Money Habits To Adopt To Keep Yourself Afloat Even If You Rage-Quit Your Job

Jul 20, 2022

Quitting your job is a big deal, and there are a variety of reasons why you might decide to make this move. Maybe you’re burnt out and need a break, you’ve found a better opportunity with another employer, or you’ve finally decided to take the plunge and start your business venture. However, while most of these reasons offer an alternative source of income – the same cannot be guaranteed if you plan to rage quit your job. Rising inflation worldwide and lack of access to the emergency fund can be daunting even if you have decided to take the plunge.

However, while your money should never define your self-worth, developing a relationship with your finances can be the key to staying afloat. Take a look at some ways you can survive quitting your job.

1. Find A Side-Gig

If you decide to wait on finding a new primary role, or even if you are seeking full-time employment, finding a side gig can help you feel productive after you leave your employment. Consider spending time on a side job that you enjoy to stay productive and possibly make a bit of extra income. Working a side gig can also be an excellent way to make connections in your current industry or a new one and learn new skills. The money you generate as your income will be helpful daily to cover your basic expenses.

2. Track Your Expenses

Now those fancy dinners are a thing of the past. Tracking your expenses so that you do not go overboard can be highly beneficial. You can take help from multiple social media apps to divide your money for utilities and leisure expenses. Creating good old excel tabs can also help you take account of your expenses on rent, groceries and other stuff.

3. Watchout For Discounts & Deals

Discounts are deals that are an excellent way to save some extra cash. Online stores offer significant discounts to their customers. Ordering stuff online also helps you save money by adding the things you only need in your cart. You could also compare prices between stores to ensure you get the best deal.

Read More: 8 Reasons Why Super Tax Is Bad

4. Keep A Small Sum In Cash

While you might need cash often, carrying too much of it might let you lose track of your expenses. Keeping only a tiny amount of money, between 1000-2000 Rs, will help you notice your immediate necessities and spend on them only in case an emergency strikes.

5. Spend On Yourself

Spending money on yourself doesn’t have to come in the form of extensive spa routines or a membership. You can find joy in something as small as getting a 100 Rs ice cream or a cup of coffee worth 500 Rs. It is as vital to spend small amounts on yourself as it is crucial to saving.

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.

SIM Cards Are Going Away – Why Is It A Good Thing?

Dr. Rida Qamar

Jul 20, 2022

Soon enough, sim cards will be a thing of the past since physical ones are replacing e-sim cards, and most people have already made the switch. E-sims are now dominating the European and Asian markets, where consumers tend to switch between prepaid plans to get the best data package available. Meanwhile, In the U.S., people typically stick with one carrier.

Companies Leading The Way

The three biggest U.S. wireless providers, T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon, have announced the dawn of e-sims. Mobile companies have also switched since Apple stopped including physical sim cards in the box. And Motorola’s foldable Razr phone from 2019 didn’t support physical sims.

Meanwhile, Google’s smartphones have had e-sim capabilities since 2017’s Pixel 2, and Apple added it to iPhones starting with 2018’s iPhone XS. Roughly 40% of all phones Verizon carries this year have e-sim capabilities.

According to Jeff Howard, vice president of mobile devices and accessories at AT&T. “It’s a natural evolution. It’s going to make the experience better down the road. Right now, setting up an e-sim isn’t always painless. Even if your phone supports it, your carrier may not. And if you try to move e-sims between devices, you likely have to go through setup all over again.”

The E-SIM Technology

The e-sim is activated via service digitally by logging into an app or by scanning a QR code. The software connects the user to a new cellular network on the fly, letting them quickly sign up for service without tracking down a store. Lack of sim card tray space allows the manufacturers to design and build sleeker devices, say industry veterans. While e-sims still require a chip inside the phone, that component is more minor than physical sims and can’t be removed.

E-sims can even let you have two phone numbers on your phone simultaneously. You could have one for work and one for personal calls. Or you could also set up an international number alongside your standard service when travelling.

“The vision is, you can get a phone from anyone, and as you’re activating the device, you pick your service operator, and off you go,” said Chetan Sharma, a wireless industry analyst who leads his consulting firm.

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.

How Reduced Consumption of Red Meat Can Save the World

Lyza Rashid

Jul 20, 2022

Capitalism tells us that we have 8 years to save the planet from becoming inhabitable. The UK just recorded their highest, most impossible temperature yesterday which is record-breaking news. Are you scared and concerned yet? All of us can do our part, starting from the little things. For instance, what we eat and what we don’t.

Stay with us as we explain how a reduced consumption of red meat can save the world (partially) and its alternatives.

What Does Red Meat Do?

Each beef patty you consume brings with it a whole process of deforestation, over-grazing and production of greenhouse gases. Our consumption right now of it is totally uncontrolled. As a result, each year over 10m hectares of land are deforested most of which is rainforest land. Deforestation is one of the biggest destabilizers of the planet. It leads to climate imbalances, desertification and water scarcity and greenhouse gas emissions.

Besides this, it also leads to flooding, erosion, and the destruction of biodiversity, including crucial crop pollinators.

What Can Reduced Consumption Do?

Climate scientists at an institute have predicted that by reducing our meat consumption by only 20% will have amazing consequences. It could reduce deforestation by more than half by 2050. For each individual, this means we all have just to reduce 1/5th of our consumption. Deforestation could then be scaled by 56%. The greater reduction would obviously result in greater mitigation efforts.

Alternatives?

The alternatives to red meat is not chicken. It’s microbial proteins. Microbial protein is a low-calorie, high-protein and high-fiber fermented product. It’s derived from fungi and algae. What makes them a better alternative? It’s because microbial foods dramatically outperform “cultivation of staple crops in terms of caloric and protein yields per land area”.

Moreover, the science also suggests that these mushroom-adjacent proteins could play an instrumental role in addressing global issues. For one, they could address the challenges of climate change and food security as the population grows to the projected 9.7 billion people by 2050.

