Russian forces seized Europe’s largest nuclear power plant (RFE/RL), the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station in Ukraine, after clashes at the plant caused a fire and sparked fears of a nuclear disaster. Ukraine’s nuclear agency said no leaks were detected. As fighting continues across Ukraine, the United States said it established a military hotline (Reuters) with Russia to prevent miscalculation, and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) foreign ministers will meet today. Yesterday, Ukrainian and Russian envoys agreed on the need to create humanitarian corridors (BBC), but made no further breakthroughs in talks.
 
Amid Russia’s crackdown on independent media, the lower house of parliament passed a bill (Moscow Times) that would allow jail sentences of up to fifteen years for anyone deemed to have spread “fake” information about the Russian armed forces. The bill will now be sent to the upper house and President Vladimir Putin for approval.

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank said it suspended its activities (Nikkei) in the countries due to the “evolving economic and financial situation.” China holds a leading 30 percent stake in the bank.
 
China: The country’s top political advisory body and rubber-stamp parliament each begin a week of meetings (Nikkei) today and tomorrow, respectively. The meetings are expected to preview further responses to tensions in the property sector and signal China’s approach to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
 
CFR’s Ian Johnson and Kathy Huang explain why China is struggling to deal with the war.

A readout of yesterday’s call between leaders of the so-called Quad, which comprises the United States, Australia, India, and Japan, said the countries will establish a joint humanitarian aid mechanism (Indian Express) for Ukraine and maintain communication as each responds to the crisis.
 
This In Brief unpacks the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.
 
Pakistan: A suicide bombing at a Shiite mosque in the city of Peshawar killed at least fifty-six people (Dawn).

An unknown group shut down one of the Sharara field’s main valves, while protesters demanding better pay blocked a major port for oil exports, Bloomberg reported.
 
Saudi Arabia: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said Israel could be a “potential ally” of Saudi Arabia (Middle East Eye) if the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is resolved, according to Saudi state media. He also said Saudi Arabia hopes to continue “detailed talks” with Iran.
 
In Foreign Affairs, Michael Singh discusses how Arab-Israeli normalization could remake the Middle East.

Public prosecutors dropped terrorism charges (East African) against opposition leader Freeman Mbowe after facing pressure from religious leaders.
 
Mozambique: President Filipe Nyusi dismissed the prime minister (East African) less than twenty-four hours after firing six other top-ranking ministers from his cabinet. He has yet to provide reasons for the dismissals.

President Emmanuel Macron pledged to carry out “a unique French and European response” (Politico) to the “challenges of the century” if reelected in April. Politico research showed he would win a runoff election against any of his three most likely challengers.

Canadian laws that formerly prevented Indigenous women (UN News) who marry non-Indigenous spouses from passing their Indigenous status on to descendents have only been partially reformed and are still discriminatory, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women found. Canadians with this status are eligible for government benefits.
 
Venezuela: Amid high oil prices, the government is urging Wall Street bondholders (WSJ) to press the U.S. government for sanctions relief so that Venezuelan crude can return to the market. 

U.S. President Joe Biden is set to announce that by 2029, 75 percent of goods that the federal government purchases with taxpayer money must be domestically produced (CNN). The current requirement is 55 percent. He is also expected to tout technology company Siemens USA’s pledge to invest $54 million in domestic manufacturing.