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

  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Additionally, the Summit will also discusses about the following:

• Connecting through Discovery Commerce: The importance of discovery through innovation, and how businesses can engage with their customers through personalised experiences with the right tools and technology 

• Elevating the success of entrepreneurs: How Meta technologies empower small and medium-sized businesses across diverse industries to innovate, connect, and grow sustainably

• Inspiring creativity across social media: How brands and creators can leverage Reels and video formats to build meaningful and sustained connections with people through rich and textured storytelling experiences. 

The Meta Marketing Summit is a fully virtual event and you can choose how you want to enjoy the Summit as we’re offering these three options:

• First, you can watch the Summit throughout the day tomorrow with interactive elements such as Live Q&A with Meta experts to answer your questions. 

• Second, if you prefer to watch specific sessions or browse around, you can go to our Watch Anytime library where you have access to the full range of content.

• Third, if you are short on time or you are on the move, you can listen to our podcasts with quick summaries of our main content.

These options are available on Meta Marketing Summit website starting from 29 September until October 31, 2022. 

- ENDS

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State Life Insurance Corp of Pakistan Jobs 2022 - #JobsAtStateLife

State Life Insurance Corp of Pakistan Jobs 2022

Applications are invited for the following vacant position and job mentioned as follows. latest jobs in pakistan, jobs in pakistan, jobs in karachi, latest jobs pakistan, state life insurance corp of pakistan jobs 2022,

Positions Announced:

1. Head of Takaful

MBA or Masters in related fields like Insurance, Risk Management, Accounting/Finance, Economics, etc. from HEC recognized University/Institute. A degree/Diploma in ACII / FLMI / Shariah would be an added advantage.

Must have at least 10 years of relevant professional experience in the Insurance Industry with 05 years in a Senior Position or as Head of Takaful/ Should have exposure to Banca Takaful Group Family Takaful

Maximum 55 Years, relaxation may be allowed in case of highly qualified, relevant, and more experienced candidates.

Salary Package: Market-based negotiated salary commensurate with experience & qualification of candidate • Attractive perks and fringe benefits • Corporation maintained car plus petrol

Initially for a period of Two Years and further extendable as per need

Last date to apply for the job:

Within 15 days

How to apply:

Please download the Application Form from the State Life Insurance website (www.statelife.com.pk). Send duly-filled Application Forms to State Life, Principal Office, 2nd Floor, Building No.9, Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed Road, Karachi by courier/registered mail within 15 days of publication of this advertisement. For further information, please contact 021-99204527, 111-111-888. Only shortlisted candidates will be called for the test/interview. No TA/DA is admissible. Government employees may apply through the proper channel after getting NOC from the parent department. The Corporation reserves the right to accept/reject any application or postpone/cancel the recruitment process without assigning any reason. Incomplete applications / received after the due date shall not be entertained. We are an equal-opportunity employer. Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

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Pakistan wins bronze at the Women’s tent pegging grand Prix in Jordan

Lahore: For the first time in the Country’s history, a three-member women’s equestrian team, supported by Fatima Fertilizer, claimed a bronze medal for the country in the recently held women’s tent pegging grand Prix championship which took place in Jordan in the historic city of Petra from September 22 to 24, 2022. This was the first major event for Pakistan’s women’s tent pegging team which was selected after the Equestrian Federation of Pakistan held open trials to select the best players. Kinza Farhat, Ayesha Ahmed Khan, and Zoya Meer represented the Pakistani team at this international event.

https://wave-tv.blogspot.com/2022/09/spotify-talks-on-pakistani-women-in.html

“Fatima Fertilizer, being the country’s leading fertilizer manufacturer, stands firmly rooted within Pakistan’s rural community. Our mission is to win the hearts of Pakistani farmers and rural folk by supporting their most preferred game of tent pegging, which portrays our culture and identity. We are working with the Equestrian Federation of Pakistan and Pakistan Rangers (Punjab) to discover Pakistan’s exceptional talent in this game and showcase it to the world. We remain steadfast to revitalizing the lost glory of tent pegging and bringing it back to limelight. We congratulate the winning team of Pakistani women equestrians for earning this remarkable achievement and wish them much more success in the future”, said Rabel Sadozai, Director of Marketing and Sales at Fatima Fertilizer.

Sahibzada Sultan Muhammad Ali, who has recently taken the reigns of the Equestrian Federation as its president called it a great moment for the sport in Pakistan especially the recently inducted female riders who are a source of inspiration to all. 

https://wave-tv.blogspot.com/2022/09/coca-cola-foundation-provides-funding.html

Tent pegging is a traditional sport of equestrian discipline and has been played in Pakistan for many decades. The sport is internationally played in a lot of countries around the World but is most popular within the commonwealth countries. As per the Equestrian Federation of Pakistan, Pakistan holds the distinction of producing the highest number of tent pegging champions than any other country in the region. However, despite all its history and adventurism, the sport is yet to attract the significant attention it deserves. Support from the Government and private sector can help position Pakistan as a major champion of this sport in the global arena.

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Spotify Talks on Pakistani Women in Music With EQUAL Ambassadors, Momina Mustehsan, Natasha Baig and Zoha Zuberi

Spotify Talks Reflects on the Experiences of Pakistani Women in Music With EQUAL Ambassadors, Momina Mustehsan, Natasha Baig and Zoha Zuberi

“EQUAL Pakistan gives women creators 20 times more chances of being discovered by a new fan”- Rutaba Yaqub, Spotify’s Music Manager 

Karachi: Today, Spotify launched the first episode of its digital series Spotify Talks, dedicated to women in music. Hosted by Anoushey Ashraf and featuring Momina Mustehsan, EQUAL Pakistan Ambassador for September, alongside previous EQUAL Ambassadors Natasha Baig and Zoha Zuberi, the episode sheds light on the journeys women creators embark on when pursuing a career in music.

From the lack of social support for their career choices to having limited opportunities in the music industry, the panelists discussed the resistance they faced and how they persisted. Creating a path for themselves in a male-dominated industry requires hard work and personal drive to find the right avenues for their work to be seen and heard.

“For me, the reason that I ever made music is because I feel like it’s a tool of storytelling. So, I never even imagined a scenario where anyone would really be paying much attention to it,” tells Momina on why she started making music.

“I think everything comes with a cost. And yes, it was very hard to deal with the attention that I was getting initially, but looking back at it, I think every learning experience comes with some kind of process. And either you are able to deal with it or it takes you a little longer to try and figure it out,” she added while sharing her experience of going viral overnight.

Speaking of her experience as a woman hailing from Hunza Valley and choosing a career that is still not considered appropriate widely, Natasha shared how her choice impacted her relationship with her father. “My father never believed in my dreams. Although I was the first Hunzai girl coming all the way from the North who was dreaming about going into this commercial scene, I was quite confident about myself and so, I just told my father that I really want to do this.”

“I grew up with two brothers and what frustrated me the most was why all the rules were made for me and not for them. Just because I didn’t get to choose my gender does not mean that I give up all my dreams,” added Natasha.

