DUP unaware of a ‘legacy deal’

It has emerged that Arlene Foster was unaware of a deal between Sinn Féin and the May government on Troubles-related inquests. In the latest round of talks to restore power-sharing, Sinn Féin held separate meetings with the UK government on legacy inquests, while the DUP held its own discussions on the Military Covenant. It had been indicated by Mary Lou McDonald that her party had a separate “commitment” from the government to put inquest funding and legacy measures from the Stormont House Agreement out to public consultation. However, in a statement on Friday afternoon, Mrs Foster clarified that she had been aware that Sinn Féin had been in discussions with the government on inquest funding, but that her party was not aware of it being “progressed in the absence of an overall agreement or a decision to advance all elements of the Stormont House Agreement.”

 

US ‘considering names’ for Northern Ireland Special Envoy, according to Rex Tillerson

In a press conference with his Irish counterpart, the US Secretary of State announced that the White House had a list of several names to fill the vacant position of Special Envoy to Northern Ireland, a post that was originally established ahead of the Good Friday Agreement. There had been increased calls for the Trump admiration to reinstate the position to boost “efforts to help restore devolution at Stormont.” Conveny added that, “The United States has been instrumental in helping to broker peace in Northern Ireland and continues to provide valuable encouragement and support to the peace process.” Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald echoed the Tánaiste: “The appointment of an envoy reflects the positive role that America has played in the peace process,” she said, adding, “This is particularly significant as the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement approaches.”

 

United Nations Security Council successful in agreeing to a 30-day ceasefire for Syria

Unanimously approved, a Security Council resolution demands a 30-day ceasefire in Syria to allow aid deliveries and medical evacuations. The Eastern Ghouta rebel enclave near Damascus has been bombarded by government forces for the past week. However, some of the biggest jihadist insurgent groups, and their associates, are not covered by the truce, raising questions about its real impact. Soon after the vote in New York, activists reported further air strikes. The agreement had been delayed several times since Thursday as members struggled to come to an agreement. Russia, an ally of Syria’s Assad regime, wanted amendments, while western diplomats accused Moscow of stalling for time. 500 people are said to have been killed by government forces in the enclave since last Sunday, while rebel fire on Damascus has reportedly killed at least 16 civilians.

 

UK Brexit plans “pure illusion”

The UK’s approach to the next stage of Brexit negotiations are based on “pure illusion,” Donald Tusk has warned. The European Council President told a news conference in Brussels that the UK was still trying to “cherry pick” its future affiliation with the EU after media reports of Brexit ‘war cabinet’ talks at the Prime Minister’s country retreat at Chequers. Theresa May is set to deliver a key speech setting out British ambitions on this coming Friday. Mr Tusk, who is due to meet Mrs May the day before, said media reports advocated that the “cake philosophy is still alive” in the UK. It is believed the government is pushing for a process of ‘managed divergence’ in the next round of negotiations on its future relationship with the EU; this seems to be interpreted by Brussels as joining the Single Market “à la carte.”

 

China proposes to let Xi Jinping extend presidency beyond 2023

The Chinese Communist Party has proposed removing a clause in the constitution that limits presidential service to two terms in office. The move would allow the incumbent President Xi Jinping to remain as leader after he is due to step down. There had been widespread speculation that Mr Xi would seek to extend his presidency beyond 2023. The party congress last year saw him cement his status as the most powerful leader since the late Mao Zedong. Having already accumulated greater control over a number of political, social and economic areas, the latest move marks a further shift towards a centralisation of power.