Instead of wasting your time at unnecessary tea parathas, go to Lush Crush and join the many who have fallen in love with the Ice Cream parlor. The handmade Ice Pops are something you will not forget for a long time!

The Pakistani Academy Selection Committee Nominates “JOYLAND” For Oscar Consideration

By

Web Desk

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Sep 30, 2022

[Pakistan, 30^TH September 2022] The Pakistani Academy Selection Committee has selected “JOYLAND” to be submitted for Oscar consideration in the ‘International Feature Film Award’ category for the 95^th Academy Awards.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will choose the final nominees for all award categories including International Feature Film in December 2022. The complete and final list of Oscar nominees will be announced on 24^th January 2023 with the presentation show for the 95^th Academy Awards scheduled to take place on 12^th March 2023.

Written and directed by Saim Sadiq, and produced by Apoorva Guru Charan, Sarmad Sultan Khoosat and Lauren Mann, “JOYLAND” features Ali Junejo, Rasti Farooq, Alina Khan, Sarwat Gillani, Salman Peerzada, Sohail Sameer and Sania Saeed. Shot in Lahore, “JOYLAND” isa bittersweet tale of repressed desire and the quest for individual freedom.

The Oscar Committee for 2022 was chaired by two-time Academy Award and Emmy winning filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and includes Ali Sethi [Musician], Omar Shahid Hamid [Author/Script Writer], Rafay Mahmood [Film Critic], Samina Ahmad [Actress, Producer and Director], Jerjees Seja [TV and Film Producer], Bee Gul [Screenwriter and Director], Rizwan Beyg [Fashion Designer], Mo Azmi [Cinematographer], and Zeba Bakhtiar [Actress].

“We are delighted to be able to send one of our best to compete at the Academy Awards this year. Joyland gives us hope that Pakistani cinema is finally leaving a mark on the world stage. This may just be the year we get noticed! Congratulations to the entire filmmaking team.” said Pakistan Oscar Committee chair, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy

Speaking about the selection of “JOYLAND”, writer and director Saim Sadiq has said, “I am humbled, thankful, and excited about this immense honor to represent Pakistan at the Oscars with a film that I truly believe is an honest and compassionate representation of who we are as people. I hope that the joys and sorrows of these characters foster empathy amongst the viewers in Pakistan and abroad. In the coming months, we will need many duas and good wishes from our people for the road ahead. We always complain about how – despite the presence of many great artists in all fields – Pakistani art has remained grossly underrepresented in the world. This year, however, has been different already. So, I’ll take this moment to feel hopeful. With my gratitude to the selection committee, I wish the best of luck to Joyland and to Pakistan!”

Producers Apoorva Guru Charan and Sarmad Sultan Khoosat has said, “The journey of making Joyland has brought together the most wonderful team from around the world, united in a truly South-Asian, universally human story from Pakistan. We are so grateful to the committee – with this entry, we get to share Joyland with a larger audience. With love from Pakistan, to the world.”

This year’s deadline for submission of films for consideration of Pakistan Academy Selection Committee was 2^nd September, 2022.

Pakistan’s First Female led Coworking Space ‘Workshack signed a partnership with Garaj, Jazz Cloud

By

Web Desk

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Sep 30, 2022

Pakistan’s first female led Coworking Space ‘Workshack’ recently launched in Islamabad to accelerate women empowerment across the region. This coworking opportunity is created by the Managing Director Parvin Khudadad, a single mother and an educationist for more than 30 years, and the CEO Tooba Saad Khan, an active Board Member of Industrus Private Limited and Ex-HR Team Member at US Embassy Employees Association.

A range of amenities such as Free internet, Free tea & coffee, Electricity with backup, Day Care, Valet parking, TIA-R 3 Cloud Solution, Health Coverage up to Rs. 500,000 per annum per user, Corporate & b2b Solutions, Shuttle Service, Roof Top Cafeteria, Dedicated Cloud Support Team and 24/7 surveillance & Security are housed within the space. While availing these facilities, women will find a networked community of other ambitious women with like-minded goals.

