تازہ ترین

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    Jamie Lee Curtis reveals the TV show she hated wor…

    Jamie Lee Curtis is getting candid about a television experience that looked successful from the outside but was far from enjoyable for her behind the scenes. The Oscar-winning actress recently revealed that she “hated” filming New Girl, despite describing the hit comedy as a great and funny show. Curtis appeared in five episodes of the series as Joan, the mother of Zooey Deschanel’s character, Jess. Her issue was not with the show itself, but with the way single-camera comedies are produced.  Why Curtis disliked filming New Girl Curtis explained that single-camera comedy feels much more like making a movie. Unlike traditional multi-camera sitcoms, there is no live studio audience reacting to the jokes during filming. For Curtis, that atmosphere made the experience difficult. She described working on a quiet set surrounded by cameras and crew members rather than an audience laughing along with the performers. Although she praised New Girl, Curtis made it clear that the production style simply was not for her. She has a strong preference for the energy and rhythm of multi-camera sitcoms, where actors can rehearse scenes and perform jokes in front of a live audience.  Her favorite sitcom experience Curtis’ preference for multi-camera comedy goes back decades. She previously starred in Anything But Love, which ran from 1989 to 1992 alongside Richard Lewis. The actress has described that experience as one of her favorite jobs. She particularly enjoyed rehearsing scenes, developing comedic timing and experiencing the immediate response from an audience. Curtis has continued telling her agents for years that she wanted to return to the sitcom format. Her latest project finally gave her the opportunity to do exactly that.  Curtis creates her own sitcom opportunity Curtis is now an executive producer and recurring performer on NBC’s upcoming multi-camera comedy Newlyweds. The series follows an unexpectedly married couple played by Téa Leoni and Tim Daly. Rather than waiting for the perfect sitcom role to appear, Curtis helped create the opportunity herself. She has embraced her role behind the scenes as well as in front of the camera, expressing excitement about being involved in shaping the show. Her comments about New Girl therefore aren’t necessarily a criticism of the successful series. Instead, they reveal how strongly Curtis feels about the style of comedy she enjoys performing. For an actress with decades of experience, Curtis knows exactly what kind of set brings out her best. And after years of wanting another sitcom, she appears to have finally found the format she loves.

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    North Korea fires missile ahead of US-South Korea drills

    SEOUL: North Korea launched a suspected ballistic missile into waters off the Korean Peninsula’s eastern coast on Wednesday, raising tensions just days before major military exercises between South Korea and the United States. South Korean and Japanese authorities detected the launch from the Wonsan area on North Korea’s east coast at around 6am local time. The missile travelled approximately 700 kilometres before falling into the sea, according to South Korean and Japanese defence officials. The launch came only days before the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises, scheduled to begin on August 17 and continue through August 27. The drills are designed to strengthen the allies’ ability to respond to security threats from North Korea. Pyongyang has repeatedly criticised the exercises, describing them as preparations for a potential attack. Seoul and Washington maintain that the drills are defensive and necessary to improve their combined military readiness. South Korean officials said Wednesday’s launch was the latest in a series of weapons tests conducted by North Korea this year. It was assessed as the country’s 11th suspected ballistic missile test of 2026. North Korea had also launched a missile from the Wonsan region on August 6. Pyongyang did not publicly acknowledge that test. Analysts said the latest launch could have been part of North Korea’s ongoing weapons development programme. However, its timing may also have been intended to send a political and military message ahead of the upcoming US-South Korean exercises. South Korean authorities have not yet confirmed the exact type of missile involved. Officials said a detailed analysis was under way to determine its specifications. The missile’s reported range and launch location have prompted speculation that it could have been a hypersonic weapon or another advanced missile system. Officials have not confirmed those assessments. Seoul and Tokyo condemn launch South Korea and Japan strongly criticised the missile test. South Korean authorities convened an emergency security meeting and called on Pyongyang to stop activities that violate United Nations Security Council resolutions. South Korea’s military said it remained fully prepared to respond to any further provocation and would maintain its combined defence posture with the United States. Japan also lodged a formal protest through diplomatic channels. Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi condemned the launch and said Tokyo was closely monitoring developments. The latest test follows growing tensions over North Korea’s expanding weapons programme and Japan’s plans to strengthen its defence capabilities. North Korean state media had criticised Japan’s latest defence policy document a day earlier, accusing Tokyo of using the North Korean threat to justify an increase in military spending and capabilities. The US Indo-Pacific Command said it was coordinating closely with South Korea and Japan. Its initial assessment was that the missile launch did not pose an immediate threat to US territory, American personnel or its allies.

