The top Republicans in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives said on Saturday that after a week of stalemate they are now in serious talks with President Barack Obama to raise the debt ceiling and avoid a looming default, according to Reuters. "We now have a a level of seriousness with the right people at the table," Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said at a news conference, where he was joined by House Speaker John Boehner.
