David Shiels: An anti-DUP pact within an anti-Brexit pact is shaping Northern Ireland’s election

The second piece in our new mini-series looks at the strange bedfellows and hard choices for unionists, nationalists, Leavers and Remainers alike.

WATCH: Varadkar hails “good agreement”

The Taoiseach adds that the deal finalised today “creates a unique solution for Northern Ireland”.

Stephen Booth: Step by painful step, both sides creep close to agreement over Northern Ireland

There might not be time, but it at least now appears that a UK-EU deal on Brexit is conceivable.

Johnson and Varadkar ‘agreed they could see a pathway to a possible deal’ – official statement

The Prime Minister and Taoiseach met today to try to break the deadlock over the Northern Irish backstop.

Henry Hill: Belief that DUP are softening their position raises hopes of Brexit deal

Also: Poll suggests SNP have a mountain to climb on independence; Cameron admits he asked Queen to intervene in 2014; and more.

Henry Hill: Tories hope that ‘Boris bounce’ will save them in Brecon and Radnorshire

The Prime Minister’s tour of the United Kingdom sees him square off against nationalists from Sinn Fein, the SNP… and Welsh Labour.

Stephen Booth: Meanwhile, in Brussels, there are rumours of movement from the EU on the backstop

But the Commons has dug in against the Withdrawal Agreement. These immovable obstacles seemingly point in only one direction: a general election.

WATCH: Border Force has solutions for Northern Ireland and Britain should pay for them, says Javid

“No infrastructure on the border, because I believe passionately in that. It is necessary for our Union.”

Bim Afolami: Why I am joining the Commission seeking Alternative Arrangements for the Northern Ireland border

If you are sceptical, I understand. I was too. But this is the only viable way forward.

Henry Hill: Support for independence slumps in latest Scottish polling

Also: Dublin urged to ‘come clean’ over support for IRA during the Troubles; Welsh tax powers come into force; and Salmond inquiry tells Sturgeon not to destroy evidence.

Has May just delivered the coup de grâce to any imminent hope of reviving Stormont?

If she insists on a functioning Assembly before a no-deal Brexit, why on earth would Sinn Fein oblige her?

Would the EU abandon Varadkar? Perhaps. But it’s not at all likely.

The divisions and impatience exposed could well be real, but it doesn’t follow that Brussels is about to suddenly shift its policy.

Cox is out of line with Downing Street on the backstop

The Attorney General is asking difficult legal questions about it which Dublin, Brussels, and even many in London would rather draw a veil over.

WATCH: Hoey presses Lidington on Ireland’s preparations for Brexit

“There was no mention whatsoever of any infrastructure, any hard border” in Dublin’s preparations for a WTO Brexit.

Henry Hill: SDLP link-up with Fianna Fail has a rocky start as senior MLA quits

Also: Backlash grows against SNP’s new tax; Labour AM apologises for antisemitic comment; and Scottish Tories say they’ve stopped Johnson.