Early Edition

Ireland was one of only two European countries to increase spending on foreign aid last year, with €1.9 billion spent on official development assistance.The government has defended public transport fares rises, coming in January, saying it will help fund new services.The HSE remains significantly over budget, despite efforts to tighten spending controls across the health service.An investigation has begun into the release of seven invasive skunks in Co. Kildare, which were later captured. Presented by Andrew McNair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bus and train fares are to increase by an average of 15% under new measures to be announced on Thursday.There has been a steady increase in the number of childcare providers under investigation for possible overcharging of parents since 2024.Make no mistake, last week’s 18 billion dollar settlement in the US was really a win for Meta, writes Emmet Ryan in his column today.Ireland can expect an unusually mild and wet autumn as a “supersized” El Nino develops, disrupting weather patterns worldwide.As “The Girls” begins streaming on Disney plus, Patrick Freyne takes aim at the latest absurdity from the Kardashian family. “None of these people are frightened at the thought of flaunting their wealth before a troubled, impoverished nation,” he writes.Presented by Aideen Finnegan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The battle to keep global heating from passing the agreed 1.5 degree threshold has been lost, United Nations (UN) environment chiefs have conceded.More than half of primary school pupils and two-thirds of secondary students refused to go to school at least once last year for reasons including anxiety, difficulties engaging with lessons and problems with friendships, according to a new study. Of all covid’s victims, writes Kathy Sheridan today, we rarely consider the families of conspiracy theorists who’s relationships were irreparably damaged.One of Europe’s leading consumer watchdogs, Which? magazine, was able to list 10 Downing Street as a holiday rental on booking.com and accept payments from people keen to stay in the UK prime minister’s home.The Cuban owner of a Belfast sandwich shop has suspended Deliveroo orders following the company’s failure to pay him due to US economic sanctions on what he describes as “anyone associated with Cuba”.Presented by Aideen Finnegan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cancer survival rates have improved substantially over the past 20 years, with many more people now living with and beyond cancer, according to the National Cancer Registry Ireland.Several staff at Bloomfield Hospital in Rathfarnham were either dismissed or resigned following an investigation into the treatment of residents at the mental health facility.Rescuers in Nepal are trying to reach hundreds of workers who have been trapped in tunnels since Wednesday’s massive flash flood.A British warship was deployed off the coast of Co. Wicklow on Monday amid heightened security during this week’s meeting of foreign ministers at Druid’s Glen.Met Éireann has just unveiled its new list of storm names for the next year which include Austen, Evelyn, Kilian and Miriam. Heather, Laoise and Phelim were suggested by the Public.Presented by Andrew McNair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tánaiste Simon Harris has been trying to stop Ireland from once again becoming the EU country responsible for approving Israeli state bonds.Former independent election candidate Gerry “The Monk” Hutch is set to receive a reimbursement of almost all of his campaigning expenses.A controversial housing development near the Dublin-Wicklow border is to be torn down over a breach of planning permission.It’s expected to be the last day of high temperatures on Friday, but there is no sign of drought conditions easing.Presented by Andrew McNair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The government is planning a crackdown on money laundering including stricter rules on using cryptocurrency on gambling sites.National roll out of one-to-one counselling for school children is threatened by a shortage of qualified mental health professionals.Irish Times science and climate correspondent Caroline O’Doherty looks at Phoenix Park’s herd of fallow deer, and their having on biodiversity.What can scientists learn from the data collected during Wednesday’s eclipse?Presented by Andrew McNair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who is Dan O’Toole, the Irish Fifa executive at the heart of deal to sell off World Cup? The Dubliner was reportedly handpicked by Gianni Infantino to work on his controversial Wold Cup sell-off plan. Gavin Cooney is profiling him today.Jars of honey harvested from the roof of the Department of Justice – but no loud trad music – were ordered up for visiting dignitaries during the Irish EU presidency last month, internal records show.Fuel prices have risen substantially in August with further increases expected in the coming months. The price of diesel in Ireland has risen by 11 per cent in August to an average of €1.92 per litre, up 19 cents from July, according to AA Ireland’s latest fuel price