Reflecting upon the need of women empowerment, the Managing Director, Ms. Parvin Khudadad commented, “As a single independent mother, I could foresee that the restrictions associated with working women and the challenges they encounter won’t be that simple. Therefore, I always wanted to create such a space for them where they could pursue their businesses and startups smoothly.”

Emphasizing upon the significance of women development in Pakistani society, the CEO of foundation Ms. Tooba Saad Khan stated, “Being a mother of a toddler I always wished to start something of my own after my baby. The strenuous work routine and time constraints led me to conceptualize the idea of a co working space where mothers and women like me could work stress free and have no barriers to entry.”

Talking on the occasion at the opening ceremony, the Chief Business Officer of Jazz, Mr. Ali Naseer said “Jazz has partnered with Workshack to provide Garaj Services for the female-led startups involved in the co-working space. With organizations shifting to a more hybrid model, co-working spaces are able to provide extensive networking opportunities, fuel innovation and deliver a safe space for entrepreneurs where they are able to network, learn and boost their businesses.”

Also present at the said ceremony and commenting on partnership with Workshack, Sardar AbuBakar, The Chief Finance & Digital Officer and SEVP of Mobilink Microfinance Bank said “Ecstatic that Workshack is catering to the needs of female entrepreneurs and budding startups through dedicated co-working spaces & business solutions. Really great focus, & innovation potential”

Worksack is now open for business and as their first community welfare gesture, the much-needed female led co-working space has contribute to the great cause of flood disaster and have announced to donate its first deposit of customers to flood victims.

NESTLÉ BUNYAD DONATES RECYCLED CLASSROOM FURNITURE

By

Web Desk

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Sep 30, 2022

Nestlé BUNYAD has donated furniture made of recycled plastic to Syedanwala Primary School.

This donation supports the company’s vision that none of its packaging, including plastics, ends up in the environment. Nestlé supports the development of well-functioning collection and recycling schemes as part of its vision for a waste-free future.

This way, Nestlé has not just provided these students with a better platform to learn but also highlighted the issue of waste management and the importance of a circular economy through recycling of plastic waste, Nestlé brings hope of prosperity; a future where post-consumer use plastic is no longer waste but becomes an avenue for a better future for the students.

In addition, the company introduced its Nestlé for Healthier Kids (N4HK) program at Syedanwala School through capacity building of teachers on nutrition. The company has also developed an N4HK Room for students. The ambience of the room provides an opportunity for teachers to reinforce importance of health and wellbeing, good nutrition, and healthy habits through engaging activities. N4HK is Nestlé’s global initiative which supports teachers and caregivers on their journey to raise healthier kids through a curriculum-based education program promoting healthy nutrition, hydration, hygiene and active lifestyle.

“Nestlé BUNYAD has remained true to its essence, of building a stronger foundation for a better future, by providing furniture made from recycled plastic waste. This furniture not only provides students with better facilities but also highlights how waste can become value, if managed properly.” – Samer Chedid, CEO Nestlé Pakistan

“I want to thank Nestlé for bringing this message to Syedanwala and we will do everything we can to take their objective of a healthy Pakistan forward” – Syed Babar Ali

Here’s How Lifting Weights May Help You Live Longer

By

Dr. Rida Qamar

-

Sep 30, 2022

Here's How Lifting Weights May Help You Live Longer — Image Source: The Newyork Times

Lifting weights can help you live longer – a new study proposes. Strengthening exercise including lifting weights is associated with strength building, and adding muscle, and can also put you in a good mood.

A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, states that adults who reported any weightlifting at all had a 9% lower all-cause mortality risk. The observational study was conducted at the US National Cancer Institute in Rockville. The study examined data on almost 100,000 adults. It was also reported that adults who lift the weight without any other form of exercise had a 9% lower risk of dying from any cause except for cancer.

A second group which constituted of people who paired 1-2 days of weekly weight lifting with aerobic exercise scored even better. The results suggested that their risk of dying was 41% lower than those who did not exercise.

Helen O’Leary, physiotherapist and director of Complete Pilates, says: “Strength and weight training is any type of exercise that involves your body weight or equipment to build muscle mass, endurance and strength.”

