As New Zealanders mourn those killed in horrifying gun attacks on two Christchurch mosques, a fuller picture of the 50 victims has begun to emerge.
Their tragic stories include the woman murdered trying to rescue her wheelchair-bound husband, and the massacre's youngest reported victim -- aged just three.
Here are some of their stories:
'She was busy saving lives'
Husna Ahmad, 44, was killed as she rushed back in to the Al Noor mosque to save her wheelchair-bound husband. She was among at least four women murdered in the attack.
She had already exposed herself to huge danger by helping several women and children escape from the building, shepherding them out as the shooting started.
"She was screaming 'come this way, hurry up', and she took many children and ladies towards a safe garden," husband Farid Ahmad told AFP.
"Then she was coming back for checking about me, because I was in a wheelchair, and as she was approaching the gate she was shot. She was busy saving lives, forgetting about herself."
Farid said he forgives the gunman, and harbours no hatred toward him.
"The best thing is forgiveness, generosity, loving and caring, positivity."
The Afghan who ran into gunfire
A 71-year-old Afghan man died after he reportedly ran into the line of fire to save fellow worshippers at the same Al Noor mosque.
Daoud Nabi had lived in New Zealand for more than 40 years after fleeing Afghanistan in the late 1970s, and believed his adopted home to be a "slice of paradise", his son Omar told AFP.
Omar learnt his father had died trying to shield someone else from a bullet.
"I got told by my best friend's father... that he leaped on somebody else to save their life," he told news website Stuff.
"He jumped in the firing line to save somebody else's life and he has passed away."
The Pakistani who tried to tackle the shooter
Video of the massacre shows one man gunned down as he rushes the shooter, while others flee.
The man is believed to be Naeem Rashid, from Pakistan, although his face is blurred in the footage and he has yet to be formally identified.
Both Rashid and his son died in the massacre.
"Pakistan is proud of Mian Naeem Rashid who was martyred trying to tackle the White Supremacist terrorist & his courage will be recognised with a national award," Prime Minister Imran Khan said Sunday. "Mian" is an honorific.
Rashid's elder brother Khurshid Alam told AFP he was "proud" of his sibling.
"He could have saved his life but he preferred to save others. He was a brave guy," Alam said.
The three-year-old victim
The attack's youngest recorded victim, three-year-old Mucad Ibrahim was at the Al Noor mosque with his brother and father, who both survived.
His brother Abdi managed to flee the carnage while his father pretended he was dead after he was shot and managed to escape, The Age said.
Mucad was the youngest victim named on an incomplete and unconfirmed list being circulated by families of the deceased.
He was "energetic, playful and liked to smile and laugh a lot", his brother, who hails from Somalia, told news website Stuff.
The 'brave little soldier'
Sayyad Milne, 14, died at the Al Noor mosque, which he attended with his mother and friends every Friday, the New Zealand Herald reported.
His father John Milne said the boy's death had not been officially confirmed but he had been told the teenager had been seen lying on the floor of the mosque, bleeding.
"I've lost my little boy, he's just turned 14," he told the paper.
"A brave little soldier. It's so hard... to see him just gunned down by someone who didn't care about anyone or anything."
The father and daughter in hospital
A four-year-old Jordanian girl is in intensive care at a specialist children's hospital after she and her father were seriously injured in the shooting.
Alin Alsati was praying alongside her father Wasseim at the Al Noor mosque when she was shot at least three times.
The pre-schooler was airlifted to Starship children's hospital in Auckland, the country's top paediatric centre.
In a video filmed from his hospital bed, Wasseim asked people to "please pray for me and my daughter".
He recently emigrated to New Zealand from Jordan and had just set up a barbershop.
The footballer
Thirty-three-year-old goalkeeper Atta Elayyan was among the deceased.
He had played 19 A Internationals for the Futsal Whites, according to NZ Football.
Teammate Josh Margetts said: "There is a huge hole in our hearts as we come to terms with the loss of a great person and a good mate."
JaMycal Hasty of New England Patriots scores his teams first touchdown during the NFL match between New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium on October 20, 2024 in London. (Photo: Getty Images)
TICKETMASTER has paused ticket sales for all NFL London games in 2025 to make sure that actual fans can buy seats.
