The Explainer

• 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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• How was the secretive founder of Tattle Life unmasked?

  Tattle Life became notorious as a message board where anyone in the public eye — influencers, businesspeople and celebrities, many of them women — faced relentless criticism and often defamatory commentary from anonymous users. But now, after a lengthy and complex legal battle, the mysterious figure behind the site has been unmasked. Who exactly is he? What's his background? And just how toxic is the site? Journalist and author Aoife Moore joins us on this week's episode to delve into the story. You can also read our deep dive on the subject here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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