Author: newsdesk

  • VELO’s Weirdly Wonderful: Rewriting Marketing Rules

    VELO’s Weirdly Wonderful: Rewriting Marketing Rules

    Ready for a twist in the marketing narrative? VELO’s “Weirdly Wonderful” campaign is doing just that, right here in the bustling cities of Pakistan. This campaign is challenging the conventional, taking us on a journey that’s part astronaut, part submariner. Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad are now playing host to this intriguing visitor, sparking curiosity and conversation on every street corner. What’s truly brilliant about this campaign is its simplicity and its ability to draw people in. It’s not every day that you see a marketing campaign that feels like a slice of a fantasy world, right on our streets.

    VELO is leading the way in innovative thinking, showing that it’s possible to sell an experience, a story, a moment of awe, rather than just a product. The execution of this campaign is nothing short of artistic. The quality, the visuals, the impact – it’s all been thought through with the utmost precision. It’s not just a campaign that you see; it’s one that you feel. It invites you on a journey into the unknown, a chance to be part of something larger, something that blurs the lines between reality and fantasy. This kind of marketing is rare – it turns a daily commute into an interstellar adventure. VELO’s campaign shows us the power of imagination in marketing. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most effective way to engage people is not through straightforward ads, but through stories that captivate and transport them to another world.

    VELO’s approach is a breath of fresh air in the marketing world, proving that creativity and storytelling can be powerful tools in connecting with an audience. It’s more than just a campaign; it’s a new way of looking at marketing, one that prioritizes wonder and engagement over traditional advertising tactics.

    Click to view now: https://www.instagram.com/p/C0n9sOIxdGm/

  • Much-awaited wintery winds about to hit Karachi

    Much-awaited wintery winds about to hit Karachi

    Karachi experienced the coldest night of the season so far after the temperature dropped to 13.5°C in the port city on December 8. The temperature is likely to drop further in the coming days as a new wave of cold winds will enter the country from December 15, reports Geo.

    According to weather analyst Owais Haider, the minimum temperature is expected to remain at 12 to 14°C during the next ten days in Karachi. Winds blowing in from the Northeast will worsen air quality. However, there is no chance of rain in the next 10 days, while humidity levels will remain between 50 to 60 percent during the day, he said.

    According to the monthly report issued by the Meteorological Department, normal to slightly above rainfall (snowfall over the high mountain) is likely to happen in most parts of the country, particularly the central parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, during the current month.

    It said nearly normal precipitation is likely over most parts of the country particularly Sindh during January.

    “In February 2024, normal to slightly above normal precipitation is expected over most parts of the country particularly the upper Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” the report said.

  • Rumours of a Rai-Bachchan divorce. What’s everyone saying?                   

    Rumours of a Rai-Bachchan divorce. What’s everyone saying?                   

    There have been rumors circulating about Bollywood actors Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan’s marriage. While there hasn’t been any official confirmation, some reports suggest that they might be heading towards a divorce. The rumours became more persistent after people noticed that Abhishek is not wearing his wedding ring anymore. Others are also stating that the divorce has to do with father, Amitabh Bachchan distributing property amongst his children.

    Here is what X users are saying.

  • Cricket Australia introduces alcohol-free ‘Pakistan Bay’ at Perth Stadium

    Cricket Australia introduces alcohol-free ‘Pakistan Bay’ at Perth Stadium

    Cricket Australia has introduced an alcohol-free ‘Pakistan Bay’ at Perth Stadium with an emphasis on a family-friendly environment.

    Cricket Australia has taken the proactive step to create an inclusive and unique experience for Pakistani cricket fans during the upcoming first Test of the Benaud–Qadir Trophy at the Perth Stadium on December 14. The event has already attracted significant interest, with over 18,000 tickets sold for the highly anticipated match.

    To provide a dedicated space for supporters, Perth Stadium has allocated two zones around the Pakistan dressing room, officially named ‘Pakistan Bay’, a designated area serving as a focal point for fans to gather and rally behind their team.

    Participants can enjoy various amenities including tea, halal, and desi food. Pakistani cricketers Hasan Ali and Saim Ayub have invited fans to participate in a walk organized by Cricket Australia on the first day of the match. The walk will take participants down the famous Sailani Avenue to Perth Stadium.

  • IPP will provide a list of constituencies to PML-N for seat adjustments today

    IPP will provide a list of constituencies to PML-N for seat adjustments today

    The Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) has made a list of constituencies of national and provincial assembly seats where it wants seat settlement with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), as per a report in The News.

    A source revealed to The News that the IPP committee, in which Ishaq Khakwani, Awn Chaudhry, and Nauman Langrial are included, has made a list of candidates which will be provided to PML-N on Monday.

    As the country gears up for general elections, political parties are making alliances with multiple political stakeholders to win the forthcoming polls on February 8 next year.

    PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif met with the IPP’s patron chief, Jahangir Tareen in Lahore a few weeks ago, to discuss the issue of seat adjustment in the upcoming general elections, which are going to be held on February 8, 2024.

    According to multiple media reports, the IPP wants seat adjustments with PML-N on 20 National Assembly (NA) seats and 44 Provincial Assembly (Punjab) seats.

    However, sources in the IPP claimed that the figures reported by different TV channels were exaggerated and that the party will ask for seat adjustments in about eight to 10 NA constituencies and 15 to 20 PA constituencies.

  • Journalist in Gaza killed by an Israeli sniper

    Journalist in Gaza killed by an Israeli sniper

    Bisan, a reporter from Gaza, announced the death of another journalist, Mohamed Abu Samra, who has been killed by an Israeli sniper.

    Only days before his death, his twin brother Ahamad was killed in an air strike that targeted their home.

    As of December 10, the Committee to Protect Journalist’s preliminary investigations documented that at least 63 journalists and media workers have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza since October 7.

  • Delhi’s Zafar Mahal mausoleum vandalised by miscreants

    Delhi’s Zafar Mahal mausoleum vandalised by miscreants

    Zafar Mahal, a historical monument in Delhi’s Mehrauli village, has been vandalized by unknown miscreants in India, damaging part of the jaali (lattice screen) in front of the tombs of three Mughal emperors and Bahadur Shah Zafar’s empty tomb.

    The incident was reported by Sunit Arora, a journalist, who visited the site. He was informed by the guard that the vandalism took place eight days ago, and no action has been taken by the authorities so far.

    Zafar Mahal is an ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) protected monument and is one of the last remnants of the architectural legacy of the Mughals in India. The palace is associated with the festival of Sair-e-Gul Faroshan, initiated by Bahadur Shah Zafar, to honour the Sufi saint Khwaja Qutubuddin Bakhtiar Kaki, whose dargah is also located nearby.

    However, Zafar Mahal is in a state of neglect, with minimal maintenance and frequent vandalism. The jaali, which is now spoilt, was a fine example of the Pachin Kari (inlay work) technique.

    Indian tombs of Mughal emperors, including Akbar Shah II, Shah Alam II, and Mirza Fakhruddin, also stand in a deteriorated condition inside the Mehrauli Archaeological Park.

    Art historian William Dalrymple criticised the ASI for its neglect.

    Twitter user Tamjeed Ahmed said that, “ASI earlier said they will restore Zafar Mahal in October but they never did!”

    However, poet Rafiq Kathwari, was reminded of Babri Mosque, as he said, “If they can do Babri, the worst is yet to be.”

    Another user pointed out that “unfortunately, far too many Indian visitors are extremely disrespectful of our ancient monuments”.

    Meanwhile, a user posted a pictorial comparison of the tomb of the past and the present.

  • December 11: Global strike for Palestine

    December 11: Global strike for Palestine

    Palestinian activists and organisations across the world have called for a global strike on Monday, December 11, to demand immediate ceasefire of the Israeli attacks on Gaza that have intensified with time.

    Palestinian coalition, National and Islamic Forces, called for a strike and people across the world, to strike “all aspects of public life” in support of Gaza.

    “We expect the entire globe to join the strike, which comes in the context of a broad international movement involving influential figures. This movement stands against the open genocide in Gaza, the ethnic cleansing and the colonial settlement in the West Bank,” the statement released by the coalition read.

    “The strike also opposes attempts to undermine the just national cause of the Palestinian people,” it said.

    People around the world have been called to unanimously express their solidarity with Palestinians who are currently suffering the consequences of Israeli atrocities being committed in Gaza. So far, more than 18,000 people have been killed and more than 49,000 people have been wounded.