Who Promises What?

However, an important factor to consider is who promises what. Consider for example that people start reducing their red meat consumption one by one, slowly. Would that give the right signal to the livestock grazers and big corporations undertaking deforestation?

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.

These Are The Best Foods For Better Sleep (Even Diet Ones)

Lyza Rashid

Jul 20, 2022

foods better sleep — Image Source: Hungry Hutch

A good night’s sleep keeps away a lot of demons, be it doctors, illness or crankiness that ruins days. However, a good night’s sleep is neither available to all nor that easy to have. So what limits this experience for us? For starters, it’s food. Did you know there are special foods that promote better sleep? This piece will tell you all about them including some diet options!

Walnuts

Dry fruits are one of your best bets if you want to have good sleep without having fatty foods. Walnuts have been found to be an excellent thing to have before bed because they release the sleep hormone melatonin quickly! They’re nutrient rich and improve heart health too, get your packet ASAP.

Almonds

The next contender on the list is from the same family. If you’re desi, you know ‘badaamo wala doodh’ is something many of us grew up on. Let’s be real too, the sleep after that was sinful. So that should be proof enough that almonds knock you out. However, the science is that almonds are full of melatonin. Besides that, they also reduce inflammation in your body including the stress hormone cortisol.

Kiwi

They are a very low-calorie and nutritious food. Kiwi’s regulate the production of serotonin in your brain which is linked to the regulation of sleep cycle. In a study where participants had one kiwi before bedtime, not only did they fall asleep faster, they also woke up less and slept longer.

Fatty Fish

Fish like salmon, tuna and trout are great to put you to sleep. You already know they’re rich in many forms of vitamins. However, they’re especially rich in Vitamin D and that is linked to deeper sleep.

Whole-wheat Toast

One whole-wheat toast before bedtime can do wonders for you if you’re dieting. A whole-wheat toast is an example of complex carbohydrates that trigger the production of serotonin in your body. They are also easily digestible so everything is perfect.

Bowl of Oatmeal

Yes, many might make a face at this but it’s true. A bowl of oatmeal is also a complex carbohydrate’s example. It digests easily, is warm and comforting, and is also full of nutrients. This bowl will also release serotonin in your body to put you to sleep.

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.

Lab-grown Meat Could Help Plants As Well As Our Health

Dr. Rida Qamar

Jul 20, 2022

Companies across the world are moving quickly to bring to the market hamburgers and other meat products that are grown from animal cells in a lab.

Lab-grown meat replicates the taste and consistency of traditional meat. Many expect the move to the lab will especially appeal to people concerned about the role land-based animal agriculture has in accelerating climate change.

However, as investments and research ramp up for lab-grown meat. More people are debating the environmental and health implications of widespread production of alternatives.

According to Uma Valeti, founder and CEO of Upside Foods, “Cultivated meat is real meat grown directly from animal cells. These products are not vegan, vegetarian or plant-based — they are real meat, made without the animal.”

“The process of making cultivated meat is similar to brewing beer, but instead of growing yeast or microbes, we grow animal cells,” Valeti added.

Is Lab-Meat The Answer To Carbon Footprint?

Some researchers speculate about the dependence on the efficiency of the production process. The rise of the cultured meat industry could actually make climate change worse than traditional beef production. One issue is the longer lasting impact of carbon pollution versus methane gas pollution.

“Lab meat doesn’t solve anything from an environmental perspective, since the energy emissions are so high,” said Marco Springmann, a senior environmental researcher at the University of Oxford.

Meanwhile, David Kaplan, a professor of biomedical engineering at Tufts University is quite hopeful about the environmental prospect. He says, “The presumption is we’re going to do better because of the sustainability element here — to reduce the land footprint, reduce the water needs and reduce some of the waste streams that go out from feedlots.”

Read More: Rooh Afza Goes To Hollywood!

How It Is Developed?

Development of cultivated meat works on the principles of tissue engineering. A process in which a whole tissue is developed with the help of cells. Biopsy is taken from animals as cells are harvested from the tissue. Followed by the selection of cells, a list of vital minerals and nutrients are identified to help the cells recieve the desired nutrients for their growth.

Those cells are then placed in a nutrient bath in a bioreactor. It is a large stainless steel vessel which agitates cells under a particular pressure. While creating an environment that allows cells to grow efficiently and safely. The cells takes roughly two weeks to grow. Before it is converted into a finished product be it a burger patty or a nugget.

As companies continue to develop their alternative meat products they’ll likely face increasingly climate-conscious consumers or stricter regulations on emissions as the planet warms. This could encourage the growing industry to use cleaner energy and technologies for cultured meat, researchers say.

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.

Highest-ever car sales in FY 2022: What were the reasons?

Abubakr Hussain

Jul 20, 2022

The auto industry has sold the highest number of cars between July 2021 and June 2022 after sales increased by 54% to 279,267 units.

The fiscal year 2022 started after the previous year (FY2021) was affected by the corona-virus pandemic. This year saw the economy recover. The demand for cars remained under pressure since 2019 and after three years of reduced demand and supply issues – people thronged to buy cars.

Moreover, the low interest rate at 7%, which was reduced in response to the negative growth for the time in history, made auto financing an attractive deal.

The year FY2022 started with another positive news for the auto industry – the government reduced Federal Excise Duty (FED) across the board by 2.5% and also reduced additional custom duty. Sales tax was also reduced on cars below engine size of 1000cc.

These incentives given by the government saw the cost of buying a car reduce for the first time in history in the country.

The government said it was trying to provide cheap entry (small engine size cars such as 660cc Alto and 1000cc Picanto) to common people while helping industry reach economies of scale to make it feasible for them to localize more.

However, the increasing exchange rates and increasing international commodities price forced car companies to increase car prices. The government did not like this and reverted incentives given to the industry in the mini-budget in January.

