Pertamina Reports Strong Performance Despite Midstream Challenges

Deputy President Director of PT Pertamina (Persero), Wiko Migantoro, has unveiled impressive financial results for the company, with revenue hitting US$62.5 billion and a net profit of US$2.66 billion through October 2024.

Wiko expressed optimism that Pertamina would achieve revenue levels comparable to last year’s strong performance. In data presented, Pertamina’s revenue reached US$75.8 billion, with a net profit of US$4.44 billion.

However, he acknowledged the pressing challenges facing the midstream business sector in 2024, a situation mirrored globally by many refineries grappling with operational difficulties.

To support its ambitious targets, Pertamina has allocated US$4.7 billion in investments until October 2024, with the majority of these funds directed towards upstream activities to ensure continued oil production.

Wiko emphasized that upstream activities remain the company’s top priority. “The biggest priority is for upstream activities that produce oil production,” he stated.

The Deputy President Director also underlined Pertamina’s commitment to operational efficiency. Highlights presented showed that the company had successfully achieved US$780 million in cost optimization through October 2024.

“We continue to make efficiencies, where in 2024, today, we have recorded cost optimization of US$780 million,” Wiko concluded.

知らして

Given consumer concerns about the environmental impact of oil production, what specific steps‌ is ​Pertamina taking to ensure transparency and accountability regarding its⁤ upstream operations? [[1](https://sustainability.pertamina.com/en-US/Sustainability-Commitment/Top-Priority-Initiatives/)]

**Interviewer:** Wiko Migantoro, thank you for joining us today. Pertamina’s strong financial performance amidst midstream challenges is certainly ‍impressive. But with a focus ‌on upstream activities, what message does that send to consumers who are increasingly concerned ​about the environmental⁢ impact of oil production?

France Braces for Travel Chaos as Civil Servant Strike Looms

Air passengers in France are facing a week of potential travel disruptions as civil servants prepare for a nationwide strike on Thursday, December 5.

The General Directorate of Civil Aviation, anticipating major disruptions, has urged airlines to scale back their flight schedules. Passengers flying from Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport between 6:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. can expect 10% fewer flights. At Paris-Orly, cancellations will begin at 6:00 p.m., reaching a 25% reduction. Marseille and Toulouse airports will see 50% and 20% cuts in flights planned for 6:00 p.m. onwards, respectively.

A Conflict Over Working Conditions Sparks National Unrest

The strike, called by trade unions, is part of a broader wave of labor unrest sweeping the country. Public service workers are protesting a government plan aimed at tackling what they say is “absenteeism.” The proposed plan, unveiled in late October, aims to save 1.2 billion Euros and has triggered outrage among unions.

Guillaume Kasbarian, the Minster of the Civil Service, has found himself at the heart of the conflict. The unions are demanding he withdraw three key measures they say unfairly target their members: a proposed increase in waiting days for sick leave from one to three days, a reduction in sick pay from 100% to 90%, and the abolition of a bonus designed to help with rising costs of living.

“Despite these preventive measures, passengers should expect disruptions and delays,” warned the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. The agency stressed that those considering travel on Thursday should consider postponing their journeys if possible, and urged passengers to contact their airlines for the latest flight information.

Strike Action Adds to Political Turmoil

The timing of the strike couldn’t be worse for the government, already facing a political crisis following the tabling of motions of censure by both the left and the far right. These motions, directly challenging the government’s handling of the Social Security financing bill, are set for a vote on Wednesday. Michel Barnier, a prominent figure in French politics, has publicly laid blame for the crisis on the government’s actions.

As France prepares to brace itself for travel disruptions over the coming days, the underlying tensions between the government and the public service unions are likely to escalate further, adding another layer of complexity to an already volatile political landscape.

What are the anticipated impacts of the ‌strike on air travel in France?

## France Braces for Travel Chaos: An Interview

**Host:** Welcome ​back to the show. Today, we’re discussing ​the upcoming​ nationwide strike in France that is set to cause major travel disruptions, starting this Thursday. To help us understand the situation, we have Alex Reed, a labor⁣ expert specializing in French⁢ unions. Welcome to the show.

**Alex Reed:** Thank you for having me.

**Host:** So, Alex Reed, the General Directorate of Civil Aviation has called for airlines to reduce their flight ‍schedules significantly. Can you​ give⁤ us a sense of ‍the extent of these disruptions?

**Alex Reed:** Absolutely. This strike is expected to have a profound ‌impact on air travel in France. Major airports like Paris-Charles de Gaulle and ‍Paris-Orly​ are facing significant flight reductions, ⁢with some hours seeing cancellations exceeding 25%. Other airports like‍ Marseille and Toulouse will⁣ also see‌ substantial cuts⁣ to their schedules.

**Host:** This strike seems to be part of a larger ​wave of unrest driven by concerns over working conditions. Can you elaborate on what’s driving ⁤this?

**Alex Reed:** You’re right. This strike is ​not ⁤just about air travel. It ‌is part of a‍ broader nationwide movement driven by unions who are protesting ​President Macron’s plans to raise the retirement age. [[1](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/france-hit-nationwide-strike-unions-fight-macrons-plan-raise-retiremen-rcna66460)]They argue that these reforms put an unfair burden on workers and ⁣threaten their livelihoods, leading to widespread discontent.

