In the United States, top congressional Republican Kevin McCarthy says he and President Joe Biden have reached a tentative deal to raise the debt ceiling ahead of the June 5 deadline.

McCarthy said, "After weeks of negotiations, we have come to an agreement in principle. We still have work to do but I believe this is an agreement in principle that's worthy of the American people."

McCarthy spoke with President Biden by phone on Saturday. He said he would finish writing the bill on Sunday, then speak with Biden again. A House vote could come on Wednesday.

The Wall Street Journal and other US media outlets report that the agreement raises the debt limit for two years while capping spending over that time.

It keeps "nondefense" spending in fiscal 2024 at roughly the same level as the previous year, and increases it by about 1 percent in 2025.

Reports say the White House agreed to a key demand by Republicans to tighten work requirements for federal food aid.

They also say the deal does not include stricter eligibility screenings for Medicaid, a medical insurance plan for low-income people. Democrats had opposed stricter screenings.

Biden said on Twitter the deal "is an important step forward." But he also said it represents a compromise. The agreement came 9 days earlier than the time limit of a debt default, which would have been the first in US history.