In The News

Red pill, normies and soyboys. The world of ‘masculinity influencers’ comes with its own jargon and those consuming the social media content become well-versed in speaking it.For the uninitiated, to be red pilled is an appropriated term from the film The Matrix, where the main character suddenly becomes alert to the world’s “truth”, while us normies and soyboys (the ignorant and emasculated) wander through life like sheeple.While absurd and almost comedic to many, there is a growing body of young men who internalise the message that feminism has disempowered them, men must be stoic, virile and violent- and that staying in school is a waste of time when they could pay for an online course of [insert “hustler” of choice here] and become a “high value male.”A new resource has been created to provide guidance to schools, teachers and parents on how to address the impact of online masculinity influencers on children and young people, particularly teenage boys, across Ireland.The 39-page guide has been created by Dr Darragh McCashin, Dr Catherine Baker, alongside Dr Fiona O’Rourke at The Observatory on Cyberbullying, Cyberhate & Online Harassment in the Anti-Bullying Centre at Dublin City University.It sets out how much of the social media content of the so-called “manosphere” promotes harmful ideologies that are not just damaging to women but also boys and young men, and crucially, how to counter the message.Presented by Aideen Finnegan. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Friday Diarmuid Phelan, a senior counsel and Trinity law professor, was acquitted of murdering a trespasser on his farm almost three years ago. Keith Conlon, a 35 year old father of four, had been planning to go badger-baiting on Phelan's Co. Dublin land when he was shot in the back of the head, and died two days later from his injuries. Neither of his associates, and witnesses to the shooting, took part in the subsequent trial. After ten weeks, the jury returned their verdict following seven hours of deliberation. Legal affairs correspondent Mary Carolan takes us through the evidence heard about that day in Feburary 2022, and explains what the jury had to consider.This episode contains strong language.Presented by Aideen Finnegan. Produced by Declan Conlon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For more than a decade, between 2012 and 2023, non-European millionaires could secure residency in Ireland by investing hundreds of thousands of euro into Irish business or public bodies.Most of the millionaires who availed of the Immigrant Investor Programme, or ‘golden visa’ scheme, came from China.In February 2023, the Government abruptly closed the scheme with only a day’s notice.Nearly two years on, the full list of names of companies, public bodies and charities, who received €1.25 billion through the programme, remains hidden in State files.Newly released documents now reveal Department of Justice officials warned of the need to guard against potentially “unlawful” and “unethical” practices when granting visas to millionaire immigrants through the scheme.Irish Times Current Affairs Editor Arthur Beasley, who has been investigating the now defunct scheme for more than two years, joins the podcast to discuss the latest revelations regarding this controversial residency scheme.Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode was originally published in September 2024.An Garda Siochana has a serious retention and recruitment problem.The Commissioner knows it, so does the Minister for Justice but despite public commitments to reach enrolment targets, ongoing recruitment campaigns and changes to admission criteria, efforts to increase the size of the force to the Government benchmark of 15,000 continue to falter.There are now fewer sworn Garda members than at the start of last year.Why? It’s a well-paying public service job, it offers career variety and progression and it offers the possibility of retiring with a full pension at 60 or even earlier.Crime and security editor Conor Lally tells In the News the many reasons why encouraging citizens to join up is an uphill battle and what it means for policing in the State.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey and Declan Conlon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode was originally published in October 2024 Anti-female genital mutilation advocates expected high-profile speakers at a packed Dublin conference – they found a small room in a hotel with 25 people and were left with large bills.Last February, the Cycle of Life Global Forum was billed as an international conference to help eradicate FGM. In exchange for large sums of money, attendees from as far away as Kenya and the US were expecting to hear from high-profile speakers such as Richard Branson, Denis O’Brien and Auma Obama.But what greeted them was far more underwhelming.The event was organised by Sean Collins-McCarthy, a self-described “Social Entrepreneur, Strategy Advisor, Filmmaker and Media Pioneer”.Irish Times journalist Olivia Kelly investigated and tells In the News what went on behind the scenes at Cycle of Life.