Earlier in September 2021, the State Bank also seeing the economy overheating put restrictions on auto-financing to reduce rising demand for cars. It put the maximum limit of loan amount to Rs3 million. Among the restrictions, one was that it reduced the tenure of repayment of loan to five years from seven for cars having engine size above 1000cc.

However, the industry sales continue to show growth as rupee’s perilous journey continued as it devalued below Rs200 and car assemblers continued to jack up car prices now and then.

People tend to buy cars more as they fear that prices would go up. If they don’t buy now, they will have to pay more in the near future. This speculation in the market kept up the demand for cars up post State Bank restrictions, reversal of the tax incentives in the mini-budget and later significant hike in the interest rates, which increased to 15% from 7% when the fiscal year 2022 started.

Experts say the first quarter of the fiscal year will see car sales steady but after that, the sales will drop. Overall, increasing car prices, inflation, which reduce buying power, State Bank restrictions on auto financing, high interest rates, restrictions on import of car parts by the government (hindrance in opening letter of credit for import of auto parts) will reduce car sales in fiscal year 2023.

Industry sources say they expect car sales to decline by more than 30%. If they are predicting industry trends well, then the fiscal year 2023 would see car volumes dropping below 200,000 units.

OPPO announces UEFA partnership and a commitment to celebrate the beautiful game through “Inspiration Ahead”

Web Desk

Jul 20, 2022

OPPO1 — OPPO has agreed to a two-year, multi-competition partnership with UEFA

July 19, 2022, Pakistan – OPPO has announced it will partner with UEFA across different UEFA competitions including the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, UEFA Futsal Champions League Finals, and UEFA Youth League Finals for the next two seasons.

OPPO will work closely with UEFA to spotlight inspirational moments on and off the pitch, and to help fans witness, hear and share them during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons.

The UEFA Champions League’s positioning of “the best of the best” aligns with OPPO’s brand proposition of “Inspiration Ahead” which embodies the brand’s determination in striving for greatness. OPPO will work with UEFA to showcase inspirational moments from the UEFA Champions League to football fans around the world.

William Liu, President of Global Marketing of OPPO, said “We are excited to partner with UEFA and work with them to drive inspiration for football fans during UEFA competitions. At OPPO, we believe in the power of innovation to help us overcome life’s challenges, and this synergy with UEFA’s desire to fight in the face of adversity makes this a perfect partnership.”

UEFA’s Marketing Director, Guy-Laurent Epstein, added “We are delighted to welcome OPPO to the UEFA sponsor family with the world’s greatest club competition – the UEFA Champions League. OPPO is a global leader in mobile technology and together, we are looking forward to advancing our efforts of connecting and inspiring football fans around the world.”

As part of the partnership, OPPO will enjoy high visibility, appearing on broadcast backdrops and in stadia, including on extensive perimeter advertising, website, and social media of the UEFA Champions League. In addition, OPPO will offer football fans the unique opportunity to go pitch-side throughout the UEFA Champions League season and capture key moments with OPPO smartphones. The Inspiration Moments captured during the matches will be shared in an OPPO Gallery on the UEFA Champions League website and OPPO UEFA Champions League landing page.

Also, the partnership will see leading OPPO devices featured, such as its Find and Reno mobile series, with cutting-edge imaging NPU, MariSilicon X, along with new and upcoming OPPO IoT products such as OPPO headphones and an OPPO smartwatch. These products will help inspire football fans around the world as they enjoy a whole new way of experiencing the UEFA Champions League.

This newest sponsorship expands upon OPPO’s existing sporting partnerships and ambitions to inspire and engage consumers through sports. The Chinese technology company is in its fourth year of partnering with Wimbledon and Roland-Garros and is a global partner of the International Cricket Council (ICC). Partnering with different international sports tournaments, OPPO hopes to show its respect to users in different regions and cultures and serve the needs of global users.

Editor’s Choice: An Impeccable design, Stellar 50MP Ultra Vision Camera, 66W HUAWEI SuperCharge, these are just a few reasons why the HUAWEI nova 9 should be your next phone this season!

Web Desk

Jul 19, 2022

A great smartphone is one that is styled for the ages, equipped with a great camera, has a large battery that charges up swiftly, and if you throw in some cool futuristic features then you have something special. And all of these things are not easy to find in one single phone!

Having said so, Huawei recently launched in Pakistan the all-new HUAWEI nova 9. Dubbed as “the Trendy Flagship & Camera King”, this latest gem from Huawei comes soaring with a stunning design, a 50MP Super Sensing Camera, a large battery that supports 66W HUAWEI SuperCharge. Let us take a look at its feature closely and you will understand why it is our favourite choice for a smartphone this season!

Breathtaking design

The HUAWEI nova 9 is simply an outstanding smartphone and it comes in a new colourway called: Colour No.9, what a cool name that is! Polished with a brand-new Starry Flash AG Glass process, the device is pleasure to the eyes. Colour No. 9 is a mixture of low-saturation blue and purples hues that gives off a hint of mysteriousness. Under different lighting, the colour finish reflects vivid and colourful patterns. Under a spotlight, the whole device shines and sparkles. It reminds users of the subtle moments in their life, which are inspiring and exhilarating.

The HUAWEI nova 9 inherits the HUAWEI nova Series’ unique aesthetic and sophisticated design. The Trendy Flagship and Camera king sports a 6.57-inch curved display that can render 1.07 billion colours, and supports up to 120Hz display refresh rate, 300Hz touch sampling rate and the P3 colour gamut to produce smoother and more immersive visuals that are brimming with details. The HUAWEI nova 9 is sleek with a thickness of only 7.77mm and a weight of approximately 175g only. In terms of industrial design, colourway is always an important factor for the HUAWEI nova Series to showcase its uniqueness and commitment. It also comes with a more iconic camera setup that is updated based on HUAWEI nova 8’s Star Orbit Ring.

