President Donald Trump arrives for the Commander in Chief Trophy presentation in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Friday. Earlier in the day, he criticized NATO countries for declining to assist the United States in reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Photo by Shawn Thew/UPI | L»»»

A combination of factors triggered the unprecedented blackout that left Spain and Portugal without electricity for several hours last year, a new report has found. On 28 April 2025, shortly after midday, the Iberian peninsula's electricity supply was shut down, causing widespread chaos, cutting int»»»

Skopje, 16 March 2026 (MIA) - As of Monday midnight, gasoline prices will go up by Mden 7 per liter, while that of diesel by Mden 6.5 per liter, said the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). The new retail price of Eurosuper BS-95 is Mden 86.5 per liter, Eurosuper BS-98 - Mden 88.5, Eurodiesel (D-E »»»

Prime Minister of Cote d’Ivoire H E Robert Beugre Mambe met with Ambassador of Qatar to the country H E Mubarak bin Hussein Al Marri. The two sides reviewed relations and discussed ways to enhance cooperation .»»»

DOHA: GCC National Human Rights Institutions held an emergency meeting yesterday to discuss the Iranian attacks on the Gulf states and their repercussions on the human rights situation. The meeting, convened at the initiative of the Qatar’s National Human Rights Committee (NHRC), was attended by re»»»

DOHA: Sri Lankan Ambassador to Qatar H E Sithra Khan Azard, has expressed deep appreciation to Qatar’s leadership for ensuring the safety and well-being of the Sri Lankan community in the country during the ongoing tensions in the Gulf region. In a statement yesterday, the ambassador conveyed the g»»»

Doha, Qatar: Gulf countries are observing Eid Al Fitr on Friday, March 20, 2026, under heightened security measures as regional tensions continue to escalate. Authorities have restricted outdoor prayers and public celebrations in several countries as a precaution. In Kuwait, officials announced the»»»

DOHA: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in the region, warning that continued aggression risks plunging the Middle East into a broader and more dangerous conflict. He called on Iran»»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia's Pantsir air defense systems are capable of intercepting not only drones but also HARM and HIMARS projectiles, ATACMS ballistic missiles and cruise missiles including Storm Shadows and Flamingos, Russian state tech corporation Rostec said on Friday. "Pantsir systems have »»»

A Paris appeals court on Thursday rejected a bid by the French government to suspend Chinese e-commerce platform Shein after a consumer watchdog found items listed for sale on the site including sex dolls resembling children and banned weapons. The government request went to appeal after being deni»»»

The FBI on Thursday seized and took down two websites linked to the group Handala, which last week hacked the medical device company Stryker in retaliation for a U.S. strike on a girls' school in Iran. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo March 19 (UPI) -- The Federal Bureau of Investigati»»»

Damascus, March 19 (SANA) – Escalating military tensions between the United States and Israel on one side and Iran on the other are beginning to impact the global technology sector, as disruptions extend beyond oil markets to affect helium, a critical resource for the digital economy. The situation»»»

The Council of Ministers has approved the creation of a new state database aimed at improving the administration and enforcement of administrative fines across the country. The system, officially titled the “Register for the Execution and Collection of Fines,” will serve as a centralized platform t»»»

Damascus, March 19 (SANA) – Syria is moving forward with tax reforms and digital transformation plans aimed at improving efficiency, simplifying procedures, and enhancing services for citizens and businesses, officials said on Wednesday. During a meeting of the General Commission for Taxes and Fees»»»

Tunis, March 19, 2026 (TAP) — The German Cooperation Agency and the International Trade Centre, in partnership with the Tunis Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Tunisian Confederation of Citizen Enterprises (CONAECT), have launched a call for...»»»

