The real-life couple Ayeza Khan and Danish Taimoor are the lead actors in the new drama serial Mehar Posh on Geo Television. The dynamic duo are working together on a project after what seems to be a lifetime! This has caused quite a frenzy with their die-hard fans and followers!
The new drama, Mehar Posh became the highest-rated first episode in the history of Pakistani Television after its premiere on Friday, 3rd April 2020 beating all previous records held by other TV shows.
Ayeza Khan and Danish Taimoor shared the fantastic news on their social media accounts, Mehar Posh received record-breaking 13.4 TRP’s on Friday. The same day, rival channels Hum TV had a TRP of 7.2 while ARY had 6.1 TRP’s. Mehar Posh made a clean sweep on its premiere night!
The first episode has also received 2.2 Million views on YouTube.
Ayeza Khan thanked everyone for the immense support, here’s what she shared:
“Can’t thank Allah enough for the blessings, what an amazing start. Highest rating of the first episode ever.”
Ayeza Khan plays the role of Mehru while Danish Taimoor is portraying the role of Shahjahan in the drama. Ayeza will be seen as someone going through a traumatic period after being divorced soon after her wedding.
Time and time again users favoring Apple and even Android have wondered, why doesn’t the brand let other manufacturers use its iOS?
Well, there is no definite answer to this question as the tech titan has not had much to say on this. However, if we put our minds to it, then there are 3 main reasons why this has not happened yet.
Reason #1 – To Avoid Drop of Sales
Apple has the option to license their iOS to other manufacturers like Huawei, Oppo or even Xiaomi. However, think about it this way, Apple’s iOS is the brand’s selling point if they let (let us assume) Xiaomi use their system, then their sales would go down. Why would someone want to buy an iPhone priced at $800 if they can get more or less the same thing for $300?
Going back to the 80s, reportedly hundreds of Apple II were cloned illegally as the firmware was copied. This drastically impacted Apple’s sales thus the brand created a complex firmware for their Mac. To tackle this, Apple created a tool called ‘Toolbox’ that would make cloning the OS system one of the most complicated processes at the time.
Reason #3 – The Brand’s Core Value
Steve Jobs built Apple on core values which the company widely adapts and is very serious about. He has once said, “People with passion can change the world for the better”, Apple is very passionate about its products, be it their hardware or software. As long as this value is still adapted, the brand will not give up control on any product be it iOS, MacOS, A11 or others.
Even if Apple wants to license its operating system to benefit from it taking that risk, it might not be as easy as it sounds.
Here’s why:
Reason #4 – Compatibility
iOS will not work with any other smartphone-like Xiaomi, Vivo, or Huawei because of incompatible hardware. Although Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 is more powerful and has 4K Ultra HD support, the A11 chip works better with iOS in most circumstances.
This is mainly because Apple has control over both its hardware and software. The A11 processor has been specifically designed to cater the iOS and the operating system is ‘fine-tuned’ to the A11 processor. Thus, even when licensed, iOS will not work well with other manufacturers.
Reason #5 – Google’s Open Handset Alliance
Let’s assume that Apple is willing to sell both their iOS and processor chips to manufacturers to make tons of money. However, most of the manufacturers have been locked under Google’s Open Handset Alliance.
This prevents them from stepping out of Google’s Android ecosystem and if any of them decide to still do so, Google will take away app of their applications from them. Can you imagine a Samsung or Xiaomi handset without Google Maps, YouTube, Chrome or Google PlayStore?
After canceling its countrywide passenger train operations, the Pakistan Railways ascertained a special quarantine train at the Karachi’s Cantt Station on Monday.
According to a declaration issued by the Pakistan Railways, in view of the situation that’s worsening due to the coronavirus epidemic, it had organized emergency isolation rooms for the suspected sufferers of COVID-19 pertaining to its faculty and workers.
Pakistan Railways Deputy Director Asad Tariq said a total of five carriages were enlisted to make 36 isolated beds for the suspected victims of the novel virus.
He further added that a 30-bed quarantine centre of the Pakistan Railways was already active at the Hassan Railway Hospital near the Cantt Station.
Source/ Arab News
“Now the Pakistan Railways has 66 isolated beds for the people of Karachi,” he said and mentioned that their staff, doctors and paramedics will be active in these isolated coaches round the clock.
The trains comprise of three air-conditioned sleepers and two air-conditioned business coaches having the capability to isolate 36 people. Tariq announced the capacity could be improved if the need rises.
Source/ Arab News
“The chief purpose for the established facility is to quarantine the suspects of coronavirus,” the statement said. It added that the facility was equipped with all the basic and necessary facilities required for the patients having symptoms of the viral disease.
The solitude rooms, according to the statement, would be regulated by the medical staff of the Hassan Railways Hospital.
