Blurred lines: who’s calling the shots on Northern Ireland public policy? As Northern Ireland has been without a functioning power-sharing government since January of last year as there have been no ministers to make decisions affecting every facet of public life, civil servants have had to step up. They had been taking some major decisions normally reserved for ministers, but that all changed this week. A court ruled that the Department for Infrastructure’s permanent secretary did not have the power to give the go-ahead to a controversial waste incinerator plant in County Antrim. The Department is appealing the decision, but there is growing frustration from business leaders and community activists on Northern Ireland’s ongoing power vacuum.

Government post-Brexit fear of increased Sinn Féin role. The Scottish Brexit Secretary has said one of the reasons the government is resisting devolving some powers from Brussels to the Scottish Parliament is due to fears of what Sinn Féin might do in a future Northern Ireland Assembly. Mike Russell said David Lidington, the Minister for the Cabinet Office, discussed the issue with him earlier this week. Mr Russell also said he had concerns about the DUP’s influence on the government. “I do think there’s an issue to be dealt with here,” he said. He added, “We don’t take part in Northern Irish politics, that is an issue for people in Northern Ireland, but it does seem that if the DUP is in a position to veto things happening in Westminster – to veto devolved settlements – then we’re in a dangerous situation.” Earlier last week, the Scottish Parliament voted by 93 to 30 that Holyrood “does not consent to the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill”.

China agrees to more imports from the United States, dampening fears of a looming trade war.Washington says the move will “substantially reduce” its $335bn annual trade deficit with Beijing. However, it stopped short of saying exactly how big the reduction would be. “Both sides agreed on meaningful increases in US agriculture and energy exports,” a US-China statement said following days of talks in Washington. The countries also agreed to keep negotiating on trade to resolve their concerns “in a proactive manner.” The US has already imposed tariffs on imports of steel and aluminium. Countries accounting for the bulk of those imports have been exempted, but China is not among them. Beijing has threatened equal retaliation, including tariffs on a number of US imports – among them aircraft, soybeans, cars, pork, wine, fruit and nuts. An article published by Chinese state news agency Xinhua on Sunday declared the latest agreement as a “good example of win-win”, adding that it would help the US reduce its trade deficit and allow China to raise the quality of its imports.

Over 100 Palestinians killed by Israeli soldiers along the Gaza border. Protests have taken place over the last number of weeks ahead of the 60thanniversary of the founding of the state of Israel. To Palestinians, the 1948 event is known as the ‘Nakba’, or ‘catastrophe’. They maintain a right of return to the land fled by their ancestors. The Israeli government insists that protests in Gaza had been exploited by Hamas terrorists, but the United Nations issued a strong rebuke; its human rights chief accused Israel of a “wholly disproportionate” response. The United States defended Israel’s actions, with the bloodshed coinciding with the controversial relocation of its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Other countries maintain their embassies in Tel Aviv to allow the status of Jerusalem to be the subject of future peace talks.

Prince Harry weds Meghan Markle at Windsor Castle. An emotional-looking prince and his smiling bride exchanged vows and rings before the Queen and 600 guests at St George’s Chapel. The wedding service combined British tradition with modernity and the bride’s African-American heritage. The Most Rev Bishop Michael Curry, the president of the US Episcopal Church, delivered an impassioned sermon. “There’s power, power in love,” declared Bishop Curry. “If you don’t believe me think about a time when you first fell in love. The whole world seemed to centre on you and you’re beloved.” The couple will now be known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The Queen also gifted Prince Harry the title of Baron Kilkeel. Sir Jeffrey Donaldson of the DUP took to Twitter to express his delight: “Thrilled that Prince Harry is to become Baron Kilkeel on his wedding day. The folk in my native Mourne will be over the moon. A truly historic day for Kilkeel.”