Dubai, United Arab Emirates — Iran has made plans to sustain its oil production and exports and is ready for possible oil restrictions from a Trump administration in the U.S., Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad said on Wednesday, according to the oil ministry's news website Shana.  In 2018, then-U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew from a 2015 nuclear pact with Iran and re-imposed sanctions that hurt Iran's oil sector, with production dropping to 2.1 million barrels per day, or bpd, during his presidency.  "Required measures have been taken. I will not go into detail but our colleagues within the oil sector have taken measures to deal with the restrictions that will occur and there is no reason to be concerned," Paknejad said.  In recent years, Iranian oil production has rebounded to around 3.2 million barrels per day according to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, of which Iran is a member.  Iranian oil exports have climbed this year to near multi-year highs of 1.7 million bpd despite U.S. sanctions.   Chinese refiners buy most of its supply. Beijing says it doesn't recognize unilateral U.S. sanctions.  

brussels — As China and Peru prepare to sign an updated free-trade agreement at this year’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to inaugurate a Chinese-financed mega port in Peru, known as Chancay, while attending the APEC meetings. China promotes the Chancay port on Latin America's Pacific coast as a key hub to boost trade connectivity with South America. The plan includes using infrastructure projects to link Chancay, reducing shipping times for goods. A senior U.S. official downplayed the port’s implications for the United States, stating that it does not complicate U.S. relationships in the region and that it is natural for Latin American countries to have diverse trade and investment partnerships beyond the U.S. Matt Murray, the U.S. senior official for APEC, spoke to VOA on Wednesday from Lima, Peru, outlining the U.S. agenda for this year’s APEC meetings. This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity. VOA: Could you unpack for us the agenda of APEC 2024? Matt Murray, U.S. senior official for APEC: APEC, as you know, is a multilateral forum with 21 member economies that account for half of global trade and 60% of global GDP. Each year, APEC is hosted by a different member economy. The United States was delighted to host in 2023, and this year, the forum has moved to Peru for 2024. APEC always focuses on three key areas: trade and investment, innovation and digitalization, and sustainable, strong, secure, inclusive and balanced growth. Peru has continued these priorities by bringing APEC economies together to discuss these issues and make progress on specific initiatives, including a renewed focus on sustainability. This year, during the energy ministerial meeting in August, Peru launched the Just Energy Transition Initiative within APEC. They have also supported new programming, focused on curbing food loss and waste in the region, which is crucial for the sustainability of our agricultural sectors. VOA: Chinese President Xi Jinping will sign an updated free-trade agreement with Peru and inaugurate a new mega port north of Lima, called Chancay. Can you talk about the implications for the United States? Murray: I think we expect countries, including APEC economies like Peru, to engage in trade and investment relationships with a variety of partners, including the People’s Republic of China. As President Xi arrives in Lima, attention will be given to areas where China has invested in Peru, as well as the trade and investment ties between the two countries. However, from the U.S. perspective, our primary focus is on our own relationship with Peru and with Latin America, particularly in terms of trade, investment and broader engagement. I don’t necessarily see this as complicating our relationship in the region. We view it as a natural part of business that Latin American countries will have diverse trade and investment partners. VOA: Given President-elect Donald Trump's stance on tariffs and the potential withdrawal from the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, and with several IPEF members also part of APEC, how might the U.S. reassure global leaders about its commitment to deepening economic ties with other nations? Murray: Since 1989, both Democratic and Republican U.S. administrations have engaged with APEC. We view it as an opportunity to engage a wide range of partners in a consensus-based, nonbinding way. One of the key ways we reassure leaders is simply by showing up. This week, we’re showing up in a big way. The best way to demonstrate our commitment to deepening economic ties with the region is by having the president, secretary of state and U.S. trade representative all come to Lima to participate in APEC Economic Leaders Week. That, I think, demonstrates leadership and our willingness to continue engaging. VOA: What does the future look like for APEP, or Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity, an economic initiative for Latin America, and IPEF? Murray: I don't think I can speculate on the future of these particular arrangements. As you know, this is part of our democracy. We have administrations in power that transition to new ones, which may make different or sometimes similar decisions. There are, in fact, areas where we've seen continuity from the Obama administration to the Trump administration and then to the Biden administration, and there may continue to be such continuity. So, I don’t think it's possible to speculate on any one particular issue.

