In The News

Beijing correspondent Denis Staunton on why China sees Ireland as a potential friend at at time when other Western countries are growing increasingly wary of the Asian superpower. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The podcast discusses the main concerns surrounding immigration, including security fears, resource scarcity, lack of government consultation, and suitability of accommodation sites. It emphasizes the need for an honest national conversation and highlights how racism is deeply embedded in Western societies. The lack of action from politicians in addressing immigration issues is also addressed. The podcast explores the rising importance of immigration in Irish politics and the challenges faced by politicians in countering claims about scarcity and underinvestment.

Last week, Israeli authorities alleged that some employees of UNRWA, the Relief Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, were involved in the October 7th Hamas attacks.In response, several countries pulled their funding for the UN agency, jeopardising the delivery of vital humanitarian aid to the desperate citizens of Gaza.UNRWA, which was founded in 1949 and employs more than 30,000 people, works with Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the West Bank and other Middle Eastern countries such as Lebanon and Syria. So what will be the impact of these financial cuts for Palestinians on the ground?Mark Weiss in Jerusalem talks to Sorcha Pollak about UNWRA, hostage negotiations and the risk of a wider war. Produced by Suzanne Brennan and Declan Conlon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan and Coventry City midfielder Kasey Palmer both paused their respective games last Saturday after they were subjected to racist gestures and shouts from the stands. Maignan and his team walked off the pitched before coming back and resuming the match. Football’s racism problem was again in the headlines.In what seemed like a hardline solution, Gianni Infantino, the head of Fifa, the sports governing body, called for match forfeits after racist incidents.Sports writer and Second Captains podcaster and Irish Times soccer columnist Ken Early explains why this idea is simply unworkable, for reasons that extend beyond the stands. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Toy Show: the musical lost €2.2m – that much was well known before Grant Thornton delivered its report on RTÉ’s 2022 ill-advised foray into live theatre. What was not known until now was precisely how the RTÉ board allowed the broadcaster to risk public money on such a gamble. Irish Times journalist Jack Power explains the sequence of events as revealed in the lengthy report, while culture columnist Hugh Linehan assesses its findings and whether it is now time for those still on the RTÉ board who failed in their duties to take responsibility. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The case against actor Alec Baldwin in the death by gunshot of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on a film set in 2021 collapsed. But why has he been indicted again - same charge, same tragic event? New York Times reporter Julia Jacobs teases out the legal issues and explores what might happen next for the actor.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On March 8th, voters will be asked to change the Constitution in two referendums: one concerns care and the removal of the reference to the role of women in the home; while the other seeks to expand the concept of the family.Irish Times political correspondent Jennifer Bray gives a quick, clear explainer on what it all means and why now. Why, after been kicked to touch by several governments, the controversial clauses from another era are finally being addressed.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon and John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Sunday, Ian Bailey, the prime suspect in the 1996 murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier, died in West Cork from a suspected heart attack.Despite decades of accusations and legal battles, Bailey maintained his innocence and was never charged for the murder of the French filmmaker.But the family of Toscan du Plantier have always believed he did it - and never stopped pushing for the State to prosecute him.Gardaí now say a cold case review of the investigation into the death of Toscan du Plantier will continue. But why are the authorities continuing this expensive and time-consuming investigation now that the prime suspect is dead?Could new evidence and modern technology finally help crack this case? And what resolution, if any, is possible?Sorcha Pollak speaks with Irish Times Southern Correspondent Barry Roche, who has been covering the case since the late 1990s.Produced by Declan Conlon and Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Landlord Marc Godart is being taken to court by Dublin City Council for allegedly breaking planning laws and breaching fire safety regulations in the running of his rental property empire. Former tenants and a former employee of Mr Godart spoke to The Irish Times' Naomi O'Leary about what they say were negative experiences with the controversial landlord. Plus: Colm Keena on Mr Godart's day in court. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s no secret that Cork GAA is in a financial hole. Rebuilding Páirc Uí Chaoimh went way over budget with a final cost – for the amateur organisation – topping €100 million. Little wonder it is casting around for sources of revenue. Selling the naming rights to the stadium seemed the most straightforward way to bring in much-needed cash – until it wasn’t. As soon as it leaked at the start of the week that the county board was considering doing a deal with supermarket chain SuperValu to change the name of the 45,000 seater stadium to SuperValu Páirc controversy raged. Tánaiste Micheál’s Martin’s tweet likely stalled the move: he reminded the county board in advance of its Tuesday meeting to ratify the deal, that “Pádraig Uí Chaoimh was a key figure in the formation of the GAA at club and national level. Govt allocated €30m towards the development of the stadium and never sought naming rights”. The names of GAA stadiums throughout the country have been changed to reflect commercial sponsorship deals, but as Irish Times sportswriter Malachy Clerkin explains, this is different and is just one symptom of the many problems in Cork GAA. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon and John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.