June 20, 2022

*) Zelenskyy warns of Russian 'hostile activity' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that Russia is likely to intensify its offensive this week. "Obviously, this week we should expect from Russia an intensification of its hostile activities," Zelenskyy said. Ukraine applied to join the EU four days after Russian troops poured across its border in February. The European Commission recommended last Friday that Ukraine receive candidate status. Leaders of the 27-nation union will consider the question at a summit this week. *) China's oil imports from Russia soar to a record China's crude oil imports from Russia have soared 55 percent from a year earlier to a record level in May, displacing Saudi Arabia as the top supplier. Imports of Russian oil totalled nearly 8.42 million tonnes, data from the Chinese General Administration of Customs showed. Russia took back the top ranking after a gap of 19 months as refiners of the world's biggest crude oil importer cashed in on discounted supplies amid sanctions on Moscow. *) Macron’s alliance loses majority French President Emmanuel Macron's Together alliance has lost its majority in the French parliament, winning 245 seats in the 577-member chamber in elections. The outcome, well short of the 289 seats needed for an overall majority, severely tarnished Macron's April presidential election victory. The setback for the French president could throw the country into political paralysis unless Macron is able to negotiate alliances with other parties. *) Colombia elects Petro as new president Ex-guerrilla Gustavo Petro has been elected the first ever left-wing president of Colombia, after beating millionaire businessman Rodolfo Hernandez. With all votes counted, Petro beat Hernandez with an unexpectedly wide margin of more than 700,000 votes. Petro has pledged to fight inequality with free university education, pension reforms and high taxes on unproductive land. And finally… *) Russian journalist sells Nobel Prize for Ukrainian children Russia