In the latest twist in the UK’s rollercoaster path out of the European Union, the High Court ruled that only Parliament can authorise the government to trigger Article 50. Doing so could delay the government’s proposed timetable and potentially give MPs greater influence over the precise terms of Brexit: should the government prioritise border control, or should it aim to retain access to the single market? Most notable, however, was the ruthless reaction of the British press, lambasting an ‘unelected’ and ‘undemocratic’ judiciary. The Supreme Court will consider the case next month.

Meanwhile, an all-island Brexit forum was hosted by Enda Kenny in Dublin. Northern Ireland’s main unionist parties were conspicuously absent. Arlene Forster dismissed the event as a “grandstanding exercise” for “Remoaners”. The forum was attended, however, by the Alliance Party, SDLP and Sinn Féin, along with representatives from business, farming and civic society. The Taoiseach defended the event as an exercise to discuss the shared challenges of Brexit, North and South.

In Northern Ireland, the economy suffered a blow when United Airlines announced its withdrawal from Belfast, marking an end to the region’s only year-round direct flight to the United States. Initially serviced by Continental Airlines, the Belfast to Newark route was vaunted by Executive ministers in their efforts to attract foreign direct investment from North America. Those efforts just got more complicated. The Executive has blamed the EU for blocking its £9 million support package to United, but local ministers have hardly had a strong record on strengthening Northern Ireland’s long-term flight plan.

On a more optimistic note, the First and deputy First Ministers welcomed President Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia to Northern Ireland. Local political figures had been involved in peace talks between the Colombian government and Farc rebels in Havana. After Colombian voters rejected the peace deal in a referendum last month, the Nobel laureate’s state visit to the UK was about signalling his intent to push forward with Colombia’s peace process and develop his country’s post-conflict role in the world.

Finally, with just two days to go, the race for the White House has entered the final straight. In the wake of the announcement that the FBI was still investigating Hillary Clinton over her handling of emails as Secretary of State, polls point to an increasingly close contest in crucial battleground states. Early voting in Nevada shows a particularly strong turnout among Hispanic voters – good news for Clinton. Trump, however, appears to be galvanising support among traditional Republican voters who had previously been lukewarm to his candidacy. This is leading to jitters from Democrats in places like Pennsylvania and Michigan – states that were previously considered ‘in the bag’ for Hillary. It’s been a long race, and as the latest Saturday Night Live election sketch suggests, even the satirists just want it to be over.