10 things you need to know today: May 28, 2023

1. White House and Republicans reach tentative debt ceiling deal

The White House and Republicans reached a tentative deal on Saturday night to extend the debt ceiling for two years, avoiding a catastrophic national default. While the details are still being hammered out, President Biden tweeted that the deal was "an important step forward that reduces spending while protecting critical programs for working people and growing the economy for everyone," adding that the proposal was a compromise where both sides acquiesced. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R) offered similar sentiments, though appeared to blame Biden for the lengthy negotiations. The deal comes following months of back-and-forth talks between the two sides, with Republicans urging a cut on spending and Democrats wanting to ensure the security of social programs.

The New York Times The Washington Post

2. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton impeached

The GOP-led Texas House voted to impeach Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Saturday, in a stunning rebuke of a staunch conservative by his own party. The House voted to impeach by a 121-23 tally, with two members voting 'present'. State Rep. Andrew Murr (R), chair of the Texas General Investigating Committee, said the evidence against was "substantial. It is alarming and unnerving." Articles of impeachment had previously been filed against Paxton for alleged bribery, obstruction of justice, unfitness for office, abuse of public trust, and retaliation against whistleblowers. Paxton is now suspended pending a trial in the Texas Senate, where he could be removed from office with a two-thirds majority vote.

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3. Voters in Turkey return to ballot boxes for presidential runoff

Polls opened in Turkey on Sunday for the presidential runoff election, where President Recep Tayyip Erdogan faces off against opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu. The initial election was held on May 14, but a runoff was triggered after no candidate garnered the necessary 50% vote to carry the presidency. Erdogan, often considered one of the world's foremost strongmen, will look to continue his 20 years in power, but Kilicdaroglu represents the greatest challenge to him yet. In the initial round of voting, Kilicdaroglu garnered 44.5% of the vote, but Erdogan, who was facing controversies over his rule, performed better than expected with 49.5% of the vote. Heading into the runoff, Erdogan was expected to emerge victorious once again.

The Guardian CNBC

4. U.S., Saudi Arabia call for ceasefire extension in Sudan

The United States and Saudi Arabia issued a joint call on Sunday for Sudan to extend the ceasefire between warring factions of its military. The call for peace came as fighting could be heard overnight in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum, while human rights watchers reported deadly skirmishes in the western region of Darfur. The conflict, which first began in April, has left hundreds dead and millions displaced from their homes. A temporary ceasefire was brokered, but that deal is set to expire at the end of the weekend. "While imperfect, an extension nonetheless will facilitate the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian assistance to the Sudanese people," the U.S. and Saudi Arabia said in a joint statement.

Reuters The Associated Press

5. Modi opens new Indian Parliament building amidst opposition boycott

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a new Parliament building for the country on Sunday, coming amidst boycotts and opposition anger towards the project. While Modi officially opened the building during a morning ceremony, most of the opposition parties did not participate, saying they wanted Indian President Droupadi Murmu, who is largely a ceremonial figure, to inaugurate the Parliament instead. The leader of the opposition Congress Party, Rahul Gandh, said Modi was treating the ceremony as his 'coronation,' saying it represented a tearing down of democracy. Criticism was also levied towards Modi's decision to wear traditional Hindu garb in the building, which opponents said went against Parliament's secular goals.

BBC News

6. South Korean man facing up to 10 years in prison after opening airplane door in midair

A South Korean man who opened an airplane's emergency exit door in midair was formally arrested Sunday and could face up to 10 years in prison. The unidentified 33-year-old man was arraigned on a charge of violating the aviation security law, South Korean law enforcement said. During his questioning, the man reportedly told police he wanted to get off the plane because he felt claustrophobic. At least 12 people were injured during the incident this past Friday, after the man opened the door of the Asiana Airlines plane, causing a blast of unpressurized air to rush inside. Officials said the man was likely able to open the door because the plane was flying at a low altitude.

The Associated Press

7. First Chinese-made passenger jet completes maiden flight

China's first domestically built passenger jet made its maiden flight on Sunday, with the country looking to begin competing with the world's preeminent aviation companies. China Eastern Airlines flight MU9191, a C919 commercial jetliner, flew above Shanghai on Sunday morning carrying about 130 passengers, Chinese state media said. Footage from local CCTV also showed the jet passing over the Shanghai skyline. While the plane was built by the state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), many of its parts came from overseas, including its engines. The C919 is still slated to become a regular part of China Eastern's route, though, and officials hailed the first flight as "an important milestone" for the country.

The Wall Street Journal The Guardian

8. 2 additional horses euthanized at Churchill Downs, bringing total deaths to a dozen

Two more horses were euthanized at Louisville's Churchill Downs, the home of the Kentucky Derby, after suffering injuries on Saturday. This brings the total number of horses to die at the famed racetrack to a dozen in the past two months. The first horse, Kimberley Dream, suffered a "significant injury" to her leg during a race and doctors made the decision to put her down, racetrack officials said. A second horse, Lost in Limbo, suffered a similar injury and was also euthanized. Officials said it was with "absolute dismay and sorrow that we report this highly unusual statistic." The large number of deaths has brought renewed scrutiny to the sport, with some questioning its ethics.

CNN WLKY-TV Louisville

9. Celtics erase 3-0 series deficit with buzzer-beating victory against Miami

The Boston Celtics defied history — and the odds — on Saturday night with a buzzer-beater to force a Game 7 against the Miami Heat in the NBA's Eastern Conference Finals. The Celtics will now look to become the first NBA team to come back from a 3-0 series deficit, as they dropped the first three games of the series. Miami was just a second away from reaching the NBA Finals, in a back-and-forth game. However, with just two-tenths of a second on the clock, Derrick White snagged a missed jump shot from Marcus Smart and put it through the net to give the Celtics the 104-103 win.

ESPN

10. Pop singer and 1950s TV star Ed Ames dies at 95

Ed Ames, a member of the 1950s singer troupe the Ames Brothers and a successful television star, has died at the age of 95. The last of four brothers, Ames died from complications of Alzheimer's disease, his wife Jeanne Ames said in a statement on Saturday. She said that her husband had had "a wonderful life." Ames got his start as a singer and later transitioned to acting, and is best known for his role as Mingo in the 1960s adventure drama "Daniel Boone." He also made numerous appearances on "The Tonight Show" and additionally had guest roles in other shows such as "Murder, She Wrote."

The Associated Press