The US House of Representatives has passed a bipartisan debt limit bill to avoid a government default. The bill received support from more Democrats than Republicans, and it will now go to the Senate for a vote before the deadline set by the US Treasury. The bill's passage is expected to impact the markets positively, but there are concerns among anti-McCarthy Republicans. While some lawmakers expressed dissatisfaction with the bill's specific provisions, they blamed the GOP rather than the Biden administration.

Meanwhile, the foreign ministers of the BRICS countries are meeting in Cape Town to discuss various matters, including the invitation to Vladimir Putin for a BRICS summit in South Africa. The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Putin for war crimes related to Russia's actions in Ukraine. If Putin attends the summit in South Africa, the authorities there are technically obligated to arrest him. South Africa faces a dilemma as the summit is significant for the BRICS group but could lead to tensions with the US and potential criticism for allowing arms shipments to Russia. Different solutions, such as Zoom attendance or China hosting the summit, are being considered.

In another development, the communication breakdown between the US and China has escalated tensions. A recent incident involved an American spy plane and a Chinese fighter jet nearly colliding over the South China Sea. The lack of open communication between the two countries raises the risk of misunderstandings and potential crises. Efforts to reschedule meetings and reopen communication channels are crucial to prevent further mishaps.

Other news includes a nervous mood in Russia following drone strikes, the unsuccessful launch of a North Korean spy satellite, Russian airstrikes in Kyiv resulting in casualties, the Sudanese military abandoning a ceasefire leading to an expected increase in fighting, and the beginning of mock trials for Iranian journalists reporting on an in-custody death. Additionally, a unique event in southwest England involved a rolling cheese competition, albeit with safety concerns, as one participant was briefly knocked unconscious.

The US Senate has passed a last-minute compromise deal to raise the debt ceiling, preventing the government from running out of money to pay its bills. The bill, which includes spending cuts demanded by Republicans, is now ready to be signed into law by President Joe Biden. Despite opposition from Republican fiscal hawks and progressive Democrats, the legislation passed with bipartisan support. The agreement was reached just days before the deadline for a catastrophic default, highlighting the situation's urgency. However, the deal does not address America's spending exceeding its borrowing limits and postpones the problem until January 2025.

In other news, OPEC+ has banned reporters from Bloomberg, Reuters, and the Wall Street Journal from covering its upcoming meeting in Vienna. The group, consisting of 23 oil-producing states, will decide on oil production levels for the year's second half. There are speculations about whether OPEC+ will deepen oil cuts to counter low oil prices, but analysts believe it is unlikely due to potential geopolitical and global economic implications.

Meanwhile, Senegal witnessed violence after opposition leader Ousmane Sonko was sentenced in absentia, jeopardizing his bid to run for president in 2024. Sonko's supporters have been protesting the trial, alleging unfair targeting by President Macky Sall. The situation could escalate if Sonko is disqualified from the presidential race, particularly if Sall decides to run for a third term despite constitutional limitations.

The regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) is gaining attention, but the US is divided on how strictly to police the technology. While calls for regulation are increasing, the Biden administration is cautious about stifling innovation and the competitiveness of US AI firms. On the other hand, Europe is moving towards stricter AI rules, including disclosure requirements for AI-generated content. Finding common ground between the two sides is crucial to avoid further conflicts over digital privacy and ensure AI's responsible use.

In brief statistics, a Norwegian Refugee Council report identifies seven of Africa's top ten most neglected crises.

Inflation in the Eurozone dropped to 6.1% in May, suggesting the European Central Bank's measures are working, although more interest rate hikes are expected.

Brazil's former President, Fernando Collor de Mello, has been sentenced to nearly nine years for corruption and money laundering.

Germany's far-right AfD party is polling at 18% nationwide.

At the same time, soccer player Lionel Messi is rumored to be leaving Paris Saint-Germain, potentially returning to FC Barcelona or accepting an offer from Saudi Arabia.

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