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    Rod Stewart’s wife Penny Lancaster breaks silenc…

    Rod Stewart’s recent health scare has forced the legendary singer to cancel the remaining dates of his One Last Time farewell tour, leaving fans concerned about his recovery. His wife, Penny Lancaster, has now offered a reassuring update as the 81-year-old musician focuses on getting better. Stewart recently underwent a successful coronary stent procedure after being taken to hospital for a medical issue. His representatives confirmed that he is recovering well and has resumed normal daily activities, but doctors have advised him to take around four weeks away from performing.  Penny Lancaster shares an emotional update Lancaster, who has been married to Stewart since 2007, has remained close to him throughout his recent health difficulties. Her response comes as the singer takes a break from the demanding touring schedule he has maintained for years. The couple’s family life has frequently remained separate from Stewart’s huge career, but Lancaster has supported her husband through several health challenges over the years. Stewart himself has attempted to reassure fans that he is recovering. Following the procedure, the singer expressed his gratitude to the medical professionals who cared for him and apologized to fans who will miss his upcoming performances.  Tour cancellation follows several setbacks The heart procedure comes after a difficult period for Stewart’s touring schedule. Earlier this month, he postponed a Cincinnati performance after requiring what was initially described as a minor medical procedure. A Cleveland show was also postponed. These cancellations followed other health-related disruptions earlier in the year.  Stewart also caused concern during a July concert in Utah when he briefly stopped performing and used oxygen backstage after nearly fainting. He later addressed the audience and continued his performances.  With his latest medical procedure requiring additional recovery time, Stewart has now canceled the remaining dates of his One Last Time tour. The affected schedule included performances in North America, Mexico and a planned Las Vegas residency. Promoters and venues are expected to provide information about refunds and other arrangements directly to ticket holders.  Stewart focuses on recovery Despite the disappointment of ending the tour early, Stewart’s representatives say he is doing well and following medical advice. The singer has spent decades performing around the world, and stepping away from the stage is clearly an emotional decision. However, his latest update suggests that his priority is now regaining his strength. For Lancaster and the rest of Stewart’s family, the recent health scare has brought another reminder of the importance of putting his wellbeing first.

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    Tata chairman to step down amid trust tensions

