Deal designed to resolve a thorny trade dispute that vexed UK-EU relations and triggered a political crisis in Belfast clears the House of Commons with an overwhelming 515-29 vote.
Northern Ireland has been without a functioning devolved government since February when the pro-British Democratic Unionist Party began a boycott of the regional assembly in protest at post-Brexit trading arrangements.
If no agreement is reached by Friday, London will be legally required to call early elections for the devolved assembly in the volatile province.
EU challenges a British government bid to scrap parts of post-Brexit trade arrangements in Northern Ireland.
The European Commission has launched legal action against the UK for introducing legislation to scrap post-Brexit trading rules for Northern Ireland, calling the move 'a breach of international law'.
The EU quickly threatened legal action in response to the new legislation, while Dublin called it "a particular low point in the UK's approach to Brexit".
The British government dramatically escalated a fight with the European Union by saying it will pass a law to change the trade treaty signed by the two sides less than two years ago.
EU's envoy to Britain said the bloc was ready to restart talks on the protocol after a pause for the elections but would not overhaul the arrangement that is central to post-Brexit trading rules.
The victory means Sinn Fein is entitled to the post of first minister in Belfast — a first for an Irish nationalist party since Northern Ireland was founded as a Protestant-majority state in 1921.
Sinn Fein looks set to become the first Irish nationalist party to win the most seats in Northern Ireland, as UK PM Boris Johnson faces a pivotal mid-term popularity test.
Relatives are still searching for justice for the 14 civil rights marchers, who were killed by British soldiers on one of the defining days of the Northern Ireland conflict.
Under Article 16, the United Kingdom and the EU can unilaterally decide to stop implementing parts of the protocol governing trade with the Northern Ireland if there are substantial practical problems or trade diversion.
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