Al-Nassr defender, Aymeric Laporte has commented on reported interest from Real Madrid for his signature. The former Manchester City star has recently been linked with a move to Real Madrid next year. Speaking on the development, Laporte said he can’t ignore the Spanish LaLiga champions. According to him, it is nice to be linked with […]

Transfer: You can’t ignore them – Laporte on Real Madrid links

In the early 1990s, the unprecedented wave of aliyah followed the fall of the USSR. A million olim came to Israel and ensured that the country would keep growing.

1. India has the highest number of diabetic people in the world, even more than China: Report  The Economic Times
2. Why Lancet study on diabetes is a red flag: A quarter of diabetics globally are Indians  The Indian Express
3. 800 million diabetics worldwide and most aren't getting treatment, finds study  The Times of India
4. Indians account for quarter of world’s adult diabetes patients: Lancet study  Hindustan Times
5. Why have diabetes rates doubled over the past 30 years – and what can be done about it?  The Guardian

1. Lagcherla: KTR named in remand report  Deccan Chronicle
2. Vikarabad case: Former BRS MLA names KTR in confession  The Hindu
3. KTR involved in Vikarabad Collector’s attack, says Former BRS MLA  India Today
4. Video | Former KCR Party MLA Arrested For Attack On Telangana Officials  NDTV
5. ‘Arrest me’: KTR after being accused of conspiring to destabilise Congress govt  The News Minute

Advanced Info Service (AIS) has strengthened its content portfolio by partnering with Max, a global streaming platform from Warner Bros Discovery, to offer exclusive streaming to home and mobile device users.

[New Times] Achieving rapid private sector growth in Rwanda is unlikely without far-reaching reforms to economic policies, a new report released on November 13, by the World Bank has shown.

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Commerce and the World Bank have agreed to form a joint working group on trade to capitalise on the country’s true export potential.

The understanding was reached during a meeting of Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan with a team from the World Bank. Both sides agreed that the working group would meet periodically to advance the goal of realising Pakistan’s export potential of $60 billion.

An official announcement said both sides discussed Pakistan’s export reform agenda, focusing on strategies to enhance export competitiveness and streamline enabling policies.

The discussion also addressed how the World Bank can support these initiatives under the broader country programme.

Mr Kamal highlighted the whole-of-government approach to export enhancement, which promotes a unified policy framework to improve competitiveness and the Ease of Doing Business for exporters.

This strategy emphasises export-led growth by providing crucial enabling factors such as financing, liquidity support, reduced input costs, and regulatory facilitation to empower Pakistan’s export sector.

Published in Dawn, November 14th, 2024

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur on Wednesday said his government is committed to providing maximum opportunities to girls to excel in education and sports.

He said that perseverance was key to success in life and that striving forward with determination and high spirits ultimately led to success.

He was speaking at the concluding ceremony of All Pakistan Inter-Boards Girls Cricket and Tennis Championship held at the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Peshawar, according to a statement issued from the chief minister’s secretariat on Wednesday.

The competitions commenced on Nov 9, featuring teams from KP and various other educational boards from across the country.

Mr Gandapur welcomed the participants from other provinces and emphasised the importance of organising sports alongside academic activities.

“The purpose of holding such events is to polish the skills of our youth, and get them prepared for practical life ahead,” the statement quoted Mr Gandapur as saying. “Challenges are part of the journey to success and should be faced head-on,” he added.

“A person becomes great when he dreams big,” he said while quoting PTI founder Imran Khan, adding that one must set ambitious goals and move forward with courage.

The chief minister congratulated the Lahore Board’s cricket team on its victory, and affirmed the importance of investing in youth.

Mr Gandapur also announced cash prizes of Rs50,000 for each participating team.

He also distributed trophies and shields among the players.

