BULLETIN: Nation braces for total shutdown as red weather warning in place; worst is yet to come

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IRELAND: The country is facing total shutdown from 4pm today with people ordered to stay indoors, schools and colleges closed, rail and bus services halted, and motorists warned it would be “suicidal” to take to the roads.

IRELAND: Heavy snow and treacherous driving conditions have already caused travel chaos nationwide — with the worst of the weather yet to hit the country.

IRELAND: Almost 20,000 L-drivers fail to show for their driving test every year,resulting in a €1.7m windfall for the Road Safety Authority.

IRELAND: The Government has denied trying to provoke Britain with a special status deal for the North amid accusations the EU is trying to use the border to stop Brexit.

VIEWS: Theresa May’s speech her last chance to set out specifics on Brexit

SPORT: Meet Cork native involved in world’s newest GAA club — in Cambodia.

... SOME DISTRACTION

CULTURE John Russell’s photos of Ireland in the early 1980s depict a very different country from today, where pubs lined the streets of towns and villages, snotty-nosed children roamed free, and smartphones were a futuristic fantasy.

FEATURE: This World Book Day, Ellie O’Byrne talks to Cork booksellers about the future of their businessesand the role of bookshops as physical spaces at the heart of communities.

SHOWBIZ: Harvey Weinstein’s insurers are refusing to pay for his legal defence against 11 sexual harassment and assault lawsuits.