G7 summit opens with deal to use Russian assets for Ukraine as EU’s traditional powers recalibrate
BARI, Italy (AP) — A Group of Seven summit is opening in Italy with agreement on a U.S. proposal to back a $50 billion loan to Ukraine using frozen Russian assets as collateral. Diplomatic sources confirmed an agreement had been reached on the deal before the leaders even landed in southern Italy for the three-day summit opening Thursday. Beyond the Ukraine war, Pope Francis will become the first pope to address a G7 summit. He’ll be speaking Friday about the promises and perils of artificial intelligence, but is expected to also renew his appeal for a peaceful end to wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
Biden and Zelenskyy will sign a security deal, as G7 leaders agree to use Russian cash to help Kyiv
BRINDISI, Italy (AP) — Negotiators for the Group of Seven have reached an agreement on a plan to provide Ukraine with $50 billion backed by frozen Russian assets, two people familiar with the matter told the Associated Press. President Joe Biden and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will also sign a security agreement Thursday between the U.S. and Ukraine when they meet on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Italy, aiming to send a signal to Russia of American resolve in supporting Kyiv. Biden, who’s fearful of being pulled into direct conflict between the nuclear-armed powers, is not committing U.S. troops to Ukraine, the administration said. Biden plans to meet with his counterparts from the world’s leading democracies, who have an urgency to get big things done.
Blinken says some of Hamas’ proposed changes to a cease-fire plan in Gaza are workable and some not
BEIRUT (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says that mediators will keep trying to close an elusive cease-fire deal after Hamas proposed numerous changes to a U.S.-backed plan. He said Wednesday that some of the changes were “workable” and some not. The back-and-forth laid bare frustration over the difficulty of reaching an accord that can bring an end to eight months of war that has decimated Gaza, killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and left scores of Israeli hostages still languishing in militant captivity. Previous moments of optimism have been repeatedly dashed by the differences between the two sides.
Yemen’s Houthi rebels launch boat-borne bomb attack against Greek-owned ship in Red Sea
ABOARD THE USS LABOON IN THE RED SEA (AP) — Yemen’s Houthi rebels have launched a boat-borne bomb attack against a commercial ship in the Red Sea, further escalating their campaign despite a U.S.-led campaign trying to protect the vital waterway. In a warning to shippers, the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center described the vessel on Wednesday as being hit in its stern by a small white craft southwest of the Houthi-controlled port city of Hodeida. A Houthi military spokesman later claimed the attack. He described the attack as using a “drone boat,” drones and ballistic missiles. The use of a boat loaded with explosives raises the specter of 2000’s USS Cole attack, a suicide assault by al-Qaida that killed 17 sailors on board.
Trump is returning to Capitol Hill to meet with Republican lawmakers, a first since Jan. 6 attack
WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump is making a triumphant return to Capitol Hill to meet with House and Senate Republicans for the first time since the Jan. 6, 2021 attack. GOP lawmakers find themselves newly energized and reinvigorated by Trump’s bid to retake the White House. This is despite the federal charges against Trump for conspiring to overturn the 2020 election and his recent guilty verdict in an unrelated hush money trial. He is expected to visit House and then Senate Republican campaign headquarters near the Capitol to discuss party priorities. It’s his first as the party’s presumptive nominee. He’s also speaking at the Business Roundtable.
In initial win for Argentine President Milei, senators approve his key bills after violent protests
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentina’s Senate narrowly approved key state overhaul and tax packages proposed by President Javier Miliei, delivering an initial legislative victory to the libertarian leader in his efforts to enact his promises of radical change. Senators voted 37 to 36 to give their overall approval to the state overhaul bill after 11 hours of heated debate. In a reflection of the fierce backlash to the legislation and deep polarization gripping Argentina’s Congress, the vice president cast the tiebreaking vote. Lawmakers still must approve measures in an article-by-article vote that will last overnight. If the Senate approves modifications, the lower house still has to okay them before Milei can claim his first legislative win since entering office.
One year later, migrants who cheated death off Greece seek justice and struggle to cope with life
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — A year after one of the worst migrant boat tragedies in the Mediterranean Sea, there are only hazy answers as to why hundreds of lives were lost and who can be held answerable. Survivors say they are still waiting for justice, while bearing the trauma of the shipwreck and the horrible five-day journey that preceded it.
After rare flash flood emergency, Florida prepares for more heavy rainfall in coming days
A tropical disturbance has brought a rare flash flood emergency to much of southern Florida. Floridians prepared to weather more heavy rainfall on Thursday and Friday. Wednesday’s downpours and subsequent flooding blocked roads, floated vehicles and delayed the Florida Panthers on their way to Stanley Cup games in Canada against the Edmonton Oilers. The disorganized storm system was pushing across Florida from the Gulf of Mexico at roughly the same time as the early June start of hurricane season, which this year is forecast to be among the most active in recent memory amid concerns that climate change is increasing storm intensity.
Fired SpaceX employees sue the company for wrongfully terminating critics of CEO Elon Musk
NEW YORK (AP) — Eight former employees sued SpaceX and its CEO Elon Musk, alleging that Musk ordered them fired after they challenged what they called rampant sexual harassment, a hostile “Animal House”-style work environment at the company and Musk’s role in creating that atmosphere. The employees, who filed suit in a California state court, detailed their complaints in a 2022 open letter to management they shared via a company intranet. The next day, four of the plaintiffs were fired, they alleged; others were terminated later after an internal investigation. In January, the federal National Labor Relations Board filed its own complaint against SpaceX on behalf of the fired employees.
Tatum, Brown help Celtics hold off huge Dallas rally for 106-99 win, 3-0 lead in NBA Finals
DALLAS (AP) — Jayson Tatum scored 31 points and the Boston Celtics held off a furious Dallas rally to reach the brink of a record 18th championship with a 106-99 victory over the Mavericks for a 3-0 lead in the NBA Finals. No team has rallied from 3-0 down in an NBA playoff series. Jaylen Brown had 30 points, eight rebounds and eight assists as the Celtics extended their franchise record with a 10th consecutive playoff victory. The Mavs almost pulled off a crazy comeback to avoid the big hole. Boston led 91-70 at the end of a 20-5 run early in the fourth quarter before Dallas answered with a 22-2 spurt to get within a point.
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