News Briefs for June 14
By Associated Press
G7 leaders agree to lend Ukraine billions backed by frozen assets
WASHINGTON | The leaders of the Group of Seven wealthy democracies have agreed to set in motion a $50 billion loan to help Ukraine. Interest earned on profits from Russia’s frozen central bank assets would be used as collateral. Details of the deal are being hashed out by G7 leaders at their summit in Italy.
The money could reach Kyiv before the end of the year. The plan is to use profits from Russia’s roughly $260 billion in frozen central bank assets as collateral. President Joe Biden said the move was part of a “historic agreement.” Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, called it “a vital step forward in providing sustainable support for Ukraine in winning this war.”
Phoenix police have pattern of violating civil rights
PHOENIX | The Justice Department says Phoenix police violate people’s rights, discriminate against Black, Hispanic and Native American people and use excessive force, including unjustified deadly force. A report released Thursday says the police department unlawfully detains homeless people and disposes of their belongings and discriminates against people with behavioral health disabilities.
And the Justice Department said Phoenix police had violated the rights of people engaged in protected speech. Phoenix police didn’t immediately respond to the justice department’s report, but referred further questions to the city.
Rainstorms in South Florida lead to flight delays
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. | A tropical disturbance that brought a rare flash flood emergency to much of southern Florida delayed flights at two of the state’s largest airports and left vehicles waterlogged and stalled in some of the region’s lowest-lying streets. Travelers across the area were trying to adjust their plans on Thursday morning after more than 20 inches of rain has fallen in some areas of South Florida since Tuesday, with more on the way.
— From AP reports
