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How do our security forces manage the murky cyber threats that have dominated the headlines as we approach the largest gathering of world leaders Ireland has ever hosted? On this episode, we talk to former chief of staff of the Defence Mark Mellett on the spate of recent cyber threats and the scale of the security operation involved in hosting two major EU summits on Thursday and Friday. And those pay talks that finally ended overnight with a deal- our work and technology correspondent Brian O'Donovan goes through what has been agreed and what happens next. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Arrests were made after a brawl broke out at an influencer organised boxing event in Kilkenny at the weekend. Far right activist Tommy Robinson attended the event which led to a fight breaking out outside the ring. Reporter Christopher Dunne with the Kilkenny People joins Karen Creed to explain what happened.  Later, business reporter with The Currency, Tom Lyons outlines what is known about Nvidia's boss Jensen Huang and his affair with a woman suspected of being a Chinese spy.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Several Irish media outlets received bomb threats on Friday which coincided with more aviation threats. Media correspondent Evelyn O'Rourke joins Fran and Eamon to explain what happened at the Donnybrook site.  Later, Charlie Taylor, Technology Editor with the Business Post discusses the fall in tech stocks and how the Tech Bros may need to broaden their political allegiences following the Democrats win in the US mid terms. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Democrats are celebrating massive wins in the US mid term elections while Trump and the Republic Party reel from the size of the losses. Justin McCarthy joins Paul from Washington to talk about election night and how things unfolded.  Later, Michael Ricci, Prof of Public Policy at Georgetown University analyses the results, what this win means and whether the MAGA movement is in decline.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite days of negotiations, the public sector pay talks collapsed and Unions plan a 24 hour strike on Thursday Nov 12th. Work and Technology correspondent Brian O'Donovan joins Karen Creed to explain what happened and why the government is under more pressure now.  Later, Martime Operations Manager with Customs, Andrew Ryan speaks about one of the most dramatic drug seizures in the history of the state. In 2023, over two tonnes of cocaine was discovered on the MV Matthew. Army Rangers boarded and took control of the vessel in storm conditions off the coast of Cork.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kevin Bakhurst, RTÉ's Director General joins Fran and Paul for a wide ranging interview following the sudden withdrawal of €20 million from the broadcaster's budget for 2027.  Mr Bakhurst discusses his shock at the funding cut but expresses confidence a solution will be reached. Fran and Paul quiz the DG on Ireland, Israel and the Eurovision, Ger Gilroy's new podcast, Fair City and license fee.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Voters turned out in their highest numbers in decades in an election that was described as make-or-break for Israel, but provisional results suggested no clear path to power for either Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or his main opponent, Gadi Eisenkot. On this episode, Alexander Cornwell, senior correspondent for Reuters in Tel Aviv joined Paul Cunningham to explain the political fallout, what happens next and what it means for the wider Middle East region See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Although President Trump is not on the ballot paper, the US midterm elections will decide how the final phase of his presidency will play out.  And there is a lot at stake as Democrats try to win majority control of the US Congress. On this episode, Dan Geary - Mark Pigott Professor in U.S. History at Trinity College Dublin – guides us through what is happening, where to watch and what it all means for US politics. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israel's general election takes place next week, the first since the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attacks on Israel. Our Deputy Foreign Editor Heaphy talks to us from Tel Aviv, on what many see as the most pivotal elections in Israel's history, with global implications. Later, RTÉ’s GAA correspondent Marty Morrissey takes Eamon Horan through the proposed rule changes in hurling.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iarnród Eireann's scrapped IT project is back in the headlines, when it was revealed today that Indra, the company contracted to do the work, is seeking €30m as part of final accounts. Public Policy correspondent with the Irish Times, Martin Wall, joins Paul to explain the background to the failed project and what the plan is to rescue it.  Later, Security analyst, Declan Power discusses the possible end of the Triple Lock and UNFIL mission in Lebanon.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Violent protests and looting spread across several cities in France over the weekend, as over a half a million people took to the streets on a wide variety of issues. The authorities plan to implement localised curfews in some areas to deal with the deteriorating situation. Senior lecturer in European Politics at UCC, Emmanuelle Schon Quinlivan joins Paul to explain the background to the crisis.  Later, Adam Maguire discusses the popularity of Chinese EVs and why the EU has security concerns around the increasing level of tech available in the cars.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Award winning author Sally Rooney's books will no longer be available for sale in the UK due to her support for Palestine Action. Human rights lawyer, Caoilfhoinn Gallagher joins Fran to discuss the situation and why sweeping anti-terrorism legislation is having a far reaching impact on protest and culture.  Later, Arts and Media correspondent Evelyn O'Rourke goes behind the scenes of NBC's Today show and looks at the success of Tourism Ireland's strategy.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Big Tech, Big Business and lots of politicians are attending the International AI Summit at the RDS. Fran and Paul are joined by Bloomberg's Tom MacKenzie to discuss AI in Europe.   Later, Liz Carolan of The Briefing.ie and Charlie Taylor of the Business Post chat about the ups and downs of AI, dress codes and bad merch!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After five and a half years of illegal detention in Iraq, Robert Pether landed in Dublin airport on Monday morning. He was greeted by family and friends and spoke of his time in a Baghdad prison and subsequent struggle to survive before he was allowed leave the country.  His lawyer, Irish man Peter Griffin, took up his case, pro-bono in 2021 having heard about Robert's case in his son's school newsletter. Peter speaks to host Karen Creed about the legal fight to secure Robert's release.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The decision by the US Defence Department to live stream the execution of a man convicted of murdering thirteen unarmed soldiers at a military post in Texas in 2009 has sparked global headlines. The Pentagon announced earlier this week it would execute Nidal Hasan in December in the first military execution for more than 60 years. On this episode of Behind The Story we talk to death row lawyer Clive Stafford-Smith who has represented hundreds of people sentenced to death over the past four decades. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.