analysis.Fourteen young cattle died of dehydration last week at a farm owned by Coolmore Stud after the animals’ drinking water supply was disconnected. The incident occurred at a farm in Brodeen, Co Tipperary, near the world-famous Coolmore Stud in Fethard owned by businessman John Magnier.Many places in Ireland are looking good for the solar eclipse on Wednesday evening– the most complete until 2090. Presented by Aideen Finnegan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An international money laundering investigation has been launched into the Kinahan cartel following the extradition of Daniel from the United Arab Emirates.The Department of Children has intervened to stop the planned closure of a creche in Limerick amid growing concerns over a shortage of childcare places.Dozens of people are known to have died in a powerful earthquake in Colombia, causing widespread destruction.Irish Times readers tell of full and often broken machines as part of the Deposit Return Scheme for recycling.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Daniel Kinahan has been charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation in the Special Criminal Court, after being flown to Ireland under armed guard yesterday.Israel has rejected Donald Trump’s Board of Peace plan for withdrawing from Gaza.Ever wondered what it’s like to live in the various lodges dotted around Dublin’s Phoenix Park? Kitty Holland has been speaking to the families who call the park their home.This generation of Irish emigrants tends to leave after graduating, spend ten years abroad before moving back home to Ireland, writes John Fitzgerald in his column today.Do you tend to sit on the fence? It may be an Irish thing. In his Unthinkable column today Joe Humphreys explores how our colonial history, geographical location and the centuries-long influence of the Catholic Church are typically cited as factors in shaping “The Irish Mind”.Presented by Aideen Finnegan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dozens of people rough sleeping on the streets of Belfast have been moved from the city centre, according to a homeless charity.Donald Trump has dismissed reports that the United States is running low on key military munitions.Residents are mounting a growing campaign against Fingal County Council’s proposed Dunsink City Quarter, a massive housing development that could become Ireland’s largest town.A dispute is growing in Berlin over the proposed demolition of an underground bunker in Adolf Hitler’s Reich Chancellery.The Irish Times reports from the Dublin Horse Show where one woman won €10,000 for best dressed on Ladies Day. Presented by Andrew McNair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Tradwife” influencers and other online trends that pressure women into “particular care roles” will be challenged by a new Government funded public awareness campaign, which is expected to be launched next year.The Government had to provide a €30 million bailout for its electric vehicle grant scheme in April as consumers started to feel the fuel crisis really bite.The Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) is unhappy about the All-Ireland Fleadh taking place in Belfast this week, but this has not proved typical of unionist opinion. In fact, what unionist visitors are discovering is that the Fleadh is not repellingly “political”, as that term is applied in Northern Ireland.If you are having to shell out on a new laptop as part of preparations to send your son or daughter to college, our tech columnist Ciara O’Brien has some tips for picking one that should see them through the next few years.Have You Never Heard of Bill Fuller? is the provocative title of new feature documentary hitting cinemas tomorrow, about a Kerryman and entrepreneur at the centre of London’s music scene, who booked acts like Johnny Cash in the US, and who was also an urban builder, gold prospector and IRA bailsman. Presented by Aideen Finnegan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Re-Turn chief executive Ciarán Foley and board members earned a 16 per cent increase to their pay last year. The not-for-profit company paid out total compensation of €700,000 to Foley and private sector executives from Coca-Cola HBC Ireland, Britvic, Heineken, Musgrave and Diageo who sit on its board.Some parents are taking out loans to cover back-to-school expenses this year, according to a new survey from Barnardos. The children’s charity has urged the Government to prioritise a review of digital devices and reduce costs after parents reported being asked to pay up to €850 for tablet computers. Lawyers could be referred to their professional regulatory body or forced personally to pay legal costs if their use of artificial intelligence (AI) leads to fake sources being quoted in court documents.More than a third of the county’s sandy coastline is deemed at risk of erosion, leaving businesses and homes ever closer to the edge.Presented by Aideen Finnegan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Iran has said it’s in negotiations with Oman to reach an arrangement that would allow commercial ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.Breast cancer