Most of us have never heard of them, but rare earth elements quietly power almost everything we touch. From your phone to your electric car to the very microphone you’re listening to, these 17 minerals are the hidden backbone of the modern world. On today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty explores the science and the drama behind these vital elements – and the increasingly tense battle for their control. Eoin McGrath, Principal Geologist with the Geological Survey Ireland, explains what rare earths are and why they matter for green energy, defence, and everyday tech. He also shows why extracting and refining them is so tricky — and why the world can’t afford to take them for granted. Later, Arthur Sullivan, senior editor at DW, breaks down the global stakes. China currently dominates rare earth production, controlling 85–90% of the market, and has turned it into a powerful bargaining chip, imposing major controls on their export. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer this week called China's new measures "a global supply-chain power grab." Arthur explains how Europe and the U.S. are scrambling to catch up, how these materials intersect with trade tensions, the war in Ukraine, and what it could mean for future alliances around the world. 🌍 Explore more with Geological Survey Ireland: www.gsi.ie 📰 Read more from Arthur Sullivan at DW: Arthur Sullivan – DW
When Irish Olympic swimmer Shane Ryan announced he would compete in the Enhanced Games, it sent a shockwave through the Irish sporting world. These Games — a privately funded, doping-permitted alternative to the Olympics — are the brainchild of Dr Aron D’Souza, an Oxford-educated lawyer and entrepreneur with deep links to Silicon Valley’s libertarian tech elite. He calls it the “next step in human evolution.” Critics call it a dangerous vanity project that could destroy elite sport as we know it. Ryan says he’s motivated by money and opportunity. After three Olympics, years of training, and little financial reward, he argues that joining the Enhanced Games offers him “a jumpstart financially” - even if it means risking his reputation and health. The Enhanced Games promise huge prize pots of up to $1 million for world records and medical supervision for athletes who choose to use performance-enhancing substances. But scientists warn that “safe doping” is a contradiction in terms, and sporting bodies from Sport Ireland to WADA have condemned the project as both unethical and dangerous. In today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty is joined by sports writer Kieran Cunningham to explore the man behind the movement, the money driving it, and what Shane Ryan’s decision tells us about the shifting moral boundaries of sport. Is this the beginning of a new sporting revolution — or the moment the idea of “fair play” finally dies? Listen and have your say: newstalkdaily@newstalk.com
Tommy Robinson — the self-styled “patriot” and founder of the English Defence League — was back before the courts this week, this time facing terrorism-related charges. But as his legal battle unfolds, the shockwaves of Robinson’s malign influence are being felt far beyond Britain’s borders. His message of grievance and outrage has found new life in Ireland, amplified through social media, Telegram groups, and even protests on Irish streets.In today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty first listens to some of Robinson’s rhetoric, media coverage of the recent Unite the Kingdom protest, described in the British media as a “day of rage,” and Robinson’s claim yesterday outside Westminster Magistrate’s Court that he’s simply a “citizen journalist” trying to go about his work. She then speaks to Ciarán O’Connor, senior analyst with the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, about how figures like Robinson have become reference points for Irish far-right activists.They discuss the growing online crossover between British and Irish movements, the adoption of British protest symbols — including the Irish Tricolour at UK rallies — and the way digital platforms like X, TikTok and Telegram have helped spread extremist narratives across borders.Ciarán explains how Ireland’s far right has evolved from local activism into part of a wider, international network, fuelled by algorithms, and amplified by influencers who blur national and ideological lines.This is the story of how one man’s message travelled well beyond his home, reshaping Ireland’s political fringes along the way. And today, Tommy Robinson is en route to Israel, as a “guest of the government.”If you’ve thoughts on today’s episode, drop us an email at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com.