“However, some people are often put off by strength and weight training as they often associate it with bodybuilders or are afraid of becoming ‘bulky’ – which is a misconception.”

“This type of exercise is great for all ages and fitness levels and is a fantastic way to improve your overall health and fitness. From strengthening your bones to preventing injury and making your heart healthier. It can also benefit people with chronic health conditions, like obesity, arthritis or osteoporosis.”

Daily Exercise Regime

Jessica Gorzelitz, an assistant professor of health promotion at the University of Iowa and co-author of the study, recommends at least 150 minutes of aerobic exercise per week for adults. Including muscle-strengthening exercises two or more days a week.

“If you want the biggest bang for your buck, the lowest risks were observed in those groups that were doing both aerobic exercise and weightlifting,” says Gorzelitz.

Meanwhile, NHS advises adults over 65 to be physically active every day. Including indulging in activities to improve strength, balance and flexibility at least twice a week.

The study limitations included the inability to analyze the intensity and other details about the weight lifting workouts. People in the study also tended to be older than the general population, with an average age of 71, which means that the results might not generalize to younger adults.

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.

Changi Airport Singapore To Get A New Terminal & It Will Be A Sight Worth Seeing

By

Dr. Rida Qamar

-

Sep 30, 2022

Work on Changi Airport’s fifth and biggest terminal has resumed, after a two-year pause due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Construction is expected to start soon after a hiatus of two years. The T5 is planned to be operational in the mid-2030s. During the two-year downtime, the design of the mega terminal was majorly improved.

Changi T5 Terminal

T5 will be located within the 1,080ha Changi East development, which is Changi Airport’s largest expansion project to date. It also includes the Changi East Urban District, a business and lifestyle hub next to the terminal.

“T5 will serve 50 million passengers a year – more than T1 and T3 put together. We are building one more new Changi Airport,” said PM Lee.

Prepared For Future Pandemics?

The T5 terminal is designed while keeping in mind future pandemics. After the Covid-19 pandemic, T5 was redesigned to be more resilient, in particular, to operate more safely and flexibly during a pandemic. It can be split and operated as smaller sub-terminals when needed, with spaces that can be converted into quarantine or testing facilities.

The contactless passenger touchpoints and ventilation systems are some of the advances being made in the developments. These systems can increase fresh air or minimize the mixing of air when there is a threat of airborne disease.

The 1,080-hectare development project is set to be the airport’s most significant expansion project in more than three decades. Other aspects of the project include a three-runway system, the construction of tunnels and other underground systems, landside and aviation support facilities, and the Changi East Industrial Zone. It covers a land area equivalent to more than 660 football fields.

“When completed in the mid-2030s, T5 will show the world what sort of place Singapore is”, says PM Lee Hsein Loong.

“We have taken the opportunity of the two-year hiatus to comprehensively review the T5 design to make it more modular and flexible, and enhance its resilience and sustainability. We will re-mobilize the design and engineering consultants progressively, to update and further refine the T5 design.”

According to the Ministry of Transport, the development of the district will be done in consultation with the Ministry of National Development, the Urban Redevelopment Authority, and other agencies when the time comes.

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.

PSO Cards and JazzCash signed digital payment partnership agreement

By

Web Desk

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Sep 29, 2022

JazzCash, Pakistan’s leading fintech, partners with Pakistan State Oil, Pakistan’s leading energy company, to provide DIGICASH users payment gateway and card top up facility via the JazzCash app. This collaboration will also enable JazzCash users to apply for DIGICASH directly from their JazzCash app.

PSO, pioneer in Fuel Card business, revolutionized the concept of fueling by launching the first ever Fuel card in Pakistan in year 2002. The company continues to lead the way in cards and digital solutions for its valued customers. With launch of DIGICASH as its flagship B2C card in 2019 and a number of value-added offerings, PSO is fast growing in digital payments sphere as a major player.

