Entertainment
PSO attracts bids for two petrol cargoes amid Strait of Hormuz tensions
- Bids valid until Mar 13; PSO must respond before the deadline expires.
- Agricultural machinery expected to increase fuel consumption.
- Diesel stocks sufficient for 20 days, demand to rise with harvest season.
Amid tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, Pakistan State Oil (PSO) has received bids from international traders for two petrol cargoes, each weighing 55,000 metric tons with a 92 RON rating, as the country works to secure supplies amid fluctuating global fuel prices.
Sources indicate that for the first cargo, OQ Trading submitted the lowest bid with a Cost and Freight (CFR) premium of $17.8 per barrel. Be Energy SA offered a CFR premium of $22 per barrel, while Vitol Bahrain E.C. quoted the highest premium at $39 per barrel, The News reported.
For the second cargo of the same quantity, only two bidders participated. Once again, OQ Trading emerged as the lowest bidder, offering a CFR premium of $19.5 per barrel, while Be Energy SA submitted a bid of $23.5 per barrel. Officials noted that the lowest bids for both cargoes are still considered relatively high.
Officials said the bids were received under the rules of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA), which governs public sector procurement in Pakistan. However, authorities noted that the strict tendering procedures sometimes contribute to higher procurement costs, particularly during periods of volatility in international energy markets.
The bids will remain valid until March 13, meaning the PSO must respond to the bidders and finalise its decision before the deadline expires.
Sources also revealed that the PSO failed to receive any bids for a high-speed diesel cargo, as the traders quoted a CFR premium of around $80 per barrel, which was deemed excessively high. Due to daily fluctuations in international petroleum prices, the suppliers were reluctant to offer competitive bids within the validity period.
Meanwhile, Total Parco Pakistan Limited, an oil marketing company, has arranged a cargo of Euro-II specification diesel at a premium of $20 per barrel and is seeking government approval for the import. The PSO, however, typically imports Euro-V specification diesel, which meets stricter environmental standards.
Officials said Pakistan’s diesel stocks are currently sufficient for about 20 days, but the demand is expected to increase next month with the start of the harvesting season, when agricultural machinery significantly raises fuel consumption.
Given the anticipated surge in demand from the agriculture sector, authorities stressed that arranging diesel supplies at affordable prices will be crucial to ensure uninterrupted farming operations and maintain stability in the domestic fuel market.
Benny Blanco reopened the hygiene talk during his podcast, in the episode with Ed Sheeran, and his longtime pal debunked the rumours about the lack of cleanliness.
The 38-year-old music producer asked Sheeran, 35, if he showers every day in the Tuesday, March 10, episode of Friends Keep Secrets.
The Shape Of You hitmaker replied, “Yeah, sometimes twice a day. Mostly twice a day, actually.”
Sheeran continued, “I feel like I’m like you, though — I look like I don’t smell good. But actually, you’re the best-smelling person I know,” to which Blanco added, “I know, I smell good.”
His friend and the podcast cohost Lil Dicky, and Dicky’s wife Kristin Batalucco also validated Blanco’s claim of smelling good even if he hadn’t showered.
This comes after Blanco’s poor hygiene became a trending topic on social media after he showed his dirty feet in the first episode of his podcast.
Blanco and Dicky later discussed the uproar on Jimmy Kimmel Live, as the host said, “I neglected something important because there is something that turned up as people were watching your multimedia experience. People seem to be fascinated with the idea that Benny’s feet are very dirty.”
“I noticed that too, Jimmy,” Dicky joked, and Blanco came to his defence, saying, “Wait. Wait. First of all, it’s the facility’s fault,” blaming Dicky’s home for the dirt where the podcast is filmed.
Entertainment
Kai Trump under fire for Erewhon run with Secret Service in tow: Know every detail here
Kai Trumph, the granddaughter of President Donald Trump, came under fire over her recent vlog where she brought her Secret Service for grocery shopping.
For context, President Trump has described that Los Angeles-based chain store, considered high-end, as “the most expensive grocery store pretty much out there.”
Kai Trump, who is often seen roaming around in the White House because of her grandpa, President Donald Trump, whom she shares a common sport with: golf.
Kai is an amateur golfer who had recently debuted in The Annika tournament in November last year.
The golfer-cum-YouTuber uploaded the vlog on Women’s Day, March 8, with the caption, “I Brought My Secret Service to Erewhon.”
While complaining about the expansive price tags, Trump said in the video, “Everything’s super expensive,” while she filled her basket up with items like sushi, a $14 bottle of water, and a $16 jar of dates.
Kai at one point appears to clarify to her audience that she’s not a shopaholic, saying, “Guys, one thing about me is I don’t spend, like, a lot of money. Like I’m very…I don’t spend a lot.”
What sparked backlash over the posted vlog was her commentary while joking, saying, “I’m gonna need to file for bankruptcy,” which has so far amassed over 343,000 views since its upload.
Kai Trump enjoys a huge social media following, having garnered over 1.46 million followers on YouTube alone.
For the unversed, Kai Trump is the daughter of Donald Trump Jr. And his ex-wife, Vanessa Trump.
Bad Bunny marked his 32nd birthday with a comeback to Instagram after he wiped his account clean post Super Bowl halftime performance.
The post instantly lit up social media as it drew millions of likes and a flood of fan and celebrity reactions.
The Puerto Rican superstar, dressed in a sleek suit, was photographed smiling beside a candlelit strawberry-topped cake in a dimly lit setting.
The post, shared on his official account @badbunnypr, quickly surpassed nine million likes within hours.
Fans flooded the comments section with messages ranging from heartfelt birthday wishes to playful invitations.
“Feliz cumpleaños, Benito! Muchos saludos desde El Barrio!” wrote one fan, while fellow artists and platforms including Luis Fonsi, The Marías, Chencho Corleone, and Apple Music joined in the celebration.
The moment was amplified by fans who hailed his return to Instagram after a noticeable hiatus.
The latest social media has sparked speculation about whether the birthday post signals new music or a fresh chapter in his career.
Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has remained one of the most influential figures in global music, blending reggaeton, Latin trap, and pop into a genre-defying sound.
His social media presence often doubles as a cultural event, with posts generating headlines and fan frenzy across platforms.
Lullaby Legends: ABC of Bad Bunny
The birthday buzz coincided with a surge in pre-orders for Lullaby Legends: ABC of Bad Bunny, a newly announced children’s book tracing Benito’s journey from Puerto Rico to global stardom.
The 22-page picture book, available in English and Spanish, is part of the Lullaby Legends series that has previously spotlighted icons like Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Dolly Parton, and Freddie Mercury.
The children’s book is set to release on August 11, 2026
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Ed Sheeran makes surprising Benny Blanco confession after hygiene uproar
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