In tennis, the Lahore Board secured the first position followed by Mardan, while Peshawar Board and Punjab Board of Technical Education, Lahore, shared the third position.

Similarly, the Lahore Board clinched the first position in the cricket tournament, while Peshawar remained the runner-up.

The chief minister also inaugurated a newly-constructed gymnasium at the Peshawar BISE, which has been established at a cost of Rs160 million. The facility includes boxing, karate, taekwondo, wrestling rings, a table tennis court and a fitness gym.

Published in Dawn, November 14th, 2024

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has won the support of enough Republicans to stand as their candidate for the gavel in January.

GOP Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas said he was detained by police at Dulles International Airport after he became disoriented from mixing Ambien with alcohol.

House Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday won a unanimous closed-door vote for his first, full term as Speaker despite rumblings of a possible rebellion against him, after he received a full-throated endorsement from President-elect Donald Trump.

Republican Rep. Michael McCaul, the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said he was detained by police at an airport near Washington, D.C. earlier this month.

Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.

Sia Li'ili'i, the captain of the Nevada Wolf Pack women's volleyball team, has joined the Independent Women's Forum as an ambassador as she continues to fight for women's sports.

The Chicago Bears fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, and, according to a new report, some veterans want Caleb Williams benched.

Selling subscriptions to Prime Video with ads is more lucrative for Amazon.

1. iPhone SE 4 is expected to launch in March 2025, according to the latest report  India TV News
2. iPhone SE 4 leaks: 7 big upgrades  India Today
3. iPhone SE 4 launching in 2025: Refreshed design, powerful specs—minus the premium price  Mint
4. Apple iPhone SE 4 to launch next year, likely to become the cheapest iPhone to support Apple Intelligence...  Moneycontrol
5. iPhone SE 4 Camera Production to Begin Soon Ahead of Anticipated Debut in March 2025: Report  Gadgets 360

Electronic Arts has incorporated the Professional Women's Hockey League into its NHL 25 video game with six teams represented in "play now," "online versus," "shootout" and "season" modes, plus a championship Walter Cup.

In addition to the skyrocketing prices of hotel rooms, inflated Uber rates and hysteria around her presence, Taylor Swift hugely affects the sports ecosystem around her. Whether or not skeptics want to admit it, her connection to sport creates a cultural impact that can not be denied.

Threads could start getting ads much sooner than Meta has let on. The company is now planning to bring ads to its newest app “early next year” with the first ads arriving in January of 2025, according to a new report in The Information.

That suggests Meta is looking to start making money on the rapidly growing service far sooner than Meta executives have previously suggested. In August, when the app reached 200 million users, Mark Zuckerberg said Threads could become the company’s next billion-user service. He said making money off the app would be a "multi-year" effort. 

“All these new products, we ship them, and then there's a multi-year time horizon between scaling them and then scaling them into not just consumer experiences but very large businesses,” Zuckerberg said. In the company’s most recent earnings call, Meta CFO Susan Li said the company doesn’t “expect Threads to be a meaningful driver of 2025 revenue at this time.”

According to The Information, Meta is planning a slow rollout for ads on Threads. The company will start with “a small number” of advertisers in January. It’s unclear how quickly the effort may expand. "Since our priority is to build consumer value first and foremost, there are no ads or monetization features currently on Threads," a Meta spokesperson said in a statement. 

Meta’s reported plans highlight just how quickly the service has grown in recent months. Threads has 275 million monthly users and is seeing more than 1 million new sign-ups a day, according to Zuckerberg. That makes it by far the largest of the X alternatives that have sprung up over the last couple years.

Bluesky, another popular Twitter-like service, has also seen significant growth recently, adding a million new users in the last week, the company said Tuesday. It is still much smaller than Threads with 15 million users. Like Threads, it also currently has no advertising and the company has said it plans to experiment with subscription-based features.

Update November 13, 2024, 2 PM ET: Added a statement from a Meta spokesperson. 

The new Republican leader can get a lot accomplished, but it won’t be an easy task.

Dozens of researchers across Canada have joined a growing chorus of voices urging the federal government to halt the importation of an endangered monkey species for medical research in Quebec.

