Time is ticking to prevent a default on U.S. debt and recycling centers could be making our plastics

problem worse?

That's some of what would get to on the 7th from the Washington Post.

I'm Jeff Pierre. It's Monday, May 22nd. Let's get you caught up with today's 7 stories.

First up, Ukraine's control of Bakmoot, a devastated eastern city is slipping.

Ukrainian forces have been reduced to small foothills in the city.

They're now moving to surround Bachmoot in an attempt to prolong the fight against Russian forces.

At the G7 summit in Hiroshima Japan over the weekend,

Ukrainian President Valodermir Zelensky painted a bleak picture of the state of the battle,

saying that there's nothing left in Bakmut.

For today, Bakmut is only in our hearts.

There is nothing in our hearts.

There is nothing on this place.

So just ground and a lot of dead Russians.

The city has limited strategic importance,

but has emerged as the war's bloodiest battlefield.

Its full capture would be a rare win for the Russian side. Number two, there are as few as ten days left to prevent a U.S. debt default. Congress needs to raise or suspend

the debt ceiling, a limit on the amount of money the U.S. can borrow to pay its bills by a June

first deadline. President Biden will meet with Republican leaders for more talks today.

The sides are struggling to agree on cuts to federal spending.

That's a key Republican demand.

If talks fail, the U.S. could default on its debt for the first time ever.

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