Latest news with #Ghani
Business Insider
a day ago
- Lifestyle
- Business Insider
3 mistakes you're making in your open-concept home, according to interior designers
It's no secret that open-concept homes are becoming less popular. There are many reasons people are closing up their open-concept spaces — one of the biggest being that people don't know how to make these floor plans work for them. Business Insider spoke to two interior designers about the common mistakes people make with their open-concept homes. Think about your life before you embrace an open concept Charlotte Eustace, a UK-based interior designer who founded Eustace Studio, said she thinks one of the biggest issues people face with open-concept homes is that they don't think of how they will work in their lives. "Because it has been such a trend, people go for it without really thinking about how they're using the space," Eustace said. For instance, Eustace said that open floor plans aren't ideal for people working from home in a dining area, especially those with kids or a partner sharing the space. Likewise, working or relaxing in the same area where you cook can be distracting if you have made something with a strong odor. Juliana Ghani, an interior designer from Minneapolis, agreed, saying that seeing your kitchen constantly can also make a home feel less welcoming. "I think the open-concept kitchen is drawn out at this point," Ghani said. "I have one in my condo right now, and I'm not a fan." "When you're hosting, your guests see everything that's going on, which some may like, but they can see your dirty dishes. They can see the pots and pans that you use to cook," Ghani said, which isn't relaxing and doesn't create a party vibe. She said the same can be true of seeing your dishes or just the look of a kitchen when you're having downtime at home. Ghani told BI that many of her clients are turning toward a "cozy Nancy Meyers aesthetic" over an open concept. Still, Eustace said you can make your open floor plan work for you by not decorating it solely based on trends. "It's just about tailoring things that you see that you're inspired by and using them to fit your personal needs and lifestyle," she said. For example, Eustace doesn't have open shelving in her kitchen because she has trouble keeping them organized, while Ghani said she loves her open shelves and that they help her keep her glassware minimalist. Don't forget about zoning Eustace told BI that improper zoning is a "huge issue" in open-concept homes. "I think what people tend to do because it's open concept is think of the whole space as one huge room when the best design thinks about each space as an individual area," Eustace said, aka zoning. Likewise, some people think zoning means putting up a bookcase or other divider between areas, but Eustace said it's better to just decorate each space individually. "You should think about a lighting plan for each specific area rather than just a lighting plan for the whole kitchen," she said. Eustace advised using specific lighting over different areas, like a chandelier over your dining table. She also said it's important to get creative with your kitchen lighting if possible, as recessed lighting doesn't do much to make it feel like its own area. In addition, Eustace said she likes to use rugs for zoning, placing them under the dining and living areas to separate the spaces. Your home needs to feel cohesive Ghani said she often sees people decorating their kitchens in a style that doesn't match the other spaces visible in their open-concept homes, making them look out of place or "sterile." That isn't ideal for a well-functioning open-concept home. "Let's say you have a very cozy, layered living room," she said. "You should be able to carry that into your kitchen, maybe mix some materials and tones and have an interesting backsplash or have an interesting, unexpected countertop with a deep color." "I think the thing with open-concept kitchens is they've just gotten so the same, so sterile, there's not really a lot of depth in the finishes that people are choosing," she added. Ghani advised being intentional in the decor in your kitchen, in particular, as it will make the whole space feel welcoming.
