• The United States is shifting troops to Djibouti to prepare for the  evacuation of U.S. Embassy staff in Sudan, but officials are concerned that intense fighting in the country will complicate their efforts. (The New York Times) In his first public remarks since the conflict began, Sudan’s army chief insisted his military was committed to a peaceful transition to civilian rule, but he did not say whether it would agree to a cease-fire as clashes continue across the country. (The New York Times)
• A U.S. intelligence report leaked by Jack Teixeira revealed that China rebuffed requests from Russia’s Wagner Group mercenaries for weapons in early 2023. American officials have claimed publicly that China is considering supplying Russia with lethal arms, but there is no evidence Beijing has provided such aid. (Financial Times)
• A Russian jet accidentally bombed the Russian city of Belgorod near the Ukrainian border, causing an explosion and leaving several people injured as the ordnance struck a central street. (The Wall Street Journal)
• Europe’s air-traffic control agency said it is under attack from pro-Russian hackers amid fears that the Kremlin could escalate its efforts to disrupt critical infrastructure on the continent. The agency said there has been “no impact on European aviation” but advised airlines not to file flight plans via its online system. (The Wall Street Journal)

The new energy crisis in the pipeline

Financial Times

G7 nations mulling near-total ban on exports to Russia

Kyodo via Al Jazeera 

G7 nations reportedly discussing ban ahead of summit in Hiroshima next month.

World could face record temperatures in 2023 as El Nino returns

Kate Abnett, Reuters 

The world could breach a new average temperature record in 2023 or 2024, fuelled by climate change and the anticipated return of the El Nino weather phenomenon, climate scientists say.

NATO chief: Ukraine’s ‘rightful place’ is in the alliance

Lorne Cook and Samya Kullab, The Associated Press

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg defiantly declared Thursday that Ukraine’s “rightful place” is in the military alliance and pledged more support for the country on his first visit to Kyiv since Russia’s invasion just over a year ago.

China foreign minister steps up threats against Taiwan

The Associated Press

China’s foreign minister stepped up threats Friday against the self-governing island of Taiwan, saying those who go against Beijing’s demand to exert control over the island are “playing with fire.”

Politics and shortages undercut Russian threat to arm North Korea: Analysis

Arius Derr and Ifang Bremer, NK News 

Experts says Moscow can’t currently afford to retaliate against greater ROK role in Ukraine by providing newest weapons.

Taiwan opposition frames election as choice of ‘war or peace’

Thompson Chau, Nikkei Asia 

Beijing-leaning Kuomintang says only it can tamp down rising tensions with China.

China shelves monetary easing in test of economy’s recovery

Iori Kawate, Nikkei Asia 

PBOC holds rates steady amid indications banks are preparing to lend more.

Japan’s defense forces to visit Kiribati on biggest-ever Indo-Pacific tour 

Yusuke Takeuchi, Nikkei Asia 

Deployment aims to check China’s influence after island nation cuts Taiwan ties.

North Korea calls its nukes ‘stark reality,’ criticizes G-7

Hyung-jin Kim, The Associated Press

North Korea’s foreign minister on Friday called the Group of Seven wealthy democracies a “tool for ensuring the U.S. hegemony” as she lambasted the group’s recent call for the North’s denuclearization.

Ukraine’s Military Is Still Getting Ready for Spring

Jack Detsch, Foreign Policy 

Every day Kyiv waits, the Russians dig deeper trenches.

Exclusive: The Russian military commandant who oversaw reign of fear in Ukraine town

Mari Saito et al., Reuters 

Town residents knew the commandant only by his call sign of “Granit,” the Russian word for granite, as Reuters reported in an October investigation into Moscow’s withdrawal from the town.

US to begin training Ukrainian troops on Abrams tank

Lolita C. Baldor, The Associated Press

The United States will begin training Ukrainian forces on how to use and maintain Abrams tanks in the coming weeks, as the it continues to speed up its effort to get them onto the battlefield against Russia as quickly as possible, U.S. officials said Friday.

Israel aims to sell missile defense system to Germany

Josef Federman, The Associated Press

Israel’s Defense Ministry on Thursday said it has begun talks to sell an advanced missile defense system to Germany. The announcement came two weeks after Israel said it was selling another missile defense system to NATO’s newest member, Finland.

EU lawmakers approve migration plan, set clock ticking

Lorne Cook, The Associated Press

European Union lawmakers on Thursday approved a series of proposals aimed at ending the yearslong standoff over how best to manage migration, a conundrum that has provoked one of the bloc’s biggest political crises.

Anger at new retirement age fuels further protests in France

Daniel Cole and Sylvie Corbet, The Associated Press

Hundreds of people opposed to the new law raising the retirement age from 62 to 64 demonstrated Thursday in a small town in southern France during a visit by President Emmanuel Macron, while scattered protests were staged elsewhere.

Dominic Raab: UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak rocked by resignation of top ally over bullying allegations

Peter Wiilkinson et al., CNN 

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak suffered a serious blow to his premiership on Friday as one of his closest allies resigned over allegations he bullied officials.

Argentina central bank hikes interest rate to 81% after inflation overshoot

Eliana Raszewski et al., Reuters 

Argentina’s central bank hiked the benchmark interest rate a sharper-than-expected 300 basis points on Thursday after inflation soared past expectations in March to hit 104% on an annual basis, the monetary authority said in a statement.

Colombian President Petro meets Biden in Washington, DC

Al Jazeera

The two leaders discussed issues such as climate change, migration and drug trafficking in a White House meeting.

Mexico’s lawmakers approve overhaul of mining industry

Natalia Siniawski, Reuters 

The Mexican parliament’s lower house voted to press ahead with the proposed overhaul of the country’s mining laws which include shortening concessions, tightening water permits and giving back some profits, moves criticized by industry leaders.

Chile leader to require state share in lithium extraction

The Associated Press

President Gabriel Boric announced a plan Thursday to require private companies take Chile’s government on as a partner in the extration of lithium, which is in high demand around the world for use in electric batteries.

Russia’s Wagner Offered Arms to Sudanese General Battling Army

Jared Malsin and Benoit Faucon, The Wall Street Journal

Offer to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces could escalate conflict, deepen U.S. concerns over Russian involvement.

Israel’s Right-Wing Government Has Jewish Democrats at a Loss

Jonathan Weisman, The New York Times 

American lawmakers defending Israel have often fallen back on what they call the countries’ shared democratic values.

‘We Will Hunt You’: Ugandans Flee Ahead of Harsh Anti-Gay Law

Abdi Latif Dahir, The New York Times 

The bill, passed last month, calls for life in prison for anyone engaging in same-sex relations.

Austin seeks to stem discord with allies over document leaks

Lolita C. Baldor, The Associated Press

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin sought Friday to tamp down any discord between the U.S. and its allies over the massive U.S. leak of classified documents, as he met with defense leaders from around the globe to coordinate additional military aid to Ukraine.

Janet Yellen offers an olive branch to China

Ed Luce, Financial Times 

US Treasury secretary tells the FT she wants to revive dialogue

$14.8 Million in Gold and Valuables Vanishes From Toronto’s Airport 

Ian Austen, The New York Times 

The police appear to know little about how the crime was committed or who is behind the theft.