The Hard Shoulder

It's 40 years since Michael Buerk’s shocking TV report from Korem in Northern Ethiopia, as families starved to death in front of him. The report moved many, and directly led to the creation of Live Aid and Band Aid.Today, Newstalk’s Henry McKean joins Kieran with a report to remember that time.

The Government has been advised to increase driving licence and car testing fees, hike penalties for dangerous road users and expand direct exchequer funding of road safety amid a series of dire financial warnings about the Road Safety Authority.That’s according to an external review into the agency reported by The Irish Times this morning.Michael Healy Rae, Independent TD for Kerry and Dominic Brophy, Director of the Professional Driving Instructors Association join Kieran to discuss.

Following the tragic death of Liam Payne last week, many people have been fascinated with what happened. Reports today note that traces of a drug called ‘pink cocaine’ was found in his system. But, what is this new drug?Joining Kieran to discuss is Harry Shapiro, the director of Drugwise, a UK based online drug information website.

Coimisiún na Meán, the media regulator this week published its online safety code, promising “an end to the era of social media self-regulation”.Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, X, Pinterest, Tumblr and Reddit will be obliged to comply with the new code, or face fines of up to €20 million, or 10 percent of a platform’s annual turnover, whichever is greater.The code is a legally binding set of rules regulating content on video-sharing platforms with their EU headquarters in Ireland, with the expressed aim of protecting users from harmful content.Niamh Hodnett is Online Safety Commissioner with Coimisiún na Meán and joins Kieran to discuss further.

An update from Microsoft now detects when a user's language is 'not inclusive'. For example: an alternative to maternity leave could be ‘childbirth leave’...Is this language policing? Or should we all be a bit more inclusive?Joining Kieran to discuss is Irish Independent Columnist, Ian O’Doherty and Chairman of The Communications Clinic, Terry Prone.

A plan to revitalise Dublin city centre was launched by Taoiseach Simon Harris today, calling for significant changes across safety, culture and transport.Richard Shakespeare is CEO of Dublin City Council, and joins Kieran to discuss.

A children’s play centre has had to apologise after it decorated its play area with body bags for Halloween. Parents say they were shocked to see such graphic decorations at the soft play centre in Gloucestershire in the UK. So, are some Halloween costumes and ornaments a bit too much?Joining Kieran to discuss is Alison Curtis, Presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM.

With the kids well and truly back to school, head lice are also making their return. These pesky critters spread quickly in classrooms, but don’t worry there are quick tips on how to spot, treat, and prevent them.Kieran is joined by Andrew Hennessy of Head Lice Experts to discuss.Image: HSE

Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch is rumoured to run in the next general election for the Dublin Central constituency. Hutch, a convicted criminal who was acquitted of murder in the Regency Hotel shooting, is from the area and apparently has the support of the people.That’s according to Councillor for the North Inner City and former Lord Mayor of Dublin, Nial Ring. He joins Kieran to discuss.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee is in Abu Dhabi today to sign a bilateral extradition treaty with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).Government approval of the treaty came last Friday, with hopes that it will allow for senior members of the Kinahan cartel to be returned to Ireland in order to face trial.Justice MInister Helen McEntee joins Kieran to discuss.