tom holland aims
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Tom Holland aims to do all his own dancing in Fred…

Tom Holland is preparing for one of the most demanding roles of his career as he gets ready to portray legendary dancer and actor Fred Astaire in an upcoming biographical film. The Spider-Man star recently revealed that he has already returned to the dance studio and is undergoing intensive training to ensure he can perform every dance sequence himself. His goal is not only to honor Astaire’s extraordinary legacy but also to recreate the magic of his performances with complete authenticity. 

Speaking during recent television interviews, Holland admitted that stepping into Astaire’s shoes is both thrilling and intimidating. He described his early rehearsals as filling him with “excitement and absolute dread,” acknowledging the immense challenge that comes with portraying one of Hollywood’s greatest dancers. Rather than relying on stunt doubles, Holland said he hopes to perform all of the dance routines himself and even film many of them in uninterrupted long takes—the same style that made Fred Astaire’s performances so iconic. 

For Holland, the project is especially meaningful because it reconnects him with his roots. Before becoming an international film star, he trained extensively in dance and rose to fame as the lead in London’s West End production of Billy Elliot the Musical. However, after leaving the stage to focus on acting, he stepped away from professional dance training. The actor has now admitted that quitting dance was one of his biggest career regrets, making this film the perfect opportunity to rediscover a skill that first launched his career. 

The untitled Fred Astaire biopic will be directed by acclaimed filmmaker Paul King, known for the Paddington films, with a screenplay by Steven Levenson. Although the project was first announced several years ago, production is now expected to begin in January 2027 after Holland completes promotional commitments for Spider-Man: Brand New Day and other upcoming releases. 

Holland has described the role as the beginning of a new chapter in his acting career. At 30, he believes it is time to move beyond youthful characters and embrace more challenging performances that test his abilities. Playing Fred Astaire, whose elegance, precision, and effortless style influenced generations of performers, represents exactly the kind of challenge he has been searching for. 

Fans have praised Holland’s commitment to authenticity, noting that his background in dance gives him a unique advantage in bringing Astaire to life. If he succeeds in performing every routine without doubles, the film could become one of the most technically impressive dance biopics in recent years.

As rehearsals continue, anticipation for the film is steadily growing. With months of intensive preparation ahead, Tom Holland appears determined to deliver a performance worthy of Fred Astaire’s remarkable legacy. His dedication, discipline, and passion for dance suggest audiences may soon witness one of the most ambitious performances of his career. 

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    Imtiaz Ali, Anurag Kashyap back emotional short film

    Filmmakers Imtiaz Ali and Anurag Kashyap have joined hands to present a new emotional short film titled Bobby Beauty Parlour, which is set to premiere on YouTube on August 6, 2026. Directed by Shashwat Dwivedi, the project explores themes of friendship, growing up and the bittersweet emotions of parting ways. According to a report by Hindustan Times, Bobby Beauty Parlour revolves around two childhood friends, Eelu and Manu, who spend one final afternoon together before life takes them in different directions. The official synopsis describes the story as: “Childhood friends Eelu and Manu. On their final afternoon together, the pair finds themselves trapped inside a neighbourhood beauty parlour—drinking, napping, bickering, and desperately holding on to a time that is fast slipping away.” The film captures an ordinary afternoon that gradually turns into a heartfelt reflection on friendship, memories and the inevitability of change. Speaking about the project, Imtiaz Ali said the film reminded him of his own childhood and the relationships that shaped his life. He said: “The most spectacular moments of life don’t scream, but remain a part of our character forever. It is such moments that make ‘Bobby Beauty Parlour’ charming. The film got me remembering my own small hometown, my adolescent decisions and friends that I always carried with me.” Ali’s comments highlight the emotional tone of the short film, which focuses on quiet moments rather than dramatic events. Anurag Kashyap also spoke about the project, explaining that the story is rooted in universal emotions. According to the filmmaker, Bobby Beauty Parlour centres on friendship, aspirations and growing up, themes that resonate across generations. Director Shashwat Dwivedi described making the short film as a memorable experience and expressed particular excitement about releasing it on YouTube, a platform that played a significant role in his own creative journey. He said: “It’s also tough to believe that two of my favourite filmmakers are presenting the film, both of whom have had a great impact on my life. I really hope it reaches a wide audience and people start missing their friends after watching it.” Dwivedi added that working on the film had been “an amazing experience,” noting that he had learned so much throughout his career through YouTube, making the platform a fitting home for the project. The cast of Bobby Beauty Parlour features Adrija Sinha, Parul Rana, Saksham Raj, and Preeti Kochar, who bring the story of Eelu and Manu to life. Rather than opting for a theatrical or streaming platform release, the filmmakers have chosen to premiere the short film on the Oh Short Flips YouTube channel, making it freely accessible to audiences around the world. Bobby Beauty Parlour will officially debut on August 6, 2026. With acclaimed filmmakers Imtiaz Ali and Anurag Kashyap presenting the project and an emotionally driven story at its core, the short film is expected to resonate with viewers who cherish stories about friendship, nostalgia and the memories that remain long after people go their separate ways. 

