cynthia erivo pays
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Cynthia Erivo pays sweet tribute to Ariana Grande …

ByJustpaste.in

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande have once again reminded fans why their friendship remains one of the most beloved bonds to come out of Wicked. The longtime co-stars reunited onstage in London, creating an emotional moment that quickly became one of the highlights of Grande’s Eternal Sunshine Tour. 

On August 16, Erivo surprised fans at London’s O2 Arena when she joined Grande during the second night of the singer’s London shows. The pair performed “For Good,” the emotional Wicked song that has become closely associated with their characters, Elphaba and Glinda. They also treated the audience to the “Get Happy/Happy Days Are Here Again” medley. 

The reunion was especially meaningful because it marked their first live performance together since the 2025 television special Wicked: One Wonderful Night. Their return to the stage together brought back memories of their years working on the two Wicked movies and the friendship they developed away from the spotlight. 

Erivo has previously spoken warmly about singing with Grande, describing her as one of the few people she genuinely loves performing alongside. She explained that she does not often want to sing with other people, but Grande is different because their voices and energy naturally complement one another. 

That affection was clear during their London reunion. The two stars embraced onstage, while Grande was also seen kissing Erivo’s hand, adding another tender moment to the performance. Their chemistry once again reminded audiences of the special connection they built while bringing Elphaba and Glinda to life. 

Their friendship has faced plenty of public speculation over the years. However, Erivo has repeatedly made it clear that their bond is genuine. In a 2026 interview, she discussed how people struggled to understand the closeness between two women and emphasized that deep, platonic female friendships are real. 

The London reunion therefore felt like more than just another surprise concert appearance. It was a celebration of music, friendship and the lasting impact of Wicked. For fans who have followed Erivo and Grande since the beginning of their journey as Elphaba and Glinda, seeing them share the stage again was a particularly touching reminder that their connection continues long after the cameras stop rolling.

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    Youth dialogue calls for climate action in Punjab

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      A youth-led dialogue on climate action and greater youth participation in policymaking brought together parliamentarians, policymakers, environmental experts, civil society representatives and young people in Punjab. Pak Mission Society and Forman Christian College University jointly organised the event, where participants discussed climate policy, legislation and the role of young people in shaping environmental decisions. Parliamentary Secretary for Environment Kanwal Liaqat said Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had identified climate change as a major priority after assuming office. She said the provincial government had since introduced several measures to address environmental challenges. Liaqat said brick kilns across Punjab must use zigzag technology to operate, while women environmental inspectors were helping strengthen monitoring and enforcement. She added that authorities were taking action against industries that pollute the air and water and were working to improve the condition of canals, streams and rivers. The dialogue also examined gaps in Punjab’s climate laws and policies. Members of Green Clubs presented five climate demands developed by children and young people, urging the government to give youth a stronger role in climate governance and policymaking. The event also featured a session titled “From Dreams to Reality: Advancing Youth-Led Climate Action in Pakistan,” moderated by environmental law expert Ahmed Rafi Alam. The concluding discussion focused on practical measures to address young people’s concerns and develop a roadmap for youth-led climate action in Pakistan. Participants included Rabia Chaudhry, Waqil Ahmed Khan, Dur-e-Shahwar, Dr Younas Zahid, Ahmed Rafi Alam, Hafiz Usman, Dr Abdul Qadir, Khurram Tauqeer and Shakeela Firdous.

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    Ex-US health official Anthony Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment in volatile Senate hearing

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    Former top US public health official Dr Anthony Fauci repeatedly invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination during a tense Senate committee hearing on Wednesday, refusing to answer questions regarding the origins of COVID-19 and early federal pandemic responses. The hours-long session before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee degenerated into a fierce clash between the retired scientist and Republican lawmakers. Fauci, 85, who led the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) for nearly four decades, declined to answer more than 100 questions on the advice of his legal team. In a statement before asserting his constitutional right, Fauci accused committee chairman Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) of pursuing an “unhinged obsession” with sending him to prison. Fauci stated that answering questions under oath was a deliberate attempt to trap him into potential perjury charges. Paul and GOP members pressed Fauci on whether federal funding supported dangerous “gain-of-function” research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China, and cited over 1,000 pages of newly leaked personal diary entries that lawmakers argue contradict his past public statements. Despite a preemptive presidential pardon issued by Joe Biden before leaving office, legal experts noted that testifying under oath could still leave Fauci exposed to potential perjury prosecutions if lawmakers alleged inconsistent statements. Enraged by the repeated refusals, Senator Paul announced that the committee will vote next week on holding Fauci in contempt of Congress, which could prompt a referral for criminal prosecution.

