News Wrap: Zelenskyy secures military, financial support for Ukraine from European leaders

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• Amna Nawaz:

  Just hours after his son Hunter was convicted on gun-related charges, President Biden addressed gun safety in a Washington speech today.

  The president is looking to draw a line between himself and his rival, Donald Trump, on the issue of gun control ahead of the November election. At an every Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund event, Biden took aim at Trump's lack of action the issue when the former president was in office.

  Joe Biden, President of the United States: More children are killed in America by guns than cancer and car accidents combined.

  My predecessor told the NRA Convention recently he's proud that — quote — "I did nothing" on guns when I was president. And by doing nothing, he made the situation considerably worse.

• Amna Nawaz:

  For his part, Trump has vowed to roll back any gun control advances made during Biden's presidency.

  The president of Malawi confirmed today that his vice president died in a military plane crash along with nine others. Authorities say Saulos Chilima's flight departed the capital of Lilongwe yesterday morning. The plane disappeared after it was unable to land at Mzuzu International Airport amid bad weather.

  The president announced on state TV today that the aircraft's wreckage was found in thick forests with no survivors. Chilima was first elected vice president in 2014. He was 51 years old.

  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy drummed up military and financial support from European leaders today at the start of a two-day conference in Berlin. Host nation Germany promised to give Kyiv new air defense systems. And Italy pledged $150 million to rebuild Ukraine's energy infrastructure, often targeted in Russian strikes.

  The World Bank estimates that Ukraine will need $500 billion over 10 years to rebuild. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz played up Ukraine's bid for E.U. membership in making his pitch to the conference for more aid.

• Olaf Scholz, German Chancellor (through interpreter):

  The reconstruction of the country will require massive investment. As a reminder, we are talking about the reconstruction of a future member state of the European Union.

• Amna Nawaz:

  All this comes ahead of an international peace conference in Switzerland this weekend. Nearly 90 countries are set to attend. Russia was not invited.

  China has arrested a suspect in the stabbing of four Americans on Monday in what police believe was a random attack. Officials say the 55-year-old suspect attacked the victims after colliding with them in a public park. Their injuries are not life-threatening. A Chinese tourist was also wounded in the attack.

  The victims were instructors from Iowa's Cornell College who were teaching at a Chinese university in Jilin. China's Foreign Ministry said the incident wouldn't affect exchanges between the two countries.

• Lin Jian, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson (through interpreter):

  Engaging in U.S.-China people-to-people exchanges is in line with both sides' interests. China has always taken effective measures and will continue to take such measures to earnestly protect the safety of all foreigners in China.

• Amna Nawaz:

  The U.S. State Department says it's in touch with local authorities about the attack and is monitoring the situation.

  A federal judge ruled that the Florida law restricting gender-affirming medical care is unconstitutional. The 2023 law blocked transgender minors from receiving treatment like puberty blockers and hormones. It also limited the options for transgender adults to be treated.

  Senior Judge Robert Hinkle wrote: "Transgender opponents are not free to discriminate against transgender individuals just for being transgender." Governor Ron DeSantis said his office will appeal the decision.

  Johnson & Johnson has agreed to pay $700 million to settle an investigation by 42 states into its marketing of baby powder and other talc-based products. The deal resolves charges that the company told consumers the products were safe while knowing they had links to cancer.

  In a statement, Colorado's attorney general, who is among the plaintiffs, said — quote — "Today's settlement sends a message that we will hold companies accountable for their deceptive and harmful conduct." Johnson & Johnson did not admit to any wrongdoing.

  And on Wall Street today, stocks ended mixed ahead of Wednesday's inflation data and Federal Reserve meeting. The Dow Jones industrial average lost 120 points to close at 38747. The Nasdaq added 151 points to close at a new record. The S&P 500 also ended at an all-time high.

  And a staple of the American summer is losing a key ingredient this year. Joey Chestnut will not be competing at the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4. The 16-time champion found himself at odds with event organizers over his decision to endorse the Impossible line of vegan meat products.

  In a statement, Major League Eating said — quote — "We are devastated to learn that Joey Chestnut has chosen to represent a rival brand." MLE also called Chestnut — quote — "an American hero" and said they would welcome him back if he drops his other endorsement deal.