Highlights From Newstalk Breakfast

US right-wing activist and commentator Charlie Kirk has died at the age of 31 following a shooting at an event at Utah Valley University. We get the latest on this from David Smith, Washington Bureau Chief of The Guardian. 

Ireland's World Cup dream has turned into a nightmare after losing two-one to Armenia last night. But is there any hope left at all for qualifying hopes? We asked Johnny Ward, sports journalist. 

Beyond the value of the cash and coins they hold, there’s a sentimental value to wallets we’re losing as phones become our main method of payment. That’s according to Ellie Harrison, TV Editor of the Independent.

The Spanish government has approved a draft law to ban smoking and vaping on bar and restaurant terraces. The new law would also prohibit minors from using vapes and stop sale of single-use electronic cigarettes. We get reaction to this with Chris Macey, The Irish Heart Foundation’s Director of Advocacy.

The leaders of Hamas have survived an Israel strike on a negotiation delegation in Doha, the capital of Qatar. While the White House has said the IDF strike does not align with their goal to resolve conflict in the Middle East, Hamas have said the US are just as responsible as Israel for the attack. Speaking to Shane this morning was Yossi Beilin, A former Israeli Minister of Justice.

There are now more obese school-aged children worldwide than those who are underweight.  That’s according to a new report from UNICEF, which found 1 in 10 kids around the globe now suffer from obesity.  To discuss further we heard from Dietician Orla Walsh.

New research published today by the National Youth Council of Ireland reveals the severe impact of the cost-of-living crisis on young people, with rent and accommodation emerging as the single greatest financial challenge. Newstalk’s Ellen Kenny asked the young people of Dublin for their two cents on the matter. We also discuss this further with Kathryn Walsh, Director of Policy and Advocacy at NYCI.

Meanwhile Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has reaffirmed his opposition to developer tax breaks, warning of their “risks and dangers”. Should there be tax breaks for developers? All to discuss with  Conor O’Connell, Director of Housing and Planning of The Construction Industry Federation and Sinn Fein Housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin. 

Hamas leaders have reportedly survived IDF strikes on the Qatari capital of Doha. Although five Hamas members were killed, the group said Israel failed to “assassinate” the negotiation delegation. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast this morning was Reuters Reporter Andrew Mills is in Doha and also Sean Bell, Former Fighter Pilot, Military Analyst and Co-Host of the Red Matrix Podcast.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has urged residents of Gaza City to evacuate as the military intensifies its offensive on the main urban centre of the Palestinian territory.   Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent for The Economist joined us on the show this morning.

Ireland’s economy continues to perform well – so the Government does not need to continue pumping money into the economy.   That’s according to the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council in their pre-Budget Submission. Niall Conroy, acting chief economist at IFAC joined us on Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

One in five Irish children now live below the poverty line when housing costs are taken into account, according to new research from the Economic and Social Research Institute. Co-author of the report Dr Barra Roantree joined Shane Beatty on Breakfast Briefing to this morning discuss his findings while Tanya Ward, Chief Executive of the Children’s Rights Alliance joined Shane Coleman on the show to discuss.

Rather than arguing over household tasks, Jess Wright has come up with an alternative solution: she bills her husband if he’s not pulling his weight.   Jonathan Healy spoke to Jess, and started by asking her how she came up with this scheme... 

The French Government has once again collapsed after Prime Minister Francois Bayrou lost a vote of confidence in parliament yesterday evening. Suzanne Lynch, Brussels Bureau Chief with Bloomberg brought us the latest.

Fianna Fáíl will today choose its presidential candidate in a secret ballot between candidates Jim Gavin and Billy Kelleher. Newstalk’s Political Correspondent Sean Defoe joined Shane Coleman on the show.

Shane Coleman was joined on the show this morning by Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald.

If we want fairer wealth distribution in Ireland, we need to tax property properly – so writes Adjunct Professor in Economics at Trinity College Dublin John Fitzgerald in the Irish Times today who joined Shane Coleman on the show.

Gardaí are investigating claims there was a bomb at the family home of Tánaiste Simon Harris yesterday afternoon, resulting in a large security operation. This is the third threat made against the Fine Gael leader in just over a week. Ciaran Cannon, Former Fine Gael TD joined Jonathan Healy on the show this morning.

Cocaine kits have been spotted for sale in a shop window in Dublin’s city center. Marketed as ‘snuff kits’, they include a razor, a metal spoon and a snorting tube. How harmful is the open promotion and sale of these products? Addiction counsellor Austin Prior joined Shane Coleman on the show to discuss.

Vow renewals are the new weddings. Sarah Madden brought us this report…