The Pakistan Railways has also broadened its assistance to the provincial government and inquired some hospitals running in Karachi to send their patients, if need be, to these isolated coaches.
Source/ VOA
Moreover, isolation ward numbers have been pasted at all the coaches. Each cabin also a separate toilet.
Meanwhile, Sindh Transport Minister Awais Qadir Shah has pleaded the Federal Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad to convert the trains standing at different stations into quarantine centers. “All the trains should be converted into quarantine centre, as there is an extreme dearth of hospitals in the country,” he stated.
Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.
The oldest and the only liquor brand in Pakistan Murree Brewery has gotten the go-ahead from the Punjab excise and taxation department to start making hand sanitizer.
The organization has been given permission to make 10,000 gallons of sanitizers a month, Chief Executive Officer Isphanyar Bhandara said by phone. The Punjab excise department did not respond to a request for comment.
Pakistan has been locked down as the government tried to halt COVID-19 from spreading. The Rawalpindi-based Murree has also requested the government to reopen liquor stores to stop the rising sales of toxic illegal liquor that has been harmful to several people.
Earlier this week, the brewery offered to mass-produce and sell hand sanitizer with 70 percent alcohol to help fight the coronavirus outbreak in Pakistan.
Source/ The Economist
According to the CEO, Isphandyar Bhandara, the motivation behind this was very simple. “We wanted to help the country. We buy alcohol so we already have it in stock – where we are making liquor, we can make sanitizers as well.”
He also added “we know how to make it too. When the first few COVID-19 cases started popping up in Pakistan, we made in-house samples for our employees.”
The formula, according to the chief executive of Pakistan’s biggest manufacturer of alcoholic and non-alcoholic products, is very simple. All you need is Ethanol, glycerin, and food color. “It can be made without color as well, it’s not complicated,” he continued.
Source/ Bloomberg
Furthermore, the Punjab excise and taxation department mentioned that they were giving authorization to companies and individuals to make hand sanitizer because the ones currently in the market did not have ethanol.
Moreover, DG Suhail Shahzad said that they had allowed Murree Brewery to make 54,000 liters each month. “Now let’s see how quickly they can deliver.”
Dear all! As per PSQCA sample testing following 23 brands of Sanitizers are not in comformity with WHO standards, we have advised health departments to remove these brands from stores. pic.twitter.com/Aj5gbSgIsD
The Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority has declared sanitizers of 23 brands of poor quality since they do not have enough amount of alcohol in them or pH levels by WHO standards.
The lockdown imposed has made it all over the news, involving panel discussions about how the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) has affected the lives of locals. With the pause on online delivery services, riders, especially those working on daily wages, are highly prone to the effects of the lockdown. To minimize the impact of the pandemic, Pakistan’s largest food delivery platform, foodpanda, has come up with cohesive strategies to ensure their heroes’ health along with their finances, in this challenging time.
On 23rd March, a lockdown was imposed all over Sindh to curb the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), financially affecting the lives of daily wagers. Areas, where people accumulate including offices, public transport and other gathering places, have been shut down, along with the services of online delivery platforms, with foodpanda being the prime example. During times like these, the food delivery platform takes a stand for its heroes by providing them with health, safety and financial support, to ensure their well-being.
For the first time in Pakistan, foodpanda has transferred earning assistance to heroes to cover their basic expenses during the halt of operations in cities that are locked down. Amidst COVID-19, the food delivery platform ensures to create awareness about the virus amongst the heroes by constantly sending them educational messages and prompts to stay cautious. These awareness measures include infographics at rider hubs and social media assets to educate the riders about its levels of severity.
As an extra precautionary measure, an extra highly detailed infographic has been put up on rider hubs which instructs them to abide by the laws under Section 144, with handshakes and physical proximity being the core reasons for the spread of Coronavirus. As a constant reminder, the riders also get a message from the company, thanking them for their services during such a crucial time along with a highly detailed infographic that showcases the preventive measures for the pandemic. Daily temperature checks at rider hubs have now become an integral part of a hero’s job, before starting his shift. Also, to act as a safety measure a complete guide has been integrated on the foodpanda app to support contact less deliveries.
Ever since the outbreak, foodpanda has dispatched hand sanitizers to their heroes on-board and continues to actively distribute face masks and gloves to their heroes. foodpanda kept the heroes motivated by paying them a higher amount of what they earned per order previously. This step was taken in order to cover the financial loss borne by the heroes during the lockdown. If a hero is tested positive for COVID-19, he will be granted a paid leave as part of the newly launched ‘two weeks earning support programme’ to ensure his financial stability. If a case arises where a hero is hospitalized, his insurance will cover his daily expenses on a daily basis
At testing times like these, foodpanda has used all possible methods to ensure the health, safety and financial stability of their heroes. With rightful deliveries being the core pillar of the company, the food delivery platform has rightfully incorporated all means to reassure their riders of them being in safe hands. During the outbreak of Coronavirus, health and safety of heroes is the first measure foodpanda assuring everyone that #foodpandacares.
