Briefly

UNITED STATES

Debt ceiling triggers 'extraordinary' steps

The United States hit its debt limit on Thursday, prompting the Treasury Department to take "extraordinary measures" to continue financing the federal government. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen announced in a letter to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy that her department would put temporary brakes on new investments in a few government retirement funds from Thursday until June 5. Those include the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund and a couple of others. Yellen said such moves could allow the federal government to pay its bills until June.

BRAZIL

President Lula to meet Biden next month

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will hold a meeting with his US counterpart Joe Biden in Washington on Feb 10, the country's presidency told Agence France-Presse on Thursday. Former trade unionist Lula, who took office on Jan 1 as president, will fly to Washington on Feb 9 for a two-day trip, his communications team said.Biden invited Lula to the White House on Jan 9, a day after thousands of rioters stormed the seats of power in Brasilia.

Agencies - Xinhua