The episode, spanning 60 minutes, also highlights how Spotify is leveling the playing field for women in audio through its music program EQUAL Pakistan which is opening doors for women, regardless of their career stage or genre, to have their music discovered across the globe.

"Women artists added to our EQUAL Pakistan playlist are 20 times more likely to get discovered by a new fan. We are seeing fans listening to EQUAL Pakistan from the US, UK, Canada, Saudi Arabia and India," shared Rutaba Yaqub, Spotify's Music Manager for Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Despite barriers surrounding music careers, many young creators find comfort in it, including Zoha Zuberi, who talked about how music empowered her to express herself.

“For me, music was always about how I felt, and it was nothing else. So I wrote down my feelings, composed what I wrote, and I just wanted to share that with the world like a personal diary that you are putting out there. Because as an introverted child, I had nothing else to communicate with. I only had music,” said Zoha.

Towards the session's conclusion, the panelists highlighted the importance of educational avenues for the younger generation of Pakistani musicians while also discussing the value of collaboration between artists and how it fosters creativity.

Acknowledging the importance of collaborations Anoushey Ahsraf added, “This generation of musicians is more open to collaboration. It's amazing to see Meesha Shafi and Atif Aslam collaborating with younger generations of musicians. They've decided to evolve instead of rejecting the idea of collaboration.”

As a close to the insightful and lively discussion, Natasha Baig performed a soulful rendition of her song, Wajood-e-Zan.

To watch the entire “Women in Music” episode, head to the Spotify Talks Ep 1 Session Link.

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China’s ex-minister of justice sentenced to death for taking bribes worth 117 million yuan

China's ex-minister of justice Fu Zhenghua was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve for taking bribes worth more than 117 million yuan ($16.5 million) and bending the law for personal gains, according to the Intermediate People's Court of Changchun in Northeast China's Jilin Province on Thursday.

Fu was deprived of his political rights for life, and all his personal property was confiscated. After the expiration of two years' reprieve for his death sentence, his sentence will be commuted to life imprisonment, with no possibility of commutation or parole, according to the court ruling.

From 2005 to 2021, Fu took advantage of his positions, including the positions as head of the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau, vice minister of public security, minister of justice and deputy head of the Committee on Social and Legal Affairs of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, to provide convenience to some institutes and individuals in company operation, position adjustment and handling of cases, through which Fu took bribes worth more than 117 million yuan ($16.5 million) either directly or through relatives, said the court.

From 2014 to 2015, Fu concealed evidence involving suspected serious crime by his brother Fu Weihua, when he served as head of the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau. This concealment allowed Fu Weihua to avoid prosecution for a long time, according to the court.

The sum of bribes Fu had taken was huge, and he committed particularly serious crimes, which caused a heavy loss to the interests of the state and people and also had particularly bad social impact, said the court.

However, he received death with reprieve with consideration that Fu had confessed to all his crimes and pled guilty during the investigation, provided clues for important cases and had been cooperative in returning his illegal gains, according to the court.

Fu Zhenghua, 67, served as justice minister between March 2018 and April 2020 before assuming deputy head at the Committee on Social and Legal Affairs of the National Committee of the CPPCC.

Also on Thursday, Wang Like, former member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Jiangsu provincial committee and former head of the commission for political and legal affairs of the CPC Jiangsu provincial committee, was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve for taking and offering bribes, sheltering and conniving with mafia-like organizations, and forging identity documents, according to the Intermediate People's Court of Changchun.

Wang took advantage of his various positions to facilitate others in business operations, securing loans, job transfers, legal cases, and other matters. In return, he illegally accepted money and gifts worth 440 million yuan ($63.04 million).

Wang was also found to have offered bribes worth over 97.31 million yuan to other people, including former vice minister of public security Sun Lijun, among the criminal charges brought against Wang.

The court said after the two-year reprieve for his death sentence, Wang's sentence could be commuted to life in prison in accordance with the law, but no further reduction or parole shall be granted.

Three other Chinese officials were also sentenced on Wednesday for taking bribes. 

Gong Dao'an, former deputy mayor and police chief of Shanghai Municipality, was sentenced to life in prison for taking bribes. Deng Huilin, former deputy mayor of Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for taking bribes. Liu Xinyun, former vice governor of north China's Shanxi Province, was sentenced to 14 years in prison for taking bribes and abuse of power.

Global Times

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MMBL Announces Major Policy Changes to Financially Empower Employees amidst Inflation

MMBL Announces Major Policy Changes to Financially Empower Employees amidst Inflation

Karachi: Pakistan’s largest digital bank, Mobilink Microfinance Bank Limited has announced the conversion of all of its Bank Contract Employees to Full-Time Employees (FTEs). Under the policy change, contractual employees will be habilitated to permanent employees in phases, subsequently getting medical insurance for them as well as their families. The FTE policy revisions reflect MMBL’s commitment to providing competitive compensation to its hardworking employees and its dedication to their financial well-being.

Under this initiative, over 500 bank contract employees will be converted to FTEs in different phases. Along with flexible insurance plans, contractual employees will receive a pay continuation plan as well. As a reliable employer, MMBL understands its responsibility to help the employee’s family meet their financial obligations. Therefore, the Bank will continue to pay the employee’s family a monthly stipend for three (3) years in case of natural or accidental death.

Moreover, employees at different cadres will also receive an improved monthly medical OPD allowance starting January 2023. The medical OPD allowance will enable employees to increase their monthly payout and manage the ever-rising medical costs, particularly in the current economic situation.

All employees, who are not receiving fuel/ transport/car allowance and have a monthly salary of less than PKR 50,000 will also receive an increment as part of the recent changes. All of these revisions are an industry-first, setting benchmarks for promoting employee well-being and financial stability. 

Sharing his thoughts, Ghazanfar Azzam, President & CEO, MMBL said: “Changes in the FTE policy come at the right time as the rising inflation has restricted everyone’s buying power. The Bank is cognizant of the difficulties faced by its employees and strives to enable them to manage their expenses without affecting their savings. This initiative ensures MMBL’s commitment to employees' financial inclusion alongside its customers and communities.”

Muhammad Haroon Khan, Chief People Officer, MMBL said: "MMBL enjoys the reputation of being an Employer of Choice because of the power it vests in its greatest asset- People. The recent changes in our People & Organization Policy are indicative of our promise to foster employee engagement and loyalty by offering the best in the industry, may it be remuneration, benefits, or culture."

In 2021, MMBL achieved noteworthy growth and was recognized as an Approved Employer for its outstanding employee development and training initiatives by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). The Bank prioritizes cultivating a strong work culture, accelerating diversity, and fostering an inclusive and equitable environment for all of its staff. 

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Pakistan wants Facebook's parent company (Meta) to establish office in the country

Minister for Foreign Affairs Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has asked a high-ranking Meta official to open their company's office in Pakistan in a bid to facilitate communication between the local authorities and the social media giant.

Facebook is now called Meta, the company announced last year, in a rebrand that focuses on building the "metaverse," a shared virtual environment that it bets will be the successor to the mobile internet.

The foreign minister met Meta's Global Affairs President Nick Clegg on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly's (UNGA) 77th session, where he is part of the delegation representing Pakistan.

The foreign minister, talking about the opportunities available in Pakistan, said that the country has a tech-savvy young population (64% below the age of 30), high teledensity, massive digitisation of the economy, and a business-friendly regulatory regime.

“Pakistan’s IT sector has registered strong growth in the recent past opening new opportunities for platforms like Meta to expand its operations in Pakistan”, the foreign minister told the social media company's official.

https://wave-tv.blogspot.com/2022/09/mmbl-announces-major-policy-changes-to.html

Clegg said that Meta’s Pakistan team comprises entirely of Pakistani professionals. He briefed the foreign minister on Meta’s ongoing connectivity and capacity-building programmes in Pakistan.

Clegg reaffirmed Meta’s interest in continued engagement with Pakistan to explore modalities of further strengthening collaboration in digital space.

In October last year, the government introduced Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguards) Rules, 2021, directing social media platforms to register themselves with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). However, it has borne no fruit so far.

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Coca-Cola Foundation provides funding to CARE to support flood affectees in Pakistan

 Coca-Cola Foundation provides funding to CARE to support flood affectees in Pakistan

To further CARE International’s commitment to uplift Pakistan’s vulnerable communities in remote and urban areas, the organisation has accepted a grant from The Coca-Cola Foundation, the global philanthropic arm of The Coca-Cola Company, to provide emergency aid to the flood affected population in Pakistan.

This grant supports immediate relief efforts in Pakistan for approximately 1,000 households with essential supplies including shelter kits, non-food items, and hygiene kits. Saadia Madsbjerg, President of The Coca-Cola Foundation said, “The sheer scale of damage across Pakistan owing to the ongoing catastrophic floods is unprecedented. Led by the dedicated team at CARE, The Coca-Cola Foundation’s grant of USD 250,000 will be directed towards emergency flood relief in Balochistan.”

The Pakistan floods require a united global response. “CARE International in Pakistan is one of the few organizations which are on ground providing life-saving assistance to flood affected families since the onset of the emergency. The needs of the affected communities are huge as one third of Pakistan is under water and every passing day is bringing more challenges for the communities as in many areas the water is stagnant creating health hazard. This large emergency requires coordinated efforts between government, I/NGOs and donors including corporates. CARE has partnered with The Coca-Cola Foundation for provision of immediate relief to the flood affected population, particularly women and children.” said Adil Sheraz, Country Director at CARE International in Pakistan.

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Carrefour Unveils €30 Shopping Basket In Spain Following Price Cut Proposal

Carrefour is to sell Spanish consumers a basket of 30 basic goods for €30, the company has announced, days after Spain announced it was considering asking major retailers to offer special price packages to mitigate inflation.

“The current situation requires agile and effective measures," commented Alexandre de Palmas, executive director of Carrefour Spain.

"In these times, where each act of purchase is more valuable than ever, Carrefour is responding to its customers. We are working to offer savings solutions that protect the purchasing power of families in Spain."

The government's announcement was met with criticism by Spanish business groups and some politicians, who view the move as the government engaging in price intervention.

Agreements With Supermarkets

Labour Minister Yolanda Diaz, who announced she was seeking agreements with supermarkets on Monday, has denied these criticisms, saying it will help impoverished families continue to eat healthily.

Diaz, one of Spain's three deputy prime ministers and the most senior government official from its junior, far-left coalition partner Unidas Podemos, told Spain's Eldiario.es news outlet an agreement would determine a basket of basic products in which they can set prices.

French retailer Carrefour - the second-largest grocery chain in Spain after dominant Mercadona - said it hoped to bolster the purchasing power of Spanish families. The exclusive basket offer will include tinned food, pasta, oil and coffee among other products.

The main employers' association, the CEOE, denounced Carrefour's move as "soviet," while Spain's agriculture minister, a member of coalition leader Socialist Party (PSOE), said under European law, price interventions could only be adopted in regulated markets. The agri-food sector has called for a food tax reduction.

Diaz told journalists on Wednesday she had never mentioned price interventions, but rather "an agreement between retailers and consumer and user associations to do something... completely legal."

Government spokesperson Isabel Rodriguez said on Tuesday the government backed Diaz speaking to supermarkets.

Inflation Hits Double Digits

Inflation hit 10.3% in August in Spain. In July, flour marked a price rise of almost 40%, and pasta, eggs or milk exceeded price increases of 22%.

Carrefour and Diaz will meet on Thursday, and Diaz will meet retailers' associations and consumer groups on Monday.

In August, Carrefour said it was freezing the price of 100 products in France, from tinned sardines to rice and washing up liquid.

Spain's government has already committed €30 billion to measures aimed at high energy costs such as with fuel rebates and VAT reductions for gas and electricity.

In June, Spain capped the price of gas used to produce electricity, a move now being studied for replication in the rest of the bloc's countries.

Another popular measure has been the launch of free rail passes and discounts on public transport in cities.

Source

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Mondelez Pakistan’s Hub Plant wins Annual Environmental Excellence Award at the National Forum on Environment & Health

Mondelez Pakistan’s Hub Plant wins Annual Environmental Excellence Award at the National Forum on Environment & Health 

Karachi:  Mondelez Pakistan achieved another milestone in establishing greener, more sustainable operational infrastructures by bagging the coveted Environmental Excellence Award 2022 presented by the National Forum for Environment & Health (NFEH) Pakistan. The prestigious accolade is presented to organizations that are dedicated towards the mission of effective implementation of local as well as international environmental standards at their work facilities. Mondelez Pakistan’s Hub Plant was declared a winner after careful considerations by the NFEH jury.

The 19th Annual Environmental Excellence Awards were hosted in Karachi. For almost 2 decades, the awards have recognized substantial contributions made by various organizations to promote environment-friendly practices. Mondelez Pakistan competed for the honor from a group of more than 200 companies whose efforts were scrutinized by a panel of NFEH auditors on the basis of continuous improvement initiatives taken to reduce environmental impact. The steps and improvements implemented at the Mondelez Pakistan Hub Plant, stood out to the auditors. 

Commenting on the development, Mondelez Pakistan representative, stated: “Sustainability and environment conservation is one of our priorities at Mondelez Pakistan. We continuously strive towards optimizing our business operations in a way that it can reduce the harmful footprint that these activities leave on the environment. Being awarded with the Environmental Excellence Award this year is an honor for us and it will motivate further initiatives in this regard.”

From cutting deforestation and waste generation to preserving water and mitigating CO2 emissions, Mondelez Pakistan has been actively launching initiatives that support its objectives of reducing environmental risks posed by its operations.

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Emirates adds another feather in its cap with Gerry the Goose ‘Fly Better’ campaign

New TV and online advertising campaign takes playful look at the airline’s Fly Better philosophy

Karachi, September 15, 2022: Following in the footsteps of iconic film and TV personalities Jennifer Aniston, Chris Hemsworth and Jeremy Clarkson, Emirates latest brand ambassador Gerry the Goose is inviting customers to take a gander at the benefits and services of the world’s largest international airline, and choose to ‘Fly Better’.

