Highlights From Newstalk Breakfast

Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Israeli strikes across Gaza that killed over 400 people are ‘only the beginning’ and Israel will press ahead until it realises all its war goals.  Ciara spoke to Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, Israel's Foreign Ministry Special Envoy and Former Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem.

One in three Irish people are unaware that just one contaminated container can compromise an entire recycling bin. That’s according to new research from Repak, whose CEO Zoe Kavanagh spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

Wearing nail polish could help solve toxic masculinity and men’s mental health crisis? That's according to social innovation expert and author of the Uncertainty toolkit Sam Conniff  whose project “Hard As Nails” brings men into nail salons to document their experiences outside of gender norms.  

A number of Government TDs are calling for the state-funded free schoolbooks scheme to be extended to fee-paying schools.    Among them is Fine Gael TD for Louth Paula Butterly who spoke to Newstalk Breakfast.

The Kremlin has confirmed that President Vladimir Putin will have a call with Donald Trump later today.  This comes as Russia continues to resist a US-backed proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine.  Speaking to Ciara this morning was Sean Bell Former Fighter pilot and now Military Analyst. 

Gardaí are investigating an incident in which two women confronted an Israeli man at a bar in Dún Laoghaire during which one of the women spat at him.  Speaking to Shane this morning was Palestinian Activist Léna Seale.

Over half of Ireland’s local authorities are failing to collect money from owners of derelict sites.  That’s according to new figures released to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne, which suggest that councils are owed more than €20 million in unpaid levies. We discussed these figures with Rory.

Palestinian health authorities have said that Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed at least 330 people, ending a weeks-long standoff over extending the ceasefire that halted fighting in January.  We get the latest on this with Alistair Bunkall, Sky News Middle East Correspondent. 

Conor McGregor told reporters in Washington yesterday that the “illegal immigration racket is running ravage” in Ireland before meeting with US president Donald Trump.  We get reaction to this with Mick Clifford Special correspondent with the Irish Examiner.

Edward Timmins, Fine Gael TD for Wicklow, has announced the production of a US Presidents ‘Road Map’ which outlines some key locations of his proposed ‘American Presidents Trail’.  Edward detailed the trail to Shane this morning on the show.

Around 100,000 people are expected to visit Ireland this week for St Patrick’s Day celebrations.Whether it is a small rural tractor run or a sold-out concert, there are events of all shapes and sizes.Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie has been meeting with those who have travelled here, and those working on the big day.

To celebrate Seachtain Na Gaeilge, Shane caught up with Darragh O’Brien, Minister for Transport, Climate, Environment and Energy for an interview “as Gaeilge”. Here Minister O’Brien spoke about the importance of Irish to him personally.   

A meeting between Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Jewish leaders in the US could now be in jeopardy after reports that a number of groups have now cancelled. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast with more on this was Daniel Rubenstein Middle East Analyst at the Israeli Citizen Spokesperson Office & former social media advisor to Benjamin Netanyahu. 

Vladimir Putin has said he has many questions about the proposed US-brokered ceasefire with Ukraine and appeared to set out a series of sweeping conditions that would need to be met before Russia would agree to such a truce.  We heard from Ian Bond, former British Diplomat in Moscow, and now the Deputy Director of the Centre for European Reform. 

There have long been calls to introduce a four-day work week. But now some are suggesting we should still work five days a week – as long as the day is only six hours long.  To discuss this further with Dr Mansoor Soomro, Researcher on the future of work at Teeside University, and author of the upcoming book “Generalist Advantage” 

From “almond mammies” to “hurried child syndrome”, over-the-top labels are picking apart everything parents try to do to raise their kids.  That’s according to Niamh O’Reilly, freelance journalist and parent who explained to Newstalk Breakfast.

Irish whiskey producers are facing a severe 200 per cent tariff on exports to America, as concerns rise that the dispute between the US and EU may escalate into a full-scale transatlantic trade war.  Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast with their concerns was Colin Ross, CEO of Kinsale Spirit Company.  

Members of the Burke family were ejected from the Ireland Funds Gala dinner in Washington DC last night. Our political correspondent Sean Defoe was at the event and captured the moment. 

FREENOW is providing their passengers with live trad music this weekend in Dublin to celebrate St Patrick’s Day. Joining Shane this morning was Fin Furey one of the musicians involved in the initiative. 

Violence is out of control in TV drama that’s according to Libby Purves who has been writing in the Times of London. We discussed this further with BBC TV Critic, Scott Bryan.