DUP leader Arlene Foster said she wants to meet with Irish language speakers to better understand those who love the language. Mrs Foster said she wants to engage with those without “party political background”; in February she said the DUP would never agree to Sinn Fein’s wish for an Irish language act. Her latest remarks came as inter-party talks at Stormont paused for Easter. Secretary of State, James Brokenshire has warned Northern Ireland could face direct rule or another election if parties do not reach an agreement by early May. Sinn Féin welcomed Mrs Foster’s decision to meet Irish language speakers and groups.

British Army veterans staged a rally in Belfast in protest against what they claim to be “imbalanced” investigations into killings by soldiers during the Northern Ireland Troubles. It was organised by the Justice for Northern Ireland Veterans group. UUP MLA and Army veteran Doug Beattie told the crowd: “We do not want preferential treatment… But what we are seeing here is an imbalance.” A dissident Irish republican group, Saoradh, held a counter-demonstration nearby.

The G7 group of nations rejected UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson’s proposal for sanctions against Russia after last week’s chemical attack by its ally Syria. The two-day summit in Italy, attended by foreign ministers, aimed to agree a unified approach to Syria ahead of US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s trip to Moscow. Italy’s Foreign Minister, Angelino Alfano said the group do not want to back Russia into a corner; instead they hope to engage with Russia. Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron called it a “failure of British diplomacy” and said Mr Johnson is not being taken seriously.

The US top security advisor, Lt Gen HR McMaster has said the US and China are working on a “range of options” on North Korea. Tensions have mounted over the country’s nuclear and missile programmes. South Korean and US military officials said a North Korean missile test failed on Sunday, detonating soon after launch. Lt Gen McMaster said both countries believe the current situation “could not continue”. Also this week, the US military dropped an 11-ton bomb – known as “the mother of all bombs” – on eastern Afghanistan, killing more than 90 Islamic State militants, according to the Afghan government.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has claimed victory in a landmark referendum that will grant him sweeping new powers. The “Yes” vote will replace the country’s parliamentary system with a presidential one, effectively doing away with the role of Prime Minister to concentrate power in the hands of the President. Mr Erdogan’s supporters say this will modernise the country. Opposition politicians dispute the result and, according to the BBC, have complained of irregularities with the voting.