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    Freight costs surge manifold as industry faces logistics strike aftershocks

    ByJustpaste.in

    Pakistan’s export sector has been hit by a fresh logistics shock after the nine-day goods transport strike, with exporters now facing an extraordinary increase in sea freight rates, a shortage of shipping space and mounting costs on delayed cargo, according to economists and trade experts. Experts said the strike may have ended, but its consequences are now being felt at ports, factories and in export markets. Containers that could not reach Karachi Port and Port Qasim during the disruption missed scheduled vessels, leaving exporters scrambling to secure space on subsequent shipments at sharply higher freight rates. According to information shared by exporters, freight charges to the US West Coast have surged from around $1,800 to as high as $8,500 per container, while rates to the US East Coast have reportedly risen from $1,800 to $8,000 per container. Additional General Rate Increases, surcharges and other carrier charges have further increased the burden. Experts said these developments have placed Pakistani exporters in an extremely difficult position. Freight charges rising by more than 300 percent cannot easily be absorbed by exporters and could wipe out the profit margin on entire export orders, they added. They said the disruption in domestic transport created a serious bottleneck in the export supply chain. Thousands of containers remained stuck at factories and warehouses and could not reach the ports within terminal cut-off times. As a result, exporters faced missed bookings, vessel rollovers, cancellations, detention, demurrage and storage charges. Economists said the reported loss of around Rs450 billion during the nine-day strike shows the scale of the disruption, but the real damage could be much greater if delayed shipments lead to cancelled orders and the loss of overseas buyers. International buyers expect certainty and timely delivery, experts noted. A buyer waiting for goods does not necessarily distinguish between a transport strike, port congestion or any other domestic problem in Pakistan. If deliveries are repeatedly delayed, the buyer may simply shift future orders to another country. Pakistan is competing with countries that have invested heavily in efficient ports, transport networks and export logistics. Pakistani manufacturers already face high energy prices, expensive financing, taxation pressures and rising input costs. Adding an unpredictable freight and shipping crisis to these problems further weakens their ability to compete. Experts pointed out that exporters operating under C&F, CFR and other freight-inclusive arrangements are directly exposed to the increase in shipping costs. Even FOB exporters are suffering because the shortage of vessel space and missed sailing schedules can delay shipments and damage business relationships. “Export growth is not possible without a dependable logistics system,” experts said. “It is not enough to announce export incentives if containers cannot move smoothly from factories to ports and from ports to international markets.” They urged the government to immediately hold consultations with shipping lines, port authorities, terminal operators, freight forwarders, transporters and export associations to restore adequate vessel space for Pakistani cargo and address the sudden escalation in freight rates. Experts said exporters whose shipments were delayed because of circumstances beyond their control should not be left to bear excessive penalties and charges. A mechanism should be developed to facilitate stranded cargo and minimise avoidable detention, demurrage and storage costs. They also called for a permanent coordination mechanism between the government and the private sector to deal with transport and logistics disruptions before they turn into national economic crises. Experts said Pakistan needs to treat logistics as a core part of its trade and export policy. Road transport, ports, terminals, shipping services and customs clearance are all parts of the same export chain, and a breakdown at one point can affect the entire system. Economists stressed that Pakistan urgently needs greater export earnings to strengthen its economy and foreign exchange reserves. Every unnecessary increase in freight costs means more money leaving the country and less income remaining with Pakistani manufacturers and exporters. They urged the authorities to take immediate and practical steps to help exporters clear delayed shipments, recover lost shipping schedules and retain the confidence of international buyers, warning that predictable freight rates, available shipping space and an uninterrupted logistics system are essential for Pakistan to remain competitive in international markets.

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    Mir Raza allegedly kidnapped and tortured for 12 h…