Pharmacy college job fairs play a critical role in bridging the gap between academia and industry. The fair provides a platform for pharmaceutical companies to communicate their hiring needs directly to students. This

KE Hotels is pleased to announce the expansion of its UK portfolio with the addition of three Hampton by Hilton hotels under new Hotel Management Agreements (HMA) as of October 2024. The properties now under KE Hotels’ management are Hampton by Hilton Newcastle, Hampton by Hilton Birmingham Broad Street, and Hampton by Hilton Sheffield.

Tharaldson Hospitality Management proudly announces the grand opening of their 88th hotel, the Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Porter Ranch Los Angeles. This milestone marks another significant achievement in THM’s continued expansion and commitment to delivering exceptional hospitality experiences. Located in the vibrant and rapidly growing area of Porter Ranch, CA, the new Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton boasts 100 modern and beautifully designed guest rooms, providing visitors with the perfect blend of comfort and convenience. Guests can enjoy premium amenities, including complimentary breakfast, free Wi-Fi, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and a refreshing outdoor pool. The opening of this new hotel comes thanks to the hard work and dedication of the entire THM team, who have worked tirelessly to ensure a seamless and successful launch. THM extends sincere gratitude to every team member for their unwavering commitment and efforts. The Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Porter Ranch Lo...

Minor Hotels has continued its robust growth trajectory, with Q3 results revealing significant increases in core profit and revenue. The group, which owns and operates more than 560 hotels across eight brands globally, announced a core net profit of THB 3.1 billion for the first nine months of 2024, marking a 13% year-on-year increase, despite the negative impact of an unrealised foreign exchange loss.

Design Hotels, the community-driven portfolio of nearly 300 independent hotels, today announced its second annual Further Forecast trend report, which explores travelers’ growing desire to build deeper connections, and how this is shaping their expectations of experiences—and in turn, the future of travel.

The bye-elections held for three Assembly constituencies in Karnataka on Wednesday witnessed a good turnout as 45.02 per cent of voting was reported by the Election Commission of India.

India accounts for per cent of the global total carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, and it is expected to increase by 4.6 per cent in 2024, according to a new report released on Wednesday, ahead of the UN climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan.

More than 4 in 5 Indians, or 86 per cent of Indians living with diabetes have experienced anxiety, depression, or another mental health condition as a result of their diabetes, according to a report, ahead of World Diabetes Day.

1. Suryakumar Yadav Reveals 'Sacrifice' For Tilak Varma That Worked Wonders For India Against South Afr..  NDTV Sports
2. India create history, set a new T20 world record during thrilling win against South Africa  The Times of India
3. Flying ants to burnt toast: 5 bizarre reasons that stopped a cricket match  Business Standard
4. Va-va-voom Varma powers India to unbeatable series lead  Cricbuzz
5. India registers their eighth 200-plus total in T20Is this year  Hindustan Times

1. iPhone SE 4 Camera Production Set to Begin Ahead of March 2025 Launch, Report Reveals  Analytics Insight
2. iPhone SE 4 leaks: 7 big upgrades  India Today
3. Apple iPhone SE 4 to launch next year, likely to become the cheapest iPhone to support Apple Intelligence...  Moneycontrol
4. iPhone SE 4 Camera Production to Begin Soon Ahead of Anticipated Debut in March 2025: Report  Gadgets 360
5. iPhone SE 4 may spell trouble for iPhone 16 and premium Android phones, here’s why  Hindustan Times

1. One dead after two reported explosions near Brazil’s Supreme Court  Al Jazeera English
2. Brazil: 1 killed in explosions outside Supreme Court; judges safely evacuated  Hindustan Times
3. Video: Explosions Go Off Near Brazil’s Government Offices  The New York Times
4. One dead following blasts at Brazil Supreme Court  BBC.com
5. One dead after explosion takes place outside Brazil's Supreme Court  The Times of India

The device will arrive by March at the earliest, according to reports.

Plus, if you are in the market, these metro areas were found to be the least and most affordable to buy in.