Author: StayConnecting

Samsung is exploring an ‘offline’ digital currency

Samsung is exploring an ‘offline’ digital currency that works with Galaxy phones

Consumer tech giant Samsung is looking into launching a central bank digital currency in collaboration with the Bank of Korea.

The South Korean electronics firm said Monday that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with the country’s central bank to conduct technical research on the digital currency.

Samsung said such a CBDC, which refers to a digital currency issued by a central bank, would work “offline” and could be sent between owners of its Galaxy smartphone and smartwatches thanks to a secure chip in the devices.

Payments could be made between devices through the use of near-field communication technology, which is built into smartphones to enable contactless payments, Samsung said.

Samsung said it developed a solution applying NFC technology to CBDCs last year. This allowed users to make a payment even when they had no internet connection, the company added.

In a press release Monday, Samsung said the firm, along with the Bank of Korea, would look to “continue researching how to minimize security risks associated with offline payments, to support reliable transactions in emergency situations even without network connections.”

“We are very pleased to be the first central bank to develop offline CBDC technology in partnership with Samsung Electronics,” Seungheon Lee, senior deputy governor at the Bank of Korea, said in a press release.

Has PCB suggested new proposal for Asia Cup?

Has PCB suggested a new proposal for Asia Cup?

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has suggested a new proposal for the Asia Cup that suggests that the matches should be played in two different phases, according to sources.

The new proposal suggests that in the first phase, all the teams except India will play one match in Pakistan in the first phase. In the second phase, all the teams including India will complete their remaining matches in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The new model suggests that the final match will also take place in the Gulf country.

Earlier, The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) suggested a “hybrid model” to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) for the Asian event with India’s matches scheduled offshore.

However, that model was reportedly rejected by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

The members of the ACC will present the new plan to Indian cricket board secretary Jay Shah before making the final decision.

Meanwhile, PCB Management Committee Chairman Najam Sethi has left for England after discussing the new proposal with ACC members in Dubai.

It must be noted that in October last year, Pakistani cricket authorities hinted they may pull out of next year’s World Cup in India, a day after officials there said they would not send a team to the 2023 Asia Cup in Pakistan.

Shah had said that India “can’t” send a team to Pakistan, adding the tournament would be moved to a neutral venue.

His announcement caught Pakistan by surprise, with officials warning it could “split” the international cricket community.

Not a solution’: IT minister on social media

Not a solution: IT minister on a social media blackout, internet shutdown

Information Technology Minister Syed Amin Ul Haque Tuesday regretted the social media blackout and internet shutdown in the country, saying this is “not a solution” to problems while commenting on the government’s decision to curb mobile data services amid recent violent protests across the country.

“Internet should not be shut down in any case. I will try my best that internet service is not shut in the near future,” he said, during an interview with Geo Pakistan

The minister added that internet services were suspended without taking the IT ministry in confidence, as Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is an independent institution. “Since 2017, the PTA is no longer under the Ministry of Information Technology,” he highlighted.

Haque also spoke about the gradual restoration of mobile internet from Friday and informed about his discussion with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the matter.

The government decided to shut down the internet and restricted access to Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube for an indefinite period to prevent incitement to violence after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan was arrested last week from the Islamabad High Court on May 9.

Haque proposed to shut down the internet in certain areas, as social media, he added, was misused and martyrs’ memorials were desecrated.

He stated that using Virtual Private Network (VPN) is not the solution insisting on the government be broadminded.

The government, a day earlier, finally restored access to social media platforms — Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook — across the country after almost a seven-day suspension.

The IT minister said billions have been lost due to internet services being affected. “IT ministry is against any restriction that hinders progress,

King Charles private secretary resigns days

King Charles’s private secretary resigns days after the coronation

King Charles has faced a major blow as his top aide resigned days after his historic coronation last weekend.

According to a report by Hello, the monarch’s private secretary, Sir Edward Young, has stepped down after 19 years of service to the royal family.

Want to Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease?

Want to Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease? Try Eating Watermelon

  • A new study suggests that eating watermelon may be better for you than previously believed.
  • Researchers found that study participants who ate more watermelon had a greater intake of essential nutrients, including fiber, potassium, and vitamin C.
  • Watermelon can also help improve hydration and lower your risk of heart disease.

