aramco profit soars
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Aramco profit soars 44% despite Houthi attack thre…

ByJustpaste.in

Riyadh: Saudi oil giant Aramco has reported a 44% increase in profits, with company officials saying recent attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels failed to disrupt its production or operations.

Aramco President and CEO Amin H. Nasser said attempts to target the company’s facilities, including sites near the Red Sea, had no significant impact on its oil output or operational capacity. He credited the company’s strong security measures and operational planning for ensuring uninterrupted production and energy supplies.

Speaking to reporters, Nasser said Aramco continued to operate normally despite heightened regional tensions, demonstrating the resilience of its infrastructure and workforce.

He added that the company’s strong financial performance reflects its ability to maintain stable energy production while reinforcing its position as a leading global supplier.

Energy analysts say Aramco’s ability to keep production steady despite ongoing security risks is crucial for maintaining stability in global oil markets. They also believe the company’s latest results highlight investor confidence and the resilience of Saudi Arabia’s energy sector amid continued regional uncertainty.

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    Brian Hickerson, Hayden Panettiere’s on-and-off boyfriend, has broken his silence following the actress’s sudden death at age 36. His first public response came through his attorney as authorities continue investigating the circumstances surrounding her passing. Panettiere, best known for her roles in Heroes and Nashville, died on August 16 in Greenville, South Carolina. She was found unresponsive at a residence, and emergency responders attempted life-saving measures before she was pronounced dead. A preliminary autopsy found no signs of trauma, while officials have said there is currently no indication of foul play. The cause and manner of death remain pending further investigation and toxicology testing. (People.com⁠) Hickerson was reportedly at the apartment when Panettiere died, along with his brother, Zach. According to reports based on the police incident report, Zach found the actress unresponsive and contacted emergency services. Hickerson later became emotional after Panettiere was pronounced dead. (AP News⁠) Days after her death, Hickerson issued his first response through attorney Sloan Ellis. “Hayden’s death remains under investigation and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed,” Ellis said in a statement to TMZ. He added that police had confirmed there were no signs of foul play and said there would be no further comment out of respect for Panettiere’s loved ones and the ongoing investigation. (https://www.wcax.com⁠) The brief statement comes as questions surrounding Panettiere’s death continue to grow. Authorities have not publicly established a cause of death, although emergency dispatch audio reportedly referenced a possible overdose and cardiac arrest. Officials are awaiting additional testing before making a final determination. (https://www.wcax.com⁠) Hickerson and Panettiere had a complicated relationship that began in 2018. Their romance was marked by multiple breakups and reconciliations. Panettiere had previously spoken publicly about abuse within the relationship, while Hickerson pleaded no contest to two felony charges connected to domestic violence in 2021. He served jail time and received a protective order. (People.com⁠) Despite their difficult history, the pair had reportedly remained in contact and were seen together again in 2026. Hickerson’s presence at the scene of Panettiere’s death has consequently drawn significant public attention, although he has not been accused or charged in connection with her death. Authorities are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the actress’s final hours. The preliminary autopsy has ruled out visible trauma, but investigators are still waiting for toxicology and other testing. As fans remember Panettiere’s career and her life as a mother, the investigation remains ongoing. For now, Hickerson’s attorney has made clear that he will not discuss the case further while authorities work to establish what happened. Panettiere’s death has left Hollywood mourning a performer whose career began in childhood and included some of television’s most memorable roles. Her family, friends and fans now await answers about her tragic final moments.

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    Ahsan Khan reveals why he said yes to Aap Ki Izzat

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    Bilawal Bhutto declares AJK elections a historic v…

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    State Department report calls for greater civilian…

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    The US State Department said Wednesday that Pakistan needs to strengthen civilian oversight of public finances to improve fiscal transparency, releasing findings that highlighted persistent gaps in how the country discloses key financial information. The department’s assessment described fiscal transparency as a core component of effective public financial management, noting that it allows citizens to understand how government revenues and tax dollars are spent. That visibility into budgets, the report said, gives citizens the tools they need to hold their governments accountable. The findings arrive weeks after Pakistan’s National Assembly passed an 18.8 trillion rupee Finance Bill for 2026 to 2027 in June, which included a defence budget of 3 trillion rupees, with at least 335 billion rupees coming from provincial contributions. In its 2026 Fiscal Transparency Report on Pakistan, the State Department said the country continues to fall short in disclosing important financial data, particularly around debt obligations and the budgets of military and intelligence agencies. The report found that Pakistan’s government did not publish its executive budget proposal within a reasonable timeframe and made only limited information available on debt obligations, including debt held by major state owned enterprises. It further noted that military and intelligence budgets remain outside the scope of adequate parliamentary or civilian oversight. The assessment also pointed to areas of progress. During the review period, the report said, Pakistan’s government made its enacted budget and end of year financial reports widely and easily accessible to the public, including through online platforms. It found that publicly available budget documents offered a substantially complete picture of most planned government expenditures and revenues, including revenue generated from natural resources. The report described the information contained in the budget as generally reliable and subject to audit by the country’s supreme audit institution, which it said meets international standards of independence. Audit reports, the department noted, are published within a reasonable period and contain substantive findings. It also found that the government has specified, and largely followed in practice, clear legal criteria and procedures for awarding natural resource extraction contracts and licenses, while making basic information about such awards publicly available. The report added that Pakistan’s sovereign wealth fund operates under a sound legal framework and that the government publishes accessible information on public procurement contracts. Among its recommendations, the State Department urged Pakistan to make its executive budget proposal available to the public within a reasonable timeframe, disclose more detailed information on government debt, including debt tied to state owned enterprises, and bring military and intelligence agency budgets under parliamentary or civilian oversight. Responding to questions about the report during a weekly press briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi acknowledged that the report had been released the previous day. He said Pakistan adheres to internationally recognized best practices around fiscal transparency, budgeting and financial disclosure, while also operating within its own constitutional, legislative and regulatory frameworks. Andrabi noted that Pakistan remains engaged in an ongoing International Monetary Fund program centered on structural reform and improved fiscal management. He said the country has completed three IMF reviews so far, adding that the reform measures taken under the program have drawn broad recognition, including credit rating upgrades from three international rating agencies as well as positive assessments from the IMF itself.

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    Chris Martin’s unreleased James Bond demo heads to auction

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    An unreleased demo recorded by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin during his early attempts to write a James Bond theme song is set to go under the hammer, offering fans a rare glimpse into one of the band’s long-running ambitions. The recording, believed to be around 27 years old, has never been officially released or publicly heard. According to auction details published by Wax Poetics, the cassette features Martin performing an acoustic version of The World Is Not Enough, a song reportedly written with the hope of becoming the theme for the 1999 James Bond film of the same name starring Pierce Brosnan. However, the demo was never submitted to the filmmakers and remained in private archives for more than two decades. The recording is being described as an unreleased, unheard cassette, making it a significant collector’s item for both Coldplay fans and James Bond memorabilia enthusiasts. As of publication, bidding for the rare demo had reached $1,000, with expectations that interest could increase before the auction closes. Martin has previously spoken about Coldplay’s repeated attempts to secure a Bond theme song. During an interview with NME in 2021, the singer revealed that the band had spent years trying to write music suitable for the iconic film franchise. “We kept trying to write one for 20 years, but never submitted them,” Martin said. Reflecting on those efforts, he added with characteristic humour, “We have Bond themes for about five movies, but they’re not very good, to be honest.” Martin also joked that Coldplay’s musical style may never have been the right fit for the world-famous spy. Speaking about James Bond’s personality, he said, “I don’t know if we’re spiritually on the same trip as James… He’d be like, ‘That’s not what I’m into at all, fellas. I like guns and sh*t.’” The Bond demo forms part of a much larger collection of early Coldplay recordings assembled by British producer Chris Allison, who worked with the band during their formative years on the The Blue Room EP before they achieved global fame. The archive includes several rare recordings, such as original DAT mixes, alternate versions of early tracks and a previously unheard version of We Never Change, providing a fascinating look at Coldplay’s musical development before the release of their debut album. Collectors believe the auction could attract strong interest because it combines two globally recognised names—Coldplay and the James Bond franchise. Unreleased recordings connected to either have historically generated considerable attention among music enthusiasts. Although Coldplay never recorded an official Bond theme, Martin’s comments over the years have shown that contributing to the franchise remained a long-standing dream for the band. The newly surfaced cassette offers fans a chance to hear one of those early attempts and provides a unique piece of Coldplay history that has remained hidden for nearly three decades. 

