Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant, who returned from the Labour Party conference for talks, urged both sides of the dispute to "double down on compromise".

Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant, who returned from the Labour Party conference for talks, urged both sides of the dispute to "double down on compromise".

The Australian government has passed 63 last-minute amendments to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) despite fierce criticism from disability advocates. The reforms, which include expanded ministerial powers and reduced social funding, cleared the Senate with 28 votes in favor and 12 against. The changes were introduced hours before the final vote, following a deal between Labor and the Coalition to remove a so-called 'widow tax' loophole. While the amendments allow severely disabled Australians to appeal funding decisions, they also slash community and social participation funding, which advocates say is vital for disabled people's access to social connections. Greens spokesperson Jordon Steele-John condemned the deal, calling it a betrayal of disability rights. The reforms, which will take effect from July 2027, aim to save $37.8 billion by 2036 but have sparked debate over their impact on vulnerable communities. The political compromise highlights the complex interplay between fiscal policy and social welfare in Australia's legislative process.

Illinois Governor Pritzker told a panel that bipartisan budget work begins by assuming opponents want good outcomes and by finding nonpartisan priorities like roads and jobs, citing a 2019 bipartisan override and recovery from a two-year budget gap.

Dear Senator Schumer,