In The News

Ireland is being used as a de facto offshore location by people and businesses in Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and other countries in eastern Europe and central Asia, leaked documents show. Colm Keena explains how a legal entity permitted under Irish law makes this possible, and how and why these entities are used to shield money and power from view. Plus: around the world, powerful individuals with hidden wealth are revealed in The Pandora Papers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month the first Irish person was hospitalised after using the anti-parasitic drug Ivermectin to treat the symptoms of Covid-19. In the US, demand for the drug is soaring as more people turn their backs on the vaccine and look to alternative treatments. So what exactly is the drug, why has it become associated with the treatment of Covid-19 and what are the risks involved in taking it? Conor Pope speaks to virologist Dr Gerard Barry and to New York-based  journalist Nick Robins-Early. Produced by Declan Conlon, Jennifer Ryan and Suzanne BrennanOpening music by Hugh Rodgers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Before his sudden death Anthony Flynn was accused of sexually assaulting several men in the care of the charity he founded. He leaves behind alleged abuse victims, betrayed comrades in the homelessness charity community, and an organisation that may never recover. Jack Power reports. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How much do you think about where your food comes from, how the animals used to produce it live and die, or its impact on the environment? Journalist and author Henry Mance investigates our relationship with animals in his book How To Love Animals: In a Human-Shaped World. He talked to Conor Pope about what he discovered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson reshuffled his cabinet last week, firing ministers who had been key supporters of his leadership. What prompted the move? London editor Denis Staunton on the eventful summer that led up to the reshuffle, what's going on in British politics right now and how Johnson is planning to win the next election. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The success of Ireland’s vaccine rollout has exceeded even the most optimistic projections of earlier this year and allowed the country to re-open, with virtually all pandemic restrictions due to be eased in the coming weeks. But for children in primary schools and creches there is no vaccine yet. Should we be concerned about the potential for the virus to spread in schools? Are children more at risk now than any other stage in the pandemic? And are those under the age of 12 likely to be vaccinated any time soon? Conor Pope talks to Irish Times health editor Paul Cullen.Plus: political reporter Jack Horgan-Jones on what a “more normal” Covid-19 testing system will look like, as we learn to live with the virus.Presenter: Conor PopeProduced by Declan Conlon, Jennifer Ryan and Suzanne BrennanOpening music by Hugh Rodgerswww.irishtimes.coms/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Republic of Ireland senior men's football team has brought joy and heartbreak to fans over the years. But now, after a disappointing run of resultsa third successive failure to qualify for a major tournament looks likely. Should fans permanently lower their expectations? Have we been unlucky, badly managed, or is there more to it than that? Football man Ken Early talks to Conor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Twenty years ago, on Tuesday, September 11th, 2001, Mark Clifford was in Dublin attending the funeral of a friend, when he caught sight of a TV screen. What had happened changed his life forever. Plus: in 2001, Paddy Smyth was The Irish Times's Washington correspondent. He recalls the events of September 11th that have so shaped the world we live in today.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Ireland continues towards the full reopening of society with the lifting of pandemic restrictions, experts have warned that the next global outbreak is just around the corner. The lack of vaccination programmes in low-income countries has so far made it almost impossible to eradicate Covid-19 and the virus is expected to remain a threat to human populations for some time to come. Today, the world is more at risk of a global outbreak than any other time in history. Are we ready for the next pandemic? And, will the lessons learned as a result of Covid-19 help us to fight it when it happens?Guests: Professor Máire Connolly, Global Health and Development at NUIG School of Medicine and coordinator of the EU security research project PANDEM-2.Presenter: Conor PopeProduced by Declan Conlon, Jennifer Ryan and Suzanne BrennanOpening music by Hugh Rodgerswww.irishtimes.coms/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Fianna Fáil TDs, Senators and MEPs will gather in the town of Ballyconnell, Co Cavan to discuss the future of their political party. The two day think-in will also allow party members to analyse their disappointing election performances. So why is the party struggling to retain voters? What do the recent defeats mean for Micheál Martin's future as party leader and what does Fianna Fáil actually stand for in 2021?Guests: Jennifer Bray and Fintan O'TooleProduced by: Declan Conlon, Jennifer Ryan and Suzanne BrennanOpening music by Hugh Rodgers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.