Key Storylines
- AFRICA: The Senegalese army launched a military operation against rebels in the southern Casamance region.
- AMERICAS: Gustavo Petro, the front-runner for Colombia’s May presidential election, secured the nomination of the left-wing Historic Pact coalition during presidential primary voting.
- ASIA: Beijing accused Washington of spreading “disinformation” over the country’s role in the Ukraine war, ahead of talks between the two countries’ envoys in Rome.
- EUROPE: President Tayyip Erdogan will discuss the war in Ukraine with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at talks in Ankara as both countries press on with efforts to secure a ceasefire 19 days into Russia’s invasion.
- MIDDLE EAST: Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian will head to Moscow on Tuesday days after negotiations on the nuclear deal stalled amid new Russian demands.
- TECH & COMMUNICATIONS: Tesla Inc Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk said the US electric carmaker and his rocket company SpaceX are facing significant inflationary pressure in raw materials and logistics.
Top Story
- Ukraine: Talks to Resume as Russian Strikes Widen in Western Ukraine.
- One of Ukraine’s negotiators Mykhailo Podolyak said that the fourth round of talks between Ukraine and Russia will focus on achieving a ceasefire, troop withdrawals and security guarantees for Ukraine.
- A new round of talks between Russian and Ukrainian officials raised hopes that progress would be made in evacuating civilians from Ukrainian cities and getting emergency supplies to areas without enough food, water, and medicine.
- The talks come after a Russian shelling attack on a residential building in Kyiv’s Obolon district killed two civilians and injured three others.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warns the Russian attacks could expand to neighboring countries and urges NATO to impose a no-fly zone.
- Given the proximity of the base to the border of Poland and other NATO members, concerns are being raised that the Western military alliance could be drawn into the conflict if the violence escalates further.
- Meanwhile, American and Chinese officials will meet in Rome for talks that could have far-reaching consequences not only for the ongoing war in Ukraine, but for China’s relationship with the West.
- Reuters, AP, CNBC, AlJazeera, VOA, CNN
Africa
- Burkina Faso: Gunmen killed at least 13 gendarmes in an ambush at a mining town in Taparko, the latest in a series of attacks in the north of the country. (AFP)
- DR Congo: The number of people known to have died in a train crash in the south-eastern village of Buyofwe has risen to 75. (BBC)
- Ethiopia: At least 53 people died in the west after an unidentified armed group attacked a civilian convoy and its military escort in a region plagued by ethnic violence. (Reuters)
- Mozambique: The number of people known who have died since Cyclone Gombe made landfall in the country has risen to 12. (BBC)
- Senegal: The army launched a military operation against rebels in the southern Casamance region. (AFP)
Americas
- Argentina: The government halted registration of export sales of soy oil and meal, drawing swift condemnation from the industry in the world’s top exporter of processed soy products. (Reuters)
- Bolivia: Schools will return to in-person classes with biosecurity measures in place to avoid the spread of COVID-19. (Xinhua)
- Colombia: Gustavo Petro, the front-runner for the May presidential election, secured the nomination of the left-wing Historic Pact coalition during presidential primary voting. (Reuters)
- Mexico: A British businessman was killed in front of his teenage daughter by gunmen who opened fire on his car near Playa del Carmen. (Reuters)
- United States: The Biden administration said unaccompanied migrant children will continue to not be expelled from the country under a border policy put in place by former President Donald Trump. (Reuters)
Asia
- Region: Strong, shallow underwater earthquakes shook western Indonesia and the Philippine capital region, but no severe damage was reported, and no tsunami warnings were issued. (AP)
- China: Beijing accused Washington of spreading “disinformation” over the country’s role in the Ukraine war, ahead of talks between the two countries’ envoys in Rome. (AFP)
- Philippines: The son of Ferdinand Marcos maintained a strong lead in the country’s presidential election race. (Reuters)
- Taiwan: The air force grounded its fleet of Mirage 2000 fighter jets after one crashed into the sea, the second combat aircraft loss in three months though this time the pilot was rescued. (Reuters)
