Coffee is a well-liked beverage that is known for sharpening focus and boosting energy. The caffeine wakes you up and drinking a steaming cup of coffee is extremely relaxing. But is coffee good for you?

Coffee has been connected to a wide range of potential health advantages in addition to its energetic effects, which makes brewing it even more appealing.

Boosts energy levels

Caffeine, a stimulant found in coffee, has been demonstrated to boost energy and reduce exhaustion by changing the levels of specific neurotransmitters in the brain.

Lowers Risk of Type-2 Diabetes

Over time, regular coffee consumption may be associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.

Because of its high antioxidant content, coffee may have an impact on insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and metabolism, all of which are factors in the onset of type 2 diabetes.

Supports brain health

According to certain research, coffee may offer some degree of defence against certain neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

Several studies have also shown that moderate coffee drinking may be linked to a reduced risk of dementia and cognitive deterioration.

Promotes weight management

Some studies suggest that coffee may affect how fat is stored and improve gut health, both of which may be helpful for weight management.

Another study discovered that coffee drinkers were more inclined to engage in physical activity.

Lowers Risk of Depression

According to several studies, coffee may be associated with a decreased risk of depression and a lower chance of suicide death.

Protects against liver conditions

It’s interesting to note that some studies suggest coffee may help to maintain liver health and offer disease protection.

For instance, one study discovered a link between drinking more than two cups of coffee per day and a reduction in the prevalence of liver cancer and liver scarring in individuals with liver illness.

Could increase longevity

According to some research, coffee’s numerous potential health advantages may help shorten lifespan.  Studies suggest that those who drink coffee have a lower risk of dying from some of the main causes of mortality, including coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and kidney disease.

Advice for coffee drinkers:

• Remember that the research concentrates on the advantages of drinking black coffee. If you can’t, stay with low-calorie, low-fat additions like skim milk or almond milk.
• Adults are advised to enjoy a daily cup or two of coffee but don’t use it as a substitute for other healthy behaviors.

On our visit to Multan, the city of saints we got a chance to try out the much talked about hi-tea at yum.

The hi-tea menu ranged from appetisers to main courses to desserts. From the appetisers, we really enjoyed the salads & chaats. They’re super fresh & delicious. The honey chilli wings have to be our top pick, the perfect balance of sweet & spicy was a treat for our taste buds.

The variety of main courses really impressed us, Mongolian Beef and Vegetable Chowmein being our favourites.
Ofcourse we ended our meal with some dessert. The three milk cake and dessert shots tickled our sweet tooth for sure.
All in all, we were amazed by the impeccable service, delish food and lovely ambiance.

Team paperazzi would highly recommend you to give it a try when in Multan!

In May, Instagram started testing a new version of its home feed that featured full-screen images and videos, much like TikTok, and responses to the test were strong.

Instagram is under criticism for adopting new features like those of its challenger TikTok. Playing up short-form video, showing it full-screen as TikTok does, and suggesting posts from strangers are other modifications that drew criticism from users.

Last month, photographer Tati Bruening uploaded a message on Instagram that read, “Make Instagram Instagram again. Stop trying to be TikTok. I just want to see cute photos of my friends.”

More than 275,000 people signed her online petition, which was reposted by social media stars Kylie Jenner and Kim Kardashian.

According to Instagram’s Head Adam Mosseri, over the next two weeks, Instagram will lessen the number of videos that are promoted to users from accounts they do not follow and will no longer test a full-screen mode for watching posts.

As people share and seek out video snippets more frequently, Mosseri contended that the move to more videos would occur even if the service remained unchanged.

Mosseri declared, “We will need to embrace this transformation because, if you look at what people share on Instagram, video content is becoming more and more prevalent over time.”

On a Wednesday earnings call, Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, backed up that statement by stating that more people are watching videos online.

Zuckerberg paid more attention to the combination of content on Facebook and Instagram as well as the transformation of both apps into discovery engines, again like TikTok.

During Meta’s Q4 earnings call on Wednesday, Mark Zuckerberg mentioned Reels at least 23 times.

“It’s clear short-form video will be an increasing part of how people consume content moving forward, and Reels is now our fastest-growing content format by far,” Zuckerberg said on the call.

