Debt ceiling talks:Â A deal was reached during yesterday’s meeting at the White House among President Biden and Congressional leaders to name a new set of negotiators to continue talks on raising the debt ceiling. The negotiators are tasked with trying to find a way to avoid the U.S. defaulting on its debts if the debt ceiling isn’t raised by about June 1. Because of the debt ceiling issue, Biden has shortened an overseas trip that begins today and will just go to the Group of Seven summit in Japan while canceling planned stops in Australia and New Guinea.
NC abortion law:Â The Republican-controlled State Legislature in North Carolina has overridden a veto by the state’s Democratic governor and put into effect a 12-week ban on abortions. North Carolina law had banned abortions after 20 weeks with exceptions for rape and incest.
Jacksonville election:Â A female Democrat was elected mayor of Jacksonville, Florida, yesterday, which is only the second time a Democrat has been elected to the post in the past three decades and the first time a woman was picked by voters. Jacksonville traditionally is a Republican stronghold. Donna Deegan beat Republican Daniel Davis by approximately 8,000 votes. Davis had raised about four times the campaign funds that Deegan raised.
Ecuador impeachment:Â The president of Ecuador, Guillermo Lasso, was accused by the country’s National Assembly of embezzlement and the National Assembly had started impeachment proceedings to remove him from office. This morning, Lasso dissolved the National Assembly, kicking out all of its members and ending the impeachment effort. The country’s National Electoral Council now has a week to call for elections to fill the vacant seats in the National Assembly.
Giuliani denies allegations:Â A spokesperson for former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani says Giuliani unequivocally denies allegations in a civil lawsuit filed by Noelle Dunphy. Dunphy alleges she worked for Giuliani and he violated labor laws by not paying her, frequently demanded sex from her and admitted to her that he and President Trump were involved in a scheme to sell Presidential Pardons for $2 million and then split the money. According to the court filing, recordings exist of Giuliani that will help prove some of the allegations.
Russian arrests:Â The Moscow Times reports that three Russian missile scientists have been arrested on charges of treason. The newspaper says that Russia’s scientific community is very upset at the arrests. The Russian government alleges their acts of treason consisted of publishing scientific articles and speaking at international scientific conferences, things that numerous Russian scientists do in the normal course of their careers.