- Tonga: Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni tested positive for Covid-19 as the Pacific island nation continues its recovery from a devastating volcanic eruption and tsunami. (AFP)
Europe
- France: The country lifted most COVID-19 restrictions getting rid of the need to wear face masks in most settings and allowing people who are not vaccinated back into restaurants, sports arenas, and other venues. (AP)
- Greece: Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis tested positive for Covid-19 after returning from a trip to Turkey. (AFP)
- Norway: Major military exercises involving 30,000 NATO troops and partner countries kicked off in the country as tensions escalate between the West and Russia over the Ukraine war. (AFP)
- Russia: The finance ministry accused foreign countries of wanting to force the country into an “artificial default” through unprecedented sanctions over Ukraine and said it would meet its debt obligations. (AFP)
- Turkey: President Tayyip Erdogan will discuss the war in Ukraine with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at talks in Ankara as both countries press on with efforts to secure a ceasefire 19 days into Russia’s invasion. (Reuters)
Middle East
- Iran: Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian will head to Moscow on Tuesday days after negotiations on the nuclear deal stalled amid new Russian demands. (AFP)
- Iraq: Iran attacked the northern city of Erbil with a dozen ballistic missiles in an unprecedented assault on the capital of the autonomous Iraqi Kurdish region that appeared to target the United States and its allies. (Reuters)
- Israel: Foreign Minister Yair Lapid said the country will not bypass sanctions imposed on Russia by the United States and other western countries. (Reuters)
- Saudi Arabia: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is trying to persuade the kingdom to increase its oil output, following reports that Johnson would travel to the OPEC heavyweight this week. (Reuters)
- Yemen: Fighter jets of the Saudi-led coalition forces repelled advances by the Houthi militia on two fronts in the oil-rich province of Marib. (Xinhua)
Tech & Communications
- Technology: Tesla Inc Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk said the US electric carmaker and his rocket company SpaceX are facing significant inflationary pressure in raw materials and logistics. (Reuters)
World
- Cyclones: Nothing to Report.
- Hurricanes: Nothing to Report.
- Earthquakes:
- Pariaman, Indonesia
- Magnitude: 6.7
- Depth: 28 km
- Map
- Volcanoes: Nothing to Report.
- Global Disease Outbreaks:
- COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease: Global (as of 14MAR22)
- Confirmed cases: 456,908,767
- Deaths: 6,041,077
- Countries with confirmed cases: 192
- Sourcing: John Hopkins University
- COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease: Global (as of 14MAR22)
- Pariaman, Indonesia
Tomorrow’s Outlook (15MAR22)
- Event: Stimson Center discussion on the Ukraine Crisis and India’s Russia conundrum.
- Asia: Vaccinated Travel Lanes between Malaysia and Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand to begin.
- Belgium: Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) meeting of European Union finance ministers.
- China: Maritime military drills in the South China Sea between Hainan province and Vietnam to end.
- Europe: EU asset freeze and travel restrictions on Russia due to expire, unless extended again.
- Germany: Chancellor Olaf Scholz meets King of Jordan Abdullah II bin Al Hussein.
- Germany: ECB President Christine Lagarde speaks at the WELT Economic Summit.
- Hungary: Revolution Day.
- Russia: Central Bank of Russia due to pay $117 million in coupons on dollar bonds.
- South Korea: Law banning app stores from forcing companies to use app store payment platforms to enter into effect.
- South Sudan: UN Security Council to hold briefing as stabilization mission term ends.
- Tajikistan: The border with Uzbekistan will fully open.
- Ukraine: President Volodymyr Zelensky to address Canadian Parliament.
- United States: National Emergency with respect to Iran extended.
- United States: Senate Finance Committee hearing on strategic trade engagement in the Indo-Pacific.
- United States: Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on combating authoritarianism.
- Vietnam: Most travel restrictions on vaccinated international tourists will be lifted.
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