Ultra-Vision Camera

The HUAWEI nova 9 comes with an Ultra Vision AI Quad Camera system, which includes a 50MP Ultra Vision Main Camera with RYYB colour filter array, an 8MP Ultra Wide Angle Camera, a 2MP Depth Camera and a 4cm Macro Camera. The upgraded hardware synergies with flagship-class algorithms to empower users capture in high clarity across different scenarios.

Meeting the demand for an excellent vlogging experience, the HUAWEI nova 9 is fitted with a 32MP High- Res selfie camera. Similar to the rear camera, it also supports 4K video capture and AIS (AI Image Stabilisation) Video Stabilisation, allowing users to capture high definition footage of themselves as they talk to the camera, as well as the exciting events happening around them.

Thanks to Continuous Front/Rear Recording, users can also switch between the front and rear cameras, allowing them to fluidly capture their story within a single video file. Dual-View Video recording allows users to showcase their live reaction to events, simultaneously using the front and rear cameras with no editing required or, for when you want to show the big picture and the detail, you can simultaneously capture a close up shot and wide-angle shot at the same time.

Large Battery with HUAWEI SuperCharge

Considering how much of our daily lives are tied to the smartphone, battery life is perhaps one of the most important concerns that users have, if not the most. After all, no matter how powerful or well designed a smartphone is, it is of little use to us when its battery is depleted. The HUAWEI nova 9 packs a proprietary 4300mAh battery to provide all-day battery life. Furthermore, the Trendy Flagship Camera King supports 66W HUAWEI SuperCharge, enabling it to charge much faster. It takes only 15 minutes to charge to 53% and 38 minutes to 100%.

Offering a smart and seamless experience to users, the trusted, innovative and secure AppGallery comes pre-installed on the HUAWEI nova 9, where users can search for, and download a wide range of high- quality apps.

In short, if you are looking for a new smartphone that truly ticks all the boxes and also that comes at a reasonable price range, then the new Trendy Flagship Camera King HUAWEI nova 9 is your go-to option right now!

TikTok removes nearly 12.5 million videos from Pakistan in Q1 2022 for Community Guidelines violations

Web Desk

Jul 19, 2022

• With 12,490,309 videos removed, Pakistan ranked second in the world for the largest volume of videos taken down for Community Guidelines violations between January – March 2022.
• According to the latest Community Guidelines Enforcement Report; Pakistan had a removal rate of 96.5 per cent before any views and 97.3 per cent before 24 hours. A proactive removal rate of 98.5 per cent was used by TikTok to remove 12,490,309 Pakistani videos.
• The report also revealed that in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war, TikTok’s safety team focused on the Ukraine war and removed 41,191 videos, 87% of which violated its policies against harmful misinformation.

Pakistan, 19 July 2022: Popular short-form video platform TikTok has released its latest Community Guidelines Enforcement Report for Q1 2022 (January – March 2022), including updates on its commitment to support the safety of the community and foster kindness on the platform.

The report reflects the platform’s ongoing commitment to earn trust by being accountable while working to be safe and welcoming. Efforts include fostering authentic engagement across the comment space, safety reminders for creators and adhering strictly to the extensive Community Guidelines.

According to the report, Pakistan had a removal rate of 96.5 per cent before any views and 97.3 per cent before 24 hours. Whereas, 98.5 per cent proactive removal rate was used by TikTok to remove 12,490,309 Pakistani videos.

With these figures, Pakistan ranks second in the world for the largest volume of videos taken down in Q1 2022, following the US which ranks first with 14,044,224 videos removed. In this quarter, 102,305,516 videos were removed globally, which represents about 1% of all videos uploaded to TikTok.

The videos were removed because they violated TikTok’s robust set of community guidelines that are designed to foster an experience that prioritizes safety, inclusion, and authenticity.

The report also revealed that in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war, TikTok’s safety team focused on the Ukraine war and removed 41,191 videos, 87% of which violated its policies against harmful misinformation. TikTok also labeled content from 49 Russian state-controlled media accounts. The platform also identified and removed 6 networks and 204 accounts globally for coordinated efforts to influence public opinion and mislead users about their identities.

The report also revealed that the total volume of ads removed for violating TikTok’s advertising policies and guidelines increased in the first quarter of 2022.

To learn more about content guidelines and policies on TikTok, refer to the Community Guidelines also available in Urdu. The Community Guidelines Enforcement Report can be found here in English and Urdu.

Google expands Android Earthquake Alerts System to Pakistan

Web Desk

Jul 19, 2022

Karachi, Pakistan, 19 July 2022: Today, Google is launching Android Earthquake Alerts System in Pakistan. Android Earthquake Alerts System is a no-cost, helpful Android feature that detects earthquakes around the world and alerts people. It uses sensors in Android smartphones. The system uses accelerometers in active Android smartphones to detect seismic activities. It alerts people in two ways — via Search and directly on the Android mobile device itself.

The system provides near-instant information to Google Search. When people look up “earthquake” or “earthquake near me,” they will find relevant results, along with helpful resources on what to do after an earthquake. Users who do not wish to receive these alerts can turn this off in device settings.

Pakistan has experienced several earthquakes in the past especially in the northern and western parts of the country. With the expansion of this earthquake alerts system, Android users in Pakistan may receive automatic early warning alerts that help them be prepared for an emergency.

On mobile devices, the Android Earthquake Alerts System displays two types of alerts, depending on the magnitude and intensity of the earthquake.

Be Aware alerts people when earthquakes with a magnitude of 4.5 occur, or an intensity level of 3 or 4 on the MMI scale. The notification is sent along with the distance of the earthquake’s epicenter. The alert uses the phone’s current volume, vibration, and Do Not Disturb settings.

Take Action is a full-screen alert for earthquakes with a magnitude higher than 4.5, or an intensity level of 5 and above on the MMI scale. To help people prepare for potential heavy shaking, full-screen instructions are shown and the phone plays a loud sound.

The Android Earthquake Alerts System was first introduced in New Zealand and Greece. It is available now in more countries including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Philippines, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United States of America and Uzbekistan.

