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Denise Richards calls for honesty about cosmetic p…

Denise Richards is speaking openly about cosmetic procedures, saying what frustrates her most is when celebrities and influencers deny having work done while promoting unrealistic beauty standards. The actress believes there is nothing wrong with choosing plastic surgery, but she feels people should be honest about it.

Richards discussed the topic during the August 3 episode of the Dumb Blonde podcast, hosted by Bunnie Xo, the wife of country star Jelly Roll. The two women reflected on their own cosmetic procedures and shared why transparency matters, especially for younger generations who often compare themselves to celebrities online. 

During the conversation, Bunnie Xo passionately criticized public figures who claim their youthful appearance comes only from skincare products or healthy habits. Richards agreed, saying she dislikes when people refuse to admit they have had cosmetic work while allowing others to believe their results are completely natural. She explained that such claims create unrealistic expectations for women and girls who may feel pressured to look the same. 

Richards also opened up about her own experience with plastic surgery, revealing that she underwent a facelift after initially considering only a neck lift. Following discussions with a trusted friend and consultation with facial plastic surgeon Dr. Ben Talei, she decided a full procedure would create a more balanced result. The surgery included a facelift, neck lift, brow lift, eyelid surgery, lip lift and fat grafting. 

The 55-year-old actress admitted she was terrified before going through with the operation because she has spent decades in the public eye. She knew people would notice the changes, making it impossible to hide the procedure. However, she now describes it as one of the best decisions she has made for herself, saying the goal was never to look like someone else but simply to restore the features she felt had changed with age. 

Richards has long been candid about cosmetic enhancements. She previously spoke about getting breast implants at a young age and later needing revision surgery. She said she prefers openness over secrecy because it helps reduce the pressure placed on women to achieve impossible beauty standards without assistance. 

Throughout the interview, Richards stressed that every woman should have the freedom to make personal choices about her appearance without fear of judgment. Whether someone decides to age naturally or undergo cosmetic procedures, she believes the decision should be respected. For Richards, the real issue is not plastic surgery itself but the dishonesty surrounding it. By sharing her own journey, she hopes to encourage more realistic conversations about beauty, aging and self-confidence while reminding people that authenticity is just as important as appearance. 

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    Karachi traffic plan issued for 8 Rabi-ul-Awwal pr…

    Karachi Traffic Police have announced a special traffic management plan for processions scheduled to take place across the city on August 22 in connection with 8 Rabi-ul-Awwal. According to the traffic police spokesperson, processions will leave from Nishtar Park and several other locations in Karachi. Authorities have made special arrangements to keep traffic moving and minimize disruption along the procession routes. Traffic police said vehicle entry passes for the processions will be available from August 17 to 20. Applicants must submit the vehicle’s registration card, their CNIC, and two recent photographs to obtain a pass. Drivers must also carry the original vehicle registration card and CNIC with them during the procession. Those seeking vehicle passes can contact the designated central office for further information and registration. The traffic police will introduce alternative traffic routes and make diversions at different points during the processions. Additional personnel will also be deployed to manage traffic and guide motorists. Citizens have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel on procession routes and follow instructions from traffic police officials. Authorities have urged motorists to cooperate with traffic management teams to ensure smooth movement and reduce inconvenience for commuters across the city.

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    Petrol pumps face nationwide shutdown from August …

    KARACHI: Petrol pump dealers across Pakistan have announced an indefinite closure of fuel stations from August 15. The decision comes amid an ongoing strike by goods transporters. Talks between the government and transport representatives have failed to resolve their differences. The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association announced the decision on Tuesday after a meeting of representatives from different parts of the country. Association Chairman Malik Khuda Baksh said dealers had given the government 72 hours to address their concerns. He warned that petrol stations would remain closed until the dealers’ demands were accepted. The dealers are mainly seeking an increase in their commission on petrol sales. They are demanding an 8% margin on petrol, saying the existing rate is no longer sufficient to cover rising operating costs. Baksh said the association represents around 14,000 dealers and that members were under growing financial pressure. He said dealers had previously postponed their strike after receiving assurances from the government that their concerns would be addressed. According to the association, the government was given additional time to resolve the issue, but the deadline passed without a satisfactory outcome. The dealers had earlier agreed to delay a planned nationwide shutdown following talks with Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik. At the time, government representatives assured the dealers that their longstanding concerns would be considered. However, the latest announcement indicates that no final agreement has been reached. The dealers have also raised concerns over the mechanism used to determine fuel prices. They have called for greater clarity and timely implementation of decisions concerning petroleum margins. The announcement comes as the country’s goods transport sector remains affected by a separate strike. Transporters have continued their wheel-jam protest after talks with federal and provincial authorities failed to produce a breakthrough. The overlapping disputes could create additional pressure on the country’s fuel supply and transport network if the shutdown goes ahead.

