Podcasts about The Irish Times

Joining Shane Beatty to go through the main stories from the Saturday papers is Jack Horgan-Jones, Political Correspondent with the Irish Times & Aisling Moloney, Newstalk Reporter.

The issue of the childrens science museum has dragged on for two decades now and both its backers and the OPW were at the Public Accounts Committee yesterday. For more on this Martin Wall, Public Affairs correspondent with the Irish Times.

The Jeffrey Epstein files reveal the convicted child sex offender was fascinated by magicians, and detail a years-long relationship between Epstein and David Blaine as well as an FBI investigation into alleged sexual misconduct by David Copperfield.Since the files were released by the US department of justice two weeks ago, Irish Times journalist Naomi O'Leary has been combing through the documents.It is not, she says, an easy cache to navigate, with a clunky search function and opaque filing system.However she has been able to find multiple emails which reveal a relationship between Epstein and several famous magicians including Blaine and Copperfield – after the disgraced financier had been convicted and served prison time for soliciting sex with children.O'Leary came into studio to detail her experience of searching the consistently disturbing files – so big that only a fraction of them have been excavated by journalists worldwide. She explains how sex trafficker Epstein, collector of powerful people and expert at developing transactional relationships with them, had a weird fascination with magicians.Being mentioned in the Epstein files is not an indication of wrongdoing.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan and Andrew McNair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today's episode, we're covering a topic that isn't often spoken about, but is estimated to affect around one in four families: family estrangement. It's a subject that writer and Irish Times contributor Laura Kennedy wrote about recently in her Substack, detailing the complicated grief she experienced following the death of her father late last year - a man she hadn't seen in over a decade. In today's episode, Kennedy joins Róisín Ingle to reflect on the strange, unsettling reality of losing a parent whose death changes almost nothing in her daily life. You can find her piece on family estrangement on Substack here https://lkennedy.substack.com/But first, Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O'Connell is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week including France's ‘Handmaid's Tale' moment and a revealing confession made by an Olympic athlete at the winter games this week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dublin City Council has opened a public consultation for its 80-million-euro design for a pedestrianised College Green plaza – eight years since the last plaza plans were rejected by An Bord Pleanála. Olivia Kelly, Dublin Editor for the Irish Times explained what's on offer. To discuss this more we heard from Dr Carole Pollard, former president of the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland & Co-Editor of the book Irish Cities in Crisis.

Dublin City Council has opened a public consultation for its 80-million-euro design for a pedestrianised College Green plaza – eight years since the last plaza plans were rejected by An Bord Pleanála. Olivia Kelly, Dublin Editor for the Irish Times explained what's on offer. To discuss this more we heard from Dr Carole Pollard, former president of the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland & Co-Editor of the book Irish Cities in Crisis.

First up on this week's episode of Inside Business, we look at new research this week from Revolut suggests that social media companies made €32 million in revenue from scam ads to Irish users in 2025. The figure for Europe as a whole was a whopping €4.4 billion.Host Ciarán Hancock is joined by Irish Times reporter Hugh Dooley to takes us through the headline findings from the Revolut research, while Irish Times columnist and economist David McWilliams discusses how his image was used by scammers last year to con people out of money.Also, research this week from the ESRI suggests the property industry is using ghost bids and other tactics to create a frenzy and nudge buyers into increasing their bids for properties here.It found participants' bids were pushed higher in open auctions managed by estate agents or online platforms than in sealed bid auctions.Owen Reilly is a leading estate agent in Dublin, and he discusses how the research chimed with his own experience in the industry.Produced by John Casey with JJ Vernon on sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Palace of Westminster, which houses Big Ben and the House of Commons, is falling apart. With parts of the rodent-infested building complex over a 1000 years old, the troubled iconic UNESCO world heritage site came to light last week when a mouse ran past the Leader of the Opposition during a televised interview. A new report has been published on the path forward. Joining Sean was a man who spends most of his days holed up there Mark Paul, London correspondent for the Irish Times.