To check on your Android device if the alerts are on, simply go to Settings > Location > Advanced > Earthquake Alerts.

For more information, watch this YouTube video or read this blog.

Daraz and Visa collaborate to impart business skills for online Sellers

Web Desk

Jul 19, 2022

Karachi, 19th July 2022 — As part of their joint efforts to help small and micro business (SMB) owners make confident, informed decisions to grow their businesses, Leading e-commerce platform Daraz and Visa, the world leader in digital payments, have collaborated to impart practical business skills to online sellers through the Daraz University platform based off Visa’s global Practical Business Skills digital platform that delivers free educational resources covering business skills and financial literacy training.

With this collaboration, Daraz will customize Visa’s global seller education content and deploy it on the Daraz University platform where sellers can access it in Pakistan. The content will include video tutorials, PowerPoint presentations and quizzes that will cover topics like Guide to Starting a Business, Financial Basics for your Business and Business Management. Daraz is conducting comprehensive marketing to maximize the outreach of new educational content to sellers in Pakistan. The first one thousand sellers who cover the material and pass all exams will be given vouchers sponsored by Visa that will provide free shipping credit or access to Daraz packaging materials.

Non-sellers can also participate in these tutorials to earn a Visa x Daraz University certification. If these potential sellers choose to join Daraz, they will be given vouchers and dedicated sign-up support on Daraz.

Daraz University was established in 2018 with the aim to provide free education to aspiring online entrepreneurs. Currently, the portal serves over 40,000 active sellers, and each month 5,000 new vendors learn valuable business knowledge from Daraz University.

Daraz has always been at the forefront of providing entrepreneurial opportunities to people in Pakistan. In its efforts of uplifting entire communities, Daraz is exploring new ways of instilling a sense of innovation among aspiring entrepreneurs. The Company wants to play its part in reviving the country’s economy by ensuring that the youth gets quality business opportunities.

Ehsan Saya, Managing Director – Daraz Pakistan commented on the occasion: “Daraz University aims to nurture the future of e-commerce and online business. Digital entrepreneurship is the future, and we needed a platform to train our youth to match up with the world. Our collaboration with Visa proves our commitment to fostering e-commerce in Pakistan and bringing forward future business leaders. The new endeavor will open doors to new learning opportunities for young sellers. We thank Visa for their noteworthy effort that will help us prepare for future challenges of online business.”

Commenting on the recent association, Leila Serhan, SVP & General Manager Visa said: “Visa heralds the need for a digital landscape for young business owners. The financial service platform understands that e-commerce requires vast knowledge about the digital ecosystem. Our collaboration with Daraz is the first step towards empowering youth with the necessary skills for online selling. Daraz has been the forefront runner in promoting digital merchants. The partnership will help youngsters to equip with the latest entrepreneurship knowledge.”

Syed Zeeshan Ali, Director Digital Payments – Daraz, commented on the collaboration, “Daraz University was founded with a vision to cultivate the entrepreneurial generation in Pakistan by imparting critical business skills for running successful online businesses. With our collaboration with Visa, Daraz University will expand its education content and impart business management’s skills to online sellers enabling them to succeed in their businesses. Our collaboration with Visa proves our commitment to developing an ecosystem for e-commerce in Pakistan which facilitates our sellers, customers and stakeholders.”

Kamil Khan, Country Manager Visa Pakistan, also expressed their views on the recent association, “As a company that enables digital payments for millions of merchants around the world, Visa’s priority is to help small businesses in every step of the way to successfully set up their online business. Meeting consumer demands for digital-first experiences can and should be a seamless undertaking, especially when resources can be found in a single place. We are therefore delighted to partner with Daraz University to help online merchants in Pakistan gain unprecedented access to Visa experts, technology, and resources so they can launch their business swiftly “.

Why It Is Important To Talk To Yourself Once In A While?

Dr. Rida Qamar

Jul 19, 2022

Do you often find yourself criticising your attitude and behaviour? The chances are your inner voice is taking up the space in your head. Self-talk is often our most enormous armour, yet it can also make us feel the worst.

How Does Self-talk Help?

Research suggests the practice of self-talk supplies many benefits, from improved mental performance to greater emotional control. Self-talk is most beneficial when it combines thought and action or reinforces an instructional framework. The way we talk to ourselves has a significant impact on our growth, skillset and our mental health. However, only if we engage in positive self-talk.

While human nature is designed to be its biggest critic, the kind of conversations you have with yourself can be a deal breaker. Hence, it is always advised to take account of your own thoughts and refrain from going down a spiral of self-criticism and reprogram your inner monologue. Your inner talk helps to organise your thoughts and flexibly adapt them to changing demands.

How Is Self-Talk Influenced?

According to the aspects of psychology, the way humans engage in self-talk comes partly from genetics and environmental behaviour. Often we tend to brush off the compliment given by someone thinking they are being nice or we could’ve done much better. The root cause behind such behaviour is usually, “I’m not good enough, not worthy enough.”

Meanwhile, the psychologist also suggests “that helpful inner monologue isn’t always positive in the sense that sometimes, in working through the bad stuff, we learn from our mistakes.”

How To Encourage Self-talk?

While positive affirmations and mantras might seem like a hoax – they tend to work in most cases. The goal should be to catch the negative thought and replace it with a positive one. While expanding on these thoughts, you align yourself and consider what values the most.

Rituals are also a great way to align your inner world, bringing a sense of peace and serenity with who you are and what you do. The goal is to engage in positive self-talk while looking at the problem from a more significant standpoint. Creating a safe environmental space can also help enforce the practice of self-talk. Establishing an environment where you can best visualise your thoughts and navigate through them one by one can help you take charge of your thought process.

But like any skill, to truly receive the boons, you will need to master the art of conversation with yourself.

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.

The Best Homemade Ice Cream Recipe And How You Can Make More Flavours!

