Leaders to target economy, climate change, terrorism, Ukraine conflict

GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, Leaders of the world’s GERMANY seven major industrial democracies wrapped up a two-day summit Monday, pledging to take action on global problems ranging from climate change and economic volatility to terrorism and the conflict in Ukraine.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, host of the Group of Seven meeting, said at a news conference that the G-7 called for an end to the use of fossil fuels by the end of the century. She said the leaders also urged Greece to remain part of the European Union and find ways to meet budget constraints required for new loans. They also reiterated a call for economic sanctions against Russia until a cease fire between Ukraine and Russian-backed separatists is fully honored.

The seven leaders — representing the U.K., Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States — met at a resort in the Bavarian mountains.

At the news conference, President Obama addressed the latest breach of government personnel records. He said the government has been aware that its computer systems are vulnerable and said the U.S. must be more attentive to cybersecurity.

Asked about the pending Supreme Court ruling on a challenge to the Affordable Care Act, Obama said he did not see a reason for it to end up in court. “It’s working,” he said, noting that 16 million people who did not have health insurance now do.

The justices will rule this month on whether Congress authorized federal subsidy payments regardless of where people live, or only for those in states that created insurance marketplaces.