The Irish Times wants to hear listener feedback on our two news podcasts: In The News and Early Edition.This survey is open to anyone who has listened to either In The News or Early Edition – whether you listen regularly, occasionally, or have listened in the past.On Monday, British prime minister Keir Starmer survived a day that could have ended his political career. The momentum against him had grown from Westminster whispers to the leader of Scottish Labour Anas Sarwar coming straight out and calling for him to step down. The release of the Epstein Files - which showed deeply damaging evidence against Starmer's ambassadorial appointment to Washington, Peter Mandelson - was the excuse for the move against the prime minister, not the cause. His party has deep divisions. But Starmer rallied his party who publicly pledged support.So he has survived – for now. But as Irish Times London correspondent Mark Paul explains there are several pitfalls ahead that may prove fatal for his leadership. Coming up as key days in Starmer's diary are the release of the so-called “Mandelson Files”; the byelection on February 26th in Manchester and most dangerous for him according to Paul, the Scottish and Welsh parliamentary elections on May 7th when Labour is expected to get an electoral drubbing. So if by the summer Starmer is forced out, what will it mean for Ireland and its relationship with the UK? And who might succeed him?Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan and Declan Conlon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Palace of Westminster, which houses Big Ben and the House of Commons, is falling apart. With parts of the rodent-infested building complex over a 1000 years old, the troubled iconic UNESCO world heritage site came to light last week when a mouse ran past the Leader of the Opposition during a televised interview. A new report has been published on the path forward. Joining Sean was a man who spends most of his days holed up there Mark Paul, London correspondent for the Irish Times.

Teacher Enoch Burke has been in and out of court – and of prison – over his refusal to stay away from the school he once worked for.His legal challenges have clogged up the courts, but he is also involved in another process – an appeal against his dismissal before a disciplinary appeal panel.Last month that panel fell apart when two of its three members stood down. But the courts need the disciplinary panel to finish its work before Burke's case can be resolved.So how is this new delay being viewed by the lawyers attempting to bring this long running saga to an end?And how does the panel work? What is the holdup and why has their been two panels so far with a third one now likely?Irish Times legal affairs correspondent Mary Carolan explains this new twist in the Enoch Burke affair.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon and Suzanne Brennan.The Irish Times wants to hear listener feedback on our two news podcasts: In The News and Early Edition.This survey is open to anyone who has listened to either In The News or Early Edition – whether you listen regularly, occasionally, or have listened in the past. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cúrsaí polaitíochta an deire seachtaine - cuairt an Taoisigh ar an Teach Bán á réiteach.

On the night of his second birthday in May 1991, Seamus Daniel Howell's mother Lesley was murdered by his father, Colin Howell, and his father's lover, Hazel Stewart.The pair also killed Stewart's husband Trevor Buchanan.They left the two bodies in a garage in Castlerock, Co Derry, staging the scene to make it look as if they had taken their own lives.The pair had committed the perfect murder so they could be together. And they had got away with it.That is until 2009 when Colin Howell, a respected dentist and devout evangelical Christian, walked into a police station out of the blue and confessed to the killings. He and Stewart were convicted of the murders and jailed for a minimum of 21 years and 18 years respectively.Seamus grew up being told that his mother had killed herself, until the truth came out. By then he was a medical student in England. Now a doctor in New York he tells In the News what it was like growing up in the Howell house and how his discovered that his father was a murderer. He explains how it impacted on his life, and how it has made him acutely aware of injustice which now for him includes advocating for Palestine.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Aideen Finnegan and Suzanne Brennan.The Irish Times wants to hear listener feedback on our two news podcasts: In The News and Early Edition.This survey is open to anyone who has listened to either In The News or Early Edition - whether you listen regularly, occasionally, or have listened in the past. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new trend of asking ChatGPT to make a caricature based on you has gone viral, but the more sinister side of things is that it is based on the data AI has on you. How worried should we be? Joining Shane to explain was Ciara O'Brien, Irish Times business and technology journalist.

The DAA chief executive Kenny Jacobs stood down from his position this week, after reaching a High Court settlement with the airport's operator and receiving an undisclosed payment.   For more on this we're joined by Arthur Beesley, Current Affairs Editor with the Irish Times. 

