billie eilish leaves
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Billie Eilish leaves music behind for bold new Hol…

ByJustpaste.in

Billie Eilish is proving that her creative journey extends far beyond music. The Grammy and Academy Award-winning singer has officially stepped into the world of feature films, and the first photos from the set of The Bell Jar have left fans doing a double take. Known for her signature oversized outfits and edgy style, Eilish appears almost unrecognizable as she transforms into Esther Greenwood, the troubled yet ambitious writer at the heart of Sylvia Plath’s classic novel. 

The newly released set images showcase a dramatic makeover. Eilish sports auburn brown hair styled in a polished 1950s fashion, bold red lipstick, pearl earrings, and elegant vintage-inspired clothing. The striking look is a complete departure from the singer’s everyday appearance, highlighting her commitment to bringing the beloved literary character to life. Fans have praised the transformation, calling it one of the most surprising celebrity makeovers of the year. 

Directed and adapted by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Sarah Polley, The Bell Jar marks Eilish’s first leading role in a feature film. The story follows Esther Greenwood, a young aspiring writer navigating ambition, identity, and personal struggles in the 1950s. Widely regarded as Sylvia Plath’s most famous work, the novel remains one of literature’s most influential coming-of-age stories. The film also stars Carey Mulligan as Esther’s mother, adding even more star power to the highly anticipated adaptation. 

Although this is Eilish’s feature film debut, she is no stranger to acting. She previously appeared in the television series Swarm, where she surprised audiences with her performance. However, The Bell Jar represents her biggest acting challenge to date, placing her at the center of an emotionally demanding story that has captivated readers for decades. 

For Eilish, this project signals an exciting new chapter in an already remarkable career. After dominating the music industry with chart-topping albums, multiple Grammy Awards, and two Oscars for Best Original Song, she is now exploring a different form of storytelling. While fans eagerly await her next musical release, many are equally excited to see whether she can achieve the same success on the big screen.

Filming is currently underway in Toronto, and while an official release date has not yet been announced, the early images have already generated significant buzz. If her striking transformation is any indication, Billie Eilish’s Hollywood journey is off to an unforgettable start. 

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    Houston Police shoot gunman after random road atta…

    ByJustpaste.in

    HOUSTON: Police in Houston shot and wounded an armed man after he allegedly opened fire at passing vehicles, injuring three people, including a mother and her daughter, US media reported. The incident unfolded on Saturday, with police receiving a report of the shooting at around 11am. Officers rushed to the scene after reports that an armed individual was firing at vehicles travelling along the road. According to police, officers ordered the man to drop his weapon when they arrived. The suspect allegedly failed to comply, prompting officers to open fire. Police said the man was struck by multiple rounds and was taken to hospital for treatment. His current condition and identity have not been released. No police officers were reported injured during the confrontation. Witnesses described a frightening scene in which the gunman stood in the middle section of the roadway and appeared to fire indiscriminately at vehicles passing by. One witness told local media that the shooter seemed unconcerned about which vehicles he was targeting and that some of the cars had children inside. Police said a mother and her daughter were among those wounded after they were shot while travelling in one vehicle. A third person in another vehicle was also injured. All three victims were transported to hospital. Authorities have not immediately released details about their conditions. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, and investigators are working to establish what led to the attack and whether the suspect knew any of the victims. The incident has once again raised concerns about random gun violence in public places, particularly when busy roads and passing motorists become targets. Police have urged anyone who witnessed the shooting or has relevant information to cooperate with investigators as the inquiry continues. Authorities are expected to review witness accounts, surveillance footage and other evidence gathered from the scene as they work to reconstruct the sequence of events. Officials have not yet announced whether the suspect will face charges, with the investigation still underway.

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    NEPRA seeks Rs34bn recovery from power consumers as industrial sector opposes tariff hike

    ByJustpaste.in

    ISLAMABAD: The federal government has proposed recovering around Rs34 billion from consumers of distribution companies (Discos) and K-Electric through the quarterly tariff adjustment (QTA) for April-June 2026, translating into an estimated increase of Rs1.34 per unit. The proposed adjustment has been attributed largely to higher capacity-related costs resulting from a decline in electricity consumption during the quarter. However, representatives of the industrial sector have strongly opposed the proposed increase, arguing that businesses are already facing high electricity costs and cannot absorb another financial burden. The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) held a public hearing on Wednesday to examine the QTA request, during which representatives of industries, power distribution companies and the government presented their positions. Initially, the power distribution companies had requested an adjustment of Rs23.031 billion for the second quarter of fiscal year 2026 under the QTA mechanism. The amount was later revised upward to Rs33.778 billion. According to the figures presented before NEPRA, the largest component of the proposed adjustment is related to capacity charges, amounting to Rs46.280 billion. Variable operation and maintenance costs account for another Rs4.936 billion. The calculation also includes a negative adjustment of Rs13.517 billion related to Use of System Charges (UoSC) and the Market Operator Fee (MOF), which partially offsets the overall increase. Similarly, Rs3.040 billion has been included to account for the impact of transmission and distribution losses on monthly Fuel Charges Adjustments (FCA). A further negative adjustment of Rs21.175 billion has been made under the incremental consumption package. The distribution companies have also claimed Rs14.211 billion for costs relating to Small Power Producers (SPPs) and Captive Power Producers (CPPs) that they say remained unrecovered. Industrial sector voices concern During the hearing, industrial representatives raised strong objections to the proposed QTA adjustment, warning that another increase in electricity prices could further weaken the competitiveness of Pakistan’s manufacturing sector. Rehan Javed, Aamir Sheikh and Tanveer Barry conveyed their concerns to NEPRA officials in the presence of representatives from the Ministry of Energy and the distribution companies. The representatives argued that industries were already operating under considerable cost pressures and that any additional increase in electricity tariffs would raise production expenses and make it more difficult for local businesses to compete in domestic and international markets. Tanveer Barry, representing the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), particularly questioned the sharp rise in capacity-related charges. According to Barry, capacity charges had increased from around Rs36 billion in the first quarter to more than Rs50 billion in the period under review. He said the increase could ultimately translate into a much larger financial burden for consumers. He estimated that the combined impact could place an additional burden of approximately Rs3.50 per unit on consumers, depending on the final adjustment approved by the regulator. Barry also pointed out that eight distribution companies had reported positive capacity charges, while three had recorded negative adjustments. He urged NEPRA to examine the calculations and underlying reasons for the variations before approving any additional burden on consumers. Lower electricity demand Officials of the Peshawar Electric Power Company (Pesco) told the hearing that electricity consumption had fallen by approximately five per cent during the period under review. They attributed much of the decline to weaker demand from domestic and commercial consumers. Increasing adoption of solar energy was also cited as one of the factors reducing demand from residential consumers. NEPRA Member Maqsood Anwar Khan questioned Pesco officials about whether load-shedding was also being carried out in areas where consumers regularly paid their electricity bills. The Pesco representatives acknowledged that load-shedding was taking place. Maqsood Anwar Khan observed that interruptions in electricity supply could themselves contribute to lower electricity sales, as consumers would naturally use less grid electricity when supply was unavailable. Solarisation becomes key point of debate The growing use of solar power also featured prominently during the hearing. The NEPRA member noted that the expansion of solar generation had provided relief to the national electricity system by reducing daytime demand from the grid. He observed that without the contribution of solar energy, pressure on the power system and the need for daytime load management could have been considerably greater. He further noted that increasing solarisation was shifting the pattern of load-shedding, with pressure becoming more visible during night-time hours when solar generation was unavailable. The NEPRA member also disagreed with the assertion that solarisation alone was responsible for a decline in electricity sales, maintaining that the impact of rooftop and distributed solar generation should be assessed in a broader context. Industry questions capacity payments Industrial representatives also questioned why consumers should continue to shoulder substantial capacity payments when many areas were still experiencing load-shedding. Barry argued that consumers were effectively being asked to pay for electricity generation capacity while not receiving uninterrupted power supply. He further raised concerns about capacity payments being made to older and relatively inefficient power plants. According to him, the under-utilisation of generating units was contributing to higher capacity-related costs and ultimately increasing the price of electricity for consumers. The industrial sector also questioned whether the dispatch of power plants was fully aligned with the Economic Merit Order (EMO), arguing that deviations from the merit order could contribute to unnecessary costs. The representatives called on NEPRA to undertake a detailed review of the QTA calculations before reaching a final decision. They urged the regulator to defer the proposed increase, warning that higher electricity costs would place additional pressure on industries, increase production expenses and potentially undermine Pakistan’s export competitiveness. NEPRA is expected to examine the claims and objections raised during the public hearing before determining the final quarterly tariff adjustment applicable to consumers.

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    Drake’s take care reaches 700 weeks on billboard 200