It’s not an easy job to make people laugh in this current situation. We keep browsing through our phones the entire day, just to see if there’s an update that would lift us up.
Well, the next time you’re looking for something interesting and light-hearted to pep up your mood after a long day at work, you can check out these amazingly funny comedians and you’ll definitely giggle your way through the evening!
Ansari has had a career of two halves. First, he was the playful standup whose routines revolved around clashing cultures and botched romances, a style translated into Netflix’s Master of None.
Instagram is the ultimate photo sharing app and to make your feed aesthetically pleasing you may need professional editing tools and mesmerizing filters.
Before Insta came around, if anyone talked about filters the only thing came to mind was a thin paper sheet used in coffee machines.
Though the app is known for its all time famous “Ludwig” and “Clarendon” filter but if you want a professional touch what Instagarm offers is merely slim.
If you want to make your feed standout and get Insta-famous over night. You will probably love these 5 apps that provides amazing filter and editing options.
Snapseed
Our personal favorite and go-to app for any kind of photography edits are Snapseed. Available on both OS, this app is pretty easy to use. It not only offers an intuitive interface but offers professional level editing tools. Try yourself and you will fell in with features it provides.
Huji Cam
Remember the camera analog photos we used to have in early 90’s? If you like that effect you will definitely love Huji Camera app. You can even take a photo from the app or import your mobile camera images to edit. You can also change the analog to your preference. Give your feed a retro vibe with Huji Cam.
Prisma
Prisma is not a new app but one of ours all time favorite app. It offers such unique feature that you don’t get in any other app. You apply the master looks from famous painters to your ordinary picture to make them your very own masterpieces. Download this app to explore more.
BeFunky
BeFuncky was one of pioneer of filter apps and still in the top ten most rated photo editing app. One of the reason its users favorite is because this app is pretty easy to you use. It provides basic editing options and you will love the black and white filter.
VSCO
You may have seen thousands of photos on Instagram with a #VSCO. Its because this app is a widely used one among professional photographers. Its has tools that you might expect from a highly professional editing software. But super easy to use with a neat interface. You can play around color gradient and unlimited filters.
These apps are top picks and you need to use them to find out your favorite one. Tell us how you edit your photos on Instagram and which app you mostly use?
They may hate him for tweeting about Sarfraz Nawaz or playing an on-screen Muslim in Mulk, but Rishi Kapoor remains one of the few actors in India who have a large following even in Pakistan.
Be it his Muslim characters in Bollywood or his non-Muslims one, people take them as acting which is why Mulk is being as much anticipated on this side of the border as 102 Not Out was a few months back. Let’s go down the memory lane to pick 10 of the most memorable Muslim characters played by Rishi Kapoor that went well even in India, before there was Mulk.
1) Laila Majnu (1976)
In this H. S. Rawail directed classic, Rishi Kapoor played the eternal lover Majnu who gets to perform on Mohammad Rafi’s iconic songs composed by the legendary music composer Madan Mohan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iZMGCvqkUo
2) Amar Akbar Anthony (1977)
Who played the Muslim hero in this Manmohan Desai flick promoting inter-religious harmony? The one and only Rishi Kapoor who became famous as Akbar Ilahbadi, the qawwal who wants to marry Salma and loves to perform on songs that went on to become classics.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GEKreUi-g0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjRgw1naMsc
3) Deedar-E-Yaar (1982)
In what went onto be known as a Muslim romantic film, Rishi Kapoor played Javed Syed Ali Khan opposite Tina Munim, Reena Roy and Jeetendra. This H. S. Rawail movie may not have done well at the box office but Rishi Kapoor was believable as a Muslim, just like he is now, more than 35 years later!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXGKjZ-MxAE
4) Tawaif (1985)
No one could have carried the heavily named Dawood Mohammed Ali Khan Yusuf Zahi character than Rishi Kapoor who speaks fluent Urdu and whose fore fathers hail from Peshawar!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6Zov-a8Q-I
5) Hathyar (1989)
In this JP Dutta film, Rishi Kapoor gave tough time to Sanjay Dutt and Dharmendra as Samiulla Khan and even performed on a Shailendra Singh number.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQA1oW_wZQs
6) Ajooba (1991)
Although this Shashi Kapoor directorial venture failed big time, it was known as the last film featuring Amitabh and Rishi before 102 Not Out. Rishi played the always-in-love Hasan to Amitabh’s Ali who also masquerades as a superhero, Ajooba!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDsdAzkVpRQ
7) Fanaa (2006)
As the time changed, Rishi Kapoor matured to senior roles and played Kajol’s father Zulfikar in this Kunal Kohli thriller, opposite Aamir Khan. The film was a huge hit and Rishi’s acting as a Kashmiri Muslim was hailed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JCszwP5tl8
8) Delhi-6 (2009)
Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra cast Rishi Kapoor as Ali Beg, the head of a Delhi family and he couldn’t have been more perfect in his selection as Rishi spoke with an accent of a Delhi veteran, who was also a Muslim.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjQkN74bCbk
9) Agneepath (2012)
It isn’t that Rishi Kapoor has never played a Muslim villain because his last 2 roles have been exactly that; As Rauf Lala in Karan Malhotra’s remake of Agneepath, he was at his very best and gave the audience chills despite the presence of a bald Sanjay Dutt as Kancha Cheena.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F12qxlkruow
10) D-Day (2013)
Nikkhil Advani’s far-fetched thriller based on India and Pakistan had Rishi Kapoor playing a version of Dawood Ibrahim; here as Iqbal Seth he claims to be a businessman who helps others but with one signal, he could bring the city to a standstill making him more than a businessman!
