تازہ ترین

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    Nicole Kidman details her prep behind ‘Lioness’ season 3

    ByJustpaste.in

    Nicole Kidman is opening up about the intense preparation behind her scenes in “Lioness”. She revealed exactly what she and co-star Morgan Freeman make sure to nail down before filming begins. In the CIA thriller series created by Taylor Sheridan, the 59-year-old actress plays Kaitlyn Meade, while 89-year-old Morgan Freeman portrays Edwin Mullins. The show also features an ensemble cast, including Zoe Saldaña, Jill Wagner and Laysla De Oliveira. Speaking at Paramount+’s Icons of Taylor Sheridan’s Universe event, Kidman explained that the work never really stops, even when cameras aren’t rolling. She said the entire cast has to fully understand every single line they deliver. According to her, the scripts are genuinely dense, requiring the cast to work through them carefully for every episode. She described the process as a significant undertaking that demands constant attention. Kidman explained that dialogue has to come out naturally, almost as if it is part of everyday conversation. She admitted that achieving that level of ease takes real effort, since the material itself isn’t something people would normally say casually. She specifically credited her ongoing collaboration with co-stars Michael Kelly and Morgan Freeman. According to Kidman, the three of them are constantly working together behind the scenes to get the material right. She revealed that before filming key scenes, she and Freeman always break down their lines in detail. Kidman said they consistently ask themselves what specific words and phrases actually mean, working through definitions repeatedly. She explained that this process ensures the entire cast stays fully aligned on what they are discussing throughout each scene. According to her, that level of preparation is essential given how technical and layered the show’s dialogue can be. Season three of “Lioness” premiered on Paramount+ on August 2, with new episodes releasing weekly every Sunday. Kidman’s comments offer fans a behind-the-scenes look at just how much preparation goes into delivering the show’s fast-paced, dialogue-heavy storytelling.

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    Poland unveils Europe’s tallest Virgin Mary statue in tiny village

    ByJustpaste.in

    A towering new statue of the Virgin Mary has been unveiled in a small Polish village, instantly becoming the tallest statue anywhere in Europe. Standing at 55.6 metres, the monument now dominates the local skyline. The devotional sculpture was consecrated by a local bishop during a ceremony held on Saturday in the rural village of Konotopie. The unveiling comes at a notable moment, as the Catholic Church’s broader influence over public life in Poland continues to decline. Despite its scale, the statue sits in a remote location, far from any of Poland’s major population centres. Its placement was reportedly requested specifically by a wealthy local couple who funded the project. During the ceremony, two helicopters were seen circling above the towering figure, which stands with arms open and a large crown atop its head. The dramatic aerial display added to the significance of the occasion. While Poland remains a predominantly Catholic country, many younger Poles living in urban areas have grown increasingly distant from the church and its traditions. The statue’s unveiling arrives against that broader backdrop of shifting religious engagement. Among those attending Saturday’s ceremony was Lech Walesa, the former Polish president who played a central role in the collapse of communism in the country. Now 82, Walesa reflected on his own life journey in comments to the Associated Press, describing his story as one that started and ended with the Virgin Mary. Local authorities are hoping the massive structure will serve a dual purpose going forward, functioning as both a significant pilgrimage site and a tourist attraction. To support that goal, the statue includes a viewing platform built directly into its base, offering visitors a chance to take in sweeping views of the surrounding countryside. The unveiling adds Poland to the small list of countries hosting record-breaking religious monuments, and local officials appear hopeful the structure will draw visitors from well beyond the immediate region in the years ahead.

