PRESIDENT Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris meet with Congressional leadership about raising the debt ceiling, Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in the Oval Office of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz)

Can the the White House and Congress come to an agreement that prevents a national default?

According to the Associated Press, there are some signs that a deal could be forthcoming. President Joe Biden trimmed a planned overseas trip in order to meet with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who named two negotiators.

At the heart of the discussion will be how much of a compromise either side will agree to in order to raise the debt limit before the June 1 deadline.

If a deal is not in place by then, the Treasury Department could begin defaulting on its debts for the first time.

Russia’s setbacks not fazing Putin?

RUSSIAN PRESIDENT Vladimir Putin (Shutterstock).

The Russian military appears to be flailing in its efforts to reverse the tide of war in its favor in Ukraine, but battlefield setbacks don’t appear to be deterring President Vladimir Putin from abandoning what looks like a losing proposition.

According to The New York Times, the invaders have been pushed back on several fronts and elsewhere there’s a deadlock along a 600-mile frontier.

But some observers site Russia’s history of stubborn warfare, citing precedents such as Napoleon’s retreat from Moscow in the 19th century, and the rollback of Nazi forces in the 20th century.

The absence of a democratic system, it’s said, keeps Putin from having to cope with domestic dissent or opposition.

Also in the News …  Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida is planning to send National Guard troops and as many as 1,100 law enforcement agents to the Texas-Mexico border to enforce immigration laws, according to United Press International.

Sports: Lakers open series in Denver

The Los Angeles Lakers will open their NBA Western Conference finals series against the Nuggets in Denver tonight. Game Two will be on Thursday, also in Denver.

The Los Angeles Angels are in Baltimore playing the Orioles and the Los Angeles Dodgers are hosting the Minnesota Twins.

Results will be posted later.

Weather: Down and then up

Temperatures in the West Orange County are predicted to fall and then rise in the next few days. The forecast for Wednesday is for an overnight high of 71 with an overnight low of 59.  The skies should be mostly cloudy. Thursday will see the thermometer dip to 69 (59) with partly cloudy skies. On Friday, the daytime high should rise to 72 (59) under mostly sunny skies.