Pence to Congress on healthcare: “Inaction is not an option”

US President Joe Biden has called on lawmakers to pass legislation that would avert a nationwide rail shutdown. This would impose a contract that has not been approved by all negotiating unions but would nonetheless guarantee a 24 percent wage increase for rail workers. The US economy stands to lose $2 billion a day in the event of a strike.

The spending bill includes provisions to reform US election laws — the first legislative response to the January 6 riots at the Capitol after Donald Trump refused to accept the results.

The former US president fought for years to keep his tax affairs secret, even suing the committee that tried to make them public.

There was gridlock in Washington this week as US Republican Kevin McCarthy failed to become House speaker on the first ballot, something that hasn’t happened for a century. It was supposed to be an easy win for the Republican favourite, but he was blocked three times in one day by a small group of rebels from within his own party.

As India celebrates Republic Day, 52-year-old Rahul Gandhi, heir to the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, is due to complete a march of more than 3,500 kilometres across India next week. His aim is to put the opposition Congress Party back on the political map after a string of scandals and political defeats.

Mike Pence was subpoenaed as part of two ongoing probes against Trump. In January, classified documents were found at Pence's residence.

The Chinese Communist Party is expected to unveil its lowest economic growth target in decades amid an ongoing slump in the country's real estate market. Also on the show: Mexico plans food tariff cuts to confront high inflation, and Franco-Angolan business ties take centre stage as President Emmanuel Macron visits Luanda.

Rwanda is preparing to host the FIFA Congress on Thursday. The capital city of Kigali will welcome the 73rd congress of world soccer's governing body.

US President Joe Biden's administration defended the decision to withdraw all US troops from Afghanistan in 2021. It followed almost two decades in the country, and led almost immediately to the Taliban reclaiming power.

After reducing working hours from 45 to 40, Chile will join Ecuador and Venezuela in having Latin America's shortest workweek. The move marks a legislative victory for President Gabriel Boric.

US President Joe Biden has announced that an agreement has been brokered with Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to raise the government's debt ceiling This pivotal piece of legislation, now poised for a vote in Congress, requires a simple majority for its enactment. If passed, it would circumvent an unprecedented debt default potentially looming as early as June 5. President Biden characterises the proposed legislation as a "compromise", outlining a two-year budget plan which, in essence, holds non-defence spending steady for 2024.

The US debt ceiling deal still needs to pass in the voting round expected to take place in the House of Representatives.