josh duhamel breaks
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Josh Duhamel breaks silence on leaving Los Angeles

Josh Duhamel has opened up about his decision to relocate his family from Los Angeles to Minnesota, explaining that the move was driven by a desire for a slower, more meaningful way of life. Although the actor has embraced life in the Midwest, he made it clear that he has not completely walked away from Los Angeles, where much of his career continues to be based. (foxnews.com⁠)

Speaking in a recent interview, Duhamel said he wanted his children to grow up surrounded by nature rather than the fast-paced environment of Hollywood. The actor explained that Minnesota offers the kind of lifestyle he always envisioned for his family, with plenty of outdoor activities, privacy and a strong sense of community. (foxnews.com⁠)

The Transformers star, who shares son Axl with ex-wife Fergie and welcomed son Shepherd with wife Audra Mari in 2024, said the move has allowed his family to spend more quality time together. Instead of dealing with constant traffic and the pressures of city life, they now enjoy a quieter routine that includes fishing, hiking and spending time outdoors. (people.com⁠)

Despite settling in Minnesota, Duhamel stressed that he has not completely left Los Angeles behind. He still travels to California for filming, business meetings and promotional events whenever work requires it. The actor acknowledged that Hollywood remains the center of the entertainment industry, making it impossible to sever ties completely while continuing his acting career. (people.com⁠)

Duhamel also reflected on how the move has changed his perspective on success. While he remains passionate about acting, he said his priorities have shifted over the years. Today, creating lasting memories with his family matters more than chasing the nonstop pace of celebrity life. He believes the quieter surroundings have given him greater balance and allowed him to focus on what truly makes him happy. (foxnews.com⁠)

The actor has long spoken about his love for Minnesota, where he owns a secluded lakeside property. Over the years, he has invested time and effort into building a peaceful retreat that reflects his appreciation for the outdoors. He described the property as a place where his family can disconnect from technology, enjoy nature and live a simpler life. (people.com⁠)

Although Los Angeles will always play an important role in his professional life, Duhamel believes he has found the best of both worlds. By keeping one foot in Hollywood while raising his family in Minnesota, he has created a lifestyle that allows him to pursue his career without sacrificing the peace, privacy and family time he values most.

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    FBR detects Rs10bn tax shortfall, issues notices t…

    ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has issued notices to seven major oil marketing companies, including Pakistan State Oil (PSO), after detecting an alleged tax and levy shortfall of nearly Rs10 billion linked to imported petroleum products. According to official documents, the tax authority claims that the companies deposited less than the required amount in customs duty, petroleum levy and climate support levy based on the volume of petroleum products imported and unloaded at their storage facilities. The notices were issued after the FBR examined petroleum import and sales data, comparing the quantities of fuel handled by the companies with the taxes and levies paid into the national exchequer. The authority concluded that the payments made did not match the applicable liabilities. Reports indicate that the total amount identified by the FBR stands at Rs9.99 billion, prompting the revenue authority to seek explanations from the companies and direct them to clear the outstanding amounts. Among the companies named in the notices, Pakistan State Oil (PSO) faces the largest claim. According to the FBR, the state-owned oil giant is required to deposit approximately Rs8.19 billion in unpaid customs duty, petroleum levy and climate levy. The remaining amount is distributed among six other companies. Puma Energy and Pak-Arab Pipeline Company have jointly been asked to deposit around Rs135.3 million, while Hi-Tech Lubricants has been directed to pay Rs116.7 million. Similarly, B Energy Limited has been issued a notice for approximately Rs250 million, Taj Gasoline has been asked to deposit around Rs260.4 million, and Gas & Oil Pakistan Limited (GO) has been directed to pay approximately Rs222.2 million, according to the official figures. The FBR has warned all the companies that failure to respond to the notices within the prescribed time or to deposit the outstanding amounts could result in legal proceedings under the relevant tax laws. The development comes as Pakistan continues efforts to strengthen tax collection and improve revenue generation amid ongoing fiscal reforms. Authorities have intensified scrutiny of various sectors, including the petroleum industry, to ensure compliance with customs regulations and levy payments. The companies concerned have not publicly responded to the notices or the allegations at the time of filing this report. The FBR is expected to review their replies before deciding on any further legal or administrative action. The case is likely to attract significant attention given its financial scale and the role of the petroleum sector in Pakistan’s economy.

