The Short List

Sun May 21 2023

Biden, McCarthy pledge more debt limit talks amid partisan rancor

President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy planned to meet again Monday for further negotiations on the debt ceiling after talks broke down this weekend over GOP demands for spending cuts. The president and the speaker had a "productive" phone conversation as Biden flew back Sunday from an economic summit in Japan, McCarthy said. Speaking earlier with reporters at the G7 summit, Biden cast GOP demands as "extreme," and added he "can't guarantee" Republicans won't force a default. In his most blunt remarks so far, Biden said he won't accept a deal that protects a "$30 billion tax break for the oil industry," targets Medicaid, jeopardizes the jobs of teachers and law enforcement officers and "protects wealthy tax cheats and crypto traders."

•	How you can prepare financially amid the debt ceiling fight?
•	Biden says U.S. can avoid default and raise debt ceiling.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy of Calif., and Senate Majority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer of N.Y., listen as President Joe Biden speaks before a meeting to discuss the debt limit in the Oval Office last week.

Evan Vucci, AP

Confusion as Zelenskyy appears to confirm loss of Bakhmut at G7

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy walked back comments Sunday that appeared to confirm earlier Russian claims that its forces captured the city of Bakhmut following months of bloody and intense fighting. "I think not," he said after being asked whether Ukraine still controlled the city. Zelenskyy made the comments while speaking alongside President Biden on the final day of the Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima, Japan. However, Zelenskyy's office later denied that Russia captured the city. It said his comments were a reference to the complete destruction of Bakhmut, the site of the longest and likely the bloodiest battle of the war.

•	Ukraine updates: Biden says Zelenskyy gave 'flat assurance' he won't use F-16s in Russia.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, left, and U.S. President Joe Biden at the G7 Leaders' Summit in Hiroshima on Sunday.

BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI, AFP via Getty Images

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Bob Baffert's National Treasure wins Preakness

National Treasure won the 148th Preakness Stakes on Saturday, shattering Kentucky Derby winner Mage's hopes of capturing the Triple Crown. Ridden by jockey John Velazquez and trained by Bob Baffert, National Treasure finished first under the wire at Baltimore's Pimlico Race Course ahead of Blazing Sevens. The winning time was 1:55:12. Baffert now has the most Preakness wins by a trainer with eight. However, one of his horses, Havnameltdown, was euthanized on the Pimlico track earlier Saturday after suffering an inoperable ankle injury. Animal rights groups called on Baffert, who has been linked with numerous horse deaths over the years, to be banned from Pimlico.

•	Animal rights groups condemn Bob Baffert: Call for change after another racehorse dies.

National Treasure, ridden by jockey John Velazquez, edges Blazing Sevens to win the Preakness Stakes on Saturday in Baltimore.

Julio Cortez, AP

'It's a miracle she's here': Brittney Griner makes WNBA return after Russian detainment

Brittney Griner, who less than six months ago was in a Russian prison and fearing she might not ever get home, made her official return to professional basketball Friday night. Griner, 32, had a team-high 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting, six rebounds and four blocks for the Phoenix Mercury in a 94-71 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks on opening night for the WNBA. It was another milestone in her path back from a harrowing ordeal that included almost 10 months of detainment. Shortly before tipoff, Griner exchanged hugs with Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Douglas Emhoff, who were in attendance.