Cowen in London to discuss North

Taoiseach Brian Cowen is to meet British Prime Minister Gordon Brown in London today amid mounting hopes that the North's main political parties are edging toward a deal on devolving policing powers.

Back at Stormont, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and Sinn Féin will resume intensive negotiations aimed at securing a breakthrough to a dispute that has threatened the stability of the powersharing administration.