That company is the saudio oil giant saudi aramco, and its feeling the effects of lower oil prices, lower than expected demand from china, and thinner Profit Margins for refining oil. Between april and june, the company made a Profit Ofjust over 30 billion, lot of money by anyone s metric, but significantly down from more than the 48 billion it made in the same period a year ago. The main reason is, as you can see here, that oil prices during the period were at the lowest point in the last year, as the boost they got from russias invasion of ukraine wore off. And last week, in an effort to keep them that way, saudi arabia said it would only produce nine Million Barrels a day. That extended Production Cuts by the 0pec group of big oil producers, who profit more from a higher price. When it comes to saudi aramco, those higher prices mean higher Dividend Payments for shareholders, and its boosted those to nearly 30 billion in the current period. So i put it to our middle east Business Cor
Hello, iam none hello, i am none to thanks for joining us on bbc news. First to niger where, in the last two hours, a deadline for the militaryjunta to step down has passed. The leaders of nigers coup have hours to restore the ousted president , or face the possibility of Military Action. Thousands of people gathered in nigers capital to support the militaryjunta as that deadline expired. Despite International Condemnation of the soldiers actions, thousands of nigeriens continue to show support for the army 7 hoping it can offer the country stability. Some neighbouring countries including mali, burkina faso and guinea have voiced support for the coup leaders. And algeria, which Borders Niger to the north, has said it is categorically against armed intervention. France says it will support efforts by ecowas to restore nigers elected president. Niger s Prime Minister was in paris on saturday 7 meeting lawmakers and greeting protestors outside the countrys embassy. He has dismissed pro co
Moving closer to russia, which happened after coups in neighbouring burkina faso and mali. Later, leaders from the 15 countries that make up the Economic Community of west african states, and the eight leaders from the west African Economic and monetary union, will meet to discuss their response. Brandon kendhammer is politics professor at Ohio University and expert on politics in west africa. Hejoins us now. Thank you and welcome to the programme. What is your take on what we are witnessing in niger right now . Right now . Good morning. I think what right now . Good morning. I think what we right now . Good morning. I think what we are right now . Good morning. I l think what we are witnessing right now . Good morning. I. Think what we are witnessing is likely the consolidation of any Military Regime. Enough time has passed now that we have a general sense of who was in charge or who would like to be in charge and while we have seen a fair bit of International Response at this point,
Lewis hamilton led a mercedes one two in second practice in bahrain. Team mate George Russell was second with Aston Martins Fernando Alonso third. Max verstappen whos aiming to win his fourth consecutive title was down in sixth, nearly half a second off the pace. Paul pogba says hes sad and shocked after being banned from football for 4 years for a doping offence. The juventus midfielder and world cup winner was provisionally suspended in september after elevated Testosterone Levels were found in his system. He says hell appeal the ban as Michael Redford reports absolute best is driving Manchester United from a career that always promise so much for that once the worlds most expensive footballer could now be over after his give given a 48 bed for doping. In a statement he said. The band was given after the midfielder tested positive for elevated levels of test or burn in a system back in august. The second positive sample released in october confirmed the doping violation. Less than tw