Watermelon may be even more nutritious than previous research suggests.

According to a new study published in Nutrients, eating watermelon could actually help increase total nutrient intake and diet quality.

The study authors analyzed data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cycles 2003–2018. They found people who consumed watermelon had a greater intake of essential nutrients including dietary fiber, magnesium, potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin A, as well as lycopene and other carotenoids.

This suggests watermelon can increase nutrient intake as well as diet quality in both children and adult Americans, say the study authors.

These findings are similar to previous studies which have shown eating fruit in general contributes to nutrient intake, but other studies have lacked looking at watermelon specifically.

People from the data analysis who consumed watermelon also had lower intakes of added sugars and total saturated fatty acids.

Kristen Fulgoni, research analyst, and study author, is presenting the research findings at the American Society for Nutrition annual meeting, Nutrition 2023, held July 22-25 in Boston.

General watermelon nutrition information

Watermelon is full of water, is nearly fat-free, and is a source of essential vitamins and minerals. Eating watermelon is associated with the following health benefits:

  • Lower blood pressure
  • Reduced insulin resistance
  • Reduced muscle soreness (quicker rebound)

Watermelon benefits are also linked to better digestion, improved skin health, and lower levels of inflammation.

The nutrients in 2/3 cup (100 grams) of raw watermelon according to the USDATrusted Source are:

  • Calories: 30
  • Water: 91%
  • Protein: 0.6 grams
  • Carbs: 7.6 grams
  • Sugar: 6.2 grams
  • Fiber: 0.4 grams
  • Fat: 0.2 grams

Shah Rukh Khan unveils wife Gauri Khan’s role

Shah Rukh Khan unveils wife Gauri Khan’s Role in Designing ‘Mannat’

King of Bollywood Shah Rukh Khan recently unveiled the role Gauri played to design their Mannat residence.

Khan shared that it was his dream house. However, he was not able to afford it initially, but somehow he still bought it.

 

He further revealed how his Mannat residence kick started wife Gauri Khan’s career as an interior designer.

The Pathaan actor stated: “When we bought Mannat, it was way beyond our.. being from Delhi, one was used to living in bungalows. But in Mumbai, apartments are even more expensive. As soon as we mustered up some money, we managed to buy this bungalow.”

“It was beyond our means, but we bought it. We didn’t have the money to design it then. We called a designer and the money that the person quoted was beyond my salary.”

Khan, 57, added: “So I asked Gauri to design it. That’s how the journey started. We build the house by buying all the small things needed to build a house. It took a while, but we did it.”

“For her, to do this at such a young age also helped her to learn. For me, now it’s very nice that I don’t have to look for another designer. It’s easier to discuss what we want. We want things to be clean and nice.”

Work wise, Shah Rukh Khan is gearing up to play lead in Atlee’s Jawan. Meanwhile, he is also looking forward to mark his first collaboration with the PK director Rajkumar Hirani in upcoming film Dunki, reports Pinkvilla. 

 

In relief for Pakistan, South Korea defers loan

In a relief for Pakistan, South Korea defers a loan worth millions

The Republic of Korea on Monday differed Pakistan’s loan worth $19.911 million, under the G-20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI) framework as Islamabad battles a worsening economic crisis.

According to the details, the cash-strapped country inked a Debt Service Suspension Agreement with Korea today. This amount, initially had to be repaid between July and December 2021, will now be repaid over a period of six years (including a one-year grace period) in semi-annual installments, said a press release issued by the Economic Affairs Division (EAD).

Due to the support extended by the development partners of Pakistan, the G-20 DSSI has provided the fiscal space which was necessary to deal with the urgent health and economic needs of the country.

The total amount of debt, that is to be suspended under the DSSI framework, covering the period of repayment from May 2020 to December 2021, stands at $3,686 million.

Pakistan has already concluded and signed 104 agreements with 21 bilateral creditors for the deferment of its debt repayments under the G-20 DSSI, amounting to $3,633 million.

The signing of the agreement as mentioned above brings this total to $3,653 million. Negotiations for the remaining contracts to be signed under the G-20 DSSI are ongoing.

