Meghan Markle was recently spotted showing off her baby bump and carrying son Archie.
According to Page Six, this is the first time Markle was seen in public since Prince Harry’s return from the United Kingdom, where he had gone for Prince Philip’s funeral. It was earlier reported that Prince Harry would stay in England for his grandmother Queen Elizabeth’s 95th Birthday, which was on April 21, but Harry returned to California before that.
This year, on Valentine’s Day, the couple announced that they areexpecting their second child. The couple’s announcement on Valentine’s Day was a nod to Princess Diana, who 37 years ago on the same day, had announced that she was pregnant with Prince Harry.
The couple made their final split with the royal family in February this year and in March gave Oprah a bombshell interview in which they accused the royal family of being racist and not supporting them, plunging the monarchy into its biggest crisis since the death of Lady Diana.
Dates are an essential part of the aftar spread in every Muslim household across the globe during the month of Ramzan. Opening your fast with a date is considered Sunnah and the Quran mentions the word 23 times which is why dry fruit holds an important place in the Muslim world. Apart from religious reasons, have you ever thought about why millions of people break their fast with a khajoor and how many health benefits it has?
To understand more about this little goodness, The Current spoke to Lahore-based dietician and clinical nutritionist, Maria Nadeem Khan.
Nutritional facts
“Two dates are enough for fulfilling your nutritional needs,” said Maria, adding: “One date is almost 7 grams, and contains 20 calories, the same number of calories as one tablespoon of sugar. Hence you should be careful while consuming these and not over indulge.”
“A date contains a number of different vitamins, including vitamin B1, vitamin B2, Vitamin B6, folate (folic acid) which are essential for the body,” said Khan.
Good for hair
Dates also contain pantothenic acid which is very good for the hair.
Helps to reduce blood pressure levels
People with high blood pressure should incorporate dates in their daily diet, said Maria, explaining that fruit contains potassium which helps in lowering the blood pressure level.
“Dates also contain a good amount of fibre, which helps people facing constipation issues,” she added.
Can be used as a replacement for white sugar
Talking about the best way to have dates, Maria said: “Though you can consume a date any way you want, you can also add it to a smoothie, in your oatmeal or even use it a natural sweetener, instead of using white sugar. Dates are a natural sweetener and can be used in many foods.”
She also said that dates are very good for people whose sugar levels drops frequently.
Who would have thought but dates also help in weight loss.
“Dates help speed up metabolism and when our metabolism speeds up it helps in losing weight,” said Maria, adding that dates also help flush out toxins from the body. This detoxication of the body helps aid weight loss.
Reduces the risk of cancer
“Polyphenols in dates helps to reduce the risk of cancer,” said Maria.
Help you cope up with stress
Dates contain Vitamin B6 that can improve the performance of the brainby helping the body make serotonin and norepinephrine. Serotonin (a compound present in blood platelets) regulates mood and norepinephrine (an organic chemical that functions in the brain) helps your body deal with stress.
Research has shown that low levels of Vitamin B6 are linked to depression. When your brain is clear from stress, and in a good mood, then it is sharp and ready to learn.
Which type of date should you take?
Given that there are so many varieties of dates available in the market, we asked Maria which dates offer the most benefit to our bodies.
“You can have any kind of dates,” said Maria. “But Ajwa is the best kind of date as it contains calcium and phosphorus which helps make our teeth and bones stronger.”
Though dates are readily available in the market, we highly recommend dates from Dates Arabia, especially their Ajwa ones. Dates Arabia sources their products directly from Saudi Arabia and delivers fresh all over the country. They are also offering Ramzan deals to celebrate the holy month.
Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid on Thursday visited a Bakery for aftari shopping. In a video posted by a social media user, the minister can be seen inside a bakery.
Talking to a someone at the bakery, Rashid can be heard saying: “Aftari ka saaman lene aye hain (I have come to buy stuff for aftari).”
The minister can also be seen complaining about the salespersons at the bakery not taking money from him.
Rashid bought ‘kalakand‘, among other things.