clinics are missing their target for urgent referrals, with only three out of every four patients seen within two weeks this year.The story of a young woman at UCD who alleged she was raped and accused the university of failing to support her.In The Irish Times series looking at the challenges faced by coastal communities, Andrew Hamilton writes from Kilkee, Co. Clare, where locals say raw sewage dumped in the Atlantic is washing up on the beach. Presented by Andrew McNair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has spent more than €9 million to acquire four homes beside a contentious MetroLink station site in south Dublin.An online grinds company where rugby stars Brian O’Driscoll and Caelan Doris are investors increased losses last year to €1.19 million since it was founded.Twitter had its faults but it didn’t have an overt political agenda. That changed under Elon Musk, writes Eoin Burke-Kennedy.‘The easiest solution was chosen instead of the smartest one’: Readers have their say on e-scooter regulation.Padel, Dyson hairdryers and a five course banquet; it’s not just music at this weekend’s All Together Now. Niamh Browne has the low-down as well as advice for travelling to the Curraghmore estate in Co. Waterford.Presented by Aideen Finnegan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tributes have been paid to the Irish music and film legend Glen Hansard who died in a road crash. He was 56.A claimant fighting for damages against the Christian Brothers over historic sex abuse can file notice to former members in a national newspaper advert, the High Court has ruled.The health and safety watchdog, Hiqa, has issued Ireland’s first ever guidance on the use of AI in healthcare including the need for human oversight, and safeguarding of patient data.Security gates and fencing has been beefed up at the Vico baths in Dalkey, County Dublin, over break ins and abuse of construction workers carrying out repairs. Presented by Andrew McNair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stripe co-founder and chief executive Patrick Collison has donated more than €6 million to a political campaign group fighting to block a proposed wealth tax in California, US filings show.Heat-pump installations need to increase twenty-fold and the pace of general home retrofits must at least double if targets to improve the energy efficiency of the country’s buildings are to be met, the Climate Change Advisory Council has said.The Peter McVerry Trust rented an apartment for four years from a former senior figure in the Dublin Region Homeless Executive, the homeless charity’s biggest funder, providing €26.5 million euro to the trust in 2024.Veggie farmers have had a bumper harvest this year thanks to the sweltering weather, but the irony is while the hot weather supercharged growth, it has dampened sales.Our Berlin correspondent Derek Scally is writing about a German antidote to the toxicity of the manosphere. An initiative known as “Hot Boys Cry” wants to empower men to embrace their emotions.Presented by Aideen Finnegan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Sam Maguire arrived in Castlebar last night to roars of “Up Mayo!”, as tens of thousands of people turned out at MacHale Park for the Mayo team’s official homecoming.A couple, with a good income on paper and who are in receipt of the Government’s Help-to-Buy grant still can’t afford a three-bed semi in large parts of the country, according to a new report by the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland.Aughinish Alumina will, under a new oversight arrangement, be expected to provide the Government with regular evidence its products are not supplying the Russian military.A reader contacted The Irish Times over VHI’s refusal to cover one of the two nights she spent in The Blackrock Clinic after a fall in her home. The health insurer claimed the second night wasn’t medically justified.Are you looking for a last-minute staycation? With some homes charging €4,000 a week, don’t expect a bargain.Presented by Aideen Finnegan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dublin’s long-awaited MetroLink project could cost as much as €19 billion, according to senior Government sources.Police in Germany say they are not currently looking for other suspects in connection with the attack on Berlin pride on Saturday.Wildfires are continuing to wreak havoc across Europe, with France and Spain facing some of the worst blazes in recent memory.Hundreds of Irish writers are to get pay outs as part of a €1.31 billion settlement of a copyright infringement case against AI giant Anthropic, according to the Irish Writers Union. Presented by Andrew McNair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland’s childcare sector is facing its first ever nationwide review into fees, as authorities move to identify creches that may be overcharging parents.MI5 and the Police Service of Northern Ireland have been ordered to pay damages to RTÉ Northern Editor Vincent Kearney after a tribunal found they illegally accessed his phone data in attempts to identify confidential journalistic sources.A delegation of politicians has raised concerns about the trial of Dublin