In a statement, Ticketmaster said the move was made to "ensure genuine fans are able to purchase tickets" after sales went live on Thursday. Fans who tried to buy tickets will keep their place in the queue, with Ticketmaster adding, "We understand how frustrating this is."
Reports indicated there was massive interest in tickets, with queues reportedly as large as 250,000 people. Ticketmaster’s decision suggests that some of those in line may have been resale vendors and bots, reported Yahoo Sports.
The NFL is set to play seven international games in 2025, including three in London.
The Minnesota Vikings will face the Cleveland Browns in Week 5. The Denver Broncos and New York Jets will play in Week 6, and the Los Angeles Rams and Jacksonville Jaguars will compete in Week 7.
The Week 5 and 6 games will take place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, while the Week 7 game will be held at Wembley Stadium.
The NFL first played in London in 2007, expanding from one game to three by 2014. The league will also play in Brazil, Germany, Ireland and Spain in 2025.
By clicking the 'Subscribe’, you agree to receive our newsletter, marketing communications and industry partners/sponsors sharing promotional product information via email and print communication from Garavi Gujarat Publications Ltd and subsidiaries. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in our emails. We will use your email address to personalize our communications and send you relevant offers. Your data will be stored up to 30 days after unsubscribing.
The image shows a stencilled lighthouse on a plain beige wall
A new artwork by Banksy has been unveiled on the artist’s official Instagram account, but the exact location of the piece remains undisclosed.
The image shows a stencilled lighthouse on a plain beige wall, accompanied by the phrase: “I want to be what you saw in me.” The piece features a cleverly drawn false shadow from a nearby bollard, creating the visual effect that the lighthouse is formed by the silhouette of the street furniture.
Despite the post, Banksy has not provided any indication of where the artwork is located. A second photograph shared on Instagram shows two people walking dogs near the piece, though it does not offer significant clues about the setting.
Speculation online has suggested that the street could be somewhere in Marseille, France, but this has not been confirmed. Another version of the image circulating online shows a blurred figure on a scooter passing the wall, which also features a tag that reads "Yaze". The same name is used by Canadian graffiti artist Marco The Polo, who has referred to Banksy as a source of inspiration.
Banksy, who has maintained anonymity throughout his career, typically confirms the authenticity of his work via his verified Instagram account. Many of his previous artworks have tackled political and social themes, including immigration, conflict, and homelessness.
In December 2024, Banksy posted another piece showing a Madonna and child, incorporating a wall fixture that resembled a bullet wound in the figure’s chest. Last summer, he also released a series featuring animals across different locations in London, though their meaning was not explicitly stated.
The new lighthouse piece has sparked widespread interest, but until its physical location is confirmed, it remains one of Banksy’s more mysterious contributions.
Keep ReadingShow less
Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan lead Netflix murder mystery The Thursday Murder Club
A group of spirited pensioners living in a quiet English retirement village might not sound like the setting for a gripping murder mystery, but The Thursday Murder Club is here to change that. Based on Richard Osman’s best-selling novel, the story follows four retirees who spend their days cracking cold cases as a hobby. But when someone ends up dead right under their noses, things quickly get serious.
The film, coming to Netflix on 28 August, is directed by Chris Columbus, known for Home Alone and Harry Potter, and it boasts an A-list British cast. Helen Mirren plays Elizabeth, a former spy with a sharp mind. Pierce Brosnan is Ron, a no-nonsense ex-union leader. Ben Kingsley appears as Ibrahim, a retired psychiatrist, and Celia Imrie rounds out the group as Joyce, a former nurse who’s new to the scene but quickly proves she’s got detective chops too.
What starts out as a weekly meet-up for puzzle-solving turns into a full-blown investigation when a real murder happens at their doorstep in Coopers Chase, their luxury retirement home. It’s no longer about dusty files or tea-time theories anymore. The stakes are real, and this quirky team is all in.
The trailer, which just dropped, opens with Elizabeth suggesting the group look into a decades-old case from 1973. But before long, the mystery hits home. “There’s been an actual murder! Now we’ve got a real case to solve. Isn’t it wonderful?” Joyce exclaims before adding, “Obviously, R.I.P. and all that…”
The film’s cast doesn’t stop at the core four. Naomi Ackie, Daniel Mays, David Tennant, Jonathan Pryce, Richard E. Grant, and Tom Ellis all make appearances, turning this into a full-blown star-studded affair. The screenplay comes from Katy Brand and Suzanne Heathcote, with production backed by Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment.