وفاقی وزیرداخلہ شیخ رشید کا عوامی اسٹائل. شیخ رشید افطاری کے لئے سامان کی خریداری کے لئے مارکیٹ پہنچ گئے
In December 2020, Sheikh Rashid was appointed as the interior minister in the cabinet reshuffle by Prime minister Imran Khan. He is known for his ‘Awami Syle‘,
Sharing a picture of himself with Qavi from the sets of an upcoming project, Khan said: “Recently had the honour to spend some quality time with this great man.”
“His perseverance and dedication have always been beyond inspirational,” said Junaid. “A true benchmark for us in terms of performance and patience. His level of patience and his humility while on set or off-set has always inspired me.”
The actor added: “May he always continue blessing us with his skills and his love.”
Junaid is currently being praised for his performance in Geo Entertainment’s Khuda aur Mohabbat 3, while Qavi Sahab is winning hearts with his performance in Ishq Jalebi.
Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed said on Thursday that the blast at Serena Hotel in Quetta was a suicide attack. He said this was a foreign attempt to destabilise Pakistan. “Pakistan Army and the people of Pakistan will defeat such designs.” Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed the responsibility for the Quetta blast yesterday. Five people were killed and more than a dozen injured in the deadly attack.
All law enforcement agencies are on high alert at the instructions of the Interior Ministry. Talking about the attack, Sheikh Rasheed said the suicide bomber stayed inside the car. “C4 explosives weighing between 60 to 70 kilogrammes were used in the attack”. Evidence has been sent for forensic analysis.
The interior minister also said that social media was misused during the past few days by foreign elements who are behind efforts to destabilise Pakistan. “An estimated 250,000-300,000 social media accounts were created in India.” “These foreign forces cannot see Pakistan prosper and progress,” said the minister.
China strongly condemned the terrorist attack. A statement by the Chinese embassy in Pakistan said that Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong was leading a delegation on a visit to Quetta on the same day. “When the attack occurred, the Chinese delegation was not in the hotel. Till present, no reports of casualties of Chinese citizens in the attack have been received.”
Prime Minister Imran Khan tweeted that he is deeply saddened by the loss of innocent lives in the condemnable and cowardly terrorist attack in Quetta yesterday. “Our nation has made great sacrifices in defeating terrorism and we will not to allow this scourge to rise again. We remain alert to all internal and external threats.”
I am deeply saddened by the loss of innocent lives in the condemnable & cowardly terrorist attack in Quetta yesterday. Our nation has made great sacrifices in defeating terrorism & we will not to allow this scourge to rise again. We remain alert to all internal & external threats
At least three people have been killed and several injured, including two government officials, after an explosion in the parking area of the Serena Hotel in Quetta, as per media reports. Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for the attack.
2 Govt Functionaries (Assistant Commisioners) injured in Quetta bombing https://t.co/Ur5gXD85o9
Initial reports say that the cause of the blast, which took place at 10:30 pm local time, has not yet been ascertained. Security forces have cordoned off the area. Rescue teams have arrived at the site of the explosion.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry has said that the Interior Ministry is in touch with the Balochistan Government.
“Once details come in, the government will comment further on the issue,” said Fawad.
وفاقی وزارت داخلہ حکومت بلوچستان کے ساتھ قریبی رابطے میں ہے اور ابتدائ تحقیقات کی جارہی ہیں جوں ہی دھماکے کی نوعیت اور نقصانات کا تعین ہو گا حکومت بیان جاری کرے گی۔۔ #QuettaBlast
According to journalist Ihsan Tipu, the attack was aimed at the Chinese Ambassador, who was reportedly staying at the hotel.
Breaking: Blast in Serena Hotel , Quetta. Five dead. Attack was aimed at Chinese Ambassador. He has survived the attack. Blast occurred just minutes before his arrival at the scene.
Captain of the Pakistan national women’s cricket team Bismah Maroof has announced that she is taking a break from cricket due to her pregnancy.
“I am delighted to announce that I am entering a new chapter in my life as motherhood beckons,” wrote Maroof on Twitter. “I would like to wish the Pakistan women’s team the very best as I take an indefinite break from cricket.”
“Request for prayers and support,” she added.
