U.S. President Joe Biden warned that Russia is considering using biological or chemical weapons (VOA) in Ukraine and urged U.S. companies to strengthen their cyber defenses in case Russia launches cyberattacks against U.S. interests in response to sanctions. As Russia’s bombardment of Ukrainian cities continues, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that any compromises with Russia to end the war would require a nationwide referendum (Reuters).
 
After Biden described Russian President Vladimir Putin as a “war criminal,” Russia’s foreign ministry summoned the U.S. ambassador to deliver a statement saying that U.S.-Russia relations are “on the verge of breaking” (Axios). Moscow also suspended talks (Kyodo) with Tokyo on a World War II peace treaty after Japan imposed sanctions on Russia.

As Thailand faces its highest inflation in thirteen years, the government will freeze retail diesel prices (Bloomberg) and issue cooking gas subsidies for low-income buyers.
 
China: The U.S. State Department expanded visa restrictions (AP) on Chinese officials whom it accuses of repressing ethnic and religious minorities. It didn’t say how many officials were targeted.

The soldiers will help supervise fuel distribution (Al Jazeera) at overcrowded stations. Three elderly people died during long waits last week, officials said.
 
Myanmar: Human rights organization Global Witness found that Facebook approved eight mock ads (Diplomat) containing hate speech against Rohingya people. The group concluded that Facebook’s “ability to detect Burmese language hate speech remains abysmally poor.”

The leaders of the three countries met in Egypt (AFP) and reportedly discussed final-stage negotiations between world powers for a new Iran nuclear deal, which Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) oppose (Reuters), as well as the war in Ukraine.
 
This Backgrounder unpacks the nuclear deal.
 
Lebanon: A judge charged central bank chief Riad Salameh (AFP) with money laundering. Salameh has run Lebanon’s central bank for three decades.

The European Union (EU) will halt combat training (AP) for Malian troops until it receives guarantees that they will not work with Russian mercenaries.
 
For Foreign Affairs, Samuel Ramani discusses how to respond to Russia’s plans in Africa.
 
Zambia: The country’s Anti-Corruption Commission arrested (Reuters) the head of Zambia’s main opposition party for allegedly possessing properties and cash thought to have been obtained through criminal means.

Kremlin critic Alexey Navalny was charged (Moscow Times) with embezzlement and contempt of court. He was already serving a 2.5-year sentence, and his spokesperson warned that the imprisonment endangers his life.

Judge Erika Aifan was a top U.S. ally in fighting corruption in Guatemala. She told the Washington Post that her life would be at risk if she remained in the country.
 
Jamaica: A group of one hundred Jamaican academics and politicians are demanding reparations for slavery (Jamaica Observer) and other abuses as British royal family members Prince William and Duchess of Cambridge Kate visit Jamaica, a former British colony.
 
This In Brief examines countries’ debate over cutting ties with the British monarchy.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proposed a new rule that would require companies (NPR) to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions and the effects of climate change on their business.