The Balance of Power on the US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy

China says the comments by ambassador at Lu Shaehu that former Soviet block states are not sovereign nations was an expression of his personal point of view. France President William Macron also distancing himself saying it's not a diplomats place to use this sort of language. US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy looks to be going ahead with a vote without the possibility of amendments for his debt ceiling bill even though Bloomberg reporting says he may come up short on votes from ultra conservative part of his party. Major Australian Defense Minister report has recommended sweeping changes to the country's defense forces as it readjusts to a changing Indo-Pacific region.