    ByJustpaste.in

        Drake has once again proven his extraordinary staying power in the music industry by reaching another major milestone on the Billboard charts. Often described by fans as the “king of streaming charts,” the Canadian rapper and singer has built an impressive career filled with chart-topping records, massive streaming numbers, and albums that continue to attract listeners years after their release. His latest achievement comes from Take Care, the critically acclaimed album he released in 2011. More than a decade after its debut, the album has officially spent 700 weeks on the Billboard 200, placing Drake among an exclusive group of artists whose albums have achieved this remarkable level of longevity. According to Billboard, only 13 albums in history have reached the 700-week milestone on the Billboard 200. This week, Take Care climbed three spots to No. 27 on the chart, further extending its impressive run. The achievement places Drake alongside some of the biggest and most influential names in music history, including Pink Floyd, Bob Marley and the Wailers, Journey, Metallica, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Eminem, Bruno Mars, Nirvana, Guns N’ Roses, Michael Jackson, Kendrick Lamar and Queen. The complete list of albums that have remained on the Billboard 200 for at least 700 weeks includes Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon, Bob Marley and the Wailers’ Legend, Journey’s Greatest Hits, Metallica’s self-titled album, Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Chronicle: The 20 Greatest Hits, Eminem’s Curtain Call: The Hits, Bruno Mars’ Doo-Wops & Hooligans, Nirvana’s Nevermind, Guns N’ Roses’ Greatest Hits, Michael Jackson’s Thriller, Kendrick Lamar’s good kid, m.A.A.d city, Queen’s Greatest Hits, and Drake’s Take Care. The milestone is particularly significant because Take Care was released during a period when the music industry was undergoing major changes. Streaming had not yet become the dominant force it is today, yet the album managed to establish itself as one of Drake’s most important and influential projects. Featuring memorable tracks such as “Marvins Room,” “The Motto,” and “Take Care,” the album helped cement Drake’s position as one of contemporary music’s biggest stars. The album’s remarkable longevity also reflects Drake’s ability to maintain a strong connection with listeners long after an album’s initial release. While many projects experience a significant decline in popularity after their first few years, Take Care has continued to attract new listeners, generate streams and remain relevant more than a decade after its release. Meanwhile, Drake has also achieved another impressive Billboard feat, with 11 of his albums appearing on the Billboard 200, a level of sustained chart presence that very few artists have managed to achieve. With Take Care now officially joining the 700-week club, Drake has added another historic accomplishment to his already impressive career. The milestone further strengthens his reputation as one of the most commercially successful and enduring artists of his generation, while Take Care continues to prove that its impact has extended far beyond the era in which it was originally released.

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    Trump sends Saudi nuclear deal to Congress, ties i…

    ByJustpaste.in

    WASHINGTON: The Trump administration has submitted a landmark civil nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia to the US Congress for review, but President Donald Trump has maintained that the deal will only move forward if Riyadh agrees to normalize relations with Israel. The agreement, reached between the United States and Saudi Arabia in July, would allow American companies to provide civilian nuclear technology to the kingdom. It was formally submitted to Congress on Monday under procedures required by US law, according to US officials. The move puts a potentially major energy partnership into a closely watched congressional review process while adding another layer to Washington’s efforts to reshape relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. Trump has said the nuclear agreement is conditional on Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords, the US-backed framework that established diplomatic ties between Israel and several Arab and Muslim-majority countries. Riyadh has not agreed to normalize relations with Israel and has repeatedly linked such a move to progress toward Palestinian statehood. The nuclear agreement is intended for peaceful energy purposes and could support Saudi Arabia’s plans to develop nuclear power as part of its broader effort to diversify its economy and reduce reliance on oil. The pact would also open opportunities for US nuclear companies to participate in the kingdom’s planned nuclear infrastructure. However, the deal has already attracted scrutiny from lawmakers and nuclear nonproliferation experts. A key concern is whether the agreement would place sufficient restrictions on Saudi Arabia’s ability to enrich uranium or undertake other activities that could potentially be used for weapons development. Trump previously said the arrangement would not permit uranium enrichment and would be limited to civilian, non-military purposes. However, reports on the agreement have raised questions over the precise safeguards and long-term provisions surrounding Saudi Arabia’s nuclear programme. Congress now has a review period under US law during which lawmakers can examine the agreement and potentially object to it. The classified nature of the submitted document is expected to add to congressional scrutiny. For Saudi Arabia, the agreement could mark a major step toward nuclear energy. For Washington, however, the deal has become intertwined with one of the Middle East’s most sensitive diplomatic questions: whether Riyadh will ultimately establish formal relations with Israel.

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    Rs. 38 trillion in Bank deposits raise alarm as Go…