  • Karachi Whites won National T20 Cup

    Karachi Whites won National T20 Cup

    In the final of the National T20 Cup, Karachi Whites won the title by defeating Abbottabad by nine runs after a thriller in National Stadium Karachi.

    Batting first, Karachi Whites set Abbottabad a target of 155 runs for the loss of nine wickets. On behalf of Karachi Whites, opening batsman Khurram Manzoor played a brilliant innings of 53 runs off 36 balls. Umar Saif scored 36 runs off 30 balls, Azam Khan scored 14 runs off 8 balls and Danish Aziz scored 22 runs off 12 balls.

    On behalf of Abbottabad, Shahab Khan took 4 wickets while Adil Naaz and Fayaz Khan also took two wickets each.

    In pursuit of the target from Abbottabad, opening batsman Sajjad Ali returned to the pavilion after scoring one run while Fakhar Zaman scored 19 and Kamran Ghulam scored 12 runs.

    Chasing Karachi Whites’ 156 runs, the Abbottabad team could only score 146 runs.

    In defense of the target, Karachi Whites bowler Shahnawaz Dahani dismissed three players by giving 16 runs and declared the player of the match.

  • UN needs $46.4 billion for aid in ‘bleak’ 2024

    UN needs $46.4 billion for aid in ‘bleak’ 2024

    Geneva, Switzerland – The United Nations said Monday that it needed $46.4 billion next year to bring life-saving help to around 180 million people in desperate circumstances around the world.

    The UN said the global humanitarian outlook for 2024 was “bleak”, with conflicts, climate emergencies and collapsing economies “wreaking havoc” on the most vulnerable.

    While global attention focuses on the conflict raging in the Gaza Strip, the UN said the wider Middle East, Sudan and Afghanistan were among the hotspots that also needed major international aid operations.

    But the size of the annual appeal and the number of people it aims to reach were scaled back compared to 2023, following a decrease in donations.

    “Humanitarians are saving lives, fighting hunger, protecting children, pushing back epidemics, and providing shelter and sanitation in many of the world’s most inhumane contexts,” UN aid chief Martin Griffiths said in a statement.

    “But the necessary support from the international community is not keeping pace with the needs,” he said.

    The 2023 appeal was for $56.7 billion but received just 35 percent of that amount, one of the worst funding shortfall in years. It allowed UN agencies to deliver assistance and protection to 128 million people.

    With a few weeks left to go, 2023 is likely to be the first year since 2010 when humanitarian donations declined compared to the previous year.

    The UN therefore scaled down its appeal to $46.4 billion this time around, and will focus on those in the gravest need.

    72 countries

    Launching the 2024 Global Humanitarian Overview, Griffiths said the sum was nonetheless a “massive ask” and would be tough to raise, with many donor countries facing their own cost of living crises.

    “Without adequate funding, we cannot provide life-saving assistance. And if we cannot provide that assistance, people will pay with their lives,” he said.

    The appeal covers aid for 72 countries: 26 states in crisis and 46 neighbouring nations dealing with the knock-on effects, such as an influx of refugees.

    The five largest single-country appeals are for Syria ($4.4 billion), Ukraine ($3.1 billion), Afghanistan ($3 billion), Ethiopia ($2.9 billion) and Yemen ($2.8 billion).

    Griffiths said there would be 300 million people in need around the world next year — a figure down from 363 million last year.

    But the UN aims to reach only 180.5 million of those, with NGOs and aid agencies targeting the remainder — not to mention front-line countries and communities themselves who provide the first help.

    Climate impact

    The Middle East and North Africa require $13.9 billion, the largest total for any region in 2024.

    Beyond Syria, the Palestinian territories and Yemen, Griffiths also pointed to Sudan and its neighbours, and to Ukraine, Afghanistan, Venezuela and Myanmar as hotspots that needed sustained global attention.

    Ukraine is going through a “desperate winter” with the prospect of more warfare on the other side, he said.

    With the Gaza war between Israel and Hamas, plus Russia’s war in Ukraine, Griffiths said it was hard for the Sudan crisis to get the attention it deserved in foreign capitals.

    More broadly, Griffiths said climate change would increasingly impact the work of humanitarian aid workers, who would have to learn how to better use climate data to focus aid resources.

    “There is no doubt about the climate confronting and competing with conflict as the driver of need,” he said.

    “Climate displaces more children now than conflict. It was never thus before,” he said.