Blinken defends US withdrawal from Afghanistan

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.

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.

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.

Since the start of the year, Republican lawmakers have put forward hundreds of bills in dozens of US states targeting transgender people and other members of the LGBT community. Many of them restrict access to gender-affirming healthcare, which research shows is crucial to the wellbeing and survival of trans people.

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.

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.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is visiting Ethiopia to offer backing to the peace process with rebels in the Tigray region. He also wants to strengthen regional relations as China's influence in the area grows.

Amid concerns that the popular video app poses a security threat, TikTok was urged to part ways with its Chinese owners to avoid a national ban in the United States.

Shares in global investment bank Credit Suisse fell sharply on Wednesday sending shares plunging in other European banks.

At the border between the United States and Canada, a new phenomenon is worrying both Canadian and US authorities. More and more migrants are crossing back from Canada into the United States, after seeking asylum in Canada.

Niger, one of the world's poorest nations, has resisted a recent spate of coups and inroads by Russian mercenaries seen in neighboring countries and is set to benefit from millions in US aid.