G7 leaders agree to $50 billion loan to Ukraine
At the G7 summit in Italy, member states agreed to a plan $50 billion loan to Ukraine The new loan comes at a critical time in the war, when Russia is gaining momentum on the battlefield.
The loan is expected to be repaid with interest on $300 billion of frozen Russian assets, most of which are held at a financial institution in Belgium. In our opinion section, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said, Explain how loans work.
President Biden also signed a 10-year security agreement with the Ukrainian government to demonstrate the United States’ long-term commitment to Ukraine. The agreement is intended to serve as a bridge for Ukraine to join NATO. Japan also signed a 10-year security agreement with Ukraine that includes a $4.5 billion commitment.
In addition, NATO defense ministers held a meeting in Brussels yesterday Promise of more weapons to Kiev. They also met to prepare a long-term military commitment to be announced at a summit in Washington next month. One point in Ukraine’s favor: an agreement that Hungary would not contribute to the military alliance’s war effort — but also not block it.
Biden’s perspective: The security deal is his latest effort to convince allies that U.S. support for Ukraine will continue even if Donald Trump wins the presidential election this fall.
More information about G7: Most of the leaders are in trouble, embattled or in danger at the summit. Many of them face elections that weaken their positions. Learn more about the summit.
Supreme Court upholds abortion pill access
The Supreme Court upheld the original verdict Widespread access to mifepristone, a widely used abortion pillThe unanimous decision means that medication abortion — by far the most commonly used abortion method in the United States — will continue for now. It’s a major loss for the anti-abortion movement, which is actively seeking to end all abortions in the country.
The justices rejected a request by anti-abortion groups and doctors to revoke U.S. regulators’ approval of mifepristone. But that doesn’t change the fact that medication abortions remain illegal in 14 states that have near-total bans on abortion.
Number: In 2023, more than 171,000 people traveled out of state for abortions. This map shows where they went.
For decades, scientists have struggled to explain racial disparities in reproductive health in the United States. Hair relaxers widely used by black women may offer an answer: They contain many substances that are banned in other countries and have been Linked to reproductive disorders and cancer.
Life experience: Akira Endo’s research laid the foundation for the development of drugs to lower “bad” cholesterol. Died at the age of 90.
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A celebration of barbecue and fatherhood
Gabriel Sanchez, a photo editor for The New York Times, used to watch his father work the fire at a famous Texas barbecue smokehouse. Sometimes his father’s nose almost got frostbite after working for hours in a subzero freezer. Or his hands got burned by the flames. When Gabriel grew up, his father also taught him how to barbecue.
“I realized that my dad wasn’t just teaching me how to grill, he was also teaching me how to be a good father.” Gabriel wrote in an article“Learning to grill is learning to accept failure as an opportunity to grow. It goes without saying that the most important factor in raising children is patience.”
