On NPR's Book of the Day podcast, we hear from all sorts of writers making bold arguments,

like the late President Jimmy Carter on Citizens United.

So I think it's completely distorted the democratic purity or legitimacy of our elections in the United States.

We hear about his life as a writer and from his biographer about President Carter's complex legacy.

Listen to Book of the Day from

NPR, wherever you get your podcasts. Life from NPR News in Washington, I'm Louise Skiavone. The

Biden administration is announcing billions of dollars in military aid for Ukraine. NPR's Franco

Ordoñez reports the defense assistance comes in the final weeks of the Biden presidency.

President Biden announced almost $2.5 billion in defense assistance.

He said in a statement that the aid would bring an immediate influx of capabilities as Ukraine continues to defend their independence from Russian aggression.

Biden said the money includes $1.25 billion

in military aid drawn from U.S. stockpiles and a $1.22 billion Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative

package. Biden said the U.S. has now allocated all of the money he promised as part of that

USAI package. The aid is in addition to $3.4 billion in assistance announced

by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. It all comes just weeks before President-elect Donald Trump

returns to office, raising uncertainty about future support. Franco. Ordoñas, NPR News.

U.S. officials say large numbers of North Korean soldiers are being killed or wounded while

fighting alongside Russia against Ukraine. NPR's Brian Mann has details from Kiev.

Intelligence gathered by the U.S. and the Ukrainians indicates North Korean soldiers are

engaged in fierce battles in the cursed region of Russia, which is occupied by Ukraine.

They appear to be mounting attacks over open ground on foot with little support or protection.

George Barros, an analyst with the Institute for the Study of War, says many of the 10,000

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