Newstalk Breakfast

In Ireland, 61% of adults own a smartwatch and say they rely on it to monitor their health and exercise data. But is it really good for us to constantly be checking out sleep score, heart beat, steps and everything else that it can track?  Anton asked Health Scientist and Sleep Coach Tom Coleman. 

With the summer of high temperatures and low rainfall. This has left the agricultural sector struggling with significant extra costs.  But when will these issues be reflected in supermarkets? Anton asked Karol Kissane, Head of Public Sector Services and Economics at IFAC .  

More than 220 people have been killed after Colombia was hit by its strongest earthquake this century. Hospitals in some of the worst-hit areas are now overwhelmed. To explain the situation there was Karol Balfe, CEO of Action Aid Ireland .  

The deepest solar eclipse visible in Ireland since 1999 is just hours away, and people will be gathering all over the country to watch it happen.  Alan O’Reilly from Carlow Weather explained if conditions will be clear enough for viewers to see.

Researchers say the AI videos of fruit and vegetables committing gory acts of violence acts of violence are spreading extremist agendas. According to the Global Network on Extremism and Technology these clips are circumventing the social media platforms moderation policies that prohibit extreme violent material.   Joining Anton to discuss this is President of the IMO and Consultant Psych...

Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to flock to Spain tomorrow to witness a rare total solar eclipse. But with northern Spain already battling devastating wildfires, there are fears the influx of visitors could create an additional fire risk.  Speaking to Anton was Freelance Journalist in Spain, Simon Hunter. 

The RSA have launched a new campaign urging car drivers to take an extra moment to look out for motorcyclists when emerging from junctions.  They are warning that motorcyclists continue to be disproportionately represented in serious and fatal road traffic collisions. Speaking to Anton this morning was Michael Noonan, PRO of the Irish Motorcyclists’ Association.

Fórsa union members at Oberstown Children Detention Campus will take part in an eight-hour work stoppage later today. This is due to a continuing dispute over resourcing and safe staffing at the campus. Speaking to Anton this morning was National Secretary Forsa Trade Union,  Hazel Nolan.   

We take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Anton this morning was Louise Burne, Political Correspondent, Irish Examiner.

The Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan has said that the Government has still made no decision on assisted dying legislation. This is almost two years after a Committee recommended legislation. People Before Profit Councillor Gino Kenny campaigned for this legislation when he was a member of Dáil Éireann spoke to Anton with more on this.

From self-checkouts and food-ordering apps to putting in our headphones and tuning out the world. It seems everyday conversation is slowly disappearing. One study found that people under 25 are speaking around 451 fewer words a day for each year since 2005.  To discuss these findings was Leslie Shoemaker, Counselling Psychologist and Lecturer, TU Dublin.

With the long, dry and hot spell being experienced across Ireland crop marks have been popping up all over the country. But what are they and why are they ‘cropping’ up?  Anton got all the details from Author and founder of Mythical Ireland, Anthony Murphy.

The heatwave may be on the way back. But in a few weeks, we will be back to the cold and flu season. Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher explained to Anton why he wants to see a review of high-dosage flu vaccines ahead of the next winter season.

Warm weather is on the way this week, with temperatures set to reach as high as 29 degrees. Rebecca Cantwell, Meteorologist at Met Eireann gave us an update on the weather.

The President of Colombia has declared a state of emergency after a powerful earthquake struck the west of the country.  More than 130 people have died and a further 570 have been injured.   For the latest on the situation there was Claire McQue, Journalist in Colombia.

The HSE have issued the country’s first ever national clinical practice guideline on the use of birthing pools. It includes standards for the care of women using a birthing pool during labour or birth. Anton discusses this further with Dr Peter Boylan, Former Master, National Maternity Hospital.

Israel has rejected Donald Trump’s 15-point plan for Gaza. With Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying Israeli forces will not withdraw until Hamas is fully disarmed.  Hamas says it is prepared to engage with the plan, but insists Israel must first end its military operations and withdraw from Gaza. On the show this morning we heard from Former Israeli Minister of Justice, Yossi Beilin . &n...

An AI music generator recently lost a significant copyright infringement case in Germany. This came fter a licensing agency argued that AI platform Suno used songs such as Forever Young and Mambo Number 5 to train its models without paying the songwriters. Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly brought us the details.

An electricity interconnector between the UK and Ireland has been diverted not to avoid any archaeological site. It was because it would disturb a memorial to Dobby the House Elf from Harry Potter. We get the details from Enda Brady, International TV News Anchor with TRT World.

Daniel Kinahan appeared at the Special Criminal Court last night, charged with directing organised crime. Kinahan was arrested in Dubai and extradited to Dublin yesterday afternoon.  Frank Greaney, Newstalk’s Courts Correspondent was at the Special Criminal Court and explained to Anton what was said in court. 

There should be additional parent’s leave for families welcoming more than one child at once. This is according to John Paul O’Shea, Fine Gael TD for Cork North West and Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection. 

We take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Anton this morning was Derek Mooney, Former Fianna Fáil Advisor and Public Affairs Consultant .   

The state is now spending an unprecedented €11.8 billion on propping up the housing market. This is according to new figures from the Business Post.  Anton discusses this further with Carol Tallon, CEO of Property District. 

The Government is considering a new law that could ban the sale of cigarettes and vapes to anyone born after a certain date. The move aims to create a smoke-free generation.  We get the details from Fianna Fail TD for Wicklow Wexford, Malcolm Byrne. 

A fast-moving wildfire is raging out of control in western Canada, forcing thousands of people to flee their homes. For the latest on this Anton spoke to Chelsea Powrie, News Director for Castanet News in Penticton, British Columbia.