man Daniel Tatlow-Devally in Germany, and the manner of his detention, calling for an observer to be sent by the Department of Foreign Affairs.Irish Rail is to announce plans for the expansion of the rail line between Dublin Connolly and Malahide from two tracks to four.A nationwide hosepipe ban has come into effect and is expected to last until the 26th of August.Presented by Andrew McNair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A High Court judge has signalled a move that could make it much easier for survivors of abuse in Christian Brothers schools to pursue compensation claims.The withdrawal of services from solicitors in cases involving criminal legal aid enters its second day.The government has outlined its spending plans for the next year in its Summer Economic Statement with an additional €7 billion largely to cover the increased costs of running public services.The uncertainty over the Aughinish Alumina plant in Limerick is causing “fear and anxiety”, according to Limerick councillor Tommy Hartigan.With the threat of industrial action over the public sector pay deal, Prof. Alan Eustace of Trinity College Dublin makes the case that strong trade unions are effective in securing better pay and conditions for workers.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky urged the European Union to block exports from Aughinish Alumina in Limerick, to Russia.The criminal courts face a possible total shutdown today and tomorrow, and three days next week, in a dispute with barristers over a new criminal legal aid model.One of the top criminal aid law firms urged barristers to routinely ask judges to assign multiple solicitors to individuals facing more than one charge to prevent “unnecessary loss of revenue”, letters seen by The Irish Times reveal.Up to 4,000 patients per month could be added to outpatient waiting lists if a healthcare initiative known as “insourcing” is ended as planned, according to an HSE report.A nationwide hosepipe ban will come into effect from midnight on Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The ban on e-scooters puts frontline Gardai “at risk” according to Garda Mark Ferris writing in today’s Irish Times.The report into alumina exports from the Aughinish plant in County Limerick won’t be published.Iran has instructed the Houthi rebels in Yemen, one of its proxy groups, to begin attacks on ships going into the Red Sea.School secretaries and caretakers in the Forsa union have been offered a settlement in their long running dispute over pensions.Researchers at Queen’s University Belfast have developed a low-cost, 3D-printed battery they believe could help accelerate the transition to clean energy. Presented by Andrew McNair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Attacks by Iran and the US have ramped up following the killing of two US soldiers in a strike on a military base in Jordan.There has been a surge in the number of people admitted to hospital with injuries from serious knife crime, information obtained by The Irish Times reveals.There will be a renewed attempt to introduce a new Occupied Territories Bill in September when the Dail returns from summer recess.Property developers are calling for new tax breaks in Budget 2027, arguing they’re needed to help tackle Ireland’s housing crisis.The Irish Times hears from the mother of Mason Brennan, who was seriously injured in an e-scooter accident last year. Presented by Andrew McNair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A statutory of investigation should be carried out into the crimes of convicted sex abuser Michael Shine during his time working at Our Lady of Lourdes in Drogheda, an independent report has said.At least three state agencies are customers of a password company using Russian technology prompting national security concerns, an Irish Times investigation has found.Doctors have told The Irish Times that e-scooters have become the biggest cause of traumatic brain injuries in children.The prime suspect in the murder of the American woman Jamey Carney in Co Kerry last week, will be held by Jordanian authorities for 15 days to allow for an investigation.The Fifa World Cup is almost over, and hasn’t failed to display the twist and turns we love and expect. Presented by Andrew McNair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aughinish Alumina exports making their way to the Russian military supply chain cannot be ruled out, a government report is expected to say.The investigation into the killing of 43-year-old Jamey Carney is entering a new phase as attention shifts to the legal challenges in speaking to the main suspect, 28-year-old Ahmed Al Saqar, who fled to Jordan.The government has failed to engage with investigations into killings during the troubles in Northern Ireland, the head of the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information has told The Irish Times.Montenegro has become closure to securing European Union membership, but barriers still remain. Presented by Andrew McNair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The State paid more than €1 million for a single deportation flight when returning 42 adults and children from Ireland to South