The European Parliament is set to approve the terms of the UK's departure from the EU in an historic vote later.
MEPs meeting in Brussels are expected to overwhelmingly give their backing to the Withdrawal Agreement.
It will pave the way for the UK to leave the bloc with a deal on Friday.
****
The death toll from the coronavirus in China has risen to 132.
The total number of confirmed cases has reached just shy of 6,000 - making it more widespread on the mainland than the notable SARS outbreak of 2002 and 2003.
Twenty-six people have died in the last 24 hours, health authorities said on Wednesday - and there has been been an increase in confirmed cases of 1,459.
****
Drinking water in three supplies in Ireland was found to have at least 10-times the maximum allowable limit of lead last year.
Eleven-times the limit was detected in Dublin City Council's Leixlip supply, which serves much of the north and west of the capital.
And there were similar results on the Roundwood Reservoir supply, and the Castlerea Public Water Supply in Co. Roscommon.
****
A woman in her 40s remains in custody after being arrested on suspicion of the murder of three children in west Dublin.
Nine-year-old Conor, seven-year-old Darragh, and three-year-old Carla McGinley were found dead at a house in Newcastle on Friday evening.
A woman was found by Gardaí close to the scene, and had since been receiving medical treatment at Tallaght University Hospital.
*****
Dubliners are spending on average almost nine days a year sitting in traffic.
The latest traffic index from Tom Tom has found the capital to be the 17th most-congested city in the world.
The analysis of 600 million drivers globally ranked Cork and Limerick cities in 68th and 108th positions respectively.