Pat Leahy and Ellen Coyne join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics:· When it comes to the housing crisis or whether to spend the exchequer surplus, the results from the latest Irish Times/Ipsos B&A poll suggest an electorate that wants to see some action. This is despite Government's claims that real progress has been made on housing. · One of the most noteworthy finds of the latest Irish/Ipsos B&A opinion poll is the uptick in Taoiseach Micheál Martin's approval rating. He is now the most popular party leader here who continues to have the backing of more than 80 per cent of Fianna Fáil voters. Perhaps he has now put Jim Gavin's fiasco of a presidential campaign behind him?· And the latest tranche of Epstein files is proving to be quite damaging for UK prime minister Keir Starmer, with an apology issued this week to victims of Jeffrey Epstein over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador at a time when his friendship with Epstein was already public knowledge.Plus, the panel picks their favourite Irish Times pieces of the week:· The Melania Trump film, a world without nuclear arms control, and why transgender rights misinformation is the last thing schools need.Would you like to receive daily insights into world events delivered to your inbox? Sign up for Denis Staunton's Global Briefing newsletter here: irishtimes.com/newsletters/global-briefing/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We live in a world flooded with stories, opinions, and noise, and I find myself wondering which ones are actually worth giving our attention to. In this conversation, I sit down with mythologist and storyteller Martin Shaw to explore why some stories shape us toward life while others quietly hollow us out. We talk about myths that function like prayers rather than spells, why Jesus taught through parables, and how stories still have the power to form us into more loving, grounded human beings.Martin shares his own unexpected journey back to Christianity through a long wilderness vigil and reflects on grief, evil, beauty, and the kind of attention that makes something holy. This is a conversation about becoming human again, about learning how to see clearly, and about allowing the story of Jesus to break our enchantments and draw us toward love.Martin Shaw is a writer, mythographer and Christian thinker. He's Visiting Scholar at the Divinity Faculty of Cambridge University, and a Fellow of the Temenos Academy. Author of seventeen books, Dr Shaw is the director of the Westcountry School of Myth and founder of the Oral Tradition and Mythic Life courses at Stanford University. His book Bardskull was described as “rich and transgressive” by Erica Wagner in The Sunday Times and was Book of the Day in The Guardian. A hugely respected oral storyteller, Shaw has toured internationally numerous times, and led symposiums at both Oxford and Cambridge University, Robert Bly describing him as “a true master, one of the very greatest storytellers we have.” His more recent work is what he describes as a developing “Christian mythopoetics”—a reminder of the depth and mysticism latent in this middle-eastern mystery religion. Shaw converted to Eastern Orthodoxy after a 101-day vigil in a Dartmoor forest. He still lives nearby to the wood, writing and teaching. The Irish Times call Martin “a seanchaí, an interloper from the medieval.”, Charles Foster adding, “there's Shaw and there's everyone else.”Martin's Book:Liturgies of the WildMartin's Recommendation:Our Thoughts Determine Our LivesConnect with Joshua: jjohnson@shiftingculturepodcast.comGo to www.shiftingculturepodcast.com to interact and donate. Every donation helps to produce more podcasts for you to enjoy.Follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads, Bluesky or YouTubeConsider Giving to the podcast and to the ministry that my wife and I do around the world. Just click on the support the show link belowGet Your Sidekick Support the show

On Monday coming, the latest Michelin stars will be distributed to restaurants in the UK and Ireland. But how do the inspections work? Sean was joined by Joanne Cronin, food writer with the Irish Times, who has been investigating it.

There's a rough rule of thumb when it comes to paying to dine at a Michelin-starred restaurant: stars cost around €100 each. That's according to Irish Times restaurant reviewer Corinna Hardgrave, who explains what it takes for a restaurant to win a Michelin star and what it means for them when they do.Ireland has 18 one-star and five two-star restaurants – but no three stars.For the first time the Michelin Guide is holding its awards ceremony in Dublin, on Monday, and Hardgrave gives her predictions on who might get a new star and who might be awarded an extra one. However she says nothing is predictable with the highly secretive Michelin.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey.The Irish Times wants to hear listener feedback on our two news podcasts: In The News and Early Edition.This survey is open to anyone who has listened to either In The News or Early Edition - whether you listen regularly, occasionally, or have listened in the past. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Monday coming, the latest Michelin stars will be distributed to restaurants in the UK and Ireland. But how do the inspections work? Sean was joined by Joanne Cronin, food writer with the Irish Times, who has been investigating it.

Last month, Action Aid Ireland published a new report highlighting the challenges that lone migrant parents, mainly women, experience when they leave state accommodation. Many face discrimination, unaffordable rents and inadequate supports, leaving them effectively trapped between direct provision and homelessness. In today's episode, Deborah Oniah and Owodunni Mustapha (Ola) - two Nigerian women who have made the move from direct provision into secure housing - share their experience of finding accommodation as single parents in the middle of a housing crisis. We also hear from Karol Balfe, CEO of ActionAid Ireland, who explains what recommendations have come from the report and why for lone migrant parents, the barriers to securing housing are often multiplied. But first, Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O'Connell is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week including the latest tranche of Epstein files released last Friday and a new Netflix documentary which questions the guilt of the UK's “most prolific child killer” Lucy Letby. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cúrsaí polaitíochta an lae - pobalbhreith an Irish Times a foilsíodh ar maidin.

On this week's episode of Inside Business, we hear the argument for scrapping mandatory retirement here.Host Cliff Taylor is joined on the line by Irish Times contributor John Fitzgerald who thinks Ireland should follow the lead of Scandinavia, the Baltics and the Netherlands, where three-quarters of the population aged 60-64 are in the labour force. He makes the case that such a move could not only reduce the numbers on the State pension, ease the cost of ageing to the exchequer, but also help alleviate the housing crisis.Also on this episode, we look at the German economy, which is frequently referred to as the Engine of Europe, but has begun to sputter quite a bit in recent times.A lack of much-needed reform, low levels of foreign investment and ineffective fiscal stimulus measures are just some of the reasons the German Chancellor Freidrich Merz is under increasing pressure to revive the economy, and quickly.But what needs to be done before that revival can start? And is there any cause for positivity in the economic outlook for Germany this year? Irish Times Berlin correspondent Derek Scally offers some insights.Produced by John Casey with JJ Vernon on sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

‘Melania', the documentary about US first lady Melania Trump, took in an estimated $7m when it hit US cinema screens at the weekend making it the highest debut by a non-music documentary or concert film in more than a decade. These are the sort of figures other documentaries can only dream of, so it's a hit? Far from it says Irish Times journalist Hugh Linehan who points out that it cost Amazon $45 million to make plus a reported $35 million in marketing costs so financially it makes no sense. And critically? Well “boring” is probably the nicest thing reviewers have said. Over nearly two hours it reveals very little about the former Slovenian model other than she wears nice clothes and even nicer shoes. For Linehan, it's a classic Trump family grift, this time with Melania making the money. She is expected to be paid $28 million for the documentary which charts the 20 days in the lead-up to her husband's 2025 inauguration. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“One thing the Government could do in 2026 that would improve the lives of young people would be to introduce driving lessons in secondary schools.” That's a suggestion from the Letters page in The Irish Times over the weekend. But how would that work? Should it be rolled out at the government level, and would driving schools be willing to partake in these modules? Joining Shane and Ciara was Jim Carey, Success 4 You driving school and Michael Finn, Principal of Gorey Community School, who have trailed a driving program with their TY students.

Recorded at the 2025 Capital Irish Film Festival in Washington DC, this episode features a conversation with two Irish women who have both made significant transitions into film from other careers. Kathleen Harris, a former Irish Times video journalist, discusses her environmental documentary Birdsong, which won the 2025 CIFF Audience Award for Favorite Irish Feature. Denise Deegan, a novelist, talks about her award-winning short, The Innkeeper. Birdsong follows ornithologist Seán Ronayne as he attempts to record every bird species in Ireland, traveling to some of the country's most remote locations along the way. The Innkeeper is a short comedy drama set around a school nativity play, which carries a quiet but powerful message about homelessness in Ireland.Both guests left stable careers — Harris from journalism, Deegan from running a PR business — to pursue film making, and both talk candidly about the leap involved. A thread running through the conversation is how each approached social issues in their work: Harris structured Birdsong to balance wonder with concern about Ireland's biodiversity crisis, while Deegan deliberately withheld The Innkeeper's central point until the final moment. Neither wanted to lecture. Both wanted to leave the audience feeling something had shifted.LinksCapital Irish Film FestivalKathleen HarrisWebsiteLinkedInDenise DeeganWebsiteInstagramThe FilmsBirdsongWebsitePreviewThe InnkeeperPreviewIMDBIrish Stew LinksWebsiteFacebookInstagramLinkedInMedia Partner: IrishCentralEpisode Details: Season 8, Episode 6; Total Episode Count: 147

How do you tip and who do you tip to are two of the hardest questions to answer on a night out. This week, the consumer watchdog tried to make things clearer as the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) issued a report which said technology has changed the tipping landscape. It also issued guidelines to ensure that people more clearly understand where their money is going and why. Conor Pope, Consumer Affairs Editor from The Irish Times, joins Bobby to discuss.