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    Nation celebrates 79th Independence Day with grand…

    Pakistan is celebrating its 79th Independence Day today with national spirit and enthusiasm. The celebrations began across the country at midnight. People came out of their homes to mark the occasion. Streets, markets and neighbourhoods were decorated with the national flag. Green and white lights illuminated many cities. Buildings and public places were also decorated for the national day. Fireworks were held in several major cities. Citizens gathered at different locations to enjoy the celebrations. Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Quetta and Multan witnessed large gatherings. Many people carried national flags and wore green and white clothes. Rallies were also organised in different parts of the country. Citizens took part in patriotic events and expressed their love for Pakistan. In Lahore, a spectacular fireworks display was held at Greater Iqbal Park. A large number of people gathered at the park to celebrate Independence Day. Another major fireworks display was organised at Liberty Chowk. Families and young people attended the event in large numbers. Hyderabad also witnessed fireworks soon after midnight. Residents came out onto the streets to celebrate the national occasion. Multan joined the celebrations with a fireworks display at Ghanta Ghar Chowk. The district administration organised the event. A large crowd gathered at the historic location. The official celebrations continued after midnight. Special prayers were offered during Fajr prayers across the country. Prayers were made for Pakistan’s development and prosperity. People also prayed for national unity and peace. Special prayers were offered for the country’s security and stability. In Lahore, the day began with a 21-gun salute. The salute was held to mark the beginning of Independence Day. A similar 21-gun salute was held at the cantonment in Quetta. Mosques across the city also held special prayers for the country’s safety and security. The national day is being marked with ceremonies and patriotic activities across Pakistan. Government institutions, security forces and citizens are participating in different events. The celebrations highlight national unity and patriotism. People are also using the occasion to remember the sacrifices made for the creation of Pakistan.

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    Two terrorists killed in Balochistan operation

    Security forces have killed two terrorists and wounded three others during an intelligence-based operation in Killi Zaik, Balochistan, according to security sources. The operation was launched after intelligence reports indicated the presence of suspected terrorists in the area. Security personnel moved in on the reported hideout and conducted a targeted operation. Two terrorists were killed during the operation, while three others sustained injuries. Security forces also recovered ammunition, hand grenades and materials believed to have been used for preparing improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Officials said security operations against militant groups in Balochistan are continuing as part of ongoing efforts to prevent terrorist attacks and dismantle militant networks operating in the province. The latest operation comes amid an increase in security activity across Balochistan. In recent days, security forces have conducted several intelligence-based operations in different districts of the province. On Sunday, seven terrorists were killed during an intelligence-based operation in the Lajay area of Kharan. The previous day, 10 terrorists were killed and several others were injured during an operation in the Shor Pard area of Khuzdar district. Earlier, 18 terrorists were reported killed in operations in Surab district. Eight of them were killed after an explosive device detonated prematurely, according to security officials. Security forces have also carried out operations in Panjgur, where five terrorists, including a key militant commander, were killed in the Sarkini and Chedgi areas. The intensified security operations come as Balochistan continues to face serious security challenges. The province has witnessed a rise in militant activity and casualties in recent months. A recent security assessment by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies showed a sharp deterioration in the security situation in Balochistan during July. According to the assessment, deaths linked to violence in the province increased from 109 in June to 372 in July. The number of security personnel killed also rose significantly, from six in June to 62 in July. The report further recorded an increase in militant deaths, with 238 terrorists reportedly killed in July compared with 75 in June. Civilian deaths also rose from 28 to 54 during the same period.

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    EU to end automatic GSP+ extension from 2027, Pakistan told to submit fresh action plan

