Highlights From The Pat Kenny Show

The UK has introduced age verification requirements online, but users are finding workarounds. VPNs top download charts as UK age verification law kicks in. Virtual private network (VPN) apps have become the most downloaded on Apple's App Store in the UK after sites such as PornHub, Reddit and X began requiring age verification of users. Jess Kelly, Newstalk Technology Correspondent, joined Pat Kenny on the show.

Have you ever opened your luggage and found a knot of tangled necklaces? Or rather have you been out for an entire day on holidays, perhaps at the beach, and there are no plugs to be found when your phone is about to die? Megan Virgo, Travel Writer with The Irish Daily Mail and Image joined Pat Kenny on the show.   

A new garda commissioner is set to be appointed today. The new appointment follows garda commissioner Drew Harris’ seven-year role. The new garda commissioner will face challenges surrounding Garda retirement as a decade-long increase in resignation is expected. Conor Lally, Security and Crime Editor of The Irish Times joined Pat Kenny on the show.

President Donald trump hosted Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at his Scottish golf club for a press conference yesterday. The conference had some remarkable moments as trump made comments on Starmer's ‘friend’ Sir Saqid Khan, London mayor, and trump noticed from the ‘television’ that Palestinian children are ‘terribly hungry.’ Enda Brady, International TV News Anchor at TRT World joined Pat Kenny to discuss the visit.  

Today’s political context is making dating more difficult for young people, studies show. This is partly because there is strong political divide between young men and women. Some young men and women view gender equality differently which also makes dating challenging. Dr Jenny Van Hooff, Reader in the Department of Sociology at Manchester Metropolitan University joined Pat Kenny on the show.

Investing used to be a case of pension funds, equities, and perhaps some stocks and shares. Lately, though, the whole area has become a lot less boring and far more luxurious. But is it wise to put all your savings in a Rolex watch or bag from jimmy choo, or when it comes to luxury investments, should the price tag say buyer beware? Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports…

Salim Oweis, UNICEF Communications Specialist for the Middle East and North Africa joined us to discuss the work the body are constantly undergoing in the Gaza strip as Palestinians face widespread malnutrition. As of today, 14 more Palestinians have died from hunger.  However, Salim says that UNICEF is running out of supplies of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food. Food could be depleted by August if the current trend continues.   

 Take cuts to farm payments of over €20,000 – proposals are also being made to fully withdraw farm subsidies from about 40,000 Irish farmers. Farmers over 65 in receipt of State pensions will lose their farm supports if the Commission’s plan to reform the CAP is successful. Alan Matthews, Professor Emeritus of European Agricultural Policy, Trinity College Dublin, joined us to discuss.

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission is calling for the Irish Government to ensure that victims of historical sexual abuse in schools are properly and promptly provided with redress. The commission say they fully agree with Minister Helen McEntee that those responsible must pay, but point out that it must include the State. Liam Herrick, Chief Commissioner with the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission joined Pat Kenny on the show to discuss.

  The much talked about planning exemption for cabins or modular homes in back gardens will head to Cabinet today ahead of a public consultation on the proposal. Conor Skehan, Sunday Independent Columnist and Seán Defoe, Political Correspondent  brings us the full details of that and other items going to Cabinet today, including confusion over the EU-US tariff agreement.  

Have you heard about an eye-drop that could let you ditch your reading glasses? Does it sound too good to be true? Our expert this week, Consultant Ophthalmologist, Arthur Cummings provides us with all the information and answers your questions.

There has been a rise in affordable antique shops as new home owners look for a bargain and something with character. Moving away from the Swedish modern flatpack. Henry McKean visited Pete’s Antiques and Macs Warehouse and sent this report. 

Jordan and the United Arab Emirates parachuted 25 tonnes of aid into Gaza today as Israel said it would halt operations for 10 hours a day in parts of the region. However, UN Aid Chief Tom Fletcher has warned more action is needed to prevent a “famine and a catastrophic health crisis". Paul Rogers, Emeritus Professor of Peace Studies, Bradford University  

On the morning of December 4, 2016, 22-year-old Eamonn Dixon collided head-on with a car carrying a family of six. The driver Dixon and his two passengers died at the scene. Mary Bermingham and her family survived but they still bare the physical and psychological scars. Nearly a decade later, impact – anatomy of a car crash revisits the collision, by speaking to the voices of those who survived.  Mary Bermingham joined Pat Kenny on the show.

The envelope-based budgeting method is going viral on TikTok and Reddit, with Gen Z bringing back physical cash as a way to feel more in control of their spending. Some claim it’s the only method that helps them stay disciplined; others call it impractical in a digital world. Nick Charalambous, Financial advisor and Managing Director of Alpha Wealth joined Pat Kenny on the show to discuss.

‘The rounds system needs to be burned to the ground.’ This is what Tanya Sweeney, Irish Independent columnist and journalist, has to say about buying rounds when drinking. She explains why and Henry McKean has been gauging people’s reaction on the street. 

The European Union and United States have agreed to a trade agreement that will avert the threatened 30% tariffs coming into effect this weekend. However, tariffs are now increased to 15% for the entire EU. Suzanne Lynch brings us the latest reaction and analysis. Suzanne Lynch, Brussels Bureau Chief, Bloomberg joined us on the show to discuss the deal.

It was a weekend full of excitement for the Kerry football team as the Kingdom took home their 39th All Ireland Football championship. Jack O'Connor led his team to a 1-26 to 0-19 win over Donegal, making it his fifth Sam Maguire. Elsewhere in sport, the British and Irish Lions narrowly beat Australia after a last minute try from Ireland's Hugo Keenan and England's Lionesses were crowned back to back champions at the Women’s Euro finals last night. Tommy Rooney, Off the Ball’s GAA correspondent and Colm Boohig, Broadcaster with Off the Ball joined Pat Kenny to look back on the weekend’s sporting action.

Andy Kelly, Co-founder of Misnaech (A not for profit organization dedicated to helping the people of Ukraine by delivering donated and re-purposed aid to medical and rehabilitation to facilities on the ground there) and Luba Healy, Founder of L.U.B.A. charity joined us on the show this morning.

Weightloss jabs have bursted onto the market, and the demand for these injections has skyrocketed. What started as a solution for those struggling with obesity has now become a quick-fixed solution for those looking to shed a couple of pounds.Some of these drugs are now available in some beauty clinics but what kind of message is this sending and how will those who need it the most lose out? Professor Donal O’Shea, Clinical Director at St. Vincent’s University Hospital (SVUH) and Professor at UCD School of Medicine joined Pat Kenny on the show.