Newstalk Breakfast

The EU’s Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas has said the European Union is to significantly expand its sanctions against Russia over the coming months as the WAR with Ukraine rumbles on.  To discuss this further with Anton was Donnacha Ó Beacháin, Professor of Politics at DCU and author of “Unfinished Empire: Russian Imperialism in Ukraine and the Near Abroad”.

Kevin McPartlan, Head of Fuels for Ireland has warned the Government is 'running out of time' to prevent a repeat of the protests that brought the country to a standstill as prices soar.  Kevin explained this further with Anton this morning on the show.

The Constitutional Council in France has struck down a law banning social media for under 15s, saying it infringes on fundamental freedoms.  Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly brought us the details.

Five young people have been killed while four have been seriously injured in a motorway crash involving one car driving the wrong way down the M9.  Speaking to Anton was Neil Michael, reporter with the Irish Examiner .  

Is it time that we have standard clothes sizes across all brands? Anton askes fashion expert Marietta Doran.

The Government is looking at increasing the entry point of the higher rate to tax to €46,000 in October’s budget. What will this mean for other purposed measures and what will it do for your pocket?   To discuss further was Barra Rountree, the Assistant Professor in Economics at Trinity College Dublin. 

“I truly believe that being aware of and proactive about skin changes has saved me from the worst-case scenario that my dad went through with skin cancer”  Those are the words of skin cancer survivor Liz Farrell, who joined Anton to discuss the importance of getting checked. 

Sinn Féin and other politicians have condemned the burning of images of First Minister Michelle O'Neill. Along with Poppies, wreathes, sashes  and other political material on three bonfires that took place over the weekend in Derry.    We get reaction to this with Chris Hazard the South Down MP with Sinn Féin.

Five young people have been killed while four have been seriously injured in a motorway crash involving one car driving the wrong way down the M9.  We get the latest on this with Molly O’Connor, Newstalk Reporter. 

Last night saw Mark English win the gold medal in the men's 800m and then 20 minutes later, Rhasidat Adeleke grabbed silver in the women's 200m at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham.  Anton spoke to Hamish Adams CEO Athletics Ireland on a great night.   

It has been revealed that the reason why a passenger got partially sucked out of a Ryanair flight last month was caused by broken engine parts. That’s according to a preliminary report by the U.S National Transportation Safety Board   Anton looks into the report with Kevin Byrne, retired Lieutenant Col and Airport Safety and Security Auditor.

Uisce Éireann has said that an extension to the hosepipe ban may have to be considered beyond 26 August.    Speaking to Anton with more on this was Asset Strategy Manager at Uisce Éireann, Mairead Conlon. 

The ballots are in, the votes are counted and Nigel Farage has won the most bizarre election in British political history,  Speaking to Anton was our reporter Sarah Madden was on the there during the count last night and also we get reaction to the outcome with Former Government Senior Special Adviser James Price.

Farming groups are calling for urgent supports from the Government over the impact of high temperatures on farmers' livelihoods.   To discuss further with Anton was Francie Gorman, Irish Farmer's Association President .  

Back-to-school costs can really add up, but there are ways to keep the spending under control.  With top tips on saving for those back-to-school costs was Robert Whelan, Managing Director at Rockwell Financial Management.

When someone objects to an infrastructure project or big housing project in their locality. Why don’t we just pay them to withdraw their objection?   Anton discusses this further with Gavin Lawlor President of The Irish Planning Institute .   

The cost of Ireland’s new National Train Control Centre could rise to €205 million. It comes in at almost €60 million over budget.  To discuss with Anton was Professor in Transportation at the School of Engineering at Trinity College, Brian Caulfield .  

Lucy Fisher, Whitehall Editor of the Financial Times brings us the latest from the Clacton-by-election where Nigel Farage was declared the winner.

This Saturday, August 15th marks the start of National Heritage Week 2026. There will be thousands of events across the country shining a light on Irish heritage. Anton found out all about the events with CEO of the Heritage Council, Virginia Teehan. 

A new Pure Telecom survey suggests around 370,000 adults in Ireland have had a romantic relationship with an AI chatbot in the past year. With almost half a million more wouldn’t rule it out. So, why are we becoming emotionally attached to technology?  To discuss with Anton was Psychologist, Author, Academic and Life Coach, Dr Agnieszka Piotrowska .  

Meta have announced that they will donate 15-thousand of their Ray-Ban AI glasses to Vision Ireland, the country’s national sight loss charity.   We got the details of this donation from Tech Correspondent Jess Kelly.

Alison Chawke has been released from prison after serving four weeks of a two-year-two-month sentence. For more on this Anton spoke to Sinn Féin Justice Spokesman, Matt Carthy .  

Farming groups are calling for urgent supports from the Government over the impact of high temperatures on farmers' livelihoods.   Speaking to Anton to discuss further was Francie Gorman, Irish Farmer's Association President.

We take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Anton this morning was Frances Fitzgerald a Member of the Gender Equality Advisory Committee to the G7, former Minister, MEP and Tanaiste. 

Littering caused by people raiding public bins for plastic bottles and aluminum cans is costing Dublin City Council almost €1,000 a day. This is since the introduction of the Deposit Return Scheme.  We get reaction to these figures with Daryl Barron the Lord Mayor of Dublin.