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  • Bitcoin hits new record of $50,000

    Bitcoin hits new record of $50,000

    Cryptocurrency Bitcoin has hit a new record after its value crossed 50,000 dollars on Wednesday.

    The cryptocurrency was created by an unknown investor, and its values has risen about 72% this year.

    Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are generated by computers. Part of its supposed value comes from the finite number that can be computed.

    However, regulators and investors have warned about its high volatility. The values of cryptocurrencies can change fast, both upwards and downwards.

    Business magnate Elon Musk, the founder of Tesla and SpaceX, has bought Bitcoin worth $1.5 billion. He has said that he would accept them as payment for its cars.

    There is a strong opinion among cryptocurrency supporters that Bitcoin will replace gold in the future, as amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it was the top performing asset in 2020.

    However, there is an opposite view…

    “If that narrative comes to fruition, then the growth potential is off the charts as $50,000 per bitcoin equates to a market cap of roughly $931bn, which is almost 9% of gold,” said John Wu, president of blockchain company Ava Labs.

    “If BTC meets gold’s market cap, then that would be at least $500,000 per bitcoin.”

    Unlike other commodities, Bitcoin, however, cannot be used for anything else, merely bought and sold. This has made attempts to value it difficult.

    Many supporters are holding on to them in anticipation of higher valuations. Should they all sell at once, the price could tumble.

    People have lost large amounts of money in steep drops in the value of cryptocurrencies, hacks and even scams linked with them.

    British financial watchdog, Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), launched 52 investigations into alleged cryptocurrency frauds.

    There is another problem with cryptocurrency, it can pass international borders swiftly because they are not regulated, in a way cash or regular investments are; which makes investigating thefts hard.

    Last month, the FCA issued a stark warning to investors in so-called crypto-assets.

    The financial watchdog said investors should be “prepared to lose all their money” should their investment’s value collapse

  • Farmer buys helicopter to sell milk

    Farmer buys helicopter to sell milk

    An Indian farmer and entrepreneur from  Maharashtra has bought a helicopter to increase his dairy business. 

    Janardhan Bhoir recently proceed into the dairy business and decided to invest in a helicopter worth Rs 65,636,511

    According to details, Janardhan said he often has to travel to Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat due to his dairy business.

    He bought the helicopter on a friend’s suggestion because not all the ciites in India have airports so he had to travel for long hours to reach his destination.

    He also offered a ride in his helicopter to his village panchayat members.

    He has made arrangements to build a helipad with a protective wall on a 2.5-acre land. There will also be a garage for the helicopter, a pilot room and a technician room.

    The helicopter will be delivered to him on March 15. The rich farmer who has property worth Rs 100 crore also runs a real-estate business.

  • Aiman Khan says her 8 million following is ‘organic’

    Power couple Aiman Khan and Muneeb But got candid about their relationship in a recent interview with Ahsan Khan. During the interview Aiman also talked about her massive social media following.

    Answering a question about the change she felt in Muneeb after the marriage, Aiman stated: “I think Muneeb has become really happy after marrying me.”

    Talking about his relationship with Aiman, Muneeb said that marriages survive on understanding, compromises and sacrifices.

    He stated: “People say that males are more dominant in our society but let me tell you, in the cities, women are more dominant, especially in the matters of the house. You can’t dictate your wife at home. That’s her department,”

    During the interview Ahsan asked Aiman: “Is your following organic and did you aim to have that many followers or do you make content specifically for your account?”

    To which Aiman replied: “My social media following is organic.”

    “I created my Instagram account 5 to 6 years ago, when I was very new to acting, and I used to do commercials at that time,” adding that when she joined Instagram there were very few users on the platform.

    “I have never created my content specifically for Instagram,” she said, adding that sometimes she doesn’t even have pictures to post on Instagram.

    During the interview, Munneb also shared that he wants to play the role of a soldier in an ISPR [sponsored] drama, adding that he loves the Pakistan Army.