    NEW DELHI: N. Chandrasekaran, chairman of Tata Sons, has decided not to seek another term at the helm of India’s major business conglomerate, bringing his leadership tenure towards an end after growing differences with the group’s influential charitable trust arm. Chandrasekaran, 63, said on Wednesday that he would remain chairman until his current term expires in February. He said greater certainty over the group’s future leadership was necessary because several major projects were at critical stages. The decision follows months of disagreement between Chandrasekaran and Tata Trusts, which controls about 66% of Tata Sons. The two sides have reportedly differed over several important strategic and governance issues. Among the disputed matters were the future ownership and structure of Tata Sons, whether the company should pursue a stock market listing, losses at Air India, the proposed departure of a minority shareholder and the composition of the board. Tata Sons had postponed a decision on Chandrasekaran’s reappointment in February after Noel Tata, chairman of Tata Trusts, opposed extending his tenure. Six months later, the issue remained unresolved. A person familiar with Chandrasekaran’s decision said the disagreement with Tata Trusts was the sole reason behind his decision not to seek another term. Tata Trusts has not publicly commented on the development. Leadership change comes at difficult time Chandrasekaran’s planned departure comes as the Tata Group faces challenges across several major businesses. Air India, which is controlled by Tata, has been struggling with losses following its return to private ownership. Tata’s automotive operations are also facing pressure, including weaker performance at Jaguar Land Rover. The group’s electronics business has additionally faced the consequences of a recent data leak that affected major customers, including Apple and Tesla. The leadership uncertainty immediately affected investor sentiment. Shares of Tata Consultancy Services, where Chandrasekaran spent most of his career, fell around 5% following news of his planned departure. Tata Motors also declined, while Tata Steel and Titan recorded smaller losses. From TCS intern to Tata chairman Chandrasekaran joined Tata Consultancy Services as an intern in 1987 and spent his entire corporate career with the information technology company. He rose through the ranks and became TCS chief executive in 2009. He was appointed chairman of Tata Sons in 2017. He became the first chairman of Tata Sons who was not a member of the Tata family or from the Parsi community. Under his leadership, Tata expanded its presence across technology, automobiles, aviation, electronics and consumer businesses. The Tata Group is one of India’s oldest and most prominent business organisations. Its companies operate across a wide range of sectors, with products and services ranging from salt and consumer goods to automobiles, hotels, aviation and software. The group’s publicly listed companies had a combined market value of hundreds of billions of dollars at the end of March, highlighting the potential significance of any leadership transition at Tata Sons. Tata’s history has also included previous disputes between its corporate leadership and charitable trusts. One of the most prominent occurred in 2016, when the Tata Sons board removed chairman Cyrus Mistry following a bitter dispute involving governance and the group’s leadership.

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    Murad vows action as Mir Raza murder probe uncover…

    KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has assured the family of murdered businessman Mir Raza that the investigation will be conducted fairly and that those responsible for any police or medico-legal lapses will face action once the case is concluded. Speaking to reporters at the Arts Council Karachi on Tuesday, the chief minister said the proposed judicial commission was not meant to investigate the murder itself. He explained that the police were responsible for probing the killing, while the commission was intended to examine shortcomings in the handling of the case by police and medico-legal authorities. Murad said the provincial government had initially discussed the commission with Mir Raza’s parents through the home minister and Karachi mayor, and the family had agreed to the proposal. However, after the family later withdrew its support, the government respected their decision. Meanwhile, investigators have received the chemical analysis report from Mir Raza’s first post-mortem, which reportedly detected traces of acid on his shirt. The report also found gunshot residue on the rear side of the shirt’s perforation, identified as the entry wound. Further samples were collected during a second post-mortem after the body was exhumed. So far, investigators have received the DNA report, which confirmed that the remains belonged to Mir Raza. The investigation team is also preparing to conduct geofencing around different locations near the crime scene in Gulistan-i-Jauhar to establish the movements of people in the area around the time of the incident. Call data records from Mir Raza’s mobile phone will also be obtained as part of the probe. At the request of the family’s lawyer, Jibran Nasir, DSP Siraj Lashari and Inspector Mohammed Ali have been added to the investigation team headed by DIG Amir Farooqui. Mir Raza, an IBA graduate and owner of the food business Wafflix, went missing on July 28. His body was discovered the following day in bushes near Shahi Qila Ground in Gulistan-i-Jauhar. In a related development, the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has summoned four people over alleged defamatory social media content concerning Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon and his son in connection with the murder case. Syed Abdullah, Amin Qureshi, Bilal Warsi and Obaid Qureshi have been directed to appear before the NCCIA’s Karachi office on August 13. The notices were issued following a complaint filed on Memon’s behalf, alleging that fabricated and defamatory material had been circulated through digital platforms. Memon had approached the cybercrime agency after claims circulated online alleging that he owned a guest house in Gulistan-i-Jauhar where Mir Raza was allegedly tortured and killed. Other posts claimed that Memon’s son had travelled to London immediately after the incident and was later seen accompanied by a security guard. The latest developments come as investigators continue to piece together the circumstances surrounding Mir Raza’s disappearance and death, while authorities face growing pressure to ensure that every aspect of the case is thoroughly examined.