Harry McGee and Cormac McQuinn join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics:· The floods brought by Storm Chandra earlier this week devastated eastern parts of the country, and once again exposed our lack of preparation for extreme weather events. The painfully slow delivery of flood defence infrastructure will be highlighted repeatedly as climate change makes such weather events more common.· Some of the biggest developers in the State are unhappy with the rental reforms scheduled to be introduced on March 1st. They view them as unconstitutional and have threatened legal action against the Government if they fail to engage with them on it.· And the death of 16-year-old Grace Lynch, hit by a scrambler motorbike on a pedestrian crossing on the Ratoath Road last Sunday, shows the urgent need for proper enforcement of laws to stop illegal use of scramblers in urban areas of the country.Plus, the panel picks their favourite Irish Times pieces of the week:· US composer Philip Glass upsets Donald Trump, why not all rankings are worth paying attention to, and the mega success of K-Pop Demon Hunters.Would you like to receive daily insights into world events delivered to your inbox? Sign up for Denis Staunton's Global Briefing newsletter here: irishtimes.com/newsletters/global-briefing/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Sean O'Casey's ‘The Plough and the Stars' opened at the Abbey Theatre 100 years ago, a riot broke out. But why? Joining Sean to tell us the story was Frank McNally, Chief writer of the Irishman's Diary in the Irish Times...

Irish Times journalist Jen Hogan and freelance journalist Meghann Scully look back at some of the big stories from the last 7 days.

This Sunday 1st February is St Brigid's Day and to celebrate the occasion we're learning all about Brigid - the woman, the myth, the legend - from author and writer Kim Curran. Curran has just published her new book Brigid - a reimagining of Ireland's most beloved saint - in which she details the life of Brigid, the miracles she made and the women she saved. It's the story of a trailblazer who carved her own path, rebelled against the status quo and could never be caged by men, by gods, or even by history itself. So if you've ever wondered who the real Brigid was, what's the story behind the cross and what inspired her to live as she did, then this is the episode for you. But first, Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O'Connell is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week, including the tragic death of a homeless woman in Dublin city centre this month and why more women in Ireland are having babies in their 40s. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most people who heard the weather forecasts at the weekend that mentioned Storm Chandra will not have expected the devastation it was to bring on Monday and Tuesday. The east coast was hit hardest. Homes were flooded that had never flooded before, rivers burst their banks, road and rail closures caused traffic chaos and businesses were forced to close. Some of the areas worst hit by the floods received almost half their average rainfall for January in one 24-hour period.But shouldn't there have been stronger warnings of what was likely to come and what are people supposed to do when they are told flooding is likely? Climate change is altering weather patterns with potentially devastating results, so how prepared is the Government for what is to come?Irish Times climate and science correspondent Caroline O'Doherty explains why Storm Chandra hit so hard and why some areas were impacted more than others. And we hear from Rathfarnham resident Ciaran Kirwan whose home was flooded.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Conor Swaine, a business owner from Enniscorthy joins the panel of James Geoghean, Fine Gael TD for Dublin Bay South, Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin, Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow Wexford, Jennifer Whitmore, Social Democrats TD for Wicklow and Jack Horgan Jones, Political Correspondent, The Irish Times as the fallout from the recent wet weather continues.

James Geoghean, Fine Gael TD for Dublin Bay South, Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin, Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow Wexford, Jennifer Whitmore, Social Democrats TD for Wicklow and Jack Horgan Jones, Political Correspondent, The Irish Times.

Ciara O'Brien, Technology journalist with the Irish Times, looks at the case, which is being taken by a 20-year-old woman who alleges the design of platforms' algorithms left her addicted to social media and negatively affected her mental health.

An inquest has found that heading the football likely contributed to Gordon McQueen's brain disease. The footballer died in 2023 aged 70, having been diagnosed with vascular dementia.Studies have also shown that footballers are 3.5 times more likely to die from neurodegenerative disease than the general public, which often stem from trauma received during childhood while playing the sport. This begs the question – should heading be banned from football? Andrea was joined by Dr Lisa Ryan, Head of School of Health, sports science and nutrition at Atlantic Technological University, David Wilson from off the ball and Jen Hogan features journalist with the Irish Times

Joining Brendan to discuss this week's Sunday Newspapers are: Louise Bayliss, from the Society of St Vincent De Paul; Donnacha Ó Beacháin, Professor of Politics, DCU; Gráinne Ní Aodha, PA Media; and Gerard Howlin, Public Affairs Consultant, Irish Times columnist and former Government advisor.

