Doha, Qatar: Qatar has maintained a robust stockpile of essential food and consumer goods to ensure market stability. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) has affirmed that sufficient stock is available in the country to ensure the availability of goods and prevent monopolistic practices. T»»»

Doha, Qatar: AlRayan Bank successfully held the Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) of Shareholders yesterday. At the AGM, the shareholders endorsed the financial statements for the fiscal year ended at 31 December 2025 that reflect a Net Profit after Tax of QR1350m. H E Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad bin Qas»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Municipality has reaffirmed its full readiness and continuous field response to maintain essential services and support community needs, as part of its ongoing commitment to delivering services with the highest standards of quality and efficiency. The ministry, in a pos»»»

Life is back to normal in one of the world’s busiest cities, as markets and malls bustle with shoppers preparing for Eid. Families are not only picking up food essentials but also browsing for new clothes, fashion items, household products, chocolates, and electronics, soaking in the festive spirit»»»

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry of Kyrgyzstan Erlist Akunbekov visited two dairy enterprises — Belaya Reka and Umut & Co — in Issyk-Ata district of Chui region. The working visit was carried out as part of an assignmen»»»

France's government is bolstering the country's military presence in the Middle East, dispatching its aircraft carrier and other warships, while President Emmanuel Macron engages with key players in the conflict, including Iran, in a bid to position Paris for future diplomatic talks. Macron said th»»»

Dubai: The Philippine peso fell to a record low against the UAE dirham on Monday morning, reflecting mounting pressure on emerging market currencies amid volatile energy markets and growing global uncertainty. (Check live forex rates here) Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balanc»»»

U.S. President Donald Trump walks across the South Lawn after landing in Marine One on Sunday, in Washington, D.C. The President is returning to the White House after spending the weekend at his private club, Mar-a-Lago, in Palm Beach, Fla. Photo by Samuel Corum/UPI | License Photo March 16 (UPI) -»»»

The leadership of the Kyrgyz Football Union reviewed the progress of construction of a new 5,000-seat stadium in Talas. The site was visited during a working trip by the Kyrgyz Football Union’s Vice President Dastanbek Konokbaev, Secretary General Mederbek Sydykov, and presidential adviser Aman Kas»»»

THIS WEEK offers a weekly snapshot of the key developments in Brussels and across Europe over the next seven days, published every Monday morning. EU leaders are meeting on Thursday (19 March) for a busy and timely European Council in Brussels, where support for Ukraine, energy security, Middle Eas»»»

Romania’s industrial production (chart) contracted by 4.0% y/y in January, driven mainly by a 6.4% y/y drop in manufacturing output, according to data published by the statistics office INS. The decline in manufacturing was partly offset by stronger activity in the utilities sector, where output in»»»

Dubai: Flights operated by Air India Express to and from Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, and Sharjah will continue as scheduled despite disruptions affecting services to Dubai. “Air India Express' ad-hoc flight operations to and from Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, and Sharjah will continue as announced.” St»»»

The 2026 Academy Awards delivered a rare moment in the history of the Academy when the Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film was awarded in a tie, with both The Singers and Two People Exchanging Saliva receiving the prize. For Romanian audiences, the news carries particular significance: one of the»»»

Drinking water supply will be suspended in one district of Bishkek on March 17 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the press service of the Bishkek City Hall reported. Residential buildings, schools, preschools, healthcare and other social and industrial facilities will have no water. The outage area is limited»»»

The Spiritual Directorate of Muslims of Kyrgyzstan (SDMK) announced the program of events dedicated to the end of the holy month of Ramadan and the celebration of Orozo Ait. According to the muftiyat, the program for March 20 includes: Due to the specific conditions of mountainous regions, slight d»»»

Hollywood, United States: Hollywood's best and brightest stars on Sunday hit the red carpet for the 98th Academy Awards, the movie industry's biggest night. Here are some of the top looks: Spring hues Pops of spring color were a welcome sight on the red carpet. Jessie Buckley at the 98th Oscars at »»»

Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced parliamentary elections, Tengrinews.kz reported, citing Akorda. A large-scale campaign has been conducted. «We have a lot of work ahead. Parliamentary elections will be held this summer, and we must conduct them unitedly, as a single country. I»»»

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi demands that Israel be "punished for its war crimes" against the Islamic Republic. The bombings of fuel depots in Tehran by Israeli authorities “violate international law and constitute ecocide,” he posted on X. Araghchi warned the attacks could leave lasting»»»

President Donald Trump urged NATO partners and China to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the critical conduit for crude that Iran has effectively closed, as major economic players began releasing oil reserves on Monday to ward off supply disruptions. Global oil prices have surged by 40 to 50 perce»»»

As Iranian Shahed drones continue to strike targets across the Middle East amidst the raging war with Israel and the US that has stretched regional air defences to their limits, Ukraine has quietly emerged as an unlikely but highly relevant source of expertise. President Volodymyr Zelensky has anno»»»

US President Donald Trump warned that NATO could face a “very bad” future if US allies fail to assist Washington in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, according to an interview with The Financial Times. “It’s only appropriate that people who are the beneficiaries of the Strait will help to make sure t»»»

Dubai: Flights operated by Air India and Air India Express to and from Dubai International Airport have been cancelled for the day following the airport's temporary suspension of all flight operations. The airline said the cancellations come after Dubai International Airport temporarily suspended a»»»

President Donald Trump said the United States is discussing cooperation with other countries on “policing” the Strait of Hormuz, speaking aboard Air Force One. “We are talking to other countries about working with us on the policing of the Strait. And I think we're getting good response,” Trump sai»»»

It's Hollywood's biggest night. The 98th Academy Awards featured emotional speeches, comical relief and a bevy of backstage fun. While movie magic plays a role in the show itself (the ceremony, after all, is actually hosted at the Dolby Theatre in a shopping centre), there is a lot you don't see on»»»

AMMAN — The Amman Stock Exchange (ASE) continued to strengthen its role as a global leader in sustainability and digital transformation in 2025, with significant initiatives aimed at improving market transparency and fostering long-term responsible investment.In 2025, ASE chaired the Sustainability»»»

An exhibition by artist Bakhramjon Temirov «Melody of Spring» has been opened in Bishkek. The exhibition is housed in the Oak Park Gallery, organizers announced. The artist presented new paintings, created over the course of his career. These include portraits, landscapes, and still lives, all pain»»»

Kyrgyz fighter Myktybek Orolbai has entered the top three in Ultimate Fighting Championship history for the highest number of takedowns in a single fight. During his bout against American fighter Chris Curtis at UFC Fight Night 269 in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, the Kyrgyz athlete set a welte»»»

US authorities have deported an Ethiopian national after immigration investigators determined that his online activity supported the FANO, an armed militia fighting against Ethiopia’s government forces. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, said Solomon Bogale posted messages calling for vio»»»

Iran is taking steps to prevent anti-establishment protests, with checkpoints appearing across the streets of the capital, internet access restricted, and mass text warnings sent to residents. In Tehran, people have been telling the BBC about new security checkpoints around the city, where they say»»»

US President Donald Trump's call to world powers to send their warships to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz chokepoint received tepid responses on Sunday as Gulf Arab states reported new missile and drone attacks. Iran's foreign minister denied Trump's claim that Tehran wan»»»

President Donald Trump has threatened to get the Strait of Hormuz open "one way or another" and has called on a number of countries including France, the United Kingdom and China to send ships to the area to overcome Iran's blockade on the vital trade artery. It comes as global oil supplies are sky»»»

Missiles intercepted in Qatar; two drones causing damage at an airbase near a major US military site in Kuwait; an oil facility hit and ports threatened in the UAE... Gulf countries continue to pay the price of war every day, more than two weeks after the start of Operation Epic Fury launched by th»»»

Russian cross-country skier Anastasia Bagiyan has won gold in the 20 km individual start race for visually impaired athletes at the 2026 Winter Paralympics, becoming a three-time champion at the Games in Italy. The 24-year-old earlier won the sprint and the 10 km classical race. This year’s Games a»»»

