The E.U. reached a Ukraine assist deal

The E.U. reached a multiyear funding deal for Ukraine worth about $54 billion yesterday, offering a vital lifeline for the nation. President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked his neighbors and rapidly nodded to a $60 billion assist bundle languishing within the U.S. Congress.

Europe’s dedication, Zelensky stated, would “send a signal across the Atlantic.”

With U.S. funding for Ukraine held up in Congress, the breakthrough deal is very vital. For Ukraine, it means stability and assurance because it continues to struggle a grinding battle. And for the E.U., it demonstrated leaders’ resolve to face united towards Russia.

Details: The E.U.’s breakthrough got here after Viktor Orban, Hungary’s prime minister and an in depth ally of Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, dropped his opposition. Orban has lengthy made himself an antagonist of the E.U.

What’s subsequent: The European Parliament plans to vote on the fund, presumably this month. Ukraine urgently wants the cash, which is about to final by means of 2027, to maintain fundamental companies operating.

Related: Russia plans to seize the property of antiwar residents who dwell overseas. It is urging different international locations to crack down on them as effectively.

Biden imposed sanctions on Israeli settlers

President Biden ordered broad travel and financial sanctions on Israeli settlers accused of attacking Palestinians within the West Bank. His government order gave the impression to be aimed, partly, at appeasing Arab American voters who’re livid along with his backing of Israel within the battle in Gaza.

The transfer cuts settlers off from the U.S. monetary system in addition to from any property they’ve within the U.S., and prevents them from touring to America. It goes additional than a directive issued in December by the State Department, which imposed visa bans on dozens of settlers who’ve dedicated acts of violence within the West Bank.

Context: The violent actions by Israeli settlers are supposed to drive Palestinians from their properties, and reached a report degree earlier than the Oct. 7 assaults. They have accelerated since then.

A Times visible evaluation: Israeli floor forces have carried out a wave of controlled demolitions which have razed whole neighborhoods in Gaza.

TikTok misplaced Taylor Swift and different music artists

Many TikTok movies utilizing songs by stars like Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey and Drake Grande have gone silent. That’s due to a public dispute between the platform and Universal Music Group, the world’s largest music firm.

Earlier within the week, Universal Music printed a letter to TikTok, saying the corporate hadn’t adequately addressed issues over A.I.-generated music on the platform or agreed to a passable royalty charge. The report firm, whose cope with TikTok expired on Wednesday, stated it could revoke its licenses if an settlement wasn’t reached. The deadline got here and went. TikTok confirmed yesterday that it had begun removing songs.

The limitless scroll: After only some years, scrolling TikTok’s seemingly infinite bounty of charms has come to extra carefully resemble rummaging in a junk drawer.

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Around the World

Bullfighting is in limbo in La Plaza México, the world’s largest area devoted to the game, in Mexico City. A authorized ruling not too long ago introduced the fights again after a virtually two-year ban, just for a unique decide to crack down on Wednesday in response to an animal rights petition.

Lives lived: Jack Jennings was a British P.O.W. throughout World War II who labored as a slave laborer on the Burma Railway, which impressed “The Bridge on the River Kwai.” He died at 104.

A Grammys preview

The 66th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday are poised to be a celebration of a dominant 12 months for ladies in pop music. SZA, Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo and Billie Eilish are going through off within the main classes. Here’s what we’ve got our eye on:

A swift sweep: If Swift’s “Midnights” wins, she’ll turn into the primary four-time champ within the album of the 12 months class. But whereas Grammy voters love successful story, they might insurgent at any perceived concept that they must anoint a star — or that gross sales and fame alone ought to decide excellence.

Making historical past: SZA’s “SOS” is broadly seen by critics as a robust contender for album of the 12 months. She may very well be the primary Black girl to take that award in 25 years, since Lauryn Hill for “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.”

Spoiler alert: Upsets are as a lot part of the evening as awkward stage pairings and cutoff speeches. The high candidates for an upset this 12 months are the indie group boygenius and Jon Batiste, the one male performer on the poll within the high classes.

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