Sláintecare is back in the news today, as it's reported that the key figures who resigned from the programme last week had previously written to the Minister for Health, urging him to press ahead with plans to introduce new regional structures in the health service. 

Regional titles continued to roll out the school secretaries and caretakers story yesterday, and our own Shane Lambert continues to be a radio favourite in his home county of Kildare. Here he is talking to Ciara Noble about this week's breakthrough on KFM's 'Kildare Today'. Elsewhere, Labour party leader Alan Kelly has voiced his support for Local Employment Services staff.

In political news, Simon Coveney survived the vote on Sinn Féin's motion of no confidence last night. Over in Westminster, Denis Staunton gives a withering assessment of the cabinet reshuffle, which the Guardian says 'lays the groundwork' for the next UK general election. Meanwhile, the High Court will give judgment today on Green Party TD Patrick Costello's challenge over the constitutionality of aspects of CETA, the EU-Canada trade deal. 

The head of Teagasc has said that integrating the State’s beef and dairy systems could radically reduce carbon emissions from agriculture while providing a more profitable livelihood for many struggling farmers. 

In television's latest dip into the bottom of the dystopian ideas barrel, campaigning and activism get the X Factor treatment. And finally, 'cake' gets ten times the number of mentions on UK television than climate change. 

Zen

Today's Zen tips the hat to New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who channeled Marshall McLuhan with her sartorial elegance this week (click image above for the full story). I still don't really know what the Met Gala is but I think this is the way to do it. For some other eye-popping outfits and accessories check out the video in the story linked above. The cultural cameo by McLuhan is, I think, the best one he's had since this one from 1977.

Enjoy your day.

Niall