Africa in June.The ‘rough sex’ defence didn’t work for Lorcan Murphy. The 38 year old Dubliner - jailed for murder in Hungary last week - wasn’t the first to try it either.The reality of building a life in Sydney, Australia? “It’s bloody hard to afford anything,” writes Irishman Cormac McConville.In 1941 Brian O’Nolan, better known as Flann O’Brien and Myles na gCopaleen, proposed a Book Handling Agency in The Irish Times. On Sunday evening, 85 years later, Flann’s idea became reality in a Berlin bar where a crack team of literary experts was on hand to make unread books look well-read.Ireland’s second oldest woman is remarkable not only for her age (107), but Walburga Monaghan’s son Michael says it’s her general health, too. She rarely gets ill, takes no medication and her mind is sharp enough to continue The Irish Times Simplex crossword, something she has been doing for as long as she can remember.Presented by Aideen Finnegan.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The conflict between the US and Iran has escalated again after Donald Trump said he would reimpose the blockade on Iranian ports and charge a 20% tariff on any ships trying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.Gardaí have seized one of Ireland’s largest organised crime arms dumps in more than a decade, uncovering machine guns, pistols, and drugs linked to a Polish gang.A new law giving women up to five days paid leave after a miscarriage before 23 weeks of pregnancy is to be brought before cabinet today.Many families are getting into debt covering school costs, according to the Irish League of Credit Unions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Possession, production and sharing of extreme or violent pornography could be effectively banned in Ireland under proposals being put to cabinet by the Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan this week.The Department of Justice was concerned about cuts to the Garda budget for security during Ireland’s EU presidency, internal documents have revealed.Research being led at Armagh Observatory and Planetarium (AOP) could help answer one of humanity’s oldest questions and pave the way for “greater understanding of the origins of life”, according to the astronomer leading the project.The GAA World Games begins today with hundreds of players from around the world gathering in Waterford.Yellow weather warnings for heat issued by Met Éireann come into effect this morning effecting countiesCork, Kerry, Limerick, Galway, Mayo. Presented by Andrew McNair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There has been more escalation in the exchange of fire between Iran and the United States.The brother of Mackenzie Michalski, who was murdered by a Dublin man in Hungary in November 2024, has said he is happy the man is off the streets having been handed 14 years in prison.Political correspondent Harry McGee explains why there is so much opposition to hare coursing in the Daíl.What does The Irish Times archive tell us about the perfect picnic over the years?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Minister of State for Road Transport Seán Canney has told the Road Safety Authority (RSA) he was concerned about its “lack of visibility” following a series of road deaths late last year.The regulator for utilities has imposed a €31 million penalty on Uisce Éireann for failing to meet performance targets, relating to leakages and bad debts.The Government should recuse itself from negotiating legislation that touches on digital policy and corporate tax in Brussels during its Council of the EU presidency, given its “questionable track record” and cosy relationship with tech multinationals, a group of 50 academics have has said.Applicants to the Basic Income for the Arts (BIA) scheme have raised concerns that plans to make their Personal Public Service (PPS) numbers publicly available could result in identity theft or fraud.Holiday itineraries, packing tips? There’s an AI app for that. Technology can take a lot of the guesswork out of summer breaks.Presented by Aideen Finnegan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Irish authorities granted gambling licences to six companies at the heart of a global network of black-market betting websites. Two Irish companies were also found to be processing payments for unlicensed gambling sites operating in Europe.Ireland’s richest political party, Sinn Fein, sold merchandising worth euro more than €405,000 last year, according to financial accounts filed with the Standards in Public Office Commission (Sipo).Ireland remains “well off-track” in cutting greenhouse gas emissions after a fall of just 2.2 per cent last year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).Columnist Laura Kennedy is writing movingly today about what it feels like to return home as an emigrant, remaking a new life in a familiar setting.Presented by Aideen Finnegan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former Olympic swimming coach George Gibney, who’s 77 with an address in Florida, has been found guilty of sexually abusing four girls more than 50 years ago.Authorities in France have evacuated 10,000 people because of wildfires burning