In this special extra edition of the podcast, Ciara Doherty is joined by political commentator and columnist for the Times, Alison O'Connor, to review this morning's Newstalk Presidential Debate between Independent TD Catherine Connolly and former Fine Gael Minister Heather Humphreys, which was chaired by Pat Kenny.What was your take on this morning's head-to-head between the two women who want to be the occupant of Áras an Uachtaráin later this year? Email the podcast: newstalkdaily@newstalk.com
It was an extraordinary day in the Middle East. Hostages returned home to scenes of jubilation and relief — the sound of their families’ cries echoing across television screens. In Jerusalem, Donald Trump received a hero’s welcome in the Knesset, where Prime Minister Netanyahu announced the bestowing of the Israel Prize upon the US President to mark the occasion. Trump, basking in the applause, declared that “the hostages are back.” Meanwhile, he’s been claiming credit not just for this peace deal, but for ending several wars, reviving the region, and deserving the Nobel Peace Prize himself. But what exactly are we watching unfold here? Is this, as some have argued, a genuine moment of geopolitical progress? Or something closer to what political strategists call “dead-cat diplomacy”: dramatic, headline-grabbing moves that divert attention from deeper problems at home and abroad? In today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty examines the spectacle and the substance of Trump’s latest Middle East gambit - the hostages, the photo-ops, and the politics behind them - before turning to Professor Stefan Wolff, an expert on international security from the University of Birmingham. Together, they explore how much real progress has been made, and whether Trump’s brand of “peace through power” could have lasting effects. They also discuss the argument made by former Biden advisor Robert Malley, who, in a rare note of concession, suggested that Trump’s actions, while unorthodox, demonstrate an effective exercise of power politics. But is that effectiveness sustainable, or just another moment of chaos disguised as success?
He’s the biggest country star in the world, the best-selling artist in the genre’s history, and next summer he’s headlining Slane Castle. Yet when Luke Combs was announced, a lot of people in Ireland asked the same thing: who is he?To his fans, the question sounds absurd. Combs has outsold Garth Brooks, filled stadiums across America, and built a huge following among younger listeners who are redefining what country music means.But why does this genre connect so strongly with Irish audiences?In today’s episode, Ciara speaks with Simon Maher, music broadcaster and lecturer, and Robert Mizzell, country musician, about the roots of Ireland’s long love affair with country, how the scene is changing, and why a Slane Castle crowd might be the perfect fit for Luke Combs.From Nashville to Navan, we explore who’s really listening to the music and what happened to the outlaws like Cash and Christopherson.Have thoughts on the episode or ideas for future topics? Email us at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com
From AI-generated stand-up routines by Robin Williams to fake livestreams of Kobe Bryant, social media is being flooded with so-called “AI slop” — endless streams of computer-made videos that imitate art but often exploit real people.Robin Williams’ daughter, Zelda, has called it “the Human Centipede of content”, condemning the use of her late father’s likeness in these creations. But who’s actually behind this wave of synthetic media, and who stands to benefit from it?In today’s episode, Ciara speaks with Dr Andrew Hines, Director of Graduate Research at the School of Computer Science at UCD and an investigator at the Science Foundation Ireland Insight Centre for Data Analytics and the ADAPT Centre for AI-Driven Digital Content Technology. They discuss the rise of AI-generated media, the ethics of deepfakes, and whether this technology risks eroding creativity and trust online.As tools like OpenAI’s Sora 2 spread across social platforms, is AI-powered content the next step in digital entertainment or a warning sign for how far we’ll go to automate creativity?Have thoughts on the episode or ideas for future topics? Email us at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com.
On October 10th, 2015, a fire tore through a halting site in Carrickmines, claiming ten lives — five of them children and one unborn child. The tragedy shocked the nation, exposed long-standing inequalities, and calls for change in Traveller accommodation and safety.A decade later, how much has really changed? Or do those calls remain since one of Ireland’s darkest mornings.In today’s episode, Ciara revisits the events of that night with journalist Tessa Ndjonkou, retracing the timeline of the fire and the lives it altered forever.Later, Bernard Joyce, Director of the Irish Traveller Movement, joins to reflect on what progress has been made and where we still fall short.From persistent housing failures to political inaction, Bernard argues that too many Traveller families remain at risk in unsafe or unsuitable conditions.Ten years after Carrickmines, we ask: what lessons were truly learned — and could it happen again?Any thoughts or questions on today’s episode? Email us at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com.
When former England rugby captain Lewis Moody revealed he’d been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, he joined a heartbreaking list of athletes, like Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow, whose lives were changed by the illness. MND is a devastating neurological condition that progressively weakens the body, and in recent years, concern has grown over whether elite sport could be a contributing factor,. But is there really a link between repeated head impacts and the onset of this disease, or are genetics and chance playing a greater role? In today’s episode, Ciara Doherty is joined by Professor Orla Hardiman, Professor of Neurology at Trinity College Dublin and Director of Ireland’s National ALS Service, to explore what we actually know about the causes of MND — and what science can and can’t tell us about its connection to sport. Later, Kevin Burn, CEO of the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association, discusses the work of his charity and some of the help they offer to people diagnosed with the disease.Can research bring us closer to prevention or even a cure? Our thanks to BBC for use of clips. Want to share your thoughts or suggest future topics? Email us at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com.