  • Supreme Court Spares People’s Party Leader and 10 MPs from Suspension

    BANGKOK — The Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Officer Holders has spared 10 incumbent MPs of the People’s Party, including its leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, from suspension, while agreeing to consider a case filed by the Election Commission accusing them of gross ethical misconduct for endorsing a bill to amend Section 112 of the penal […]

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    Punjab orders inquiry into handwritten medico-lega…

    Lahore: The Punjab Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department has ordered an inquiry against five medical superintendents over the issuance of handwritten Medico-Legal Certificates (MLCs) and Post-Mortem Reports (PMRs), despite mandatory procedures requiring the documents to be generated through a computerized system. The action follows serious concerns raised by a Lahore High Court Division Bench regarding the continued issuance of handwritten medico-legal documents at several teaching hospitals across Punjab. According to an official departmental order issued on August 2, 2026, a meeting was held at the Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department on July 8 to examine the issue. The meeting reviewed records showing that several hospitals had issued handwritten MLCs and PMRs during the preceding months in violation of established standard operating procedures. The hospitals identified in the departmental record include Nishtar Hospital Multan, Allama Iqbal Memorial Teaching Hospital Sialkot, Dr Faisal Masood Teaching Hospital Sargodha, Services Hospital Lahore and Allama Iqbal Teaching Hospital Dera Ghazi Khan. The highest number of handwritten MLCs was reported at Allama Iqbal Memorial Teaching Hospital Sialkot, where 1,243 such certificates were issued, along with 43 handwritten PMRs. Nishtar Hospital Multan reportedly issued 816 handwritten MLCs and 182 handwritten PMRs. Dr Faisal Masood Teaching Hospital Sargodha recorded 735 handwritten MLCs and 48 PMRs, while Services Hospital Lahore issued 680 handwritten MLCs. At Allama Iqbal Teaching Hospital Dera Ghazi Khan, the record showed 768 handwritten MLCs and 10 handwritten PMRs. The department said the available record provided sufficient grounds for proceedings against the concerned officers under Section 3 of the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability (PEEDA) Act, 2006. The allegations relate to alleged misconduct and inefficiency in the discharge of official responsibilities. Among the officers facing inquiry is Dr Rao Amjad Ali Khan, former Medical Superintendent of Nishtar Hospital Multan. The issue has also raised questions about the responsibility of officials and staff working in forensic and medico-legal departments. Questions have emerged over how handwritten reports continued to be issued despite the availability of a mandatory computerized system. Computerization of MLCs and PMRs was introduced to improve transparency, maintain reliable records and reduce the possibility of alteration or manipulation of sensitive medico-legal documents. Such reports can play an important role in criminal investigations and court proceedings. The inquiry is expected to establish why the prescribed digital system was bypassed, identify officials responsible for the violations and determine whether disciplinary action is warranted. The department will also examine the circumstances surrounding the issuance of the handwritten reports and the role of the relevant hospital administrations.

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    Pakistan’s trade deficit surges 25% to nearly $4 billion in July 

