Protests outside abortion clinics and family planning centers are underway in Germany. Reproductive rights advocates point to the influence of US money and tactics on the anti-abortion movement in Germany and Europe.

In his first press conference as China's top diplomat, Qin Gang said US policies risk "conflict and confrontation" with Beijing. From the "spy balloon" spat to Russia's war in Ukraine, Qin outlined where China stands.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping recently accused the US of leading a campaign of "encirclement, containment and suppression" of China. Alexander Görlach says he is right on one point.

Ghassan al Sharbi, a Saudi engineer, was detained in Faisalabad, Pakistan over two decades ago. He was a suspect in the September 11, 2001 al-Qaida attacks but never charged.

A governor and two other people were killed in a blast in Afghanistan. No group has yet claimed the attack, but the country has been hit by multiple attacks by "Islamic State" militants since the Taliban takeover.

EU Commission loosens state aid rules to counter U.S. green subsidies. BRUSSELS, March 9 (Reuters) - The European Commission on Thursday relaxed rules to allow EU countries to provide state aid to companies to encourage them to stay put rather than move across the Atlantic to take advantage of U.S. green subsidies.

EU Commission loosens state aid rules to counter U.S. green subsidies. BRUSSELS, March 9 (Reuters) - The European Commission on Thursday relaxed rules to allow EU countries to provide state aid to companies to encourage them to stay put rather than move across the Atlantic to take advantage of U.S. green subsidies.

Things take a strange turn after a Mexican cartel leaves five people bound and alive at an intersection - saying they were the kidnappers behind the abduction of American tourists last week.

US President Joe Biden unveils a $6.8 trillion budget proposal with key provisions aimed at boosting American competitiveness against China, while Beijing rails against economic containment and suppression. Plus, a sell-off in US bank shares sparked by a run on a small California lender spreads to Asia and Europe as markets tumble.

As two migrant smuggling boats approached a California beach in heavy fog, one overturned in the surf, officials said. Illegal crossings from Mexico have soared under US President Joe Biden's administration.

Iran says "everything is ready" for a prisoner swap with the US. Washington denies Tehran's claim, labeling it a "cruel lie."

The US Treasury, Federal Reserve and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation have unveiled a plan meant to stem any contagion from Silicon Valley Bank's (SVB) failure on Friday. The Federal Reserve will provide an emergency lending facility that will ensure all of the bank's depositors are repaid in full.