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every year, the release of the State Papers reveals a treasure trove of opinions, views and attitudes all committed to paper by ministers, diplomats and officials who wrote safe in the knowledge that the documents wouldn’t be revealed to the public for 30 years.This year thousands of declassified documents are being released relating mostly to 1994. Irish Times journalists Mark Hennessy and Ronan McGreevy have spent a week reading through the files – from official memos to personal notes – in search of the stories, views and attitudes from 30 years ago that reveal a side to Irish officialdom previously under wraps.It was a pivotal year for politicians, the Catholic Church and Anglo-Irish affairs – and for Irish dancers when Riverdance debuted, the Irish football team at the world cup, for taoiseach Albert Reynolds who stood waiting – in vain – on the tarmac in Shannon Airport for an ‘unwell’ Russian president Boris Yeltsin to make an appearance, and so much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this episode, In the News presenters Bernice Harrison and Sorcha Pollak take a listen back - to pick the podcasts that covered the biggest news stories and explained the stories behind the headlines.There were elections in Ireland, and across the globe to be explained; the housing crisis covered in all the ways it impacts on society - and why solving it will be harder than the easy answers promised at election time; Irish Times foreign correspondents and guest experts reported on the US, Gaza, Syria and Ukraine; and the persistent and worsening issue of women being killed or sexually abused by their partners or family members was documented. The two part mini-series on the murder of 21-year-old Katie Simpson by Jonathan Cresswell in Derry told a powerful story of control and violence with themes that echoed in so many other stories.A podcast with court reporting on the Conor McGregor trial told a powerful story.And of course other hot topics featured, including Taylor Swift in Dublin, the price of Oasis tickets, and consumer issues ranging from trends in online shopping to the backlash against EVs.Presented by Bernice Harrison and Sorcha Pollak. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode was originally published in September 2024If you don't have young children in your life, you may be completely unaware of one of the world's biggest game platforms. Roblox is a digital playground where children can create block-like avatars, pay to accessorise them, use them to take part in role-playing games and talk to others. Therein lies the inherent danger. While it's mostly harmless fun, several terrifying cases of grooming, abuse, blackmail and even kidnapping have been highlighted in the US. In September, an Irish report found most primary school children who'd had upsetting experiences online had experienced them on YouTube or Roblox. Irish Times journalist Conor Capplis argues the platform is social media by stealth, and should be regulated as such to keep users safe.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode was originally published in September 2024A record 10,600 Irish people emigrated to Australia last year, according to the Central Statistics Office; the highest number since 2013. With its year-round sunshine, high wages and laid back lifestyle, it’s not hard to understand the attraction. Push factors in Ireland include the diminishing hopes of home ownership for many young people. But Australia’s economy is slowing down and property prices in Sydney are even higher than in Dublin. Irish Times columnist and returning emigrant, Brianna Parkins, outlines the Instagram V Reality of moving down under.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Carlo Acutis was just 15 when he died in 2006. British-born and living in Milan, the teenager became a devout Catholic and used his computer skills to develop a website detailing miracles. Just a few days after he launched his website, he fell ill and died.By 2013 he was on the way to sainthood having been named a “Servant of God”; in that same year a woman in Brazil claimed that praying to Acutis helped heal her son’s pancreatic illness. In 2020 Pope Francis authenticated the miracle and Acutis was beatified. Then, in 2024, a second miracle was recognised.The Pope approved Acutis’ canonisation in July, with an official ceremony set for 2025.Already relics of the “saint dressed in jeans, sneakers and a sweatshirt” are touring the world with a lock of his hair being stolen at this year’s National Ploughing Championships in Co Laois.Former Irish Times religious correspondent Patsy McGarry explains the path to sainthood and what the teenager’s elevation means.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One city in China produces 80 per cent of the world’s Christmas decorations.Yiwu International Trade City exports more than 20,000 types of Christmas products to more than 100 countries, with Europe and the Americas the most important markets for most producers. That’s a lot of plastic Christmas trees, wreaths, baubles, life-size elves, tinsel and flickering lights.When Irish Times Beijing correspondent Denis Staunton visited, he found manufacturers with a clear idea of just what westerners want and the emerging trends – there’s a new trend towards pastel coloured decorations, including trees.He tells In the News that although Communist Party members are forbidden from practising religion, Christian churches are allowed to operate under the supervision of the authorities. But some state schools have recently been discouraging children from marking western holidays such as Halloween and Christmas, urging them to celebrate Chinese traditions instead.