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s trade deficit expanded sharply during the first month of the new fiscal year, reaching nearly $4 billion in July, as a strong rise in imports continued to outpace export growth, highlighting persistent weaknesses in the country’s external sector despite a series of incentives announced for exporters. According to the latest figures released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the country’s trade deficit widened to $3.95 billion in July 2026, compared to $3.16 billion recorded during the same month last year. The deficit increased by approximately $794 million, representing an annual rise of 25.2%. The widening gap was primarily driven by a substantial increase in imports, which climbed to $6.9 billion from $5.8 billion in July 2025. This reflects an increase of more than $1 billion, or 18% year-on-year, indicating stronger demand for imported goods and raw materials. Exports Show Growth but Remain Below Key Milestone While Pakistan’s exports registered positive growth, they once again failed to cross the important $3 billion monthly mark. Exports reached $2.94 billion, falling short of the milestone by around $61 million. On an annual basis, exports increased by 9.5%, adding nearly $256 million compared to July last year. Although the improvement reflects steady recovery in overseas shipments, analysts believe the pace remains insufficient to counter the rapid expansion in imports. Exports had crossed the $3 billion threshold in January 2026, touching approximately $3.05 billion, but the country has been unable to maintain that level in the months that followed. Tariff Reforms Under Scrutiny The latest trade figures have renewed debate over Pakistan’s tariff liberalisation policy, introduced under broader economic reforms supported by international financial institutions, including the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The government has gradually lowered tariff barriers to increase competition and integrate Pakistan more closely into global markets. However, economists argue that the economy was opened before domestic industries were provided with sufficient support to compete effectively. Business leaders have repeatedly pointed out that exporters continue to face high energy prices, elevated financing costs, tax-related uncertainties and exchange rate volatility, all of which reduce their competitiveness in international markets. Earlier projections by the World Bank had suggested that tariff reforms would increase exports by 14% while limiting import growth to around 7%. However, the latest figures suggest imports have grown much faster than anticipated, while export gains have remained comparatively modest. Government Rolls Out Fresh Export Incentives To strengthen export performance, the federal government has announced a series of financial support measures during the current fiscal year. In the federal budget, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reduced the minimum and advance tax on exporters to 1.25% and abolished the 10% super tax on export earnings in an effort to improve liquidity and encourage investment in export-oriented industries. More recently, the government approved a Rs98 billion export support package aimed at improving competitiveness and increasing foreign exchange earnings. Under the revised Export Finance Scheme (E-EFS), exporters will be able to obtain six-month working capital loans at an interest rate of 8.5%, with the government absorbing 5 percentage points of the financing cost. The subsidy for this component alone is estimated at Rs58 billion during the current fiscal year. ECC Approves New Financing Facilities The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has also expanded access to concessional financing by increasing the ceiling of the existing short-term financing portfolio from Rs1 trillion to Rs1.5 trillion. In addition, the committee approved the launch of a new Long-Term Growth Financing Facility, allowing exporters to access loans at an interest rate of 2% for the first two years, followed by a fixed 5% rate for the subsequent eight years. The government has also introduced a performance-based rebate scheme, effective from July 1, 2026, with an estimated annual allocation of Rs15 billion. Under the programme, exporters recording annual export growth of up to 10% over the previous year will receive a rebate equal to 1% of the incremental export value, while exporters achieving growth exceeding 10% will qualify for a 2% rebate on additional exports. Long-Term Challenges Persist Despite successive incentive packages introduced over several decades, Pakistan continues to struggle with achieving sustained export-led growth. Industry observers note that no single Pakistani exporter has generated $1 billion in annual export earnings, underscoring the structural challenges facing the country’s export sector. These challenges include limited product diversification, low industrial productivity, rising production costs, inconsistent policy implementation and insufficient value addition. Monthly Performance Offers Some Relief On a month-on-month basis, the trade data presented a more encouraging picture. Exports increased by 31% in July compared to June, rising by approximately $697 million, while imports remained largely unchanged at around $6.9 billion. As a result, the monthly trade deficit narrowed by nearly 15%, or around $709 million, compared with the previous month.

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    Iran’s supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei names Bag…

    TEHRAN: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has reshuffled two key positions in the country’s security and political establishment, appointing Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr as his political adviser and former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Mohsen Rezaei as his representative on the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC). The appointments were announced through messages attributed to Khamenei on social media on Sunday, according to reports, placing two veteran figures with extensive military and political experience in prominent roles at a sensitive moment for Tehran. In his message to Zolghadr, Khamenei cited his “valuable experience” while appointing him as a political adviser. Zolghadr has held several senior positions in Iran’s security establishment and previously served as secretary of the SNSC. The move follows Zolghadr’s departure from the council’s top administrative position. Reports said Rezaei has been appointed to replace him as secretary of the powerful security body, while also serving as Khamenei’s representative on the council. Rezaei is a veteran figure in Iran’s political and military establishment. He served as commander of the IRGC for much of the Iran-Iraq war era and has held a range of senior political positions. He has also previously run for Iran’s presidency. The latest appointments are drawing attention because the SNSC plays a central role in coordinating Iran’s defence, security and foreign-policy decisions. Although the council is formally chaired by President Masoud Pezeshkian, its work brings together senior political, military and security institutions. The timing of the reshuffle is particularly significant as Iran faces continuing pressure over regional security and negotiations surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. Recent diplomatic efforts have focused on arrangements for shipping through the strategically important waterway, making changes within Tehran’s security leadership especially closely watched. Both Zolghadr and Rezaei are associated with Iran’s security establishment and have extensive experience in military affairs. Analysts are therefore likely to watch closely for any indication that the appointments could affect Tehran’s approach to negotiations, regional security or relations with the United States. The reshuffle also strengthens the role of figures with longstanding links to the IRGC within the leadership structure. Rezaei had already served as a military adviser to Mojtaba Khamenei before taking on the latest assignment. For Zolghadr, the new position keeps him within the senior leadership circle despite his exit from the SNSC secretaryship. His experience in security and political affairs could allow him to continue playing a role in shaping policy from the Supreme Leader’s office. The appointments come at a critical time for Iran, with international attention focused on Tehran’s security posture and the future of the Strait of Hormuz. Whether the changes represent a broader adjustment in Iran’s negotiating strategy remains to be seen, but the elevation of two experienced security figures is likely to keep Tehran’s next moves under close scrutiny.

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