Russians claim control over eastern Bakhmut

Plus, the world marks Women's Day and protests erupt in the ex-Soviet state of Georgia.

Hello The Wagner mercenary group claims control over eastern Bakhmut, activists march to celebrate International Women's Day, and Georgians protest against a 'foreign agents' law.   by Edson Caldas   World News A machine gun of a Ukrainian service member sits in a trench at a position on a front line, as Russia's attack continues, near the city of Bakhmut. March 6, 2023. REUTERS/Oleksandr Ratushniak Russia's Wagner group has taken full control of the eastern part of the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, its chief Yevgeny Prigozhin said. If the claim is true, it would mean Russian forces control nearly half the city. Ukrainian defenders remained defiant, however. Here are the scenes from the frontlines and the latest on the war.  Activists planned rallies and marches to celebrate International Women's Day while governments in several countries promised action to help improve the lot of half the world's population. We took a look at what the global event stands for, this year's theme and the issues that activists are focusing on. And the Reuters World News podcast brings a special episode with stories about women by women on the frontlines. Police in Georgia used tear gas and stun grenades early today to break up a protest against a draft law on "foreign agents". Hours earlier police had clashed with demonstrators. The protests erupted after legislators gave initial backing to a law which critics say represents an authoritarian shift and could hurt the country's bid to join the European Union. China has unveiled plans for a sweeping central government reorganization at its annual parliament session, including the formation of a financial regulatory body and national data bureau and a revamp of its science and technology ministry. Here are the main changes and what they mean. In more news from China, a review of almost 100 articles in defense journals reveals an effort to scrutinize the impact of U.S. weapons and technology that could be deployed against Chinese forces. China needs the capability to shoot down low-earth-orbit satellites and defend tanks and helicopters against shoulder-fired missiles, according to the researchers studying Russia's struggles in Ukraine. U.S. News A view shows a memorial for Tyre Nichols at the intersection of Castlegate Lane and Bear Creek Cove in Memphis, Tennessee, U.S., January 30, 2023. REUTERS/Alyssa Pointer The Memphis City Council approved a series of reforms in the wake of the death of Tyre Nichols following his beating by police. The ordinances create an annual review of training techniques, require police to use only marked vehicles for routine traffic stops, strengthen citizen review boards, and require more police data collection. U.S. President Joe Biden's public approval rating edged up to 42%, its highest level since June, as inflation has eased in the United States and job growth has stayed strong, a new Reuters/Ipsos poll showed. The White House backed legislation introduced by a dozen senators to give the administration new powers to ban TikTok and other foreign-based technologies if they pose national security threats. Content creators who put their success down to the Chinese-owned app say they are devastated the platform might be banned. Top White House officials and the head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will urge states to expand their efforts to crack down on surprise fees consumers are forced to pay on everything from rental housing to cable bills. Two of four Americans kidnapped by gunmen on Friday just after they drove into northeastern Mexico have been found dead, U.S. and Mexican officials said, in a grim reminder of the lawlessness plaguing parts of the border region. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has called on Biden to allow Novak Djokovic to compete at this month's Miami Open despite the world number one being unvaccinated for COVID-19. Business & Markets Powell takes his seat to testify before a U.S. Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee hearing on "The Semiannual Monetary Policy Report to the Congress" on Capitol Hill, March 7, 2023. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell will testify today before the U.S. House of Representatives Financial Services Committee. Yesterday, he told U.S. lawmakers the Fed will likely need to raise interest rates more than expected. This is how the markets are reacting.  German industrial production rose significantly more than expected in January, increasing by 3.5% on the previous month, the federal statistical office said. In a Reuters poll, analysts had pointed to an increase of 1.4% for the month. British finance minister Jeremy Hunt looks set to keep his grip on the public finances in next week's budget, refraining from big tax cuts or spending increases. Lawmakers in his Conservative Party want him to halt April's sharp jump in the corporate tax rate, while trade unions and opposition parties demand bigger pay rises for public-sector employees. A concert cellist linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin moved millions of francs through Swiss bank accounts without any proper checks, Swiss prosecutors will allege today at the opening of a trial of four bankers accused of helping him. Adidas will slash its 2022 dividend, the sportswear maker said, warning a split with rapper and fashion designer Kanye West could push it to its first annual loss in three decades this year. And finally A trainee midwife examines a woman and her newborn baby at a hospital in Bamiyan, Afghanistan, March 2, 2023. REUTERS/Ali Khara The Wider Image: Young Afghan women train as midwives for out-of-reach villages Women's stories stand out in Oscars race, but Hollywood lagging in gender parity Plastic entering oceans could nearly triple by 2040 if left unchecked -research We think you may like this: Reuters Sustainable Switch Make sense of companies and governments grappling with climate change, diversity, and human rights. Subscribe Sponsors are not involved in the creation of newsletters or other Reuters news content. Reuters Daily Briefing is sent 5 days a week. Think your friend or colleague should know about us? Forward this newsletter to them. They can also sign up here.   Want to stop receiving this email? Unsubscribe here. To manage which newsletters you're signed up for, click here. Follow Reuters on social media Reuters Terms & Conditions and Privacy Statement © 2023 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. 3 Times Square, New York, NY 10036