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Joe Biden says America and its allies are ready Respond ‘in kind’ if Russia uses chemical weapons during the invasion of Ukraine. The U.S. president told a news conference in Brussels that the NATO alliance would decide how to respond “at the time” should such a situation arise.

Biden spoke after meeting with other NATO leaders to discuss an appropriate response to Russia’s possible use of weapons of mass destruction, as well as military aid to Ukraine and tighter sanctions on Moscow. The U.S. president is also trying to garner support for a united front against China if Beijing decides to aid Russia. If it does, there will be “consequences,” as Biden said in a phone call to Chinese President Xi Jinping last week.

The NATO summit, convened by the US president on short notice, was the first leg of Biden’s multi-day trip to Europe, aimed at urging the West to put pressure on Vladimir Putin and keep it up in the face of the war. Unite.

More news about Ukraine

Thank you for reading FirstFT Asia.Send your feedback on today’s newsletter to [email protected] — Sophia

Five more stories in the news

1. Beijing closes on security deal to allow military presence in Solomon Islands Solomon Islands may allow Chinese soldiers and police, a leaked security cooperation agreement shows Deployed in Pacific countriesallowing China to gain a military foothold in the Pacific — alarming the United States and its allies.

2. Tensions escalate after North Korea missile launch U.S., Tokyo and Seoul condemn launch as it appears Pyongyang’s longest-range missile However, it landed in the Sea of ??Japan yesterday. Outgoing South Korean President Moon Jae-in described the long-range missile test as a “serious threat”.

3. SMBC Nikko banker charged with market manipulation Tokyo prosecutors yesterday arrested the brokerage’s vice president and filed criminal charges against the company and five bankers.Trading Scandal threatened to sink Equity arm of SMBC Nikko.

4. Exclusive: DeFi projects are full of hidden “risks” Head of global securities regulator warns that decentralized finance contains Countless hidden conflicts and risks Its explosive growth deserves “close attention from regulators.”

5. Toshiba shareholders reject management’s plan to split the company important voter A new failure for Japanese companies It has been at odds with shareholders for four years. Shares in Tokyo fell as much as 5% after the vote was announced.

future days

Nomination for the Board of Directors of the Bank of Japan The upper house of Japan is Two nominees are expected to be approved Member of the central bank’s board of directors today, replacing the policymaker who will retire in July. (Reuters)

UK lifts ban on commercial evictions governmental Commercial eviction ban ends Friday, on the same day the Commercial Rent (Coronavirus) Act came into force. Restaurants may be forced to pay rent during periods when they cannot operate.

And Oscar goes. . . The 94th Academy Awards ceremony took place in Hollywood on Sunday.continue reading Here are the nominees for the four main awards.

what are we still reading

China’s uncertain future pressures In today’s special edition of our Unhedged newsletter, Robert Armstrong and Ethan Wu join Chartbook’s Adam Tooze to discuss China’s economic transformation.While the risk of an immediate 2008-style crisis in China is small, the question remains: Are we about to witness now? The real economic decoupling between China and the West?

New rules for foreign owners of UK property New UK requirements for overseas companies to declare real estate ownership could create tax problems for some foreigners.catch up with our New law commentator to avoid any potential legal disputes.

Roman Abramovich’s yacht sails into Turkish winds Eclipse, one of the billionaire’s superyachts, Arrive in Marmaris This week, Western concerns over Turkey’s reluctance to sign up to sweeping sanctions on Russia epitomized.Abramovich’s U.S. holdings, such as his $50 million home in Aspen, ColoradoIf the country moves to impose tougher sanctions on the oligarchs, it could be seized by U.S. authorities.

Will an office romance make you a better employee? Working It podcast host Isabel Berwick discusses ways to organize Police Relations. She also joins the co-founders of a business who shared a romance before sharing their assets.

Remembering Madeleine Albright President Joe Biden Tribute to Madeline Albright yesterday, at the age of 84. She fled communist rule in Eastern Europe as a child and rose through the ranks of American diplomacy to become the first female secretary of state.Edward Luce wrote fully appreciate her life.

food and drink

After falling ill with raw oysters, food and drink writer Tim Hayward simply couldn’t stand the delicacy for the next 20 years. The psychological connection he made between the oysters and the unpleasant night that followed undermined the idea of ??eating mollusks.In the FT magazine, Tim explores how the taste of something depends largely on what’s going on inside the brain.