Government Shutdown Looms as Trump Urges House Action
Washington, D.C. – President Donald Trump on Monday urged House lawmakers to end the partial government shutdown that began over the weekend, as Speaker Mike Johnson faces razor-thin margins and mounting resistance on a critical funding bill from both progressive Democrats and conservative Republicans, according to Time. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he was working hard with Speaker Johnson to send legislation the Senate had already passed to his desk, where he promised to sign it immediately.
"There can be NO CHANGES at this time," he wrote, warning that another prolonged shutdown would be pointless, and destructive, Time reported. He called on lawmakers in both parties to vote yes and reopen the government WITHOUT DELAY. The plea underscored the precarious position Johnson finds himself in as the House returned from a weeklong recess.
U.S. Declines to Support Global AI Safety Report
In other news, the United States declined to throw its weight behind the second International AI Safety Report, published Tuesday, ahead of the AI Impact Summit scheduled to take place in Delhi from Feb. 19 to 20, Time reported. The report, guided by 100 experts and backed by 30 countries and international organizations including the United Kingdom, China, and the European Union, is meant to set an example of working together to navigate shared challenges. Yoshua Bengio, the report's chair and Turing Award-winning scientist, confirmed the U.S.'s lack of support. The report found that artificial intelligence is improving faster than many experts anticipated, and the evidence for several risks has grown substantially, Time reported. It also stated that current risk management techniques are improving but insufficient.
Body Cameras to be Issued to Federal Immigration Agents
Meanwhile, body-worn cameras are being issued to federal agents in Minneapolis and will be provided to officers around the U.S. when funding is available, the Trump Administration announced, following a push from Democrats and expressions of support from some Republicans as the Administrations immigration crackdown draws widespread outcry, Time reported. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a post on X on Monday that, "Effective immediately we are deploying body cameras to every officer in the field in Minneapolis." Noem added, "As funding is available, the body camera program will be expanded nationwide. We will rapidly acquire and deploy body cameras to DHS law enforcement across the country." She said that she had spoken with White House border czar Tom Homan, who is overseeing federal immigration operations.
Kushner's 'New Gaza' Plan
Jared Kushner's vision for Gaza includes loft-style apartments with floor-to-ceiling windows, an off-shore oil and gas rig, advanced industrial zones and park-lined neighborhoods, according to NPR. Palestinians say Jared Kushner's vision for Gaza erases what's left of their homes, NPR reported.
Discussion
AI Experts & Community
Be the first to comment