• South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol will visit Japan on March 16-17 to hold talks with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida as both leaders attempt to forge closer ties in the face of increasing threats from China. The summit was announced days after South Korea said it would raise local funds to compensate Korean victims of forced labor during Japan’s colonial occupation, an important symbolic step in healing bitter historical grievances between the two countries. (The Associated Press)
• Proposed E.U. rules would make it easier for member states to match subsidies being offered under the United States’ Inflation Reduction Act in an effort to keep European companies from moving operations across the Atlantic. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and  U.S. President Joe Biden are set to meet Friday, and they’re expected to discuss the European Union’s request for its companies to be granted benefits under the U.S. law. (Financial Times)
• U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy turned down an invitation from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to visit Kyiv and address his concerns about sending “blank checks” of aid to Ukraine. McCarthy said he “will continue to get my briefings and others, but I don’t have to go to Ukraine or Kyiv to see” whether the aid being promised is excessive. (Politico)
• The Netherlands confirmed it will impose new export restrictions on microchip manufacturing equipment to China as part of a three-way deal with the United States and Japan intended to cut Beijing’s access to the latest processors. The three countries are home to the only manufacturers of advanced machines that print microchips. (Politico)

Happening today:

• 10 a.m. ET U.S. intelligence directors testify on global threats before the House Intelligence Committee.
• 2:30 p.m. ET  President Biden gives remarks in Philadelphia on the release of his budget request for fiscal year 2024.

Rishi Sunak’s Approval Rating Ticks Up Following Northern Ireland Trade Deal

Morning Consult

The U.S. wants Europe to stand up to China. Europe says: Not so fast.

Suzanne Lynch et al., Politico

The challenge posed by Beijing will be a looming issue as the European Union chief visits Washington this week.

WHO fires director in Asia accused of racist misconduct 

Maria Cheng, The Associated Press 

The World Health Organization has fired its top official in the Western Pacific after the Associated Press reported last year that dozens of staff members accused him of racist, abusive and unethical behavior that may have compromised the U.N. health agency’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Pentagon Blocks Sharing Evidence of Possible Russian War Crimes With Hague Court

Charlie Savage, The New York Times 

President Biden has not acted to resolve a dispute that pits the Defense Department against other agencies.

US intel chiefs say China likely to press Taiwan and seek to undercut US

Jeremy Herb and Zachary Cohen, CNN

US Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines told Congress Wednesday that Chinese President Xi Jinping is likely to press Taiwan and try to undercut US influence in the coming years as he begins a third term as president.

China weighs ’emergency’ fast track for laws as Taiwan tensions mount

Tsukasa Hadano, Nikkei Asia 

Revisions to Legislation Law would allow vote after just one meeting.

China relents on Sri Lanka debt, paving way for bailout

Ryosuke Hanada and Iori Kawate, Nikkei Asia 

Beijing eyes opportunity to extend clout over Global South.

Japan takes first stake in heavy rare earths to reduce China reliance

Mamoru Tsuge and Shoya Okinaga, Nikkei Asia 

Sojitz, JOGMEC aim to fill 30% of domestic demand in deal with Australian miner.

Exclusive: Australia expected to buy up to 5 Virginia class submarines as part of AUKUS

Idrees Ali et al., Reuters 

Australia is expected to buy up to five U.S. Virginia class nuclear powered submarines in the 2030’s as part of a landmark defense agreement between Washington, Canberra and London, four U.S. officials said on Wednesday, in a deal that would present a new challenge to China.

Philippines Launches Strategy of Publicizing Chinese Actions

Jim Gomez, The Diplomat 

Manila’s coast guard has taken extra efforts to document and publicize assertive Chinese behavior in the South China Sea.

In Sri Lanka, Opposition Parties Allege a Secret CIA Visit

Uditha Devapriya, The Diplomat 

Sri Lanka hosted two high-level delegations from the U.S. in February – including one that opposition parties say was cover for a secret mission by the head of the CIA.

Malaysian ex-PM Muhyiddin arrested, faces graft charges

The Associated Press 

Malaysia’s former Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin was arrested Thursday and will be brought to court to face corruption charges, the anti-graft agency said.

Russia unlikely to make major Ukraine gains this year – US intelligence chief

Julian Borger, The Guardian 

Avril Haines tells of ‘grinding, attritional war’ but sounds cautious note over Ukraine’s prospects in expected counter-offensive.

Russian missile barrage slams into cities across Ukraine

Hanna Arhirova and Elena Becatoros, The Associated Press 

Russia unleashed “a massive rocket attack” that hit critical infrastructure and residential buildings in 10 regions of Ukraine, the country’s president said Thursday, with officials reporting at least six deaths in the largest such nighttime attack in three weeks.

‘Greece has derailed’: tens of thousands of protesters ‘rage’ over train disaster

Helena Smith, The Guardian 

Demonstrators voice fury after revelations of staff shortages and substandard equipment revealed state of rail network.

Georgia Plans to Withdraw Foreign Agents Bill After Protests

Ivan Nechepurenko, The New York Times 

Opposition lawmakers had said the legislation mimicked a similar one in Russia that has been used to clamp down on dissent.

In Mexico, Response to Deadly Kidnapping of Americans Prompts Questions

Maria Abi-Habib et al., The New York Times 

Many noted the coordinated action after four Americans were kidnapped, and two killed, in a country where crimes against Mexicans get far less attention.

Chile: Attempted $32 million airport heist leaves two dead

The Associated Press 

An airport shootout in Chile’s capital killed a security officer and an alleged robber Wednesday in what authorities said was an attempted heist of more than $32 million in cash aboard a plane from Miami.

3 Palestinian militants killed in Israeli military raid

Nasser Nasser, The Associated Press 

At least three Palestinian militants were killed in a shootout with Israeli troops on Thursday, the latest deaths in a surge of Israeli arrest raids in the occupied West Bank.

US sanctions top Iranian officials over “serious” human rights abuses against women and girls in prisons

Sam Fossum, CNN 

The Biden administration took action Wednesday against several Iranian officials and entities for committing human rights abuses against women and girls in the latest round of sanctions against Tehran over its crackdown on unrest in the country.

US defence secretary curtails Israel trip, citing security concerns

Middle East Eye 

US officials are generally able to navigate hostile situations, the rare decision to cut short the visit underscores tensions tearing at Israel.

IMF, World Bank Pause Loans to Tunisia Amid Crackdown on Migrants

Chao Deng, The Wall Street Journal 

International Monetary Fund, which agreed to lend $1.9 billion to Tunisia, says it is concerned about recent developments.

Four Weeks After Turkey’s Earthquake, Rescued Babies Wait for Their Families to Claim Them 

Drew Hinshaw and Joe Parkinson, The Wall Street Journal 

Doctors, government officials and volunteers are using DNA, photos and tiny fingerprints to match boys and girls with surviving family members.

G.O.P. Inquiry on Afghan Withdrawal Opens With Searing Witness Accounts

Karoun Demirjian, The New York Times 

The first House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan featured emotional and graphic testimony from two American service members who lived through it.

Oil slips for third day as recession fears mount

Alex Lawler, Reuters 

Oil fell for a third day on Thursday as fears over the economic impact of rising interest rates offset a surprise drop in U.S. crude inventories and hopes for Chinese demand.