Lyza Rashid

Jul 19, 2022

best homemade ice cream recipe — Image Source: Salt and Baker

It’s summer and if this season calls for anything, it’s ice cream. If we could, we would have ice cream for breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner but unfortunately, with the current prices even this wouldn’t be sustainable. Love is difficult. So what, do you just give up on ice cream? Nope, that’s why we’ve brought to you the best homemade ice cream recipe.

Oh and here’s the best news: you can make hundreds of flavors out of this one.

Why Is Homemade The Best Made?

Home-made ice cream is genuinely the best one out there. This is because it’s ultra creamy and you know yourself you made it without any added preservatives and made it in a hygienic setting. What’s more, is that it costs the same, but the quantity is triple what you get in stores. So shall we get to the recipe then?

The Recipe for Vanilla Home-made Ice-cream

The recipe is quite simple. Here’s what you need:

1¾ cups heavy cream
1¼ cup whole milk
¾ cup sugar
⅛ teaspoon fine sea salt
1 tablespoon vanilla extract or 1 vanilla bean split in half lengthwise

To make it, simply add 1 cup of the cream, sugar, salt and vanilla to a saucepan. Heat the mixture just until the sugar dissolves and then take it off the heat. Add the remaining cream to it and milk to it. Stir to combine it again and let it chill in the fridge.

After a few hours, take it out and whisk the mixture again. Then it’s ready to churn! You can churn it in an ice cream maker or simply allow it to freeze in your freezer. Voila! The ice cream will be done in 5-6 hours.

How To Make More Flavours

The recipe for the vanilla homemade ice cream is the most important. This is because after this you can make any flavor with ease. Want to make mango ice cream? Just add mango puree to this mixture. If you want strawberry cheesecake ice cream, add strawberry chunks, biscuits and cream cheese to the mixture.

Want a chocolate chip? Just add chips to it! The possibilities are endless and they all come after you master this recipe.

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.

PUBG MOBILE successfully launches #TravelWithPUBGM campaign in collaboration with SnackVideo

Web Desk

Jul 19, 2022

PUBG MOBILE, Pakistan’s No. 1 gaming platform, has launched a campaign #TravelWithPUBGM this summer, in collaboration with SnackVideo, attracted more than 700,000 Pakistani players and 150,000 short videos on the platform.

From the fields of Sindh and Punjab to the mountains in Gilgit-Baltistan, PUBG MOBILE takes players on a virtual tour of natural landscapes and historic landmarks in Pakistan. To expand the following and spread further excitement, PUBG MOBILE has collaborated exclusively with SnackVideo to carry out the #TravelWithPUBGM campaign.

SnackVideo, a popular local short video platform in Pakistan, has launched a challenge and provided various entryways for users to take part in the campaign. With 13 local SnackVideo creators, who collectively have more than 500,000 followers, the challenge has so far established a strong sense of community among the participants. It must also be noted that this is the first time a cash reward has been added to a challenge, providing users with an incentive to participate in contributing to the collection of 150,000 short videos.

PUBG MOBILE New Skin – Matcha Cone

What is worth mentioning is that the protagonist of the challenge is MatchaCone Set, a newly launched skin in PUBG MOBILE, which took users to popular destinations of Pakistan while performing iconic local dance moves, bringing the summer vibe and joy to the users.

About PUBG MOBILE

PUBG MOBILE is based on PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, the phenomenon that took the world of interactive entertainment by storm in 2017. Up to 100 players parachute onto a remote island to battle in a winner-takes-all showdown. Players must locate and scavenge their own weapons, vehicles, and supplies, and defeat every player in a visually and tactically rich battleground that forces players into a shrinking play zone.

For more information, please visit the official PUBG MOBILE social channels on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

About Snack Video

SnackVideo is a short-form video platform owned by tech heavyweight Kuaishou. Headquartered in Beijing, it is the second largest short video platform by average Daily Active Users (DAUs), and the second largest live streaming e-commerce platform by Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV) globally. Kuaishou/SnackVideo employs more than 20,000 staff across its offices in China, the United States, Brazil, Indonesia, Egypt and GCC.

How To Escape Information Overload?

Lyza Rashid

Jul 19, 2022

information overload escape — Image Source:Fifteen eighty Hour

Information overload is an experience many of us share simply because of our time. It’s 2022, technology is reigning and everybody is glued to their screens. Each time you sit in front of the screen, you learn something. This can be mesmerizing for some and for a while however, after some time, you’ll be suffering from information overload which doesn’t help anybody. Here’s how to avoid it:

What Is Information Overload?

Information overload is a term that was coined in the mid-1960s by an American scientist. According to the scientist, a man or machine can go through this. This is when the input to the subject exceeds its input capacity. Fast forward to us, a study in 2011 found that Americans were taking in five times as much information as they had 25 years earlier on a typical day.

Why Is It Bad For Us?

Information overload is not as good as it seems. Yes, you can always learn something new and knowing too much won’t make you smarter; it can sometimes be counterproductive. Your productivity can slow down as a result. Besides that, you may even take longer to make decisions because you’re confused and overwhelmed by all the information.

Information overload shuts our brains down in simple terms— learn in the right amount and be productive and you’ll be great. However, stuff your brain with knowledge and you’ll be suffering.

How Do WE Avoid This?

Information overload can be avoided in a few simple ways.

The first thing you can do is ensure you have non-screen time on some days of the week or sometime during the day. Completely cutting out the screens, be it TV, laptop or phone, enables you to relax and be away from the information bombardment.

Spend more time outside! Connecting with nature again and focusing on the daily sights of the day is important. It keeps your head in a neutral space where you feel relaxed. As a result, even when information overload may come at you, you can be in a more stable position to fight it.

It all comes down to prioritizing what sort of information do you want? Once you have that sorted, cut down on excess sources of information. Also, set some times during the day or week where you consume further information.

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.