    Talking about why she started acting, Aiman said, “I wanted to do acting, and wanted to come on screen, when people used to see us together [Aiman and Minal] they used to say that we should act in dramas.”

    She further added that they both stated acting in commercials from a very young age.

    Aiman and Muneeb tied the knot in 2018 and their wedding broke the internet. They also have a one-year-old daughter Amal.

  • Pakistan, IMF agree on reforms for release of $500m

    Pakistan, IMF agree on reforms for release of $500m

    The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Pakistan on Tuesday reached a staff-level agreement over reforms that will lead to the release of around $500 million in funds, the IMF and the finance ministry said.

    The package strikes an appropriate balance between supporting the economy, ensuring debt sustainability and advancing structural reform, the fund said in a statement.

    “Pending approval of the Executive Board, the reviews’ completion would release around US$500 million,” the IMF said.

    Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh also confirmed the agreement on Twitter, saying that “overcoming the challenges created by the pandemic has required concerted effort”.

    “This is a good development for Pakistan,” he added.

    In a statement, IMF said that Pakistan’s progress under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) had been temporarily disrupted by the shock of the pandemic.

    “The Pakistani authorities remain committed to ambitious policy actions and structural reforms to strengthen economic resilience, advance sustainable growth, and achieve the EFF’s medium-term objectives,” the statement noted.

    Last month, State Bank of Pakistan Governor Dr Reza Baqir had said that Pakistan was in talks with the IMF to put the financial support programme back on track.

    “We hope to have good news for the market and the world that we are putting the programme back on track,” Baqir had said.

    Last year, staff from the IMF and Pakistani authorities reached an agreement to pave the way for a disbursement of $450m in IMF funds pending approval from the global lender’s executive board.

    Pakistan and the IMF have been working to implement IMF-supported economic reforms, in particular tax collection, aimed at stabilising the economy and shoring up a yawning fiscal deficit.

    Pakistan entered a $6 billion IMF programme in 2019.

  • PAMA calls out federal govt for favouring ‘one specific car manufacturer’

    PAMA calls out federal govt for favouring ‘one specific car manufacturer’

    The latest Auto Development Policy (ADP) has paved the way for several new companies to enter the Pakistani auto market. Companies like Regal Motors, KIA, Hyundai, Proton, and Changan entered the market following the ADP.

    During the 34th meeting of the Auto Industry Development Committee (AIDC), the Pakistan Automotive Manufacturer Association (PAMA) expressed concerns that the federal government favours one specific car manufacturer, a fresh entrant in Pakistan.

    A PAMA official said, “There is a new entrant in the market, selling and booking vehicles without establishing a production plant in the country. Under ADP 2016-2021, the new entrants can import only 100 complete built-up (CBU) units at 50% duty for marketing and production purposes. Meanwhile, the companies have to pay complete duty on the 101st vehicle.”

    According to media reports, PAMA members have asked the Engineering Development Board (EDB) in a letter that “when will the benefits for new entrants will end?”

    PAMA further said in the letter: “Under the ADP, the new entrants are allowed a concession period of 3 to 5 years; depending on each unique case, starting from the production date.”

    PAMA finds it problematic that the new entrants are reported, submitting revised business plans; even those who have already started commercial production.

    These revised plans may circumvent the incentive period that could be more than three or five years.

    It is pertinent to note that the statement comes at a time when businessman Javed Afridi, who has brought MG to Pakistan, alleges that “As new entrants bring in exciting new models at far lower prices, instead of competition, we expect maligning campaigns and baseless rumours. While we know that competition is an unfamiliar phenomenon in Pakistan’s automobile industry, we invite everyone to join in a fair competition to serve Pakistani consumers with a bigger and better variety of vehicles at lower prices.”

    What are your thoughts on this? Please share with us in the comment section below.

  • First lady’s friend among PTI’s Punjab candidates for Senate

    First lady’s friend among PTI’s Punjab candidates for Senate

     

    At least 29 candidates, including a close friend of the first lady, have filed their nomination papers for 11 Senate seats in Punjab with the elections scheduled to be held on March 3.

