June 13, Monday, 2022 (1:30 p.m.) Newsline

1.Russia intensified its attacks in eastern Ukraine on Sunday, while holding events to celebrate a Russian national holiday in areas that Moscow claims are now under its control. In the city of Severodonetsk in the eastern region of Luhansk, Russian shelling destroyed a bridge amid intense fighting. Luhansk Governor Serhiy Haidai told local media on Sunday, that he expects Russia to go all out soon to capture Severodonetsk.
2.A World Trade Organization ministerial conference began in Geneva on Sunday. On the first day of the four-day meeting, representatives discussed the challenges facing the multilateral trading system. The WTO aims to promote international trade through the system. But this fundamental principle has been shaken by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
3.The yen fell to a 24-year low against the US dollar on Monday. Investors sold the Japanese currency and bought the greenback to lock in higher US yields on a widening interest-rate gap between the two countries. The US Federal Reserve appears more committed to tighten policy to curb inflation. The Bank of Japan, by contrast, is sticking to its easy-money stance.