Agreement signing ceremony was held at PSO house whereby PSO Cards and JazzCash signed the partnership agreement.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Murtaza Ali, Chief Operating Officer at JazzCash said, “Jazz is committed to fostering a cashless digital economy in Pakistan. Our partnership with PSO is a strategic step to bring digitization to large businesses from diverse fields, like petroleum in this case, and catapult digital payment process that cultivates higher business efficiency and ensures fast and secure transactions. We look forward to jointly introducing more services on our platforms in the future.

Speaking on the occasion, Amir Zaib Khan, General Manager Cards and Non-Fuel Business at PSO said, “We are excited to partner with JazzCash which will enable PSO in expanding our DIGICASH customer base. Utilizing JazzCash’s platform which is the leading digital wallet in the country, to facilitate DIGICASH customers is an important step in the proliferation of digital payments and overall expansion of digital business. We look forward to our relationship and aim to explore devising further value-added solutions in collaboration with JazzCash in future. PSO is delighted to have JazzCash as its digital payment partner.”

Meta’s Annual Marketing Summit is coming to Pakistan to help businesses get future-ready

By

Web Desk

-

Sep 29, 2022

Meta is expanding its annual Marketing Summit on Thursday, 29 September 2022 to more countries in Asia Pacific this year, which includes Pakistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos and Sri Lanka. The Summit will bring together global and regional leaders to explore and discuss technologies and trends impacting our businesses today, such as Business Messaging, Metaverse & Marketing, Discovery Commerce, Creators for Business, and many more. The Summit, which is the fourth instalment in Southeast Asia, will expand to these countries for the first time this year.

The Summit will feature opening addresses by Michelle Klein, VP, Global Business Marketing, and Benjamin Joe, Vice President for Southeast Asia and Emerging Markets at Meta who will talk about the future of the metaverse and opportunities for businesses, and how Meta is supporting the metaverse ecosystem through collaboration with industry partners, experts and policymakers.

Following, the opening session, Jordi Fornies, Director for Emerging Markets at Meta in Asia Pacific, and Rafael Frankel, Public Policy Director for Emerging Markets at Meta in Asia Pacific, will talk about Meta’s core beliefs to build products that act as a bridge to help people connect, find communities and grow businesses — to be at the intersection where businesses meet communities. They will also share some of the initiatives to drive digital up-skilling and transformation for businesses in these emerging markets in APAC, and shine a light on inspiring businesses that have reinvented their business models to adapt to challenges.

“We are excited to bring Meta’s annual Marketing Summit to Pakistan this year. Our theme for this year is ‘Where today meets tomorrow’, where we will dive into the key trends and technologies to help businesses and communities discover opportunities to grow their business and drive economic growth. This annual Summit is an exciting opportunity for people to exchange ideas and insights and form meaningful connections with others, and to help them navigate the challenges of tomorrow,” said Jordi Fornies, Director for Emerging Markets at Meta in Asia Pacific.

Meta has been supporting growth and sustainability of businesses in Pakistan, whether it’s a large business with a portfolio of products or services, or a small business with a really good idea. According to Meta’s Global State of Small Businesses study which was released earlier this year, 75pc of women-led SMBs and 83pc of men-led SMBs using the Facebook platform globally reported that they were operational or engaging in revenue-generating activities. Moreover, 35pc and 34pc of SMBs, respectively, in Pakistan and Philippines were planning to have only in-person operations.

With more businesses in Pakistan continuing to defy odds and attain their full potential post-COVID19, the main questions they have in mind would be how to navigate the technologies and trends impacting their businesses today and tomorrow.

“This is one of the questions we sought to discuss at the Meta Marketing Summit, together with global and regional marketing leaders, such as Eva Chen, VP, Fashion Partnerships at Meta and Gary Vaynerchuck, Chairman of VaynerX and CEO of VaynerMedia,” added Jordi.

