Thursday morning news: May 25, 2023

DeSantis » Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made it official last night.

RON DeSANTIS: I’m Ron DeSantis and I’m running for president to lead our great American comeback.

He released that online video announcement at the same time he joined Twitter CEO Elon Musk to announce his campaign in a live audio stream.

After three straight disappointing national elections for Republicans, DeSantis said his promise is a simple one, if Republicans nominate him:

DeSANTIS: You can set your clock to January 20th, 2025 at high noon. Because on the West side of the US Capitol, I will be taking the oath of office as the 47th president of the United States. No excuses. I will get the job done.

The 44-year-old Republican also fielded unscripted questions from Twitter users.

He joins a field of more than a half-dozen declared Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, Sen. Tim Scott, and former Ambassador Nikki Haley.

Debt limit » President Biden and Republican leaders are—quote—“still far apart” in debt ceiling talks, but both sides are working to calm fears over any potential default on U.S. debt.

Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierrre says the talks remain productive.

KARINE JEAN-PIERRE: The conversations continue, which is what matters. And the focus is on what the leaders said themselves, what Speaker McCarthy and what the president said as well, which is default is off the table.

And Speaker Kevin McCarthy echoed those remarks on Wednesday:

KEVIN MCCARTHY: We are working night and day. I would not, if I was in the markets, be afraid of anything in this process. We will come to an agreement worthy of the America public. And there should not be any fear.

The sticking point ahead of a June 1st deadline remains the same. Republicans want to reduce overspending before agreeing to borrow more, while Biden and other Democrats do not.

Battle for Bakhmut » The head of Wagner mercenary group says 20,000 of his men have died fighting for Russia in the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut.

U.S. National Security Council Spokesman John Kirby:

JOHN KIRBY- the main takeaway is that this, this offensive in Bakhmut, it's come at a terribly high cost to Russia.

Russia disputes the death toll, saying only 6,000 of its troops have died in the war as of January. It also claims the nine-month battle for the Bakhmut is over.

But this Ukrainian commander is saying here that Russia has destroyed the city, not taken it. Part of it is a grey zone with troops still fighting.

Russia-China » Meantime, Russia says pressure from the West is forging a closer bond between Moscow and Beijing. WORLD’s Josh Schumacher has more.

JOSH SCHUMACHER: Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin sat down with his Chinese counterpart in Beijing Wednesday.

His visit comes as Russia increasingly turns to China for support, as it grows more isolated from the rest of the world.

Mishustin said relations between the two countries are “at an unprecedented high level,” due to what he called the "pressure of illegitimate sanctions” from the West.”

China says it is a neutral party between Russia and Ukraine and wants to help broker an end to the conflict. But it has repeatedly defended Russia’s interests and helped Moscow subvert sanctions.

Typhoon » Residents of Guam are cleaning up the island after Typhoon Mawar lashed the U.S. territory with 140-mile-per-hour winds yesterday.

Meteorologist Brandon Bukunt:

BRANDON BUKUNT: We’ve encouraged people to seek shelter in reinforced concrete buildings and away from the coastline due to larger storm surges in some areas. We’ll get through this but there will be a recovery process.

The strongest part of the Category 4 storm hit the northern section of Guam yesterday and most of the island lost power.

Tina Turner » Longtime pop superstar Tina Turner has died. Turner topped the charts for decades with hits like 1984’s “What’s Love Got to Do With It.”

SOUND: [What’s Love Got to do with It]

She sold more than 150 million records worldwide, won 12 Grammys, and was voted along with her ex-husband Ike Turner into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Turner died after a long illness in her home in Switzerland. She was 83 years old.

I'm Kent Covington.

Straight ahead: banning TikTok in Big Sky Country. Plus, the spiritual legacy of Tim Keller.

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