    ByJustpaste.in

      LAHORE: Former caretaker federal minister and prominent industrialist Dr. Gohar Ijaz has raised serious concerns over Pakistan’s economic direction, warning that growing bank deposits alongside declining industrial activity indicate that capital is moving away from productive sectors.   Speaking to *Minute Mirror*, Ijaz said bank deposits had increased from around Rs. 21 trillion three years ago to Rs. 38 trillion, describing the trend as evidence that people were increasingly choosing to keep their money in banks rather than invest in businesses. He argued that excessive taxation was making industrial activity increasingly difficult. According to Ijaz, an effective tax burden of around 45 percent has discouraged investors and forced several businesses to reduce operations or shut down. “Three years ago, Rs. 21 trillion was lying in banks. Today, it has increased to Rs. 38 trillion,” Ijaz said, arguing that the country needed to encourage investment in manufacturing, exports and employment instead of allowing capital to remain parked in financial institutions. He also claimed that Pakistan could address a significant portion of its external debt if the textile industry received appropriate policy support. Ijaz said the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) had been offering for years to help generate enough foreign exchange for Pakistan to repay $10 billion in debt within one year. According to him, the proposal would require measures such as competitive energy prices, rational taxation, export incentives and a stable policy environment. He maintained that Pakistan’s industrial sector had the capacity to significantly strengthen the country’s foreign exchange position if its competitiveness was restored. Ijaz also criticised what he described as policy distortions in the sugar sector. He alleged that sugar mill-owning families had benefited from additional profits of approximately Rs. 30 billion per month due to pricing mechanisms, subsidies and regulatory decisions. He did not present documentary evidence for the figure during the interview but argued that government policies should prioritize consumers, industrial growth and the national economy rather than benefiting a limited number of influential groups. The former minister further commented on the current political and civil-military leadership, saying the Army and Prime Minister were receiving unprecedented recognition. He expressed optimism that stronger economic policies could enable Pakistan to overcome its financial challenges. Economists and business leaders have similarly pointed to high interest rates, expensive energy, inflation, taxation and policy uncertainty as major factors behind weak private investment. When bank returns appear more attractive and less risky than establishing or expanding businesses, capital can increasingly shift toward financial assets. Industry leaders have therefore called for lower and more predictable taxes, competitive electricity and gas tariffs, faster refunds, fewer ad-hoc duties and incentives for export-oriented manufacturing. Ijaz’s remarks highlight a broader challenge facing Pakistan: having substantial liquidity does not necessarily translate into economic productivity. For the country to generate employment, increase exports and strengthen its ability to repay external debt, more capital needs to flow into productive businesses. The central question, therefore, is whether future economic policies will encourage investment, manufacturing and exports or continue to make bank deposits more attractive than business expansion.

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    Fatima Zahra secures Pakistan’s first Commonweal…

    ByJustpaste.in

      Pakistan received its first major success at the Commonwealth Games as national boxer Fatima Zahra secured a place in the women’s boxing semifinals, guaranteeing the country’s first medal of the tournament. Competing in the women’s 60kg weight category, Fatima Zahra delivered a dominant performance in the quarterfinals, defeating New Zealand’s Jordan Wilson by a unanimous 5-0 decision. With the victory, the Pakistani boxer advanced to the semifinals and ensured at least a bronze medal for her country under the competition’s boxing format. The quarterfinal bout took place at the SEC Hall Five in Glasgow, where Fatima Zahra displayed confidence, composure, and technical superiority throughout the contest. She controlled all three rounds with disciplined boxing, combining effective footwork, accurate punches, and strong defensive skills to keep her opponent under pressure from the opening bell until the final round. Her impressive display left no room for doubt among the judges. All five judges scored the contest in her favor, awarding her a comprehensive unanimous decision victory over Jordan Wilson. The result marked one of Pakistan’s most significant achievements at the ongoing Commonwealth Games and provided an early boost to the country’s medal hopes. According to the boxing competition rules, every athlete who reaches the semifinals is guaranteed at least a bronze medal, as there is no third-place playoff. By advancing to the last four, Fatima Zahra officially secured Pakistan’s first medal of the Games, regardless of the outcome of her semifinal contest. The achievement is another milestone in Fatima Zahra’s growing international career. She has consistently represented Pakistan on the global stage and has already established herself as one of the country’s leading female boxers. Her latest success reflects both her dedication and the steady progress she has made through years of hard work and international competition. This is not the first time Fatima Zahra has won a medal for Pakistan at a major sporting event. She previously claimed a bronze medal at the Islamic Solidarity Games, where her performances earned widespread praise and highlighted her potential to compete against some of the best boxers in the region. That experience has helped strengthen her confidence and prepared her for bigger challenges on the international stage. Following her convincing victory in the quarterfinals, Fatima Zahra has now set her sights on the semifinal, where she will aim to continue her winning run and secure a place in the gold medal match. A victory in the next round would guarantee Pakistan either a silver or gold medal, making it one of the country’s most notable boxing achievements in recent years. Her qualification for the semifinals has been welcomed as an encouraging moment for Pakistan’s sporting community, particularly for women’s boxing, which continues to grow despite facing limited resources and opportunities. Fatima Zahra’s success is expected to inspire aspiring female athletes across the country and demonstrate that Pakistani women can compete successfully at the highest levels of international sport. With a guaranteed bronze medal already secured, all eyes will now be on Fatima Zahra as she prepares for the semifinal showdown. Pakistani fans will be hoping she can maintain her outstanding form, overcome her next opponent, and move one step closer to winning the Commonwealth Games title, adding another memorable chapter to Pakistan’s sporting history.

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