Briefly

UNITED STATES

House Republicans pass debt ceiling hike

The US House of Representatives narrowly passed a bill on Wednesday to raise the government's $31.4 trillion debt ceiling that includes sweeping spending cuts over the next decade. The bill is not expected to pass the Senate and President Joe Biden would veto it if it did, but the mostly partisan 217-215 vote represents a win for Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on an issue that rattled investors and markets. Now, McCarthy hopes to lure Biden into negotiations on cutting spending. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden would not sign off on such cuts.

UNITED KINGDOM

Controversial migration bill backed by lawmakers

British lawmakers approved on Wednesday a sweeping bill that will dramatically curb migrants' ability to seek asylum in the United Kingdom, despite critics' allegations that it breaks international law. Members of the House of Commons voted 289-230 to back the Illegal Migration Bill, which the Conservative government said will deter tens of thousands of people from trying to reach the country in small boats across the English Channel each year. It now goes to the House of Lords, where it faces strong opposition — though the unelected upper chamber of Parliament can only amend, not block, the legislation.

JAPAN

Govt to downgrade legal status of COVID-19

Japan decided on Thursday to officially downgrade the legal status of COVID-19 to the same category as seasonal influenza, with the new status coming into effect on May 8. The move comes as the health ministry endorsed the government's plan to recategorize COVID-19 and downgrade its legal status to the same group as seasonal influenza. Ahead of the upcoming Golden Week holidays, the schedule for downgrading the status of COVID-19 comes as the government is also considering lifting related COVID-19 border controls that are still in place, a week earlier than initial plans. With Japan expecting increasing inbound and outbound travelers during the holiday period starting on Saturday, the remaining border controls may be lifted at midnight on Friday.

Agencies - Xinhua