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    KARACHI: The investigation into the death of young businessman Mir Raza has taken a new turn after his family’s lawyer, Jibran Nasir, claimed that the victim was allegedly abducted and tortured for around 12 hours before he was killed. Speaking at a press conference alongside Mir Raza’s parents at their residence, Nasir said information gathered during the investigation had raised serious questions about the circumstances surrounding the businessman’s death. According to the lawyer, CCTV footage showing Mir Raza emerged on July 28, while his body was recovered the following day. Nasir said a chemical analysis report from the University of Karachi found evidence of acid on the victim’s clothing, along with what he described as a bullet mark from the rear side of the shirt. Nasir further claimed that the condition of Mir Raza’s face was not simply the result of decomposition but may have been caused by acid. He also alleged that the victim was given a local anesthetic or another substance that caused him to become unconscious. The lawyer said the body appeared to have been dead for approximately 20 to 22 hours when it was recovered. Based on that estimated timeline, he argued that Mir Raza may have remained in captivity for around 12 hours before his death. Nasir alleged that the businessman was abducted during that period and subjected to torture. These claims have not yet been independently established and remain part of the allegations surrounding the investigation. The lawyer also raised questions about Mir Raza’s digital devices and financial activity. He claimed that someone had accessed the victim’s phone and emptied a cryptocurrency account, allegedly in an attempt to create an impression that Mir Raza had been facing financial difficulties or was in debt. Nasir further questioned the handling of key evidence, claiming that the station house officer was carrying the digital video recorder (DVR), while Mir Raza’s smartwatch and mobile phone were reportedly in the possession of other individuals. The allegations have intensified scrutiny of the investigation as Mir Raza’s family seeks answers about his final hours and the circumstances leading to his death. Investigators are expected to examine CCTV recordings, forensic reports, digital devices, financial transactions and other evidence to establish a detailed timeline. Police have yet to publicly establish the full circumstances of Mir Raza’s death or identify those responsible. The allegations made by his family’s lawyer will need to be verified through forensic evidence and the ongoing investigation.

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    Pakistan’s external debt rises by Rs1.24 trillio…

    ByJustpaste.in

      Pakistan’s external debt has started rising again after recording a decline during the first nine months of the 2025-26 fiscal year, with official data showing a sharp increase during the final quarter. According to government documents, the country’s external debt increased by more than Rs1.24 trillion between March and June 2026. During the same three-month period, the government’s total debt rose by around Rs3.11 trillion, reflecting a significant increase in both external and domestic borrowing. The data shows that the government’s domestic debt increased by more than Rs1.87 trillion from March to June 2026. As a result, total domestic debt reached approximately Rs59.44 trillion by June 2026. Pakistan’s total external debt stood at around Rs22.96 trillion in March 2026. By the end of June, the figure had climbed to approximately Rs24.20 trillion, marking an increase of more than Rs1.24 trillion in just three months. The latest increase reverses the downward trend recorded earlier in the fiscal year. Pakistan reduced its external debt by around Rs207 billion during the first three months of 2026. From June 2025 to March 2026, the country’s external debt declined by approximately Rs458 billion.   The largest increase during the latest quarter came from long-term external borrowing. Government figures show that long-term external debt stood at around **Rs19.72 trillion in March 2026**, but increased to approximately **Rs21.77 trillion by June**, representing an increase of more than Rs2 trillion. In contrast, short-term external debt declined significantly during the same period. It fell by around Rs506 billion over the three months, partially offsetting the increase in long-term borrowing. The figures indicate that while Pakistan had made progress in reducing its external debt earlier in the fiscal year, borrowing picked up considerably during the final quarter. The sharp rise in long-term external liabilities remains a key factor behind the overall increase in the country’s external debt.

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    Newcastle complete signing of goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek from Braga

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    Newcastle, currently without a permanent manager, announced Monday that they have signed Czech Republic goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek from Portuguese club Braga. Hornicek has agreed to a five year contract after Newcastle triggered his 30 million euro release clause, a fee equivalent to roughly 25.7 million pounds or 34.6 million dollars. He becomes the club’s fifth signing of the summer transfer window. The 24 year old, who is expected to challenge Nick Pope for the starting goalkeeper role, described the past few days as an emotional experience since first learning of the move, and said he is thrilled to have completed the transfer. He said he is aware of Newcastle’s reputation as a major football city, pointing to the roughly 52,000 fans who fill St James’ Park and create an atmosphere he said pushes the team in every match, adding that he is eager to play in front of them. Newcastle sporting director Ross Wilson said Hornicek has firmly established himself as one of the top young goalkeepers in Europe. The signing comes during a turbulent period for the club. Eddie Howe stepped down as Newcastle manager last week after five years in charge, following a difficult campaign that saw the team finish 12th in the Premier League. The club has also faced a challenging summer transfer window on other fronts. Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali has completed a move to Tottenham, while England forward Anthony Gordon has departed for Barcelona. Captain Bruno Guimaraes has also been strongly linked with a switch to Premier League champions Arsenal. Newcastle will open their Premier League season at home against Liverpool on August 23.

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