Some budgets deliver stability — others end in political disaster. Ireland’s history is full of both. With Budget 2026 about to be unveiled, Ciara Doherty and Daniel McConnell, editor of the Business Post and co-author (with John Lee) of Hell at the Gates: The Inside Story of Ireland’s Financial Downfall, reflect on moments when budgets went awry. From Ray “Mac the Knife” McSharry’s brutal cuts in the 1980s, to Charlie McCreevy’s boom-era generosity — and his short-lived attempt at tax individualisation that sparked a backlash from families — right through to Brian Lenihan’s crisis budgets during the financial crash, the podcast explores how misjudged measures can haunt governments for years. Ciara and Danny also dig into why “budget kites” are floated in the media, what’s really happening in the lobbying frenzy at Merrion Street, and how secrecy around the speech itself can make or break public reaction. With over €2.2 billion in temporary cost-of-living supports on the line this year, can Paschal Donohoe and Jack Chambers avoid repeating the mistakes of their predecessors when they reveal their plans later today? Stay with Newstalk for full coverage of Budget 2026 across the day, on air, online at newstalk.com, on Instagram @newstalkradio, and on the GoLoud app.
The space race didn’t end with Apollo. It just changed rivals. This Space Week, the podcast dives into the new contest playing out far above our heads — between the United States and China. Billions are being poured into rockets, satellites and lunar missions, but behind the dazzling science is a darker reality: allegations of spying, stolen technology and military ambitions that could decide who controls the future of space. NASA has barred Chinese nationals from its facilities citing security fears, while Beijing accuses “foreign agents” of targeting its scientists. At the same time, both sides are racing for the Moon, not just to plant a flag, but to secure resources and set the rules for decades to come. Is this really about exploration, or are we witnessing the early moves in a new Cold War in orbit? And what role does Europe play as NASA’s partner but also as an ambitious space power in its own right? Ciara Doherty is joined by Dr Mark Hilborne, Senior Lecturer in the School of Security Studies at King’s College London and a lecturer on the Irish Defence Forces’ Advanced Command Staff Course, to discuss espionage fears, Moon ambitions, and the risks of turning space into the next battlefield. Want to feed back on the episode or suggest future topics? Email us at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com.
Ask anyone in Ireland about the Freemasons and you’ll probably hear the same three words: secrecy, symbols and myth. The so-called “secret society” has long been blamed for everything from pulling political strings to controlling world banks. But how much of that is reality – and how much is conspiracy theory? On today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty is joined by David J. Butler, Provincial Grand Librarian and Archivist with the Provincial Grand Lodge of Munster Freemasons, to separate the fact from the fiction. Where did Freemasonry begin, and what does it take to join? What happens inside a Masonic lodge – and do those famous handshakes and rituals exist? From the medieval guild roots of the Masons to modern-day charity work, from Elizabethan traditions to Irish paper trails that go back centuries, this conversation explores how a fraternity of stonemasons grew into one of the most mythologised organisations in the world. Along the way, Ciara asks about the most common misconceptions, the famous square and compass symbol, and why the UK’s Metropolitan Police is now debating whether officers should publicly declare Masonic links. So, are the Freemasons truly puppet-masters behind the scenes, or simply a fraternity that enjoys old customs and community spirit? This is your chance to hear directly from one Irish Mason. Got thoughts or questions about this episode? Email us at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com.
Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unveiled a sweeping 20-point plan they say could end the war in Gaza after two years of devastation. The centrepiece is a ceasefire and reconstruction programme — but it comes with a surprise twist. The so-called “Board of Peace” that would oversee Gaza’s future is chaired by Trump himself and joined by none other than former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Blair’s appointment has provoked outrage in some quarters and eye-rolling in others. To Palestinians, his name is synonymous with the Iraq invasion and years of failed diplomacy. Hamas has rejected his involvement outright, calling it “foreign guardianship.” Even within his own Labour Party, many regard him as politically radioactive. Yet Blair’s allies insist he has a rare ability to speak to Washington, Jerusalem, and the Gulf capitals, and point to his role in Northern Ireland’s peace process as proof of his credentials. So is Blair really the man to bring peace to Gaza — or is this just another distraction in a region scarred by war and distrust? And what does the Trump-Netanyahu plan actually mean for the people of Gaza, where tens of thousands have been killed and millions displaced? Joining the podcast from Beirut is award-winning journalist and author Rania Abouzeid, whose reporting has traced the fault lines of the Middle East from Iraq to Syria to Gaza. Ciara Doherty also listens-back to comments made by Donald Trump, Tony Blair himself, and Blair’s long-time adviser Alastair Campbell. 🌍 Visit Rania Abouzeid’s website: https://www.raniaabouzeid.com
The threats are no longer abstract. In recent weeks, Tánaiste Simon Harris and his family were targeted with bomb hoaxes, kidnap threats and explicit intimidation that forced Gardaí and Interpol to step in. Across the Atlantic, Americans watched live as conservative activist Charlie Kirk was gunned down while carrying out his work in Utah. And four years ago this month, British MP Sir David Amess was murdered during a constituency surgery in Essex, stabbed 21 times in an attack that shocked Westminster and his local community. The pattern is clear and it's getting worse: politicians and their families are becoming targets in a new wave of violence that blurs the line between online rhetoric and real-world attacks. The cost is measured not just in lives lost but in the growing fear that public service itself is becoming a deadly risk. In today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty speaks to Katie Amess, daughter of the late Sir David Amess. From her home in California, she reflects on the trauma of losing her father, the unanswered questions about why he was left vulnerable, and her campaign for accountability from the British authorities. She also warns that the same failures within terrorist monitoring and complacency about policing she saw in the UK are now mirrored in Ireland and the US. This episode examines the rising tide of political violence — from Westminster to Dublin to Washington — and asks whether democracies can protect their representatives without sacrificing openness and accessibility. Four years on from her father’s killing, Katie Amess argues that leaders must not look away, because without systemic reform, the attacks will not stop.
The Taoiseach has poured cold water on the idea of a border poll by 2030, but the debate about when — and how — such a vote might happen isn’t going away. In the early flurry of commentary on the presidential election, some even suggested it could fall within the term of the next occupant of Áras an Uachtaráin. Yet the truth is murkier: few people know the rules, and the Good Friday Agreement’s language is vaguer than many assume. So, who decides when the moment is right? What does “appears likely” really mean in law? And how much power rests with Westminster to stop or stall the process? In fact, as Sam McBride from the Belfast Telegraph recently highlighted, the Westminster parliament in London may still hold the final legislative key — something that even seasoned commentators have overlooked. On today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty speaks to Dr Jennifer Kavanagh, law lecturer at South East Technological University, about the Taoiseach’s remarks, the legal grey zones of the Northern Ireland Act, and why the debate is as much about politics and the vagaries of opinion polls as it is about law. If you’ve got thoughts on today’s episode or where the border poll debate is heading, drop us a line at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com.
Comedian Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension from his late-night slot on American network ABC sparked outrage, boycotts, and furious claims of censorship. His return lasy week, however, pulled in a huge audience — more than six million live viewers and 26 million more online — and reignited a national debate about who really controls America’s television networks. At the heart of this row are the powerful corporations that own U.S. broadcast television: Disney (which owns ABC and ESPN), Comcast (which owns NBC and Telemundo), Paramount Global (which controls CBS), Fox Corporation (parent of the FOX network), and Nexstar Media Group (the country’s largest owner of local affiliate stations). Their decisions shape not only the fate of comedians like Jimmy Kimmel or Stephen Colbert, but also how political coverage reaches millions of Americans every night. Former President Donald Trump has accused the networks of bias and threatened their licences — a power regulated by the Federal Communications Commission. Meanwhile, billionaire figures like Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison and media dynasties such as the Murdochs and Redstones remain closely tied to both the business and political sides of broadcasting. So how much of what Americans watch is decided by creative freedom, and how much by political pressure, business interests, or regulatory oversight? And what does the Kimmel controversy tell us about the future of free speech on television? In today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty is joined by U.S. media analyst Claire Atkinson, host of The Media Mix, to untangle the complicated, deeply political world of media control. 👉 Follow Claire’s work on her Substack here: https://claireatkinson.substack.com