From September, the global ad campaign will be in full flight across the USA and Europe, reminding customers that Emirates provides an ‘impeckable’ travel experience on-board with award-winning in-flight entertainment, world-class cabin crew, regionally inspired cuisine and acclaimed beverages. To compliment the ‘best-in sky’ offering, Emirates also offers an impressive on-ground experience– through a myriad of online and home check-in options, chauffeur-driven airport transfers and outstanding lounges.

The campaign storyline follows Gerry as he ruffles feathers by deciding to Fly Better aboard a comfortable and sophisticated Emirates Premium Economy cabin, while his migrating bird-brethren are in ‘fowl humour’ after a long and tiring flight by wing. Gerry is spotted smugly bypassing his counterparts as they fly outside the plane window, while he indulges in a delicious meal and reclines in his spacious seat to enjoy ‘The Goose, The Bad and The Ugly’ movie on his 13.3” personal entertainment screen. 

‘In terms of the qualities and profile we look for in our brand ambassadors – we are spreading our wings,’ said SVP of Marketing & Brand at Emirates, Richard Billington. ‘Gerry is a savvy traveller who knows what he wants and where he wants to go- but he’s adamant he’ll do it in style, with luxury and comfort as a priority. Having witnessed his seamless travel experience, we are confident that next time his friends will choose to Fly Better.’

Gerry the Goose Bio

Gerry’s career began in Emirates Headquarters in Dubai, where the concept of his journey was ideated and began to take flight. Then onto to Untold Studios in London, where initial 3D models of geese were brought to life via Computer-Generated Imagery (GCI). The CGI and filming process took 14 weeks and involved a talented team finessing every feather along with lighting and texture, while ensuring carefully created movements brought the character to life. This included time to animate Gerry’s friends, a shoot in London to capture the nature scenes, and a shoot on board Emirates’ aircraft in Dubai.

Relatively new to the acting scene, Gerry cites his career highlight so far as being featured in the Emirates TV ad campaign. The ad will run in 25 countries for one month, starting with the USA on the 30th August, followed by Europe.

Throughout filming, Gerry collaborated with British voiceover talent Michael Cronin to capture the dulcet tones of an experienced nature documentarist. 

Gerry’s species heritage is Canada goose (Branta canadensis), large wild geese with black heads and necks, white cheeks, white under the chin, and a brown body. They are native to the arctic and temperate regions of North America, found during migration across the Atlantic in northern Europe.

Gerry the Goose admires the acting work of Ryan Gosling, who he says ‘gives him goose bumps’.

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HUAWEI MateBook X Pro depicted and reviewed: It is hand down the Ultimate Elegant High-Performance Flagship Laptop

Boasting an impressive 3.1K Real Colour HUAWEI FullView Display, Ultra-slim magnesium alloy body, 12th Gen Intel i7 processor and more

When the topic of flagship laptops is brought up, some of the things that might cross your mind are probable jaw-dropping design, outstanding performance, visionary capabilities, right? Essentially, a flagship laptop should stand out in every aspect with high-end specifications and features that enhance the overall user experience. This is what Huawei did with its newly released HUAWEI MateBook X Pro: It comes with a new, unique and minimalist design highlighted by a 3.1K Real Colour FullView Display and an ultra-slim magnesium alloy body. Its robust performance has been boosted thanks to the EvoTM certified 12th Gen Intel® Core™ processor in addition to the futuristic Super Device features which re-define the smart flagship laptop experience, allowing the HUAWEI MateBook X Pro to set itself as the new benchmark in that segment.

Without further ado, here’s what we depicted of this stunning flagship laptop:

HUAWEI MateBook X Pro

3.1K Real Colour FullView Display + Ultra-Slim Magnesium Alloy Body

The new HUAWEI MateBook X Pro features a 14.2-inch screen with 3.1K (3120 x 2080) high resolution and 264 PPI. The screen does not show graininess when viewed from a normal reading distance. The new HUAWEI MateBook X Pro features a 14.2-inch HUAWEI Real Colour FullView Display that supports precision 10-point high-sampling-rate touch control. It maintains Huawei's advantages in the display field in four dimensions, being clear, smooth, authentic and comfortable. Huawei has introduced more industry-leading breakthroughs including Universal Colour Consistency and professional anti-reflection, making Huawei’s professional display a benchmark in the industry. In addition to a refresh rate of up-to 90 Hz  browsing files, glancing pop-up comments in videos, playing games and more will all look and feel smooth. A laptop with excellent colour gamut performance will be important for professionals who need accurate colour reproduction during retouching and colour correction. The new HUAWEI MateBook X Pro supports the film-grade P3 wide colour gamut. P3 now exhibits a 20% larger colour gamut than sRGB for the commonly used red and green. The new HUAWEI MateBook X Pro has reached the colour accuracy of ΔE<1  in the P3 colour gamut and sRGB colour gamut. It has also passed the TÜV Rheinland Pro-level Colour Accuracy with Dual-Colour Gamut Certification , the most professional screen colour certification standard of TÜV Rheinland. HUAWEI MateBook X Pro managed to achieve a 92.5% screen-to-body ratio with the top bezel being just 6 mm wide, meaning Huawei lead the industry in this regard. The laptop weighs just 1.26 kg , making it highly portable. The surface of the cover has a unique matte finish that delivers a warm and comfortable touch. Together with the all-new Ink Blue colour (the Premium Edition), it offers a new sensory experience, and reveals the exceptional taste of its users. Huawei introduced the laptop with a Skin-soothing metallic body, delivering a unique matte surface. Such surface design has a skin-friendly feel and offers a comfortable grip. What’s more, the innovative Micro-arc Oxidation Coating process is applied to the magnesium alloy airy body, which not only improves the hardness and wear resistance of the product body, but also makes the production process more environmentally friendly. Huawei also innovatively applied a Skin-soothing Metallic paint process on the surface of the cover, which gives the body a matte finish.

Mind-Blowing Performance with a 12th Intel i7 CPU, EVO certified!

HUAWEI MateBook X Pro features a powerful 12th Gen Intel® Core™ processor in a lightweight body, powered by the advanced Intel 7 process and Core™ i7-1260P. More importantly, a new performance hybrid architecture is adopted for the new processor. It consists of four Performance-cores and eight Efficient-cores, which add up to 12 cores and 16 threads. The multi-core performance is improved by 60% compared with previous generation products . By pressing the Fn + P key, users can enable the 30W Performance Mode , supporting them in working more efficiently and handling complex tasks simultaneously including video conferencing, file review and web page browsing, with great ease. The Intel® Iris® Xe graphics card is used to provide outstanding graphics processing performance, making complex graphics processing effortless and smooth. All versions of the HUAWEI MateBook X Pro have been certified by Intel® Evo™, delivering exceptional responsiveness and ensuring a great video conferencing experience. The new laptop comes with 16 GB LPDDR5 5200 MHz dual-channel high-speed memory and supports up to 1 TB NVMe PCIe SSD (512 GB is available for you to choose from) for more efficient read, storage, and compression of large files and smoother switchover across multiple tasks.

In addition, the upgraded Super Turbo technology facilitates in-depth optimisation at the system level for a quicker and smoother response. This contributes to a better experience, especially in video conferencing and heavy office scenarios.