Driving Anxiety? 7 Tips To Calm A Nervous Driver

Dr. Rida Qamar

Jul 19, 2022

Driving is a handy skill, and we often cannot carry out our everyday tasks and errands without travelling from one place to another. However, many people experience extreme anxiety in different ways. Some people experience anxiety before even getting into the car, while others fear the driving aspect. Consequently, their driving anxiety affects their life and often interferes with their work.

Driving anxiety, however, leads to no long-term illness. Even more, is behaviour that is learned hence can easily be unlearned. Here are seven steps on how to overcome this life-crippling anxiety while driving.

1. Avoid Crowded Areas

The last place to be when trying to solve your driving anxiety or panic attack problem is a troubling environment or anything that can distract the driver. Make sure your vehicle meets minimum safety driving standards. Avoid freeway driving, check the blind spots, and signal when turning or changing lanes.

2. Avoid Negative Talk

If you keep thinking and discussing that being in a car will attract an accident, you will never feel comfortable while driving. Driving is dangerous when done irresponsibly, but if you know the limitations and drive with care, you will be safe.

3. Relaxation Techniques

Whenever high stress and anxiety begin to spring forth in new situations, it is a beautiful time to reevaluate your relaxation techniques. Relaxation techniques are behavioural interventions that help minimise stress and anxiety. Mindful meditation and breathing practice can do the trick.

4. Reassurance

The driver can feel more confident while driving if you use affirmations such as “It’s OK if you drive slowly and safely. You can use the left-hand lane and feel safe.” Use positive thinking and handle challenges much better.

5. Take A Moment Before Taking Off

So, you’re happy that the car is ready and you know your route. Before setting off on your journey, take a minute or two to settle into your car. This’ll give you time to calmly check that you have all you need and that any passengers are safely strapped in. It may also help to visualise your safe arrival at your destination. Tell the driver they can do this – after all, they have probably done it many times. Once they feel fully prepared, set off at your own pace.

6. Seek help

Overcoming driving anxiety or fear alone can be impossible, especially if your anxiety has developed into a driving phobia. In such extreme cases, the help of other people, primarily a mental health provider, is necessary. The mental health therapist will recognise the cause of your fear and develop a program that suits you.

7. Desensitization

If the driver cannot even bring themselves to drive, start with exposure therapy such as sitting in a parked car. From here, you can sit with them in the car with the engine running and then do little driving stunts such as parking the car and driving on the back road. With such incremental exposure, they’ll soon gain enough confidence while behind the wheel and overcome driving anxiety. A driving instructor or family member may be of much help. Others may also find virtual reality exposure therapy as the best place to start over this anxiety or panic disorder.

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.

Resident Evil’s 3D Billboard Is Leaving People Scared For Life

Lyza Rashid

Jul 19, 2022

resident evil 3d billboard — Image Source: Youtube

Resident Evil keeps on making the news for all the right reasons. The Netflix series and its release has created a buzz that will not die down soon. Pakistanis are more attuned to the series because one of our very own is a part of it but Resident Evil is a special series for many other reasons too. One of them being the latest 3D of it in NYC that’s scaring people to their core.

What Is The Ad?

The latest ad shows how digital marketing in today’s world brings creativity to the table with technology. The amalgamation of the two creates an ad that keeps making headlines! The ad in NYC is a 3D one that shows their creature trying to break out of its enclosure. The ‘licker’ as it is called, breaks out of its cage and then flicks its tongue out at the crowd.

This whole show is grabbing people’s attention left, right and centre. The licker is a zombie mutation with a lizard-like tongue. Who would not be afraid when they would see this?

Why Resident Evil Is So Good

Resident Evil is another adaptation of the Japanese story of a zombie apocalypse. Not only does it already have a movie, it also has several games to its name that have captured people’s hearts. However, reviews suggest that the Netflix series is by far the best adaptation yet.

No sorry, I really liked that Netflix Resident Evil Show.

— Nickson Phosy (@Zhinse) July 18, 2022

Ahad Raza Mir’s Role

Plus, here’s what’s getting Pakistanis going the way that it is. Our very own Ahad Raza Mir is a part of the show and he’s doing a stellar job. Only recently, his intimate scenes in the show created a lot of tension on social media as Pakistanis called him out for it.

All in all, the show is only beginning to create hype and it’s doing a great job so far!

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.

5 VPN Apps That Can Harm Your Android Phone

Dr. Rida Qamar

Jul 19, 2022

When it comes to protecting your privacy, most VPN apps fail. Before you use a VPN to hide your online shopping from the IT department at your company or help protect yourself from state surveillance – know that not all mobile VPNs are created equal. In fact, some are actively harmful.

VPNs offer an array of potential privacy and security benefits because they put another server between websites and your device. Ideally, a VPN funnels all your traffic through an encrypted, secure, private network, making it more difficult for a third party to monitor your browsing than if your data were exposed on a public network.

VPNs can look perfect on the surface yet still be an absolute privacy and security disaster when you take a closer look. Below are some of the popular VPNs that are not safe to use on your android.

1. Hola VPN

Hola VPN was caught stealing user bandwidth and fraudulently reselling it through their sister company Luminati. The users act as endpoints for the entire network. This means other people are using your resources and IP address when you use Hola, and you can be busted for their activities.

2. Pure VPN

PureVPN review uncovered many problems. In the previous testing, the technicians identified IPv6 leaks, IPv4 leaks, and DNS leaks with their VPN applications. PureVPN was also caught handing over customer data to the FBI (US authorities) despite claiming to have a “zero log policy”.

3. VPN Master

Many free VPNs are offered in the Google Play or Apple stores using variations of the “VPN Master” name. Through testing, it has been found that these VPN Master apps are full of dangerous malware, despite having high ratings and millions of users. Users found that one of these free VPN apps, called “VPN Master Free unlimed proxy” (sic), is owned and operated by a Chinese data collection company called TalkingData.

