Your Monday Briefing: US Debt Limit Deal

President Biden and Speaker Kevin McCarthy came to an agreement in principle remove the debt limit for two years, a breakthrough after a marathon of crisis negotiations that left the country days before its first default in history.

“This is an important step forward in reducing costs while protecting critical programs for the working people and growing the economy for all,” Biden said in a statement Saturday night.

The agreement will suspend the current $31.4 trillion borrowing limit long enough to get through the next presidential election. The Treasury projected that it would exhaust its ability to repay its obligations on June 5th. Economists and Wall Street analysts warned that a default would be devastating and could potentially lead to a global economic crisis.

Details: Domestic spending will be capped, though not as much as the Republicans wanted. Defense, Social Security, Medicare, and veterans programs will be protected from cuts.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has faced the greatest political challenge in his 20 years in office, won re-election yesterday. According to the state news agency Anadolu, Erdogan won 52.1% of the vote, compared with 47.9% for his rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu.

Erdogan addressed his supporters from the roof of a white bus outside his home in Istanbul, thanking them for giving him another five years in power and for supporting him in a runoff election that delayed his victory by two weeks.

“We will be together until the grave,” he said.

In a televised address, Kılıçdaroğlu did not dispute the results, but said the elections in which Erdoğan used his state power were unfair.

View from abroad: The results were watched closely by NATO allies, including the US, whose relationship with Erdogan was strained as he suspended Finland’s membership in the alliance and refused to support Sweden’s entry.


Chinese health authorities reported an increase in Covid cases since April, especially from the newer sub-variants that are spreading around the world. One well-known doctor estimated that up to 65 million people a week could be infected across the country by the end of June.

These figures may have prompted a repeat of the “zero Covid” policy, which was abruptly lifted in December. But officials across China appear to be trying to prepare the population for a rise in infections without reintroducing strict control measures.

Context: After lifting tough restrictions on domestic travel, the government shifted its focus to revitalizing economic growth and creating jobs. The youth unemployment rate, which is at its highest level in recent years, may be more politically relevant than rising Covid rates.


Eight years ago, Ryan Alshebl, a Syrian refugee, crossed the Mediterranean in a boat and walked the entire continent, eventually finding refuge in Germany.

He is now the mayor of Ostelsheim, a small conservative village in southwestern Germany. The story of how the city chose a refugee mayor contains clues for a nation struggling with its multicultural identity.

We recently asked readers to share songs that evoke memories of home. Thanks to all who responded. Here are some of your favorites shared by several readers:

Delhi residents point to movie soundtrackDelhi-6which was released in 2009. Many have recommended Dil Gira Dafatan. “This song captures the heart’s quick submission to my beloved – and mine – Delhi,” wrote 28-year-old Kritika Rawat, who lives in Bangalore.

People who grew up or lived in the Philippines celebrated “Manila“Hotdog Jay, now 48 and now living in Singapore, said the song “captures both the spirit of the city at its peak and the sense of longing that millions of expatriate Filipinos feel.”

Many readers have recommended Peter Allen’s book “I still call Australia my home“. The reason is simple, says Sue Irie, 56, who lives in Kashiwa, Japan: “Because although I have lived abroad longer than in Australia, Australia is still my home.”

We hope you enjoy this playlist. Maybe you will take it with you on a long walk, letting the surrounding sounds envelop you.