Visionary Super Device Features

The HUAWEI MateBook X Pro take multi-device collaboration to a whole new level, thanks to Super Device , bringing super productivity with a cohesive multi-device experience. It lets you effortlessly connect to other Huawei devices nearby and collaborate between them all. Simply place your HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 2, mice, keyboards, speakers and printers close to the HUAWEI MateBook X Pro, and the laptop will automatically discover them and provide a prompt for quick and easy pairing .

In addition, with smartphones like the newly launched HUAWEI Mate Xs 2 and tablets like the new HUAWEI MatePad Pro, it is even more useful. Once you have wirelessly connected your phone, you will see its UI (User Interface) appear on your laptop screen, so you can operate it as if your smartphone and laptop are one device. You can access and edit your files, use and manage up to three phone app windows simultaneously, take video or audio calls from your phone through your MateBook, and even use your mouse and keyboard to control your smartphone. In Mirror Mode, the laptop screen is projected onto the tablet, with both devices showing the same content: the tablet can benefit from the laptop's incredible performance; while the laptop can access the tablet's stylus, making drawing even easier. With Extend Mode, the laptop display is extended to the tablet, allowing the tablet to serve as an external monitor so you can scroll and browse easily between the two – perfect for making notes during a class or meeting. Finally, Collaborate Mode lets you share content between the devices via a simple drag and drop, so anything left on one can easily be transferred to the other.

The HUAWEI MateBook X Pro can also connect to a HUAWEI MateView monitor, so you can see your work on an even larger screen. The laptop also supports multi-device file management and AI search; the former enables users to easily search across their connected devices, bringing a collaborative experience between laptops and other connected devices, while the latter supports quick search of files and images on the PC, the Internet, and other interconnected devices for greater flexibility.

HUAWEI Free Touch  Enhances the User-Friendly Experience

The new HUAWEI MateBook X Pro's is also equipped with a force sensor to detect pressure. The touchpad responds to your tap instantly – no matter where you tap. The unique touchpad design greatly enlarges the control area of the multi-gesture touchpad, bringing a wider touchpad area for free and unrestrained experience, improving accuracy, and avoiding accidental touch. Even without a mouse, users can unleash their inspiration freely with the laptop.

AI Camera : Airtight privacy protection and immersive conferencing

As hybrid work has become our new normal, AI Camera helps users handle various video conferences and online classes with great ease and comfort. The HUAWEI MateBook X Pro comes with a HD camera on the top narrow bezel, which integrates the AI Camera features  to support the video effects of Beauty, Virtual Background, FollowCam, and Eye Contact. It supports any video software. Users can select and apply the video effects by going to the Control Centre at any time.

HUAWEI SuperCharge and Multiple Ports

The HUAWEI MateBook X Pro features a 60Wh (rated capacity) super large battery and a compact 90W charger supporting SuperCharge. It can be used to charge computers, phones, and tablets, making it a perfect companion during a trip. The laptop is equipped with a 3.5 mm earphone jack and two Thunderbolt™ 4 ports on the left side.

Four Mics for powerful sound pickup capabilities

The HUAWEI MateBook X Pro features a quad-mic setup that is placed along the edges of the laptop. Together, they support voice pick-up from sources up to five meters  away from the device. In addition, during a call, even if the device of the other party does not support noise reduction, the Receive signal AI noise reduction algorithm can also perform noise reduction on the voice of the other party.

HUAWEI SOUND® 6 speakers for an outstanding playback sound quality

The HUAWEI MateBook X Pro is equipped with six speakers. The four woofers feature a back-to-back design to create stunning bass and clear trebles without increasing thickness. The sound system, in combination with Huawei’s Targeted Sound Field technology, brings impressive stereo sound with clear sound layers and sense of direction.

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Spotify Celebrates the Voices and Stories of Women Creators in the First Episode of Spotify Talks

Momina Mustehsan, EQUAL Ambassador for September joins Natasha Baig, Zoha Zuberi and Rutaba Yaqub in a candid conversation about the experience of being a woman in music 

Karachi, Monday, September 19, 2022 – After launching EQUAL in Pakistan earlier this year, a global music program committed to raising the volume on women artists, Spotify debuts Spotify Talks, a digital series covering hard-hitting conversations, with the first episode dedicated to celebrating being a woman artist in Pakistan and the impact of EQUAL to date. 

Featuring singer, songwriter, philanthropist, and household name, Momina Mustehsan, EQUAL Pakistan's Ambassador for the Month of September, the first episode of Spotify Talks will be hosted by Anoushey Ashraf, joined by the mutli-faceted stars Natasha Baig and Zoha Zuberi, the EQUAL Pakistan Ambassadors for July and June, and Rutaba Yaqub, Spotify's Music Manager for Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

The episode titled 'Women in Music' sheds light on the challenges women artists face in Pakistan while also reflecting on how the space for women in music has evolved over the years. Sitting down for a candid conversation, these torch bearers for the achievements of women in the audio industry of Pakistan, will share glimpses of their journey and how Spotify has played a role as a platform powering their discovery and elevating their work globally.

As EQUAL Pakistan Ambassador for this month, Momina Mustehsan, commented, "It's my honour to be representing the women musicians of our country in September. Pakistani women in music are resilient - they manage to bring their own seats to the table despite limited opportunities by proving their abilities to extents that cannot be ignored." 

"Platforms like Spotify are crucial for that. They serve as equalizers to tackle systemic inequalities historic to conventional broadcast. A program like EQUAL helps extend a seat to a global table, with the purpose of passing it forward for others to join."

As part of the program, Momina’s melodious and soul stirring song, "Tera Woh Pyar (Nawazishein Karam)" from Coke Studio Season 09, is featured on the EQUAL Pakistan playlist and EQUAL Global, increasing the discovery of her music around the world. 

The first conversation of Spotify Talks  will launch on Monday, September 26, at 4:00 PM on the Spotify Talks microsite. Expect a witty yet impactful dialogue as EQUAL Ambassadors tell their stories and share insights on how to make it in the music industry. 

Through Spotify Talks, Spotify is leveraging its platform to bring together key industry players, tastemakers, and experts to have conversations about the latest movements across music, technology and entertainment in Pakistan. 

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PTCL, PPAF collaborate to boost digital, financial inclusion of women

Islamabad :  Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) Group has entered into a strategic partnership with Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) to foster digital and economic inclusion of women entrepreneurs through training and access to digital and financial tools and opportunities for economic growth.

Group Chief Commercial Officer (GCCO), PTCL Group, Adnan Anjum and Chief Operating Officer (COO), PPAF, Nadir Gul Barech signed the agreement at a ceremony held at Ufone Tower, Islamabad, in presence of senior officials from both organizations. This public-private partnership project will enable and up-skill women entrepreneurs to drive their businesses towards sustainable growth and resiliency.  

The year-long, pilot project will be implemented across four union councils and ten villages in the Haripur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, under which one hundred women entrepreneurs will be trained. The partnering institutions will implement a two-week training module using a standardized high-impact curriculum, focusing on digital literacy, business skills, and life skills that will come in handy in driving fledgling and small-scale businesses towards success and sustainable growth. 

