Meeting planned on U.S. default:Â Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said in Israel this morning that he plans to attend a White House meeting next week with President Biden, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to discuss raising the debt ceiling to avoid the U.S. defaulting on its debts. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said yesterday that the U.S. could default sooner than expected, perhaps as early as June 1 if Congress doesn’t agree to raise the debt ceiling.
McCarthy backs Ukraine:Â House Speaker Kevin McCarthy responded to a question by a Russian reporter during a news conference in Israel today that he believes the U.S. must continue to supply aid to Ukraine to help it defend itself in the war the Russians started. McCarthy said Russia needs to get out of Ukraine and he blasted Russia for its war crimes, specifically the killing of Ukrainian children.
Gordon Lightfoot dies:Â Singer and songwriter Gordon Lightfoot has died at a hospital in Toronto at age 84. According to a message on Lightfoot’s Facebook page, death was attributed to natural causes. Lightfoot had written more than 200 songs, including the classics “If You Could Read My Mind,” “Sundown” and “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that Lightfoot captured Canada’s spirit in his music.
Writers Guild on strike:Â Members of the Writers Guild of America who write for movies and TV entertainment shows have gone on strike. Among other things, they’re looking for a bigger share of revenues from distribution of shows and movies over streaming services. The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which negotiates on behalf of the studios and producers, said industry has offered a contract with generous increases in compensation including higher residuals for repeat use of material.
Sudan cease-fire fails:Â Even though both sides fighting to control Sudan agreed to extend a cease-fire, shooting continued today as tens of thousands try to get out of the country. Port Sudan was jammed with people waiting for ferryboats to take them to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees said the number of people fleeing Sudan could surpass 800,000.
Gov. Abbott’s news release:Â Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is being rebuked for issuing a news release mistakenly claiming that all five people killed in Cleveland, Texas, by a neighbor using an assault rifle were illegal immigrants. Abbott’s office has issued a statement backing off of the claim and blaming federal sources that it did not name for providing misinformation. Abbott was widely criticized for the news release expressing concern about immigration issues rather than concentrating on the shooting of people with an assault rifle.
Cover art courtesy of United Artists