DW
a day ago
- Politics
- DW
Israeli strikes mean new peril for Afghan refugees in Iran – DW – 06/19/2025
As Israeli strikes intensify, Afghan refugees in Iran find themselves in danger once again — stuck in a country that is no longer safe with no way to return home. The impact of the conflict between Iran and Israel is being felt by Afghans both inside their homeland and across the border in Iran. The fighting is exacerbating the already dire conditions in Afghanistan, where prices for Iranian imports have surged. Meanwhile, millions of Afghans who once fled to Iran in search of safety are now facing renewed uncertainty and pressure from officials as the armed conflict escalates. "We have no place to live," Afghan refugee Rahela Rasa told DW. "Our freedom of movement has been stripped from us," Rasa said. "We're harassed, insulted and abused." Afghans' lives go from bad to worse The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) estimates that nearly 4.5 million Afghan nationals reside in Iran. Other sources suggest that the number could be much higher. Iran had taken steps to deport thousands of Afghans in recent years. However, Afghans continue to arrive, seeking employment or refuge from the Taliban regime. In the years following the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban have dismantled the media and civil society, targeted former security personnel and imposed severe restrictions on women and girls, banning them from work and education. Conditions have also deteriorated for Afghans living in Iran. The refugees are only allowed to buy food at highly inflated prices and are banned from leaving Tehran. Tehran gridlocked as thousands try to flee Israeli strikes To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video A refugee told DW that she couldn't buy formula for her baby. "Everywhere I go, they refuse to sell it to me because I don't have proper documents," she said, requesting anonymity. 'My heart is broken' With Afghans in Iran seeing bombs flying overhead, their new country no longer offers even a semblance of safety. And some of them have already been kiled in strikes. DW spoke to Abdul Ghani from Afghanistan's Ghor province, whose 18-year-old son Abdul Wali recently completed school and moved to Iran to support his family. "On Monday, I spoke to my son and asked him to send us some money," Ghani said. "Last night, his employer called to inform me he had been killed in an attack." "My heart is broken," Ghani said. "My son is gone." No way home for many Afghans Returning to Afghanistan is not a viable option for most Afghan refugees, who fear persecution under the Taliban regime. A former member of Afghanistan's security forces, speaking anonymously, said he lived in constant fear. "We cannot return to Afghanistan," he said. "The Taliban would prosecute us." Mohammad Omar Dawoodzai, former Afghan interior minister and ambassador to Iran under the previous government, told DW that the international community must act to protect former officials and civil servants who may be forced to return to Afghanistan if the Israel-Iran conflict drags on. Fear deepens in Tehran as Israel targets Iran's capital To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video "I am particularly concerned about former military and government employees who fled to Iran after the Taliban takeover," Dawoodzai said. "The international community must hold the Taliban accountable and ensure returnees are not subjected to persecution." Migrant advocate urges refugees to stay put Human-smuggling networks appear to be exploiting the desperation of Afghan refugees. Rumors have circulated suggesting that Turkey has opened its borders for passage. But Ali Reza Karimi, a migrant rights advocate, dismissed the claims of open borders as false information spread by smugglers. Flights are suspended, and, he said, Turkey's border is only open to Iranian citizens and travelers with valid passports and visas and remains closed to Afghan migrants. Karimi urged Afghan refugees not to fall for the smugglers' lies or walk into their traps. "I've been informed that smugglers are telling refugees to head toward Turkey, claiming the borders are open," Dawoodzai said. "This creates yet another tragedy. They go there only to find the borders closed." Dawoodzai urged Afghan refugees in Iran to stay where they are for now, if possible. "As much as they can, our people should remain where they are and wait patiently. And if, for any reason, they are forced to move, they should head toward the Afghan border — not Turkey," he stated. Edited by: Darko Janjevic
Vancouver Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Amazon announces Prime Day Canada 2025 is four days: What else is different this year
Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Are you ready to restock on dishwasher detergent ? Perhaps a new set of Rubbermaid containers ? Or Beats headphones ? Those were our readers' favourite deals from last year's Prime Day — Amazon's biggest sale event of the year. This year, Prime Day may look a bit different. Firstly, it's four days instead of two. Amazon Prime Day Canada is running from July 8 – 11, 2025. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. We connected with Jamil Ghani, vice president of worldwide Amazon Prime, to learn more about this year's sale event. He said the decision to extend the event from two to four days is because 'Prime members have told us that they appreciate more time to shop and save, particularly when juggling their busy lives.' Another difference this year is the development of trade tariffs , which could impact the deals offered during Prime Day. Ghani noted that Amazon is 'actively monitoring developments in the global trade environment while maintaining our unwavering focus on delivering exceptional value to our Prime members in Canada.' The final major differentiator this year is related to the tariffs; Canadians are opting to shop Canadian brands . In response to the trend, Amazon is 'particularly proud of our Canada Showcase storefront, which will feature special Prime Day deals to help members discover and save on the best of Canadian brands and products,' Ghani mentioned. When is Prime Day in Canada: July 8 – 11, 2025. What's new: Prime Day is now four days. You can shop Canadian brands through Amazon's Canada Showcase and your Shopping Essentials team is now on the revamped Canoe . What's the same: Your Shopping Essentials team! Same team, new URL. Your in-house Canadian team of writers will bring you the best Prime Day deals. How to stay in the loop: Sign up for the Shopping Essentials newsletter . Prime Day is exclusively open to Prime members. Unlike Amazon's spring sale , which anyone can shop, Prime Day is only for those who have a Prime membership. If you're new to Prime, you can take advantage of a free trial . Once you have a Prime membership, we, of course, recommend following along with Canoe's Shopping Essentials coverage. Our team tests products all year to ensure we're only recommending worthwhile deals. Deals that are on quality products with actual good prices. We know our prices, so we can recognize if discounts are top-notch. To learn more about how Amazon is prepping for Prime Day Canada 2025, check out highlights from the Q&A with Ghani. Q: What are you most excited about this Prime Day? A: I am particularly excited about extending Prime Day to a full 96-hour event in Canada this year. This four-day format gives our Prime members more time to discover and shop deep discounts across top brands, trending products and some of Amazon's lowest prices of the year so far. By extending the event, we're able to showcase more products across more categories, including items from Canadian brands and small and medium-sized businesses. Q: Why did Amazon decide to extend Prime Day from two to four days this year? A: Prime is all about anticipating members' needs and bringing them closer to what they care about, which includes saving money through one of their most appreciated benefits – Prime Day. At Amazon, we embrace that 'It's still Day 1', meaning we nurture the innovative spirit of a startup, and this Prime Day extension demonstrates our ongoing commitment to innovating on behalf of customers. Q: How is Amazon continuing to support Canadian businesses? A: Canada is important to Amazon globally, and we've supported Canadian businesses through Prime Day since the very first event back in 2015. Amazon has offered virtual shelf space to Canadian sellers since 2003, helping thousands of Canada-based independent sellers, most of whom are small and medium-sized businesses, reach customers across Canada and around the world… …As we continue to invest and innovate, we're committed to adding more and more selection with products our customers want, including items from local Canadian businesses. Q: Do you have a favourite Canadian product available on Amazon? A: My three young daughters love Good To Go snacks , which we discovered on a family holiday in Victoria last year. All Natural Advice is a skincare staple for my wife, and we have ATTITUDE natural care products throughout our home. These are just a few examples of the high-quality Canadian offerings available. Q: What are three things you recommend buying on Prime Day? A: Prime Day is an excellent opportunity to save on needs and wants. Members can stock up on everyday essentials; in my household, that means diapers and wipes. Amazon devices , which traditionally see some of their deepest discounts of the year during the event, are also a great find. Q: What's your most ordered item on Amazon? A: Household items and daily essentials tend to be among the most frequently reordered products for many Prime members, including in my own household. With three young kids, my cart is currently filled with diapers, STEM building kits and beach toys, all the essentials to keep our three girls happy and entertained as we head into the summer season. Q: What's one product you ordered from Amazon that you love more than you expected to? A: I ordered a set of silicone food storage containers that I absolutely love more than I expected. I bought them thinking they'd just be useful for leftovers, but they've completely transformed the kitchen organization in our home. They collapse flat when not in use (saving so much cabinet space!), they're leakproof for taking lunch to work and they go straight from freezer to microwave without transferring food. Plus, I've significantly reduced my plastic wrap and aluminum foil usage since getting them. Q: What's your favourite show on Prime Video? A: I eagerly await every season of Reacher , and will admit that I went back and watched seasons 1 and 2 before devouring season 3. I've been captivated by the show's strong themes of justice, Alan Ritchson's dry humour as the protagonist, and the high-intensity action each season. I highly recommend it, whether you've read Lee Child's books or not. Q: How will the unfolding tariff landscape affect Prime Day Canada? A: We're actively monitoring developments in the global trade environment while maintaining our unwavering focus on delivering exceptional value to our Prime members in Canada. Through close collaboration with our selling partners to navigate evolving market conditions, we're ensuring that Prime Day will continue to offer members access to outstanding deals across a diverse range of products, regardless of external factors. Shopping Essentials , a category written by research-obsessed shopping fanatics, is now on . Explore in-depth product reviews, expert recommendations and exciting collaborations — plus get behind-the-scenes info on your favourite brands and trending products — learn more here or sign up for our newsletter rmann@postmedia