What do you think of Instagram’s new updates and features? Tell us in the comment section below.

Looking for ways to make a little pocket money? Here we have a selection of easy things to make and sell online, which almost anyone can do.

Bath bombs and soaps

Bath bombs and soaps are very simple to produce and may be very profitable because they can sell for up to $10 each. Producing bath bombs and soaps to sell is a fantastic way to combine your passion for crafts and your desire for money if you enjoy making things and are crafty.

Jewelry

Selling handmade jewelry online and at craft fairs is a common practice. It’s an excellent place to begin even as a novice, you may produce lovely works, and the start-up expenditures can be kept rather modest.

Candles

A candle-making business can be quite successful. In addition to having a low entry cost, the candle manufacturing market is anticipated to grow to around $5 billion by 2026. There is no scarcity of clients buying their favourite candles.

Baked Goods

Home-based bakeries have recently become more and more popular. More recently, many business owners began selling their cakes, cupcakes, and cookies online before expanding into franchises and standard retail bakeries.

You can prepare a wide variety of desserts at home, including cakes and cupcakes, cookies, brownies, pies, muffins, and pastries.

Homemade Lip balms

One of the simplest products to produce and market with household items is lip balm. Beeswax and natural oils are used in simple formulas that may be put together with only a heat source. Although you don’t require expensive equipment, you should make sure that your setup still complies with industry standards and local laws regarding home production.

Pakistan has faced numerous difficulties since its independence in 1947, including a weak economy, dishonest and incompetent leaders, inadequate civil institutions, conflict and security issues, and regional instability.  However, Pakistan has already demonstrated great resiliency in the face of tragedy.

Pakistan has advanced significantly in terms of industry, airlines, embassies, literacy rates, exports, and so much more.

Literacy rate:

Pakistan has come a long way in terms of literacy rate. At the time of the first census in 1950, the overall literacy rate was 14% in Pakistan.

 The current literacy rate of Pakistan is 58.00%. We have defeated illiteracy with the help of the Pakistani government’s ministry of education. 22 million pupils can now easily access schools and institutions.

GDP by Industry:

Out of the 921 industrial units in the subcontinent, Pakistan only received 34 at the time of independence. They were the cotton textile, cigarette, sugar, rice husking, cotton ginning, and flour milling sectors; collectively, they produced just 7% of the GDP and employed just over 26,000 people.

Now, Pakistan has the 22nd-largest economy. Pakistan’s industries have prospered over the years and are now responsible for 64% of GDP, up from only producing 7%. Agriculture, the automotive sector, cement, steel, tobacco, chemicals, machinery, and the cotton textile industry are among the major industries.

Radio Pakistan:

According to one of the pioneers of Radio Pakistan, three radio stations in Dhaka, Lahore, and Peshawar existed at the time of Independence. In 1947 there was no radio station in Karachi, the capital of Pakistan.

Now, Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC, Radio Pakistan) is operating 67 broadcasting units. These stations spread across the country and cover 98% of the population and 80% of the total area of Pakistan.

Embassies and consulates in Pakistan:

Since the creation of Pakistan in 1947, Pakistan faced a lot of struggles. Iran was the first country to open its embassy in Pakistan.

Now, there are about 59 Foreign Embassies and 68 Consulates placed in the territory of Pakistan.

Pakistan International Airlines:

PIA was founded on 29 October 1946 as Orient Airways and was initially based in Calcutta, British India, before shifting operations to the newly independent state of Pakistan in 1947.

 After facing a lot of challenges, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has become one of the best airlines in the world. PIA is Pakistan’s largest airline and operates a fleet of 29 aircraft. PIA’s expansion is uninterrupted, and the airline now serves every domestic destination as well as international locations on four different continents.

Universities and Colleges in Pakistan:

Education is a necessity for any country’s development. At the time of independence, there were only a few colleges and universities in Pakistan.

Now, there are over 190 universities and 2900 affiliated colleges in Pakistan.

IT sector of Pakistan:

Pakistan’s digital growth is undergoing a rapid transformation. One of Pakistan’s fastest-growing industries, IT/ITeS contributes around 1% of the country’s GDP or about 3.5 billion USD. It has already doubled in the last four years. In the next two to four years, it will expand another 100% to $7 billion, analysts predict.