Additionally, the Summit will also discusses about the following:

• Connecting through Discovery Commerce: The importance of discovery through innovation, and how businesses can engage with their customers through personalised experiences with the right tools and technology
• Elevating the success of entrepreneurs: How Meta technologies empower small and medium-sized businesses across diverse industries to innovate, connect, and grow sustainably
• Inspiring creativity across social media: How brands and creators can leverage Reels and video formats to build meaningful and sustained connections with people through rich and textured storytelling experiences.
The Meta Marketing Summit is a fully virtual event and you can choose how you want to enjoy the Summit as we’re offering these three options:
• First, you can watch the Summit throughout the day tomorrow with interactive elements such as Live Q&A with Meta experts to answer your questions.
• Second, if you prefer to watch specific sessions or browse around, you can go to our Watch Anytime library where you have access to the full range of content.
• Third, if you are short on time or you are on the move, you can listen to our podcasts with quick summaries of our main content.
These options are available on Meta Marketing Summit website starting from 29 September until October 31, 2022.

iFace – A Facial Recognition System to Strengthen Security, Protect Your Premises & Make Identification Easy

By

Web Desk

-

Sep 29, 2022

Facial recognition may have appeared to be a futuristic technology in sci-fi movies, yet today it is widely used both in public and private settings. We can unlock a smartphone with just a glance, tag our friends on social networking apps or even swap one face with another in pictures. In some cases, these apps also notify us if we appeared in someone else’s profile picture. Apart from our lives on social media, recent advancements have brought facial recognition technology out of the research lab and into everyday usage. Not only can facial recognition software and applications identify a person’s image in photographs and videos, but they can also detect it in real-time.

Facial recognition technology is also being used to control access to high-security facilities like laboratories, bank vaults, and storage spaces where restricted access is required. Without the need for specific authorizations, keys, or passcodes, facial recognition can allow everyone to conduct their business operations with ease. Many organizations even upgraded their access control systems during the pandemic by switching out passwords or fingerprint readers with ones that use facial recognition technology. Some other case uses involve government organizations that utilize the technology in places like airports to reduce identity theft, find missing people, and identify criminals.

Given the COVID-19 outbreak, there is a strong emphasis on contactless interactions along with the escalating cybersecurity concerns which demonstrate that securing physical and online spaces is more important than ever before. Therefore, facial recognition and other forms of biometric authentication will be crucial in the current security landscape.

Propagating the technological revolution in Pakistan, iTecknologi Group of Companies is one of the leading conglomerates, known to provide innovative tech-based solutions. The speed and scale of their technological advancements in the past few years have been immense. Its latest offering iFace, a face recognition software is designed to store, delete, save and disable registered faces in line with local legislation. Enterprise-class data encryption ensures that facial data and personal information are not at risk from security breaches.

With iFace, you can instantly identify pre-registered ‘unwanted’ visitors in crowded areas, such as hooligans or criminals held on your database. You can also pre-register authorized visitors, such as staff or ticket holders, and identify those gaining unauthorized entry to restricted areas. Pre-registration of authorized people ensures smoother people flow and better crowd management. Whenever anyone attempts to gain unauthorized access, an alarm notifies your surveillance system and can immediately mobilize staff on the ground.

iFace optimizes the performance of your technology while minimizing the demands on your resources. The system can be configured with cameras to capture pre-registered unwanted visitors. To reduce the bandwidth load on the facial recognition server, ‘best shot technology’ ensures that only the best facial images are ever transmitted.

The latest generation of iFace makes use of the world’s most powerful facial recognition engine, allowing users to record and match faces to those held in your database, even in the most challenging circumstances. This deep learning facial recognition technology overcomes the difficulties faced by conventional technologies, such as sunglasses or mask, faces that have aged since first registration on database, angled faces, poor lighting, and motion blur.

iTecknologi’s cutting-edge iFace extreme surveillance technology is perfectly suited to stadiums, airports, stations and subways, Leisure facilities (museums, amusement parks, and entertainment venues) retail centers and shopping malls, schools, universities, hospitals, and critical public infrastructures, including government premises and prisons.

The future outlook for facial recognition technology offers a variety of applications across numerous potential growth markets as it is expanding its use cases and capabilities. It will be interesting to see how it disrupts various industry verticals. However, these advancements will certainly need to be paired with their own privacy standards, but the net gain to users’ security is worth navigating and considering today, for the challenges of tomorrow.

ICCIA’s Best of Entrepreneurship (BOE) event receives an overwhelming response

By

Web Desk

-

Sep 29, 2022

The Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture (ICCIA) hosted its “Best of Entrepreneurship Pakistan (BOE)” session at IBA Karachi today.

The event was about eCommerce and Entrepreneurship in Pakistan and was organized to highlight challenges faced by the industry and the opportunities it brings for young entrepreneurs. The BOE event aimed to share entrepreneurial trends and stories that will shape the future of eCommerce in the country.

Ms. Aalia Jafar, Director of International Relations, ICCIA, was present at the event. She said, “Today, we are blessed. We live in a world where failure is considered a success. Because we now know true innovation happens when you try new things, when you experiment and when you fail. As the famous saying from Silicon Valley goes: Fail early, fail often, but fail forward!”

Mr. Haider Zamin, Deputy Director, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), discussed TDAP’s e-commerce strategy. He shared how TDAP is organizing free B2C training sessions for women entrepreneurs where they can register themselves and begin selling their products on Amazon.

Mr. Hamza Abdul Rauf, Co-founder & Director of Telemart, was also present at the event. He shared his journey with the audience present. His success story includes lending his expertise to companies like Gul Ahmed and Artistic Milliners back when technology wasn’t as prevalent as today. Mr. Abdul Rauf talked about how tech cannot fix a broken business. It can only be done through hard work and determination. In the end, Mr. Abdul Rauf emphasized the need for proper mentorship and incubation centers for the current generation.

Dr. Sara Saeed Khurram, Co-Founder & CEO of Sehat Kahani, was also one of the prominent guests at the event. She is a doctor turned entrepreneur who didn’t let anything come in the way of her success. She discussed how it wasn’t an easy journey but one that was worth taking. Dr. Saeed Khurram hopes more women are encouraged to become entrepreneurs so they can be independent and change the world for those who will come after them.

Mr. Sultan Rehman, Vice President, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI), was also present at the panel.

Mr. Abdul Badih El Dada, Director Events Management at ICCIA, highlighted the ICCIA efforts in development of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and invited relevant institutions for developing partnership to promote entrepreneurial culture in Pakistan and beyond.

It was an informative and motivational session with an audience of 300, which included Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVETs) focused on e-commerce, university students, aspiring entrepreneurs, and business enthusiasts.

Here’s hoping plenty of such programs will be organized in the future so that more people from the younger generation can be encouraged to pursue their entrepreneurial endeavours.

Finland’s Wood City: The Future Of Buildings?

By

Web Desk

-

Sep 29, 2022

Finland’s Wood City: The Future Of Buildings? — Image Source: Interesting Engineering

With the progression of technology, great masterpieces of architecture have also become popular around the world. They provide interesting tourist attractions and are a hallmark of the city itself. Dubai is the best example of a concrete place in the midst of the desert. It is no surprise that great design and planning, for different types of buildings, are flooding the city with more tourists, as well as residents. Interestingly, Finland is catching up with a twist. It has revolutionized the concept of high skyscrapers by using wood to build a five-storey school building, which might be the future of construction now.

Although several of the inside walls are already lined with smooth oak panels, the school won’t be finished until next year. Additionally, wood has been employed as exterior cladding, to support the ceilings between the levels, and in load-bearing constructions. According to Miimu Airaksinen, an engineer and Vice President of Development at SRV, the Finnish construction firm that built the school, “It’s a more sustainable solution.” But we’re also working with wood because people like and appreciate wood and the way it’s designed,” she continued.

As the world is taking various effective measures towards sustainability of the environment, it is important to also introduce this practice in the construction field since it contributes plenty to carbon emissions all around the world – which is why, the undertaking fits into a developing pattern in the Finnish construction sector, more and more often, builders are choosing wood over more commonplace materials like concrete and steel. It is related to the nation’s aspirational goals to become Europe’s leading circular economy by 2035 and become carbon neutral.

There is less fear about fires among the general public in Finland than there may be in other regions of the world where the use of wood as a construction material is less widespread since separate wooden houses and summer cottages are so prevalent there. However, SRV continues to confront flammability concerns, particularly in bigger buildings. Despite this, cross-laminated timber (CLT) is shown to perform well in flames, according to Airaksinen, as it is made to endure intense heat and can take longer to collapse than concrete.

