Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, March 19th

Russia began sharply reducing its holdings of US government debt in the spring of 2018

The Samref Refinery and the Yanbu port earlier experienced an air attack

According to the Belarusian leader, it concerns not only Ukrainian problems, but also global ones as well

This study examines the WTO’s economic and legal value for the European Union and draws policy implications for the European Parliament ahead of MC14. Economically, it shows how MFN non‑discrimination and bound tariffs reduce transaction costs and uncertainty for EU exporters – especially SMEs – and warns that a two‑tier system of bilateral ‘deals’ would fragment markets and penalise EU high‑value trade. It reviews recent quantitative evidence on the welfare and export gains from GATT/WTO Membership and assesses early findings on the Trade Facilitation Agreement, noting that trade‑cost reductions abroad can benefit EU firms via supply chains. Legally, it maps how WTO disciplines shape EU legislation and how EU FTAs both embed WTO rules (‘WTO‑plus‘) and pioneer ‘extra‑WTO‘ and sustainability provisions. It also tests the available policy space to design ‘buy European‘ procurement measures consistently with WTO/GPA commitments. On reform, the study analyses pragmatic pathways for integrating new plurilaterals, improving disciplines on State interventions (including transparency), addressing non‑market practices (subsidies and public bodies), refining Special and differential treatment (SDT), and restoring a functioning dispute settlement system. Key recommendations urge Parliament to champion WTO stability, support integration of plurilaterals, help broaden participation in the Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA), and ensure credible use of EU enforcement tools against ‘appeal into the void‘ tactics. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Erasmus for All is a pilot initiative implemented by the European University Foundation in cooperation with participating higher education institutions and funded under the Erasmus+ programme. The initiative explored whether city-based top-ups to Erasmus+ student mobility grants could improve affordability in high-cost destinations. The pilot’s outcomes indicate that additional support can reduce perceived financial pressure during mobility in higher-cost cities. However, it does not address the main barriers to equal access to mobility, notably upfront costs, liquidity constraints and institutional and administrative pressures. There is no evidence that the approach influences students’ destination choices or the overall distribution of mobility. As the pilot allocates resources based on destination characteristics and adds administrative complexity without means to process these, it should be seen as an affordability adjustment rather than a solution to unequal participation. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

A supplemental funding request of up to $200billion and the potential of Donald Trump deploying troops to secure the Strait of Hormuz could signal a new phase in the war with Iran.

For several years Ben Field preyed upon the elderly, among them 69-year-old former English teacher, university lecturer and author Peter Farquhar, who died in 2015.

There can be few businesses with a more wholesome origin story than Meghan's lifestyle brand As ever. During the pandemic, the former actress started making jam.

Princess Anne has built a reputation for tastefully redeploying outfits years apart, with the habit earning her the unofficial title 'Queen of Royal Recycling'.

As we approached Dubai's Terminal 3, the sense of panic among the hundreds of passengers corralled outside in the blistering midday heat was palpable.

Libreville, le 17 mars 2026-Le Président de la République, Chef de l'État, Chef du Gouvernement, Son Excellence Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, a accordé ce jour une audience à une délégation d'hommes d'affaires du Royaume-Uni, conduite par Calvin Bailey, Parlementaire et Envoyé Spécial pour le Commerce du Gouvernement britannique. Au cours de cette rencontre, la délégation britannique a présenté au Chef de l'État plusieurs propositions d'investissement, notamment dans les secteurs minier (...) - COOPERATION / SUJET_ECRIT_MAISON

Tout est bien fait et arrive à point nommé à la Marine Marchande. Cette structure administrative se dote, non seulement d'un nouveau site web, mais surtout d'un progiciel dédié à la gestion des actes, développé par l'ANINF, appelé Marigest. L'évènement s'est déroulé en présence du Ministre d'État en charge des Transports et de la Marine Marchande, Ulrich Manfoumbi Manfoumbi, et des son collègue de l'Economie numérique, Mark Alexandre Doumba. C'était ce 18 mars 2026 à Libreville. Le (...) - ECONOMIE NUMERIQUE / SUJET_ECRIT_MAISON

Hier comme aujourd'hui, le ciel gronde. Tonnerre et éclairs sont suivis de fortes averses. Météo France a placé l'archipel de la Société et les Tuamotu nord-ouest et sud en vigilance jaune pour orages.

Le Pays va débloquer un budget d’urgence pour faire face aux conséquences économiques de la crise au Moyen-Orient. Avec une trésorerie confortable évaluée à 43 milliards, le gouvernement va doter davantage le fonds de régulation du prix des hydrocarbures, aider Air Tahiti Nui et l'hôpital de Taaone. Montant total des aides : 13 milliards, pour contenir l'inflation durant les 6 prochains mois.

The case, which explored questions about free speech and the limits of artistic criticism, has also catapulted the rapper back into pop culture’s lexicon.

Lockdowns at U.S. bases and a global security alert underscore concerns that Iranian retaliation could extend to officials on American soil.

Vikram K Doraiswami will be India's new Ambassador to China. The ministry of external affairs announced his appointment. Doraiswami is a senior Indian Foreign Service officer. He currently serves as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. He is expected to take up his new role shortly. This appointment occurs as India and China continue diplomatic discussions on bilateral issues.

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has ruled himself out of the Kerala chief ministerial race, stating he is not contesting the upcoming assembly elections. Tharoor emphasized that the chief minister should be chosen from elected MLAs and expressed confidence in the UDF's prospects, predicting a strong seat tally.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has unveiled its initial list of 88 candidates for the Assam assembly elections, with chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma contesting from Jalukbari. The party has finalized seat-sharing with AGP and BPF, aiming to retain power. The announcement follows the declaration of the poll schedule for the 126-member assembly.

[Shabelle] Washington -- A US federal judge has issued an emergency order blocking a move by former president Donald Trump's administration to terminate temporary deportation protections for Somali nationals living in the United States.

[Shabelle] Bosaso -- The United States military said it carried out an air strike targeting Islamic State fighters in northeastern Somalia's Puntland region, in coordination with the federal government.

[Vanguard] Your Majesty, King Charles III,

Anna Paulina Luna still added that Washington is «actively involved in peace talks with Russia and those efforts will not be sabotaged by anyone»

Georgy Muradov added that Ukraine should become a neutral and demilitarized country

The port is currently the kingdom’s only export outlet for oil, the agency said

The price of futures contracts of WTI crude oil for May 2026 delivery was up by 1.08% at $96.49 per barrel

According to Coinmarketcap portal, the total cryptocurrency market capitalization amounts to $2.43 trillion