Behind the Story

The latest garda figures have shown a surge in online fraud, as more fake websites, ticket hoaxes, and phishing texts are popping up.

Fran and David are joined by Aengus Cox to go through what authorities say they are seeing, and how banks and tech companies are reacting to it.

The team also take a look at the Donald Trump v Bruce Springsteen saga, as the veteran rockstar has been taking aim at the administration while on his European tour.

It seems the Boss has touched some nerves in the White House and with Trump, who has since threatened a “major investigation” into the “dried out prune of a rocker”. 

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Katie and Fran chat about Donald Trump's latest threat to slap the EU with a 50% tariff on goods which could kick in as early as June 1st. 

They also joined by Prime Time’s Kate McDonald to discuss Thursday’s programme which looked at the manosphere, and how some men are being shaped by online content.

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In today’s Behind the Story Fran and David are joined by The Independent’s Chief Foreign Correspondent Bel Trew to discuss a week which saw many of Israel's allies express frustration with it over the war in Gaza.

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RTÉ's Southern Editor Paschal Sheehy joins David and Fran from Kerry to give them an insight into the investigation into Michael Gaine's death.

There was a major development last Friday after the discovery of human tissue in slurry.

Although testing is yet to be completed, gardaí are working under the assumption that the remains are those of the missing farmer, and a man known to Michael Gaine has been arrested.

Also in the news today is the deal struck between the UK and the EU.

David and Fran discuss its ins and outs as hardcore Brexiteers have criticised Keir Starmer, while others are welcoming the shorter airport queues.

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Katie reflects on comments by former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in the TV show ‘Uncharted’ on how he used to get regular abuse both in person and online and how the downsides of public life eventually overtook the good sides.

The trio also discuss the impact of social media on children and the growing industry of child influencers. They tease out if Ireland could follow Australia's lead and ban social media for under 16s.  

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Europe's highest court has sided with the New York Times after it challenged the EU Commission on its witholding of texts between its President Ursula von der Leyen and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla.

The texts were sent ahead of the EU agreeing a deal for 1.8 billion vaccine doses in May 2021.

Fran, David and RTÉ’s Europe Editor Tony Connelly dissect the finer details of the case and go through why it is so significant.

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US President Donald Trump is embarking on a visit to the Middle East this week, and as he steps onto his plane it’s another one from the Qataris that has been making the headlines.

Reports suggest the country will gift him a new Air Force One jet, and its being dubbed the “palace in the sky”.

Fran and David discuss the latest news around the US president, which also includes a “deal” with China to end the tariff tit-for-tat, and another one in the UK that “isn’t worth the paper its written on” according to Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz.

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This week the Government published new AI guidelines for the public sector, which got David, Katie, and Fran thinking about the tech’s rapid growth.

AI is proving transformative for many industries, like health and education, but it is also threatening jobs, a generator for misinformation, and being used for scams.

The trio discuss the technology’s rise, and how it will impact us all in the near future.

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David, Katie and Fran discuss the Gaza aid blockade and RTÉ's call for discussion around Israel's participation in next week's Eurovision. The trio also tease out how the Papal Conclave will work and who might be the next Pope. 

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Fran and Katie are joined by reporter Jackie Fox to talk US politics, as the country is in the process of selecting its next ambassador to Ireland.

Trump’s golf buddy Edward Walsh is the current front-runner for the position, and yesterday he was told by the Chairman of Senate Foreign Relations Committee that Ireland’s recognition of a Palestinian state was a ‘mistake’. 

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