• The Sudanese Army carried out airstrikes on positions occupied by Rapid Support Forces fighters at Khartoum’s international airport after a humanitarian ceasefire announced yesterday quickly fell apart. The true number of casualties is not known, as the chaotic fighting traps civilians in their homes, and foreign governments are struggling to evacuate their citizens. (The New York Times)
• The European Union approved legislation to impose taxes on imports based on the greenhouse gasses emitted during manufacturing, clearing the final hurdle for the plan to become law and culminating nearly two years of negotiations. Trade partners have raised concerns about the administrative overhead that could be involved in exporting to Europe under the new regulations, but supporters say it is a major step forward to address climate change. (The Wall Street Journal)
• Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister visited Damascus for meetings with Syrian President Bashar Assad, as the latter continues to face hurdles to diplomatic rehabilitation among regional powers. Some Arab League powers are opposed to readmitting Syria, citing the Assad regime’s illegal amphetamine trade and its refusal to conduct outreach to opponents it crushed during the decade-long civil war. (Financial Times)
• South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol suggested that he would be open to supplying arms to Ukraine if Russia were to commit a “large-scale attack on civilians, massacre or serious violation of the laws of war.” The comments come ahead of Yoon’s state visit to the White House next week, where he is expected to face pressure to do more to help Kyiv. (Reuters)

Happening today (all times Eastern):

• 10 a.m. Inspectors general from the Defense Department, State Department and other agencies testify on the withdrawal from Afghanistan before the House Oversight Committee.
• 10 a.m. Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin and others testify before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on war crime allegations against Russia.

Sprawling heat wave envelops large swath of Asia

Andrew Freedman, Axios

India overtakes China as world’s most populous country

John Reed, Financial Times 

UN data marks a historic crossover moment for the two neighbors and geopolitical rivals.

Russia Is Importing Western Weapons Technology, Bypassing Sanctions

Ana Swanson and Matina Stevis-Gridneff, The New York Times 

Western technology goods are winding up in Russian missiles, raising questions about the efficacy of sanctions.

China Is on Track to Become Nuclear Superpower, Ushering in New Age 

David E. Sanger et al., The New York Times 

China is on track to massively expand its nuclear arsenal, just as Russia suspends the last major arms control treaty. It augurs a new world in which Beijing, Moscow and Washington will likely be atomic peers.

North Korea claims success in building first spy satellite

Christian Davies, Financial Times 

Pyongyang says satellite will strengthen country’s ability to conduct pre-emptive strike and monitor US and South Korean activity.

U.S. ‘hopeful’ on dialogue restart with North Korea: special rep

Erwida Maulia, Nikkei Asia 

Sung Kim also says expanded drills with Indonesia ‘good for regional stability’

Suspect in Japan PM attack may have had election grudge

Mari Yamaguchi, The Associated Press

An unemployed 24-year-old man who allegedly threw a pipe bomb at Prime Minister Fumio Kishida wanted to be a politician and believed that he was unfairly blocked from running for Japan’s parliament by an age requirement, according to media reports and social media posts that appeared to be his.

Young Thais who questioned monarchy look to win seats in parliament

Panu Wongcha-um, Reuters 

Chonthicha “Lookkate” Jangrew is going door-to-door asking people to vote for her in Thailand’s May 14 election even though she faces possible jail time on charges of sedition and defaming the king during unprecedented protests in 2020.

Japan’s Self-Defense Forces miss recruiting target by more than half

Yusuke Takeuchi, Nikkei Asia 

Ukraine war, Taiwan tensions may be influencing decision not to enlist.

US commander pushes back against colleagues ‘guessing’ Taiwan invasion date

Demetri Sevastopulo, Financial Times 

Admiral says threat from China has increased but refuses to endorse possible timeline.

Austin will discuss more arms and aid for Ukraine during his European trip

Carly Olson, The New York Times

Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III is scheduled to meet with officials in Sweden on Wednesday and then to lead an international meeting in Germany on Friday to coordinate aid to Ukraine, as Kyiv presses for more weapons to fight Russian invaders in advance of an offensive that Ukrainian and Western officials say is in the offing.

Record EU gas storage raises hopes of cutting Russian dependence

Shotaro Tani and Laura Dubois, Financial Times 

‘Comfortable’ levels mean some countries could phase out Russian LNG, says EU energy commissioner.

Putin, Zelensky Make Rival Visits to Troops in Ukraine

Georgi Kantchev and Isabel Coles, The Wall Street Journal

Trips underscore high stakes in Kyiv’s looming offensive, and show different leadership styles.

Ukraine says Black Sea grain deal ship inspections are resuming

Max Hunder, Reuters 

Inspections of ships are resuming under a U.N.-brokered agreement on the safe export of grain from Ukrainian Black Sea ports, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said on Wednesday.

Russia accuses Ukraine of sabotaging grain deal with bribery scheme

Guy Faulconbridge, Reuters 

Russia on Wednesday accused Ukraine of sabotaging the Black Sea grain deal by demanding bribes from ship owners to register new vessels and carry out inspections under the cover of a deal the United Nations hopes could ease a global food crisis.

Russian hackers targeting Western critical infrastructure, UK says

James Pearson, Reuters 

The UK government’s cyber defence agency warned on Wednesday of an emerging threat to Western critical national infrastructure posed by hackers sympathetic to Russia and its war on Ukraine.

Joe Kennedy Treads Careful Path as U.S. Special Envoy to Northern Ireland 

Mark Landler, The New York Times 

With a mandate to drum up American investment but avoid the many political pitfalls, Joe Kennedy III will need to tread carefully in Belfast.

Mexico supreme court strikes down military control of public security

Christine Murray, Financial Times 

Bid to put National Guard under auspices of defence ministry halted in blow to López Obrador.

Russian foreign minister visits Venezuela, offers support

Regina Garcia Cano, The Associated Press

Russia and Venezuela reviewed some of their hundreds of bilateral agreements covering the financial, energy, agricultural and other sectors during discussions between their top diplomats and other high-level officials Tuesday in the South American country.

Brazil’s Lula condemns invasion of Ukraine, touts peace initiative

Anthony Boadle, Reuters 

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Tuesday condemned the violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity by Russia and again called for mediation to end the war, a peace initiative that was criticized by the Ukrainian government.

Mexico nabs, swiftly deports MS-13 gang leader to El Salvador

Nelson Renteria et al., Reuters 

Police in Mexico City arrested one of the most wanted leaders of the notorious Mara Salvatrucha gang accused of multiple crimes in the United States, officials said on Tuesday, in a fresh blow to one of Central America’s most violent criminal groups.

Risk of regional powers picking sides raises stakes in battle for Sudan

David Pilling et al., Financial Times 

Egypt, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and others have sought to influence a country now being fought over by rival strongmen.

China holds upper hand in battle with U.S. for Africa’s energy

Robert Bociaga, Nikkei Asia 

Growing competition could ‘reshape global power dynamics,’ analyst says.

TSMC Seeks Up to $15 Billion From U.S. for Chip Plants but Objects to Conditions

Yang Jie, The Wall Street Journal

With construction under way in Arizona, Taiwanese semiconductor maker calls some aid terms unacceptable.

Russian Court Upholds WSJ Reporter Evan Gershkovich’s Detention

Ann M. Simmons and Matthew Luxmoore, The Wall Street Journal

Journalist to remain in pretrial detention at Moscow’s Lefortovo prison.