Russia Ukraine War News Live Updates: Canada imposes new sanctions on Russian financial

Gold falls to nearly 2-week low

Spot gold was flat at $1,835.28 per ounce, as of 0216 GMT, after hitting its lowest since May 20 at $1,832.41 earlier in the session. U.S. gold futures fell 0.6% to $1,838.20.

Oil prices open higher

Oil prices rose in early Asian trade on Wednesday after European Union leaders agreed to a partial and phased ban on Russian oil and China ended its COVID-19 lockdown in Shanghai. Brent crude for August delivery was up 78 cents, or 0.7%, at $116.38 a barrel at 0037 GMT. The front-month contract for July delivery expired on Tuesday at $122.84 a barrel, up 1%.

Russia’s nuclear forces holding manoeuvre drills

Russia’s nuclear forces are holding drills in the Ivanovo province, northeast of Moscow, the Interfax news agency cited the Russian defence ministry as saying on Wednesday. Some 1,000 servicemen are exercising in intense manoeuvres using over 100 vehicles including Yars intercontinental ballistic missile launchers, it cited the ministry as saying.

10 dead, around 20 missing after Hurricane Agatha hits Mexico

The toll from Hurricane Agatha climbed to at least ten dead and around 20 missing in southern Mexico, where heavy rains triggered landslides and flooding, local officials said Tuesday. “Right now we’re at around 20 people missing, most of them are in the upper mountains,” Oaxaca state governor Alejandro Murat told Radio Formula, adding that “ten who lost their lives were unfortunately preliminarily reported by local authorities.”

China’s factory activity falls in May

China’s factory activity shrank less sharply in May as COVID-19 curbs eased and some production resumed, a private sector survey showed on Wednesday, improving from a 26-month low in April. The Caixin/Markit Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 48.1 in May from 46.0 the previous month and was slightly above a Reuters poll of 48.0. May’s contraction was the second-sharpest slump since February 2020, suggesting the recovery remains fragile. The 50-point index mark separates growth from contraction on a monthly basis.

Turkey cancelling COVID-19 PCR tests for entry from June 1

Turkey is cancelling PCR tests for the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to enter the country through all border crossing points from June 1, the country’s Interior Ministry said in a statement. “Assessing the current situation regarding the coronavirus pandemic, from June 1, entry into the country through all border crossing points does not require a report of a negative PCR test with a negative result up to 72 hours before entry or a negative rapid antigen test taken within up to 48 hours from the moment of entry,” the ministry said.

China reports 131 new COVID cases

Mainland China reported 131 new coronavirus cases for May 31, of which 35 were symptomatic and 96 were asymptomatic, the National Health Commission said on Wednesday. That compared with 174 new cases a day earlier – 50 symptomatic and 127 asymptomatic infections, which China counts separately. There were no new deaths, leaving the death toll at 5,226.

PM Modi mourns KK’s loss

Well-known Bollywood singer Krishnakumar Kunnath dies after concert in Kolkata

Well-known Bollywood singer Krishnakumar Kunnath, popularly known as KK, died in Kolkata on Tuesday night, officials said. He was 53, and survived by wife and two children. KK performed at a concert organised by Gurudas College at Nazrul Mancha in south Kolkata for almost an hour in the evening.He was “feeling heavy” after reaching his hotel, and soon collapsed, officials said. He was taken to a nearby private hospital where doctors declared him brought dead, they said.

SBI’s new home loan rates effective from today

The State Bank of India (SBI) had earlier announced a hike in home loan external benchmark lending rate (EBLR) by 40 basis points to 7.05 percent, while the RLLR would be 6.65 percent plus CRP which will come into effect on June 1, 2022.

Japan’s May factory activity growth slows

Japan’s manufacturing activity grew at the weakest pace in three months in May, as China’s heavy-handed coronavirus curbs aggravated supply disruptions and raised risks for the economic outlook. The final au Jibun Bank Japan Manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) released on Wednesday fell to a seasonally adjusted 53.3 in May from the prior month’s 53.5 final, the slowest pace since February. The 50-mark separates contraction from expansion.

U.S. to provide long-range rocket system to Ukraine

The United States will provide Ukraine with the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), a senior Biden administration official said on Tuesday, upgrading Kyiv’s battleground capabilities as it battles Russian invaders. “These systems will be used by the Ukrainians to repel Russian advances on Ukrainian territory, but they will not be used on targets in Russian territory,” the official told reporters.

UP CM Yogi Adityanath to lay foundation stone of Ram Mandir’s Garbhagriha today

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will lay the foundation stone of Ram Mandir’s Garbhagriha on Wednesday. Chief Minister Adityanath will take part in the ceremony by placing the first carved stone in it. Seers and saints from across the country have been invited for the occasion.

India to impose sugar restrictions from today

To maintain domestic availability and price stability of sugar, Central government has imposed restrictions on sugar exports w.e.f June 1, 2022, till further orders. The government will allow sugar exports up to 100 LMT.

Congress to hold state-level ‘shivirs’ across country today and tomorrow

The shivirs will be attended by MPs, MLAs, MP and MLA candidates, District Congress Committee presidents, Pradesh Congress Committee office-bearers and prominent leaders of the party.

Canada imposes new sanctions on Russian financial sector

Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly announced on Tuesday that Canada is imposing new sanctions on Russia’s financial sector.In a news release, the minister said the new measures would impose restrictions on 22 individuals and 4 entities, and that among the individuals and entities listed are senior officials of Russian financial institutions and their family members, as well as key financial institutions and banks.