The oil market is experiencing extreme volatility on March 16, 2026, driven by the ongoing US-Israeli conflict with Iran. The war has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and forced production cuts across the Gulf, even as US President Donald Trump appealed for help from Nato allies and »»»

Socialist candidate Emmanuel Grégoire surged ahead of former culture minister Rachida Dati in the first round of voting for Paris mayor on Sunday as the left bids to extend its 25 years at the helm. But in the capital as in other cities across France, a strong showing by Jean-Luc Mélenchon's F»»»

France holds municipal elections on Sunday – including for the mayor of Paris – less than a year before the 2027 presidential vote, with some candidates looking to use the polls as a springboard for higher office. The votes will be held in two rounds on consecutive Sundays, with the secon»»»

Voters are going to the polls Sunday in the first round of municipal elections to choose leadership teams across France, from small villages to the biggest cities — a test for political parties' electoral machines before next year's presidential election for the successor to President Emmanuel Macr»»»

Voters are going to the polls Sunday in the first round of municipal elections to choose leadership teams across France, from small villages to the biggest cities — a test for political parties' electoral machines before next year's presidential election for the successor to President Emmanuel Macr»»»

French voters cast ballots in municipal elections marred by low turnout on Sunday, in the last major test of the public mood ahead of next year’s all-important presidential election. The run-up to the vote was largely overshadowed by the Iran war and its fallout, notably th»»»

Candidates for the far-right National Rally posted strong results in the first round of France’s municipal elections on Sunday, winning several races outright and polling neck-and-neck with the incumbent left in Marseille, in the last major test of the French public mood ah»»»

Restaurants in India are suffering the consequences of disruptions to supplies of cooking gas caused by the war in the Middle East. Two restaurant owners describe the mounting challenges of operating under the crisis and the measures they’re taking to adapt. “No roti due to gas cylinder crisis.” “O»»»

North Korea on Sunday tested nuclear-capable multiple rocket launchers that Pyongyang’s leader Kim Jong Un said should make the country's enemies feel a sense of "uneasiness". The tests came one day after South Korea detected 10 ballistic missiles launched from North Korea.  North Korea t»»»

All flights operated by Emirates to and from Dubai have been suspended until further notice, the airline said early Monday morning. The Dubai-based carrier said it is working with relevant authorities to assess the situation and determine when it can safely resume operations. “All Emirates flights »»»

Combined Russian missile and drone strikes in several Ukrainian regions killed six people, according to offcials. President Volodymyr Zelensky said the ⁠Kyiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Dnipro and Mykolaiv regions were targeted in an attack that included around 430 drones and 68 missiles, most of which were do»»»

Pope Leo XIV, seen here on May 18, 2025, called for a cease-fire Sunday in the war in Iran. File Photo by Stefano Spaziani/UPI | License Photo March 16 (UPI) -- Pope Leo XIV called for a cease-fire in the Middle East on Sunday, issuing his strongest and most direct demand to date for an end to the »»»

The opening ceremony of the second Indian Film Days in Bishkek began with a vibrant Bollywood-style dance show. The festive program «Rhythms of Bollywood» took place on the stage of the Toktobolot Abdumomunov Kyrgyz National Academic Drama Theatre and marked a colorful start to the cultural event. »»»

A Green Central Banking report reveals that a climate advocacy organisation has lodged a formal complaint with the Singapore Exchange against OCBC Bank, accusing the lender of potentially misleading investors about its exposure to coal-powered industrial facilities in Indonesia. Market Forces, the »»»

A Green Central Banking report reveals that a climate advocacy organisation has lodged a formal complaint with the Singapore Exchange against OCBC Bank, accusing the lender of potentially misleading investors about its exposure to coal-powered industrial facilities in Indonesia. Market Forces, the »»»

The battle for control of the Strait of Hormuz is underway, one of the most strategically important waterways in the world. Whoever wins will control half of China’s flow of oil. One unstated objective of Washington’s fore»»»

In the central city of Morón, Cuba, simmering anger over soaring food prices and relentless power cuts has erupted into violence as a band of protesters stormed a provincial Communist Party building, setting it ablaze in the process. Furniture was torn from the offices as fires were set late on Mar»»»