New NI Brexit deal enters 'final stage' | Energy bill help sparks debate | Legal marriage age rises

Plus, how food helped a photographer reinvent himself

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By Nafeesa Shan

Final talks over new Northern Ireland Brexit deal, says No 10     For days there has been speculation a new Brexit deal for Northern Ireland will be announced. So far, this hasn't materialised but noises from those involved suggest it is close. Now, face-to-face discussions are due to be held between Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Berkshire later. Described as final talks, the leaders are planning to talk about the "complex challenges" presented under the current system, which sees goods flow freely between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland as it still follows some EU laws. However, checks apply between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. This arrangement known as the Northern Ireland Protocol was agreed under former Prime Minister Boris Johnson as part of the process of the UK leaving the European Union. Details of what a new deal could entail have not been made public, but "positive, constructive progress has been made" after hundreds of hours of talks, Downing Street said. Government sources have repeatedly made clear that not everyone will get everything they want. So, is a breakthrough a moment of political jeopardy for Mr Sunak? Our political editor Chris Mason has looked into it. And if a deal is reached, it is not clear whether MPs will be able to vote on it - but they would be able to express their views. Here's the full story, including how the day is expected to unfold. Find out whether Mr Sunak can sell a new deal Here's our simple guide to the Northern Ireland Protocol

Energy price cap leads to debate over bill support     The government has ensured households using a typical amount of gas and electricity aren't paying more than £2,500 a year for energy bills. It has been offsetting Ofgem's £4,279 energy price cap to give households relief. This has cost the government billions, and with a new lower price cap due to be announced later, it has sparked a debate about whether the same level of government support should continue when bills go up to £3,000 a year from April. Analysts at consultancy firm Cornwall Insight predict the cap will drop to £3,295, due to falling wholesale prices. This means the cost of support to the government is likely to be lower than initially expected, and as a result campaigners say the energy bill rise should be stopped. Find out more here.

Legal marriage age rises in England and Wales     Until now, you were able to get married in England and Wales if you were aged 16 or 17 and had parental consent. But this changes from today as the legal age to tie the knot rises to 18. The new law is aimed at protecting vulnerable children. Previously, forced marriage was only an offence if coercion, such as threats, was used. One survivor of child marriage, whose sister was murdered in a so-called honour killing, says seeing the law come into force is "probably one of the most important days of my life". Read more about why this change is incredibly important to some.

NHS staff cried in safety interviews, says watchdog   Sarah, not her real name, has worked in the ambulance service for more than a decade, but describes the last 12 months as the most difficult she can remember. "Over the winter I have witnessed and helped with cardiac arrests in the corridors of hospitals and in the back of ambulances," she told the BBC. "I spent four hours with an end-of-life patient. There was no hospice or district nurse available, so I had to make the choice to give them meds for a peaceful, expected death and prepare the family," the paramedic said. "I felt ashamed that I could not stay till the end, but I had to move on to the next job as I had done all I could." The Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch said many staff it interviewed for a national investigation "cried or displayed other extreme emotions" when asked about their working environment.           Read full article >         Jim Reed Health reporter

What the papers say     Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's meeting with the EU's Ursula von der Leyen is in the spotlight this morning, as "final talks" on the new Brexit deal for Northern Ireland are due to take place, the Guardian reports. It is, according to Mr Sunak, the "best for Britain", the Daily Express writes, but the Daily Telegraph claims there is a Tory revolt brewing. This is reflected by the Daily Mail, which asks: "Can Sunak sell his Brexit deal?" He claims to have won "big concessions from the EU", according to the Times, with the Sun reporting the "deal is done". The paper leads with an alternative story about a killer's parole bid, while energy bills and the collie dog breed also made the headlines.  Read the newspaper review in full here.

Daily digest         Abortion Women 'manipulated' in crisis pregnancy advice centres       Britishvolt UK car battery start-up bought by Australian firm       Job centres Bonus for staff who get the most people into work       SAG Awards Everything Everywhere dominates ahead of Oscars

If you watch one thing today Tackling the world's ocean plastic waste problem

If you listen to one thing today How an injured photographer reinvented himself

If you read one thing today I didn't think I'd have a shot - Adam Lambert

Need something different?     In between sewing rocket carriers and specialist uniforms in war-torn Ukraine, one fashion designer found time to create garments for the stars. Ivan Frolov has produced pieces for Beyonce and Sam Smith, even finishing one intricate order during a blackout. This is how he did it. We won't tell you how this one finishes but could it create a new wave of stars? South Korean thriller Squid Game has been turned into reality TV, including in its native country, where these shows have never broken through. But could this be the next K-pop movement? Find out here. And finally, to the reality facing a conservationist fighting to protect a frog that can grow to the size of a cat. Cedrick Fogwan was so captivated by the goliath amphibian that he set up a project to protect the creatures science knows little about. Take a look.

On this day     2002 More than 55 Hindu pilgrims die in a fire on a train returning from the disputed holy site of Ayodhya in India.

From elsewhere       Rishi Sunak's political nous questioned over "patronising" handling of Northern Ireland Protocol deal (Politics Home)         You can blame the weather and Brexit. But there's more to the UK's food supply crisis (The Observer)             I was shot while reporting on the Ukraine war - but such is the power of misinformation, some doubt my story (Sky News)       How to help young people limit screen time - and feel better about how they look (NPR)

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