Brendan talks through the latest highlights on the big and small screen with Nadine O'Regan, Irish Times arts journalist and Brian Lloyd, freelance entertainment journalist and host of the Screenland Podcast.

Following one of the strangest weeks in geopolitics, where the eyes of the world were on Davos, Emmet Oliver wanted to look at where Ireland now stands in the world when it comes to American relations. Cliff Taylor, Managing Editor of the Irish Times, has been watching events all week - he joins Emmet to discuss.

Ellen Coyne and Pat Leahy join Jack Horgan-Jones to look back on the week in politics:· This week saw EU-US relations shift as the near-confrontation over Greenland perhaps showed the best way to handle US President Donald Trump's demand to take over the Arctic island. The decision by Trump to withdraw the threat of tariffs against eight European countries opposing his plan for Greenland represents a rare climbdown.· Bord Bia chairman Larrry Murrin faced calls from Sinn Féin and the Irish Farmers' Association for his resignation this week amid a controversy over his company Dawn Farms importing Brazilian beef.· The proposed reforms to the national rent control system due to come into effect on March 1st might be a hard sell for Government due to rent increases and evictions that may arise from the changes.· And former Fianna Fáil senator and MEP Brian Crowley has passed away at the age of 61. A native of Bandon, Co. Cork, topped the poll in every European election he contested – in 1994, 1999, 2004, 2009 and in 2014 – and was a well-liked figure both inside and outside Fianna Fáil.Plus, the panel picks their favourite Irish Times pieces of the week:· Emer McLysaght on the joy and hidden challenges of living alone, the disappearance of former New York Giant Sam Beale, and the upcoming Six Nations Championship.Would you like to receive daily insights into world events delivered to your inbox? Sign up for Denis Staunton's Global Briefing newsletter here: irishtimes.com/newsletters/global-briefing/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Derek Scally, Berlin correspondent with the Irish Times, discusses the upcoming trial of Dubliner Daniel Tatlow-Devally and four others.

The EU has underinvested in Arctic security but it is now time to "step up." So said President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen at a press conference following an emergency EU Summit in Brussels. President Von der Leyen said the summit had proposed to "double its financial support" for Greenland. We get the latest with Jack Power Europe Correspondent for The Irish Times.

Although Ozempic and other weight-loss drugs may seem like a relatively new phenomenon, their origins actually stretch back to the mid 1980s. Back then, scientists were searching for an alternative treatment for diabetes, one that could replace insulin. Few could have imagined that this research would go on to reshape the treatment of obesity and later evolve into one of the best-selling drugs in the world.In her new book Off the Scales, journalist and author Aimee Donnellan traces the history of Ozempic, telling the story of the people behind its development. Among them is a young, ambitious woman from Macedonia whose research helped pave the way for the creation of the drug. In today's episode, Donnellan talks to Róisín Ingle about the seismic impact GLP-1s have had on society and the body positivity movement. But first, Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O'Connell is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week including the Beckham family feud and one woman's fourteen-year-fight to get her former partner prosecuted for domestic violence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If anyone thinks that the rioters who caused mayhem and destruction on the streets of Dublin in November 23rd, 2023 were a well-organised group motivated by strongly-held ideology, think again.Of the 99 people arrested in connection with the Dublin riots, 82 have been charged with offences which range from attacking a garda and setting fire to a bus to stealing cigarettes and trainers.The unprecedented scenes of mayhem, damage and looting in and around O'Connell Street, was sparked by an attack earlier in the day of three young children and a care worker by Riad Bouchaker, an Algerian who has lived in Ireland for many years.At the time, the riots were characterised as being anti-immigrant in motivation. But as Irish Times crime and security correspondent Conor Gallagher explains, the picture that emerges from court reports reveals that the majority of the guilty rioters had very different reasons to be there.He also examines the sentencing of the rioters, and what it says about the attitude of the courts to the crimes committed on that night.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. As we head into the New Year, The Irish Times wants to hear listener feedback on our two news podcasts; In The News and our more recently released sister podcast Early Edition.This survey is open to anyone who has listened to either In The News or Early Edition- whether you listen regularly, occasionally, or have listened in the past.This survey should take around 3-5 minutes to complete. All responses are anonymous. Thank you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US President Donald Trump is not giving up on Greenland.On Saturday he announced tariffs on France, Germany, the UK and others, after those nations sent ⁠military personnel to the island at Denmark's request.On Monday UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer responded to the threat, describing it as “completely wrong”.And how is the EU responding? Potentially, with tariffs of its own - and that could endanger the US-EU trade deal that was agreed last August.But some countries are calling for caution. Like Ireland, which has a lot to lose from a trade war between Europe and the United States.On today's In the News, host John Casey speaks to Cliff Taylor of the Irish Times about the implications for Ireland if there is a tariff escalation and the US-EU trade deal is abandoned.Produced by Declan Conlon.As we head into the New Year, The Irish Times wants to hear listener feedback on our two news podcasts; In The News and our more recently released sister podcast Early Edition.This survey is open to anyone who has listened to either In The News or Early Edition- whether you listen regularly, occasionally, or have listened in the past.This survey should take around 3-5 minutes to complete. All responses are anonymous. Thank you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Polaitíocht an lae - dearcadh na hÉireann ar bhagairtí Donald Trump foain nGraonlainn.