4. OvpnSpider

Does OvpnSpider need access to your call logs to function as a VPN? Does it need to have your precise location to put stuff on your SD card to be able to change your system settings? Absolutely not. Even with OvpnSpider’s 4.5-star rating from the App Store and 4-star rating from Google Play, the top 10 VPN’s risk index summary detected DNS leaks, a type of critical security flaw in cheap VPNs which exposes your browsing traffic to your internet service provider. It also said that OvpnSpider tested positive for malware and adware.

5. Opera Free VPN

Opera’s browser now includes what it calls a “free VPN”, which they say is “better for online privacy”. First, this is not a VPN at all. Security experts have shown that this is just a web proxy which uses API requests. Second, Opera’s privacy policies include statements about data collection (including usage data) and how this is shared with third parties.

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.

Here’s How Coca-Cola Is Encouraging Recycling This Summer

Lyza Rashid

Jul 19, 2022

coca-cola recycling — Image Source: Grocery Trader

Coca-Cola is on a mission to change the world by making it a world without waste. They are incentivizing people by having a chance to be up and close with the best experiences with nature. What do you have to do in return? You simply have to be interested in recycling bottles.

What Is Coke Doing?

Coke’s latest initiative gives you the chance to win VIP marine and animal conservation experiences. These will be at some of the UK’s best-known family attractions so your holidays will be sorted! What you can do in exchange is simply bring an empty 500ml plastic bottle. These people are being encouraged to recycle their Coke bottles at one of the specifically designed reverse vending machines across Merlin Entertainments attractions.

What Do The Prizes Include?

The prizes include a family VIP behind-the-scenes tour of the SEA LIFE TRUST Cornish Seal Sanctuary in Cornwall. Besides this, there is an opportunity to experience the shark dive at the Bear Grylls Adventure in connection with the Shark Trust. There is also a chance to win a VIP White Rhino Encounter at Chessington World of Adventures Resort in connection with the Chessington Conservation Fund. Lastly, there will be a Green Sea Turtle feed plus VIP Tour of SEA LIFE Manchester.

All these prizes are up for grabs by people who simply give in their bottles for recycling. The lucky winners can get up and close with the best marine and animal life experiences.

Why This Is More Than Just Recycling

This is more than just recycling also. The best part is that Coke is encouraging these experiences at the places that are trusted conservatories and sanctuaries. As a result, you’re not playing a part in promoting zoos and whatnot where animals are exploited.

A World Without Waste

Coca-Cola’s bottles are 100% recyclable. They’re trying to pull attention to how their partnership is just one of the actions they’re taking to achieve the ambition of a World Without Waste.

Over the years, this partnership has resulted in over 100,000 plastic bottles being collected via the reverse vending machines since 2018.

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.

realme 9 4G with its 108MP Ultra-clear Camera is Now Available in Pakistan

Web Desk

Jul 18, 2022

Lahore, 15 July 2022 – realme’s latest mobile offering, the realme 9 4G, goes on sale today for PKR 54,999/- only. As the most recent entrant into the realme 9 series, the realme 9 4G is a complete all-rounder attracting users nationwide with its high-quality features. realme’s latest tech marvel opens up a new era of easy usage, challenging users to use it for comfortable and nonstop work to improve their own performance and the world around them. The mid-range photography star comes equipped with a 108MP AI Triple Ultra-clear camera and a first-in-segment Samsung HM6 Sensor, empowering you to confidently capture the moment with All-Day Clarity.

The realme 9 4G also has an incredible aesthetic owing to its desert-inspired Holographic Ripple Design. However, the realme 9 4G doesn’t just let itself be defined by its aesthetics. The tech democratizer’s latest release is built for amazing performance with a host of exciting features. This incredible handset is available from Monday, July 18, 2022 at outlets nationwide and online so let’s get better acquainted with the amazing specifications that the realme 9 4G has to offer.

The realme 9 4G’s camera module is incredibly high-end. The new smartphone comes with an incredibly detail-oriented 108MP ProLight camera which provides users a highly smooth and crisp photography experience for both professional and personal use. While its megapixel count remains the same as the realme 8 Pro, it contains something that the previous handset lacked – the first-in-segment Samsung HM6 Sensor which elevates its results. The brand new HM6 sensor delivers a 123% increase in light sensitivity for the realme 9 4G. Additionally, equipped with 108 million pixels as small as 0.64μm, the ISOCELL HM6 sensor has the ability to render your captured memories with a superior level of detail.

The cutting edge sensor also supports 3x lossless zoom which allows you to capture no matter how close or far from the subject you are without compromising on quality. Apart from all these improvements, the ISOCELL HM6 sensor is the first to adopt the Nonapixel plus technology. This upgraded pixel binning technology has drastically improved the way it combines and utilizes light information allowing it to take bright and clear pictures even in extremely low light environments.

The back panel of the realme 9 is covered with a dynamic 3D ripple texture created through innovative Plasma Atom-coating and a UV-Nano Imprinting processes. The realme 9 4G features a 90Hz Super AMOLED display which ensures a comfortable viewing experience whether you’re browsing, gaming, or watching movies. A 360Hz touch sampling rate makes every scroll and swipe feel silky smooth and 10,240–level Auto Brightness Adjustment adapts the screen brightness according to your usage to avoid strain on your eyes. The smartphone will also come built with an in-display fingerprint sensor with an integrated heart-rate sensor. The phone measures just 7.99mm in thickness and weighs 178 grams.

The realme 9 4G has so much more to offer. It runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 chipset with 6GB of RAM, 128GB of expandable storage, and realme’s UI 3.0 software. From a connectivity standpoint, the handset supports dual-SIM 4G LTE connectivity and dual-band Wi-Fi. A large 5,000mAh battery powers the device with support for 33W DartCharge fast-charging technology via USB Type-C so you can use the device for long stretches of time without worry. You can get all of this and more by purchasing the realme 9 4G at your nearest smartphone store or exclusively online through the official realme stores on Daraz and AlfaMall for just PKR 54,999/- so hurry and grab yours today!