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Russia still shelling Mariupol plant with ‘artillery, tanks, mortars, infantry’: Azov

The Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol is under “constant intense selling” by Russia’s forces who are trying to seize the last remaining stronghold in the besieged port city, Ukraine's Azov Regiment said on Sunday.The Russians are attacking with “artillery, tanks, mortars, infantry and snipers,” deputy commander of the Azov Regiment, Sviatoslav Palamar, said.He added that the battalion was not certain if civilians remained in the steel plant despite the evacuation efforts over the past few days.Palamar also said three Ukrainian soldiers were killed during the days Russia said it would implement a ceasefire and halt “any hostilities.”For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“One of them died when an anti-tank guided missile hit a car that was supposed to evacuate civilians and drive them to their destination. And two others died when bombs were dropped from drones. Six servicemen were also wounded. This is the price of the evacuation civilians from the plant,” he added.Moscow’s army had announced last Wednesday a ceasefire at the plant and opening a humanitarian corridor for the evacuation of civilians on May 5, 6, and 7.Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a victory in Mariupol and ordered his military to not storm the plan but to blockade it almost three weeks ago.Yet, Ukrainian fighters have reported that the fighting has not ceased and that Russia continued to attempt to storm the plant, which they insisted was not yet under Moscow’s control.Read more:Canada’s Prime Minister Justine Trudeau makes surprise trip to UkraineUkrainian fighters at besieged Azovstal plant vow to fight Russians till the endPutin vows ‘as in 1945, victory will be ours’ on WWII Victory Day
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Russia still shelling Mariupol plant with ‘artillery, tanks, mortars, infantry’: Azov

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman had a colonoscopy, result is fine: SPA

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz had a colonoscopy procedure at the King Faisal specialist hospital in Jeddah, and the results were fine, state news agency SPA reported on Sunday.The doctors decided the King should stay at the hospital to rest for some time, SPA said. A colonoscopy is a test to investigate problems in the large intestine (colon) and rectum and can be used to screen for colon cancer.Earlier, the royal court reported that King Salman was admitted to the hospital to undergo medical tests.King Salman, 86, underwent surgery in 2020 to remove his gallbladder and doctors replaced the battery of his heart pacemaker in March.Read more:Saudi Arabia’s King Salman admitted to hospital: ReportSaudi Arabia’s King Salman leaves hospital after medical tests: ReportSaudi Arabia’s King Salman leaves hospital after successful surgery: Statement
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman had a colonoscopy, result is fine: SPA

US imposes sanctions on 27 Gazprombank executives, Russian TV stations

The US on Sunday unveiled sanctions against three Russian television stations, banned Americans from providing accounting and consulting services to Russians, and sanctioned executives from Gazprombank to punish Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine.The new sanctions are the latest effort by the United States to increase pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin after his country's assault on Ukraine and came as President Joe Biden met virtually with G7 leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to discuss the war.The measures leveled against Gazprombank executives were the first involving the giant Russian gas exporter as the United States and its allies have avoided taking steps that might lead to disruptions of gas to Europe, Russia's main customer.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“This is not a full block. We're not freezing the assets of Gazprombank or prohibiting any transactions with Gazprombank,” a senior Biden administration official told reporters. “What we're signaling is that Gazprombank is not a safe haven, and so we're sanctioning some of their top business executives ... to create a chilling effect.”Eight executives from Sberbank, which holds one-third of Russia's banking assets, were added to the sanctions list. Moscow Industrial Bank and its 10 subsidiaries were also added.The new export control restrictions were aimed at directly degrading Putin's war effort, including controls on industrial engines, bulldozers, wood products, motors, and fans. The European Union is moving in tandem with additional controls on chemicals that feed directly into the Russian military effort, the official said.Russia calls its actions in Ukraine a “special operation” that it says is not designed to occupy territory but to destroy its southern neighbor's military capabilities and capture what it regards as dangerous nationalists. Ukraine and its allies say Russia launched an unprovoked war.Limited Liability Company Promtekhnologiya, a weapons maker, was sanctioned, along with seven shipping companies and a marine towing company. The White House also said the Nuclear Regulatory Commission would suspend licenses for exports of special nuclear material to Russia.The sanctioned television stations are directly or indirectly state-controlled, the White House said, and included Joint Stock Company Channel One Russia, Television Station Russia-1, and Joint Stock Company NTV Broadcasting Company.Americans will be prohibited from providing accounting, trust and corporate formation, and management consulting services to Russians, though providing legal services is still permissible.Read more:Russia still shelling Mariupol plant with ‘artillery, tanks, mortars, infantry’: AzovCanada’s Prime Minister Justine Trudeau makes surprise trip to UkrainePutin vows ‘as in 1945, victory will be ours’ on WWII Victory Day
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: US imposes sanctions on 27 Gazprombank executives, Russian TV stations