Imran Khan’s hearing set to begin at IHC

Imran Khan’s hearing is set to begin at IHC in the Al-Qadir Trust case shortly

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan is set to appear before the Islamabad High Court (IHC) for a hearing regarding the Al-Qadir Trust case.

The Supreme Court, a day earlier, directed Khan to appear before the IHC today declaring his arrest this week — that triggered deadly clashes across the country — “unlawful”.

Khan was ordered to remain in the bench’s custody under police protection for his own safety until his court appearance today.

A three-member bench headed by IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq will hear Khan’s bail petition.

The Islamabad Police spokesperson shared that as per the Supreme Courts order yesterday, Khan had met 10 people last night.

These include President Arif Alvi and Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid.

“Dr. Faisal, Khan’s personal physician, and a member of Khan’s legal team also met him at the police guest house,” the spokesperson added.

Khan’s arrest

Earlier, on May 9, Khan had appeared before the same court and bench in order to secure a pre-arrest bail in the land corruption case.

However, he was arrested by paramilitary troops on the directive of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) at the court’s biometric department.

Following Khan’s arrest, the IHC held another hearing to determine whether his arrest from the court premises was legal or not.

Subsequently, the court determined that it was.

However, yesterday the Supreme Court overturned the IHC’s verdict, declaring Khan’s arrest to be “illegal”.

The apex court, however, directed Khan to ensure his presence before the IHC today.

What is the Al-Qadir Trust case?

The former prime minister, along with his wife Bushra Bibi and other PTI leaders, is facing a NAB inquiry related to a settlement between the PTI government and a property tycoon, which reportedly caused a loss of 190 million pounds to the national exchequer.

As per the charges, Khan and other accused allegedly adjusted Rs50 billion — 190 million pounds at the time — sent by Britain’s National Crime Agency (NCA) to the government.

They are also accused of getting undue benefit in the form of over 458 canals of land at Mouza Bakrala, Sohawa, to establish Al Qadir University.

Jose Mourinho on course for European success

Jose Mourinho is on course for European success with Roma but could he head to Paris St-Germain?

Jose Mourinho remains on course for a sixth European final as a manager after seeing his Roma side claim a narrow 1-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen at the Stadio Olimpico in the Europa League semi-final first leg.

The Portuguese boss was hailed as the ‘King of Rome’ after guiding the Serie A side to an inaugural Europa Conference League title last term – in the process delivering the club’s first trophy in 14 years.

However, even if his bid to deliver back-to-back European titles is successful, just how long will he be in the Italian capital to bask in the adulation?

Mourinho’s contract at Roma is due to run until the summer of 2024 but in recent days there has been plenty of talk of him upping sticks this summer for an 11th managerial challenge, at Paris St-Germain.

The 60-year-old jokingly laughed off speculation on Wednesday, telling Sky Sport Italia, “If they called, they didn’t find me.”

But Roma’s hopes of reaching the Champions League appear to rest on Europa League glory, with the Giallorossi currently seventh in Italy’s top flight, so could he be tempted if the phone call comes?

‘He would like a project that is befitting his legacy

Mourinho’s record of five wins in five European finals is likely to appeal to a club that has earned a reputation for stumbling on Europe’s biggest stage.

PSG’s failure to progress past Bayern Munich in the last 16 of this term’s Champions League was just the latest painful elimination from a competition that has become an obsession since they moved into Qatari ownership in 2011, with current boss Christophe Galtier expected to leave at the end of the campaign.

And even while they may have a major restructure of their squad on their hands this summer – with the likes of Lionel Messi departing – whoever is at the helm is expected to be presented with a considerably larger transfer kitty that the nine million euros outlaid by Roma last summer.

“I think Mourinho sees Roma as a way to bounce back to another big job,” Italian football journalist James Horncastle told the Euro Leagues Podcast.

“He can quite reasonably say he has been a qualified success in that they have won their first trophy for 14 years and they are close to another European final.

“He is someone that ultimately wants to win wherever he goes and I think he feels that at Roma, unless they start changing the strategy and spending more money they are not going to be able to deliver a league title.

 

Exit mobile version

KUBET