I am delighted to announce that I am entering a new chapter in my life as motherhood beckons. I would like to wish the Pakistan women’s team the very best as I take an indefinite break from cricket. Request for prayers and support. Thank you
Singer and actress Jennifer Lopez and former New York Yankees baseball star Alex Rodriguez called off their engagement because “we are better as friends.” The former couple announced their breakup on Thursday just months after denying their four-year relationship was on the rocks.
“We have realised we are better as friends and look forward to remaining so,” Lopez, 51, also known by her nickname J.Lo, and Rodriguez, 45, known as A-Rod, said in a joint statement.
“We will continue to work together and support each other on our shared businesses and projects,” said Lopez and Rodriguez.
One of the biggest celebrity couples in the United States for the past four years and sometimes known in the media as J-Rod, Lopez and Rodriguez said they would largely remain mum about the split out of respect for their children from previous relationships.
“We wish the best for each other and one another’s children. Out of respect for them, the only other comment we have to say is thank you to everyone who has sent kind words and support,” Lopez and Rodriguez said.
In March, they denied reports they had split, saying they were “working through some things.” At the time, several reports citing unidentified sources close to the couple had claimed that the pair had called off their engagement.
Rodriguez and the Love Don’t Cost a Thing singer, who sang at US President Joe Biden’s inauguration in January, began dating in early 2017 and announced their engagement in March 2019.
Late last year, Lopez said the couple had postponed their wedding twice because of the pandemic.
Lopez began her career as a dancer and a singer and produced and starred in the 2019 movie Hustlers. She has appeared in other movies and on television, including The Boy Next Door, which has been trending in the Top Ten on Netflix Pakistan.
Senior members of the royal family will not wear military uniform at Prince Philip’s funeral, in a break with tradition designed to avoid embarrassing Prince Harry, British media has reported.
The Duke of Sussex, who lost his military titles after stepping down as a senior working royal, faced being the only senior male royal not in uniform, despite having served two tours in Afghanistan. According to protocol, he is required to wear civilian dress, although he would be allowed to wear his medals.
On the other hand, the Duke of York Prince Andrew, who stepped back from public duties following the controversy over his friendship with the disgraced financial and sexual offender Jeffrey Epstein, was due to be promoted to the rank of admiral in 2020 to mark his 60th birthday, but this did not go ahead following the fallout from his disastrous Newsnight appearance.
The dilemma that exists is the fact that both the royals are the only ones to have seen active service – Harry in Afghanistan and Andrew in the 1982 Falkland Islands conflict.
As a result, the 94-year-old queen decided all royals should wear mourning suits to avoid any embarrassment. It was “the most eloquent solution to the problem”, said a source while talking on the matter.
At a ceremonial royal funeral like Prince Philip’s, it has been traditional for uniforms to be worn. They were worn at the last ceremonial royal funeral, that of the Queen Mother. However, a no-uniform rule was adopted for the private family funeral of Princess Margaret, when mourning dress was worn, and for the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, who was by then no longer an official member of the royal family.
The decision is a break with tradition for ceremonial royal funerals and will contrast with the strong military presence that will be on show to honour the duke, who served with distinction in the second world war.
Meanwhile, Prince Philip’s funeral is scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 17. Preparations for the funeral are underway and a specially built Land Rover will carry his coffin from Windsor to St George’s Chapel. The car had been designed by the Duke himself, reportedly 18 years ago.
Prince Philip “had a hand” in the design of this Land Rover Defender. At 2:41pm on Saturday, the Bearer Party will carry the coffin and place it on the back of vehicle. pic.twitter.com/2N98dcUN3X
The funeral ceremony will just have 30 guests in attendance, in line with government regulations. Heir to the throne Charles, his wife Camilla, and the monarch’s three other children and eight grandchildren, as well as all their spouses, will be among those present.
Other guests include the children of the queen’s late sister Princess Margaret, and three of Philip’s German relatives — Bernhard, the hereditary prince of Baden; Donatus, prince and landgrave of Hesse; and Prince Philipp of Hohenlohe-Langenburg. Countess Mountbatten, Penelope “Penny” Knatchbull, who was Philip’s carriage driving partner and one of his closest friends, is also invited.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson opted against attending to free up a space.