Axios
3 days ago
- Business
- Axios
Amazon announces its longest Prime Day is coming in July
Amazon is doubling the length of Prime Day this year from two days to four — the longest sale in the event's history. Why it matters: This year's Prime Day is forecast to be one of the year's biggest shopping events. Billions of dollars are projected to be spent at Amazon and other retailers that are expected to run competing sales. In past years, Target, Walmart, Best Buy, Kohl's and Macy's and other retailers held their own version of Prime Day in July. The big picture: Prime Day is considered the unofficial start of back-to-school shopping. Some shoppers get an early jump on buying Christmas gifts. "Our members have told us that they want more time to shop and save," Jamil Ghani, Amazon Prime vice president, told Axios. When is Prime Day 2025? Driving the news: The e-commerce giant's 11th Prime Day promotion begins 12:01am PDT July 8 and goes through July 11. July 8 is also the start of Prime Day in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Japan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and the U.K. Prime Day comes to Brazil, Egypt, India, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates later this summer, Amazon said. Prime Day deals Zoom in: Amazon said Prime members will get access to millions of deals "across more than 35 categories from fashion and beauty to groceries, household essentials, and electronics." Some deals start early, including a gift card for being approved for a Prime Visa. Some discounts will roll out closer to the sale, such as $1 off per gallon of fuel purchases from July 3-6. "With a four-day event, you can imagine it's really important to keep it fresh, interesting and new," Ghani said, noting "Today's Big Deals" will be a daily theme drop of deals that start at midnight every day. "During certain key periods of the event, there'll be deals dropping every five minutes," Ghani said. Longest Prime Day sale State of play: Prime Day is a "key date in the retail calendar and is seen positively by a lot of consumers who use it to snag bargains and deals," GlobalData managing director Neil Saunders told Axios. "With people even more conscious about prices, this year's Prime Day should be big," Saunders said. "There is also a big focus on essentials categories like household goods and back to school stuff," he said. "These are areas where people really appreciate savings and they also nudge people into using Amazon for these everyday goods." How long did past Prime Day sales last? Flashback: Amazon launched Prime Day in 2015 to reward Prime members. Prime Day was held in July every year before the pandemic and returned to July in 2022.
Business Recorder
07-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
PHMA slams plan of distributing 2,000MW power to Bitcoin mining
LAHORE: The government's proposed plan of distributing 2,000 megawatts of excess power to Bitcoin mining and artificial intelligence (AI) data centers has faced harsh resistance from industrialists, merchants, and farmers, who contend that the power should be distributed among productive sectors to increase employment and economic growth. Sardar Usman Ghani, Central Chairman of the Pakistan Hardware Merchants Association, expressed serious reservations about the decision, saying that making available cheap electricity to a 'non-productive, speculative industry' is not justifiable when industry, agriculture, and labour-intensive industries are facing an energy crunch. It is shocking to learn that the government plans to export excess electricity to speculative activities such as Bitcoin mining rather than encouraging the productive industries' Ghani informed Business Recorder. 'The decision will not create jobs or drive actual economic growth. It will just promote a privileged group at the expense of industries, traders, farmers, and workers,' he added. The row is based on the government's alleged talks with Bitcoin miners and AI companies to provide them with electricity at subsidised tariffs to leverage surplus power generation capacity. Critics, however, say Pakistan's persistent energy shortfalls make such an allocation irresponsible, especially when industrial and agricultural sectors suffer intermittent outages. Industrialists and economists have raised questions regarding the economic logic of the decision, pointing to the specious nature of crypto currency markets. Bitcoin mining is extremely power-guzzling, and with electricity costs accounting for a large percentage of operating costs, critics say that the government stands to incur massive losses if prices of crypto currencies plummet. Additionally, the opacity in tariff fixation and the void of a proper regulatory structure for crypto currencies have further acted as repellents. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has also asked for explanations from Pakistani officials, requesting information on electricity tariffs and the legal status of crypto mining. Virtual talks between Pakistani authorities and the IMF will soon be initiated to sort these issues out. Usman Ghani said that industrial sector of Pakistan has been known to face an unreliability of power supply, and allocating 2,000 MW for Bitcoin mining might be doing it harm. Business owners contend that giving higher preference to speculative activities over manufacturing, agriculture, and small business hampers the allocation of resources, which could dampen sector growth in areas generating jobs. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
