March 7, 2022

*) Russia steps up shelling in Ukraine cities Russian forces stepped up overnight shelling of Ukrainian cities in the centre, north and south of the country, presidential adviser Oleksiy Arestovich said. He said the areas that came under heavy shelling include the outskirts of Kiev, Chernihiv in the north, Mykolaiv in the south, and Kharkiv, the country’s second-largest city. The UN says 1.5 million people have now fled in the fastest-growing refugee crisis since World War II. *) Ukraine war a 'moment of choice for China' – Australia China has been urged to end its tacit political and economic support for the Ukraine war. The call came from Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who said "The crisis that now grips Europe heralds a moment of choice for China". Morrison pressed China to shape the actions of its Russian ally and prove that Beijing is committed to global peace and the principle of sovereignty. *) US, Venezuela discuss easing oil sanctions In their first high-level bilateral talks in years, US and Venezuelan officials have discussed the possibility of easing oil sanctions on Venezuela but made little progress. The US delegation met with President Nicolas Maduro and his vice president as part of Washington’s attempts to separate Russia from its key allies. Both sides used the meeting to present what a source described as "maximalist" demands, reflecting longtime tensions between the US and one of its biggest ideological foes. *) Leader of South Korea's ruling party attacked ahead of presidential election The leader of South Korea's ruling party has been admitted to hospital after being hit on the head by a stranger while campaigning for this week's presidential election. Song Young-gil, leader of the Democrats and their candidate Lee Jae-myung's election campaign, was struck on the head with a small hammer-like tool. Party officials said Song was in stable condition and the attacker was handed to police. The attack was yet another twist in a race overshadowed by scandals, smear tact