out of control near the Spanish border. Fires are also raging in northern Spain, Portugal, and Greece.With Donald Trump reigniting his feud with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni ahead of the Nato summit in Ankara this week, leaders in the military alliance have much bigger questions to answer.Personal records of children who were “boarded out” from religious institutions will be withheld from a new public archive set up to remember the abuse of women and children in 20th-century Ireland. Presented by Andrew McNair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New figures show some patients are waiting as long as 13 and a half years for community healthcare appointments like dietetics, ophthalmology and psychology.Ireland will chair EU meetings around new European Oceans legislation aimed at strengthening protection of Europe’s marine territory, undersea cables and pipelines, and improving ocean health.Gardaí have uncovered what’s believed to be the most sophisticated drugs-processing operation ever discovered in Ireland involving plywood soaked in liquid cocaine.Investigations are continuing into the death of a man in his 30’s following an incident at a pub in CountyCork on Saturday. Separately, investigations have been launched into the fatal shooting of a man in his 40’s in Dún Laoghaire on Sunday morning.JD Sports has been ordered to reissue thousands of gift cards to customers worth close to €250,000 after they were found to have expiry periods far shorter than allowed in Irish law.There are growing questions over the common travel area between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland amid immigration concerns.Presented by Andrew McNair.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Taoiseach Michéal Martin has faced questions over exports from the Aughinish Alumina plant in county Limerick to aluminium smelters supplying the Russian military.The government will sign a new law requiring financial service providers to offer customers the right to speak to a human rather than an AI bot.A jury in the trial of a 77-year-old man on historic sex abuse charges will continue its deliberations today.Ireland will experience more warm weather this weekend, as the World Meteorological Organisation warns the El Niño weather phenomenon will intensify throughout the summer.Ryanair boss tells The Irish Times holidaymakers who booked early got better deals this summer than they did a year ago, despite rising fuel costs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Riad Bouchaker, who’s 52, has been found guilty of attempted murder in relation to the stabbing in Parnell Square in November 2023. Our legal affairs correspondent Mary Carolan recounts the events which left a child with life altering injuries.After authorities in Sweden froze the assets of a company owned by Rusal, which owns the county Limerick plant Aughinish Alumina, what next for the firm linked with exports to the Russian military machine?Ireland’s presidency of the EU has begun. What does it entail, and why does it matter?The entrepreneur Margaret E. Ward writes that return to work mandates, effectively ending remote or hybrid working models, is led by narcissistic CEO’s.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Government is seeking to fast-track legislation which will allow for the establishment of a State agency to deliver the planed Dublin metro project.The Ukrainian Government has rejected a donation from Ireland of a fleet of armoured combat vehicles to aid in the fight against Russia. The Defence Forces’ 27 light armoured tactical vehicles (LATVs) were first acquired 20 years ago but had a poor reputation and frequently broke down.While so many of us are going gaga for 90s culture, there are money lessons to be learned from that decade. Opting to have a “1990s summer” could amount to financial savings as well as nostalgia.Looking for a new show to binge watch in July? Kevin Courtney has a roundup of the best new shows streaming this month.Presented by Aideen Finnegan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aughinish Alumina will be forced to pay up front for the costs of closing down the Co Limerick plant and repairing environmental damage in the area, under a new deal agreed with the State.Europe is being “flooded” by cheap vapes and e-cigarettes produced in Asia that often do not meet EU safety rules, dodge customs taxes and in some cases contain harmful and illegal substances, the head of the EU’s anti-fraud office has said.With more than one million taxpayer “units” paying tax at the higher rate of 40 per cent on their incomes and an ongoing cost-of-living crisis, the pressure is on to deliver some form of relief in this October’s budget.Meanwhile our Government parties are still dreaming of income tax cuts in forthcoming budgets, most economists are predicting various shades of financial Armageddon, writes Eoin Drea.Fifa president Gianni Infantino says it doesn’t make any additional revenue from them. Stadium fans loudly boo them and TV viewers blast them on social media, but the hydration breaks introduced in this World Cup have been the bonus money spinner of the tournament, writes