As we head into the New Year, The Irish Times wants to hear listener feedback on our two news podcasts; In The News and our more recently released sister podcast Early Edition.This survey is open to anyone who has listened to either In The News or Early Edition- whether you listen regularly, occasionally, or have listened in the past.This survey should take around 3-5 minutes to complete. All responses are anonymous. Thank you! The amount of cannabis being smuggled into Ireland has risen significantly in recent years, with most the product for sale now coming from the United States.So why have drug gangs here turned to overseas product aand why from the US?In today's episode by Irish Times Crime and Security correspondent Conor Lally explains how drug gangs attempt to get cannabis into the country - and how they are caught. Presented by Bernice Harrison, produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joining Brendan to discuss this week's Sunday Newspapers are: Ballyfermot community activist, and former People Before Profit TD, Brid Smith; Public Policy Advisor, Oisin Coughlan; Political Correspondent with the Irish Times, Ellen Coyne; law lecturer at the University of Galway, Larry Donnelly; and former Irish Amabassador to the USA, Dan Mulhall

Harry McGee, Ellen Coyne and Mark Paul join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics:· The Minister with responsibility for artificial intelligence (AI), Niamh Smyth, met with executives from social media company X on Friday over concerns about their Grok app. The app has been in the headlines because of its ability to produce non-consensual intimate images. Current law bans sharing of intimate images but does not appear to criminalise generating them – what is the Government's next step?· The level of energy needed to power a data centre was laid bare this week. An internal Government document showed that a single facility in west Dublin consumes 10 times the electricity of a nearby pharmaceutical plant employing 2,000 people, equivalent to enough power for 200,000 homes.· And more ‘psychodrama' for the Tories this week as Robert Jenrick, the Conservative shadow justice secretary, defected to Nigel Farage's Reform UK after being sacked from the Conservative shadow cabinet.Plus, the panel picks their favourite Irish Times pieces of the week:· The US and Denmark battle for control of Greenland, Inside Politics veteran Jennifer Bray is releasing a book (and it's rather good), a reader's letter questions how dog-friendly we should be as a society, and who is next for Donald Trump's crosshairs?Would you like to receive daily insights into world events delivered to your inbox? Sign up for Denis Staunton's Global Briefing newsletter here: irishtimes.com/newsletters/global-briefing/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 13, 2026 is: umbrage • UM-brij • noun Umbrage refers to a feeling of being offended by what someone has said or done. It is often used in the phrase “take umbrage.” // Some listeners took umbrage at the podcaster's remarks about the event. See the entry > Examples: “The one item on offer was considered to be so good that the chef took umbrage at being asked for mustard.” — The Irish Times, 31 Oct. 2025 Did you know? Umbrage is a word born in the shadows. Its ultimate source (and that of umbrella) is Latin umbra, meaning “shade, shadow,” and when it was first used in the 15th century it referred to exactly that. But figurative use followed relatively quickly. Shakespeare wrote of Hamlet that “his semblable is his mirror, and who else would trace him, his umbrage, nothing more,” and by the 17th century this meaning of “vague suggestion; hint,” had been joined by other uses, including the “feeling of resentment or offense” heard today in such sentences as “many took umbrage at the speaker's tasteless jokes.” The word's early literal use is not often encountered, though it does live on in literature: for example, in her 1849 novel, Charlotte Brontë describes how the titular Shirley would relax “at the foot of some tree of friendly umbrage.”