Tourism Industry:

The tourist industry in Pakistan has a lot of potential. The fastest growth rates in tourist arrivals are currently being seen in Pakistan. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, the direct contribution of travel and tourism to Pakistan’s GDP in 2016 was ₨793 billion (equivalent to ₨4.0 trillion or US$18 billion in 2021), constituting 2.7% of the total GDP. By 2025, the government predicts tourism will contribute ₨1 trillion (US$4.4 billion) to the Pakistani economy.

Pakistan is experiencing a crisis, yet all is not lost, and there is still hope for Pakistan.

References:

(2022). Retrieved 13 August 2022, from https://www.pjbf.org.pk/pakistan-industry

(2022). Retrieved 13 August 2022, from https://www.piac.com.pk/corporate/about-us/history

Radio Pakistan – Wikipedia. (2022). Retrieved 13 August 2022, from https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_Pakistan

(2022). Retrieved 13 August 2022, from https://www.embassy-worldwide.com/country/pakistan/

Tourism in Pakistan – Wikipedia. (2022). Retrieved 13 August 2022, from https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_Pakistan

(2022). Retrieved 13 August 2022, from https://invest.gov.pk/sites/default/files/inline-files/IT.pdf

Haq, R. (2022). History of Literacy in Pakistan 1947-2014. Retrieved 13 August 2022, from http://www.riazhaq.com/2014/03/history-of-literacy-in-pakistan-1947.html?m=1

14^th August is just around the corner. It is a National holiday in Pakistan. It commemorates the day when Pakistan achieved independence and was declared a sovereign state following the end of the former British India.

Here are some ways to celebrate 14^th August with your friends and family:

Decorate Your House

Encourage the kids to adorn your house with flags, banners, balloons, and other items that promote independence in all its vibrant hues. Hoist the National Flag on top of your roof. This will instill a sense of patriotism in your home.

Play “Mili Naghmay”

National Songs reflect the actual feelings of every Pakistani and foster a sense of patriotism and connection. So, gather up and play songs like “Dil Dil Pakistan”, “Hai Jazba Junoon” on repeat.

Wear Green or White Clothes

Anyone who is patriotic for this country feels overwhelmed by wearing green or white clothing. Make sure that everyone in your family, from your grandparents to the smallest members, is wearing green or white clothes, accessorized with Pakistani flag pin.

Visit National Monuments

Take your kids to national landmarks and museums so they can connect with Pakistan’s history by witnessing the past come to life in front of their eyes.

Pray for Pakistan

Pray for Pakistan to be rescued from the evil spirits of anarchy and bloodshed that threaten the country. Pray God to provide a government that will advance the country. Pray that we achieve Jinnah and Allama Iqbal’s goal! 

“Teatime with Roha” is a food photographer based in Islamabad. She uses natural light to create stunning photos. She has a fantastic eye for details, and her food photography will make you hungry!

 Here are her top five tips to take Instagram-Worthy food photos:

Natural Light

Natural lighting! It’s the most important thing when it comes to aesthetic food photography. Not direct sunlight but perhaps something more of a “golden hour” intensity. Simple sunrays passing through a window or branches of a tree will do the trick too!

Capture steam or water drops

When capturing a drink, it’s temperature showing is a bonus. If it’s a hot drink, try to capture the vapours and if it’s a cold drink, try to bring in the water droplets for an Icey feel.

 White plates on white marble tops

This has got to be the easiest beginner’s way of capturing an aesthetic photograph. Personally, I find it to be very whitewashed because our culture is so colourful, nonetheless it does look good.

Focus on fewer items

Too many food items in one frame can be confusing. Focusing on fewer items brings out the beauty in each of them more. I personally love taking closeup shots of food. So close you can taste the picture!

Build your personal aesthetic

Remember that there is a difference between objective and subjective aesthetics. You need to enjoy what you do and give it your own twist. I love taking a sort of “point of view” shot of my plate, holding it in my hand and people really clicked with that!

In terms of plot and themes, Pakistani English novels are among the most distinctive. Over the years, various themes have been emphasised in these novels. These novels discussed the hidden truths of society.  Here are the top 5 award-winning books written by renowned Pakistani authors that had a significant impact on readers around the world.

