Highlights From The Pat Kenny Show

Spotify is increasing prices in several regions outside of the US, just days after posting disappointing earnings. Spotify announced on Monday that Premium subscribers across Europe, South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific will be notified about pricing changes “over the next month. Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly tells us more.

Ireland’s standing within the eu has transformed since joining in 1976. However, the political landscape dramatically changed within that period. From Brexit, the war in Ukraine to tariffs, issues facing the Europe are far greater than before and Ireland now needs to take a bigger stake in the EU's future.  So, for a small country who plays a big part in this economic bloc, is it time we step up our role?  Gerard Howlin, Former Government Advisor.

As the price of food continues to increase, so does the cost of our weekly shop. Kel Galavan, money coach tells us how to how to cut food expenses and budget our meals during the era of inflating prices.

Texas Republicans voted to arrest more than 50 Democratic legislators who fled the state to stall a redistricting plan. Psychology experts are questioning U.S. President Donald Trump’s mental acuity because of continuous false claims, drifts off topic and difficulties with his memory. All to discuss with Terry Sheridan Senior Director of News, WSHU Public Radio.

Last spring, Dr Morgan McMonagle, a vascular trauma surgeon, returned from Gaza after his second trip there since the war began. Over the following four months has had to look on from a distance as the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate inside Gaza. Dr Morgan joined Pat this morning to discuss the situation along with Sean Bell, Former Fighter Pilot, Military Analyst, and Co-Host of the Red Matrix Podcast.

Last Wednesday, a Delta Air Lines flight from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam was hit by serious turbulence, sending 25 passengers to hospitals and forcing the flight to divert to Minnesota, so how does turbulence work? All to discuss with Retired Lieutenant Colonel and Aviation Expert Kevin Byrne.

Diplomats in Dublin, London and Washington are working to secure the release of Irish missionary Gena Heraty after she, along with 7 other people, were kidnapped from an orphanage in the capital of Haiti Port-au-Prince. For more on this Pat spoke to Keira Keogh Fein Gael TD for Mayo.

Women sports continues to reach more widespread media, yet there are still barriers compared to their male counterparts. This morning Pat was joined by a women in Sport panel including Meabh de Burca, Former Ireland player and pundit,  Dr. Ciara Losty, Lecturer SETU, Performance Psychologist in the Institute of Sport and on the Jockey Pathway and Kathleen McNamee, Off The Ball, Host of The COYGIG Pod.

New figures show there are 12 times more properties available for short-term letting, compared to long-term living. We discuss these figures further with Louise Byrne, Irish Examiner Political Correspondent and also Michael Healy Rae, Minister for State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine.

Henry McKean looks back at the biggest events and meet the people who made a huge impact in the year 1985!From Live Aid with Bob Geldoff and Nik Kershaw, the biggest stories of the year with Jonathan deBurca Butler, activism with Grace O'Sullivan and David O'Callaghan from the Here and Back Again Podcast on pop culture - there is plenty to look back on!

Our Friday Forum looks back on the main new stories of the week. Joining Pat in studio was Grace Boland TD, Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael, Lynn Boylan MEP, Dublin, Sinn Féin and Jennifer Bray, Political Editor with The Sunday Times. 

Endometriosis is a condition that an estimated that 155,000 women in Ireland are affected by. This condition has a massive impact on women as it decreases quality of life due to severe pain, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and infertility. Some individuals with endometriosis experience debilitating pain that prevents them from going to work or school. In Ireland, the government has committed to a national endometriosis framework and endometriosis hubs around the country, but nothing has been published yet. Because of a combination of the lack of endometriosis services in Ireland, lengthy waiting lists, and the cost of going private is forcing women to seek treatment overseas. Sophie King, fitness instructor and who has endometriosis joined Pat Kenny on the show to discuss.

With the bank holiday weekend ahead, Director of Dunbrody House Kevin Dundon takes us through some of the tastiest summer side dishes including a crispy potato salad and a corn on the cob with Gremolata. Kevin Dundon, Director of Dunbrody House joined Pat Kenny on the show.

Roblox, the online game-building platform, which is popular with children and teenagers, is looking to introduce online dating. The move pushed by Roblox CEO occurs after Ireland, the UK, and Australia attempt to implement stricter age verification conditions for online, social media and adult content. Adrian Weckler, Technology Editor with the Irish and Sunday Independent, joined Pat Kenny on the show to discuss. 

We have heard the positives and negatives of drone deliveries, but unmanned aerial vehicles have many more uses than delivering takeaways. One area that is being considered is the monitoring of coastlines to detect drug smuggling. Josh Crosbie has been meeting those who operate drones for many different reasons…

The Bank Holiday weekend always brings an increase in attendances to our Emergency Departments and Hospitals, so where do you go if you need care? We get advice from the HSE with Grace Rothwell, National Director for HSE Access and Integration with all options available to you over the weekend and JJ Clarke Columnist with the Irish Independent brings us ‘festivalling’ advice ahead of All Together Now. 

Famous youtuber Trisha Paytas has sparked controversy as she named her son Aquaman Moses. The social media star said she chose the name as she admits to being a big fan of the Aquaman comics and the accompanying movie. The question is, are celebrities taking baby names too far? Jen Hogan, Irish Times Journalist and Host of the Conversations with Parents Podcast and Brenda Power, Columnist with The Sunday Times and Irish Daily Mail joined Pat Kenny to discuss.

This weekend will mark the final test for the British and Irish Lions who have dominated against Australia this tournament. Andy Farrell has named nine Irish players in the starting side, with Rónan Kelleher the only Irish player on the bench. In football Meath will face off Dublin in the All-Ireland women’s final as the royals hope to make a repeat of their 2022 win. Cathal Mullaney , Broadcaster with Off the Ball joined Pat Kenny to preview the weekend in sport.

Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, Volodymir Zelensky has maintained a high levels of support from Ukrainians. However, in recent days there has been public outrage with the president. Thousands of protesters rallied in Kyiv and other cities in recent days as his party was set to push through a law to strip two anti-corruption bodies of their independence. However just yesterday Ukraine's parliament has approved a bill restoring the independence of the country's two main anti-corruption agencies. Mr Zelensky changed course after the public outcry and under pressure from European officials. So will this regain support from the people of Ukraine? Emmanuelle Chaze Ukraine correspondent for france24 joined Pat Kenny on the show.

US transport company Lyft is to enter the Europe ride-hailing market as it is buying transport mobility rival, FREENOW for €175 million. FREENOW is the leading taxi platform in several European cities, including Dublin. The deal is closing in the coming weeks. Danny O'Gorman, FREENOW Ireland General Manager joined Pat Kenny to discuss.