Guinness is back in the spotlight - not for what’s in the glass, but for the family saga now streaming on Netflix. House of Guinness tells the story of the so-called Royal Family of Stout, beginning with the death of Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness and the fortunes — and misfortunes — of his heirs. But how much of what we’re binge-watching is rooted in truth, and how much has been dramatised for television? Novelist Emily Hourican joins Ciara Doherty on the podcast to separate history from fiction. From the monumental funeral of Sir Benjamin to the family’s mix of philanthropy and strategy, from the rise of Edward Cecil Guinness to the scandal-tinged glamour of the Guinness Girls, we trace how a Dublin brewing dynasty became a cultural mythology. We also explore the family’s surprising resilience through Ireland’s political upheavals, their role in shaping Dublin’s landscape, and how their legacy still echoes today. Emily Hourican’s own novels inspired by the dynasty, The Guinness Girls, offer another window into this extraordinary family. So, what do we learn when history, literature and television collide? And is there any truth to the so-called 'Guinness Curse'?Newstalk Daily reporter Alex Rowley went to the Dublin premiere of the show where he met three of its stars: Danielle Galligan, who plays Lady Olivia Hedges, Dervla Kirwan (Aunt Agnes Guinness), and Fionn O’Shea (Benjamin Guinness). 🔗 Emily Hourican’s website 📸 Follow Alex on Instagram @alexxrowley
The NFL comes to Dublin this weekend, but this event is about more than helmets and touchdowns. When the Pittsburgh Steelers face the Minnesota Vikings at Croke Park on Sunday, it won’t just be a game. It will be an American export loaded with politics, power, and money. The NFL has long been linked with the US military, its pageantry often doubling as unashamed Pentagon-backed propaganda. The Vikings’ owner, Mark Wilf, chairs the Jewish Agency for Israel, which supports settlement building in the occupied West Bank. And while Ireland will bank millions in tourist revenue, some see the whole spectacle as sportswashing on a global stage. On today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty is joined by Off The Ball producer Mick McCarthy to ask whether this is a sporting triumph or, as critics argue, a soft power Trojan Horse. They discuss American football’s close links with the Trump administration in the United States, the shadow of Colin Kaepernick’s protest era, the silence of today’s NFL, the blurred line between cultural exchange and imperialism, and whether Croke Park should brace for demonstrations when ‘America’s Game’ kicks off in the home of the GAA.
The line-up is set and the race for the Áras is officially on. The three contenders – Catherine Connolly, Heather Humphreys and Jim Gavin – now face a month of high-stakes campaigning before voters make their choice on Friday 24 October. In today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty gets you fully briefed on what to expect. First, Gerard Howlin, political advisor and Irish Times columnist, casts his eye over the field of candidates – weighing their strengths, their weaknesses, and whether anyone is already stumbling out of the gate. Then, UCC’s Professor Theresa Reidy takes us inside the machinery of a modern presidential campaign: the poster wars, the social media battles, the set-piece TV debates, the all-important turnout, and whether the final result will come down to transfers. If you want to understand not just who’s in the running but how the next four weeks will really play out, this is the place to start. 👥 Guests: Gerard Howlin, Public Affairs Consultant, Political Advisor, and Irish Times Columnist, and Professor Theresa Reidy, School of Government, University College Cork; Co-editor of How Ireland Voted series 📢 There’ll be lots of presidential coverage across Newstalk and the GoLoud network over the coming weeks. Keep an eye on 🌐 newstalk.com and 📸 @newstalkfm on Instagram for more details.
It’s been more than a quarter of a century since Ireland’s primary school curriculum was last overhauled. Now, from next year, a new syllabus will be phased in across every primary and special school in the country. For the first time, 5th and 6th class pupils will learn about sexual orientation - a topic absent from the current curriculum. Puberty education will begin earlier, reflecting the reality that many children now experience it long before secondary school. Consent will also be introduced, not in a sexual context, but as part of teaching children that they have the right to set boundaries and say no. The aim is to prepare children for the lives they are already living, lives shaped by earlier puberty, smartphones, online influences, and the pressures of growing up in a far more connected world. But critics argue there are glaring gaps, particularly the absence of any discussion of gender identity, and questions remain about how schools of different ethos will deliver these lessons in practice. Psychologist Dr Elaine Byrnes joins Ciara to discuss what’s in — and what’s missing — from this long-awaited update to the way Irish children are taught about their bodies, their feelings, and their relationships. Plus Josh Crosbie talks to people on the streets of Cork City about their responses to the reform of sex education in school. Got thoughts on this episode? Email us at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com.