Highlights From Newstalk Breakfast

What do Gwyneth Paltrow, Will Young and Vladimir Putin all have in common? They all swear by the healing powers of shamanistic wisdom.  So, just what is a Shaman and why are their services spiking in demand? Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports.

Conor McGregor will appear before the Court of Appeal today to challenge the civil jury finding that he sexually assaulted Nikita Hand in 2018.  Irish Times Legal Affairs Correspondent Mary Carolan explained to us what evidence may be presented.

London’s Heathrow Airport will be closed for 24 hours after a huge fire at a nearby electrical substation wiped out power. Editor of Travel Extra Eoghan Corry brought us up to speed on the situation there.

One south Dublin secondary school has been plunged into acrimony, threats of protests from parents and a legal row after it was claimed online that one of its teachers is the woman behind the infamous “GAA Catfish” controversy. We get the latest on this with Ellen Coyne, Special Correspondent with the Independent.ie.  

The Department of Education is using outdated assessments for students with Down Syndrome that could prevent them from reaching their full potential. That’s according to Susan O’Brien, parent of Ciara, who has down syndrome who explained why to Ciara this morning.

The ASTI has reiterated its call for a pause to plans to develop Synge Street CBS as a Gaelcholáiste. Shane spoke toASTI Deputy General Secretary Diarmaid de Paor to discuss further.

Have the politics of insult gone too far? Shane and Ciara discussed this morning.

The Israeli military said its forces have resumed ground operations in central and southern Gaza, as a second day of airstrikes killed at least 38 Palestinians, according to local health workers. We the latest on the situation there with Alistair Bunkall, Sky News Middle East Correspondent   UN Humanitarian Affairs Spokesperson in Gaza, Olga Cherevko.

We need to change how we deal with divorce in Ireland. That's the view of Michelle Brown, Divorce Consultant, Mediator and author of “Scars of Divorce” who spoke to Shane this morning.

The Union of Students in Ireland have strongly condemned Higher Education Minister James Lawless’ decision to halt further reductions in student fees, calling it a major setback for struggling students and families.   Speaking to Ciara this morning was Chris Clifford, President of Union of Students in Ireland. 

Swift and decisive action is needed to combat the growing issue of retail theft and anti-social behaviour.  That’s the call this morning from Excel Recruitment, who says that retail crime in Ireland is reaching crisis levels. We speak to Michael Wall of Salvagem Antique shop in Cork on the anti social behaviour in the area.

President Donald Trump said he had a "very good" call with Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky stating that Ukraine truce bid is 'on track’. With more on this Shane spoke to John Everard, Former UK Ambassador to North Korea and Belarus.  

We’ve been talking about the trolley numbers and whether changes to staff rosters and getting consultants in over the weekend has really made a difference.  Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill joins us to discuss the drop in trolley figures last weekend.

Leaving Cert students sitting the English exam could soon face oral tests at the end of fifth year where they will be quizzed on plays or books they have studied. The plans have been set out in a document produced by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. We get reaction to this proposal with Conor Murphy English teacher in Skibbereen Community School. 

“Adolescence” is the latest Netflix hit, exploring the internet rabbit holes young men can fall into and the impact it has in the real world. With Ciara to discuss more is Dr Richard Hogan, Family Psychotherapist and author of “Home Is Where The Start Is”. 

All Things Considered: Solving the hospital trolley crisis. Ciara and Shane discussed this morning.

Russia and Ukraine have both accused each other of launching air attacks that sparked fires and damaged infrastructure just hours after their leaders agreed to a limited ceasefire to halt attacks on energy infrastructure.   To discuss this further Shane spoke to Misha Glenny, Author and Broadcaster and Rector for the Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna. 

The Dáil returns today after the St. Patrick’s Day break but the Government is already coming in for criticism from Sinn Fein as there is only 11 more sitting days until the next break at Easter.  We heard from the Sinn Féin Party Whip Padraig MacLochlainn and Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire Barry Ward.

Astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore landed back on earth last night, after their eight-day visit to the International Space Station became nine months. Speaking to Shane this morning was Dr Niamh Shaw, Science and Space Communicator.

The Climate Change Advisory Council has said that Ireland must be much better prepared for the next major weather event. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Peter Thorne, Chair of the Climate Change Advisory Council’s Adaptation Committee.