Tencent Developing Mobile Version

 

• Tencent adapting “Elden Ring” for mobile.
• Shifts to free-to-play, diverging from the original.
• Urgency due to recent gaming release underperformance.
• 
  
• Tencent acquired the licensing rights for “Elden Ring” from FromSoftware in 2022 and established a dedicated team to work on a prototype. The company, known for its strategic investments in the gaming industry, also secured a 16% stake in the Japanese game maker the same year. However, progress on the mobile adaptation has been described as slow by insiders
• Tencent’s move to adapt premium console games for mobile platforms has faced challenges in the past. The company reportedly abandoned a project based on the popular “Nier” franchise in December due to concerns about monetization.
• 
  
• 
  
  Tencent and FromSoftware have not provided official comments on the reported mobile adaptation of “Elden Ring,” and the sources requested anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to the media. Tencent’s cautious approach to pursuing games based on other companies’ franchises reflects the challenges of a gaming market reaching a plateau and potential delays caused by Beijing’s opaque game approval system.

Canada’s visit visa now allows freelance digital work

 Canada has opened its doors to freelance digital workers by introducing the Digital Nomad Visa Program. Under this initiative, individuals on a foreign visit visa can now apply for a work permit to freelance while in Canada.

Digital nomad workers will only require a visit visa, allowing them a flexible stay of up to 6 months, whether freelancing or working for an international employer.

Notably, the Canadian government has streamlined the process by eliminating the need for additional documents for digital workers entering the country.

This move reflects Canada’s acknowledgment and accommodation of the evolving nature of remote work and freelancing.

According to the immigration ministry, about 360,000 study permits are expected to be accepted this year, which reflects a 35% reduction compared to last year.

Immigration Minister Marc Miller has announced that the federal government will work alongside provinces, which oversee the education system, to enforce the cap.

FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule

 During a live broadcast at the Telemundo Center in Miami, FIFA unveiled the schedule for the 2026 World Cup. The grand finale will take place in New York, New Jersey, on Sunday, 19 July 2026, while the opening match featuring the Mexican national team will be held at the renowned Estadio Azteca Mexico City on Thursday, 11 June 2026.

FIFA Vice-President and Concacaf President Victor Montagliani remarked, “The FIFA World Cup 26 will be a watershed moment and one that will trigger massive football development in our region and worldwide. While each Host City is unique, they all have something in common – they are passionate about football and cannot wait to welcome the world in June and July 2026.”

FIFA mentioned in a press release, “Innovative match schedule ensures that three days of rest for teams is observed for 103 of the tournament’s 104 matches. Majority of matches to be played in three regionalised zones (east, central and west) to reduce travel for teams and fans.”

Canada, with its rich history of hosting top FIFA women’s and youth tournaments, including the successful FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015™, will host its first FIFA World Cup.

The USA, following the record-setting 1994 edition, will host the FIFA World Cup for the second time. The USA has also successfully hosted two editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup (1999 and 2003)

Cricketer Javeria Khan ties knot in lavish wedding

 

• Javeria Khan got married.
• Fellow cricketers attended the ceremony.
• She played her debut ODI against Sri Lanka

Cricket player Javeria Khan, a Pakistani lady, got married in a lavish Karachi ceremony.

Her fellow cricket players, family members, and friends attended the event; pictures and videos from it have gone viral on social media.

Sana Mir, the former captain of the women’s team, batter Ayesha Zafar, and a number of other players are shown having fun during the event.

Kashmir Solidarity Day

 Kashmir Day is a national holiday observed in Pakistan on 5 February annually. It is observed to show Pakistan's support and unity with the people of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir and Kashmiri separatists' efforts to secede from India, and to pay homage to the Kashmiris who have died in the conflict.^[1][2] Solidarity rallies are held in the Pakistani-administered territory of Azad Jammu and Kashmir,^[3] Pakistan and by Mirpuri Kashmiris in the United Kingdom.

The current 'Kashmir Solidarity Day' was started by the Pakistani minister for Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas in 2004.^[8]

In 2021, the New York State Assembly passed a resolution calling on the Governor of New York to recognize the day as Kashmir American Day. According to the resolution, the day is meant to recognize New York's Kashmiri community and to "champion human rights including the freedom of religion"

India’s atrocities on the people of the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir are horrendous and intolerable. Pakistan as a nation stands with our brothers & sisters in IIOJK for their rights & reassures them on #KashmirSolidarityDay that it will not give on Kashmir cause.

Nazir defends Babar,

 Ex-Pakistan cricketer Imran Nazir has recently voiced his support for ex-Pakistan skipper Babar Azam, dubbing him as the best player globally and advising critics to comprehend the nuances of cricket before making judgments.

“For those who criticize Babar Azam, I would say, at least understand cricket first. He is the world’s best player, and I believe that in Pakistan, Babar is the player who, in terms of technique, as a cricketer, and as a personality embodies what it means to be a cricketer. A team doesn’t rely solely on one player; there are 10 other players who also contribute. He is doing his part; what about the rest?” Imran Nazir expressed.

On November 15th, 2023, Babar Azam, who was then 29, relinquished his captaincy in all formats following a discussion with the then Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee, Zaka Ashraf.

Post Azam’s decision, the PCB named Shan Masood as the Test captain of the Pakistan Men’s Cricket Team, and Shaheen Shah Afridi was appointed as the T20I captain. The captain for the ODI format is still to be declared.

Health and Nutritional Benefits of Pomegranate

 Pomegranates are low in calories and fat but high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Benefits include antioxidants, heart health, urinary health, exercise endurance, and more.

systematic review also found that consuming pomegranates every day can improve cognitive function in healthy individuals and lower the chance of cognitive impairment. Cognitive refers to processes related to learning, remembering, and understanding information.

If you live with diabetes, you may want to ask your doctor about eating pomegranates every day since the fruit has a high sugar content

In lay terms, superfoods are nutrient-dense foods that have the potential to benefit your health when you eat them regularly. Some people may consider pomegranates a superfood because of their anti-inflammatory properties and high content in fiber, vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals.

Research in humans is limited when it comes to the benefits of pomegranates for kidney health. However, foods that are high in antioxidants may offer benefits for the whole body, including the kidneys. If you live with kidney disease, however, you may want to discuss eating pomegranates with your healthcare professional because of the fruit’s high potassium content and potential to interact with some medications.