Additionally, wooden structures can store the carbon that trees take in from the environment for five to six decades, removing more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than they produce. Steel and concrete, however, have significant carbon footprints.

There is also a brand-new neighborhood, Wood City, with hundreds of brand-new wooden apartments in the heart of Helsinki. It also serves as the location of Supercell’s global headquarters, where the walls of the eight-storey, open-plan office space, cafes, and even nap rooms are lined with wood. The Supercell offices feature a striking reception area with large carved wooden characters and dramatic curved panels.

Due to worries made by environmental advocacy groups like WWF that the increased development of wooden structures may place an undue strain on the world’s forests, Finland’s wood-producing industries have committed to replanting logged areas in a considerate and sustainable manner. It is highly possible that Europe follows Finland’s footsteps toward a sustainable environment after carefully weighing its pros and cons.

5 Sinful Cream Cheese Dessert Recipes That Are Insanely Good

By

Dr. Rida Qamar

-

Sep 29, 2022

You might have come across cheesecakes of all kinds but did you know cream cheese is the star ingredient in many desserts? Yes, you heard that right! A cheesecake might be the most loved dessert to come out of the ingredient but there are a lot of desserts you can create from cream cheese. From cheesecakes and frostings to tarts and roulades, cream cheese is incredibly versatile and is a must-have in your fridge.

If you are already craving one, take your pick from our favourite desserts below.

1. Oreo Churros With Cream Cheese Dip

This oreo combination is the perfect treat to satisfy your sweet tooth. With minimal ingredients and cooking time, it is a must-have dessert for kids’ birthday parties.

Ingredients

10 Oreo cookies
3/4 cup frozen whipped cream
2 ounces cream cheese, softened
3 tablespoons powdered sugar
1/2 cup (4 oz.) unsalted butter, softened and divided
1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 ¼cups water
2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 large egg
Canola oil

Instructions

Separate cookies, and scrape cream filling into a small bowl, reserving cookies in a separate medium bowl. Transfer cream filling to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add whipped cream, cream cheese, powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of the butter, and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt, and beat on medium speed until creamy and smooth, about 2 minutes, stopping to scrape down sides as needed. Transfer to a medium bowl, and set Oreo Cream Dip aside.
Pulse reserved cookies in a food processor until cookies become fine crumbs. Reserve 2 tablespoons of crumbs. Pour the remaining crumbs into a medium bowl, and stir in granulated sugar and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt. Transfer to a shallow dish, and set the Oreo crumb mixture aside.
Combine water, remaining 6 tablespoons butter, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large saucepan over medium; bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. As soon as the mixture begins to simmer, add flour all at once, and quickly stir with a wooden spoon until completely incorporated about 30 seconds.
Transfer the mixture to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed until dough is smooth, about 3 minutes. Add egg, and beat until completely incorporated, about 20 seconds. Stir in reserved 2 tablespoons of cookie crumbs. Transfer dough to a pastry bag fitted with a 1/3-inch open star tip.
Pipe 4-inch-long ropes of batter onto parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Refrigerate churros until firm, about 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, pour oil to a depth of 2 1/2 inches into a large Dutch oven; heat over medium-high to 350°F. Working in batches, fry chilled churros, turning once, until golden brown, about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes per side. Using a slotted spoon or spider, transfer churros to the Oreo crumb mixture, allowing excess oil to drip back into the Dutch oven. Using a spoon, carefully roll churros in crumb mixture to fully coat. Serve immediately with Oreo Cream Dip.

2. Cream Cheese Cookies

Kolaczki cookies are traditional Polish cream cheese cookies. The cookie dough almost mimics a pastry and is filled with a variety of fillings.