Islamabad, April 03, 2020: Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Gulberg Greens Islamabad for provision of Information Communication Technology (ICT) services and infrastructure in the society.
The signatories included Muhammad Shehzad Yousuf, Chief Business Operations Officer, PTCL and Shujaat Ullah Qureshi, Secretary, Intelligence Bureau Employees Cooperative Housing Society (IBECHS) Islamabad.
PTCL and IBECHS endeavor to transform Gulberg Greens into a smart city base, where the residents will be able to enjoy hi-speed, unlimited internet & bandwidth, crystal clear voice and Smart TV services with quality content.
On the occasion, Shehzad Yousuf, Chief Business Operations Officer, PTCL, said that “PTCL is committed to contribute towards the society by providing a robust ICT infrastructure and seamless services to the citizens in line with Prime Minister’s vision of a Digital Pakistan.”
Shujaat Ullah Qureshi, Secretary, IBECHS, said, “We feel privileged to partner with PTCL that will enable us to bridge the connectivity gap, provide uninterrupted services and move forward collectively to deliver better internet experience to residents of Gulberg Greens Islamabad.”
PTCL strives to provide communities with the necessary facilities and services that are pertinent for growth and endless possibilities
For the past week, Money Heist (La casa de papel) has been trending on Netflix around the globe, in anticipation of the fourth season’s release today. The Spanish drama series has all the kick that the masses seem to love – action, intrigue, romance, humor, sticking it to the establishment, all of these features in abundance as the current season begins in chaos.
The success of season three saw the show become the most-watched non-English language series in its first week on the platform. So, it’s likely that fans will be lapping up the new season with just a much enthusiasm!
Part three saw the crew plan an even bigger heist, in an attempt to rescue Rio, who had been captured by the authorities. However, when we left them in the finale, things were looking bleak as the gang battled with the authorities at the Bank of Spain.
Doesn't matter if you call it La Casa de Papel or Money Heist … Part 4 premieres in 12 hours!
Created by Álex Pina, Money Heist aka Le Casa De Papel stars Álvaro Morte as The Professor, Itziar Ituño as Raquel, Úrsula Corberó as Tokyo, Miguel Herrán as Rio, Jaime Lorente Lopez as Denver, Alba Flores as Nairobi, Darko Peric as Helsinki, Esther Acebo as Monica, Hovik Keuchkerian, Rodrigo de la Serna, and Pedro Alonso as Berlin.
Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates!
NetSol Technologies is regarded as one of the most successful software development firms in Pakistan, it is a worldwide provider of IT and enterprise software solutions serving the global leasing and finance industry.
The company has recently announced a 20 to 30 percent cut in salaries and has also made plans on laying off some employees. This decision has been taken due to the ongoing Coronavirus crisis and the recession it has caused to the economy.
Source: TechJuice
In an internal email sent to NetSol employees the company stated:
“In order for the company to stay relevant, the management has decided to reduce the company’s expenses, effective from the 1st of April, 2020. It will be implementing a pay cut on employees making more than Rs150,000. A very limited number of resources making less than Rs150,000 might get a salary cut as well.”
The same email also noted that the senior management had already gone through a large pay cut and each division has been asked to reduce costs with minimal impact on the work delivered.
However, hearing this, the employees believe that they deserve a cut in their official working hours by 20 to 30% since their salaries will be reduced by the same amount.
This change in salaries will begin in April, however, the amount for March would stay the same. NetSol’s internal document mentions COVID-19 would deter the company from getting any kind of new business in the near to mid-term and the effect would come across in the third and fourth quarters.