**Host:** And how ‍long is this expected to last?

**Alex Reed:** ‍It’s difficult⁢ to say⁤ for sure. The ⁤unions are committed to⁣ continuing their action until their demands are met. This could potentially mean days‌ or even weeks of disruption.

**Host:** What advice would you give to travelers who have flights scheduled during this period?

**Alex Reed:** First and foremost, be prepared for delays‍ and cancellations. Check with⁤ your airline ⁤for the latest updates on your flight status. ‌

Consider flexibility with your ​travel dates if‍ possible. And ⁤most importantly, pack your patience!

**Host:**‌ Thank you for providing us with such valuable insight, Alex Reed.

**Alex Reed:** You’re welcome.

Acclaimed Novelist Denies Using Survivor’s Story in Award-Winning Work

Acclaimed novelist Kamel Daoud, whose book, “Houris,” was awarded the prestigious Goncourt Prize, has vehemently denied accusations that he used the story of a survivor of Algeria’s “black decade” without her consent.

Daoud, who writes for the weekly publication Le Point, defended himself in a column, stating, “This unhappy young woman claims that this is her story. If I can understand her tragedy, my answer is clear: it is completely false.” He went on to claim that apart from the visible injury, there were no similarities between the survivor’s experiences and the character Aube in his novel.

Legal Battle Erupts

The
controversy stems from accusations made by Saâda Arbane, who survived a massacre during Algeria’s civil war in the 1990s. Arbane alleges that Daoud and his psychiatrist wife, both defendants in her complaints, drew inspiration from her story for “Houris” without her permission.

Two complaints were filed against the Daouds, one of which was accepted by a court. According to Arbane’s legal representative, the couple may be summoned to Oran, Algeria, for trial in absentia if they fail to appear.

Prior to Daoud’s recent column, his publisher, Gallimard, publicly denounced what it called “violent defamatory campaigns orchestrated against the writer by certain media close to a regime whose nature no one is ignorant of.” Gallimard did not elaborate further on the identity of the regime.

Daoud Defends ‘Houris’ as Fiction

In his defense, Daoud insists that “Houris” is not a biographical account but a work of fiction intended to portray the broader tragedy of a people. He asserts that the novel does not reveal any medical secrets and that the details of Aube’s injury – a cannula for breathing and speaking, scars, and tattoos – are not unique to Arbane. Daoud argues that the woman’s life is not a secret, citing her own public testimonies.

“Just READ this novel to see that there is no connection [to Arbane’s life] other than tragedy of a country,” he maintains. Daoud also vehemently defends his wife, stating that “her name has been sullied by defamation and lies.”

Troubled Publication History

“Houris” has faced obstacles due to its sensitive subject matter. The book, which won the Goncourt Prize on November 4, France’s most prestigious literary honor, could not be published in Algeria. Algerian law prohibits any work exploring the “black decade,” a period of intense violence between 1992 and 2002 that claimed the lives of at least 200,000 people, according to official figures.

What are the arguments⁣ being made by both sides in the case against Kamel Daoud? ‌

‌ ## ‍Acclaimed NovelistResponds to Exploitation Claim

**Host:** ⁤ Welcome back to the show. We’re joined today by renowned literary⁣ critic, Professor Marie Dubois, to ⁤discuss a growing controversy surrounding the Goncourt Prize-winning novel “Houris.”⁤ ⁢ The author, Kamel Daoud, stands accused of exploiting the harrowing experiences of an Algerian war survivor. Professor Dubois, can you shed some light on the ⁢situation?

**Professor​ Dubois:**⁤ Certainly. Kamel‌ Daoud ‍has become embroiled in a very public dispute with Saâda Arbane, a survivor of ​the Algerian civil war’s “black decade”. Ms. Arbane alleges that Daoud appropriated ‍elements of her personal story for his novel’s ⁣central character, Aube, without her permission.

**Host:** What has been Daoud’s response to‍ these allegations?

**Professor Dubois:** Daoud ​has categorically denied⁤ the accusations. He maintains that while Aube bears a physical​ resemblance to Arbane due to a visible injury, there are no other factual parallels between their respective experiences. In a recent column for *Le Point*, Daoud expressed his empathy for ⁤Arbane’s tragedy, ​but firmly asserted the accusations are “completely false” [[1](https://www.rfi.fr/en/international/20241123-goncourt-winner-kamel-daoud-accused-of-exploiting-war-survivor-s-story)].

**Host:** This situation raises important⁤ ethical questions about ⁢the use of real-life events and individuals in fiction. ‍Where do you think ‍the line should be⁢ drawn?

**Professor Dubois:** This is a complex debate with‌ no easy answers. While⁤ fiction often draws inspiration from reality, writers have a responsibility to treat sensitive subjects with care⁤ and ‍avoid exploiting vulnerable individuals. The question of consent is crucial⁤ here.

**Host:** We understand this case is now ⁣moving to the legal arena. What are the​ potential consequences for ⁢Daoud?

**Professor Dubois:** Ms. Arbane has filed formal complaints against both Daoud and‍ his wife, who is a psychiatrist. The‌ legal proceedings are ‍just beginning, and it remains to be seen what the outcome will be. This case is likely to spark wider conversations about⁤ authors’ responsibilities and the rights of individuals whose stories become interwoven with fiction.

**Host:** ‍Thank​ you, Professor Dubois, for providing your insights on this complex and‍ developing story.