February 28: Today’s top stories in 60 seconds

Windsor Framework deal for Northern Ireland hailed as ‘new chapter’ in relationship between UK and EU
British prime minister Rishi Sunak has said “a new chapter in the relationship” between his country and the European Union has begun as he unveiled a breakthrough deal on trading arrangements in the North in the shadow of Windsor Castle alongside European Commission president, Ursula Von der Leyen. Later in the House of Commons he took up the language of the hardline Brexiteers in his own party and turned it back on them, urging them to back the landmark Windsor Framework that he insisted would help Britain to “take back control”. The deal was finally agreed on Monday after two years of negotiations to reform the Northern Ireland Protocol, which was agreed by Boris Johnson in 2019 to get an exit trade deal from the EU. The protocol angered many unionists who argue it undermined the North’s position in the UK by imposing on it too many EU single market rules that do not apply in Britain.
The Irish Times

Education Minister Norma Foley backs down and defers early sittings of Leaving Cert Paper 1 in Irish and English
Education Minister Norma Foley is backing down from her controversial plan for this September’s fifth-year students to sit Leaving Cert Paper 1 in Irish and English after one year. The change was supposed to be introduced in June 2024, for students entering the senior cycle in September, who would do the rest of their exams in June 2025. But the plan is being deferred for a year, the Cabinet is being advised today. Ms Foley’s rethink follows stiff opposition from teachers, students and Irish language organisations, who argued the plan was educationally unsound and unfair to pupils.
Independent.ie

Waterford plant allowed to expand beef processing despite complaints of ‘rotten’ smell over city
The environmental regulator has ruled that a controversial meat plant in Waterford can expand its capacity to process beef carcasses, despite complaints of a smell of “rotten” meat over Waterford city. However, the plant itself has appealed restrictions imposed on it by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a condition of its permission. The Journal reported last summer that the agency told Anglo Beef Processors Proteins (ABP) to investigate “non-compliant odours” during inspections of its site. It followed concerns about the smell of “stewing, rotten meat” over parts of Waterford due to the plant’s holding of animal carcasses. The factory, which is owned by Co Louth-based businessman Larry Goodman, is located in Christendom, Ferrybank, adjacent to the River Suir.
The Journal

Person associated with Irish-Russian ‘security risk’ working in Irish parliamentary system
The Garda security service will analyse information they receive from Australian intelligence about Irish citizen Marina Sologub, who has been declared a potential security threat in Australia, before determining their course of action here. The Irish Examiner also understands at least one Irish intelligence agency – believed to be Defence Forces Military Intelligence – is aware of a person closely associated with Ms Sologub who has been working in the Irish parliamentary system for the last three years. This individual’s contract was due to expire last week and it was not renewed at the weekend, although there is nothing to suggest the person posed any kind of security threat. It is understood authorities in the Irish parliamentary and political system were informed. It has also emerged that Ms Sologub worked for more than three years in Gas Networks Ireland (GNI) and Irish Water – both designated bodies in Ireland’s critical national infrastructure – before departing to Australia, where she worked in the space industry. Ms Sologub looks set to be deported back home and has sought, and is receiving, consular assistance from the Irish embassy in Australia.
The Irish Examiner

Missing UK couple in police custody, baby not found
A woman and her partner who went missing in the UK in January are in police custody after being arrested in Brighton. Metropolitan Police said an urgent search operation is under way to find their baby, who has not had any medical attention since birth in early January. The force said Constance Marten and Mark Gordon were located by officers from Sussex Police in Stanmer Villas, Brighton last night after a member of the public reported seeing them shortly before 9.30pm. Ms Marten, 35, and Mr Gordon, 48, have been travelling around the UK by taxi since their car was found burning on the M61 in Bolton, Greater Manchester, on 5 January. Ms Marten comes from a wealthy aristocratic family. Authorities previously believed the couple had been sleeping rough in a blue tent.
RTÉ

Ukraine war: Zelensky says situation in Bakhmut worsening
The situation in the city of Bakhmut, on the eastern frontline, is becoming “more and more difficult”, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has said. Russian forces have been trying to take the city for over six months. “The enemy is constantly destroying everything that can be used to protect our positions”, Mr Zelensky stated. The Ukrainian leader’s remarks came as US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned China against arming Russia during a visit to Kyiv on Monday. Some of the fiercest fighting to take place since Russia invaded Ukraine just over a year ago has taken place in Bakhmut, in Ukraine’s Donetsk region, part of which is under the control of Russia and its separatist allies. Recently efforts by Russian forces to capture the industrial city have intensified, with its troops gaining ground.
BBC News

Alec Baldwin sued by three Rust crew members over death of cinematographer
Three crew members on the set of Rust are suing actor Alec Baldwin and others over the death of the film’s cinematographer. Ross Addiego, Doran Curtin and Reese Price say they have suffered anxiety and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder since a prop gun held by the Hollywood actor killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on set in October 2021. The lawsuit says the crew members were near Baldwin when Ms Hutchins was shot and they all suffered from blast injuries.
Sky News

Today’s forecast
Often cloudy today with just limited sunny intervals. Scattered showers will affect the south and east of the country at times, but elsewhere it will remain dry. Highest temperatures of 7 to 9 degrees in light northeasterly breezes. Staying generally dry tonight with just a slight chance of showers in the east and southeast. Early cloud will gradually give way to some clear spells. Lowest temperatures of -1 to +4 degrees, coolest in the west with some frost possible. Northeasterly breezes, light in strength.
Met Éireann