    The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has nominated 10 candidates: Jamshed Iqbal Cheema, Muhammad Khan Madni, Saifullah Sarwar Khan Nyazee, Robina Akhtar, Malik Zaheer Abbas Khokhar, Aon Abbas, Omar Sarfraz Cheema, Ejaz Hussain Minhas, Ejaz Ahmad Chaudhary and Neelam Irshad Sheikh.

    While on seats reserved for women, three candidates are fielded by PTI, including Farhat Shahzadi who is reportedly a close friend of First Lady Bushra Bibi.

    Following criticism, PM’s aide Shahbaz Gill defended the selection of Farhat Shahzadi, saying she is a part of the PTI and has been an active political workers for many years. She is a covering candidate and it is her right, he added.

    On the other hand, the Pakistan Muslim League has put forth Mushahid Ullah Khan, Pervaiz Rasheed, Saiful Malook Khokhar, Afnan Ullah Khan, Saud Majeed, Zahid Hamid, Sajid Mir, Muhammad Baligh-ur-Rehman and Irfanul Haq Siddiqui for the Senate polls.

    The Pakistan People’s Party (7 lawmakers in the house) and Pakistan Muslim League-Q (10 legislators) have pitched one candidate each: PPP’s Azeem-ul-Haq Minhas and PML-Q’s Kamil Ali Agha.

    An aspirant for a general seat in Punjab requires votes of at least 53 provincial legislators.

    For the two Senate seats reserved for women, there are five candidates in the run: Zarqa Suharwardy, Farhat Shahzadi and Neelam Irshad Sheikh backed by the PTI; while two, Saadia Abbasi and Saira Afzal Tarar, are from the PML-N.

    There are three nominees for the Senate seats reserved for technocrats/Ulema. Two of them — Syed Ali Zafar and Atta Ullah Khan — belong to the PTI, whereas Azam Nazeer Tarar is a PML-N nominee.

  • Jemima Goldsmith shares pictures from the sets of ‘What’s Love Got to Do With It?’

    Jemima Goldsmith shares pictures from the sets of ‘What’s Love Got to Do With It?’

    Jemima Goldsmith has given a sneak peek into one of the most awaited films of the year What’s Love Got To Do With It?.

    Jemima, who is also producing the film, shared pictures of herself with Sajal Aly and Shabana Azmi on the sets.

    According to Jemima’s post, the film is purportedly in the last week of filming.

    From the grand, colourful set one can tell that the film will include a festive, wedding sequence also.

    Featuring Sajal, Shabana, Emma Thompson, Lily James and Shazad Latif in key roles, What’s Love Got To Do With It? is being directed by Shekhar Kapur of Mr India and Dil Se fame and produced by Goldsmith under the banner of her production house Instinct Productions. The film has been written by Jemima herself and is set between London and South Asia, exploring cross-cultural conflicts of love and marriage.

    A release date is not yet been announced.

    Earlier, Jemima had also shared a picture of herself and Shekhar hanging out inside an airplane during the shoot.

  • Priyanka Chopra wishes for harmony between India & Pakistan

    Priyanka Chopra wishes for harmony between India & Pakistan

    Priyanka Chopra, in her memoir Unfinished, has reportedly talked about tense Indo-Pak relations and has hoped that things would improve between the two countries.

    BBC Asian Network journalist Haroon Rashid, who recently posted a teaser of his upcoming podcast with the actor, while responding to a social media user who asked if he asked Priyanka about her comments on the February 27 Balakot incident, said: “She talks in her book about her hopes for harmony between India and Pakistan giving a lovely anecdote of how a Pakistani British Airways agent gave her parents a seat on a flight when they really needed it.”

    “She said she hoped the countries could share such warm exchanges always.”

    “And you’ll have to find out if I ask her more on her increasing public silence when the full interview releases,” he added.

    Haroon further shared that Priyanka in the podcast talks about “lack of opportunities for South Asians in Hollywood” and “how important her humanitarian work is to her.”

