Construction is underway for the staging of a UFC fight on the front lawn of the White House to mark President Trump's 80th birthday in June. Numerous other events and projects are also in the pipeline to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American Independence in July. 

Niall Stanage, Associate Editor with The Hill joins Fran and Sharon to discuss the plans and where the money is coming from to pay for the celebrations. 

Construction is underway for the staging of a UFC fight on the front lawn of the White House to mark President Trump's 80th birthday in June. Numerous other events and projects are also in the pipeline to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American Independence in July.&nbsp;Niall Stanage, Associate Editor with The Hill joins Fran and Sharon to discuss the plans and where the money is coming from to pay for the celebrations.&nbsp;

Tune in for insightful and informed conversation as Fran McNulty, Paul Cunningham and some of RTÉ's top journalists digest the news stories of the day. Expect deep dives, analysis, interesting guests, and maybe even some laughs along the way. 

Email: behindthestory@rte.ie 

New episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Tune in for insightful and informed conversation as Fran McNulty, Paul Cunningham and some of RTÉ's top journalists digest the news stories of the day. Expect deep dives, analysis, interesting guests, and maybe even some laughs along the way.&nbsp;Email: <a class="relay-http-link" href="mailto:behindthestory@rte.ie">behindthestory@rte.ie</a>&nbsp;New episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Behind the Story

Trump's birthday plans and celebrating Freedom 250! 

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. 

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.&nbsp;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.&nbsp;

Pay talks collapse and inside the seizure of the MV Matthew

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. 

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.&nbsp;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.&nbsp;

A conversation with Kevin Bakhurst

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

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

Trump's birthday plans and celebrating Freedom 250!

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