The BelTel

Belfast-born John Bew is Rishi Sunak’s global policy advisor. He’s the key voice informing the PM’s foreign policy and has been seen in close consultation with him in recent weeks. The historian, a son of crossbench peer Lord Paul Bew, is now one of the most influential men at Downing Street. Belfast Telegraph reporter Andrew Madden joins Ciáran Dunbar to profile him.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With war raging in the Middle East and Europe, we ask; have the lessons of the 20th century been forgotten? What are the rules of engagement for modern warfare? and who can we trust to enforce them?Host: Kevin Doyle Guest: Declan PowerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A fifty-seven-year-old man is currently on trial in Belfast’s Crown Court accused of murdering two catholic men. James Smyth from Forthriver Link, north Belfast, has denied murdering Gary Convie (24) and Eamonn Fox (41) in a gun attack in May 1994. UVF ‘Supergrass’ Gary Haggarty, who last seen in public in 2009, is giving evidence . Ciáran Dunbar joins Belfast Telegraph Crime Correspondent, Allison Morris, who has been following the trial.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fake news seems to be everywhere online lately - but what exactly is it? Why do people spread it and can anything be done about it. Professor Julian McDougall joins Ciáran Dunbar.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At the height of the Troubles, the security forces found a new and unusual tactic in their fight against the IRA – ‘black magic’. How did this come about – and did people actually believe it? Richard Jenkins, author of ‘Black Magic and Bogeymen’ joins Ciáran Dunbar.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Writer and Belfast Telegraph columnist Malachi O’Doherty’s book ‘How to fix Northern Ireland’. It’s his take on what’s wrong and what has to be done. He spoke to Ciarán Dunbar. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nigerian gang Black Axe have gone international and are now based in Ireland, It specialises in romance and business email fraud. They are suspected of using these profits to finance murder, human trafficking and drug dealing worldwide. Who are the Black Axe Gang? Host: Ellen Coyne Guest: Ken Foy See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Northern Ireland will be one of the hosts of Euro ’28 but Casement Park, an unbuilt GAA stadium, will be the local host ground. It seems to be great news - but some Northern Ireland fans are questioning what the benefit it will be for football and unionist politicians are raising questions over the costs. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Keith Baille.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sam Mcbride and Sarah Creighton join Ciarán Dunbar for an update on global politics, including how the Palestinian – Israeli conflict seems to divide Northern Ireland Also discussed are the prospects of Stormont’s return, the battle for the future of unionism and the SNP’s big troubles in Scotland. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Saturday, Hamas launched a series of unprecedented attacks on Israel killing hundreds of civilians. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of a “long and difficult war ahead.” So what happened in Israel and more importantly what could follow?Host: Tabitha Monahan. Guest: Bel Trew.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.