In The News

After 11 months, nearly 100 subpoenas and more than a thousand interviews, the congressional committee investigating the January 6th attack on the US Capitol has begun holding a series of public hearings to present its findings. The key question for the committee is whether the violence seen on the day was just a spontaneous outpouring of anger and frustration by supporters of a defeated candidate, or whether there was an orchestrated attempt to frustrate the transfer of power following a legitimate election.In other words, was there an attempted coup?The Irish Times Washington Correspondent Martin Wall reports. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the first time since retiring, former chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel spoke out last week about how her government treated an increasingly aggressive Russia - treatment that is now under the spotlight. Derek Scally was there when Merkel spoke and tells Conor Pope about how she justified those decisions and whether her excuses stand up to scrutiny. In part two: what is the new chancellor Olaf Scholz saying and doing about Russia and the war in Ukraine? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2018, Andrew Barnes decided to trial a four-day working week at his New Zealand-based business Perpetual Guardian. His employees work 80% of the time, while still receiving 100% of their salary. The trial was such a success, it’s still in place four years on, with positive outcomes for both employees and productivity. Here he tells Conor Pope how it works and why more companies should adopt this approach. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two weeks ago, a jury in Virginia delivered the verdict that everyone had been waiting for: Johnny Depp had won his multimillion-dollar defamation case against his ex-wife Amber Heard.The trial lasted six weeks and was streamed live on Youtube for the entire world to see. Neither Depp nor Heard's reputations have emerged from the trial unscathed, but it is only Heard who has been vilified by an online mob.Irish Times features writer Jennifer O'Connell talks to Sorcha Pollak about how that narrative emerged and what it says about the MeToo movement. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's that time of year again. The Leaving Certificate has been in existence since 1925, so it may come as no surprise to learn that students, academics and politicians are calling for a complete overhaul of the final year exam system. Education Editor Carl O’Brien and Professor Ann Looney from Dublin City University explain what changes are on the way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gardaí will soon be using facial recognition technology to crack cases and help win convictions. But the technology is already widely available. For a small fee, online services can find images of you that you may not have known were out there. Crime correspondent Conor Gallagher has tested out one such online service, Pimeyes. He talks with Sorcha Pollak about how it can be used and abused. Conor also looks at the Gardaí's plan to use the technology. Does it work, and is it safe? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Queen Elizabeth was 21 when she told her subjects that she would dedicate her whole life, whether it be long or short, to their service and the service of the imperial family.Now, aged 96, she is reported to be in good health but frail and what her courtiers call “episodic mobility issues” have left her unable to perform most public duties.As she celebrates 70 years on the throne, Irish Times London Editor Denis Staunton says she should perform one last act of service by announcing her retirement. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The killing of 19 children and two teachers in a Texas elementary school has put the spotlight back on gun control - for now. But Robin Kowalski, a US-based professor of psychology who has studied school shooters, tells In the News that other factors are being overlooked, like rejection, bullying and mental health issues.There are ways to tackle these problems. But when mental health is discussed in the context of mass shootings, it's more likely as a deflection from gun control proposals than with any genuine intention to tackle the problem. Plus: Washington Correspondent Martin Wall on the investigation into police mishandling of the Robb Elementary shootings. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After everything that’s happened over the past few years, many of us are dying for a nice holiday.And we’re willing to pay for it, with many people prioritising holiday spending this year despite pressure on budgets. But it’s not cheap: hotels, airbnb and car hire prices are all up. On top of that, if you’re unlucky enough to need a new passport, there are major delays.And now there is renewed chaos at Dublin Airport, with lengthy queues resulting in many missing flights. Guests: Olivia Kelly and Fionn Davenport Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

London Editor Denis Staunton explains what a newly-published report into illegal gatherings in UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's home and office means for him and his Conservative government. Can Johnson finally outmanoeuvre this long-running scandal? What will it take for his MPs to turn on him? Has the affair damaged British politics and its ability to deal with a dire cost of living crisis? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.