The World Health Organization has warned that the United States could become the next centre of the global coronavirus pandemic, as cases continue to rise rapidly.

Despite the objections of health experts, Donald Trump is said to be considering reopening the economy sooner rather than later, remarking during a White House briefing that "our country wasn't built to be shut down."

Cal Thomas and Marion McKeone discussed this in our weekly US slot.

Listen to the interview in full by pressing the play button on this page.

In China, mobile phone location tracking is being used to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is allowing health authorities to track people's movements, interactions and health status in order to facilitate contact tracing and isolation.

Could this approach help combat the spread of the virus in other countries, despite concerns about privacy?

Andy O'Donoghue joined us to discuss this and other coronavirus tech issues, including how 3D printing is helping meet the need for key medical equipment.

Listen to the interview in full by pressing the play button on this page.

Images have emerged from Britain showing crowded London Underground trains as social distancing guidelines continue to be ignored.

Why is the country having such problems maintaining social isolation during the coronavirus crisis?

We spoke to Gavin Esler, former presenter of BBC's Newsnight, to find out.

Listen to the interview in full by pressing the play button on this page.

McDonald's, Nando's, Subway and Supermac's have all made the decision to close their restaurants during the coronavirus outbreak.

McDonald's and Supermac's are two of the biggest purchasers of Irish beef, and their closures will have a huge impact on the sector.

Ian Guider, markets editor of The Business Post, brought us this story and more in our daily business update, including:

Bank of Ireland to close more than 100 of its branches

AIB postpones plans for maintenance and transaction fees

Taoiseach says Apple tax money can't be used to fight COVID-19

Stock markets in United States fall again

Listen to the interview in full by pressing the play button on this page.

Cathy Wheatley was seven months pregnant when she and her husband Keith lost their baby girl, Helen.

After experiencing this tragedy, Cathy's next pregnancy sadly resulted in a miscarriage.

But the couple decided to opt for surrogacy, and they are now the proud parents of twins.

Their story is featured in You, Me and Surrogacy, which airs on Virgin Media One tonight at 10pm.

Cathy and Keith joined us on The Last Word to share their surrogacy journey.

Listen to the interview in full by pressing the play button on this page.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has suggested that a full lockdown is not the most effective way of tackling the coronavirus.

He added that Ireland is following the South Korean model of social distancing, testing, contact tracing and isolation of those who test positive.

Is this the right approach?

Professor Sam McConkey, Infectious Disease Specialist at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, joined us to outline the pros and cons of a potential lockdown.

Listen to the interview in full by pressing the play button on this page.

The coronavirus pandemic is continuing to affect the TV industry, with many major shows being forced to suspend production.

The soaps have also been taking measures to ensure that they don't run out of episodes to broadcast.

EastEnders announced that the number of episodes will be cut down to two a week as filming comes to a halt. Emmerdale and Coronation Street are both continuing to film, but have also cut back on the number of episodes broadcast per week. Older cast members will be written out of storylines for the time being.

Jennifer Gannon and Joe O'Shea discussed this and more in our weekly TV slot, including Netflix's decision to reduce its streaming quality in Europe for 30 days as a result of the pandemic, and picked the Irish TV shows they would want to see repeated.

Listen to the interview in full by pressing the play button on this page.

Employers group IBEC has launched a major new report that details various proposals for the government to effectively address the economic fallout of the COVID-19 crisis.

Among the proposals is that workers would be paid at least 70% of their salary for up to 20 weeks if needed.

Ian Guider, markets editor of The Business Post, joined us with this story and more of the business news, including:

Aer Lingus last night announced 50% temporary pay cuts for staff

C&C, owner of Bulmers, provides latest profit warning

We were also joined by Conall MacCoille, Chief Economist with Davy.

Listen to the interview in full by pressing the play button on this page.

A video of various celebrities coming together to sing John Lennon's 'Imagine' has been circulating on social media.

Gal Gadot came up with the idea for the cover while self-isolating, and was joined by the likes of Natalie Portman, Will Ferrell, Mark Ruffalo and Chris O'Dowd.

View this post on Instagram

We are in this together, we will get through it together. Let’s imagine together. Sing with us ❤ All love to you, from me and my dear friends. #WeAreOne ....... #KristenWiig #JamieDornan @labrinth @james_marsden @sarahkatesilverman @eddiebenjamin @jimmyfallon @natalieportman @zoeisabellakravitz @siamusic @reallyndacarter @amyadams @leslieodomjr @pascalispunk @chrisodowd @hotpatooties #WillFerrell @markruffalo @norahjones @ashleybenson @kaiagerber @caradelevingne @anniemumolo @princesstagramslam

A post shared by Gal Gadot (@gal_gadot) on Mar 18, 2020 at 4:49pm PDT

But the video has been ridiculed by some who say it does nothing to help, and argue that the celebrities should have made financial contributions to the COVID-19 crisis instead.

Is it morale-boosting, or just excruciating?

Roe McDermott and Donal O'Donoghue joined us for The Week Trending to discuss this and some of the other stories making the news this week.

Listen to the interview in full by pressing the play button on this page.

Vera Twomey spoke to us last year about her campaign to get medicinal cannabis for her 10-year-old daughter Ava, who has a rare form of drug-resistant epilepsy called Dravet syndrome.

Vera is now pleading with the government to ensure that Ava's overseas supply of medicinal cannabis is maintained during the COVID-19 crisis, which has left them unable to travel.

She joined us on The Last Word to explain why this is so important.

Listen to the interview in full by pressing the play button on this page.