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    Wet spring fuels costly disease battle for Canadia…

    Canadian farmers growing durum, spring wheat, canola and pulse crops have spent the growing season battling an unusually aggressive wave of crop diseases triggered by the wettest year the country has seen this decade. Jake Leguee, who farms roughly 19,000 acres, or about 7,689 hectares, of durum, wheat, lentils, flax and spring wheat in southeastern Saskatchewan, said he sprayed his entire operation with fungicide this year to keep disease pressure under control. He said the costs associated with that level of treatment add up quickly. The sudden surge in crop disease during early summer poses a serious threat to both the quantity and quality of Canada’s harvest this year. Canada ranks as the world’s top exporter of canola, durum wheat, dry peas and oats, and stands among the leading global suppliers of high protein spring wheat, making the outcome of this year’s harvest significant well beyond its own borders. The disease outbreak traces back to an extremely wet spring and early summer that left soils saturated with moisture, creating ideal conditions for fungal disease once temperatures turned hot and humid. That combination has forced many farmers into a difficult decision this season, choosing between spending additional money on crops that may not turn a profit given elevated fertilizer and input costs, or investing further to protect whatever yield remains in the field. For farmers like Sabourin, the level of moisture and frequency of rain throughout the season left little room for debate about whether to apply fungicide. Leguee said it will take several more weeks before he knows whether he applied the right fungicides in the right locations at the right time. He said his crops look healthy so far, with the exception of his lentils, though he cautioned that disease damage can sometimes hide inside kernels and pods that appear fine from the outside. That uncertainty means the ultimate quantity and quality of Canada’s export crops remain unresolved just as full scale harvesting gets underway across the prairies. Leguee said farmers will not have a clear picture of how the season played out until combines actually move through the fields, adding that fungicide treatment does not always deliver the results growers hope for.

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    Ram Kapoor opens up on hidden depression during ‘Bade Achhe Lagte Hain’

    Ram Kapoor has made another candid revelation on the latest episode of Lock Upp 2. The 52-year-old actor opened up about a painful chapter from his past that he had kept hidden for years. Kapoor reflected on the time he spent working on Bade Achhe Lagte Hain. During that period, he struggled with obesity and continuous weight gain, which eventually led to serious health complications. He revealed that this phase also overlapped with the most difficult emotional period of his life. According to Kapoor, this was a secret he had never shared publicly, not even with his wife, Gautami Kapoor. He said, “I have kept one secret from the world; even my wife doesn’t know. During the show, I went through the absolute worst depression of my life.” He then described just how severe his health situation had become at the time. Doctors reportedly told him he could die within six months if nothing changed. Kapoor recalled being on insulin three times daily, with his blood sugar levels swinging between dangerously high numbers. Despite this, he kept working roughly 14 hours a day without pause. He admitted he avoided confronting the issue seriously, largely because of the immense love and financial success he was receiving during that time. He explained that walking away from all of it felt nearly impossible, even as it took a toll on both his body and mind. He also acknowledged that the pressure changed his personality, admitting he became a much harder person to be around during those years. Kapoor further shared that even his wife and child only learned the full truth about this struggle after watching the latest episode of Lock Upp 2 themselves. This revelation adds another deeply personal layer to Kapoor’s run on the show, where he has continued opening up about experiences he had never spoken about publicly before. By choosing to share this now, years after the fact, Kapoor seems intent on giving fans a more honest picture. His story sheds light on the hidden costs that can come with sustained fame, long working hours, and public pressure, even when everything on the surface appears successful.

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    Saudi Arabia rolls over $5bn Pakistan deposit

    Pakistan’s external financing pressure has eased after Saudi Arabia extended a $5 billion deposit for another three years, State Bank of Pakistan Governor Jameel Ahmad said on Wednesday. The rollover will give Pakistan additional breathing space as it manages its external debt obligations and works to strengthen its foreign exchange position. According to the governor, the Saudi deposit has been extended until December 2028. The development has reduced Pakistan’s gross external financing requirement for the current fiscal year to around $21.5 billion. Pakistan has received a total of $8 billion in deposits from Saudi Arabia. This includes $3 billion received in April this year. The remaining $5 billion had previously been rolled over annually. The latest arrangement provides Pakistan with a longer repayment period and reduces immediate pressure on its external account. Ahmad said lower interest costs on foreign debt had also helped reduce Pakistan’s financing requirements. He estimated the reduction at nearly $500 million. Pakistan continues to rely significantly on external financing to meet debt repayments and cover external account needs. The government is seeking to increase exports, attract investment and improve other sources of foreign exchange. The governor said the International Monetary Fund has projected Pakistan’s external financing requirements at around $30 billion for the next fiscal year. However, he said the estimate could be revised downward if the government succeeds in securing additional longer-term financing and improving external inflows. According to Ahmad, Pakistan’s $21.5 billion financing requirement includes around $7.3 billion in cash deposits and approximately $3.5 billion in foreign commercial loans maturing during the year. Pakistan also owes around $250 million to Kuwait through a long-standing cash deposit arrangement. The governor did not comment on reports concerning Pakistan’s request for a $10 billion credit facility from the United States. He said the federal government would be in a better position to respond to the matter. Pakistan also repaid a $1.3 billion Chinese commercial loan during July. The repayment temporarily reduced the country’s foreign exchange reserves to around $17.3 billion as of July 17. Ahmad said China was expected to refinance the amount, with the funds potentially arriving next month. Of Pakistan’s total external financing needs, around $7.5 billion represents net debt repayments. The country had already repaid approximately $2.2 billion during July, reducing the pressure for the remaining months of the fiscal year. The central bank governor also revealed that the State Bank had purchased around $9 billion from the local foreign exchange market during the previous fiscal year. The purchases were aimed at strengthening the country’s foreign exchange reserves. Over the past three years, the central bank’s total purchases from the market have reached around $28 billion. The State Bank expects workers’ remittances to continue supporting Pakistan’s external position. Remittances are projected to help finance a significant portion of the expected trade deficit. The central bank has also set a target of increasing foreign exchange reserves to $20.20 billion by the end of December 2026. Meanwhile, Ahmad told the Senate Standing Committee on Finance that the federal government had not allocated a subsidy for remittance transfers. He said commercial banks would now bear the cost of transferring workers’ remittances. Overseas Pakistanis sending money home would not be charged additional transfer fees. The committee also reviewed banking charges and services, including SMS alerts and card transactions.

