'Read a history book': DUP leader's riposte to Chuck Schumer amid Brexit jostling in Washington

On historic visit to N. Ireland, Biden seeks 'to woo the DUP back to power-sharing'

DUP boycott of assembly over N. Ireland Brexit deal overshadows Biden's historic visit

Congress Blocks US Equal Rights Amendment

Congress Blocks US , Equal Rights Amendment . On April 27, the United States Senate did not reach enough votes to preserve equal rights for women in the Constitution. Reuters reports that the failed attempt comes a century after Congress first proposed guaranteeing gender equality. Reuters reports that the failed attempt comes a century after Congress first proposed guaranteeing gender equality. Supporters of the resolution were nine votes short of the 60 needed to clear the chamber's filibuster hurdle. Had it passed, the resolution would have removed a 1982 deadline that has reportedly prevented the Equal Rights Amendment from going into effect. Had it passed, the resolution would have removed a 1982 deadline that has reportedly prevented the Equal Rights Amendment from going into effect. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer highlighted the importance of the ERA after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer highlighted the importance of the ERA after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year. To the horror of hundreds of millions of American people, women in America have far fewer rights today than they did even a year ago, Chuck Schumer, Senate Majority Leader, via Reuters. Reuters reports that opponents of the ERA argue the resolution could pave the way for abortion being made a constitutional right. The failure to pass the resolution is likely to bolster the importance of women's rights in the upcoming 2024 presidential election. . It is long past time to definitively enshrine the principle of gender equality in the Constitution, White House, via statement. Supporters of the ERA say it would guarantee equal pay and rights in legal matters, while opponents point out that the resolution would make women subject to a military draft

Elon Musk Meets With Lawmakers on Regulating AI

Elon Musk , Meets With Lawmakers , on Regulating AI. On April 27, Elon Musk tweeted that he met with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and other lawmakers regarding the regulation of artificial intelligence. On April 27, Elon Musk tweeted that he met with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and other lawmakers regarding the regulation of artificial intelligence. CNBC reports that Musk posted the tweet after being spotted on Capitol Hill. That which affects safety of the public has, over time, become regulated to ensure that companies do not cut corners, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, SpaceX and Twitter, via Twitter. AI has great power to do good and evil. Better the former, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, SpaceX and Twitter, via Twitter. Recently, Schumer launched an effort to create a framework for regulation that fosters the rapidly- advancing technology while minimizing the risks. Recently, Schumer launched an effort to create a framework for regulation that fosters the rapidly- advancing technology while minimizing the risks. CNBC reports that Schumer's plans focus on transparency and thorough testing by experts prior to AI systems being released to the public. Last month, Musk was a high-profile signatory of an open letter calling for a six-month pause on “the training of AI systems more powerful than GPT-4.”. Musk was a co-founder of ChatGPT creator OpenAI, but he sold off his stake in the company and left the board in 2018. Musk was a co-founder of ChatGPT creator OpenAI, but he sold off his stake in the company and left the board in 2018. Following his departure, Musk has repeatedly warned that OpenAI has strayed from its initial goals. In response, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said that while he agreed with moving forward with caution, “The letter, I don’t think, was the optimal way to address it.”. In response, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said that while he agreed with moving forward with caution, “The letter, I don’t think, was the optimal way to address it.”

US House Passes Debt Limit Bill As Default Looms

US House Passes , Debt Limit Bill , As Default Looms. On April 26, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy passed his debt ceiling bill by a narrow margin of 217 to 215. . NBC reports that the passage of the bill throws into question whether the United States will be able to avoid a looming default. Both the Democratic-controlled Senate and the Biden administration have said that they would not approve the bill. . Both the Democratic-controlled Senate and the Biden administration have said that they would not approve the bill. . However, Republicans believe that the passage of the bill in the House opens the door for further negotiation. . Now he should sit down and negotiate. We are the only party to take fiscal action... that would lift the debt limit so we wouldn’t have economic damage, Kevin McCarthy, Republican House Speaker, via NBC. NBC reports that the White House has said it will not compromise on raising the debt limit with policy strings attached. According to the Treasury Department, economic calamity from the U.S. defaulting on its debts could happen as early as June 5 if Congress fails to act in time. According to the Treasury Department, economic calamity from the U.S. defaulting on its debts could happen as early as June 5 if Congress fails to act in time. Our plan has always been the same: to avoid default, to pass a clean debt ceiling — no brinksmanship, no hostage-taking. , Chuck Schumer, Democratic Senate Majority Leader, via NBC. However, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell suggests that a compromise between both parties is the only way forward. The agreement needs to be reached between the speaker and the president. Until he and the speaker of the House reach an agreement, we’ll be at a standoff, Mitch McConnell, Republican Senate Minority Leader, via NBC

