In The News

Dan McLaughlin was in Kyiv on Monday morning when US President Joe Biden arrived for a surprise visit, pledging to support Ukraine against Russia's invasion "for as long as it takes"But how long will that be?Dan updates us on the military, political and economic situation in Ukraine as the first anniversary of the beginning of the war approaches. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Niger is one of the world'd poorest countries. Like many other places in Africa, it is suffering from the worsening impacts of climate change. On a recent visit, Sally Hayden found poverty and other problems including an enduring culture of child marriage. But there were also moves underway to tackle those problems by the people of Niger themselves. And despite their relative lack of resources, the Nigeriens she met were happy to welcome refugees, hundreds of thousands of whom are arriving from neighbouring north-west Nigeria, where banditry and lawlessness is out of control. Sally talks to Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last night the US president said he would make "no apologies" for taking down a suspected Chinese spy balloon off the east coast of America earlier this month. Joe Biden told reporters the country is developing “sharper rules” to track, monitor and potentially shoot down unknown aerial objects. But many questions remain about the massive surveillance device, and three other smaller balloons, shot down over the US and Canada. Washington Correspondent, Martin Wall, brings us up to date about what we know so far, as well as explaining how official UFO sightings by the US military have been conflated with the international incident. China Correspondent, Denis Staunton, has the reaction from Beijing and analyses how the row might blow over, as the US and China rescue their stuttering reconciliation. Presented by Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A former leading GAA star has been accused of taking large sums of money from people to pay for cancer treatment - treatment that some of those who gave him money now say they believe never took place. The prominent ex-player, who cannot be named, has been targeted in a Garda search as part of a criminal inquiry that is now under way.Aideen Finnegan talks to Simon Carswell about the story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Friday, January 27th, Nicola Bulley dropped her two children to primary school in a Lancashire village. She walked around the corner to a popular local riverbank where she was in the habit of walking her dog, Willow, after school drop off. And then she disappeared. While the official police search continues, there is a parallel – unofficial - investigation. The puzzling disappearance has prompted a troubling surge in amateur detectives getting involved – online and on the ground. Irish Times London correspondent Mark Paul visited St Michael’s on Wyre, the village where Ms Bulley disappeared – and tells Bernice Harrison that the impact of the amateur sleuths is clear to see. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The weekend marked an important anniversary for Mary Lou McDonald, having been handed the reins of Sinn Fein this time five years ago. In her time as party president, it has faced electoral wipe-out and unprecedented success. But how has she changed in that time? And in a party that so tightly controls dissent, what do her troops really think of her? Political Correspondent, Jennifer Bray, looks back her first five years as Sinn Fein president and how her political long-game might play off. Presented by Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The deadly earthquakes that hit Turkey and Syria in the early hours of Monday morning – along the border of those two countries – has mobilised governments and humanitarian agencies worldwide to respond.But all week, politics – not need – has dictated aid delivery, with life-saving help arriving in Turkey from around the world within hours, while it took until Thursday for the first UN aid convoy to reach northwestern Syria through Bab al-Hawa border crossing – the UN managed border crossing between the two countries. In northwest Syria it has mostly been left to local White Helmet volunteers to try to provide emergency assistance. In the News speaks to White Helmet volunteer Ismail Abdullah who has been rescuing survivors and collecting the dead from collapsed buildings all week; and to Natasha Hall, senior fellow in the Middle East programme at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington DC who explains why, in this already devastated region, delivering aid was never going to be simply about need, and what should happen next. Presenter: Bernice Harrison. Producer: Declan Conlon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'Golden visas' give wealthy non-Europeans the right to live in Ireland in exchange for an upfront investment or donation. The scheme enacted in 2012 has since become dominated by Chinese applicants, even though many are not taking up their right to reside here. Irish organisations benefitting from some of the €1.7bn raised include universities, social housing charities and even sporting organisations. They rely heavily on the fund but neither they, nor the foreign donors, are obliged to disclose it. Arthur Beesley reports on the businesses and groups in receipt of money from the Immigrant Investor Programme, the lack of transparency around it, and the disquiet in the Department of Justice at the level of Chinese participation in it; while continuing to grant the visas. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The man who inspired Steven Speilberg’s 2004 movie The Terminal, died last year at what is believed to be the age of 77. Mehran Karimi Nasseri, or Sir Alfred as he later became known, was an Iranian refugee who spent the guts of two decades, living in Terminal 1 of Charles De Gaulle Airport in France. Despite the global interest in his peculiar living circumstances, much of his story remains unclear. Why did he stay there for so long and what brought him back to the airport in his final days. To look back on his extraordinary existence, Conor Pope is joined by author and journalist Andrew Donkin, who wrote The Terminal Man, the book on Sir Alfred’s life. With any subscription you'll get unlimited access to the very best in unique quality journalism from The Irish Times. Subscribe today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Love them or hate them, reality TV dating shows are one of the most enduring formats of the small screen. It seems like TV producers will take any concept and turn it into a dating show. They run the full gamut, from the earnestness of First Dates to the artifice of Love Island and the questionable 90 Day Fiancé. But if they didn’t net big ratings for TV execs, they wouldn’t keep making them. So what keeps us going back for more? Self-appointed ‘hunk correspondent’ for The Irish Times, Patrick Freyne, loves to review these shows as Features Writer. In this episode of In The News, he analyses the good, the bad and the ugly and why they make such compelling viewing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last weekend up to 300 people gathered outside the historical Lismore House Hotel in Co Waterford, protesting over plans to use the vacant building as a temporary emergency accommodation centre for asylum seekers. Amongst the protestors were local residents expressing their concern over the lack of guidance from the Government, a group welcoming refugees and a small cohort, who weren't from the area, with an anti-immigration message. In this episode, Bernice Harrison is joined by Irish Times journalist Jennifer O’Connell who has been speaking to people on all sides of the protest. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A number of men with dogs, sticks and a baseball bat attacked a migrant camp in Ashtown, north Dublin, on Saturday, telling the multinational group of men who were living there in tents to move on - which they did. Irish Times Social Affairs Correspondent Kitty Holland was there at the time, reporting on the homelessness crisis. She talks to Bernice Harrison about what she witnessed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After 52 days, 140 witnesses, 10 hours of secret audio recordings, phone call data, hours of CCTV footage, eyewitness testimony from 27 National Surveillance Unit officers and four closing speeches, judgment will be delivered in the trial of Gerard Hutch and his two co-accused on April 17th.One star witness dominated the trial: former Sinn Féin councillor and convicted criminal Jonathan Dowdall, whose credibility Mr Hutch's defence team attacked from day one. Court reporter Alison O'Riordan returns to the podcast to explain what happened in court and the most important evidence the three judges will have to weigh up when reaching their verdict. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, the Irish film industry earned an impressive 14 Oscar nominations. The biggest haul in any one year. But what next? When a film has an Oscar nomination in the bag, it’s not time to sit back and wait to see if it wins. It’s just the start of an intense campaign to win support from the voting Academy members. So what does the road to the Oscars look like? To find out Bernice Harrison talks to Irish Times Chief Film Correspondent Donald Clarke and Colm Bairéad, director of An Cailin Ciuin - The Quiet Girl, which was nominated for best international feature. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week the Mental Health Commission released its interim report on the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (Camhs). It made for damning reading, painting a picture of a vital service that is not fit for purpose. For many, access to care is a postcode lottery. Two mothers talk to In the News about their experience with Camhs and how they feel it failed their children. Kitty Holland, Irish Times social affairs correspondent and Roisin Clark, interim chief executive of Mental Health Reform, an advocacy group representing organisations throughout the country, explain the background and what the report means for Camhs and the HSE.In the News is presented by Bernice Harrison and produced by Declan Conlon and Suzanne Brennan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Despite claims fugitive mob boss, Matteo Messino Denaro, was in Amsterdam, Liverpool and Brazil, the 60 year-old had been hiding in plain sight in Sicily. He was arrested last week after 30 years on the run. Italian criminologist, Dr Anna Sergi, says he was caught after being tracked down through plain old-fashioned detective work. Dr Sergi explains to host, Aideen Finnegan, why the Sicilian mafia boss' arrest is so significant, and what it was like to grow up in a region of Italy marred by terrifying mob violence.With any subscription you'll get unlimited access to the very best in unique quality journalism from The Irish Times. Subscribe today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Elsa" had decades of experience waiting in restaurants before joining the staff at celebrity chef Richard Corrigan's new Dublin restaurant last year. Within a few weeks she had joined over a dozen other staff who left. Many of them spoke to The Irish Times's restaurant critic Corinna Hardgrave about why they did so: Harsh words, a bad atmosphere and rates of pay that were not what was promised. Many were also critical of the restaurant's system for distributing tips. And while the tip distribution policy in The Park Cafe is publicly available (as required by law), could it be that many customers have lost track of how tips are shared in a complicated system among restaurant staff - including senior managers? Elsa and Corinna talk to Bernice Harrison. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland’s far-right is mobilising. Heated protests outside buildings used to house asylum seekers in Ballymun, East Wall and around the country show how anti-immigration sentiment is being stirred up by groups who are organised, heavily reliant on social media and increasingly adept at exploiting fears, often with baseless stories.Irish Times crime correspondent Conor Gallagher has been tracking the rise of the far right in Ireland in recent years and has reported on how misinformation is fuelling these increasingly heated gatherings of locals and far-right groups.He outlines how these protests are organised, who is behind them, the misinformation spread on social media and the fears being stoked up in communities where asylum seekers are being housed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

About 90 per cent of primary schools in Ireland are Catholic in ethos. The figure is increasingly out of line with the religious makeup of the population.  Last week, an Athlone primary school switched from Catholic to multi-denominational, the first such change of school ethos in a state-led pilot programme. But in other areas, like Dublin's Raheny, local opposition to such changes in school ethos has been strong. So when it comes to religion in schools, what is it that people really want? Irish Times education editor Carl O’Brien gives the background. David Graham of lobby group Education Equality and Seamus Mulconry of the Catholic Primary Schools Management Association give their sides of a debate that is still divisive.This episode is presented by Bernice Harrison. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Just when you thought there was nothing new to learn about Britain's Prince Harry's explosive memoir, it manages to generate even more headlines upon its release this week. 'Spare' is now the fastest ever selling non-fiction book in the English language. Even the Irish public is divided on whether the prince is a tragic, deluded character or an earnest rebel with a genuine public interest story to expose. Media columnist, Laura Slattery, and columnist, Finn McRedmond in London, join Aideen Finnegan to discuss the book, its revelations and the global reaction to it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Despite fears patients may die as a result of delays in our overcrowded Emergency Departments, we are yet again dealing with another trolley crisis this January. The problems beleaguering our health service are well documented, so what changes would meaningfully address them? Former Consultant in Emergency Medicine, Dr Chris Luke, has a number of proposals and wants "Zelensky-like" leadership to bring them about. Starting with hospital CEOs and medical directors on the frontline, SWAT teams to back up staff and a Citizens' Assembly to have a national conversation about what we are willing to fund. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does China’s exit from its Zero Covid policy mean for Ireland and the rest of the world? The country has fully reopened, ending the requirement for inbound travellers to quarantine. The abrupt exit has resulted in covid ripping through its main cities and struck a defiant tone with the European Union, which has recommended testing for passengers arriving from China. But the reopening will likely be a boost to the world economy and a welcome relief for its citizens and foreigners who felt unable to leave for the past three years. In this episode, presented by Bernice Harrison, we get the latest from our China Correspondent Denis Staunton.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode of In The News we are joined by our new co-host, Bernice Harrison, and departing presenter, Conor Pope. If you opted out of scrolling through news stories over Christmas and New Year, here's a round-up of what you may have missed: hospital overcrowding, the deaths of Pelé, Pope Benedict and Vivienne Westwood, misogynist Andrew Tate's arrest, Republican George Santos' car crash TV interview and Rolling Stone's divisive snub of Celine Dion. Presented by Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Looking to feel happier and healthier in life, but don’t know where to start? Clinical Psychologist Dr Trudy Meehan joins Conor Pope to talk about the practical tools we can all start using to bring meaningful change into our lives. Positive Health: 100+ Research-based Positive Psychology and Lifestyle Medicine Tools to Enhance Your Wellbeing is available now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In his new book Grace: President Obama and Ten Days in the Battle for America, speech writer Cody Keenan gives readers an intimate portrayal of life inside the White House during some of the most critical moments in American history. In this episode, he talks to Sorcha Pollak about those ten years spent working alongside one of the most important and recognised people on earth, the long days and nights spent crafting the former US president’s statements and the pressure, self-doubt and ultimate sense of accomplishment of holding “the best and the worst job in the West Wing”. This episode was originally published in November 2022. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since the 1970s, Irish soldiers have served as UN peacekeepers in south Lebanon, a region where complex conflicts ebb and flow. Last week, the tragic death of Private Sean Rooney brought the number of Irish peacekeepers killed in the line of duty to 48. This special three-part series revisits the 1982 murders of Corporal Gregory Morrow, Private Peter Burke and Private Thomas Murphy at Tibnin Bridge, a checkpoint near the Israeli border. In part one, Conor Gallagher and Sorcha Pollak tell the story of Tibnin Bridge, with help from those who lived through it. Artwork by Paul Scott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Originating in west Africa the Black Axe gang has quickly become one of the most successful groups in Irish organised crime. In the Republic, the gang has stolen or laundered €64 million, mainly through romance scams and invoice frauds. The Irish cell of Black Axe launders money by using a rapidly growing network of money mules in Ireland. Money mules’ accounts are used to take receipt of, and then disperse, the proceeds of frauds carried out by other Black Axe cells located in countries across the globe. Security and crime editor Conor Lally has the details. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are lots of reasons why team sports are a great activity for children to be involved in. They offer kids a chance to improve fitness, make new friends and learn how to be part of a team. But, on many teams across the country, coaches are leaving less able children on the sidelines, because they value winning above everything else. Irish Times parenting columnist Jen Hogan talks to Conor Pope about the impact this can have on children and why she thinks the culture needs to change. This episode was originally published in October 2022. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In contrast with his son Daniel Kinahan, little has been known about the activities of Christy Kinahan snr, the founder of the Kinahan drug cartel. Irish Times reporters Colm Keena and Conor Lally have now discovered that, along with his partner and three young children, Mr Kinahan snr has been attempting to build a new life for himself in Africa. These efforts involved an attempt to establish himself there as a player in the humanitarian aviation sector through the purchase of airplanes from the Egyptian military. Conor Lally and Colm Keena talk to Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The tragic death of Private Sean Rooney in Lebanon last week marks the first Irish peacekeeper death in combat in the region since 1999. The 23 year old was a member of the UN's 10,000-strong mission, Unifil. It's understood the vehicle became surrounded by an angry mob near the coastal down of Al Aqbieh on the night of Wednesday, 14th December. But why would the UN vehicle be the target of such ire? And what has caused the ratcheting up of tension in the Hizbullah-controlled region? Crime and Security Correspondent, Conor Gallagher, and retired Lieutenant Colonel and military historian, Dan Harvey, frame the conflict and analyse the threat on this episode of In The News. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Teacher Enoch Burke could get out of jail today if he chose to.All he needs to do is say he’ll follow a court order to stay away from the school where he worked until being suspended in a row over his refusal to call a trans student by their preferred pronouns.In cases of civil contempt there is no clear mechanism for bringing to an end the situation without Mr Burke backing down. But given his stated intentions, and taking into account his family’s history in legal disputes, it seems unlikely Mr Burke will do that. So how will the situation ever get resolved?Jennifer O’Connell and Mary Carolan talk to Conor Pope. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This Christmas eve will mark ten months to the day since Russia launched their attack on Ukraine. In sub-zero temperatures, civilians are dealing with blackouts and water shortages, as the Russians target critical infrastructure from the air. As the year draws to a close, what hope, if any, will the new year bring? Dan McLaughlin reports on the situation from Lviv. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The prestigious Capital Dock and Clancy Barracks apartments in Dublin were developed by Kennedy Wilson. Fulfilling their legal obligations for 10% social housing, they offered Dublin City Council a choice between those homes or the cheaper Herberton apartments in Rialto. Though the council agreed and a deal was struck in 2019, they’ve lain empty for over 3 and a half years. 39 families who were offered the homes earlier this year, have been told they now must wait even longer after fire safety issues were identified. But, in the middle of a housing crisis, how have the apartments been left dormant, and why is this only emerging now? What does it mean for the rest of the Herberton complex on the former site of Fatima Mansions? Dublin Editor, Olivia Kelly, has the latest. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ChatGPT is no ordinary chatbot. It’s a massive advance in AI and machine learning that can handle far more complex requests, and generate answers in human-like form. It doesn’t scour the internet or copy and paste from articles. Rather its algorithms have been fed with a massive dataset that yield unique results to questions you might pose. It’s been created by OpenAI, a San Francisco-based AI research company. While it’s a potential force for good, we have seen how technology can be used for malicious intent. So what are the potential pitfalls, who will mitigate against them and how soon could they realistically threaten jobs? In The News is joined by Senior Lecturer in the School of Computer Science at TU Dublin, Dr. Robert Ross, and Arts and Culture Editor, Hugh Linehan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The death of a 4 year-old girl in the north east from the invasive form of Strep A, and a five year-old girl in Belfast, has understandably put parents around the country on high alert. With a significant increase in the number of viral infections sweeping through childcare and school settings, the HSE is encouraging parents to keep children at home if they’re showing signs of illness. But Strep A is a bacterial infection that can be treated effectively with antibiotics. How can you tell the difference between a viral infection and what might be Strep A? Galway GP, Dr Laura Lenihan, explains the symptoms of each. Unfortunately the most effective antibiotic to treat the illness is in short supply in Ireland at the moment. Duleek pharmacist, Kathy Maher, outlines what’s behind the shortage and what action the government should take to protect patients.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The arrest this week of 25 German citizens for allegedly plotting a coup against the German state came as a big surprise. Who are these people, and could they really hope to overthrow the government in Berlin? This is a story about German history, modern conspiracy culture, and an obscure, eccentric wannabe King. Derek Scally tells it to Conor Pope. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Voters in the north and the Republic of Ireland would welcome a referendum on a United Ireland.A straightforward binary question would yield a resounding yes on this side of the border, and an emphatic no from the six counties.That result is clear from a two polls carried out in both jurisdictions by Ipsos for The Irish Times. But the wide-ranging research shows the Republic’s commitment to a United Ireland is wide but not deep. More than a third say they would be less likely to vote yes if reunification meant sacrificing the tricolour or Amhrán na bhFhiann. Some respondents are concerned about the potential for violence. Today Pat Leahy tells Aideen Finnegan what the research tells us about attitudes to a United Ireland - and which arguments those for and against it must win. North and South is a collaboration between The Irish Times and ARINS, which is a joint research project of the Royal Irish Academy and the Keough-Naughton Centre for Irish Studies at the University of Notre Dame. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Warning: This episode features discussion of child sexual abuse. Since an RTÉ radio documentary about child sexual abuse at Blackrock College aired last month, charity One In Four has been inundated with calls from survivors of abuse, seeking therapy and help in finding justice, often after decades of suffering in silence. But the research shows that child sexual abuse is far from just a legacy issue in Ireland. And while more attention is paid to clerical abuse, most abuse today takes place within families. A growing percentage of offences are related to online activities, in what One In Four CEO Maeve Lewis calls an "epidemic" of online child abuse that sometimes leads on to contact abuse. Today we talk to Maeve about the shocking problem of child sexual abuse in Ireland, what can be done to prevent it, and how we are falling short. You can contact One In Four during office hours: 01 6624070You can contact the Rape Crisis Centre's National 24-Hour Helpline at 1800 77 8888, at any time of day or night. It offers a free and confidential listening and support service for anyone who has been raped, sexually assaulted, sexually harassed or sexually abused at any time in their lives. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Sean Quinn knows exactly what he did but chooses not to understand. It’s very easy for him to find others are to blame.”Enniskillen-born filmmaker, Trevor Birney, has spent five years on his documentary, Quinn Country, which aired on RTE this week.The three-part series paints a visceral portrait of a man haunted by feelings of injustice and betrayal; not least in part due to the contributions from the former billionaire himself, from his palatial home in Co. Cavan.The documentary charts the rise and fall of Quinn and his business empire, with a particular focus on his Anglo Irish Bank gamble and the violent attack on former Quinn executive, Kevin Lunney.In a story to rival a Shakespearean drama, Birney skilfully pulls all the strands of the complicated story together in one place.Here he speaks to In The News about his many hours of interviews with Sean Quinn, filming during outbreaks of vigilante violence, and the fatal character flaw that brought down one of the titans of Irish business.Also on this episode is Irish Times Public Affairs Editor Simon Carswell. Presented by Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We get the expert view on solving Ireland’s housing emergency from Dr Lorcan Sirr, Lecturer in Housing at TU Dublin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Special Criminal Court has been hearing astonishing evidence in the trial of Gerard "The Monk" Hutch and two other men for their involvement in the murder of David Byrne at Dublin's Regency Hotel in 2016.Secret recordings made by Gardaí of Mr Hutch and alleged accomplice Jonathan Dowdall, who has already pleaded guilty to his involvement in the murder, is at the centre of the case.But it is not yet clear if the recordings are admissible as evidence. That will be decided by the three judges deciding the case. In this episode of In The News, we speak to court reporter, Alison O’Riordan, about the content of the recordings which covered everything