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    Supreme Court to hear suspension pleas of Imaan Ma…

    ByJustpaste.in

      ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has scheduled for hearing the petitions seeking suspension of the sentences awarded to Imaan Mazari and Hadi Chattha in a case related to controversial social media posts. According to details, a two-member bench of the Supreme Court will hear the petitions on August 19. The bench will be headed by Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan, while Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim will also be part of the bench. The petitions have been filed seeking suspension of the sentences imposed on Imaan Mazari and Hadi Chattha in connection with the controversial tweets case. The court has issued notices to all parties involved in the case and will hear their respective positions during the upcoming proceedings. The scheduling of the petitions before the Supreme Court marks another stage in the legal proceedings involving the two individuals. The case has attracted attention because it concerns social media posts and the legal consequences arising from content published on digital platforms. The applicants are seeking relief from the sentences imposed against them while their legal challenge proceeds before the superior court. The Supreme Court will examine the suspension requests during the hearing and consider the arguments presented by both the petitioners and the opposing parties. The two-member bench headed by Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan is expected to hear the legal arguments concerning the basis of the sentences, the circumstances surrounding the disputed social media posts and the grounds presented by the applicants for suspension of their sentences. Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim will serve as the second member of the bench. Notices have already been issued to the parties concerned, formally informing them of the hearing and providing them an opportunity to present their positions before the court. The proceedings are expected to focus specifically on the requests for suspension of the sentences rather than constituting a final determination of all aspects of the underlying case. The court may consider the legal arguments and relevant circumstances before deciding whether the sentences should be suspended. Cases involving social media content have increasingly become an important part of Pakistan’s legal landscape as courts deal with questions concerning online expression, the limits of digital communication and the application of existing laws to content published on social media platforms. The matter involving Mazari and Chattha has also drawn public attention because of the nature of the allegations and the penalties imposed in connection with the disputed posts. Their petitions before the Supreme Court represent an attempt to obtain relief from the sentences through the country’s highest court. The issuance of notices to the parties means that the respondents will have an opportunity to submit their arguments when the matter comes up for hearing. The final outcome will depend on the arguments presented before the bench and the court’s assessment of the applicable legal provisions and circumstances of the case. The hearing is scheduled for August 19, when the two-member bench will take up the suspension petitions. Any decision by the Supreme Court at that stage could have a significant impact on the immediate legal position of Imaan Mazari and Hadi Chattha. For now, the petitions remain pending before the Supreme Court, and the court will determine the next course of action after hearing the parties involved.

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    Trump welcomes Makkah joint defence agreement

    ByJustpaste.in

    US President Donald Trump has welcomed the joint defence agreement signed by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye. He described the development as a positive step towards greater unity in the Middle East. In a statement, Trump said he was pleased to see Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan sign the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement. He said the agreement could help the three countries strengthen their ability to protect themselves against security threats. Trump said the agreement reflected growing cooperation among countries in the region. He added that the Middle East was becoming more united. According to him, stronger cooperation would allow countries to defend themselves more effectively. Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye recently signed the joint defence pact. The agreement aims to increase cooperation between the three countries in defence and security matters. Under the agreement, an armed attack against any one of the three countries will be treated as an attack against all three. This provision is intended to create a stronger collective defence mechanism. The pact is also aimed at improving coordination between the armed forces of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye. The countries are expected to enhance their defence cooperation and work together in dealing with potential threats. The agreement comes amid growing security concerns in the Middle East and wider regional tensions. The three countries have maintained close political and strategic ties and have expressed interest in expanding cooperation in various fields. The Makkah agreement is expected to provide a framework for deeper defence coordination. It could also lead to greater military cooperation, joint planning and closer security coordination among the three countries.

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    NADRA issues notices to 4,506 suspicious CNIC hold…

    ByJustpaste.in

    The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) Karachi has issued notices to another 4,506 holders of suspicious Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs). According to the details, the individuals have been directed to contact their respective NADRA zonal offices within seven days. They have also been asked to provide all necessary documents and evidence to establish the validity of their identity and citizenship records. NADRA has warned that failure to respond to the notices within the given period could result in the cancellation of their CNICs. The authority has also warned that identity cards of their other family members could be cancelled if the required verification is not completed. Of the total notices issued, 2,318 have been sent to CNIC holders residing in different districts of Karachi. The remaining 2,400 notices relate to citizens living in various cities across interior Sindh. The latest action is part of NADRA’s ongoing scrutiny of identity records. The authority has been examining cases where discrepancies or questions have emerged regarding the authenticity of CNICs and the information provided by their holders. The affected individuals have been given an opportunity to appear before the relevant NADRA offices and submit supporting evidence. They are required to cooperate with the verification process within the specified seven-day period. NADRA officials have made it clear that failure to provide satisfactory evidence could lead to further action against the individuals concerned. The possible cancellation of the CNICs of other relatives has also been mentioned as part of the warning issued to suspicious CNIC holders. The latest notices cover both Karachi and several areas of interior Sindh. This indicates that the verification process is not limited to a single district but is being carried out across different parts of the province. It is noteworthy that NADRA has identified more than 10,000 suspicious CNIC holders across the country so far this year. The latest notices issued in Karachi and interior Sindh add thousands more cases to the authority’s ongoing verification drive. The process is aimed at ensuring that identity records maintained in the national database remain accurate and properly verified. Individuals who receive notices have been advised to approach the relevant NADRA offices and provide the required evidence within the deadline.

