Almost 40,000 members of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) are staging the first in a series of six 24-hour work stoppages today in their dispute over pay and staff shortages. The Government remains adamant however, that the claim by nurses and midwives is unaffordable and would undermine the public finances amid economic risks from Brexit.

Bangkok has been forced to close schools for rest of week over fears of air pollution. Air quality in Bangkok is hovering at unhealthy levels as the amount of hazardous dust particles known as PM 2.5 exceeded the safe level in 41 areas around the capital, according to the department of pollution control.

The Raise the Roof campaign platform will host a conference today, focused on establishing a new, legal right to housing and the need for increased investment in a major programme of public housing.

In Brexit news Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is expected to speak to British Prime Minister Theresa May this morning following a vote at Westminster last night in favour of seeking an alternative to the backstop. The Government has said the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement is not open for re-negotiation. In addition the Taoiseach has said the Government has alerted the European Commission that Ireland will seek emergency aid in the event of a no-deal Brexit to help cope with the impact on Irish trade - particularly the beef, dairy and fishing sectors.

Our Zen today is brought to us by one of my favourite pieces of music, The Night Visiting Song , sung by the musician and activist Luke Kelly. Two individual statues of the Dubliner, one on either side of Dublin city, are being unveiled today to mark the 35th anniversary of his death.