Highlights From Newstalk Breakfast

As the conflict in the Middle East continues to unfold, the 20,000 Irish people in the Middle East remain. Minister of State in the Department of Foreign Affairs Thomas Byrne gave us the latest advice for them, and whether there are any plans for an evacuation

US and Israeli operations against Iran have continued for a third day, as have Iranian retaliatory strikes across the Gulf. Speaking to Anton with an update was Borzou Daragahi  Middle East Journalist and Analyst.

The University of Galway is proposing to discontinue and replace its general arts course as students are increasingly attracted to “direct routes to employment”.Aisling Murray Fleming, Guidance course director of Dublin City University spoke to us to explain more.

French, red or nude getting your nails done is part of the ongoing maintenance for many women.Selene Daly Tarpey Registered Advanced Nurse and Nurse Tutor explains why you should wear sun cream when getting gel manicures.

More than 300,000 homes are now in arrears on electricity bills. That’s according to new figures from the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities. why there’s been a big rise in the numbers of households in arrears on their electricity bills. For more on this Anton spoke to Charlie Weston Personal Finances Editor with the Independent.

With spring just around the corner so too is hay fever season which can leave people coughing and sniffing all day long.  So what is the best way to deal with it?  All to discuss with Ruth Morrow, Respiratory Nurse Specialist at The Asthma Society of Ireland.  

Yesterday Former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton told a congressional committee on Thursday that she did not recall ever meeting the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Later today her husband and former president Bill Clinton will testify in front of the same congressional committee.  Anton spoke to The Guardian’s Washington Bureau Chief David Smith.

The Football Association of Ireland will introduce tougher security measures such as sniffer dogs and CCTV at League of Ireland games following threats to pull funding for new Astro pitches, according to the Irish Independent. It comes after a flare was thrown at the Louth derby between Dundalk and Drogheda United at Oriel Park, resulting in one child sent to hospital. Speaking to Anton this morning was  Patrick O’Donovan, Sports Minister.

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 Frances Fitzgerald, Former Government Minister.

Minister of Transport Darragh O’Brien has announced the launch of a public consultation on the draft National EV Charging Infrastructure Strategy. It will set out the next phase of Ireland’s plan to expand and future proof the national EV charging network. All to discuss with Conor Faughnan Independent Motoring Expert for Carzone.

The role of judicial reviews and how to improve decision making in the planning process will be in the spotlight today at The Bar of Ireland Conference. Where a number of senior government officials will be contributing. Seán Guerin Chair of the Council of The Bar of Ireland joined Anton this morning ahead of the conference.

Nearly 200,000 young adults in England have joined a claim against universities, arguing they did not receive the education they paid for during the Covid pandemic. Across the water, people are beginning the same process in Northern Ireland. We get the details from Megan Burn, Solicitor with Phoenix Law.

Yesterday Former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton told a congressional committee on Thursday that she did not recall ever meeting the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Later today her husband and former president Bill Clinton will testify in front of the same congressional committee.  Speaking to Anton with more on this was Scott Lucas Professor of US and International Politics the Clinton Institute UCD, 

EirGrid the operator of the national grid has warned of  “a steeper” growth  in demand out to 2030 which will cause a “potentially challenging situation". So what does that mean for you. All to discuss with  Lisa Ryan Professor of Energy Economics in UCD.

A lot of people now shy away completely from speaking to anyone in public. But if we learn to do this it’s enriching, for ourselves and society That’s the advice from Viv Groskop, Broadcaster, Comedian and Author.

During an Oireachtas Health Committee yesterday, Dr Cliona Murphy from the National Women and Infants Programme said that Ireland’s high caesarean section rate is partly linked to more older mothers and obesity rates.  All to discuss with Professor Jennifer Donnelly, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at the Rotunda Hospital.

School absence leads to lower educational qualifications and poorer wellbeing in early adulthood. That’s the top lines from a new ESRI report today  For more on these findings and reaction, Anton spoke to Emer Smyth, Research Professor with the ESRI and also Paul Crone, Director of the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals. 

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 Lucinda Creighton CEO and Founder of Vulcan Former Minister for European Affairs.

Flying is one of the biggest carbon criminals on the planet, so by flying more efficiently and scrapping business class, will this make fly better for the environment? One person who thinks so is Milan Klöwer NERC Independent Research Fellow at University of Oxford.

Almost all of us believe families should have the right to deliver a eulogy at their funeral. While one in eight of us would consider not having any service at all after they die. That’s according to a new wide ranging survey on our attitudes to funerals published this morning by RIP.ie. To discuss these interesting findings was Head of RIP.ie  Richie Kelly.