The Explainer

• Why does Ireland still invest in companies linked to illegal Israeli settlements?

  In 2024, Ireland made announced it would divest from six companies associated with illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. New reporting says otherwise.The Journal's FactCheck Editor Stephen McDermott detailed how in 2013 the State’s sovereign wealth fund held more than €10 million in eight companies flagged by the UN for links to settlement activity. These companies include global names like Airbnb, Booking.com, and Motorola Solutions, as well as Israeli firms supplying fuel and telecoms infrastructure inside settlements. Why do these investments remain? How are they justified? And what pressure is there for Ireland to go further? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Why are people in Ireland so lonely?

  Ireland was named the loneliest country in Europe, but how did we get here?This week on The Explainer, we’re looking at the scale and impact of loneliness in Irish society. From bereavement to social isolation, housing to remote work, our recent Your Stories piece highlighted just how many people are affected, and how deeply.Dr Joanna McHugh Power of Maynooth University and chair of the Loneliness Taskforce Research Network joins us to explain the causes and consequences of long-term loneliness, what the latest research tells us, and what practical steps individuals and policymakers can take.Help is available: you can contact Samaritans on 116 123 or email [email protected] or ALONE on 0818 222 024. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• What really happened on board the MV Matthew?

  It had all the makings of a Hollywood thriller — a dramatic high-seas chase, elite Army Rangers fast-roping onto the deck, and a massive cocaine haul hidden in plain sight. In September 2023, the seizure of the cargo ship MV Matthew led to the discovery of 2,000 kilograms of cocaine with a street value of €157 million euro. It was the State's largest ever drug seizure.Since that dramatic day, courtrooms have heard about encrypted phones, international smuggling routes, and plans to destroy the evidence. And now, we’re taking a step back to explain the full story.We're joined by Niall O'Connor, News Correspondent with The Journal, who has been covering the story in detail. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• What do new US visa rules mean for Irish travellers?

  Irish travellers are facing new hurdles when applying for US visas, but what exactly has changed From students applying for J1s to families planning holidays, there’s growing concern over new entry rules for the US. Applicants are now being asked for years of social media history, and there are fears that people could be turned away. We speak to immigration lawyer Louise Corrigan to break down what’s happening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Can the Iranian regime survive a war with Israel?

  Israel and Iran are now trading direct military strikes, a dramatic and dangerous escalation after years of tensions simmering in the background. It goes beyond the proxy conflicts and raises serious questions about what could come next. Israeli officials have made no secret of their goal: they want regime change in Iran, but how likely is that? What does the current regime look like from inside the country? And what do ordinary Iranians think as their country comes under attack? We’re joined by Dr Paola Rivetti, associate professor in Politics and International Relations at DCU, to examine how this moment could reshape the Islamic Republic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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