    ISLAMABAD: The European Union (EU) is set to introduce a revised mechanism for extending its Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) trade facility from January 2027, under which beneficiary countries will no longer receive an automatic extension. The Commerce Ministry informed the National Assembly Standing Committee on Commerce on Wednesday that Pakistan would have to formally seek continuation of the GSP+ facility and submit an action plan covering its commitments under 32 United Nations conventions. Commerce Secretary Jawad Paul briefed the committee that the new GSP+ framework would come into force in January 2027, followed by a two-year transition period. During this period, countries benefiting from the scheme will be required to prepare and submit their respective plans, which will subsequently be assessed by the European Union. According to the secretary, the EU’s assessment of Pakistan contains both positive observations and areas of concern. Among the issues highlighted by the European bloc is the human rights situation in Pakistan, along with security and climate-related challenges. The briefing was given during a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Commerce chaired by Jawad Hanif. Members including Asad Alam Khan Niazi, Khurshid Ahmed Junejo, Shaista Pervaiz, Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, Tahira Aurangzeb, Mir Amir Magsi, Dr Mirza Ikhtiar Baig and Kiran Haider attended the meeting. EU concerns discussed The committee asked the Commerce Ministry to explain the concerns raised by the European Union in its latest assessment of Pakistan and their possible implications for the country’s trade interests. Jawad Paul said the EU report had acknowledged the difficult circumstances Pakistan was facing, particularly in terms of security challenges, economic pressures and climate-related disasters, including floods. These factors, he said, had affected the country’s capacity to fully implement various commitments. He urged members of parliament to present Pakistan’s perspective during their engagements with European Parliamentarians and other EU representatives. The secretary maintained that Pakistan’s circumstances should be taken into account while evaluating the country’s performance under the GSP+ framework. He said the government needed to undertake fundamental measures to address the challenges identified by the EU while also ensuring that Pakistan’s position was effectively communicated to European stakeholders. The committee also expressed concern over the repeated absence of the Commerce Minister from its meetings and conveyed its displeasure over the matter. Tariff reforms aimed at boosting exports The meeting also reviewed the government’s tariff reforms and their impact on industrial competitiveness and exports. Committee members questioned whether exporters would be required to commit to specific export targets in return for government support. The committee chairman clarified that the measures being introduced should not be viewed simply as incentives for exporters, arguing that reductions in duties and taxes were intended to lower production costs and improve Pakistan’s competitiveness in international markets. Officials from the Commerce Ministry said the government had been pursuing a policy of reducing tariff protection and lowering the cost of imported raw materials. The objective, they said, was to enable domestic industries to become more competitive and increase their presence in international markets. As part of the reforms, tariffs on around 2,000 tariff lines were reduced last year to make raw materials and other industrial inputs available at lower prices. The secretary said tariff reforms were being implemented under the National Tariff Policy and that the government had provided an estimated Rs160 billion benefit to industry and exporters during the previous year. 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    Army captain martyred, seven militants killed in H…

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    Pakistani stars celebrate Independence Day with patriotic spirit

    Pakistan celebrated its 79th Independence Day on Friday, August 14, with people across the country coming together to express their love for the nation. Members of the Pakistani entertainment industry also joined the celebrations, using social media to share patriotic messages, family moments and prayers for the country’s future. Several prominent showbiz personalities, including Asim Azhar, Aiman Khan, Muneeb Butt, Resham, Amar Khan, Faysal Quraishi, Zara Noor Abbas, Asad Siddiqui and others, marked the occasion through posts and stories on Instagram. Their celebrations reflected a mixture of national pride, family togetherness and heartfelt wishes for Pakistan. Actor Danish Taimoor shared a particularly emotional message, acknowledging that life in the country can sometimes bring frustration, disappointment and uncertainty. However, he stressed that despite the challenges, Pakistan remains home and deserves to be valued. Taimoor highlighted the sacrifices behind the creation of the country, reminding his followers that Pakistan was not simply handed to its people. It was achieved through struggle, prayers and sacrifices made by generations. His message focused on the emotional connection people share with their homeland and encouraged Pakistanis to remain hopeful despite difficulties. He concluded his message with a powerful expression of national unity, emphasizing that the identity of Pakistan is closely connected with its people. Other celebrities also embraced the festive spirit by sharing pictures and videos from their Independence Day celebrations. Saif Ali Khan was seen in a scenic clip singing a national song on stage, adding a musical touch to the day’s celebrations. Muneeb Butt also shared a warm family moment with his followers. In an Instagram story, his wife Aiman Khan and their daughters could be seen celebrating the occasion and chanting the popular slogan “Pakistan Zindabad.” The family’s cheerful celebration quickly became part of the many patriotic moments shared by Pakistani celebrities online. Across social media, stars dressed in traditional and festive outfits, displayed the national colours and shared messages wishing their fellow citizens a happy Independence Day. Many also used the occasion to pray for peace, stability, progress and prosperity in the country. The entertainment industry’s participation reflected how Independence Day continues to hold a special place in the hearts of Pakistanis. While celebrities used their platforms to celebrate the country’s achievements, several messages also acknowledged the challenges faced by ordinary citizens. From emotional reflections on the sacrifices made for independence to joyful family celebrations, the stars’ posts captured different sides of the national occasion. Their messages ultimately carried a common sentiment: despite hardships and differences, Pakistan remains a shared home and a source of collective identity. As the country marked another year of independence, Pakistani showbiz personalities joined millions of citizens in celebrating the nation while expressing hope for a peaceful, prosperous and brighter future. Their heartfelt messages served as reminders of the importance of unity, resilience and love for the homeland.

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