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    US forces disable two ships amid rising tensions i…

    WASHINGTON: Tensions around the Strait of Hormuz have intensified after the United States said its forces had disabled two commercial vessels that failed to comply with orders linked to its naval blockade of Iranian ports. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said American forces had redirected 12 commercial vessels attempting to breach the blockade as of July 25. Two ships that allegedly refused to comply were disabled, while two others were boarded to verify compliance. The latest development adds another layer of uncertainty to maritime traffic through one of the world’s most strategically important waterways, where any disruption can have consequences for global energy and shipping markets. CENTCOM said the Mozambique-flagged M/T Lavine was disabled in the Gulf of Oman on July 24 after its crew allegedly attempted several times to violate the blockade and ignored repeated warnings. According to the US military, the vessel had been heading towards Iran but is no longer travelling to an Iranian port. The US military also reported a separate operation involving the Comoros-flagged M/T Charminar in the Arabian Sea. American forces boarded the tanker on July 25 for verification. After the inspection, the vessel was allowed to continue its journey, according to CENTCOM. CENTCOM has described the naval blockade as remaining fully in effect, saying its forces are continuing to monitor commercial shipping and enforce restrictions on vessels travelling to or from Iranian ports. The confrontation comes amid heightened US-Iran tensions and growing concerns over the security of maritime routes around the Gulf of Oman and Strait of Hormuz. The waterway is a crucial passage for international trade and energy shipments, making military activity in the area particularly sensitive. The US claims its measures are aimed at preventing vessels from violating the blockade, while Iran has continued to challenge restrictions on shipping in the region. The latest incidents could further complicate efforts to maintain safe commercial navigation. With American forces increasing enforcement and vessels facing greater scrutiny, shipping companies operating near the region are likely to remain on high alert. For now, the Strait of Hormuz remains a major flashpoint, with every confrontation at sea carrying the risk of a broader escalation.

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    17-year-old killed after trailer hits motorcycle i…

    A tragic road accident involving a heavy vehicle claimed the life of a 17-year-old boy and left another person injured in Karachi on Tuesday, raising fresh concerns over road safety and the movement of heavy traffic across the city. According to rescue officials, the accident occurred near Gulshan Hadeed Turn in the Steel Town area when a trailer collided with a motorcycle carrying two riders. The impact of the crash proved fatal for one of the riders, who died at the scene, while the second rider sustained injuries. The deceased was identified as 17-year-old Usman, a resident of Shah Latif Town. Rescue teams responded promptly to the incident and shifted both the victim’s body and the injured person to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) for legal formalities and medical treatment. Authorities have not yet released the identity or condition of the injured individual. Police officials from Steel Town stated that the trailer driver was taken into custody immediately after the accident. The trailer involved in the collision has also been seized as part of the investigation. A case is being processed, and authorities are examining the circumstances that led to the crash. The latest incident adds to a growing number of fatal accidents involving heavy vehicles in Karachi, where trailers, dumpers, and trucks have frequently been linked to deadly road crashes. Such incidents have repeatedly sparked public concern over traffic management, enforcement of road safety regulations, and the operation of heavy vehicles on busy roads. Residents and road safety advocates have urged authorities to implement stricter measures, including better monitoring of heavy transport vehicles, improved driver training, and stronger enforcement of traffic laws. Many believe that regulating the movement of heavy vehicles during peak traffic hours could significantly reduce the risk of similar accidents. The investigation into the Gulshan Hadeed accident is ongoing, and police are expected to determine whether negligence or traffic violations contributed to the fatal collision. Meanwhile, the loss of another young life has once again highlighted the urgent need for comprehensive road safety reforms to prevent further tragedies on Karachi’s roads.

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