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    PTI can’t escape Mall Road attack: Talal

    Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry has said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership cannot distance itself from the recent shooting incident on Rawalpindi’s Mall Road. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Chaudhry said the incident was deeply regrettable and alleged that the man involved had links with the PTI and had remained in contact with the party’s leadership. According to the minister, the suspect had previously stayed at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House and had met members of the PTI leadership. He also allegedly carried the party’s flag and appeared in social media videos showing attacks on security forces. Chaudhry said a security personnel was injured when the attacker opened direct fire on Mall Road. He argued that the PTI leadership could not simply deny responsibility by claiming that the individual had no connection with the party or suffered from mental health problems. “If his mental condition was not stable, why did he attack a security official instead of his own family or a party leader?” Chaudhry asked. He questioned why the individual had allegedly been placed at the frontline of protests if the party had no association with him. The minister accused the PTI of promoting a political culture based on confrontation, violence and hatred. He said the government had repeatedly urged the party to avoid spreading hostility and unrest among young people. Chaudhry linked such politics to previous violent incidents, including the events of May 9 and November 26, and warned that continuing to promote hatred could lead to further incidents. He also criticised what he described as vandalism and arson carried out in the name of politics. He questioned what the PTI had achieved for the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during its long period in power in the province. “Setting things on fire and creating disorder is not politics,” he said, adding that such actions neither served the party nor the province. Referring to future political activities, Chaudhry warned that similar incidents could occur again if party workers continued to be exposed to what he described as hateful and inflammatory rhetoric. He also criticised PTI founder Imran Khan’s statements and speeches, alleging that they had contributed to political polarisation and unrest. Chaudhry further accused PTI supporters of disrespecting security personnel and national heroes, including through social media posts targeting the country’s fallen soldiers. The minister said investigations into the Rawalpindi incident were progressing and that authorities were conducting a transparent inquiry. He assured that the findings would be made public once the investigation was completed. Chaudhry said the government would not allow Pakistan to be pushed into further political instability and warned that those involved in attacks would face legal consequences.

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    Honey-trap, cyber blackmail ring busted as 3 arres…

    LAHORE: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Lahore has arrested three suspected members of a honey-trap and cyber blackmailing network during a raid in Multan, officials said. According to an NCCIA spokesperson, the suspects allegedly used fake identities on social media to establish contact with unsuspecting citizens before moving conversations to WhatsApp. They would then use video calls to obtain private pictures and videos, which were allegedly used to threaten victims and extort money from them. The operation was carried out on the special directions of NCCIA Punjab Director Muhammad Ali Waseem. Acting on intelligence, an NCCIA Lahore team raided a house in Basti Saleh Mahaye, near Nawabpur Road in Multan, and arrested Dil Hassan, Umar Saeed and Umair Hassan. Initial investigations suggest that the suspects had allegedly collected millions of rupees from victims through the same method. Investigators have also secured evidence relating to financial transactions and money transfers as part of the probe. Three mobile phones were recovered during the raid. The agency said an initial forensic examination revealed several WhatsApp accounts, photographs, videos and other potentially significant digital evidence. A detailed forensic analysis is now under way. During questioning, investigators also came across the names of Muhammad Farhan, Sohail alias Loli, Zahid Haraj and Shahid Haraj, along with several other individuals. Their alleged involvement and possible links to the network are being examined. The NCCIA is now working to identify additional members of the suspected network, trace the social media accounts allegedly used in the scheme, follow the money trail and identify other potential victims. NCCIA Punjab Director Muhammad Ali Waseem said operations against individuals involved in honey-trapping and cyber blackmailing would be intensified, stressing that those found involved would face legal action under the law.

