Biden postpones two trips for debt ceiling talks; mifepristone heads to court again; Ukrainian efforts in Bakhmut

Plus, the IRS investigates potential racial bias in its audit system.

View this email online by Suzanne Nuyen May 17, 2023 Good morning. When was the last time you logged into your Google account? Do it soon. Google is deleting neglected accounts older than two years to avoid security risks. Here's what else we're following today.  President Biden heads to Japan today for the G-7 summit but will not go to Australia and Papua New Guinea afterward. He's postponed those trips to come back for final negotiations with congressional leaders over the U.S. debt ceiling. Leaders who were going to meet with Biden in Australia will also be at the G-7 summit. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images 🎧 NPR's Scott Detrow is in Japan. He tells the Up First podcast that China has been "aggressively courting Pacific Island nations" like Papua New Guinea, with economic and military assistance." At the G -7 summit, Detrow reports Ukraine will be a top focus, and the U.S. will push for "more steps to further isolate Russia from the rest of the world economy," while Japan will be pushing for "firm commitments on food security and infrastructure funding."  Mifepristone is back in the courts today. Attorneys are gathering at the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans to argue a case that could remove the abortion drug from the U.S. market entirely.  🎧 NPR's Selena Simmons Duffins says the panel of judges hearing the case have shown they've been "persuaded by at least some of the challenger's arguments," so the pharmaceutical industry and reproductive rights supporters are bracing for a decision that would limit access to the drug. Simmons stresses mifepristone remains legal and available right now, but "the stakes are huge" because it's "about mifepristone everywhere, not just in states that limit abortion.    Ukraine's military says it has made advances in Bakhmut and shot down a barrage of hypersonic missiles fired at Kyiv, which Russia denies firing. The developments come as a deal brokered by the U.N. and Turkey to allow Ukrainian grain to leave the war zone is set to expire. The last ship carrying grain before the deal's expiration is expected to leave today.  🎧 Although some military analysts say Ukraine's advances could be a sign the counteroffensive has begun, NPR's Joanna Kakissis says, "The truth is that we don't know." She adds there's a chance the grain deal, which helps feed the world, could collapse. An internal IRS investigation has found Black taxpayers are audited at higher rates than other racial groups. In a letter to the Senate Finance Committee, IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel says the agency is "deeply concerned" by the findings, and it would review its audit algorithms to look for and address any racial biases. ➡️ Meanwhile, the IRS plans to launch an online filing system to let taxpayers file directly to the government for free. It will likely face opposition from the $14 billion tax-preparation software industry. Newsletter continues after sponsor message : Sameer Al-Doumy /AFP via Getty Images The European Union has created new rules for taxing imports based on the amount of carbon dioxide that companies emit when making the goods. Experts say it's the first time a major economy has linked climate and trade policy. 💰 Fewer emissions during the production of goods sold to the EU will generally mean lower taxes for countries. 💰 The EU hopes the taxes will encourage other countries to reduce emissions or draft similar laws.  💰 But international trade only accounts for 20-30 percent of global emissions, so trade policies can only do so much.  💰 U.S. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are drafting plans for a similar border tax policy.  💰 An analyst tells NPR these protectionist policies could cause trade conflicts and hinder global climate change efforts. Duc Dong/AFP via Getty Images Despite finishing last, a Cambodian runner inspired spectators after finishing her race in the pouring rain during the Southeast Asian Games. Florida's Department of Education is investigating a teacher after she showed her fifth-grade students Strange World, a Disney movie with a gay character.  A 55-year-old professor has broken the world record for the longest time living underwater. He's been in his underwater bunker for 77 days and plans to stay until day 100. Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to hear live radio from WUFT 89.1 (edit station). This newsletter was edited by Majd Al-Waheidi. Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Music, Politics, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Best of NPR emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy