. REUTERS (UK)
Biden looks to tamp down Taiwan tension during China Xi call
U.S. President Joe Biden and China’s Xi Jinping may hold their fifth call as leaders as soon as Thursday, as concerns rise over a possible visit to Chinese-claimed Taiwan by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
. NIKKEI ASIA (JAPAN)
North Korea’s Kim says nuclear deterrent is ready
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his country is ready to mobilize its nuclear war deterrent and counter any U.S. military clash, and criticized South Korea’s new president for the first time, warning Seoul was pushing toward the brink of war.
. THE RIO TIMES (BRAZIL)
Ecuador’s Public Prosecutor’s Office investigates former president Lenín Moreno
The ex-president is investigated for the disappearance of Ecuador’s patrimonial assets from the national government headquarters.
. AXIOS (US)
Blinken to speak to Russia’s Lavrov for first time since Ukraine invasion
Secretary of State Tony Blinken said Wednesday that he plans to speak with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov “in the coming days” to raise several issues, including the detentions of WNBA star Brittney Griner and other Americans in Russia as well as the recent deal to resume Ukrainian grain exports.
. AL JAZEERA (QATAR)
Iraqi protesters storm the parliament in Baghdad’s Green Zone
Hundreds of Iraqi demonstrators, most of them followers of the Iraqi Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr, have stormed the parliament building in Baghdad to protest against the nomination for prime minister by Iran-backed parties.