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A French court on Thursday found Dominique Pelicot guilty and sentenced him to 20 years in prison for repeatedly drugging and raping his ex-wife Gisèle Pelicot over a nine-year period from 2011 and inviting dozens of men to rape her unconscious body in their home.The retired electrician and former estate agent was also found guilty of making sexual images of his daughter Caroline and the wives of his sons.The five judges also found the 50 other men on trial guilty. Some of their sentences were lower than those that had been suggested by the state prosecutor.In an act of immense bravery Gisèle waived her right to anonymity so that Dominique and the names of the 50 men accused of raping her could be made public.The case has gripped France, prompting discussion on misogyny, sexual abuse and the country’s laws around rape and it has made Gisèle a national hero, particularly among the thousands of women who turned up each day to the court to support her.Laura Gozzi was in court in Avignon every day reporting for the BBC and she tells In the News about the case and how the details unfolded in the court.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan.If you have been affected by sexual violence, you can contact the 24-hour Rape Crisis Centre helpline at 1800 778888 for free, confidential and non-judgemental support Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Tuesday, gardaí and emergency services found the body of Anthony Maguire (36) in his Drogheda home, six days after he was arrested in connection with the disappearance of Kyran Durnin. He is believed to have had access to Kyran in the period before the last confirmed sighting of the boy as a six-year-old in the summer of 2022. He was a close associate of another suspect in the case. Gardaí had also been looking into whether he was involved in the presentation of a different child to Túsla, in an attempt to pass that boy as Kyran Durnin. Maguire's death is being treated as a suicide. Now as Conor Lally, Irish Times crime and security editor, explains Gardaí investigating the suspected murder of Kyran are working to determine if Maguire left behind any vital information on the disappearance of the child.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan and Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Israel’s move to close its embassy in Ireland means the diplomatic rift between our two countries is wider than ever, with potentially big implications for Ireland.Israel has called Taoiseach Simon Harris, as well as the entire country, anti-Semitic. He, however is holding firm, and insists Ireland will not end its criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza.President Michael D Higgins has also responded, saying it is “deep slander” to accuse the Irish people of being anti-Semitic because of criticisms of the Israeli government.Israel’s Ambassador to Ireland Dana Erlich has been at the forefront of her country’s criticism of Ireland and she spoke to Irish Times political editor Pat Leahy, who tells In the News what’s behind Israel’s move, why now – and how damaging it is – potentially – for Ireland.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Irish Times international correspondent Sally Hayden is the only journalist from any Irish media outlet to witness, first-hand, the dramatic scenes that have unfolded in Syria, in the days following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad. Hayden has spoken to ordinary citizens as well as members of the rebel alliance responsible for toppling the dictator on the 8th of December. The award-winning author has also visited the notorious Sednaya prison - dubbed 'the human slaughterhouse' - where she met families desperately searching for information on loved ones who were disappeared by Assad's secret police during his 24-year reign.Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Another report, another disturbing finding about governance at one of Ireland’s best known, and well-funded charities, the Peter McVerry Trust.Between 2022 and 2023, the charity paid near €1.7m to Lavelle Solicitors, whose managing partner Michael Lavelle is a brother of McVerry director Richard Lavelle.The finding is contained in a report from the Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority (AHBRA), the supervisor of not-for-profit groups that receive public funds to provide affordable housing.Since 2023 when it was revealed that the charity – which provides essential services to the growing number of homeless people in the State – needed a €15m bailout, it has been subjected to heightened scrutiny. In addition to the AHBRA, the Comptroller & Auditor General and the Charities Commission have been asking questions. The answers when published have, since 2023, pointed to lax financial controls and poor board oversight.The findings have caused significant reputational damage to the organisation and runs significant risk of spilling over to the entire charity sector, impacting on much-needed fundraising.Current affairs editor Arthur Beesley has been following this unfolding story.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Irish house prices are overvalued by up to 10 per cent, the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has warned, adding that an increasing number of households are carrying “elevated” levels of mortgage debt. That's not a large percentage when compared to the Celtic Tiger property bubble - so why is the think-tank cautioning it could still mean a 'painful correction'? Economics correspondent, Eoin Burke-Kennedy, explains why loan-to-income rates are creeping upwards, why house prices could come down but remain out of the reach of the average earner, and which global trends are preventing a price drop here.