Moth Smoke by Mohsin Hamid

British-Pakistani author Mohsin Hamid’s first book, Moth Smoke, was released in 2000. It tells the story of a banker named Darashikoh Shezad from Lahore, Pakistan who loses his job, falls in love with his best friend’s wife, and then begins a life of crime and drug use.

 Hamid explains the theme of crime and punishment in this novel. This is clear from the fact that the main character has gone beyond his breaking point in love and ends up dealing drugs while losing control.

My Feudal Lord by Tehmina Durrani

Tehmina Durrani is a Pakistani women’s right activist and author. She described her abusive marriage to Ghulam Mustafa Khar. The novel’s main themes centre on sexism and misogyny, the customary silence of women, and how their pride and dignity are dependent on the patriarchy of tribal leaders.

Ice Candy Man by Bapsi Sidhwa

Bapsi Sidhwa in her novel, Ice Candy Man focuses on the theme of partition of India along with several other themes. The brutal partition of India is depicted in the book through the eyes of Lenny Sethi, a young woman.

Sidhwa offers the most astounding perspective on strength, heartache, and terror. The way Partition is portrayed in Ice Candy Man exposes readers to the startling realities of that era’s society.

In Other Rooms, Other Wonders by Daniyal Mueenuddin

In Other Rooms, Other Wonders is a collection of short stories written by Pakistani American author Daniyal Mueenuddin. He has also worked as a journalist, lawyer, and a businessman.

In this book, Mueenuddin focuses on the timeless themes of desire, life, class, culture, and power. The book also examines a mental rivalry between Pakistan’s middle-class and elite social circle.

I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai

I am Malala is the autobiography of a young woman who defied death and absurd traditions. She became the voice of perpetually silent children, especially the girls of her town.

Her early life is described in the book, along with the ups and downs of the Taliban in Swat Valley and her struggles, hardships, and dangers.

There is no denying that Pakistani music is among the best in the world. In 1980s and 1990s, newly popularised rock culture completely revamped the sector. Music scene was revolutionised by rock bands like Vital Signs and Junoon. Growing up in Pakistan, these were the musicians and bands that figuratively defined our childhood.

They experimented with various musical styles, subgenres, and instruments, which altered how music was perceived. Here are just a few of the Pakistani bands that made life a little bit saner for us.

Vital Signs

Vital Signs were a Pakistani pop and rock band formed in Rawalpindi in 1986 by two Peshawar University students. After their formation, they soon became Pakistan’s first and most commercially successful band.

 Dil Dil Pakistan, Hum Tum and Aitebar were some of the top songs produced by band. Vital Signs songs will serve as a constant reminder of the legend we lost, and every song will forever be tainted with a nostalgic feeling.

Aaroh

Aaroh is an alternative rock band from Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan, formed in 1998. The band was founded by keyboardist Kamran Khan and lead guitarist Nabeel Nihal.

They quickly gained dedicated fan base in no time. Na Kaho, Jalan, and Jeeyay were hits produced by band and these songs peaked on many regional music charts.

Junoon

A Pakistani Sufi rock group called Junoon was founded in 1990 and hails from the cities of Tappan, New York, and Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. Junoon produced many songs that contain originals, renditions, and tributes.

Junoon se, Soyonee and Garaj Baras were some of the most iconic songs this band gave us.

Noori

Noori is a Pakistani rock band from Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan, formed in 1996. The group was formed by songwriter, lead vocalist, and guitarist, Ali Noor, along with his younger brother Ali Hamza, who were soon joined by other members.

The upbeat songs of Noori were heard by every child in the early 2000s. The band represented the optimistic outlook of the youth of the era, and their songs are still fondly recalled today. The band produced songs such as Suno Ke Mein Hoon Jawaan and the epic Manwa Re.

Strings             

Strings was a Pakistani pop/rock formed by Bilal Maqsood, Faisal Kapadia and others. Strings attained international fame and popularity due to their unique music and lyrics.

Yeh Hai Meri Kahani, Durr se koi Aye and Sajni were some of the best songs produced by band with a magnificent melody and rhythm.