In The News

If you don't have young children in your life, you may be completely unaware of one of the world's biggest game platforms. Roblox is a digital playground where children can create block-like avatars, pay to accessorise them, use them to take part in role-playing games and talk to others. Therein lies the inherent danger. While it's mostly harmless fun, several terrifying cases of grooming, abuse, blackmail and even kidnapping have been highlighted in the US. This week an Irish report found most primary school children who'd had upsetting experiences online had experienced them on YouTube or Roblox. Irish Times journalist Conor Capplis argues the platform is social media by stealth, and should be regulated as such to keep users safe.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Saturday morning, Irish Times consumer expert Conor Pope logged on to Ticketmaster, ready to take his own advice about navigating the sales platform to buy tickets for one of the Oasis gigs in Dublin next summer.He found himself behind 138,692 people in the queue and hours later, when he was finally offered tickets, they were nearly four times what he had expected to pay.Tickets had been advertised at €86.50 but they were no where to be seen and soon social media filled up with stories of people paying nearly €1,000 for two “in demand” standing tickets on the pitch in Croke Park.Oasis fans in Ireland and the UK were quick to vent their frustration at the pricey tickets and the lack of transparency in the sales process.But who is to blame – Ticketmaster, MCD, the promoters, or Oasis? And can the competition watchdog do anything?Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week, an Australian man was sentenced to 17 years in prison for what has been described as one of “the worst sextortion cases” in history.   Muhammad Zain Ul Abideen Rasheed sexually blackmailed victims online in more than 20 countries across the world, including Ireland. Rebecca Trigger from ABC news attended the 29 year old's trial earlier this year and details the global scale of his crimes and the devastating impact on his young victims. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A key element of the Dublin City Centre Transport Plan kicked in on Monday and Olivia Kelly, Irish Times Dublin editor tells In the News that she was out on the streets early to see how it is working.Under the plan, private motorists can no longer drive the length of the quays – both north and south – instead they must turn off at O’Connell Street and take a detour before returning to the quays.The idea is to stop motorists using the city centre as a drive through, with the knock-on effect of reducing car traffic in the city centre.That should free up space for public vehicles – particularly buses – and we hear from a Dublin Bus driver on how it is working.And what about compliance – how can motorists be convinced to obey the new rules?Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An Irish chef living in the US has been killed after being shot outside his own business in Kansas City.Shaun Brady, originally from Nenagh, Co Tipperary, was the co-owner of Brady’s KC, a popular restaurant in the Brookside area of Kansas City, Missouri.Brady was a popular and well-known figure in Kansas City's large and vibrant Irish community. His friend and Kansas City resident Pat O'Neill talks to Bernice Harrison about how the violent loss of Shaun has shocked the community. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy jnr has dropped out of the race in America's key swing states, but vows to remain as an alternative choice for voters in red and blue states. Washington Correspondent for The Irish Times, Keith Duggan, analyses whether getting out of Trump's way in places like Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania will help the former president get re-elected. Or whether RFK's would-be voters will opt for the Democrats' new nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris where she currently has a tight lead. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon and Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this discussion, restaurateurs Vanessa Murphy and Anna Cabrera delve into the crisis gripping Ireland's restaurant scene. They reveal the surprising number of closures, despite bustling dining rooms, underscoring financial pressures and rising costs. Murphy highlights the urgent need for tax relief, while Cabrera shares adaptive strategies for survival amidst changing consumer behaviors. They also touch on the push for sustainable practices and the emerging culinary innovations shaping Ireland's food landscape.

In 2009 warring brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher fell out for the last time – their final argument broke up their band, Oasis.At the time Oasis albums topped the charts, they sold out the biggest venues and audiences were word-perfect in their vast catalogue of catchy anthems from Wonderwall to Don’t Look Back in Anger.In the intervening years both brothers have had solo careers and both took every opportunity to slag each other off, saying they’d never play together again.But as music journalist Eamonn Sweeney tells In the News, the past year has seen a thawing of hostilities, with hints from Liam that Oasis just might get back together. There’s a lot of money at stake.Then at the weekend, Liam tweeted a date for a big announcement – Tuesday, August 27th at the not very rock’n’roll time of 8am. Could Irish concerts be on the cards? Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon, Suzanne Brennan and John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If elected president in November Donald Trump has promised to slash the US rate of corporate tax to 15 per cent.Kamala Harris has said she would raise it to 28 per cent. So why the massive difference and what could either tax rate mean for Ireland?And should we be less focused on corporation tax and more on trade policy? Trump’s promise of a 20 per cent import tax on all goods would hit hard globally – with exports from Ireland severely impacted.And could Ireland get caught in the crossfire if Trump started a trade war with China?Irish Times economics analyst Cliff Taylor looks at the different policy platforms of the two candidates and who would be better for Ireland?Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Electric vehicle sales in Ireland plummeted by 24% this year due to a mix of factors. Concerns over charging infrastructure and misconceptions about EV technology are rising. The decline is exacerbated by reductions in government incentives and a shift in consumer preferences towards hybrids. New affordable EV options are emerging, but growth hinges on improved charging facilities and public confidence. The impact of EU tariffs on Chinese EVs and the necessity for enhanced government support also play crucial roles in shaping the future of the market.