*Pregnant Texas woman [who was] threatened with arrest if she left hospital to seek abortion is suing over the endangerment of her life.* In all, eight women have joined this lawsuit.

Governments threatened with the debt ceiling should not hesitate to use questionable maneuvers to keep the government operating — and they should not try to go to court to argue for them. Biden should do what is needed, then let the Republicans sue if they wish.

If government lawyers were to argue in the Supreme Court, in advance, that the maneuver id lawful, the current right-wing politicized court would have every motive to rule "it is unlawful", and thus strengthen the Republican hostage-takers.

However, if Republicans file that case after the maneuver is used, then a ruling of "it is unlawful" would mean instantaneous default. Even the right-wing justices would hesitate to do that. They would have to find a way to avoid that.

* World is on track for 2.7°C [of global heating] and "phenomenal" human suffering, scientists warn.*

Texas attorney general Paxton, a right-wing attack agent, is being investigated for accusations of corruption.

The previous (right-wing) Australian government paid a corrupt billionaire to arrange imprisonment of boat people in Nauru, and kept on paying him even after he was convicted of bribing Nauru officials.

What this says to me is that the previous government was so dishonest that they didn't bother to notice.