Follow Brandsynario for the latest news, updates and more.
As reported by the Silicon Republic, social media giant, YouTube has been exploring the possibility of developing a platform to rival TikTok since October 2019.
The short-form video feature will be available on YouTube’s mobile app which will be called “Shorts”. Users will be allowed to link their videos to YouTube’s music library.
The feature will allow creating videos similar to those on the Chinese video-sharing app that has surged in popularity in recent months.
A source related to NBC confirmed that YouTube plans to release the feature later this year (2020).
Tiktok has been closely studied by other social media giants such as Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram as the Chinese app rose to fame within no time. None of the apps challenged TikTok directly but YouTube took its first step to challenge the Chinese.
A YouTube spokesperson was approached to comment on the news to which he/she declined to share any information or confirmation of the news.
However, during an unreleased interview with YouTube’s CEO, Susan Wojcicki on Byers Market Podcast NBC News, Wojcicki admitted that the company was looking at moving into shorter-form video features.
For more news and updates, stay tuned to Brandsynario.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has given out a warning that he would order the country’s police and military to shoot anyone who would violate the laws during a month-long lockdown of the island of Luzon, to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Here’s what he said addressing to the nation late at night, on Wednesday.
Let this be a warning to all. Follow the government at this time because it is critical that we have order,”
The coronavirus pandemic has affected the world in the worst possible manner. As it is spreading rapidly throughout the globe, the economy, the events industry, airlines and tourism have taken a huge hit!
With thousands of people affected and killed by this horrifying disease, this doesn’t seem to end anytime soon. However, countries worldwide are taking strict actions against this deadly.
Meanwhile, here’s all you need to know about what’s going around in the world in regards to coronavirus aka COVID-19.
Lockdown in the country amid coronavirus has us all back in the kitchen preparing our favorite meals from scratch. Pakistani politician, Sharmila Faruqi is no different, however, she was cyberbullied by many for a harmless mistake.
While recording a recipe of “red snapper with a lemon butter sauce” for her IG, Faruqi apparently gets confused between the fish fillet and the chicken fillet.
The title of the now-removed video was, ‘Here’s a video of my home cooking made by my maid and house boy!’
Faruqi starts of the video by saying, “I’m taking one chicken fillet because I’m just making it for myself…I’ve taken the chicken fillet and cut off its tail, divided it into two pieces. This is red snapper, it’s a white fish, very tasty and we’re going to garnish it first.”
Is this a joke? 😂😂😂😂
Chicken fillet ki dum kaat li aur red snapper bana dia? https://t.co/cpgknO6sQp
“Woah! So my slip of the tongue in my first ever homemade cooking video provided much needed comic relief in these scary, depressing lockdown days. It went viral on social media blogs, Fb pages, Watsapp, and news. Yes, I said chicken fillet instead of the fish fillet at the start of my recipe and realized it soon after, thinking it’s harmless I let it go & posted the video on my insta since I wasn’t going to cook the fish all over again. Little did I know it will be picked up to provide much-needed laughter these days! I’m glad! Something to talk about instead of the unfortunate rising corona infection numbers across the globe.”
“First, I was shocked, then amused & now happy. However, I had to request a few blogs to take the video off because of the unkind & derogatory remarks by some of their followers especially men. As I politician I take that in my stride but my husband or my son definitely doesn’t. I guess we haven’t learned much during our quarantine days.. we still are so unforgiving to the slightest slip coming from a female more so if she’s a politician. We leave no opportunity to bring a woman down.”
Faruqi responded to her trolls suggesting that even during a depressing and uncertain time, the trolls had to cyberbully her. They never leave an opportunity to insult women.
The pandemic that has engulfed the world in chaos has infected over 1 million people globally. During the ongoing situation, it has been difficult for countries like Pakistan to remain under lockdown, due to at least 25% of the general population being daily wage earners. The lockdown means they would go hungry!
However, the generosity seen in these difficult times by the nation has been superb! Various organizations, celebrities and individuals are working towards reaching out to people to provide them with an adequate amount of ration of food supplies and other essentials that would help them through this tough period.
Similarly, Pakistan’s top tea manufacturing brand, Tapal has shown its solidarity with the nation battling COVID-19. They are sending out a message of hope to everyone struggling due to the pandemic. Tapal is collaborating with various charitable organizations by donating hundreds of thousands of tea packs for the ration bags that are being distributed to the public.
Tapal’s statement over its social media mentions:
“Every bit of kindness we can spare for others makes a huge difference during this tough time. Tapal Tea (Pvt) Ltd aims to help those in need by donating hundreds of thousands of tea packs to the charitable organizations.”