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, room temp
8 oz cream cheese, room temp
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp kosher salt
2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
powdered sugar for rolling and dusting

For Filling

Jam of your choice

Instructions

In a large bowl mix cream together with butter and cream cheese on medium/high speed until light and fluffy. This should take about 2 minutes. Mix in the vanilla and the salt until well combined.
With the mixer running on low speed, add the flour slowly until all is incorporated. You will have a very thick and sticky dough.
Transfer the dough between two pieces of plastic wrap or parchment paper and press it out to about 1/2″ thick. Chill in the refrigerator for about 45 minutes, until easy to handle.
Dust a clean work surface liberally with powdered sugar. Take about 1/4th of the dough and dust the top with more powdered sugar. Roll out to a square about 1/4″ thick. Keep the rest of the dough in the refrigerator as you work.
Using a pizza cutter or bench knife, cut the dough into 2-inch by 2-inch squares. Spread about 1 tsp of filling down the middle of each square, corner to corner. To seal, dab a bit of water on one of the corners without filling it and seal it in the centre with the other corner. Press to seal so the cookies do not pop open in the oven. Transfer the filled cookies onto parchment-lined baking sheets.
Bake at 350 F (170 C) for 14-18 minutes, until just barely golden brown. Transfer to cooling racks to cool completely. Dust cooled cookies with powdered sugar before serving. If you will not be serving right away, wait to dust until right before serving.

3. Cream Cheese Truffles

Quick? Easy? Delicious? All check. This recipe is the quickest one on the list and doesn’t require any cooking while cream cheese adds a perfect touch to traditional truffles.

Ingredients

4 oz cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 cup icing sugar
1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted
3/4 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup crushed walnuts
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup cocoa powder

Instructions

In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese until a smooth consistency.
Beat in icing sugar until smooth.
Add the melted chocolate and vanilla until the mixture is well blended. Refrigerate truffle mix for 1 hour.
Pick up chocolate mix 1 teaspoon at a time and roll into 1-inch balls with your hands.
For cocoa powder and powdered sugar, pour each into ramekins and roll the chocolate ball in the bowl until evenly coated. For nut covering, press the nuts gently into the truffle.

4. Cinnamon Roll Ups

Churros are one of our favourite Mexican desserts. However, they can be a bit tricky to make for inexperienced cooks.

However, this recipe for cinnamon and cream cheese roll-ups uses a handy hack that allows you to make dozens of delicious cream cheese-filled churros at once!

Ingredients

1 loaf of white bread in thin slices
5 1/2 oz cream cheese softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
3/4 cups sugar
1 tbsp cinnamon
1/2 cup butter melted

Instructions

Cut off the crust of the bread. With a rolling pin, flatten bread.
In a small bowl combine cream cheese and powdered sugar until well blended.
In a separate bowl combine sugar and cinnamon – set aside.
Spread 1 – 1½ tablespoons of cream cheese mixture onto each flattened bread piece and roll up.
Dip each rolled bread into melted butter and then into the cinnamon and sugar mix. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet.
Repeat for the remaining pieces of bread. Bake at 350 for 16-20 minutes. Serve warm.

5. Chocolate Brownies

Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies are a basic brownie recipe that is layered with a cream cheese batter and then marbled to create those beautiful swirls on top.

Ingredients

3/4 cup unsalted butter
100 gr bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
2 eggs
1 egg yolk
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
250 gr cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

For Brownies

Preheat the oven to 350°F/175°C. Grease an 8×8-inch/20x20cm pan and line the bottom and the side with parchment paper.
In a medium saucepan, melt butter completely. Turn off the heat and add chopped chocolate and sifted cocoa powder. Stir until smooth and silky. Set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until well combined. Sift in all-purpose flour and salt into the batter and whisk until well incorporated.
Whisk in the chocolate mixture into the batter until well incorporated.
Pour the chocolate brownies batter into the prepared pan, leaving 3-4 tablespoons for the swirl on the top.

For Cream Cheese Topping

In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract with an electric beater until creamy and smooth.
Gently pour the cream cheese batter onto the chocolate brownies batter by spoonfuls.
Drop small dollops of remaining chocolate brownies batter on cream cheese batter. Using a toothpick or chopstick, swirl the top, creating a marbled effect.
Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out mostly clean with a few fudgy crumbs.
Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan before cutting and serving.

Which one would you love to try? Let us know in the comments below.

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.