Pakistan restricts Indian flights, three-way criticism over Ukraine, South Korea builds capacity, and France boosts military presence.

Good Morning,

Tensions are escalating on multiple fronts as international relations become increasingly strained. Russia has launched a major attack on Ukraine’s capital. Elsewhere, Pakistan has closed its airspace to Indian airlines amid deteriorating ties and has issued warnings regarding potential violations of a water treaty. In the West, U.S. President Donald Trump has sparked controversy by suggesting that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is prolonging the war with Russia by resisting calls to cede Crimea. Meanwhile, in response to growing security concerns, France is bolstering its military presence, emphasizing that its nuclear arsenal also serves as a protective measure for Sweden.

Top Stories

• Russian strike on Kyiv kills at least 12 in biggest attack on Ukrainian capital since last summer (apnews.com)

• Pakistan closes air space for Indian airlines, warns against water treaty violation as ties plummet | Reuters (www.reuters.com)

• Trump says Zelenskyy is prolonging war in Ukraine by resisting calls to cede Crimea to Russia (apnews.com)

• French military increases presence: Nuclear weapons also protect Sweden (www.svt.se)

• South Korea’s renewed stock market darlings: Weapons makers (www.kedglobal.com)

• Exclusive: Trump poised to offer Saudi Arabia over $100 billion arms package, sources say (www.reuters.com)

United States

• US judges block Trump's ability to withhold school funds over DEI (reuters.com)

• Trump Store Now Selling 'Trump 2028' Hats (www.newsweek.com)

• Donald Trump Pleads With Putin to Stop Attacking Ukraine: 'Vladimir, STOP!' (www.newsweek.com)

• Trump says Zelenskyy is prolonging war in Ukraine by resisting calls to cede Crimea to Russia (apnews.com)

• Trump asks US Supreme Court to enforce transgender military ban (reuters.com)

Africa

• Turkey to Secure Up to 90% of Somalia’s Oil and Gas Revenue (www.garoweonline.com)

• UAE deploys Israeli radar in Somalia under secret deal (www.middleeasteye.net)

• Tanzania bans South Africa and Malawi imports as trade row escalates (bbc.com)

• Ethiopia's inflation rate to decline to 10% in 2025/2026 fiscal year (reuters.com)

Middle East

• Lebanese media say 8 wounded as Syria responds to artillery fire blamed on Hezbollah (www.timesofisrael.com)

• Syrian leader has expressed interest in normalizing ties with Israel -- report (www.timesofisrael.com)

• US has an opportunity to safely, securely withdraw troops from Syria - without chaotically abandoning its allies like in 2019. Here's how: (responsiblestatecraft.org)

• US withdraws equipment from al-Hasakah to Iraq (english.enabbaladi.net)

Indo-Pacific

• India May Announce Ceasefire Cessation After Pahalgam Terror Attack: Govt Sources | Exclusive - News18 (www.news18.com)

• China jails most writers in the world for sixth year in a row (uk.news.yahoo.com)

• Pakistan closes air space for Indian airlines, warns against water treaty violation as ties plummet (reuters.com)

• China tells Trump: If you want trade talks, cancel tariffs (www.bbc.com)

• Revealed: How China is fueling Putin’s war (www.telegraph.co.uk)

Europe

• Volkswagen has overtaken Tesla as Europe's top EV seller (www.businessinsider.com)

• French military increases presence: Nuclear weapons also protect Sweden (www.svt.se)

• Russian strike on Kyiv kills at least 12 in biggest attack on Ukrainian capital since last summer (apnews.com)

• After EU fines, Big Tech wants Trump to swoop in (www.politico.com)

• European car sales rise in March, Tesla drops 28.2% (www.reuters.com)

• Germany threatens to remove Russian ambassador in row over WWII commemorations (www.euractiv.com)

Latin America

• Northern Mexico farmers fight drought amid water dispute with the US (reuters.com)

• Gangs in Haiti kill 4 soldiers and 4 civilians in bid to seize full control of the capital (apnews.com)

• Daniel Noboa consolidates power in Ecuador as regional right wing gains momentum (cnn.com)

• Brazil judge orders ex-president Collor's arrest after corruption sentence (reuters.com)

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