Tapal Sends out Message to the Nation, “Hope Brews Strong, Stay Strong Pakistan.”
A tremendous effort has been made by Tapal to step up, it indeed is the need of the hour, at a time when the country needs immense support from its local brands. The tea brand has shown the rest of the brands what social responsibility looks like.
Let’s hope Pakistanis continue to stand united against this pandemic in order to battle it out, courageously! Are you aware of any local brands supporting the nation during COVID-19? Let us know in the comments below.
Follow Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.
As the novel coronavirus remains spreading throughout the globe, the event’s industry has taken a huge hit as various major events are being cancelled or scaled back around the world for preventative measures.
The coronavirus, which originated in Wuhan, China has killed at least 3,117 people and infected more than 92,000 people over the world.
A list of some of the Major Events Cancelled due to the Coronavirus are:
1. Google I/O 2020
Google has cancelled its I/O developer event that was scheduled to take place between May 12th to 14th. This is Google’s biggest news event of the year where the company introduces new changes to Android. Those who had purchased tickets will be refunded in full by March 13th and will also be granted the option of purchasing a Google I/O ticket for the next year, 2021.
Google also replaced its Cloud Next event with a digital-first event in accordance to the WHO guidelines.
2. World Athletics Indoor Championship 2020
The World Athletics Indoor Championship 2020 that was to be held in Nanjing, China have been postponed due to the virus outbreak. The epicentre of the virus, Wuhan is about 370 miles from Nanjing. The championship was to be held from March 13th to 15th but has now been cancelled. The organising body is now looking to secure a date for 2021.
3. Facebook’s F8
Facebooks annual corporate conference for developers, the F8 has been canceled amidst health concerns after the virus outbreak in the US. The social media giant has announced the F8 to be replaced with local events and live-streamed content.
4. Fashion Week – Giorgio Armani
Apart from conferences and summits, various fashion shows in Milan and Paris have been cancelled after the virus was detected in the country. Georgio Armani cancelled their show as to avoid a large gathering of people.
5. James Bond’s Movie ‘No Time To Die’
MGM, Universal and Bond producers, Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, announced today that after careful consideration and thorough evaluation of the global theatrical marketplace, the release of NO TIME TO DIE will be postponed until November 2020. pic.twitter.com/a9h1RP5OKd
After careful consideration and thoughtful evaluation of the global theatrical marketplace, the release of the upcoming James Bond movie ‘No Time To Die’ has been postponed until November 2020.
6. Apple Cancels iPhone 9 & iPad Pro Launch Event
Source: Fool Canada
Apple has been planning to announce several major devices at its upcoming event including the affordable iPhone 2 SE, Pro line of iPads, and a few other devices. Sadly, none of these announcements will take place anytime soon as the launch event has been canceled due to coronavirus.
Not only that but Apple has reportedly considered changing locations or hosting an online-only event, but it is still not confirmed.
Moreover, there is no official news of Apple rescheduling the event.
7. E3 Event Canceled
Source: Xbox Achievements
The E3 event was supposed to take place in June this year at the Los Angeles Convention Center. According to an official statement released by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), the 3-day event has been canceled.
Here’s what the statement said:
“After careful consultation with our member companies regarding the health and safety of everyone in our industry – our fans, our employees, our exhibitors and our longtime E3 partners – we have made the difficult decision to cancel E3 2020, scheduled for June 9-11 in Los Angeles.
Following increased and overwhelming concerns about the COVID-19 virus, we felt this was the best way to proceed during such an unprecedented global situation. We are very disappointed that we are unable to hold this event for our fans and supporters. But we know it’s the right decision based on the information we have today.
Our team will be reaching out directly to exhibitors and attendees with information about providing full refunds.
We are also exploring options with our members to coordinate an online experience to showcase industry announcements and news in June 2020. Updates will be shared on E3expo.com.
We thank everyone who shared their views on reimagining E3 this year. We look forward to bringing you E3 2021 as a reimagined event that brings fans, media and the industry together in a showcase that celebrates the global video game industry.”
Events that May Be Postponed due to the Virus outbreak are:
1. Olympic Games – Tokyo 2020
The Olympics 2020 that is scheduled to be held from July 24th to 9th August. The summer Olympic games is one of the biggest events the world witnesses and to postpone it would mean a great loss for investors across the globe.
Teams that are set to participate have continued their preparations as no final decision has yet been taken by the International Olympics Committee (IOC).
Japan’s Olympic Minister, Seiko Hashimoto stated, “Tokyo’s contract with the IOC calls for the games to be held within 2020, could be interpreted as allowing a postponement.”
She further added, “we are doing all we can to ensure that the Games go ahead as planned.”