PTCL will allocate a physical space which will serve as a digitally enabled Hub with access to basic facilities like Internet and training spaces as a central venue for the training sessions. In addition to this Ufone will be providing smartphones with registered SIMs and data packages for the one-year project to ensure their full participation. PPAF will lead the identification and selection process of the women entrepreneurs leveraging its existing presence at community level through partner organizations already engaged in diverse development initiatives. PPAF will also contribute to the overall cost of the project on equity basis.    

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Group Chief Commercial Officer, PTCL & Ufone, Adnan Anjum said: “No nation can achieve economic growth and progress without including half of its population; that is why diversity and inclusion are core themes in PTCL’s business philosophy. I am glad that PTCL and PPAF are joining hands to enable and empower women entrepreneurs to leverage digital technology and access to finance to grow their businesses. PTCL and PPAF share the vision for inclusive growth at the grassroots level because we believe it will translate into a broad-based economic transformation at the macro level.”

Also sharing his thoughts, COO, PPAF, Nadir Gul Barech said: “We are glad to collaborate with PTCL for enabling and equipping one hundred up-and-coming small-scale businesses in District Haripur under our joint pilot and PTCL’s onboarding will be a game changer because of the project’s increased dependency on the internet and digital technology. PPAF has been working to foster economic growth and poverty alleviation across the country and we believe that initiatives like this will go a long way in ensuring inclusive economic growth. We look forward to nurturing our partnerships with other organizations like PTCL for enhancing opportunities for the underserved especially the rural women across the country”.

PTCL and PPAF will onboard more technical and strategic partners to add value to this pilot project, which is expected to produce an extraordinarily replicable model in women's gender inclusion and women empowerment. 

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Mobilink Microfinance Bank Limited (MMBL) to offer e-health Insurance & Digital Financial Solutions to Careem Captains

Islamabad : Pakistan’s largest digital bank, Mobilink Microfinance Bank Limited (MMBL) has collaborated with Careem, a pioneer in the Middle East region's ride-hailing economy, to provide its Captains health insurance services over digital channels at market competitive rates for enhanced well-being.

MMBL's Chief Finance & Digital Officer, Sardar Mohammad Abubakr, and Country Head Careem Pakistan, Feroz Jaleel signed the MoU on behalf of their respective organizations to formally implement the initiative that intends to bring more value in terms of financial independence and wellbeing to the diligent workforce that drives the successful ride-hailing service across Pakistan. Careem Captains will open their MMBL accounts digitally to access the insurance services while being assisted through the process by both the Careem & MMBL Support team.

Sharing his thoughts on the development, Chief Finance & Digital Officer MMBL, Sardar Mohammad Abubakar said: “Innovation and digitalization is the twin fuel that drives our growth at MMBL, and expanding our services to Careem Captains will help enable the achievement of our collective goal to promote digital and financial inclusion at all tiers. Through this partnership, we aim to provide health & financial security to the Captains, who ensure secure & comfortable rides for the masses every day."

Also speaking at the event, Country Head Careem Pakistan, Feroz Jaleel said: “Captains are at the heart of what we do and a priority area for us. This collaboration with MMBL will undoubtedly bring value to our deserving Captains in availing hassle-free digital financial solutions and e-health insurance. Careem has always been at the forefront of coming up with initiatives designed at improving the quality of life for Captains. This is the beginning of bigger solution space for our Captains as we will continue to explore other ways to improve financing.”

Under this partnership, MMBL and Careem are solely focused on providing easy, accessible, and affordable digital financial solutions to the captains. Building on the current collaboration, the signing partners agreed on exploring more opportunities including digital lending to financially enable Careem Captains.

MMBL is a leading digital microfinance bank and the torchbearer of fostering digital and financial inclusion in the country, particularly amongst the unbanked segments of society. The bank offers a wide range of digital financial products and services through its broad-based financial ecosystem, with a network of over 100 branches, that caters to the varying needs of different individual and enterprise customers.

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Motorola Launches Edge 30 Ultra Phone with World’s First 200 MP Camera Globally

Motorola has introduced the world first phone with 200 MP camera. I has been named Moto X30 Pro. Other than Vanilla and the Pro, now we have the Neo and Fusion, which are also the king of them, and the brand-new Edge 30 Ultra phone.

Presently, this phone has reached Europe and other regions with the name Edge 30 ultra. Though the specs are the same, the price is high of Edge 30 ultra. Edge 30 ultra has an awesome camera. With your Motorola Edge 30 Ultra, you can take full 200 MP resolution pictures, but such images take a second to save and occupy a lot of space.

The best thing about Edge 30 ultra that makes it distinct among Motorola phones introduced till now, is its 200 MP ISOCELL HP1 sensor sized at 1/1.22″ and 60 MP selfie unit for those who love taking selfies. It enables people to capture the most detailed photos. Edge 30 ultra uses 16 to 1 pixel binning and takes 12.5 MP pictures by default.

Other specifications of Edge 30 ultra are having a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset which means the company has focused on the performance department, Adreno 730 GPU, Octa-core CPU, Android 12, and My UI.4.0 OS. Moreover, Edge 30 ultra supports 2G, 3G, 4G LTE, and 5G networks keeping in mind the developing technology. The display system of this phone includes a 6.7 “OLED 1080 x 2400 pixels resolution, 144 Hz refresh rate that is a curved one abiding by its name, HDR 10+ and 10-bit colors.

The memory, the Edge 30 Ultra is available in 8 GB and 12 GB RAM, 128 GB, 256 GB, and 512 GB ROM, but there is no slot for a memory card. The charging capability of Edge 30 ultra that allows it to top the charts is its 125 W wired charging and 50 W wireless charging capability. Moreover, the fingerprint reader of this phone is under the display.

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Tencent Charity Foundation donated PKR25 million worth of supplies to Pakistan’s flood-relief efforts

Tencent Charity Foundation (Tencent Foundation), working with the China Foundation for Rural Development and the China-Pakistan Youth Exchange Community, has donated PKR25 million worth of supplies to Pakistan’s flood-relief efforts.

Tencent Foundation, launched by the world-leading technology company, Tencent, is sending essential items, including waterproof clothing, quilts, food, and other everyday necessities to the disaster-stricken population.

Over the past month, Pakistan has faced a fragile humanitarian situation with 80 districts nationwide officially designated as ‘calamity hit.’ An estimated 33 million people have been affected by the heavy rains and flooding, according to the country’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

Approximately 637,000 people are living in relief camps, with many more still displaced.

“‘Tech for Good ‘ is the mission of Tencent. User value is our guiding principle, while we strive to incorporate social responsibility into our products and services, and collaborate with the wider community for the sustainable development of the society,” said Ge Yan, Secretary-General of the Tencent Charity Foundation.

Tencent is active in Pakistan through the mobile game, PUBG MOBILE. In such a challenging period of time, Tencent is leveraging its fan base in the community and calls for unity to overcome the ongoing challenges.

“We at Tencent Games and PUBG MOBILE stand with the people of Pakistan and aim to continue directing our efforts towards a better future. With the support from the PUBG MOBILE local team in Pakistan, we will continue to be right by Pakistan’s side,” 

said Vincent Wang, general manager of Global Publishing and Global Esports at Tencent Games.

