Simon Cowell is betting big on fresh talent once again giving nostalgia to One Direction fans.

His newly formed boyband, December 10, will release its very first music video on Monday.

The announcement came just few days after the Netflix series The Next Act which introduced them was met with criticism.

The group comprises of seven members: Cruz (19), Danny (16), Hendrick (19), John (17), Josh (17), Nicolas (16) and Sean (19).

It shot to fame through Cowell’s docuseries which revived the familiar talent‑show format of auditions and bootcamps.

Even though the American Idol judge’s new project got labelled by critics as ‘dated’ and ‘derivative’, he officially signed the band under his management.

Their debut video will feature a live acoustic cover of NSYNC’s Bye, Bye, Bye filmed at London’s Metropolis Studios.

The performance was teased at the end of the six‑part Netflix series and is set to premiere on YouTube at 4 p.m. on December 15.

Cowell, who previously brought forward talent like One Direction, Westlife, and Little Mix, has voiced concern that record labels are no longer signing enough new talent.

“…the amount of UK artists who are breaking worldwide has literally fallen off a cliff because I think there is too much competition online,” X factor judge claimed.

“People don’t knock on your door saying, ‘I’ve got a new band’. It doesn’t happen. You’ve got to go out there yourself and do it. So that’s what we are doing.”

• Inflation drops to single-digit from 38% peak.
• Primary surpluses and reserves strengthen external buffers.
• Ratings agencies upgrade Pakistan’s outlook this year.

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has that said Pakistan is shifting away from aid-based support towards trade and investment-led engagement, with a focus on deeper economic partnerships with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

In an interview with CNN Business Arabia, Aurangzeb said the strategic shift, which he said has been clearly articulated by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, reflects Pakistan’s renewed economic confidence and reform momentum, aimed at long-term economic sustainability.

He said Pakistan has remained on a comprehensive macroeconomic stabilisation programme over the past 18 months, delivering what he described as “tangible and measurable” results. Inflation, which he said had peaked at an unprecedented 38%, has declined to single-digit levels. 

Aurangzeb also pointed to primary surpluses, a current account deficit “well within” targeted limits, a stabilised exchange rate and foreign exchange reserves improving to around 2.5 months of import cover, which he said reflected strengthening external buffers.

The finance czar cited two external validations of Pakistan’s improving outlook. He said all three international credit rating agencies have upgraded Pakistan’s ratings and outlook this year, and that Pakistan has completed the second review under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Extended Fund Facility (EFF), with the IMF Executive Board granting its approval earlier this week, developments he said signalled growing international confidence in Pakistan’s economic management and reform trajectory.

The finance minister said macroeconomic stabilisation has been achieved through a coordinated approach combining disciplined monetary and fiscal policies with an ambitious structural reform agenda. He said reforms are being pursued across taxation, energy, state-owned enterprises, public financial management and privatisation to consolidate stability and lay the foundations for sustainable growth.

On taxation, the finance minister said Pakistan’s tax-to-GDP ratio has improved from 8.8% at the start of the reform programme to 10.3% in the last fiscal year, with a clear path towards 11%. 

He said the government’s objective is to reach a level of tax collection that ensures fiscal sustainability over the medium to long term by widening the tax base and bringing previously undertaxed but economically significant sectors, including real estate, agriculture, and wholesale and retail trade, into the formal net.

He said the plan also includes deepening compliance by reducing leakages through production monitoring systems and AI-enabled technologies, alongside reforms in people, processes and technology to transform tax administration.

In the energy sector, Aurangzeb highlighted efforts to improve governance in distribution companies, bring in private-sector expertise, advance privatisation and reduce circular debt, which he said has long constrained the power sector. He said rationalising the tariff regime is essential to make energy more competitive for industry, supporting industrial revival and economic growth.

The senator acknowledged the longstanding support of GCC countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, noting their role in supporting Pakistan through financing, funding and cooperation at international financial institutions such as the IMF. He said the relationship is now evolving towards a new phase centred on trade expansion and investment flows.

He said remittances continue to play a vital role in supporting the current account, with inflows reaching about $38 billion last year and projected to rise to $41–42 billion this year, with more than half originating from GCC countries.

Looking ahead, Aurangzeb said Pakistan is engaging GCC partners to attract investment in priority sectors including energy, oil and gas, minerals and mining, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, pharmaceuticals and agriculture. He also expressed optimism about progress on a Free Trade Agreement with the GCC, saying discussions are at an advanced stage.

Reiterating the government’s direction, the finance minister said Pakistan’s future lies in fostering trade and investment partnerships rather than reliance on aid, arguing that foreign direct investment into productive sectors would support higher GDP growth, generate employment and deliver shared economic benefits for Pakistan and its partners. 

He said the government is fully mobilised to translate the vision into reality.

Lewis Pullman, son of Bill Pullman the original Spaceballs star, made an unexpected admission about Mel Brooks.

Brooks is set to reprise his role as Yogurt and President Skroob, 40-years after the first film, meanwhile, Pullman will play a new role, Starbust, the son of Lone Starr and Queen Vespa.

In an interview on The View, the Testament of Ann Lee star was asked about wrapping up the production of Spaceballs 2.

“Spaceballs fans rejoiced when the legendary Mel Brooks announced that 40 years later, we’re finally getting Spaceballs 2,” asked the host Sara Haines adding, “Now, production is already wrapped. What was that like?”

The Thuderbolts actor confirmed that “we just wrapped last Tuesday” on production of the project.

When asked about meeting the legendry star, he admitted that, “Mel didn’t come out.”

“He’s a homebody, but he was definitely part of it. His spirit was there, he was part of the design of it,” Pullman replied.

He continued, “I still haven’t met him, but when he sent me the role, I got a voice note from him. I wish you could frame a voice note. I couldn’t believe it because I grew up watching that movie.”

Discussing about the significance of the film, Pullman added, “That was one of my dad’s movies I was allowed to watch growing up, and I remember seeing Star Wars, and I was like, ‘Why did they remake Spaceballs without all the jokes?'”

“The writing is so smart and so dumb at the same time in the best way,” he said of the sequel’s story. “It’s so intelligently designed!”

In addition to Brooks, Rick Moranis (Lord Dark Helmet), Daphne Zuniga (Queen Vespa) , George Wyner (Colonel Sandurz) and Bill Pullman (Lone Starr) will respire their roles. 

Meanwhile, Keke Palmer (Destiny), Josh Gad (role not revealed) and Anthony Carrigan (role not revealed) will be the new faces.

Spaceballs 2 will be released in 2027.