2. Met Gala
The biggest night in Hollywood’s fashion industry popularly known as Met Gala has now been postponed. The annual extravaganza is a celebrity-packed fundraiser for the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Since 2005, the event has been held, without fail until this year.
Credits: Daily Express
The biggest night in Hollywood’s fashion industry popularly known as Met Gala has now been postponed. The annual extravaganza is a celebrity-packed fundraiser for the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Since 2005, the event has been held, without fail until this year.
3. Effie Awards 2020
Creidts: Effie
The Effie Awards 2020 Gala Night was scheduled for April 11th, 2020. However, now that every organization and institution in Pakistan is trying to stay safe in this time of uncertainty, Effie Awards is also trying to do its part to ensure the health and safety of everyone.
Thus, following government guidelines in observing social distancing to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus the Effie Awards 2020 has been postponed until further notice. Hopefully, some good news and a new date will be announced by the first week of April.
4. Cannes Lions 2020
Cannes Lions announced earlier that the annual festival will not take place in October as it had been previously planned.They said that the next edition of the Festival will take place next year in June from the 21st-25th, 2021.
Here’s what their official press statement read:
“As the impact from COVID-19 continues to be felt across the world on consumers and our customers across the marketing, creative and media industries, it has become clear to us our customers’ priorities have shifted to the need to protect people, to serve consumers with essential items and to focus on preserving companies, society and economies.”
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Happilac Paints is one of Pakistan’s leading paint manufacturers which provides coatings solutions through a diversified range of decorative paints, Industrial/protective coatings, texture finishes, wood finishes, road marking paints and ancillaries.
With the recent outbreak of COVID-19, Happilac Paints sends across a public awareness message of postponing the painting of walls, furniture, and other surfaces until the prevailing situation improves countrywide. Despite being one of the top paint producers in the country, the brand aims to highlight the importance of staying home and staying safe, rather than indulging in any sort of painting activity, because of the underlying dangers of the Coronavirus that may pose a threat to people’s lives.
Check out this video!
Coronavirus spreads easily from person-to-person within 6 feet through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. According to the World Health Organization, people could also catch COVID-19 by touching contaminated surfaces or objects – and then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. During the outbreak, people across the country are being urged to practice social distancing, due to which closure of schools, ban on large gatherings, limited travel and stay at home is being urged by the government.
Happilac Paints initiated a campaign related to the Coronavirus awareness across social media to spread awareness about the disease and to inform the general public about the safety measures, and how they can take precautions to avoid the transmission of this disease. The brand is diligently working to educate the masses about Coronavirus, its symptoms, and protective measures for the safety of the people all over the country.
The brand is mindful of the seriousness of the Coronavirus and the dangers it brings along to our lives, therefore, keeping health factors on top, Happilac is selflessly encouraging people to take precautions while staying home and avoiding any painting activity at their homes to minimize the risks attached to it.
Unlike other brands, Happilac Paints responsibly took the initiative of setting up a relief fund for painters to support them in these unfortunate times, to share their burden in this hour of need. The brand is focused to give back during the Coronavirus pandemic by doing its part remarkably and is gallantly making a difference in the lives of many.
Lahore (April 2, 2020): To meet the nutritional needs of both affectees and frontline workers during these times, Nestlé Pakistan has committed 100 million rupees in the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the pledge, Nestlé Pakistan will give product and cash donations, which will include 4 million servings of milk, iron-fortified dairy products, baby cereals, water and juices.
Highlighting the efforts, Samer Chedid, CEO, Nestlé Pakistan said, “We will be mobilizing relief to medical facilities (quarantine centers) and food-delivery organizations serving vulnerable families, worth 100 million rupees, in the form of product and cash donations, through national and provincial disaster management authorities and local governments.”
“We have also joined hands with reputable NGOs in response to their COVID 19 emergency appeals to support deserving people across Pakistan. We have invited all our employees to step forward and donate one day’s salary for supporting people going through hard times. The donation intimations by employees will be matched 1:1 by Nestlé Pakistan,” Chedid said.
Chedid also emphasized on the additional safety measures Nestlé was undertaking internally. “We are making sure that we keep our employees healthy and safe, and that they follow the most stringent safety protocols at all our manufacturing and warehouse facilities, as advised by the World Health Organization.”
Nestlé Pakistan is working tirelessly to ensure that much-needed food and beverage products are available for our consumers across Pakistan, in commitment to the strategic roadmap laid out by Prime Minister Imran Khan and respective provincial leaderships. At Nestlé, we care deeply for people and for the communities in which we operate, and we believe we have an essential role to play during the COVID-19 crisis.
The coronavirus pandemic is an ongoing crisis the world is facing, with over 900,000 people infected with the disease worldwide. The crisis has claimed more than 48,000 lives till date. The virus that originated in Wuhan, China has now spread globally.
