Highlights From 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.

The Israeli cabinet is set to meet to consider Prime Minister Netanyahu’s plan for a full military takeover of Gaza, a move not seen in two decades. Ciara gets the latest on the situation there with Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent for The Economist.

The final of Love Island was on last night, with Toni Laites and Cach Mercer taking the fifty-thousand-pound prize. The iconic reality show has seen a dip in popularity in recent years. But did this year’s season exceed expectations? All to discuss with Fionnuala Jones, Broadcaster, podcaster and self-confessed Love Island expert.

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Harris TD, has held talks overnight with his Haitian counterpart about the kidnapping of Mayo woman Gena Heraty. For the latest on this was Liz Dunphy, journalist with the Irish Examiner. 

The Government is set to consider a major overhaul of its response to flooding and extreme weather emergencies, including plans to establish permanent flood relief centres across key regional locations. We discuss further with Climatologist and Professor Emeritus of Geography at Maynooth University, John Sweeney.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will urge a meeting of his security cabinet today to support the full “conquest of the Gaza Strip” according to reports in Israeli media. We get the latest with Alistair Bunkall, Sky News Middle East Correspondent.

A leading paediatric consultant has said that domestic abusers should go to refuge centres, instead of their partners and children. Dr Suzanne Crowe says forcing families into refuges disrupts children’s health and education and violates their rights. We discuss further with Sinn Féin Senator Nicole Ryan.

The National Bus and Rail Union is urgently calling for the introduction of a dedicated transport police unit following a violent incident on a Dublin Bus this weekend. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Dermot O’Leary, General Secretary of the National Bus and Rail Union.

Independent Ireland TD for Cork North-Central, Ken O’Flynn has condemned the Government’s decision to continue taxing tips, calling it “a tax on decency.”  Ken spoke to Ciara this morning.

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris has said "no stone" will be left unturned to secure the release of an Irish woman Gena Heraty who was kidnapped along with seven other people from an orphanage in Haiti yesterday.  Our Reporter Stephanie Rohan joins us for more on this.

A whole host of international and Irish acts will be taking to the stages across Curraghmore Estate this weekend in Waterford. But with such a huge following, and the festival growing year-by-year, what does such a huge influx of people do for a place like Waterford. Kyle Butler, Reporter with WLR FM joined us on Newstalk Breakfast.