With its mix of humour, unexpected twists, and a team of unlikely detectives, The Thursday Murder Club is shaping up to be a delightful surprise. Whether you're a fan of the book or just love a good mystery with charm and bite, this might be your next favourite watch.
Brand consistency is more than just using the same logo everywhere—it’s about maintaining a uniform look and feel across all visual content. Every image you use in marketing, from website banners to social media posts, should align with your brand’s identity. A well-resized JPG can make the difference between a polished, professional presence and a distorted, low-quality impression.
This guide will explore the challenges of image consistency, a checklist to maintain uniform visuals, and how a reliable tool like Pippit AI can simplify the process.
The Challenges of Maintaining Image Consistency
Consistency in branding isn’t just about using the same logo or colors—it’s about ensuring that every visual element looks sharp and professional across all platforms. However, maintaining uniformity can be challenging due to varying image requirements and technical limitations. Here are some common obstacles brands face when trying to achieve visual consistency:
Different Platforms, Different Image Dimensions: Each platform has its own requirements for images—what works for Instagram may not suit a website banner or an email header. If your visuals aren’t resized correctly, they may appear stretched, cropped, or pixelated, impacting brand perception.
Variations in Resolution Across Devices: Images need to look crisp on both high-resolution displays and standard screens. A poorly resized image may look fine on a mobile phone but appear blurry on a large desktop screen, creating inconsistencies in your branding.
The Risk of Distorted Branding Due to Incorrect Resizing: Inconsistent image sizes can stretch or shrink elements like logos and product photos, making your brand look unprofessional. A JPG image resizer helps prevent these issues by maintaining clarity and proportions across different platforms.
The Ultimate Brand Consistency Checklist
A strong brand identity relies on visuals that remain uniform across platforms, reinforcing recognition and trust. To achieve this, businesses must follow a structured approach to resizing and optimizing their images. Here’s a checklist to ensure your brand visuals stay consistent everywhere:
Maintain Aspect Ratios Across All Platforms
An incorrect aspect ratio can distort your images, stretching logos or cutting off essential elements. Each platform has recommended dimensions to maintain visual consistency
Instagram posts: 1080x1080 px (square) or 1080x1350 px (portrait)
Facebook cover photo: 820x312 px
YouTube thumbnail: 1280x720 px
Website hero images: Typically 1920x1080 px
Resizing images using the correct aspect ratios ensures that visuals remain clear and professional.
Use Standardized Image Dimensions for All Marketing Channels
Having fixed dimensions for banners, ads, and product images helps reinforce brand identity. Consistency in size and proportion ensures that customers instantly recognize your brand, whether they see your ad on a website or social media.
For example, if your website uses a 500x500 px product image, all product listings should follow the same dimension to avoid an inconsistent layout.
Keep Color Accuracy in Check
Color consistency is vital in branding. If your brand’s red appears different across platforms, it can weaken recognition.
RGB vs. CMYK: RGB is best for digital images, while CMYK is used for print. Converting incorrectly can result in color shifts.
Monitor Calibration: Ensure that images appear the same across different screens by calibrating your display.
Color Codes: Use HEX, RGB, or Pantone codes to maintain color uniformity in all visuals.
A JPG image resizer with built-in color adjustment features can help you correct any discrepancies before publishing.
Optimize Image Quality Without Compromising Load Speed
High-resolution images are essential for clarity, but large file sizes can slow down websites. Balancing quality and performance is crucial for brand consistency.
Use compression wisely: Too much compression leads to pixelation, while too little results in slow loading times.
Choose the correct format: JPG is best for detailed images, while PNG works well for graphics with transparency.
Using an efficient JPG image resizer can help reduce file sizes while preserving quality, ensuring quick load times without sacrificing visual appeal.
Pippit AI: Your Go-To Tool for Consistent Brand Resizing
Achieving brand consistency requires more than just selecting the right colors and fonts. It also means ensuring that every image is perfectly resized for different platforms without losing quality. Manually adjusting dimensions can be tedious and prone to errors, leading to distorted visuals and mismatched branding.
That’s where Pippit AI comes in. Designed to simplify the resizing process, this powerful tool ensures that your images remain sharp, well-proportioned, and optimized for every marketing channel. Here’s why it’s the ideal solution for maintaining a strong visual identity.
