Facebook changes its company name to Meta

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Facebook Inc said on Thursday it would rebrand as Meta, a name change that comes as the company battles criticisms from lawmakers and regulators over its market power, its algorithmic decisions and the policing of abuses on its platforms.

The company said the change would bring together its different apps and technologies under one new brand.

CEO Mark Zuckerberg, speaking at the company’s live-streamed virtual and augmented reality conference, said the new name reflected its focus on building the metaverse.

“Right now, our brand is so tightly linked to one product that it can’t possibly represent everything that we’re doing today, let alone in the future,” he said.

The tech giant said the change would bring together its different apps and technologies under one new brand. It said it would not change its corporate structure.

The metaverse, a term first coined in a dystopian novel three decades ago and now attracting buzz in Silicon Valley, refers broadly to the idea of a shared virtual environment which can be accessed by people using different devices.

The company unveiled a new sign at its headquarters in Menlo Park, California, on Thursday, replacing its thumbs-up “Like” logo with a blue infinity shape.

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Falak Shabir sings ‘Mauka Mauka’, Instagram video goes viral

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Singer Falak Shabir made fun of the Indian cricket team by singing the “Mauka Mauka” (opportunity) after Pakistan handed a record-setting defeat to them in the T20 World Cup.

He shared a video of him performing the song in front of an audience on his picture and video-sharing social media application Instagram profile. He said that the Indian side did not give mauka but Pakistan took it by itself instead.

After singing the song, he chants Pakistan Zindabad (Long Live Pakistan).

The video went viral and has at least 1.3 million views and 0.25 million likes.

Star Sports had launched the “Mauka Mauka” campaign before Pakistan played India in the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2015 in Australia. It made fun of the Green Shirts due to the fact that it had never beaten the Men in Blue in a World Cup game.

Its video sees a Pakistan fan witnessing Pakistan’s defeat in World Cup competitions from 1992 to 2011 while hoping to light fireworks when his team would break the jinx.

The video was later being used to humiliate all the teams that India would be facing in that edition.

However, the campaign took a hit when Pakistan handed a humiliating 10-wicket defeat to India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium last Sunday.

Babar Azam-led side, winning the toss and electing to bowl, restricted Virat Kohli’s men to 151-7 in their allotted 20 overs thanks to Shaheen Shah Afridi’s match-winning three-wicket haul.

Star Sports, on its Facebook page, shared a clip of the Mauka Mauka all smiles and finally lighting those fireworks.

“Well Played Pakistan,” the caption read.

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PTV takes Nauman Niaz, Shoaib Akhtar off-air till inquiry concludes.

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Following an on-air spat between former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar and PTV Sports anchorperson Nauman Niaz, the state broadcaster has decided to take both personalities off-air.

According to a statement issued by the PTV, “neither Akhtar nor Dr Nauman will not be allowed to appear in any programme on PTV,” until the completion of the inquiry into the matter. 

Sources had earlier told that the decision was taken upon the recommendation of an inquiry committee formed by the PTV to investigate the episode.

The recommendation was presented during a meeting of the inquiry committee in which the managing director of the state broadcaster, along with other higher-ups, was present.

During the meeting, the unpleasant episode that occurred between legendary bowler Shoaib Akhtar and Niaz was thoroughly discussed and a report prepared in this regard was also reviewed, sources said.

The inquiry committee said that it had interviewed Niaz regarding the spat after which it forwarded the recommendation of taking Niaz off-air. Meanwhile, the inquiry committee had also summoned Shoaib Akhtar to appear before it, but Akhtar refused, saying that the committee should review the videos instead of asking him to appear it. 

It should be recalled that on Tuesday, Akhtar and Niaz were embroiled in a spat during the PTV Sports show “Game on Hai”. 

The two were discussing Pakistan’s victory over New Zealand when tensions between Niaz, the host of the show, and Shoaib Akhtar, one of the many decorated panellists on the show, escalated.

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Katrina Kaif marries Akshay Kumar. Video goes viral.

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Bollywood superstar Katrina Kaif can be seen getting married to Akshay Kumar in Mere Yaaraa, the song from their upcoming film Sooryavanshi. Katrina and Akshay announced the release of the video song on their respective social media handles.

Taking to Instagram, the Tiger 3 actor said, “#mereyaara. Those blissful days #sooryavaanshi” followed by heart emoticons.

Akshay also took to the photo-video sharing platform and said, “When you find that one in a million, your heart can’t help but sing #MereYaaraa. Song out now.”

In the video song, Akshay proposes Katrina and she says “Yes”.

Katrina and Akshay are currently on the promotional spree of Sooryavanshi.

Directed by Rohit Shetty, the film also stars Ajay Devgn and Ranveer Singh.

The film was set to release in March 2020, however, due to coronavirus pandemic it was delayed several times.  

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Love Birds Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor to the tie knot in December?

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-SHOWBIZ)

Bollywood power couple Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor are officially getting married by year end, reports Indian media. A source close to the couple has confirmed a winter wedding for the Bhramastra duo.

“Ranbir has pushed the Animal shoot to 2022; besides, he has to Shamshera to promote, which releases in March 2022. The buzz is that the two are getting married in December, which is why they’ve kept their date diaries empty, just as Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma had done even as they denied about the wedding before going off to Italy to get married. Hopefully, there’ll be an official announcement, just as the Kapoors normally do.”

Ranbir and Alia have been waiting for a couple of years now. Speaking with Rajeev Masand in an earlier interview, Ranbir revealed that he will be ‘ticking off’ wedding from his checklist ‘very soon.’

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Sania Mirza arranged birthday ceremony for Muhammad Hafeez’s wife.

