Newstalk Breakfast

Have you ever been called mid by someone? While Gen Z refer to mid as something that is mediocre, average, or disappointing, Irish Examiner Columnist Esther McCarthy thinks mid and in particular midlife is far more magnificent than boring and she joins Anton this morning to tell all.

The European Parliament has decided to postpone a vote on the European Union's trade deal with the US after Donald Trump imposed a new temporary import duty of 15% on imports from all countries.  To discuss further Anton spoke to Thomas Byrne, Fianna Fáil TD for Meath East and Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade .

Last Wednesday people all across the country dawned ashes on their forehead to mark Ash Wednesday. One person who did so on  Virgin Media’s The Tonight Show was Ireland Editor with the Irish Independent Fionnán Sheehan was met with online trolling.  Fionnán spoke to Anton about what he experienced.

Google processes over 8.5 billion searches a day, and if you're one of the millions of people contributing that figure, you may want to be wary of the results you choose to consume.  Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joined Anton to explain why.

The European Commission has called for Washington to abide by the terms of the trade deal struck last year with the EU.  This comes after US President Donald Trump announced new global tariff hikes a day after an adverse Supreme Court ruling. All to discuss with Dan Mulhall Former Ambassador of Ireland to the United States .   

As predicted, Jessie Buckley did the business at the Royal Festival Hall in London and picked up the Best Actress Bafta, the first for an Irish woman in that category ever. Henry McKean was there for us last night and got all glammed up. He joined us from outside the Baftas this morning.

So what should politicians do to address the rise in road deaths in Ireland? Anton asked Jennifer Whitmore, Social Democrats TD for Wicklow and spokesperson for Transport.  

The US Secret Service have shot and killed an armed intruder who breached the perimeter of Mar-a-Lago, Donald Trump’s Florida residence, early yesterday. We get the latest on this with David Smith Washington Bureau chief of The Guardian .  

More than half of workers in Ireland believe that their pay does not match their skills and effort.  That’s according to new polling published today by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, whose Secretary General Owen Reidy spoke to Anton.

There has been over a forty percent increase in sexually transmitted diseases compared in January of this year compared to last year.   So what is causing this sharp rise? For more on this, Anton spoke to Dr Aisling Loy, Consultant in Genito-Urinary Medicine in the GUIDE clinic at St James’s Hospital.  

It’s time for "Did You See”. Where we take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Anton this morning was Gráinne Ní Aodha, News Reporter with PA Media. 

New research shows that seventy six percent of hoteliers are concerned about the outlook for the Irish economy over the next twelve months. This comes as the Irish Hotel Federation is set to meet for its annual conference later today.   Speaking to Anton to discuss further was Paul Gallagher CEO of the Irish Hotels Federation .

Seven people died on Irish roads over the weekend.  So what should politicians do to address the rise in road deaths in Ireland?  Anton spoke to Leo Leighio, Vice President of the Irish Road Victims Association.

A new documentary is out called “Mouth of the Wolf: Amanda Knox returns to Italy” and this is the story of Amanda Knox returning there having been wrongfully convicted of murdering her roommate and dragged through years of court cases.     Anton spoke to Amanda about her experience, and started by asking her why she would return to Italy, when you might think it is the last thing sh...

A confidential Cabinet memo has been circulated to ministers warning them of looming worker displacement due to artificial intelligence.  Women and younger employees are more likely to be exposed. Speaking to Anton to discuss further was Julie Galbraith Chief Business Officer at Arachas Corporate Practice and Head of the Employment Law Association of Ireland. 

Estate agents using artificial intelligence generated images on property listings “is misleading to people” and wastes their time, according to Tánaiste Simon Harris.    The statements came after Labour housing spokesperson Conor Sheehan raised the issue in the Dáil following criticism of one Cork-based estate agency and auctioneer showing spruced-up versions of photos of a property alon...

Social media is 'well down the list' of factors impacting youth mental health, according to experts warning against a blanket ban for teenagers. Anton discusses this further with Dr Ruth Melia, Department of Clinical Psychology in University of Limerick. 

US President Donald Trump has hosted the first meeting for his “Board of Peace”, declaring the war in Gaza “over” and promising to “look over” the United Nations.  Anton spoke to Tara Kangarlou, Global Affairs journalist and author of The Heartbeat of Iran. 

It’s time for "Did You See”. Where we take a closer look at some of the stories you may have missed in the news this morning. Joining Anton this morning was Mary Hanafin, Barrister and Former Fianna Fáil Minister .

In the UK, former prince Andrew Mountbatten Windsor has been released from custody following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.  King Charles III has said the “law must take its course”. Speaking to Anton with more on this was Stephen Pound Former Labour MP for Ealing North and Former Shadow Minister for Northern Ireland for 10 years .  

A number of towns are struggling to put on St Patrick’s Day parades this year.  Rising insurance costs, a shortage of volunteers and a lack support from businesses are some of the factors leading to these challenges.  It has raised the question of the financial support given to these types of events in cities compared to towns.   Our reporter, Josh Crosbie visited Ashbourne in Co Me...

 A man is fighting for his life in hospital after being struck in the face with an e-scooter during a violent attack in the Temple Bar area while he lay on the ground unconscious. We get the latest on this with Robin Schiller Senior Journalist, Irish Independent.  

For any student thinking of doing medicine in college, the HPAT is an essential for prospective doctors but is it actually fit for purpose or just performative cruelty?   One person who thinks so is Dr Matthew Sadlier, Associate professor at UCD and a Consultant Psychiatrist.

In the UK, former prince Andrew Mountbatten Windsor has been released from custody following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.  King Charles III has said the “law must take its course”.  Anton spoke to Jennie Bond, TV presenter and Former BBC royal correspondent .  

Just three companies accounted for nearly half of Ireland’s tax receipts, according to the latest research from the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council.  Anton discussed the findings with Niall Conroy a Senior Economist at the IFAC.