ELECTION DEADLINE EXTENDED

The UK government said it would push back a deadline to call elections in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland Secretary of State Chris Heaton-harris said he would introduce a “short, straightforward extension”, pushing back an initial legal cut-off by six weeks to December 8. It will also include an option for a second, six-week postponement for calling a poll to January 19 if necessary, he told parliament. He also said he would seek a pay cut to wages for regional lawmakers who have been drawing their full salaries despite the assembly shutdown since earlier this year. | AFP