Newstalk Breakfast

Hamas yesterday released Edan Alexander, an Israeli soldier who holds American citizenship, as part of ongoing efforts to achieve a permanent ceasefire with Israel.   It comes as President Trump is set to land in Saudi Arabia today, followed by visits to Qatar and then the United Arab Emirates. We get the latest on this with Alistair Bunkall, Sky News Middle East Correspondent. 

 US President Donald Trump has demanded that Ukraine should "immediately" agree to direct talks with Russia in a bid to end the war.  It comes after Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his team were "ready to meet" Russian representatives following Vladimir Putin suggestion of peace talks, subject to an unconditional ceasefire starting today.  We discuss this further with Sean Bell, Former Fighter Pilot, Military Analyst and Co-Host of the Red Matrix Podcast.

Music artists looking for protection against AI. Dua Lipa and Elton John are among a group of artists looking for protection against AI.  Newstalk's Technology Correspondent, Jess Kelly brings us the details.

Bill for new National Maternity Hospital could reach €2 billion. We are we too comfortable with overspending? Ciara and Shane discussed this morning.

A garda has been killed after being struck by a motorcycle at a speed checkpoint in north Dublin yesterday.  The highly respected officer has been named as Gard Kevin Flatley, age 49, a father of two who was based in the roads policing unit at Dublin Castle.  To pay tribute to Garda Flatley we spoke to Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan and also Chairperson of O’Dwyer GAA club in Balbriggan, David Rooney.

Are we ready for the coming drought and the imminent return of water shortages?  That’s the question posed by Sunday Independent Columnist, Conor Skehan.  

The BAFTA TV Awards took place at London’s Royal Festival Hall last night. So, who were the big winners? T o tell us all the news from the night was Sarina Bellisimo, Broadcaster and Entertainment Journalist. 

The Public Accounts Committee are to examine ‘profiteering’ on asylum seeker accommodation .That’s according to new Chair of the Public Accounts Committee and Sinn Fein TD, John Brady who spoke to Shane this morning on the show.

A garda has been killed after being struck by a motorcycle at a speed checkpoint in north Dublin yesterday.  The highly respected officer has been named as Gard Kevin Flatley, age 49, a father of two who was based in the roads policing unit at Dublin Castle.We spoke to Ronan Slevin, General Secretary of the Garda Representative Association.

Socialist feminist group ROSA has organised an anti “manosphere” demonstration in Dublin City. Ruth Coppinger, Socialist TD who is closely affiliated with ROSA, spoke to us ahead of the event.She also discussed her refusal to take a question from a journalist from Gript when speaking at the plinth in Leinster House.