The one thing that Coronavirus has brought forward is the wearing of masks to protect yourself from the virus. It is slowly becoming the new normal, going out for groceries? You would see people wearing masks and gloves. However, people have been undivided over this and the topic has been debated on multiple times over.
Source: Khaleej Times
To Wear or Not to Wear, What Does the WHO Say?
To wear or not to wear the face mask? That has become the key question during the pandemic as the face mask has become a symbol of our changed lives under coronavirus.
In a recent briefing by the WHO held on 30th March, they still stand by their previous recommendation of wearing masks only if:
You are sick
Caring for someone who is sick
You are a frontline health worker
However, WHO was careful not to criticize countries that advise wearing of masks. The agency stressed on the fact that the masks are commonly misused and therefore don’t offer the required protection.
They believe, wearing a mask will make people less vigilant and give a sense of false security, such as they may not wash their hands often. WHO also added that a mask becomes less effective when it does not cover your nose or when people touch the outside of the mask.
What the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases & CDC Are Saying:
The US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases are under a discussion to recommend the broad use of masks in America said their Director, Dr.Anthony Fauci. The CDC is also looking at the same issue carefully as the US now has the highest number of people infected with Covid-19. On Monday, President Trump in a White House briefing mentioned:
“We are not going to be wearing masks forever, but it could be for a short period of time after we get back into gear. I could see something like that happening for a period of time.”
What Does the New Research Say?
Ongoing research in the US by MIT Professor Lydia Bourouiba used high-speed cameras and sensors to see what happens after we sneeze and cough. They found that coughs can project liquid up to 6m away while sneezes can reach up to 8m away.
She spoke to BBC and said she was worried of the current concept of ‘safe distances’. She further mentioned,
“What we exhale, cough or sneeze is a gas cloud that has high momentum that can go far, traps the drops of all sizes in it and carries them through the room. So having this false idea of safety at one to two metres, that somehow drops will just fall to the ground at that distance is not based on what we have quantified, measured and visualised directly.”
Image Source: Business Insider
Does This Change What We Know About Masks?
Prof Bourouiba believes certain situations, especially indoors in poorly ventilated rooms, wearing masks would reduce the risks. She says, when facing someone who’s infected, masks could help divert the flow of their breath and its load of virus away from your mouth.
She further adds,
“Flimsy masks are not going to protect from inhaling the smallest particulates in the air because they do not provide filtration, but they would potentially divert the cloud that is being emitted with high momentum to the side instead of forward.”
According to Prof Heymann, a WHO Adviser, the new research from MIT and other institutions would be taken under consideration and evaluated because it suggests that droplets from coughs and sneezes could be projected further than originally perceived.
Prof Heymann also said that if the evidence is supported, then “it might be that wearing a mask is equally as effective or more effective than distancing.”
Countries Where Face Masks Are Mandatory:
As the debate over mask wearing continues, there are some countries who have made it mandatory for people to wear masks in public. These countries include:
Czech Republic
Slovakia
Bosnia
Austria
So, the answer to your question about masks becoming mandatory could be a yes as per the laws in your country.
The UAE has made it mandatory for people to wear a mask when they go to the grocery store, not doing so could result in a fine of Dh. 1,000. Other countries like Hong Kong saw a considerable decrease in cases when the public began wearing masks outdoors.
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You might as well have noticed ‘Dalgona Coffee’ going viral on social media. Amid the coronavirus outbreak, cafe’s across the globe have shut down and people have found an alternative for their caffeine fix.
We tried making it at home, and we loved it! The drink is very much like the whipped coffee we make at desi households, only to be added to cold milk and not warm milk.
You need a total of three ingredients instant coffee (only instant coffee can mimic the foam), sugar (white or brown), and milk (any kind of milk would do).
Image Source/ okonomikitchen.com
For one cup of coffee, you will need 2 teaspoons of instant coffee, 2 teaspoons of sugar, and 2 teaspoons of hot water. Combine them, and beat them for good 15 minutes until you see the liquid mixture tuning into a foam but we are pretty sure, you will have a sore arm at the end of it. Great way to start your mornings during the lockdown!
If you’re making it for more than one serving, just add the ingredients accordingly. Use a hand beater instead. Your whipped foam will be ready in less than 2 minutes.
Once done, add ice cubes to your glass. Pour milk as you like and place the foam on top. You can choose to add more or less as to how strong you like your coffee and tadaaa!
Watch How to Make Dalgona Coffee Here:
Your aesthetically pleasing glass of Dalgona Coffee is ready!
No need to step out of the house for an iced latte. Mix it well once you’re done taking pictures of your glass.
Would you try it? Let us know in the comment section below.
For more exciting recipes, stay tuned to Brandsynario.