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

A surge in Microsoft Corp’s shares nearly unseated Apple Inc as the world’s most valuable Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Hafeez has thanked his teammate Shoaib Malik’s wife Sania Mirza for organizing a birthday party for his spouse Nazia Hafeez.

He shared pictures of the two families celebrating the occasion on his official Twitter page. The veteran all-rounder extended his birthday wishes to his wife. He thanked Sania Mirza for coming to the rescue and bringing a cake for her.

Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik are part of the Pakistan side in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup which is taking place in the United Arab Emirates.

Pakistan are scheduled to play Afghanistan on October 29 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium before heading to Abu Dhabi for playing against Namibia. Their last group stage match will be against Scotland in Sharjah on November 7.

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Microsoft nearly overtakes Apple as most valuable company

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

A surge in Microsoft Corp’s shares nearly unseated Apple Inc as the world’s most valuable company on Wednesday, a day before the iPhone maker reports its quarterly results.

Fueled by strong quarterly growth in its Azure cloud-computing business, Microsoft’s shares jumped 4.2% to end at a record $323.17, elevating the software maker’s market capitalization to $2.426 trillion, just short of Apple’s $2.461 trillion valuation, according to Refinitiv data.

Apple’s shares dipped 0.3% ahead of its report due after the bell on Thursday, with investors focused on how the global supply-chain crisis is challenging the company’s ability to meet demand for its iPhones.

Microsoft’s stock has rallied 45% this year, with pandemic-induced demand for its cloud-based services driving sales. Shares of Apple have climbed 12% in 2021.

Apple’s stock market value overtook Microsoft’s in 2010 as the iPhone made it the world’s premier consumer technology company. The two companies have taken turns as Wall Street’s most valuable company in recent years, with Apple holding the title since mid-2020.

In its report late on Tuesday, Microsoft forecast a strong end to the calendar year thanks to its booming cloud business, but it warned that supply-chain woes will continue to dog key units, such as those producing its Surface laptops and Xbox gaming consoles.

Analysts on average expect Apple to report September-quarter revenue up 31% to $84.8 billion and adjusted earnings per share of $1.24, according to Refinitiv.

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Famous photographer & brand consultant Shani from Guddu & Shani, hosted an expert panel at Pakistan Tech Summit in Istanbul

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Famous photographer & brand consultant Shani from Guddu & Shani, hosted an expert panel at Pakistan Tech Summit in Istanbul, Turkey. Shani has recently built an Institute named Propel that is designed to build a workforce with an innovative mindset and advanced skills. You can visit www.propel.pk while the app for this ed-tech will be available soon in November.


Talking to business leaders of e-commerce in Pakistan he emphasized the need for professional education, improvisation in customers’ brand experience, alternate payment methods, and flexible payment returns.

The panel discussed the strengths of the rapidly growing demand for e-commerce in Pakistan due to the growing middle-class economy of the country. They emphasized the need for developing the workforce to fulfill the growing demands in e-commerce in various sectors.


It was nice to hear that the awareness level of having e-presence for almost every business exists in the country and we do not need to convince clients anymore to focus on digital sales. Instead, every new business now comes with a default plan of having an extensive e-commerce platform along with digital marketing.

 

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Aima Baig, Shahbaz Shigri turn regal bride and groom

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Aima Baig and Shahbaz Shigri have given their fans a glimpse into how they may pose on the day of their wedding.

Aima and Shahbaz recently featured in a bridal shoot for the label Mina Kashif. They modelled heavy embellished creations against a regal backdrop and carried themselves with grace and finesse.

At the 5th HUM Style Awards in July, Shahbaz revealed that he and Aima would tie the knot by the end of 2021. The two were engaged in a private ceremony in June. It was attended by Hania Aamir and Ali Rehman Khan.

Aima often shares adorable posts for and with Shahbaz and calls him her “weirdo”. They reportedly met on the sets of Parey Hut Love in 2019. 

 

 Aima and Shahbaz are among the most favorite celebrity couples in Pakistan.

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Haris Rauf the hero as Pakistan thrashes New Zealand

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Fast bowler Haris Rauf took a career best 4-22 to help Pakistan defeat New Zealand by five wickets and record their second successive win in the Twenty20 World Cup on Tuesday.

Boosted by their brilliant performance in the 10-wicket rout of arch-rivals India on Sunday, Rauf inspired the 2009 champions to victory in front of a boisterous Sharjah crowd mainly comprised of Pakistani expats.

Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell both scored 27 for New Zealand, while skipper Kane Williamson made a laborious 25 off 26 balls as New Zealand were held to a below-par 134-8.

Veteran Shoaib Malik (27) and Asif Ali (26) came together with Pakistan wobbling at 87-5 and led the team to their target in 18.4 overs.

Pakistan had lost skipper Babar Azam to Tim Southee — bowled for nine in the sixth over — as the paceman took his 100th wicket in his 84th T20 international. 

He is only the third bowler behind Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan (117 in 92 T20Is) and Sri Lankan Lasith Malinga (107 in 84) to take 100 or more wickets in the format.

Leg-spinner Ish Sodhi trapped both Fakhar Zaman (11) and Mohammad Rizwan leg-before to reduce Pakistan to 69-4. In between those two dismissals, Conway produced a brilliant diving catch at wide long-off to dismiss Mohammad Hafeez as he attempted to lift spinner Mitchell Santner out of the ground.

When Imad Wasim fell for 11, Pakistan still needed 47 off 31 deliveries. It was left to Asif — maligned for his continuous failures — to hit two sixes off Southee in the 17th over to bring down the target to 24 off the last three.

Malik reduced that to nine in two overs by hitting a four and a six off Santner. Asif then smacked Trent Boult for six before hitting the winning runs.

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