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KP Launched App to Survey Compensation for Damaged Homes

In an effort to ensure transparent relief payments to flood victims, the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has established a smartphone application for evaluating damaged homes in the province’s flood-affected areas.

Tuesday saw a meeting on the launch of the app, presided over by the chief secretary, Dr. Shehzad Khan Bangash. The Additional Chief Secretary, Administrative Secretaries, Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners (DCs), Pakistan Army and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) representatives, as well as other relevant officials, attended.

The software was established and developed by the KP Information Technology (IT) Board, and the attendees were told that the appropriate officials are undergoing professional instruction in its use.

The poll will start on September 15 and end with the Bank of Khyber giving the required remuneration. This information was shared with the attendees.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) of KP has released early assessment reports that indicate 91,456 homes may have been damaged by the floods. The province government also debuted the “Flood Reporting App” a couple of weeks ago to offer quick support to flood victims by enabling them to ask for help with food, medications, and other resources.

The software offers a thorough mechanism for helping victims and keeping track of user feedback. Additionally, it makes it easier for users to swiftly report accidents and the type of assistance needed.

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Meta Donates 125M Rupees for Flood Relief Efforts

Islamabad: In response to the devastating floods in Pakistan, Meta is contributing 125 Million Rupees to UNICEF, Hands and Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi (ITA) to help communities impacted by the floods. The donation will support emergency aid, food, water, sanitation and help children get back to school in Sindh, Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. 

Prior to the donation when the flooding began, Safety Check was activated on Facebook as it allowed people to let friends and family know they were safe. A Crisis page was also established where people could use the Community Help feature to enable people to ask for and offer help from different communities. 

“Pakistan is going through one of the worst natural disasters we have seen to date. Millions of people are affected and the entire nation is rallying to support them during this difficult time. We hope that our contributions help the communities impacted by the catastrophe and our thoughts are with these communities and families as they try to recover,” said Jordi Fornies, Director for Emerging Markets, APAC at Meta.

Additionally, Meta’s ‘Data for Good’ activated its Disaster Maps program and is providing data to regional response partners.  One of those partners, CrisisReady (a collaboration between Direct Relief and Harvard University), has focused on combining data sources into situation reports being used daily by thousands of on-the-ground first responders.

“The torrential monsoon rains over the past weeks have damaged or completely washed away people's houses, critically affecting millions of people, including children. With winter just weeks away in some parts of the country, we need urgent help to continue our relief efforts in Pakistan and support for children and their families. We express our gratitude to Meta for all the support,” said Michael J. Nyenhuis, President and CEO of UNICEF USA.

Communities across various Meta-owned platforms have raised more than a million dollars for non-profits supporting flood relief efforts. Leading NGOs across the globe have also raised substantial amounts via Facebook and Instagram. 

Commenting on the development, Baela Raza Jamil, CEO, ITA, said, “We will rehabilitate schools, ensure 2nd Chance Accelerated learning programs with life skills (psychosocial support, climate change and digital literacy), and provide hygiene & health with dignity kits. This is a comprehensive and inclusive approach to #BuildingBackBetter by reaching homes, communities, schools, parents, children, and especially adolescent girls and teachers embedded within government systems for effective emergency response and preparedness.”

Meta is continuously exploring further avenues to facilitate not just families in the devastated regions but also supporting NGOs and other causes in their efforts. 

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Imran Khan Interview | Dunya Kamran Khan Kay Sath | 12 Sep 2022 | Dunya News

 Imran Khan Interview | Dunya Kamran Khan Kay Sath | 12 Sep 2022 | Dunya News

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Sehat Kahani Makes It to The Top 100 To Watch Companies in Asia By Forbes

 Sehat Kahani is proud to announce its position in the "100 to watch companies in Asia” by Forbes.

Forbes released its Asia 100 To Watch 2022 list this September. This list entails small, and

medium-sized companies and startups in Asia addressing real-world challenges using modern

innovation.

Sehat Kahani made its way to this list in the category of biotechnology and healthcare. It is the

only Pakistani company to mark its position in Forbes 100 to watch in Asia this year. Sehat

Kahani is a women-led organization that is making Pakistan and especially women of Pakistan

proud and empowered.

Founded by Dr. Sara Saeed Khurram and Dr. Iffat Zafar Aga Sehat Kahani is a widely used

Digital Health Care platform in Pakistan with the vision to democratize health care access for all

using technology and a committed network of doctors with the commitment to enable flexible work opportunities for female doctors otherwise facing socio-cultural barriers to practice. 

Sehat Kahani’s platform is a mobile application for mass consumers and corporations and operates as

e-clinics for low-income communities.

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Orange Line steps forward to support flood victims in South Punjab

Lahore, September 12, 2022: In the spirit of further strengthening brotherly relations between China and Pakistan, a group of 20 employees and volunteers representing the Orange Line Metro Train project stepped forward to distribute life support essentials amongst the flood victims of Jampur, which stands amongst the most devastated cities in the Rajanpur district of South Punjab during the current ongoing floods crisis. The specially prepared donation packages included ready to eat food items, hygiene products, raw grocery items, and cash support with a combined worth of two million rupees to support those who have been critically affected by the floods.

Heavy torrential rains in the Sulaiman Range caused massive water flooding that led to breaches in the protection dykes of two water channels in district Rajanpur. Floodwaters also breached the protection dyke of Chak Shaheed drain that flooded the surroundings of the village, cutting its 2,500 residents off from the rest of the area. Due to recent monsoon rains, the areas of Rojhan and Jampur tehsils of district Rajanpur faced severe losses making it difficult for rescue teams to reach the affected areas and forcing millions of people to leave their homes and seek rescue shelter and assistance.

While speaking about it, Li Chen, the CEO of Orange Line Metro Train Lahore said, “The Orange Line Metro Train project is a good example of China and Pakistan’s iron-clad friendship which is time tested and timeless. During this natural calamity of unprecedented scale, we firmly stand with our Pakistani brothers and sisters to support them with their rescue and rehabilitation efforts.” 

This essential support from Orange Line Metro Train project joins the other ongoing efforts at a crucial time when millions of human lives have been lost, countless families have been displaced, and major infrastructure across many cities has been washed away due to massive floods. It will certainly require joint collaborative efforts by everyone to help recover from this massive crisis and repair the damage it has caused. 

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Hands-on the HUAWEI MateBook D 16: The compact 16-inch high-performance laptop

Selecting your next laptop might seem like a daunting task as you have to consider so many things, including your needs and workload. Are you looking for a laptop with a big screen or do you prefer the smaller and lighter ones? Or, do you want something with loads of innovative smart features? Well, most people would go for the one with all the latest and greatest features if their wallets allowed for it. But with the launch of HUAWEI MateBook D 16, it seems like you can have your cake and eat it too. The desire for 16-inch lightweight laptops is on the rise. With a global move towards remote working and studying, there is an increased demand for large-screen, high-performance, lightweight laptops. The new HUAWEI MateBook D 16 is set to meet and even exceed these demands.