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Wednesday, December 4th, Brian Thompson (50), the UnitedHealthcare chief executive was murdered in cold blood outside a hotel in Manhattan.The manhunt to find his killer ended on Monday when the chief suspect, 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, was arrested as he sat in a McDonald’s in a railroad town in Pennsylvania. He has been charged with murder.From the moment the CCTV of the shooting went viral, the police investigation began but so too did an onslaught of social media commentary: from amateur sleuths joining the manhunt; from infatuated posters who had become Mangione fans; and a deluge of online comments and memes either sarcastically or explicitly calling out the greed of private healthcare companies.Now that a suspect has been caught says Irish Times Washington correspondent Keith Duggan, the intense fascination has shifted from “who?” to “why?”.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lara Marlowe met Bashar al-Assad twice during his early years as president of Syria. The writer and journalist also interviewed the dictator's father, Hafez, who seized power in the 1970s and groomed Bashar to assume the presidency before his death in 2000. The regime collapsed on the 7th of December after 13 years of civil war, which claimed the lives of at last 560,000 Syrians and made refugees of six million more. Marlowe recounts her interactions with the totalitarian rulers, profiles the dynasty which includes Bashar's British-born wife, Asma, and explains why the their tyrannical regime crumbled so quickly and breathtakingly at the weekend. Prresented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Four years ago, Sinn Féin changed the landscape of Irish politics by securing the highest share of first preference votes in the 2020 general election and breaking Ireland’s two-party system.The question among many voters in those weeks before the pandemic hit was not if Mary Lou McDonald would become taoiseach of this country, but when.Jump forward four years, and the party has emerged from the 2024 general election with 39 seats, just two more than its 2020 haul. Sinn Féin TDs are now facing up to five more years on the Opposition benches, with disappointment and dismay palpable at different levels across the party.What went wrong for Sinn Féin in the 2024 election, how can they turn things around and what does this all mean for Mary Lou McDonald’s future at the party’s helm?Today, on In the News, after a year of disappointment, what’s next for Sinn Féin and its leader Mary Lou McDonald?Irish Times political correspondent Jennifer Bray discusses what lies ahead for the party.Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Declan Conlon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Veteran republican Marian Price has initiated legal action against streaming giant Disney+ over the TV series Say Nothing, based on a book of the same name by Patrick Radden Keefe, which her lawyers say depicted her as being involved in the murder of Belfast woman Jean McConville.Lawyers for Price, who was jailed for her part in the IRA’s London bombing campaign of 1973, said the allegation was “not based on a single iota of evidence”.On today's podcast we replay an interview with Patrick Radden Keefe, recorded when Say Nothing was published in 2018.Radden Keefe explains how he reached his conclusion that Marian Price was centrally involved in McConville's killing, along with her sister Dolours Price. The Disney dramatisation of Say Nothing has brought the stories of the Price sisters and Jean McConville to a new global audience. "Such allegations published on an international scale are not only unjustified, but they are odious insofar as they seek to cause our client immeasurable harm in exchange for greater streaming success. Our client has now been forced to initiate legal proceedings to hold Disney to account for their actions", Prices lawyers said. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When a taxi driver told Irish Times economics correspondent Eoin Burke-Kennedy that there was a ghost train station under Terminal 1 in Dublin Airport he was intrigued. The architects who designed the terminal in the late 1960s were smart enough to future-proof it – to incorporate into their plan a vast underground train station because, surely it wouldn’t be long before a metro would connect the airport with the city centre. Their thinking was right – but they didn’t reckon with Ireland’s sluggish planning system and an endemic failure to plan and build. Area 14 is a metaphor for so much that is wrong with Ireland’s approach to key infrastructure projects, from housing to energy supply, transport to health.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

