{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/690b5df3317c91fd9a7765c9/6ab03331eec8edc6b48dd419?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"German Chanellor refuses to resign over state election results; Leaving Cert overhaul; and free hot school meals","description":"<p>The German Chancellor Freidrich Merz has described state elections won by the far right AfD and the far left ⁠Die Linke, but he is refusing to resign.</p><p><br></p><p>Housing Minister James Browne is continuing to push for a significant expansion of the Help to Buy scheme ahead of Budget 2027.</p><p><br></p><p>The overhaul of the Leaving Certificate is facing fresh turbulence, with the country’s largest second-level teachers’ union, the ASTI, warning of growing frustration among the people tasked with redesigning the curriculum.</p><p><br></p><p>A review of free hot school meals shows pupils are choosing processed food over healthy alternatives.</p><p><br></p><p>The Irish Times looks at the impact the tech billionaire John Collison has had on the town of Abbeyleix, Co. Laoise, who bought an historic estate five years ago.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Presented by Andrew McNair. </p>","author_name":"The Irish Times "}