The Parties at Stormont have failed to meet yet another deal deadline. The Parties at Stormont have missed the third deadline set for them this year to restore devolution in Northern Ireland. Speaking briefly outside Stormont Castle on Thursday, Secretary of State James Brokenshire said “much progress has been made but a number of outstanding issues remain.” These outstanding issues are thought to be rights-based issues, such as the implementation of an Irish Language Act. It is understood that the deadline has been moved to tomorrow afternoon, however reaching a deal by then seems unlikely.

‘I’m President, they’re not’. Speaking at a veterans rally, US President Donald Trump once again lashed out at the media or what he described as the ‘fake media’. Prior to winning the Presidency, Trump has had a less than amicable relationship with the media, often diluting very genuine and fair criticisms of his policies and demeanor as ‘fake news’. As his presidency goes on it is likely this relationship will grow sourer. However, making an enemy of the press this early in office is an extremely unwise move.

Thousands take to the streets for Marriage Equality Rally. Yesterday thousands took to the streets of Belfast in support of Marriage Equality. The shear size of the rally was indicative of the support for marriage equality in Northern Ireland; yet despite this support, it has been blocked on five occasions by the abuse of the Petition of Concern (POC) mechanism in the Assembly. Given that the DUP no longer have the 30 MLAs required to enact a Petition of Concern, it is likely that should a deal be reached, Equal Marriage will pass in the next mandate. Though that would depend on other MLAs designated as unionist not adding their names to a POC too.

Germany legislate for Equal Marriage. Germany has become the 23rd country to legalise same sex marriage. This came after Angela Merkel softened her position to allow her party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), a free vote on the issue. Whilst Chancellor Merkel herself voted against the motion, it nonetheless passed 393 votes to 226.

The NHS in England will pay for abortions for Northern Irish women. NHS England is going to pay for abortions for women who travel from Northern Ireland to England to have a termination. The amendment put forward by Labour MP Stella Creasy received more than 100 signatures across partisan divides. Chancellor Philip Hammond told the House of Commons that the Equalities Office would fund these terminations and that it would not come out of the coffers of NHS England. It will be interesting to see how this development will change the discussion around abortion here in Northern Ireland, if at all.