North Korea attempted to launch a military spy satellite on Tuesday, but it crashed shortly after launch. Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, condemned the international community's reaction to the launch. The failed launch has sparked alarm among North Korea's neighbors and the United Nations Security Council is expected to meet to discuss the matter.
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The House of Representatives is set to vote Wednesday night on a bill that would cut federal spending by more than $1 trillion and raise the debt ceiling through the 2024 presidential election. The bill is expected to pass with support from both Republicans and Democrats, although there is opposition from both sides of the political spectrum. If the bill passes, it will be the first time in history that the U.S. has avoided a government debt default. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries need both parties to pass the bill in order to lift the debt ceiling a few days before the U.S. is expected to run out of money to pay its bills. Majority of the left wing of the Democratic Party is likely to vote no, arguing that the bill does not address underlying issues of inequality and poverty.
Raul Ortiz, the U.S. Border Patrol Chief, is retiring from federal service at the end of June after more than three decades with the agency. Acting Commissioner Troy Miller praised Ortiz for his service and leadership, and the agency is currently searching for a replacement. Ortiz's retirement comes after he helped oversee policy changes this month to curb irregular crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border.
The House Rules Committee has voted 7-6 to send the McCarthy-Biden deal to the floor, signaling support ahead of Wednesday's vote. The deal, which was negotiated by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and President Joe Biden, has faced criticism from GOP hard-liners. Despite the criticism, the deal is expected to pass in the Republican-controlled House on Wednesday, and then move to the Senate for further scrutiny and debate.
Robert Bowers is on trial for the 2018 Tree of Life synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which resulted in the death of 11 worshippers. The federal jury trial began Tuesday with 12 jurors and six alternates, and Bowers faces 63 counts, including 11 counts each of obstruction of free exercise of religion and hate crime resulting in death. Prosecutors allege Bowers had "malice and hate" for Jewish people, while the defense argues he was mentally ill and consumed by hatred and rage. The trial is expected to last several weeks and could have a lasting impact on the victims' families and the Pittsburgh community.
The U.S. has been attempting to restore high-level communications with China, and extended an invitation for Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to meet with PRC Minister of National Defense Li Shangfu on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. However, China has declined the invitation, signaling limits to their willingness to ease tensions. It remains to be seen if the two sides can come to an agreement and move forward with their relationship.
Key takeaways: China launched a new three-man crew to the Tiangong space station to replace three fellow “taikonauts” who had been in space for six…
On Monday, President Joe Biden paid tribute to fallen U.S. troops at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day, joined by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Biden acknowledged the pain of those who have lost loved ones and the ceremony concluded with a 21-gun salute and the playing of “Taps.” This was Biden's first visit to the cemetery since taking office and he is the fourth consecutive president to honor the fallen on Memorial Day.