Highlights From Newstalk Breakfast

US President Donald Trump has threatened further destruction of Gaza if all remaining hostages are not released and issued an ultimatum to Hamas leaders to flee. In a lengthy post on his Truth Social platform Trump said: "I am sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job, not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don't do as I say" We discuss this further with  Fawaz Gerges, Professor of International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

“The generation I grew up in had much thicker skin. You could be much more direct.”  So said former Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag when discussing the difficulty he had managing Gen Z players.  But does he have a point? Joining us to discuss was Saoirse Hanley, Columnist with the Sunday Independent. 

Cyclone Alfred has intensified to Category 2 as it barrels towards Australia’s southeastern coast, prompting evacuation orders and a state of emergency.  Shane got an update on the situation in Australia with Tim Arvier, Journalist & Queensland Political Editor with 9newsQueensland. 

Today a meeting will take place between Dublin Bus and unions in a bid to resolve the ongoing industrial action by maintenance workers.   Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast this morning was SIPTU Transport Sector Organiser, John Murphy. 

US secretary of state Marco Rubio told Tánaiste Simon Harris it was a priority of the Trump administration to address the “trade imbalance” between Ireland and the US when the two men spoke by phone this week.    So how concerned should we be about finding ourselves in American crosshairs? We discuss all with Jack Chambers, Minister for Public Expenditure.

“Our military neutrality effectively ended last week. It happened in the course of an hour, when Volodymyr Zelenskyy was forced to stand up for himself and his country against two schoolyard bullies and was then thrown out of the White House.” So wrote  Fergus Finlay, Columnist with The Irish Examiner who joined us on Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

Independent Ireland will bring forward a motion in the Dáil today calling for the establishment of an independent watchdog, to be called the “Department of Efficiency and Reform,” tasked with ensuring taxpayers' money is spent responsibly and efficiently.  We discuss this further with Michael Collins is the leader of Independent Ireland.

Are you giving something up for Lent? Maybe you are taking on a new challenge and wondering how to stick with it for 40 days.  We chat to Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin. 

Does Ireland need its own version of Elon Musk’s DOGE department? Ciara and Shane discussed this morning.

Ukraine will not sign a minerals deal with the US without security guarantees that’s according to a government adviser who spoke to Sky News.   In his Congress speech overnight, Donald Trump claimed Ukraine was ready to sign the deal after receiving a letter from Volodymyr Zelenskyy. We discuss all this and more with Ukrainian MP  Lesia Vasylenko.

The Government has approved Ireland’s first LNG facility to tune of 300 million euro for gas reserves.   With Shane to discuss whether this is needed is former Green Party leader and Environment Minister Eamon Ryan.   

The Irish Dental Association is reminding people to do their research before considering cosmetic treatment.  It comes as more and more people travel abroad for procedures on their teeth.Our reporter, Josh Crosbie has been speaking with dentists, and potential patients about the rise of cosmetic dentistry.

US President Donald Trump took a victory lap in an address to Congress, drawing catcalls and interruptions from some Democratic politicians who held up signs and walked out mid-speech in protest. We get all the details of the address with David Smith, Washington Bureau Chief of The Guardian.

Under the current leaving cert system students who achieve 40 per cent in higher level maths are entitled to 25 bonus points from the CAO. While some teachers warn of unintended consequences, many students feel it’s a fair reflection of the extra work required.To discuss further we heard from Teacher Conor Murphy.

Today Meghan Markle’s latest venture launches, an eight-part reality tv series produced for Netflix. How will audiences react to the already embattled Markle? Royal commentator, Jennie Bond spoke to Newstalk Breakfast. 

US president Donald Trump has paused all military aid to Ukraine just days after he clashed with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky. Ciara discussed this move by President Trump with Former Fighter Pilot Sean Bell.  

Ireland must act now to avoid risking massive costs from missing its climate targets. That’s the warning today from the Fiscal Council and Climate Change Advisory Council. Speaking to Shane this morning with more on this was Seamus Coffey, Chair of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council and Lecturer in Economics in UCC. 

Massive costs if Ireland misses climate targets. We ask are we ignoring our responsibility? Ciara and Shane discuss.

Tik Tok videos, online reviews and recommendations from friends are all things that can turn a holiday into a regimented tick the box exercise especially at the hands of a Type A traveller. So how much planning on a holiday is too much? We asked Freelance Travel writer for the Irish Daily Mail, Megan Virgo.  

Sinn Fein has tabled a motion calling on Ireland to stop failing its children by denying their right to learn Irish and study through Irish. To discuss this this further Ciara spoke to Sinn Féin spokesperson for Gaeilge, Gaeltacht and the Arts, Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD.