The two main parties in Northern Ireland have declared talks to reach a power-sharing agreement are over, but London is doggedly trying to push for a deal. The political crisis was sparked in January when the deputy first minister, Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness, resigned over First Minister Arlene Foster’s handling of a green energy scheme introduced while she was economy minister. But May’s aim to show a united front to Brussels risks being weakened by the two provinces which voted to remain in the EU -- Northern Ireland and Scotland. Key to the negotiations will be the status of Britain’s land border with the bloc -- between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, which remains an EU member. In Scotland, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is battling for the province to hold a referendum on independence from Britain in light of the division over Brexit.

Source: Viet Nam News March 27, 2017 04:07 UTC