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    15.91% spike exposes federal spending challenge

    ByJustpaste.in

    Controlling the rise in federal government administrative expenses has become a major challenge. Despite repeated claims of reducing expenditure and implementing austerity measures, the cost of running federal government affairs has increased by 15.91 per cent. The rise has raised concerns over the government’s efforts to control its administrative spending. The increase comes despite measures announced by the government to reduce unnecessary expenditure and promote financial discipline. According to the available details, spending on running government affairs has exceeded both the official target and the revised estimates. This means that actual administrative expenditure has remained higher than the levels projected by the government. The increase in spending also highlights the difficulties faced by the federal government in keeping its administrative costs under control. The government has been under pressure to reduce non-development expenditure and improve the efficiency of public spending. Authorities have introduced various austerity measures in an attempt to limit government expenditure. These measures were aimed at reducing unnecessary costs and ensuring better management of public resources. However, the latest increase indicates that controlling administrative spending remains a significant challenge. The higher-than-target expenditure could also put additional pressure on the government’s overall fiscal position. The development comes at a time when the federal government is seeking to maintain fiscal discipline and reduce unnecessary spending. Higher administrative costs could make it more difficult to achieve these objectives. The government is expected to face continued pressure to review its spending patterns and identify areas where expenditure can be reduced

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    FBR collects record Rs44bn income tax from salarie…

    ByJustpaste.in

    ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) collected Rs44 billion in income tax from the salaried class during July, the first month of the current financial year. The collection was higher than the amount collected from salaried individuals during the same month in the previous two years. FBR had collected Rs42 billion from the salaried class in July 2025 and Rs30 billion in July 2024. According to sources, the higher collection from salaried individuals came despite an overall decline in income tax collection in some sectors. The figures indicate that the salaried class continued to contribute a significant share of income tax revenue at the beginning of the new financial year. Sources said property buying and selling transactions increased during July this year. However, tax collection from property transactions remained lower compared with the corresponding period last year. The development comes after the government introduced changes to income tax rates for several salaried income brackets in the federal budget for the current financial year. The government reduced tax rates on annual incomes above Rs2.2 million as part of its budget measures. Under the revised tax structure, the income tax rate for individuals earning between Rs2.2 million and Rs3.2 million annually was reduced from 23 per cent to 20 per cent. Similarly, the tax rate for the annual income bracket of Rs3.2 million to Rs4.1 million was reduced from 30 per cent to 25 per cent. For individuals earning between Rs4.1 million and Rs5.6 million annually, the income tax rate was reduced from 35 per cent to 29 per cent. The tax rate for people earning between Rs5.6 million and Rs7 million annually was also reduced from 35 per cent to 32 per cent. Despite these reductions in tax rates, FBR’s collection from salaried individuals increased in July compared with the previous two years. The figures show that the tax contribution from the salaried class remained strong despite changes in the tax slabs.

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    AJK sets August 24 polling for eight reserved seat…

    ByJustpaste.in

    The Election Commission of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has issued the schedule for elections to eight reserved seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly. According to the schedule, candidates will submit their nomination papers on August 20. The nomination process will be completed under the supervision of the Election Commission. The final list of candidates will be issued on August 23. The list will contain the names of candidates who qualify to contest the reserved-seat elections. Polling will be held on August 24. The voting will take place inside the AJK Legislative Assembly. The eight reserved seats cover different categories. Five seats have been reserved for women. One seat is allocated to Ulema and Mashaikh. Another seat has been reserved for overseas Kashmiris. The remaining one seat is for a technocrat. The Election Commission has announced the schedule to ensure that the election process is completed within the prescribed timeframe. Candidates and concerned political parties will have to complete the nomination process according to the announced dates. The reserved seats are part of the AJK Legislative Assembly’s overall composition. The upcoming polling will fill the eight seats allocated to these specific categories.