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    Gold climbs back near 10-week peak, investors awai…

    LONDON: Gold prices rose on Wednesday as investors reduced expectations of tighter US monetary policy and turned their attention to upcoming inflation data that could influence the Federal Reserve’s next interest-rate decision. Spot gold gained 0.6 per cent to $4,391.82 an ounce by 0535 GMT, while US gold futures for December delivery advanced 0.2pc to $4,451.90. The precious metal had reached a 10-week high a day earlier before encountering technical resistance around $4,387, near its 100-day moving average. It subsequently closed lower for the second time this month. Market analyst Kelvin Wong of Oanda said the recent strength in gold was largely driven by changing expectations about Federal Reserve policy. He noted that prices had also gained momentum after breaking above the $4,200 level late last week. Gold recorded its strongest weekly gain since January on Friday after weaker-than-expected US employment figures prompted traders to reduce their expectations of further interest-rate increases. According to the CME FedWatch Tool, markets are now assigning roughly a 50 per cent probability to a rate hike in September, down from about 60pc before the jobs report. Lower interest rates generally benefit gold because the metal does not generate interest, making it relatively more attractive when yields decline. Investors were awaiting the latest US Consumer Price Index figures later on Wednesday for further clues about the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy. Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee has meanwhile said inflation remains a greater concern for him than weakness in the labour market. Oil prices also extended their gains after the United States and Houthi forces reported separate attacks involving shipping on Tuesday. Meanwhile, hopes of an end to the Iran conflict appeared to weaken after Tehran indicated that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed unless certain conditions were met.

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    Baby Shark star Park Geon-roung takes K-pop leap with WAVE

    The child performer who became globally recognised through the viral “Baby Shark” phenomenon is now preparing for a new chapter as a K-pop artist. Park Geon-roung, now 17, is set to enter the Korean music scene under the stage name Baby Shark Boy (BSB). His debut digital single album, WAVE, is scheduled for release on August 20, 2026. The upcoming track will feature Joohoney, a member of the popular K-pop group Monsta X. Park has also contributed to the song’s lyrics, giving him an opportunity to establish an identity beyond his childhood fame. Park first attracted international attention when he appeared in the “Baby Shark” video as a young child. The song went on to become one of the biggest digital entertainment phenomena in history, reaching audiences far beyond its original target of young children. The Pinkfong Company, the South Korean entertainment company behind the franchise, is supporting Park’s transition into music. According to the company, WAVE will include musical elements inspired by “Baby Shark” as a nostalgic connection to the performer’s early career. However, the new release is intended to present Park as a young musician in his own right rather than simply revive his childhood role. The original “Baby Shark Dance” became the most-viewed video on YouTube in November 2020 after overtaking Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s “Despacito.” It later became the first video on the platform to cross the 10-billion-view mark. The video has since accumulated more than 16 billion views, demonstrating the extraordinary global reach of the children’s song. Its popularity was largely driven by repeated viewing among children, with young audiences often replaying the short video multiple times. That high level of repetition helped transform the song into a global digital phenomenon. The track also moved beyond children’s entertainment and became a major social media trend. The #BabySharkChallenge encouraged users around the world to recreate its distinctive choreography. International celebrities and major K-pop acts also participated in the trend, helping the song reach audiences that extended well beyond its original demographic. Now, nearly a decade after his appearance in the viral video, Park is attempting to build a career in a very different part of the entertainment industry.

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    Mir Raza murder probe hits geo-fencing hurdles, po…

    KARACHI: Investigators probing the murder of young businessman Mir Raza are facing challenges in completing geo-fencing around the crime scene, with the passage of several days making it harder to accurately reconstruct movements in the area. According to investigative sources, the crime scene is located near a hilly area that has been subjected to geo-fencing. Mobile towers belonging to three different telecom companies are situated around the location, allowing investigators to collect data on mobile activity in the vicinity. Sources said geo-fencing has so far produced location data covering several blocks of Gulistan-i-Jauhar. However, because considerable time has elapsed since the incident, investigators are finding it difficult to establish which individuals were present near the crime scene at the relevant time. Police have also collected various pieces of evidence from the surrounding area. Investigators reportedly conducted a search within a radius of around 500 metres from the location where the body was found. Meanwhile, the newly formed investigation committee has obtained details linked to Mir Raza’s smartwatch. Investigators are now attempting to retrieve the device’s complete data, which could potentially provide additional information about his movements and activities before his death. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to combine digital records, physical evidence and device data to determine what happened in the final hours of Mir Raza’s life.