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.

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 Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has written to congressional leaders warning that the federal government could run out of cash as early as June 1, unless they agree on raising the debt limit or suspending it.

The US government could start to run out of money if Congress fails to raise the debt ceiling by the end of the month. DW looks at the wider impact of a debt default.

As a deadline looms on raising the US government's $31.4 trillion debt ceiling, President Joe Biden began talks with congressional leaders at the White House on Tuesday. Republicans are seeking concessions from the Biden administration to lift the borrowing limit, but the White House has said there should be no negotiations. Officials have warned that the US could default on its debt by as soon as June 1.

US President Joe Biden is meeting with Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy this Monday, resuming talks on raising the government's borrowing limit. Washington has until June 1 to reach a deal before the government runs out of money to pay its bills, which would send shockwaves through the US economy and global financial markets.

US President Joe Biden was optimistic about the US averting a technical default. Republicans have refused to raise the nation's debt limit unless Democrats make concessions on spending plans.

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.