Saturday, February 25, 2023

Welcome to today's briefing. We have the latest news from the war in Ukraine, reconstruction in Turkey, empty supermarket shelves in Britain, and more.

Ukrainian service members walk on a road near the town of Lyman, February 23, 2023. REUTERS/Alex Babenko

G20 finance chiefs struggle over naming what's going on

Nuclear threat: Vladimir Putin talked up Russia's nuclear arsenal and suspended participation in the New START nuclear arms-reduction treaty. Fresh sanctions are on the cards, so is funding to help Ukraine. India did its best to not mention the war at a G20 meeting in Bengaluru, where finance leaders have been unable to reach a joint communiqué to describe the war. Listen to our reporters discuss covering the conflict in our Reuters World News podcast, and keep current with developments here.
A big small country: It's the day after the one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion, and the country on the lips of foreign-policy experts is Moldova. It's sandwiched between Ukraine and Romania, has a pro-Russia breakaway region and the Kremlin can't stop talking about it.

Turkey issues earthquake rebuilding rules

Construction: Turkey issued rebuilding regulations for new homes for the millions of people left homeless by deadly earthquakes. Architects and engineers warn that lack of attention to safety courts another disaster. And Turkey's only remaining ethnic Armenian village fears for its survival.
Election: As Tayyip Erdogan seeks to extend his rule into a third decade, opponents blame him for fueling runaway inflation and letting builders flout earthquake regulations.

Separatist rebel strategy evolves in Papua

Insurgency and abduction: Groups seeking Papua independence from Indonesia have become more media-savvy, most recently with the kidnapping of a New Zealand pilot. Across the border in Papua New Guinea, one of four hostages kidnapped in remote highlands was released.
Across the strait: A First Nations group leading the push for the constitutional recognition of Australia's Indigenous people called on citizens for support. Pacific Island nations met in Fiji to reinforce their solidarity as China seeks to build influence in the region.

Not even the leeks were spared

Non-salad days: Britain is running low on tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, lettuce, salad bags, cauliflowers, raspberries… and leeks. Bad weather in southern Europe and northern Africa is to blame. So is the government for stiffing its farmers, the former chief of Sainsbury's says. Europeans meanwhile are drinking enough tequila to deepen an agave shortage in Mexico.
Spice rout: How much would you pay for Frank's RedHot sauce? I'd sell my soul for it, and McCormick's would like to oblige, but the spice and sauce maker's CEO says retailers are resisting price increases. And food makers are cutting less popular items to focus on products with prices they can easily raise.

Ohio train disaster: Where was the alarm?

Investigation: A train derailment that spilled toxic chemicals in an Ohio town might have been avoided if the railway company's alarm system had given engineers an earlier warning that bearings were overheating, a preliminary report said.
Good intentions: Norfolk Southern admitted responsibility, a big investor said it would discuss the spill with the railroad, and the transportation secretary urged Congress and major railroads to boost train safety.

Before I forget...

Nigerians vote today for their next president and lawmakers. Israeli recognition of some settlements in the occupied West Bank is causing celebration and concern. Northern Ireland police suspect the New IRA shot a senior detective in front of his son. Victims of the Sept. 11 attacks can't seize Afghan central-bank assets. Spain detected its first case of Marburg virus in a man who recently been in Equatorial Guinea. More asylum seekers are crossing the Roxham Road into Québec from New York. And nobody is skating on the Rideau Canal this year, while it snowed in southern California.

Sam Bankman-Fried faces new criminal charges. Harvey Weinstein got a 16-year prison sentence for rape. JPMorgan says it's not liable for Jes Staley's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Hyundai distanced itself from child labor in the U.S. The Yorkshire County Cricket Club confirmed that documents and data relating to racism allegations "had been irretrievably deleted." And Anne of Green Gables added a trademark dispute to her adventures in Avonlea.

I am out next week, but my colleague Kate Turton will be in to welcome you to the weekend. For those of you who have written to me in the past few weeks, I will write back. See you soon.

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