Highlights From Newstalk Breakfast

Israel's political-security cabinet has approved a plan to take control of Gaza City. It comes hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel intended to take military control of the entire strip. We get reaction to this with Eylon Levy Former Israeli Government Spokesperson.

Vladimir Putin has downplayed the prospect of talks with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, saying a meeting is possible but only if certain conditions are met.  His comments come in response to a US proposal for a trilateral meeting involving Donald Trump. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Emmanuelle Chaze, Ukraine Correspondent for Radio France Internationale and France24.

A controversial “far right” festival set for a Leitrim community centre will no longer take place at the venue following an open letter signed by hundreds of Irish artists including Kneecap and Christy Moore.  Is there a double standard when it comes to political views? We discussed with Mary Kenny Author, Journalist and Irish Independent Columnist.

Gardaí have launched a murder investigation after a man was found stabbed to death in his Carrick-on-Suir home. 49-year-old Ian Walsh was discovered Monday morning by concerned family and neighbours. For more on this we heard from Ralph Riegel, Southern Correspondent with The Irish Independent.

Israel's political-security cabinet has approved a plan to take control of Gaza City, hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel intended to take military control of the entire strip. Shane spoke to Dr Jilan Abdalmajid, Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland.

370,000 adults in Ireland have pursued a romantic relationship with an AI chatbot – that's according to a survey out today by Pure Telecom. But why would anyone even consider this?  All to discuss with Leslie Shoemaker, Counselling Psychologist and Lecturer in TU Dublin. 

Police investigating the death of Irish fashion designer Martha Nolan O'Slattara aboard a yacht in New York have said an autopsy conducted on the Carlow native's body "did not show evidence of violence".    For more on this we heard from Emma Hickey, Reporter with The Journal.

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Harris, has this morning said that the new tariff arrangement between the United States and the European Union has now commenced. Tánaiste Simon Harris spoke to Newstalk Breakfast with more on this.

There have been calls for Israelis to stage non-violent protests and civil disobedience against Benjamin Netanyahu's plans to take over Gaza. The Israeli Cabinet is due to discuss military plans for Gaza with other ministers later today. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is one of those calling for Israelis to take a stand against Netanyahu.

Breastfeeding is so often portrayed as natural and instinctive but for many mothers, the reality is far more complex and painful. That’s according to Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett, Author and Journalist who spoke to Newstalk Breakfast.

France is facing its biggest wildfire of the summer, with one person confirmed dead as flames tear through the southern Aude region.The fire remains highly active and is spreading quickly, forcing residents and tourists to evacuate. We get the latest on the fires with Elaine Cobb, Paris Based Journalist.

Helsinki hasn’t registered a single traffic-related fatality in the past year, municipal officials have revealed. Could Ireland and its cities ever achieve the same? Speaking to Shane to discuss further was Roni Utriainen, Traffic engineer in Helsinki.

President Donald Trump is expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin as early as next week, according to The New York Times.  The news comes after a U.S. envoy visited Moscow for talks yesterday. For more on this we heard from Dr. Jenny Mathers from the Department of International Politics at Aberystwyth University.

Phone addictions continue to rise amongst all ages – and many people find themselves trying to figure out how to cut down screentime without completely cutting themselves off from technology. Helen Coffey, Senior features writer for the Independent, has the tips. 

 Ireland’s public finances are benefitting from a young population and a strong economy. But it’s important to start preparing the coffers for an older population and more pension. That’s according to the latest report from IFAC, and we heard from Niall Conroy, Author of the report and Acting Chief Economist of IFAC. 

Phone addictions, are we getting better or worse? Ciara and Shane discussed this morning.

The family of Irish charity worker Gena Heraty, who was among eight people kidnapped from an orphanage in Haiti, have asked people to keep the group “in your hearts” as they asked for discretion. Dr Louise Ivers, Professor of Medicine and former Chief of the Mission for Partners in Health in Haiti, who is friends with Gena spoke to Ciara this morning.

A London restaurant has sparked outrage after surreptitiously adding an extra charge to diners' bills. Dubbed the 'carbon free' fee which it says will help 'offset the environmental impact of meals'.   Is this type of charge something that’s likely to become standard? All to discuss with John Gibbons, Environmental Journalist and author of the forthcoming book “The Lie of the Land”.

More than half of parents say they are worried about meeting back-to-school costs this year. A new survey by Barnardos has found only one third of secondary school parents said that costs were manageable.   Our reporter Josh Crosbie has been meeting with parents to hear how costly this time of year is for them.

Summer is a great time to examine our utility bills and service providers. We all want to save money, and while the bills are low, this is our opportunity. So wrote Caitriona Redmond, Consumer Columnist with the Irish Examiner and she explained all to Ciara this morning.