The US moves to pass the Ukraine aid bill
Senate is on track to pass a $95 billion foreign aid package to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. The final vote is expected in the next few hours and President Biden is expected to sign it.
The bill would be a major boost for Ukraine, where the military is fighting Russia with dwindling ammunition stocks. It has been stalled for months by Republican lawmakers, which has sparked fears in Kiev and across Europe that the US will turn its back on Ukraine.
“What this aid means is, in its simplest terms, guns and bullets,” my colleague Marc Santora, who has covered Ukraine since the beginning of the war, told us.
He said it would also provide “a much-needed boost to the morale of both Ukrainian soldiers on the front and civilians living under the threat of Russian drone and missile bombardment almost every night.”
The breakthrough in Congress was is also a motivation for Biden, who spent months pledging support to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. The bill gives him a boost at a time when his credibility and America's leadership are in question on the world stage.
What's next: The first significant US military aid to Ukraine in 16 months could be coming quickly. “Most military analysts think it will take a month or two before we see it really change the dynamic on the front,” Marc said.
High-tech war: For the US military, the war is a testing ground for new AI tools and other rapidly evolving technologies. The question remains whether high-tech will would be enough to help turn the tide of war as the Russians seemed to have regained momentum.
A tabloid publisher testifies against Trump
Donald Trump sat through a fiery session in court yesterday. The judge questioned the lawyer's credibility and a key witness lifted the lid on what prosecutors say was a plot to influence the 2016 election.
“To me, he looked much angrier yesterday and today than he did all last week, during jury selection,” said my colleague Jonah Bromwich, who was reporting from the courtroom. said.
IN key stage of testimonyDavid Pecker, former publisher of The National Enquirer, described a 2015 meeting with Trump and his fixer, Michael Cohen. He said the men asked what he and his magazines could do “to help the campaign.” That statement supports the prosecution's argument that they were assisting Trump's campaign, not just protecting his reputation.
The UK sends refugees to Rwanda
The British Parliament's passage of a controversial bill on Monday has left the country closer to sending asylum seekers to Rwanda.
The act overrides a Supreme Court ruling that deemed the scheme illegal. The law described Rwanda as “a safe country” for refugees, after judges ruled that was not the case. The government says the policy will have a deterrent effect, especially for people trying to cross the English Channel in flimsy boats. Yesterday, At least five people died while trying to cross the Channel.
Rishi Sunak, the British prime minister, said the first flights to deport asylum seekers will not depart until June or July. Legal experts say the plan is riddled with flaws and the groups human rights has vowed to resist any attempt to send asylum seekers to Rwanda.
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For a glimpse of the place of artificial intelligence in election campaigns, look to India, the world's largest democracy, where voters are casting their ballots until June 1.
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