World News Roundup: Jilin Jinguan electric to build road between Iran and Russia for new energy facilities; Clashes reported in Sudan's capital on second day of ceasefire deal and more

Sanchez's electoral pledges show how he is using Sunday's ballot to set the stage for a national vote due to take place at the end of the year that will decide whether his Socialist party remains in power, according to Lluis Orriols, professor of political science at Carlos III University. Greece appoints caretaker PM ahead of June repeat election Greece's president appointed a caretaker prime minister on Wednesday to form a government that will lead the country to a repeat election on June 25, after last weekend's inconclusive vote.

Following is a summary of current world news briefs.

Jilin Jinguan electric to build road between Iran and Russia for new energy facilities

Shenzhen-listed Jilin Jinguan Electric Co Ltd signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to build a road between Iran and Russia for the constructions of new energy facilities, it said on Wednesday. The company plans to build 70 optical storage and charging stations worth 1.4 billion yuan and 3,400 charging facilities worth 68 billion yuan ($9.8 billion), according to a filing on Shenzhen stock exchange.

Clashes reported in Sudan's capital on second day of ceasefire deal

Clashes between rival military factions could be heard overnight in parts of Sudan's capital, residents said on Wednesday, the second full day of a week-long ceasefire designed to allow for the delivery of aid and lay the ground for a more lasting truce. The ceasefire deal, which is being monitored by Saudi Arabia and the United States as well as the warring parties, comes after five weeks of intensive warfare in the capital Khartoum and outbursts of violence in other areas of the country, including the western region of Darfur.

Analysis-Ukraine war: Belgorod incursion may stretch Russia's defences

A two-day incursion from Ukraine into Russia's western borderlands could force the Kremlin to divert troops from front lines as Kyiv prepares a major counteroffensive, and deal Moscow a psychological blow, according to military analysts. Though Kyiv has denied any role, the biggest cross-border raid from Ukraine since Russia invaded 15 months ago was almost certainly coordinated with Ukraine's armed forces as it prepares to attempt to recapture territory, the experts added.

As guns go silent, Gazan children still have nightmares

Whenever a door slams, 10 year-old Bissan al-Mansi mistakes it for a bomb dropping. More than a week has passed since the latest round of fighting with Israel in Gaza but al-Mansi says she still has nightmares. Local psychiatrists said al-Mansi's symptoms were common among many children living in the enclave, who were experiencing lack of sleep, anxiety, bedwetting, as well as a tendency to stay glued to their parents and avoid going outdoors.

Analysis-For Spain's Socialists, regional elections a rehearsal for national vote

In speeches across the country ahead of regional elections on Sunday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has promised two-euro cinema tickets for the elderly, affordable homes for the young and money to mitigate the effects of a long-term drought. Sanchez's electoral pledges show how he is using Sunday's ballot to set the stage for a national vote due to take place at the end of the year that will decide whether his Socialist party remains in power, according to Lluis Orriols, professor of political science at Carlos III University.

Greece appoints caretaker PM ahead of June repeat election

Greece's president appointed a caretaker prime minister on Wednesday to form a government that will lead the country to a repeat election on June 25, after last weekend's inconclusive vote. The conservative New Democracy party of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stormed to victory polling 40.1% last Sunday, but fell short of an outright majority. The two parties that followed also refused to form a coalition, pushing for a second vote on June 25.

ANALYSIS-Saudi embrace of Assad sends strong signal to US

Once labelled a pariah, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman took centre stage as master of ceremonies last week when Arab states readmitted Syria to the Arab League, signaling to Washington who calls the regional shots. His effusive greeting of President Bashar al-Assad at the Arab summit with kissed cheeks and a warm embrace defied U.S. disapproval at Syria's return to the fold and capped a turnabout in the prince's fortunes spurred by geopolitical realities.

Exclusive-Russian hypersonic scientist accused of betraying secrets to China - sources

The director of a top Russian science institute, arrested on suspicion of treason along with two other hypersonic missile technology experts, stands accused of betraying secrets to China, two people familiar with the case told Reuters. Alexander Shiplyuk, head of Siberia's Khristianovich Institute of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (ITAM), is suspected of handing over classified material at a scientific conference in China in 2017, the sources said.

Russia, China seal economic pacts amid Western criticism

Russia's prime minister signed a set of agreements with China on Wednesday during a trip to Beijing, describing bilateral ties at an unprecedented high, despite criticism of their relationship in the West as the war in Ukraine drags on. Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, the highest-ranking Russian official to visit Beijing since Moscow sent thousands of troops to Ukraine in February 2022, held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.

EU willing to consider changes to Italy reform plan, but Rome must be quick

The EU Commission said on Wednesday it was prepared to consider changes to a plan of reforms agreed with Italy, but any new proposals must be made as soon as possible for Rome to secure promised pandemic recovery funds. Rome is struggling to meet a package of policy pledges, including reforms to the judicial system and cuts to red tape, which it made to the Commission in return for 200 billion euros ($220 billion) from the EU's post-COVID Recovery Fund.