In The News

Robert F Kennedy jnr is on the campaign trail, attempting to get on the ballot for the US presidential election.A scion of the Kennedy political dynasty, he had hoped to challenge Joe Biden for the Democratic nomination but when that hope faded, he announced he would continue as an independent candidate.The long-time environmental lawyer is the son of the former US attorney general and senator Robert F Kennedy, and a nephew of president John F Kennedy. He’s also a controversial figure not least for his anti-vaccine activism.Dr Pippa Malmgren, former economic adviser to president George W Bush explains how RFK jnr could shake up the presidential race and tells why Americans who don’t want either Donald Trump or Biden just might be persuaded to vote for him.Last week he announced his running mate and Irish Times Washington correspondent Keith Duggan explains why he chose California lawyer Nicole Shanahan, ex-wife of Google co-founder Sergei Brin.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on In the News we bring you an excerpt from another episode of our sister podcast, Inside Politics. Pat Leahy and Jennifer Bray joined host Hugh Linehan to talk about Simon Harris's appointment as Taoiseach and the details of his minimal Cabinet reshuffle. Did he go far enough to satisfy Fine Gaelers or voters looking for change? But first, they discuss the news that the reconstituted Government's first act will be to recognise the statehood of Palestine. You can listen to the full episode on the Inside Politics podcast feed or on irishtimes.com. New episodes of Inside Politics are available each Wednesday and Friday wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Tuesday, Simon Harris will be officially voted into office by TDs in Dáil Éireann and become the new Taoiseach.Harris, who is the youngest ever Taoiseach at 37, will then reveal his Cabinet reshuffle, by which he hopes to signal a fresh start for the Government and for the Fine Gael party.But can the Wicklow TD turn youthful enthusiasm into meaningful action? And how will he decide bring on his Cabinet picks?We ask Political Editor Pat Leahy about what we've learned about Harris since he took over as Fine Gael leader and the challenges that lie ahead for Ireland’s new Taoiseach. Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Declan Conlon and Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nearly three years have passed since Irish schools started reopening in March 2021 and children began returning to the educational environment that was abruptly erased from their lives the previous year.In the months that followed children and teens, who had spent months locked in their homes keeping up with classes through Zoom lessons, began reacclimatising to the social environment of a busy classroom. For most, this was relief. But for a small but significant cohort, returning to school was not desirable or, in some cases, even possible.Three years on, school absenteeism is on the rise, with reports that school refusal and school phobia have become a big issue for principals and school staff across the country.Tusla has warned that “unexplained” school absences have quadrupled, raising concerns that thousands of young people are missing out on an education.In the most extreme cases, there are serious health issues at play. But there are a whole host of other reasons why other children refuse to leave their homes in the morning and attend classes.Irish Times health editor Carl O’Brien joins In The News podcast to discuss the rise of school phobia among Irish children, while Kerry Grantham shares the story of her son James – the once “happy-go-lucky” child who became “gripped with terror” shortly after starting secondary school in 2021.Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From stately townhouses to cinema screens and Turkish baths, Grafton Street has had a fascinating and varied history. But how did it evolve to become the premium retail street that it is today? And who now owns the ornate buildings that house some of our favourite shops and meeting spots? Dublin Editor Olivia Kelly and reporter Colm Keena take us on a fascinating virtual walk down Dublin's most salubrious thoroughfare, with a look at some of our best known landmarks.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Aideen Finnegan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Libya, former members of the Irish Defence Forces, including men who served in the elite Army Rangers Wing have been providing training for a militia headed up Libyan strongman, Khalifa Haftar.It’s a lucrative business for the company called Irish Training Solutions but the work is an apparent breach of a United Nations arms embargo imposed on the volatile African country.Naomi O’Leary broke the story in the Irish Times on Wednesday and the official response was swift. Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Micheál Martin called the revelations “deeply shocking”, saying that they cause “reputational damage to Ireland and our Defence Forces”.O’Leary tells In the News about the sort of military training being provided by these former Irish soldiers, who is behind Irish Training Solutions, how much money is involved and, with providing military training in Libya specifically prohibited by the UN, what it means for the reputation of the Irish Defence Forces.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan and Declan Conlon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Monday, suspected Israeli war planes bombed the Iranian consulate in Syria’s capital city of Damascus, marking a major escalation in Israel’s war in the Middle East. At least 11 people – including a senior Iranian commander – were killed in the attack which Iran’s foreign minister said was “a breach of all international conventions”. The Biden administration continues to urge restraint, while at the same time it is close to approving a major new weapons sale to Israel worth more than $18 billion (€16.7 billion). So how does this attack fit in to the long-running proxy war between Israel and Iran, now driven by the violence in Gaza? Security advisor, Duncan Bullivant, explains the implications at a time of dramatic rising tensions.Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Suzanne Brennan and Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When he was elected president last November, Javier Milei promised to fix Argentina's ailing economy and divided society with radical reforms. How is that going? Irish Times contributor Tom Hennigan returns with an update on how the controversial leader is having a big impact on Argentina, yet still struggling to find the political support to implement his vision. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode was first published in January 2024. A door that blew off a Boeing 737 Max shortly after take-off was not properly secured after maintenance to the aircraft, an investigation has found.This is just the latest in a list of very public crises for the airline behemoth that is still dealing with the fallout from 2018 and 2019 when two of its planes crashed, killing 346 people.Through a mixture of whistleblower information and dogged investigative journalism, Seattle-based Irish journalist Dominic Gates has reported on Boeing’s ongoing difficulties.In 2020 he won a Pulitzer Prize for his work on Boeing for The Seattle Times.He tells In the News what the latest findings mean for company and for passengers. Presented Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How much is enough sleep? What is the best time to go to bed? What counts as a good night’s sleep?Is there any point in taking a nap and how long should it be? How do you know if your poor sleeping patterns have tipped over into insomnia? And is good sleep hygiene the secret to falling asleep?Anne Marie Boyhan left her corporate job to study to become a sleep consultant after years of trying to find solutions to her own sleeping difficulties.She founded the Sleep Care Company and she tells In the News that her clients come from all walks of life with a range of sleep issues. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.