from politics to celebrities, to IRA republicans and the Kinahan cartel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the permacrisis rumbles on, Christmas is rolling around again and this year’s challenge is the cost of… everything, really. With inflation at a 40 year high, the gifts we give, the socialising we do, the supermarket trolleys we fill and the energy bills we pay will be a huge source of stress. While Conor Pope is co-host of In The News, he’s also The Irish Times' Consumer Affairs Correspondent and editor of Pricewatch. In this episode he shares his tips and tricks for navigating the most expensive Christmas in years; everything from avoiding the pitfalls of the Black Friday sales to reframing your outlook on present-giving. Don’t start tapping that debit card until you’ve listened to this. Presented by Aideen Finnegan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What was agreed at Cop27 and will it make a difference to the climate crisis? Environment and Science editor Kevin O'Sullivan explains what happened at the two week summit which was held in Egypt earlier this month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“He is still fervently supported by a segment of the republican voter who is predominantly male, largely white and non-college educated.”The return of Donald Trump, as a potential presidential candidate, heralds the next big battle in American politics.While he has fallen out of favour with conservative Republicans in political circles, the 76 year-old is still supported by considerable numbers in his MAGA activist base.Though the starting gun has not been fired on the race for the Republican nomination, Trump’s closest rival appears to be Florida governor, Ron DeSantis. Trump has threatened to reveal damaging information on the 44 year-old, should he decide to challenge.Washington Correspondent, Martin Wall, speaks to In The News about the men’s bitter rivalry, the Republicans’ internal party struggle between traditional and far-right members and who the Democrats might field if Joe Biden decides he won’t contest the 2024 election. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When the RTE Documentary Blackrock Boys aired nearly two weeks ago, it sent shockwaves through the country. Detailing sexual abuse at the Dublin school, it has prompted even more abuse survivors to come forward with allegations against the Spiritan priests. With most of the alleged perpetrators now dead, attention is turning to how victims can get answers, justice, closure and healing. Religious Affairs Correspondent Patsy McGarry reports. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a 12 year lead-in time dogged by corruption scandal, human rights abuses and subversion of the football calendar, World Cup 2022 is finally about to get underway in Qatar. But can the Persian Gulf state overcome its critics and pull off a controversy-free tournament? How will authorities in the conservative muslim country react to boozy football fans and LGBTQ+ supporters? And the big question; who should Ireland support in the absence of cheering on the boys in green? Conor Pope is joined by football writer and broadcaster Ken Early, who is covering the World Cup for The Irish Times. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yesterday we learned of the death of Vicky Phelan, the outspoken campaigner whose own mishandled case led to reform of the cervical cancer detection system and a national conversation about the rights of patients in the health system. Simon Carswell and Jen Hogan talk to Aideen Finnegan about Vicky's story, her formidable legacy and her love for her family. Vicky Phelan is survived by husband Jim and her two children Amelia and Darragh. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In contrast with his son Daniel Kinahan, little has been known about the activities of Christy Kinahan snr, the founder of the Kinahan drug cartel. Irish Times reporters Colm Keena and Conor Lally have now discovered that, along with his partner and three young children, Mr Kinahan snr has been attempting to build a new life for himself in Africa. These efforts involved an attempt to establish himself there as a player in the humanitarian aviation sector through the purchase of airplanes from the Egyptian military. The new information about Mr Kinahan snr was revealed in an Irish Times investigation in conjunction with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ). Conor Lally and Colm Keena talk to Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In his new book Grace: President Obama and Ten Days in the Battle for America, speech writer Cody Keenan gives readers an intimate portrayal of life inside the White House during some of the most critical moments in American history. In this episode, he talks to Sorcha Pollak about those ten years spent working alongside one of the most important and recognised people on earth, the long days and nights spent crafting the former US president’s statements and the pressure, self-doubt and ultimate sense of accomplishment of holding “the best and the worst job in the West Wing”. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For years, the tech sector has been Ireland’s golden goose. Multi-national companies like Facebook and Google are worth billions of euro to the Irish economy every year. With job cuts and a freeze on hiring across the sector, are the good times coming to an end? Or at least stalling? Business and Technology journalist Ciara O’Brien and Economics Correspondent Eoin Burke Kennedy talk to Conor Pope about what is happening and how will Ireland cope in the face of a tech correction? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.