G7 to pledge billions in new lifeline for Ukraine economy
The Hindu
The Finance Ministers and central bank governors of the G7 democracies are also discussing next steps on sanctions to pressure Russia to end the war
The Group of Seven's financial leaders are expected to unveil billions of dollars in new aid to Ukraine on May 20 and promise enough money to keep the country's devastated economy afloat as long as it fights against Russia's invasion.
The Finance Ministers and central bank governors of the United States, Japan, Canada, Britain, Germany, France and Italy - the G7 democracies - also are discussing next steps on sanctions to pressure Russia to end the war launched on February 24.
In a draft of the group's communique to be issued later on Friday, the G7 officials cited a figure $18.4 billion of budget support for Ukraine this year including $9.2 billion of recent commitments.
"The message was, 'We stand behind Ukraine'," U. S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told reporters late on Thursday. "We're going to pull together with the resources that they need to get through this," Ms. Yellen said.
Friday's scheduled sessions also include discussions about the potential for debt crises amid pressures from rising food and energy prices, progress on global corporate tax reform, efforts to finance a transition to renewable energy and a the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Amid the sessions, G7 officials also have been discussing proposals to reduce Russia's revenues from energy exports, including a phased embargo proposed by the European Union, forming a buyers' cartel to cap prices for Russian crude and imposing import tariffs on Russian oil.
The latter was floated by U.S. officials as a way of limiting Moscow's oil profits while keeping Russian crude supplies on the market to avoid price spikes. "Nothing is really crystallised as an obvious strategy," Ms. Yellen said about those discussions.
The Opposition Congress demanded that the government open the Gandhi Vatika Museum, depicting Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy and freedom struggle, built at a cost of ₹85 crore in Jaipur’s Central Park last year, during the Congress-led regime in Rajasthan. The museum has not been opened to the public, reportedly because of the administration’s engagements with the State Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
Almaya Munnettam (Lay People to the Fore), group in the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese of the Syro-Malabar Church opposed to the synod-recommended Mass, rejected a circular issued by Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil and apostolic administrator Bosco Puthur on June 9 to implement the unified Mass in the archdiocese from July 3.
Pakistan coach Gary Kirsten stated that “not so great decision making” contributed to his side’s defeat to India in the Group-A T20 World Cup clash here on Sunday. The batting unit came apart in the chase, after being well placed at 72 for two. With 48 runs needed from eight overs, Pakistan found a way to panic and lose. “Maybe not so great decision making,” Kirsten said at the post-match press conference, when asked to explain the loss.