Senate Republicans Block Effort to Replace Feinstein on Judiciary Panel

Senate Republicans Block Effort , to Replace Feinstein on Judiciary Panel. CNN reports that the request was formally blocked on April 18. CNN reports that the request was formally blocked on April 18. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and other Democrats hoped to temporarily replace Feinstein on the panel as she recovers from shingles. The 89-year-old senator made the request last week, as she is committed to returning to her role. Her absence has delayed the panel's ability to process judicial nominees. Pressure has mounted for Feinstein to return soon or resign. She has already made it clear that she won't seek reelection. Opposing GOP senators contend that the attempt to temporarily replace Feinstein is merely to get controversial nominees confirmed. She’s a dear friend and we hope for her speedy recovery and return back to the Senate. With all due respect, my colleague, Senator Schumer, this is about a handful of judges that you can’t get the votes for, Sen. Lindsey Graham, via CNN. I don’t think Republicans can or should help President Biden’s most controversial nominees. , Sen. John Cornyn, via CNN. I support having Sen. Feinstein come back as soon as she can. But this effort to confirm controversial and in many instances largely unqualified nominees, I don’t think you can expect any Republican cooperation, Sen. John Cornyn, via CNN

Kevin McCarthy Says House Republicans Will Vote on a Debt Limit Bill

Kevin McCarthy Says House Republicans , Will Vote on a Debt Limit Bill. NBC News reports that the House speaker made the announcement on April 17. Since the president continues to hide, House Republicans will take action. , House Speak Kevin McCarthy, via statement. So here’s our plan: In the coming weeks the House will vote on a bill to lift the debt ceiling into the next year, save taxpayers trillions of dollars, make us less dependent upon China, curb our high inflation — all without touching Social Security and Medicare, House Speak Kevin McCarthy, via statement. McCarthy didn't offer specifics about his plan. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer responded. Show us your plan. What we got today was not a plan. It was a recycled pile of the same things he’s been saying for months, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, via statement. President Biden and I are happy to meet with the speaker when he has something to talk about — a plan, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, via statement. White House spokesman Andrew Bates also issued a statement. [McCarthy] again failed to clearly outline what House Republicans are proposing and will vote on, even as he referenced a vague, extreme MAGA wish list that will increase costs for hard-working families, Andrew Bates, White House spokesman, via statement. ... take food assistance and health care away from millions of Americans, and yet would enlarge the deficit when combined with House Republican proposals for tax giveaways skewed to the super-rich, special interests, and profitable companies, Andrew Bates, White House spokesman, via statement

British author Jonathan Coe reflects on Brexit, Boris Johnson, and the Royal Family

Coe's latest novel, titled "Bournville", takes on a family saga, but with a unique focus on the emotional relationship between the British people and the royal family.

Nigel Farage: Brexit has failed to take control of borders

Arch-Brexiteer Nigel Farage has admitted the UK's withdrawal from the European Union has been a "failure" in terms of the borders, but stopped short of taking responsibility for net migration numbers. The former UKIP and Brexit Party leader said: "That's not a failure because Brexit itself is a failure … the failure of Brexit is to be laid fairly and squarely at the door of the Conservative government, they have chosen not to use the powers that we have with Brexit." Report by Buseld. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

PM distances self from Frost’s Scottish devolution comments

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has distanced himself from comments made by Lord Frost. The former chief Brexit negotiator said it was time to “reverse the process” of devolving powers to Scotland. The prime minister said we should be “celebrating” that the Scottish Parliament is “one of the most powerful devolved assemblies” in the world. Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Burberry chair says VAT change is 'spectacular own goal'

Burberry chair Gerry Murphy urges the prime minister to revisit the post-Brexit VAT change at the 'Business Connect' event, calling it a "spectacular own goal". Report by Rowlandi. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn