Newstalk Weekend

The UK government has announced plans to make the depiction of strangulation or ‘choking’ illegal in pornography. Announcing the plan, Technology Secretary Liz Kendall called this kind of material ‘vile and dangerous’, but some have criticised the plan, citing existing legislation against depicting life-threatening acts and issues with enforcement and personal freedom. To discuss, Anton is joined by Sexologist and Educator at the School of Psychology, University of Galway, Dr Siobhan O’Higgins & Ruth Breslin, Director of The SERP (Sexual Exploitation Research and Policy Institute).

Sometimes described as the place Irish people go to get the news they wish didn’t sound so plausible, Waterford Whispers has become an Irish cultural phenomenon. Colm Williamson, Editor-in-Chief of Waterford Whispers News, joins Anton to talk about how it all came about.

Joining Anton to go through the main stories from the Saturday papers is John Lee, Executive Editor of the Daily Mail Group Ireland &Valerie Cox, journalist.

Pope Leo XVI has elevated St Mary's Pro Cathedral to the status of a full Catholic Cathedral within the Archdiocese of Dublin. The move was approved by papal decree following a request by Dermot Farrell, Archbishop of Dublin, who joins Anton to discuss.

It was a rough night across the south and east of the country, as heavy winds and rain caused significant flooding and hazardous travel conditions. To get the latest, Anton is joined by:Cathal Nolan from Ireland’s Weather Channel Trevor Hunt, Dublin Fire Brigade station officer Superintendent Liam Geraghty, Press Officer at An Garda Síochána 

From the brains of Douglas Adams and John Lloyd, the 42nd anniversary edition of The Meaning of Liff has just been released. John Lloyd, who is also famous for bringing us the likes of Not the Nine O'Clock News, Spitting Image, Blackadder, and QI, joins Anton to chat about the new edition, Douglas Adams, and more.

Pregnancy loss under 23 weeks is rarely spoken about, and in Ireland, it’s not even officially recognised. But that silence can deepen the pain for those who experience it. So, what would it mean to finally acknowledge these losses and support parents? Professor Keelin O’Donoghue, consultant obstetrician and gynecologist at Cork University Maternity Hospital and a leading researcher in this area & Jennie Cronin, who is part of the pregnancy loss research group join Anton to discuss.

Dramatic political shifts are underway in US political circles. In New York City, 34-year-old Zohran Mamdani has just secured a historic mayoral victory, the federal government remains shuttered - now the longest shutdown in U.S. history - and Democrats scored major victories nationwide in the first major electoral test of President Donald Trump’s second term. Joining Anton to unpack what this all means is former Maryland Governor, Martin O’Malley & Suzanne Lynch, Brussels Bureau Chief at Bloomberg

Joining Anton to run through the main stories from the Sunday papers is John Cunningham, Marketing Insights Director for BAM Ireland; Philip Ryan, Head of Content with The Sunday Times Ireland; and Regina Doherty, MEP for Dublin.

Six months ago, Tony Wheeler, co-founder of Lonely Planet, joined Anton to talk about all things Lonely Planet just prior to him jetting off around the world. Tony took a call from Anton to chat about the exotic places he’s been since then.