The Explainer

We’re joined by our own political columnist, Larry Donnelly who is a law lecturer at the University of Galway, to check in on the final days of the race for the White House. Trump and Harris have duked it out across the US in recent weeks in an attempt to woo voters, but the polls continue to indicate that this race is closer than ever. So what is making voters tick right now? What do they want to see in a candidate, and what will be on their minds as they cast their votes? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're joined by Dr Shelley Deane, researcher at DCU’s School of Law and Government, to examine the deepening crisis in southern Lebanon following Israel's invasion. The UN has maintained a presence in the region since the late 1970s and members of the Irish Defence Forces continue to play a significant role in that mission. They are now under almost unprecedented threat. Israel's focus is on eliminating Hezbollah, but in doing so has launched a series of attacks on UN peacekeeping positions. What is happening on the ground? How could the international community response? And is all this becoming a distraction from what's still happening in Gaza? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If asked to name some things we know about Nepal, most of us would probably say Mount Everest. The next might actually be landslides. The country is plagued by them. They can often be deadly, killing people, destroying homes and villages and disappearing entire road networks. Because of their prevalence in Nepal, there has to be constant vigilance and massive preparedness for when they actually happen.On this week's episode — supported by the European Union’s Department for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations — we're looking at not only how Nepal navigates this, but also the complex job of work that is disaster preparedness across the Asia Pacific region, and how EU Humanitarian Aid is lending its expertise to help with this.We're joined by Sanchita Neupane, People In Need's programme manager for EU Humanitarian Aid, and Davide Zappa, a regional thematic expert on disaster preparedness from EU Humanitarian Aid. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the most successful BBC TV shows, Strictly Come Dancing, is back on air for its 20th year after it was rocked by a summer of in-house scandals. An investigation into harmful work practices was launched by the BBC when two of Strictly's two professional dancers, Italians Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima, were accused of bullying and inappropriate behaviour during rehearsal sessions. Both men denied the accusations, but pressure mounted on the BBC to take action after other former celebrity contestants shared their concerns over treatment they received while they competed. So what does this latest scandal at the BBC mean for British TV in general and can Strictly come back from this one? Chatting to The Explainer today are Hannah Hope and Alex Doyle of The Sun UK's Showbiz section. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Budget has been dubbed a giveaway — but will it really make that much of a difference to your pocket? Barra Roantree from TCD's Department of Economics joins us to examine whether the tax decreases and once-off payments will help those who need it the most and how there is a chance it could add fuel to an overheating economy. Who stands to gain from the changes, and what were the most interesting new measures introduced? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Puff Daddy, P Diddy, Diddy, Love or Sean Combs — many of us would have grown up with the numerous names of that rapper over the last 30 years or so. The 54-year-old music producer, businessman and global celebrity is in federal custody in the United States, awaiting trial for a number of serious charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering. The charges come on the back of a broad federal investigation of Combs and his associates over a number of years. To look at what exactly the charges are and how they form part of the wider Combs story, we're joined by journalist and author Aoife Barry.The Explainer is brought to you by The Journal. Providing open access to valuable journalism in Ireland has been the aim of The Journal for a decade. You can contribute to ensure we can keep questioning, investigating, debunking, explaining and informing at www.thejournal.ie/contribute/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 42's Gavin Cooney joins us to examine where it all went wrong for Casement Park. The redevelopment of one of Northern Ireland's largest stadiums was on the table until the UK government pulled the plug on promised funding. Will Northern Ireland still have a role when the UK and Ireland host the Euros in 2028? And is there still hope for those who want to see the stadium returned to its former glory?The Explainer is brought to you by The Journal. Providing open access to valuable journalism in Ireland has been the aim of The Journal for a decade. You can contribute to ensure we can keep questioning, investigating, debunking, explaining and informing at www.thejournal.ie/contribute/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The village of Dundrum in Co Tipperary has been the site of protests and division in recent months over the housing of international protection applicants. To look at exactly is happening on the ground — and, after similar incidents elsewhere, what the government can learn from the approach it has taken — we're by our reporter Eoghan Dalton, who has reported extensively from Dundrum in recent months.The Explainer is brought to you by The Journal. Providing open access to valuable journalism in Ireland has been the aim of The Journal for a decade. You can contribute to ensure we can keep questioning, investigating, debunking, explaining and informing at www.thejournal.ie/contribute/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To look at what emergencies can tell us about how connected, or not, our healthcare systems are, we're joined on this week's episode of The Explainer by Jean Paul Jemmy, a health expert specialising in nutrition with European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations. He has been a humanitarian worker for the last three decades with direct experience in healthcare in conflict-affected areas across the world such as Syria, Iraq, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The numbers alone stopped the country in its tracks this week: 2,395 allegations of sexual abuse of children in schools run by religious orders. 844 alleged abusers. 308 schools. 42 religious orders. A new report revealed stories of abuse across many schools. But how are we back here again? And has enough changed to stop it from happening again? We're joined by Dr Joe Mooney, an assistant professor of social work at University College Dublin who has a specific focus on child protection, and our own News Correspondent Órla Ryan, who is also creator and presenter of the Redacted Lives documentary podcast series, which explored the stories of those who passed through mother and baby homes.One in Four provides support for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse; you can call 01 662 4070 or email info@oneinfour.ie.The Explainer is brought to you by The Journal. Providing open access to valuable journalism in Ireland has been the aim of The Journal for a decade. You can contribute to ensure we can keep questioning, investigating, debunking, explaining and informing at www.thejournal.ie/contribute/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.