Bernice Harrison today.Presented by Aideen Finnegan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Coalition leaders will consider plans to continue the reductions in excise on petrol and diesel, at least in part, beyond the July 31st deadline. However it is expected that the reductions introduced following the fuel protests in April will be tapered off over the coming months.The State is opting to retain out-of-date aircraft navigation systems as they are less susceptible to Russian jamming attacks compared to more modern technology, according to records obtained by The Irish Times.A marginal reduction in IT employment is probably one of the first manifestations of AI influencing the economy. John Fitzgerald writes that any future support measures need to be targeted at poorer households amid a gradual economic slowdown.From axe-throwing to augmented darts, Una Mullally is wondering what’s behind the rise in ‘competitive socialising’?Presented by Aideen Finnegan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“As it stands right now, Ireland isn’t in heatwave conditions,” says Holly O’Neill, a meteorologist from Met Éireann, “although we recognise that it is unusually warm, of course”.Dublin City Council (DCC) is to commission a new monument honouring the women of Ireland’s revolutionary period, as part of a broader effort to address the historic underrepresentation of women in public spaces.Thirty years on from the murder of investigative crime journalist Veronica Guerin, her family say it is they, rather than her killers, who have suffered the true life sentences.It’s the USA’s 250th birthday tomorrow, Saturday 27th June. As the victor of the 20th century, it not only possessed unmatched political and economic power, but embodied admired values of constitutional government and freedom. This did not last.Presented by Aideen Finnegan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Minister for Finance Simon Harris brought a group of “finance influencers” who run popular Instagram accounts into the Department of Finance this week to brief them on the new State savings scheme.Government TDs are seeking extra scrutiny of legislation scrapping the three-day waiting period for abortion services due to fears of a backlash over it being “railroaded” through the Dáil.Ireland’s heatwave is set to peak today with temperatures on course to top 30 degrees.Many CAO applicants change their lists of courses at this time of year for various reasons. Most are valid, of course, but Andree Harpur cautions against “the most dangerous one”.Presented by Aideen Finnegan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The heatwave has caused chaos in a number of European countries. At least 40 people have drowned in France after entering seas and rivers.The US millionaire Jason Cardiff is facing extradition to the US on allegations he defrauded customers out of hundreds of thousands of dollars through the sale of products marketed for sexual performance, weight loss, and smoking cessation. He denies the charges. Women’s Aid received 62,275 disclosures of abuse against women and children last year, according to newly released figures.How likely is Andy Burnham to become the UK’s next Prime Minister?Presented by Andrew McNair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson has been told by a judge to expect a lengthy prison sentence after he was convicted of all 18 sex abuse counts, including the rape of a woman when she was in primary school.The UK will get a new Prime Minister following the announcement by Kier Starmer that he is to stand down. Our political editor Pat Leahy says he improved the relationship between the UK and Ireland.There is new legislation being proposed on dog breading to include a requirement that prospective buyers are shown a puppy’s biological mother on-site, and banning animals being handed over in car parks.Met Éirann has issues a yellow weather warning as a heatwave sweeps across Europe.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peace talks have been taking place in Switzerland between the US and Iran following the publication of an initial deal signed by Donald Trump last week.The Government is set to approve major new rail funding as part of the Shared Island initiative which it says will improve services and cut journey times on key cross-border services.Ireland’s waste management system is under fresh scrutiny amid concerns about plans to scrap rubbish bags in favour of wheelie bins in Dublin.Naomi O’Leary speaks to the social media sensation Caolan Robertson who is reporting on the war in Ukraine to over a million followers.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A full memorandum of understanding has been published on the peace deal between Iran and the US including an end to the conflict on all fronts, a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and that Iran will not produce any nuclear weapons.The jury in the sex abuse case against Jeffrey Donaldson, who’s 63 and from Dromore, County Down, will continue its deliberations at Newry Crown Court today. He denies all charges. An amendment to Ireland’s abortion law removing the mandatory three day wait between initial consultation and access to termination will go to a vote in Seanad Éireann. What impact would the change have on pregnant women?Parents of dyslexic school pupils have their say on the assistance given to their children during the state exams.