At Hungary’s March 15 national commemoration, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán delivered a speech centered on the country’s security, sovereignty, and the coming election. According to the prime minister, Europe is entering a dangerous period as Brussels prepares for deeper involvement in the war in Ukr»»»

Aluminium Bahrain, known as Alba, said on Sunday it had initiated a shutdown of three aluminium smelting lines accounting for 19% of its capacity to preserve business continuity amid ongoing disruption in the Strait of Hormuz. The closures are the latest impact on the Middle East aluminium sector, »»»

By Thomas Gibbons-Neff and Eric Schmitt The deployment of about 2,500 Marines to the Middle East represents a new phase in the two-week-old war in Iran, as Iranian forces increase their attacks on the Strait of Hormuz. The unit, officially known as the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, according to t»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Doha Equestrian Tour wrapped up its three-day local show jumping competitions at the Longines Arena in Al Shaqab on Saturday night, showcasing top-level performances from more than 120 riders and 240 horses. Total prize money for the tour exceeded QR490,000. The tour opened with th»»»

Doha, Qatar: France has reaffirmed its strong strategic partnership with Qatar, highlighting deep diplomatic ties, and the defence dimension of the partnership has taken on heightened importance as the region navigates a complex geopolitical situation. In an exclusive interview with The Peninsula y»»»

An investigation into a street brawl between Athens soccer hooligans has brought to light €302,000 in cash stashed in the home of one of the suspects, police said. A police statement said the money was confiscated, together with handgun ammunition. It gave no indication of its possible provenance, »»»

The Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) - New Beginning parliamentary group will table an amendment that would require the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC) to cover the cost of electricity meter accuracy tests amid complaints about high electricity bills since the start of the year,»»»

Six citizens of Kyrgyzstan were injured in a road accident on Kaluzhskoye highway in New Moscow, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan reported. According to the ministry, the accident occurred on March 14 at the 45th kilometer of Kaluzhskoye highway and involved a sightseeing bus and a Vol»»»

Doha, Qatar: Estithmar Holding has paid the third semi-annual coupon of its Qatari Riyal-denominated Sukuk (first tranche), at an annual profit rate of 8.75%. The first tranche, part of the company’s broader Sukuk program valued at QR3.4bn and listed on the London Stock Exchange’s International Sec»»»

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»»»

Doha, Qatar: Qatar Chamber (QC) Board Member and Chairman of the Industry Committee Abdulrahman Al Ansari presided over a meeting held yesterday, at the Chamber’s headquarters, in the presence of committee members. The meeting discussed the challenges facing the industrial sector under the current »»»

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»»»

A slight decline in the prevalence rate of viral hepatitis has been recorded in Kyrgyzstan compared with 2019, a study published in the journal Healthcare of Kyrgyzstan says. At the same time, researchers emphasize that the overall level of the disease remains high, and the country continues to be »»»

Nine citizens of Kyrgyzstan were injured in a traffic accident in Moscow involving a bus carrying children. A Volkswagen minibus that crashed on Kaluzhskoye highway was reportedly transporting Kyrgyz nationals, TASS reported, citing a source in emergency services. It is reported that the passengers»»»

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»»»

Britain is not prepared to send warships to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, despite US President Donald Trump’s call for allies to join a naval effort, The Telegraph reported. UK ministers said they are still considering other options, including mine-hunting drones, but have not committed naval v»»»

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 Arab Investment and Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (Dhaman) revealed that the maritime transport sector in the Arab region attracted 146 foreign projects with a total investment value of nearly $4 billion over the past 23 years.In its fourth sectoral report for 2025 on maritime tra»»»

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»»»

The UAE has activated air defense systems in response to a possible missile and drone threat from Iran. Authorities have urged residents to remain in safe locations and to follow official channels for updates and warnings as the situation develops.»»»

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»»»

Cubans took to the streets in the city of Moron on Saturday to protest worsening economic conditions since the US oil blockade. The island, known for harsh government repression, rarely sees protests. Authorities said five people were arrested in what it called vandalism acts. The NGO Justicia11, w»»»

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»»»

Attacks on northern Israel have been “constant” and “relentless”, says FRANCE 24’s Noga Tarnopolsky, reporting from Jerusalem. Iranian missiles combined with Hezbollah rocket attacks are making regular life in Israel “simply impossible”, she explains, noting that most residents of northern Israel h»»»

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»»»

Overnight strikes in southern Lebanon killed at least four people, Lebanese state media and the government said on Sunday. Israel is fighting a second front in the war in the Middle East in southern Lebanon, against Hezbollah, alongside the air campaign against Iran it launched with the United Stat»»»

A cloud of orange-tinted, thick dust spread across the Gaza Strip on Saturday as first responders told Palestinians to stay home, especially those with respiratory illness. People were also urged to secure their tents to prevent them from being blown away. Israel’s war with Hamas has left most of G»»»