Attendees including the Queen will be required to wear face masks, sit apart and observe COVID-19 social distancing rules.
Queen Elizabeth will be accompanied to the venue in the state Bentley by a lady-in-waiting, before sitting alone in the chapel.
Furthermore, William and Harry will not walk side by side in the procession, Buckingham Palace has revealed, giving traction to reports of rifts between the two. According to details, Princess Anne’s son, Peter Philips, is positioned between them and William will move ahead of his younger brother as the royal mourners enter in pairs.
As young boys in 1997, the pair provided the most poignant image of their mother Princess Diana’s funeral as they walked, heads bowed, behind her coffin. Prince Philip had accompanied them, alongside their father Prince Charles and uncle Charles Spencer.
The funeral will be Harry and William’s first public meeting since Harry’s shock move to the United States last year and Oprah’s bombshell interview. The brothers have reportedly fallen out over Harry’s departure.
Weddings are a lavish affair in the subcontinent with most families leaving no stone unturned for the perfect wedding. These grand weddings not only leave pockets empty but are also very damaging to Mother Earth given how much waste they produce.
Bollywood star Dia Mirza, who is known to be one of the most committed champions of sustainability, decided to go against the norm when she tied the knot earlier this year, using her fame and influence to bring about a positive change. The model, actor and producer, whose environment-friendly efforts have also been recognised by the United Nations, opted for a sustainable wedding not only with her bridal look (an heirloom-worthy Benarasi sari) but also with the design and decor of the venue.
Talking to Brut India, Mirza shared how she planned her zero-waste wedding and gave tips on how you can plan yours too.
Handmade Gifts
“People love to give gifts to announce their weddings and stuff so even with that, we made sure we had handcrafted woven baskets, made by artisans and we sent everybody a plant,” shared Dia.
Local Decor
“All our decor, which was primarily the use of wasted twigs and woods and locally-grown flowers,” said Dia. “I think when we think of big events for weddings, we tend to use exotic flowers from all over the world, there’s obviously the carbon footprint of transport, etc.”
Sharing how to make the decor sustainable, Mirza said: “Making it sustainable, would entail going local and it also makes it just easily accessible, earthy and beautiful. And we wanted a very earthy wedding. All the decor elements were natural and locally available. A lot of them were recyclable and were obviously on hire so they would get recycled again.
No Food Waste
“We chose to keep the ceremony and the wedding extremely intimate and private,” said Dia. “That ensured that we had good control on numbers. We knew exactly who ate what. We ensured we knew exactly how many vegetarians and non-vegetarians were attending the wedding. We made sure we did food plating accordingly. And of course, we ensured that there was absolutely no food waste.”
Sustainable Fashion
“We tend to make garments that we can only wear once and never wear again and it’s most unfortunate,” lamented Dia.
She shared: “The last time around, I auctioned my clothes and this time around, I made sure I got a garment that I could reuse, wear again and again, and actually pass on, as a very wearable and beautiful item of clothing.”
“So I choose a sari. Even my husband chose an outfit that he could continue wearing through life and wouldn’t have to just wear it on that one day and hang it up in the cupboard and never touch it again,” shared the actor.
No Plastic
“There were no plastic straws, there was no plastic cutlery, there was no plastic bottles, or water on those horrible, dreadful little bottles that people serve water in,” said Dia. “We, in fact, bore an additional cost on water, because we chose glass bottles which are more expensive than plastic bottles but we said we’d rather do that and reduce cost on something else and create all that plastic waste which was so unnecessary.”
“So, we’re very proud at the end of that day and that evening because we succeeded in creating a completely sustainable event,” she added.
Dia chose to get married in her home garden, which is close to her heart. It’s also the home of her favourite mango tree, which became the highlight of the evening.
Using elements of the venue as part of the decor is a great eco-friendly decor idea.
Dia tied the knot with Mumbai-based businessman Vaibhav Rekhi in an intimate ceremony on February 15. The couple is also expecting their first child together.