    Earlier, in July 2019, Priyanka had sparked outrage with her response to a Pakistani woman Ayesha Malik, who had called her a hypocrite for “encouraging nuclear war against Pakistan”.

    “So it was kind of hard hearing you talk about humanity because as your neighbour, a Pakistani, I know you’re a bit of a hypocrite,” Malik can be heard saying in the video widely circulated on social media. “You tweeted on February 26, ‘Jai Hind #IndianArmedForces.’”

    Malik continued, “You are a UNICEF ambassador for peace and you’re encouraging nuclear war against Pakistan. There’s no winner in this. As a Pakistani, millions of people like me have supported you in your business of Bollywood and you wanted nuclear war.”

    However, the microphone was taken away from Malik before she could make any further comments.

    Priyanka had started off her response by saying “Whenever you’re done venting… got it, done? Okay, cool.”

    “So, I have many, many friends from Pakistan and I am from India, and war is not something that I am really fond of but I am patriotic. So, I’m sorry if I hurt sentiments to people who do love me and have loved me, but I think that all of us have a sort of middle ground that we all have to walk, just like you probably do as well,” she continued.

    “The way you came at me right now?” Chopra had remarked. “Girl, don’t yell. We’re all here for love. Don’t yell. Don’t embarrass yourself. But we all walk that middle ground, but thank you for your enthusiasm and your question and your voice.”

    Priyanka’s memoir Unfinished, which released on February 9, has become a bestseller, trending in both India and the United States.

  • Meesha Shafi says ‘Groove Mera’ is a win over ‘classism & post-colonial inferiority complex’

    Meesha Shafi says ‘Groove Mera’ is a win over ‘classism & post-colonial inferiority complex’

    Meesha Shafi has said that Groove Mera is a win over classism and post-colonial inferiority complex.

    Sharing a behind the scenes (BTS) video of the song, the singer said: “Groove Mera isn’t just a musical win! It’s a win over classism, over post-colonial inferiority complex, over a rigged system that favours only a select few repeatedly.”

    “A shame that we deny ourselves legendary talent like Naseebo Lal over these hangups,” continued Meesha, adding: “Kudos to the whole team.”

    Meesha had earlier also praised the song referring to Naseebo as “Queen”.

    The official anthem of the sixth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Groove Mera has stirred up a storm in the country. While some, including celebrities, have appreciated the song, others have strongly criticised the composition and choice of artists.

    After Shoaib Akhtar claimed he could have done a better job with the anthem, the speedster had to face immense backlash from Pakistani celebrities including Adnan Siddiqui, Farhan Saeed and Hira Mani.

    Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has defended its decision to hire Naseebo Lal, Aima Baig and Young Stunners to perform the anthem, saying that the three artists were chosen as the board wanted to feature voices that were new and had not sung any PSL anthem before.

  • IN PICTURES: Dia Mirza ties the knot

    IN PICTURES: Dia Mirza ties the knot

    Dia Mirza tied the knot with Mumbai-based businessman Vaibhav Rekhi in an intimate ceremony on February 15. The wedding ceremony took place at Mirza’s residence in Bandra, Mumbai.

    IN PICTURES: Varun Dhawan ties the knot

    Sharing pictures from the wedding day, Dia said: “Love is a full-circle that we call home. And what a miracle it is to hear its knock, open the door and be found by it.”

    Check out more pictures from the actor’s day wedding:

    The newlyweds also posed for the media and distributed sweets among the photographers and paparazzi present outside their home. While Dia glowed in a red saree accessorized with red dupatta, the groom donned a white kurta-pyjama with a beige turban.

    Earlier, pictures from Dia’s bridal shower were widely circulated on social media.

    Dia and Vaibhav have reportedly been in a relationship for more than a year now and grew closer during the lockdown. The two kept their relationship tightly under wraps with their fans finding out about it just a few days before their wedding.

    Dia was earlier married to Sahil Sangha. The two got divorced in August 2019 after five years of marriage.