The new laptop comes with a comfortable and immersive 16-inch display, thin and light metal body, 12th Gen Intel Core processor, Super Device experience, and more. Here's a deeper look at it.

 

HUAWEI MateBook D 16

A display that doesn't tire your eyes

HUAWEI MateBook D 16 features a 16-inch Eye Comfort HUAWEI FullView Display. So, you know what to expect here; ultra-narrow bezels and a high screen-to-body ratio. On either side of the display are two 4.6mm ultra-narrow bezels, resulting in a high screen-to-body ratio of 90 per cent. This allows the laptop to house a large screen in a compact body, delivering an immersive viewing experience. The novel 16:10 aspect ratio also aids productivity. Compared to the traditional 16:9 aspect ratio, the 16:10 aspect ratio gives a 10% taller display area allowing more screen real estate to view web pages, documents, and charts more effectively. The display also supports a 100% sRGB colour gamut to show richer details and vivid colours for greater visual enjoyment.

Talking about eye comfort, HUAWEI MateBook D 16 display has TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light (Hardware Solution) certification. In addition, the display adopts DC dimming to help alleviate eye fatigue. Interestingly, the whole laptop only weighs 1.7kg  with a thickness of just 18.4mm , making it one of the sleekest 16-inch laptops out there.

Next-level performance

The HUAWEI MateBook D 16 is powered by 12th Intel® Core™ H-series processors, with the highest edition running on the i7-12700H  Processor that has 14 cores and 20 threads. It offers a TDP of up to 40W, and the multi-thread performance is 97.3%  better than the previous generation. That means even heavy tasks such as data analysis, technical drawing, and code compilation are going to run smoothly. All variants in the HUAWEI MateBook D Series come with a PCIe NVMe high-speed solid-state drive. This gives a remarkable boost in loading apps and games, ultimately delivering a smoother user experience. The laptop comes with two modes of operation. The Standard Mode is designed for users to handle daily office tasks, while the Performance Mode  is suitable for performing heavy-duty work and professional software. By pressing the Fn and P keys at the same time, the user can easily select the optimal mode for the current tasks.

Super Device delivers a cohesive multi-device experience

The HUAWEI MateBook D 16 takes multi-device collaboration to a whole new level, thanks to Super Device , bringing super productivity with a cohesive multi-device experience. It lets you effortlessly connect to other Huawei devices nearby, and collaborate between them all. Simply place your Huawei earphones, mice, keyboards, speakers and printers close to the HUAWEI MateBook D 16, and the laptop will automatically discover them and provide a prompt for quick and easy pairing .

 

In addition, with smartphones like the newly launched HUAWEI nova 9, it is even more useful. Once you have wirelessly connected your phone, you will see its UI (User Interface) appear on your laptop screen, so you can operate it as if your smartphone and laptop are one device. You can access and edit your files, use and manage up to three phone app windows simultaneously, take video or audio calls from your phone through your MateBook, and even use your mouse and keyboard to control your smartphone.

Superior video conferencing experience

The 1080P camera with an 88° wide field of view at the top of the HUAWEI MateBook D 16 screen is a huge step up from traditional 720P cameras. This is further enhanced by the AI Camera smart feature that processes the video with AI algorithms at the system level, adding video effects  like Virtual Background, FollowCam and Eye Contact, which are even supported by third-party video calling applications.

During a video call, the AI Camera's FollowCam adjusts the screen in real-time to keep the speaker in the centre of the shot; so even if they are moving around, you never get distracted from what they are saying. The Eye Contact function uses AI to intelligently adjust to the user's line of vision. So, rather than seeming like they're looking into the camera, their eyes will be looking into yours on the screen for a more natural and comfortable conversation.

Virtual background lets you keep your privacy and your concentration, thanks to built-in static and dynamic backgrounds such as offices, coffee shops or outdoor scenery. You can also choose an image to have as your background or use the AI background blur to distort what is happening behind you.

HUAWEI MateBook D 16 features a quad-mic setup placed along the laptop's edges, supporting sound pick-up from sources up to five metres  away from the device. You will be clearly heard during online meetings even when you are a bit far away from the laptop. The AI noise reduction algorithms will also reduce the background noise, and the Personal Voice Enhancement helps the audience focus on you to make the experience even better.

Metaline antenna for fast connectivity

The powerful performance is not only driven by the HUAWEI MateBook D 16’s processing power. This laptop is a networking beast, too, thanks to the innovative HUAWEI Metaline Antenna technology, which allows users to enjoy stable wireless networks. The HUAWEI Metaline Antenna is a brand-new antenna structure that, compared with average antennas, has 56%  better signal conversion efficiency. In the same network environment, it offers 2dB and 2.6dB better upload and download signals, respectively. Even under weak Wi-Fi signals, the downloading speed is increased by 55%, while the lag in gaming and video conference are decreased by 57% and 67%, respectively.

Huawei's newly launched HUAWEI MateBook D 16 is a must-have for good reasons. Starting with its large and comfortable screen, well-crafted and lightweight design, solid performance, and next-level Super Device that allows a Smart Office experience, the laptop is a dream come true for anyone looking for a compact performance laptop.

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DESCON and WWF-Pakistan to remove plastic-garbage from Waste-Water Channels of Lahore

DESCON and WWF-Pakistan to remove plastic-garbage from Waste-Water Channels of Lahore

Lahore: 8th September, 2022 - DESCON Engineering Limited and World Wide Fund for Nature-Pakistan  (WWF-Pakistan) will collaborate to clean the plastic-garbage from the Waste-Water Channels all over the city of Lahore. During the initial phase, a prototype solution is being designed, including the construction and installation of this recovery system, to ensure effective cleansing of all these drains. For this purpose, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the two companies at the WWF-Pakistan Head office.  

As per the MoU, Descon Engineering will work to provide a simple, cost-effective and scalable solution, which will be easy to operate and replicate all over the country. 

Speaking on the occasion, Taimur Saeed CEO Descon Engineering stated, "As Pakistan's leading engineering and infrastructure-development company, we are pleased to enter in to this collaboration with a resourceful global agency like the ‘World Wildlife Fund’, and ensure a sustainable environment for the future. This initiative promises long-term ecological benefits by making our cities free of plastic-waste. We take pride in this first-of-its-kind solution in Pakistan and are committed to playing our part to contribute positively towards the wellbeing of the country.” 

Hammad Naqi Khan Director General WWF-Pakistan said, "As Pakistan is already suffering the negative impacts of climate change and environmental degradation, we must come together to restore the ecological balance for a healthier, progressive and sustainable future. We are pleased to get the operational and technical support of a company like Descon Engineering for this valuable project. We believe that Descon has extensive experience in building mega projects and will prove to be an effective partner for this infrastructure maintenance and restoration project."

Founded in 1977, Descon has achieved multi-national growth, over the years, by consistently expanding its operations, all over the Middle-East and South-African regions. DESCON is investing billions of Dollars across major industrial sectors like: Power, Construction, Oil-Refineries and Chemicals. With a vision for Sustainable development and wellbeing of the nation, this company is providing better healthcare, education and socio-economic empowerment of the masses, besides providing employment to the Pakistani workforce.

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