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    Pakistan moves to revive Steel Mills after earlier liquidation decision

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    The federal government has revived plans to restore Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM), signaling a major policy shift after previously deciding to wind up the loss-making state-owned enterprise. The development follows renewed interest from international parties in bringing the dormant steel producer back into operation, with Russian company Industrial Engineering LLC emerging as a key potential partner for the revival, modernisation and restructuring of the mill. Well-informed sources said the government has initiated consultations with the Russian firm to assess the technical, financial and operational requirements for restoring PSM’s production capacity. Two protocols have already been signed between Industrial Engineering LLC and Pakistan Steel Mills under the Ministry of Industries and Production. The first agreement was signed in Moscow on July 10, 2025, and provides a framework for cooperation on the revival, modernisation and restructuring of PSM. The second protocol was signed on November 26, 2025, during the 10th session of the Pakistan-Russia Intergovernmental Commission. The second agreement focuses on assessing the operational and capital expenditure required to restart manufacturing activities at the steel mill. Feasibility assessment under way According to sources, the authorities have also carried out an exercise to calculate production costs and evaluate the commercial viability of restarting PSM. The assessment is expected to help determine whether the mill can operate sustainably and compete in the domestic and international steel markets after years of inactivity. The findings will form the basis for recommendations to the government before a final decision is taken on the future structure and operations of the enterprise. Sources said the relevant authority would submit recommendations to the Cabinet Committee on State-Owned Enterprises (CCoSOEs), seeking an end to the liquidation process and approval to pursue the revival option with the participation of international investors. The move represents a reversal of the government’s earlier policy. Government had approved liquidation In May 2024, the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) had decided to scrap Pakistan Steel Mills after efforts to find a buyer failed to produce a viable offer. The Cabinet Committee on Rightsizing subsequently approved the liquidation of the existing mill in August 2024. However, the government has now shifted its focus towards rehabilitation, apparently encouraged by renewed international interest and the possibility of securing foreign technical and financial support. A formal summary regarding the proposed policy shift has been submitted to the Ministry of Industries and Production for consideration, sources said. A parliamentary secretary also indicated that the government’s policy direction had changed and that efforts were now being made to restore PSM to operational status. He said the timeline agreed upon with the Russian company would be followed, with the relevant departments expected to take further steps after completion of the ongoing assessments. Power minister signals renewed revival efforts Separately, Minister for Power Sardar Awais Leghari said recommendations for reviving Pakistan’s dormant steel giant would soon be presented to policymakers, reinforcing indications that the government is seriously reconsidering the future of PSM. Speaking at a webinar titled “Pakistan-Russia: Strengthening Trade, Education and Energy Collaboration,” jointly organised by the University of World Civilizations Moscow (UWCM) and the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS), Leghari highlighted the growing momentum in Pakistan-Russia relations. He said bilateral ties had strengthened over the past two decades on the basis of mutual trust, respect and a shared interest in regional stability. The minister’s remarks come as Pakistan explores greater Russian involvement in key economic and industrial sectors, including the possible rehabilitation of PSM. Financial burden remains a challenge Pakistan Steel Mills has remained largely dormant for years, creating a continuing financial burden for the government. Following the earlier decision to wind up the enterprise, the government has continued to bear the salaries and other expenses of its remaining employees. Meanwhile, some of the mill’s liabilities and operating costs have been met through proceeds generated from the sale of scrap. The proposed revival could therefore provide an opportunity to turn the idle industrial asset into a productive enterprise while reducing the recurring financial burden on the national exchequer. However, the government is expected to carefully evaluate the mill’s outstanding liabilities, infrastructure requirements, production costs, technology needs and long-term market prospects before committing substantial public resources. If the revival plan moves forward with foreign participation, the project could also open the door to new investment, technology transfer and employment opportunities in Pakistan’s steel and related industrial sectors.

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