Customizable presets for ads, banners, and social media posts: Ensures a cohesive look across all marketing channels by providing predefined dimensions that match industry standards.
AI-powered color correction: Prevents color inconsistencies, ensuring that your brand’s visuals remain accurate and vibrant, whether displayed on digital screens or printed materials.
Bulk resizing options: Saves time by allowing you to optimize multiple images at once without compromising quality.
With Pippit AI, you don’t have to worry about distorted logos or blurry visuals. It streamlines the resizing process while keeping your brand identity intact.
How to Resize Images in Three Simple Steps
Step1: Upload your brand visuals
Start by selecting the JPG file that needs resizing. Whether it’s a logo, product image, or social media post, using a high-quality source ensures that the final output remains crisp and clear. Pippit AI allows you to drag and drop your files for a quick and hassle-free upload process.
Step2: Apply consistent dimensions
Maintaining uniformity across all platforms is crucial for brand identity. Use platform-specific templates to match the ideal size for social media, websites, or ads, or set custom dimensions to meet specific brand requirements. This ensures that every image fits perfectly without unnecessary cropping or stretching.
Step 3: Download and use instantly
Once resized, your image is optimized for high-quality display across all marketing channels. Pippit AI ensures sharp visuals while preserving color accuracy so your brand maintains its professional and polished look across every platform.
Conclusion
Maintaining brand consistency across all platforms isn’t just about good design—it’s about making sure every image aligns with your visual identity. By following this checklist and using tools like Pippit AI, you can ensure that your brand remains sharp, professional, and recognizable everywhere. Start implementing these best practices today and create a visually cohesive brand that leaves a lasting impression.
Keep ReadingShow less
Consumers in the Netherlands are being urged to check any 1kg packs of Haribo Happy Cola F!ZZ sweets
Haribo has recalled a batch of its Happy Cola F!ZZ sweets in the Netherlands after traces of cannabis were discovered in several packs. The recall was prompted after multiple individuals, including children, reported feeling unwell after consuming the sweets.
According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), three 1kg packs were linked to complaints of dizziness and other health-related symptoms. The NVWA confirmed that the affected sweets were genuine Haribo products and said the recall was being carried out as a precautionary measure.
A spokesperson for the NVWA told Dutch news agency ANP that it was still unclear how the cannabis ended up in the sweets. “The police are investigating the matter further,” the spokesperson said.
Dutch police confirmed that a couple from the Twente region brought in a packet of the cola-bottle-shaped sweets after their children became ill upon eating them. Forensic testing later revealed the presence of cannabis.
Police spokesperson Chantal Westerhoff said, “We want to know exactly how it got into the candy and, of course, how the bags ended up in the store.”
Haribo stated that the recall only affects 1kg bags of the Happy Cola F!ZZ sweets with a specific product code and a use-by date of January 2026. Consumers who purchased the affected products are eligible for a full refund.
Patrick Tax, vice-president of marketing at Haribo, said the issue was limited to a small number of cases in the eastern part of the Netherlands. “The safety of our consumers is our highest priority and Haribo takes this incident very seriously,” he said.
Tax added that Haribo is cooperating closely with the Dutch authorities to assist in the ongoing investigation. “This is a live issue and we are working closely with the Dutch authorities to support their investigation and establish the facts,” he told Agence France-Presse.
The NVWA has issued a clear warning to consumers not to eat the sweets from the affected batch.
In a separate case in 2023, six children aged between four and 14 became unwell in The Hague after consuming sweets that contained THC, one of the active substances in cannabis. However, the products involved in that incident were not regular commercial items.
Authorities have noted a rise in cases where drug smugglers disguise cannabis-laced products as common confectionery, including popular brands. There have also been reports of imitation sweets resembling Haribo products being sold online with added THC.
The investigation into how cannabis was introduced into the recalled Haribo sweets is ongoing. Police and food safety officials continue to examine supply chain links and retail distribution to identify the source of contamination.
For now, consumers in the Netherlands are being urged to check any 1kg packs of Haribo Happy Cola F!ZZ sweets they may have purchased and return them if they match the affected batch.
Justin Bieber faces backlash for ‘I love you’ comment on 17-year-old star Ariana Greenblatt’s post