Highlights From The Pat Kenny Show

Sadly, many conflicts are raging around the world, and some are more publicly discussed than others. One country where hopes for peace are fragile is Ethiopia, and in particular the Northern Tigray region. Trocáire is working on the ground to rebuild the lives of those impacted by the conflict. And our reporter, Josh Crosbie, travelled to the area that has been left devastated by a two-year war. 

Irish visitors to the US could be required to submit five years worth of social media history in order to enter the country, whether they need a visa or not. The notice from the Trump administration has sparked huge outrage in the international community, with many worried it will further reduce already declining tourist numbers in the US. To discuss this new proposal is Eoghan Corry, Editor of Travel Extra and Fianna Fail MEP Barry Andrews.

Today marks 40 years since the first ever mobile phone call in Ireland which Pat made with former Minister for Communications Jim Mitchell in Dublin in 1985. It was during a time when Ireland had the lowest uptake in landline service to then becoming one of the leaders in mobile phone usage. But how has the mobile phone developed since then and what does the landscape look like now?  All to chat about with Derek Cassidy, Founder of the Irish Communications Research Group (ICRG) who is a network technologist and previously worked for BT Ireland and Nicola Cooke, Director Telecommunications Industry Ireland (TII).

Jo Linehan Climate Journalist  brings us some great suggestions of some sustainable food and drinks to support this Christmas. 

This morning chaos continues for commuters as the Luas Green Line remains out of service following a power outage on the line yesterday. The Luas red line services are operating normally after a disruption on that line yesterday. Emma Tyrrell, Newstalk Reporter give us an update.

A new report from the IIEA and Deloitte has said that food supplies could begin to run out within three days in the event of an attack on Dublin Port.Cathal Berry, Former Member of the Defence Forces analyses this further with Pat.

The story of the Christmas tree begins with the ancient use of evergreens in midwinter. Long before Christmas existed, people in ancient Egypt, China and among the Hebrews used evergreen plants as symbols of enduring life during the darkest months of the year. Across pre-Christian Europe, evergreens decorated homes and barns, part of long-standing seasonal customs linked to tree worship. When Christianity spread, these older traditions did not vanish but merged into new religious practices, giving a familiar structure to winter feastsDiarmuid Gavin brings us the interesting story of the Christmas tree.

When you think of Christmas movies, you’ll get the classics. It’s a Wonderful Life, Elf, Love Actually but towering above them all, year after year, is a film about an eight-year-old boy, an overlooked plane ticket, and two unlucky burglars. Home Alone isn’t just a holiday favourite  it’s the most-watched Christmas movie of all time,Lisa Cannon talks us through this all time Christmas classic movie.

 A sperm donor who unknowingly carried a rare cancer-causing gene has fathered almost 200 children across Europe. The EBU conducted an investigation into the donor and found his sperm was used in 67 clinics in 14 different countries. It was also sold to Ireland but it hasn’t been used to conceive any babies. The children carrying his DNA now have a 90% chance of developing cancer. We get reaction to this with Dr John Kennedy, Medical Director at Thérapie Fertility.

Paramount has launched a hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros at 108 point 4 billion dollars. This challenges Netflix, who reached a 72 billion dollar takeover in an effort to create a media powerhouse that would challenge the dominance of the streaming giant. But what does this actually mean and who is likely to win?  All to discuss with Lorcan Nynhan Head Of Training at the The Communications Clinic.

The Herzog park renaming controversy caught international attention and resulted in widespread accusations that Ireland was antisemitic. However, it is not the Irish people that are antisemitic, argues Dr Dominic Green, but what he calls official Ireland, i.e. our representatives and those in power. Dr Dominic Green, Historian and Columnist with the Wall Street Journal explained why to Pat.

Is Irelands defence strong enough for when we take on the European presidency next year? After a number of suspected Russian drones were spotted near the flight path of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, Ireland's ability to protect global politicians has come into question.Pat was joined on the show by Naomi O'Leary, Europe correspondent for the Irish Times to discuss further.

Elderly and vulnerable patients will be forced into paying new monthly fees for pill boxes in the new year. Instead of the Government giving pharmacies funding to cover the cost of blister packaging, pharmacies will be forced to put the cost on the patients Guest: Sheena Mitchell Pharmacist and host of the Wondercare podcast  

Yesterday, Australia became the first country to ban social media for under 16’s. Here in Ireland, we are on route to introducing an age verification system through a digital wallet took that will restrict access to social media for under 16’s. Pat discusses this further with Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O Donovan.

How living with dogs may influence our microbiome and our mental health and how we might share the same behaviours. Also we hear about the new approaches to deal with forever chemicals. All to discuss with Dr Ruth Freeman Director of Research for Society For Research Ireland.All with thanks to Repak.

Critics call it "carspreading". In the UK and across Europe, cars are steadily becoming longer, wider and heavier. Consumers clearly like them – a lot. Big cars are seen as practical, safe and stylish, and sales are growing. So, why are some cities determined to clamp down on them and are they right to do so? 

Australia is set to become the first country to implement a minimum age for social media use. With platforms like Instagram, TikTok and YouTube forced to block more than a million accounts, marking the beginning of an expected global wave of regulation.Newstalk's Technology Correspondent brings us the details.All with thanks to Renault.

A planned taskforce dedicated to the revival of Cork’s city centre was included in the programme for government In October, Tánaiste Simon Harris repeated his desire that a taskforce for cork be urgently introduced, adding that when he was Taoiseach, he had established a Dublin city centre taskforce which had resulted in clear benefits for the capital. Last week Mr. Harris explained that there would be no task force for cork city in 2025. How badly is a Cork task force needed? Pat asked Catríona Twomey, Volunteer coordinator Penny Dinners and also Colm Burke, Fine Gael Spokesman for Cork.

Trending on Tik Tok and Instagram the wabi sabi trend for authenticity and imperfection. The bird theory bids for connection and the dating till your hating.Stephanie Regan, Clinical Psychotherapist and Co-Host of The Tough Love podcast tells us about the new online relationship trends.

No matter what new rental law the Government introduces, private landlords continue to sell up in droves. The latest figures from Sherry Fitzgerald show that for every three landlords who sell, only one new landlord is entering the market. Private landlord Michael Houghton recently wrote about a mentality shift he had where he lost the quiet guilt he held on to for being a private landlord. Michael chatted to Pat this morning.