• Statement by IRA at heart of efforts to ease crisis

  A proposed IRA statement effectively declaring an end to its campaign of violence was at the heart of intense efforts at Hillsborough Castle last night to resolve the decommissioning crisis in the peace process.

• Adjournment of talks possible during Easter

  There were strong indications in Belfast last night that the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, might be forced to adjourn the Hillsborough negotiations - and resume the search for agreement on decommissioning and the creation of the Northern Ireland Executive after the Easter holidays. Official sources refused to rule anything in or out and the deputy First Minister designate, Mr Seamus Mallon, maintained that the two leaders could yet secure an agreement later today.

• NATO orders attacks after Russian plan is rejected

  NATO forces resumed their bombing campaign against Yugoslavia last night after the Western allies rejected a Russian proposal to stop air strikes and start talks with the Yugoslav leader, President Slobodan Milosevic.

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