Evomag data indicates a clear shift in purchasing behavior, where payment flexibility is becoming a direct factor in the decision to buy. Currently, BNPL accounts for 6.4% of all evomag orders, and its growth rate has significantly outpaced that of other payment methods. In contrast to this segment»»»

New York: Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations H E Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani has reiterated the country’s support for international efforts to assist refugees. This came during a meeting with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees H E Dr. Barham Sal»»»

Tunis: Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Republic of Tunisia H E Zayed bin Saeed Al Khayarin participated in a meeting held by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration, and Tunisians Abroad H E Mohamed Ali Nafti with Their Excellencies the Ambassadors of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) count»»»

Doha, Qatar: Qatar has reached 100 percent self-sufficiency in essential vegetables and 99 percent in fresh poultry, underscoring the efficiency of its production systems and the stability of its food supply chains. Minister of Municipality and Chairman of the Food Security Policies Implementation »»»

Doha: Minister of Public Health H E Mansoor bin Ebrahim bin Saad Al Mahmoud has affirmed that Qatar’s healthcare sector is operating at a high level of readiness and preparedness, with all hospitals and health centers functioning around the clock to ensure uninterrupted services and rapid response »»»

Romania’s eCommerce market reached approximately EUR 8.1 billion in 2025 and is expected to surpass EUR 8.5 billion in 2026, although growth is entering a more competitive and less predictable phase compared to previous years. According to the MerchantPro eCommerce Insights 2026 report, inflation, »»»

As reported by the Ministry of Energy on the fourth anniversary of Ukraine’s accession to the European energy network ENTSO-E, the Ukrainian power system’s current import capacity is up to ...»»»

People attend the funeral of the victims of Pakistani airstrikes in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Thursday, when the two countries agreed to a Eid cease-fire. Afghan authorities said that Pakistani strikes targeted a drug addiction treatment facility in Kabul, killing dozens of people. Photo by Samiullah »»»

Dubai: Petrofac’s agreement to sell its Abu Dhabi-based engineering and construction business, Petrofac Emirates, comes as part of a wider restructuring, with the group continuing to keep its existing contracts. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The deal, announced on Tu»»»

Iran is threatening to execute retaliatory strikes on oil and gas facilities near the Persian Gulf after Israel launched a strike on its South Pars gas field on Wednesday. File Photo by Maryam Rahmanian/UPI | License Photo March 18 (UPI) -- Iran is threatening to execute retaliatory strikes on oil »»»

The killing of Iran's most influential powerbroker, Ali Larijani, has pushed the country into a more uncertain phase, complicating decision-making in Tehran and narrowing its options as the war grinds on. The US-Israeli war on Iran began with the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei alongside a g»»»

Gas prices were up in Walnut Creek, Calif., on March 10. To help ease the surge of gas prices in the United States, President Donald Trump temporarily waived the Jones Act, allowing more foreign shipments of oil to travel between U.S. ports. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo March 18 (UPI)»»»

Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib (C) attending a session of the Iranian Parliament in August 2024 for the presentation of newly-elected President Masoud Pezeshkian's cabinet picks. Photo by Abedin Taherkenareh/EPA March 18 (UPI) -- Israel said Wednesday that it had killed Iranian Intelli»»»

Sharjah: Police have announced strict measures against vehicles and motorcycles causing noise and disturbance in residential areas and on public roads, as part of ongoing efforts to maintain public safety and community peace. The General Command of Sharjah Police said it has received multiple compl»»»

The software code of 100% of the installed voting machines will be verified for the upcoming elections, up from the previous 30%, caretaker Electronic Governance Minister George Sharkov, who is also coordinator of the election process, told a briefing here on Wednesday. To carry out the checks, the»»»

This operation is not just about neutralizing militants; it is about compelling Kabul to act responsibly and stop tolerating groups that destabilize the region, Sultan M. Hali said. Earlier cross-border actions were limited to tactical raids against militant hideouts. However, Operation Righteous F»»»

BusinessMiddle EastIran war triggers helium shortage, hits semiconductor supplyTimothy RooksRising tensions in the Middle East are rattling high-end chipmakers. Among all the latest geopolitical uncertainties for the industry is a shortage of helium that could slow global production. https://p.dw.c»»»

U.S. forces targeted hardened Iranian missile sites on the Iranian side of the Strait of Hormuz with bunker-buster bombs in an effort to prevent attacks on shipping transiting the strategically key waterway. File photo courtesy Royal Thai Navy/EPA March 18 (UPI) -- U.S. forces successfully deployed»»»

On the evening of 17 March 2026, Israel announced it had killed Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), in an air strike on Tehran, along with Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani. Tehran later confirmed both assassinations. It is a development that has dire impl»»»

Cesar Chavez, the late labor and civil rights activist seen here in February 1979 talking to a crowd in Calexico, Calif., has been accused of inappropriate sexual behavior, prompting events to be held later this month in his honor to be canceled. File Photo by Mark Loundy/UPI | License Photo March »»»

Taiwan said Wednesday it changed South Korea's name in its immigration systems in response to being identified as part of China. In this 2023 photo, a Taiwanese flag flies over Liberty Square Arch in Taipei. File Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI | License Photo Taiwan said Wednesday it has changed South»»»

In the fast-paced world of digital news, we constantly track advancements that impact daily life – from political shifts to technological breakthroughs. One area where innovation and consumer confidence are inextricably linked is online payments, particularly within the real-money casino sector. As»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Arab Network for National Human Rights Institutions (ANNHRI) convened yesterday its urgent General Assembly at its headquarters in Doha on the Iranian attacks on the Arab nations: human rights reading in violating the absolute ban on the use of force. The meeting, held virtually, c»»»

Doha: Deputy Speaker of the Shura Council H E Dr. Hamda bint Hassan Al Sulaiti has stressed the role of parliamentary diplomacy in resolving conflicts and promoting global security and stability. Speaking at an extraordinary meeting of the Executive Committee of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU),»»»

Doha, Qatar: Minister of Commerce and Industry H E Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al-Thani has delivered strong reassurances regarding the availability of goods, stability of markets, and the resilience of Qatar’s food security system amid ongoing regional developments. In an interview aired on»»»

Doha, Qatar: The evolving geopolitical developments in the region have reinforced the deep cooperation between Qatar and the United Kingdom, strengthening the partnership further, British Ambassador to Qatar H E Neerav Patel said. In an exclusive interview with The Peninsula, reaffirming London’s l»»»

Albania’s parliament adopted a resolution on March 17 declaring Iran a “terrorism sponsor state”, citing alleged support for armed groups and cyberattacks, in a vote boycotted by the opposition. Ties between Tirana and Teh»»»

Dubai: With the UAE extending distance learning beyond spring break, schools across the country are preparing to meet all eventualities to ensure continuity of learning. The UAE on Tuesday announced the continuation of distance learning across nurseries, schools and higher education institutions fo»»»

As the Holy Month of Ramadan draws to a close, anticipation for Eid Al Fitr celebrations is building across Qatar. Among the many culinary destinations preparing to welcome families and friends, New Shan-e-Lahore Restaurant stands out with its promise of an authentic desi breakfast experience that »»»

Sellpy, part of the H&M Group, will open a large distribution center near Wrocław in spring 2026 to support the growth of its second-hand fashion e-commerce business. The facility, covering nearly 40,000 sqm, will be located in Panattoni’s Wrocław Campus 2 and will become the company’s second logis»»»

More than half of SME owners do not understand how e-commerce platforms work, 43% are unfamiliar with customer service tools, and nearly half do not use cybersecurity technologies. At the same time, 64% see digitalisation as key to growth. Over the next 12 months, micro firms plan to spend about PL»»»

Drivers buy gas at a Shell station in Palo Alto, Calif., on Friday. California has the highest average gas and diesel prices in the United States as oil prices surge amid the war in Iran. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo March 17 (UPI) -- U.S. gasoline prices have surged by 27% and diesel»»»

In the final decades of the Cold War, South America briefly appeared poised to join the ranks of regions developing indigenous missile technology. Argentina and Brazil pursued ambitious programs that combined domestic research with extensive international cooperation, aiming to establish strategic »»»

US-German billionaire Peter Thiel, a co-founder of PayPal and Palantir Technologies, is holding a controversial series of lectures on the Antichrist in Rome this week, prompting criticism from Vatican-linked officials and institutions, according to multiple media reports. Thiel continues to face sc»»»

Dubai: Big Ticket’s first weekly e-draw for the month of March has brought excitement to four lucky participants from the United Kingdom and India, each walking away with a 200-gram, 24-karat gold bar. Among them is a Kerala expat who has now bagged gold twice. Thirty-five-year-old Lijin Thomas has»»»