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    Taylor Swift jets to London without Travis Kelce

    ByJustpaste.in

    Taylor Swift has travelled to London without her husband, Travis Kelce, as the NFL star returned to work following their reported wedding. The 36-year-old singer made a surprise appearance in London on Saturday, August 15. She was accompanied by singer Sabrina Carpenter and Jack Antonoff, who was reportedly involved in the couple’s wedding ceremony. The London trip marks Swift’s first solo overseas appearance since her reported marriage to Kelce. She was also seen wearing her wedding rings during the outing. Kelce, meanwhile, remained in the United States as he resumed his professional commitments. He was seen wearing his wedding ring while attending his team’s first preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Swift also attended the wedding of recording engineers Oli Jacobs and Laura Sisk during her visit to the UK. Her appearance at the ceremony attracted attention from fans, particularly because it came shortly after her own highly publicised wedding. Swift and Kelce have largely kept details of their reported marriage private. According to reports, the couple exchanged vows during a ceremony at Madison Square Garden in New York in July. Sources have claimed that the wedding ceremony was intimate despite the couple’s enormous global fame. Reports also suggested that several major celebrities attended the event. Among the names linked to the celebration were Ed Sheeran, Selena Gomez, Jennifer Lopez, Sabrina Carpenter, Brad Pitt, Tom Hanks, Bradley Cooper and Dakota Johnson. Further reports about the ceremony claimed that Paul McCartney performed a Beatles song during the celebration. The couple’s vows were also reportedly relatively brief, with each lasting around 20 minutes. Swift and Kelce began their relationship in 2023. Their romance quickly became one of the most closely followed celebrity relationships in the world. The pair later announced their engagement in August 2025, sending fans into a frenzy. Since then, interest in their relationship has remained high. Despite the public attention surrounding their romance, Swift and Kelce have continued to keep many details of their private life away from the spotlight.

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    Elizabeth Olsen makes rare appearance with newborn in Los Angeles

    ByJustpaste.in

    Elizabeth Olsen has made a rare public appearance with her newborn child in Los Angeles, weeks after reports emerged that the actress had quietly welcomed her first baby. The WandaVision star was spotted taking a walk in Los Angeles on August 15. She appeared to be enjoying a relaxed outing with her newborn son while being accompanied by her partner, Robbie Arnett. Olsen kept a low profile during the outing. She wore a wide-brimmed hat and appeared to take precautions to keep the baby protected from the sun. Arnett was seen walking alongside her as the family spent time outdoors. The appearance comes around two months after reports surfaced that Olsen was expecting her first child. The actress had not publicly announced her pregnancy at the time. Neither Olsen nor Arnett has officially confirmed details surrounding the baby’s arrival. The couple has also kept information about the child’s name, gender and birth date private. The latest photographs are therefore being viewed as the strongest public indication that the couple has welcomed their first child. Olsen has previously spoken about the possibility of becoming a mother. In a 2021 conversation with SiriusXM, she discussed the challenge of balancing her acting career with the possibility of having children. The actress also recalled speaking with Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige about how pregnancy could affect her professional commitments while working in the entertainment industry. In December 2025, Olsen reportedly reflected on motherhood and marriage during a podcast appearance. She said she had once been uncertain about whether she wanted to get married or have children. Her relationship with Arnett eventually influenced how she viewed those possibilities. Olsen and Arnett have maintained a notably private relationship. The couple began dating in 2017 and became engaged in 2019. They later married privately before the COVID-19 pandemic, with Olsen eventually confirming the marriage during interviews. The couple has generally avoided putting their personal life in the spotlight. They have preferred spending private time together rather than frequently appearing at public events.