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A significant row has erupted between AnPost and the Minister for Communications Patrick O’Donovan over pay for its new chief executive, and Government authorization to raise the company’s borrowing limit for its future development strategy. Ireland has a strong economy and a resilient society, but “well-being data” shows a more complex picture where inequalities persist, a new Government report has found.European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has become the face of Europe’s failure over Gaza, but that’s only half the story, writes Jack Power today.A stalled Dublin development is not where you’d expect to find a bird species that’s survival has been so precarious, Bird Watch Ireland put it on its Red List of Conservation Concern.“The day buses in Ireland started using central doors is the day an important and implied social contract started its decline,” writes Emer McLysaght in her column today.Presented by Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The timing of when the Natural History Museum will reopen, and the final budget for its redevelopment, remain unclear almost two years after it closed for refurbishment.Readers have been having their say on the UK’s plans to introduce social media ban for under 16s, with many of you believing it would be far more effective to ban harmful algorithms instead.The government’s new pilot scrappage scheme could help stretch your budget towards one of our pick of the best EVs under €25,000.The greater Wigan area west of Manchester is currently the centre of Britain’s political landscape due to the byelection this week involving Labour’s Andy Burnham. The area is usually more famous in the north of England for something else. Pies.Presented by Aideen Finnegan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The US has struck a deal with Iran which could pave the way for an end to the war, but key details are yet to be released.Terrence McKeever was found murdered by the IRA 40 years ago today.Concerns are growing over capacity and safety at Ireland’s main youth detention centre at Oberstown following new released documents.Ireland is well prepared for any potential cases of Ebola and the overall risk here remains low, according to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre.With no team remaining unbeaten and the top three having to play in the third round, are we witnessing the best ever GAA All-Ireland Senior Football Championship? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions says the Government risks industrial unrest unless it delivers a budget that supports working people.Survivors of abuse by Bill Kenneally will meet the Justice Minister this week, calling for a new law, making misconduct in public office a criminal offence.There has been a steady rise in the number of asylum seekers choosing to leave Ireland voluntarily according to the Department of Justice.The Irish Times In The News podcast examines rise of FIFA president Gianni Infantino.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two consultants are taking two separate judicial reviews against the HSE seeking the right to offer private care in new publicly funded surgical hubs.From Kharg Island in the Gulf of Hormuz Persian Gulf to Whiddy in Co Cork, the trickle-down effect of the Iranian oil crisis is starting to affect Ireland’s national oil reserve.Aughinish Alumina complained to the European Commission about difficulties the Co Limerick alumina plant faced shifting away from fossil fuels last year, due to a “lack of access to public funds”, notes of private discussions show.The controversial EU Migration and Asylum Pact comes into force in Ireland today, two years after Ireland signed up to the agreement.Long a touchstone for US investment in Ireland, Intel appears to be recovering from its recent troubles.Presented by Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The trial of Riad Bouchaker resumes today and the Central Criminal Court. He has pleaded not guilty to a number of charges relating to the stabbings in Parnell Square in 2023 in which several people, including children, were injured.Smaller pockets of protests occurred in Northern Ireland on Wednesday night following the knife attack on Steven Ogilvie in north Belfast on Monday. Around 200 people gathered in Newtownabbey, County Antrim, were a street sweeper was set on fire, and objects hurled at police.Independent Senator Tom Clonan has told the Oireachtas Health Committee his office is currently “inundated” with older people who are homeless.Irish children’s reading and maths skills have declined since the Covid-19 pandemic according to the latest Children’s School Lives study.Irish Rail officials have told an Oireachtas committee it wanted to terminate a contract with the firm behind a new IT management system as far back as last year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.