South Korea’s unpopular President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law late on Tuesday in a move that surprised citizens and parliamentarians.His attempt to ban political activity and censor the media saw armed troops force their way into the National Assembly in Seoul.The martial law order was lifted just six hours later and there is now a move to impeach Yoon if he doesn’t resign.But what does this political crisis in Asia’s fourth largest economy mean for the region?What were Yoon’s reasons for the shock declaration and how was it foiled? And what was the international reaction – particularly in Washington – to the move?Irish Times Beijing correspondent explains.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joe Biden has granted his son Hunter Biden a full and unconditional pardon following his criminal conviction on tax and gun charges. The US president's only surviving son was due to be sentenced this month. The 82 year-old had repeatedly stated he would neither interfere in the judicial process nor use his presidential power to pardon him. So why the u-turn and what will the fallout before Democrats and Republicans alike? Our Washington correspondent, Keith Duggan explains.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week, Mayo farmer Padraig Nally, the man who was jailed for less than a year for the manslaughter of an intruder in his home near Lough Corrib in 2004, died. He was 81 years of age.Two decades ago, his shooting of John ‘Frog’ Ward became one of the most divisive murder cases in Ireland. Nally was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment for the manslaughter of Ward. However, his conviction was quashed in a retrial when he was found not guilty of manslaughter.It was a case that divided opinion across the country. Nally argued self-defence, saying “there was only one way out of it: it had to be him, or it had to be me”.What exactly happened in November 2004, why was Nally’s initial conviction quashed and why are people still speaking about this case 20 years later?Mick Clifford, special correspondent with The Irish Examiner who covered Nally’s case at the time joins the podcast.Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The count continues with seats in several constituencies throughout the country still to be filled. As it stands, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are in pole position to form the next government. The Greens have suffered a near wipeout, retaining just one seat; while Social Democrats and Labour have outperformed expectations.In today’s episode we’re bringing you coverage from our colleagues over on the Election Daily podcast – Hugh Linehan and the Inside Politics team – who have spent the weekend watching Ireland’s political future take shape.Produced by Declan Conlon and Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Angela Merkel's eagerly anticipated memoir lifts the lid on parts of her childhood, her private meetings with world leaders and what she thought of Ireland and the bailout. But only partially. In fact, for those who are wondering what her personal reflections are on some of the most consequential decisions she ever made, they're likely to be left as disappointed as Irish Times Berlin correspondent Derek Scally. He's read Merkel's autobiography so you don't have to, sharing the most interesting episodes of her life and analysing how her legacy looks now in the cold light of 2024.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the early hours of Wednesday morning, a ceasefire between Israel and Hizbullah came into effect. The deal was announced the day before with US President Joe Biden saying he hoped it would mean a "permanent cessation of hostilities". But what does the truce actually entail? And with both sides launching attacks right up until the ceasefire deadline, is the will there to keep the peace?Irish Times journalist Sally Hayden reports from Beirut.Presented by Bernice Harrison.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The cost of living is repeatedly mentioned as one of the main issues to the forefront of voters' minds in the run up to the General Election. In the US, president-elect Donald Trump made the economy one of the pillars of his campaign, regularly promising to "make America affordable again." But the reason for price spikes across the industrialised world are complex. So how realistic is it that any political party here could bring down the cost of living? And how can you tell what's within the next government's gift and what is just populist rhetoric. Irish Times writer on economics, Cliff Taylor, explains the factors at play and how to gauge whether party pledges could actually work.Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Twenty years ago, autism in Ireland was still seen as a relatively rare condition. Studies at the time suggested around seven in 10,000 schoolchildren were being diagnosed as autistic.Today, research suggests as many as one in 20 schoolchildren may have autism or a similar developmental issue.So, why are so many more children being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders compared with two decades ago?Is the State equipped to meet the growing demand for specialised health and education services?And what are the long-term implications for children, who don’t get the support and care that they need?Presented by Sorcha Pollak, produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Irish branch of the Church of Scientology has been going into an international protection asylum centre in Dublin and recruiting the refugees living there for all types of work, from cleaning parks to handing out anti-drug leaflets on the streets of the capital.The men are not paid, instead they are given a “certificate” which they are told will help them in their asylum applications.Many of the people strolling though Dublin who take a leaflet off one of these men will not be aware that it originates in the Church of Scientology.Irish Times reporters Sorcha Pollak and Conor Gallagher investigated this practice and they talked to some of the vulnerable men who felt taken in by the scheme. They explain to In the News.And why is Scientology – a very wealthy organisation with a tiny membership in Ireland – operating in this way?Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nikita Hand has won her civil case against MMA fighter Conor McGregor. The 35 year-old Dublin woman alleged he raped her in the penthouse suite of The Beacon Hotel in December 2018. The jury, believing her account of assault, found in her favour; returning a verdict yesterday evening after six hours of deliberations. McGregor has been ordered to pay Ms. Hand almost €250,000 in damages. But why has the UFC fighter not been found guilty of rape? How has Ms. Hand successfully sued him in the High Court? And what did the jury hear to persuade them she was the one telling the truth. Frank Greaney is courts correspondent for the Bauer Media group, which owns radio stations including Newstalk and TodayFM. He explains how Nikita Hand faced down McGregor at great personal cost. Please be advised this episode contains details of sexual assault, which some listeners may find distressing.Produced and presented by Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump's choices for the top roles in his administration include TV doctor Mehmet Oz, former WWE exec Linda McMahon, Kristi Noem the South Dakota governor who shot the family dog and pet goat. And billionaire businessman, Howard Lutnick, who thinks the presence of multinationals in Ireland is a barrier to 'making America great again.' Norman Ornstein is a political scientist and resident scholar at the conservative-leaning think tank, the American Enterprise Institute. In 2015, he predicted the rise of Donald Trump. He outlines the most eyebrow-raising of the US president's cabinet nominees and explains why Ireland has a legitimate reason to fear for its economic future.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's been one year since anti-immigration protests spiralled into full-scale rioting on the streets of Dublin. The issue has dominated the headlines this year, forcing political parties to take a clear position on how they would deal with the rise in international applicants coming here. That said, the issue hasn't eclipsed housing, health and the cost-of-living on the doorsteps in this General Election campaign. So what exactly are the various parties promising on immigration, which is the most hardline and do those actively campaigning on an anti-immigrant platform have a better chance winning a Dáil seat? Irish Times political correspondent Jack Horgan Jones compares the various party manifestos and analyses the chances of any far right voices succeeding.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fine Gael is doubling down on its support for a General Election candidate who was filmed punching a man in the head. John McGahon was 28 years-old and a Fine Gael councillor, at the time of the altercation outside a pub in Dundalk six years ago. Now he’s running for a seat in the Dáil – which Taoiseach Simon Harris defended on Monday night’s Leaders Debate. But questions remain about how McGahon was nominated for the party ticket, amid accusations of double standards from the opposition. Irish Times political correspondent Harry McGee has the latest. Presented by Sorcha Polllak. Produced by Suzanne Brennan and Aideen Finnegan.    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In April 2015, William Maughan and his pregnant girlfriend Anastasija Varslavane disappeared without a trace. Noone has ever been charged in connection to their murder, but this week a new development is bringing fresh hope to the victim’s families.Irish Times crime and security editor Conor Lally has the latest.  Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On October 6th, 2020 in a school outside Paris, teacher Samuel Paty gave a lesson on freedom of speech – the same lesson he had given several times before which involved showing drawings of the prophet Muhammad – to a class of teenagers.He was later beheaded outside the school in a savage attack that shocked France. The assailant Abdoullakh Anzorov, the young man of Chechen origin who wielded the knife, is dead – shot by police in the minutes after his attack.The next day one of his pupils – the 13-year-old girl – was asked by her father why she was not going to school. She told him she had been disciplined because she dared to stand up to Paty when he told Muslims to leave the class so he could show a naked picture of the prophet. It was all a lie; she was not even in school that day.Believing her, her father took to social media to condemn Paty and the story grew online.On trial are two men accused of identifying Paty as a “blasphemer” over the Internet, two friends of Anzorov who allegedly gave him logistical help, and four others who offered support on chatlines.As BBC correspondent in Paris, Hugh Schofield explains to In the News that the trial is less about the murder itself, and more about the circumstances that led to it.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President-elect Donald Trump has confirmed that Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, will co-lead a newly-created Department of Government Efficiency, with a mission to slash spending by $2 trillion. It hasn’t gone unnoticed that its acronym is DOGE, the cryptocurrency favoured by the tech billionaire. It’s one of a raft of nominations this week, with Dalkey woman Gail Slater, who worked behind the scenes in the campaign, set for a top government role. Irish Times reporter Laura Slattery traces her path to power and analyses Musk's move to The White House. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Postmortem sperm retrieval is a procedure whereby the sperm of dead men is extracted in the hours following their death and stored for potential future use. The practise is banned in many countries while regulated in others. Usually, the gametes are used by the spouse of the dead partner to posthumously conceive a child. But in Israel, it's increasingly being used by parents of Israeli Defence Force soldiers who have died in war in Gaza, with the hope of creating grandchildren. Journalist, author and broadcaster Jenny Kleeman has travelled to Israel for the Financial Times to speak to those involved in the controversial procedure, and explores the contested ethical ground underpinning PMSR.Produced by Aideen Finnegan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the 9th of November 1995, Josephine "Jo Jo" Dullard disappeared on her way home from a night out and was never seen again.  The Kilkenny woman's disappearance was initially treated as a missing persons case, but it was later upgraded to a murder investigation in 2020.On Monday, a 55 year-old man, who is a member of a well-known family in the Kildare-Wicklow region, was arrested by Gardaí and taken in for questioning on suspicion of murder. He was later released without charge. In conjunction with the arrest, Gardaí are also conducting an open ground search in the east of the country. Up until this week, no arrests have ever been made in relation to the case.On today's episode, Irish Times crime and security correspondent Conor Lally paints a picture of Dullard's last known movements and explains how this Garda operation marks a major development in this 29 year-old cold case.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After weeks of speculation, Dublin criminal Gerry Hutch has confirmed he will run in the upcoming general election.The 61-year-old, who was arrested in Lanzarote last month on suspicion of money laundering, was granted bail by the Spanish High Court last week to permit him to run in the election and released on a bond of €100,000.Mr Hutch, who is also known as The Monk, is hoping to take one of the four seats up for grabs in the Dublin Central constituency, where Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald is also seeking re-election. However, arriving back into Dublin airport on Monday morning, Hutch refused to share any details of his election manifesto or comment on which policies his campaign will focus on. In this episode, Irish Times crime correspondent Conor Gallagher discusses what Hutch's campaign might look like, his chances of winning a seat and why he has set his sights on political office. Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rocky Elsom was a fearsome competitor on the rugby pitch, capable of winning matches almost single-handedly with his dominance in attack and defence.Ireland and Leinster great Brian O’Driscoll called the Australian “the best player I have ever played with”.But last month Elsom was handed a five-year sentence having being found guilty of forgery and embezzlement by a French court, in absentia. He had been living in Dublin, coaching rugby at a private school but now his whereabouts is unknown and there’s an international arrest warrant out for him.But that hasn’t stopped him using media interviews to make his case and attempt to clear his name.Irish Times sports writer John O’Sullivan has been following his career from the highs on the pitch to this fall from grace.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After months of speculation Taoiseach Simon Harris finally announced that the general election will take place on November 29th. Later today he will travel to the Áras to ask the president to dissolve the Dáil. Once that happens, it’s every party for themselves with the Coalition partners, Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and the Greens fighting it out in the constituencies. But what are the key issues? Will immigration be a hot button topic after housing and health? And what about the far-right, particularly those candidates who emerged during this year’s local elections who might now set their sights on the Dáil? And will the parties be looking to the US for tips on campaign strategies? Irish Times political editor Pat Leahy tees up what will be a busy three weeks of electioneering.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump is an unpredictable and chaotic leader so what does his second term as US presidency herald? An interruption in trade between Ireland and the US could cost jobs and a loss to the exchequer. His apathy towards Ukraine could result in a new European border. And his climate denial may stymie attempts to limit global warming. Five Irish Times journalists explain key election promises made by Trump over the course of his campaign, and what they might look like if the 78 year-old follows through with them.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan, Declan Conlon and Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Monday, Israel formally notified the United Nations of its intention to sever all ties with the UN relief agency for Palestinian refugees (Unrwa).It follows the Israeli parliament’s vote last week to ban Unrwa from operating in Isael and Palestinian territories and prohibiting all Israeli state contact with the agency.The ban is not set to take effect for another three months but Israel has already contacted the UN secretary general officially withdrawing itself from a 1967 co-operation agreement with Unrwa.What are the implications of this ban, both immediate and long-term?Can Unrwa staff continue to carry out their work without co-operation from Israeli authorities and if not, can other agencies really fill the gap that UNRWA would leave behind?John Whyte, Unrwa’s head of projects who is currently based in Gaza, joins In The News, to discuss the consequences of this ban on the Palestinian people, and whether the agency can continue to operate without Israeli co-operation.Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US presidential election day has arrived and the counting of votes will being tonight. With the race a dead heat according to polls, the results will be a fascinating conclusion to an eventful, high-stakes contest.But the coming days could take a dark turn if former president Donald Trump decides to once again refuse to accept the results should they favour vice president Kamala Harris.So, what should Irish audiences expect from election night? When will things really start to happen and where are the best places to watch? Irish Times journalist and Inside Politics podcast host Hugh Linehan gives his advice for following the 2024 US election results.Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Declan Conlon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the morning of August 31st, 2018, award-winning film producer Trevor Birney was arrested at his home in Belfast while the PSNI searched the house as his bewildered family looked on.They were searching, they said, for documents used in his powerful documentary, No Stone Unturned, that examined the 1994 Loughinisland massacre when the UVF shot six men dead as they watched the Ireland v Italy football match in a village bar.That film unmasked in unflinching detail the collusion between the security forces in Northern Ireland and loyalist paramilitaries and it’s a controversial subject Birney has returned to in this new book, Shooting Crows.The book’s title refers to the comments of the judge granting the warrant to raid Birney’s home, who worried that it was an exercise in scaring off other journalists.It set Birney on a path to prove historic and ongoing attempts by British authorities to silence journalists, film-makers, lawyers and activists in the North and to uncover surveillance and bugging operations.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon and John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More than a year’s worth of rain fell in southern Spain in barely eight hours on Tuesday.It caused devastation. By Thursday the death toll had reached 155 with an unconfirmed number of people still thought to be missing.Valencia appears to be the worst hit city; the images of cars piled up on narrow residential streets and videos of torrents of muddy water sweeping away all before it were unprecedented scenes in the European city. People of all ages died when they were trapped in their cars or homes or simply swept away by the sheer force of the water.Valencia has experienced significant rain events in the past particularly in autumn – but nothing like this. It’s to do with the DANA weather phenomenon whereby, at its most basic, cold and warm air meet and produce powerful rain clouds. The intensity of such rainfall events appears to be increasing due to climate change and rising global temperatures.As Guy Hedgcoe explains from Madrid that in the calm after the chaos of the flood, citizens in the region are questioning if the authorities could have done more. And who will pay for the clean up in what insurance analysts in Spain have predicted that the floods will mark the most expensive natural disaster to ever hit the country.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan and Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Earlier this year, The Irish Times gained access to the bankruptcy files of Derek Quinlan, one of the most prolific Irish property investors of the Celtic Tiger period, who lost his fortune in the 2008-09 crash.Quinlan ended up with €3.5 billion euro of debts, making him the biggest debtor to Nama – the State agency set up after the crash to save the banking system.This major Irish Times investigation reveals how Quinlan still owes Irish taxpayers €403 million and why he was blocked from exiting bankruptcy last year.Who exactly is Derek Quinlan and how did he amass so much debt? What do court documents tell us about his lifestyle and current finances, and will his stint in bankruptcy finally end next month?Today, on In the News, London Correspondent Mark Paul delves into the life and finances of Derek Quinlan.Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Declan Conlon and Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week, the Government rushed through a number of priority Bills in a scramble to clear the decks before the next general election.Five Bills were considered and passed, all in under six hours, a process that normally takes weeks.But, are there any risks involved in rushing these Bills so quickly through the Dáil? And, what happens to the pieces of legislation, such as the Defamation or Mental Health Bills, which are not expected to be passed before the election?Meanwhile, opposition TDs are continuing to call for the Occupied Territories Bill, which would ban trade between Ireland and Israel’s illegal settlements in Occupied Palestinian Territories, to be passed without delay. Can that happen before the end of November?Today, on In the News, how the Government is rushing to pass new laws before its term ends. Irish Times political editor Pat Leahy examines the implications of fast-tracking Bills through the Oireachtas.Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Suzanne Brennan and Declan Conlon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.