In The News

After the US and the Taliban signed a peace deal that saw all international troops leaving Afghanistan by May 2021, Britain promised to relocate those Afghans who had aided it in the war effort.They had to apply to the Ministry of Defence for consideration. But then in 2022 the list was leaked – in an administrative error – making those on it targets for retribution by the Taliban. It’s thought that about 100,000 people were put at risk by the leak when wider family members were included.A panicked reaction followed in 2023 when the list appeared on Facebook and a series of decisions were made by a small number of senior civil servants that were only revealed to parliament and the British public this week.First a super-injunction was placed on the media and on anyone with knowledge of the leak leading to a blanket of secrecy.Then the UK government set up a secret multibillion-pound scheme to bring Afghans to Britain.The political fallout in the UK is ongoing as Mark Paul, Irish Times London correspondent, explains.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey. 

The All-Ireland senior men's hurling final takes place on Sunday.To mark the occasion, The Irish Times sports department takes over our podcast feed to bring you a conversation between sports writer Malachy Clerkin and columnists (and legends of the game) Nicky English and Joe Canning.They look at the teams and tactics they expect to see on Sunday, and make some big predictions. Whether you are a die-hard fan, or simply want to jump on the hurling bandwagon before kick-off, we hope you enjoy this conversation.

Donald Trump once said that he would "probably" release documents relating to the life and crimes of late billionaire and notorious sexual abuser Jeffrey Epstein. Others in his circle went further, pledging to reveal any information held on Epstein. Such files have long been rumoured to include the names of fellow abusers Epstein conspired with. Now that his administration has said it will not release the files, many among Trump's MAGA base believe that a sacred promise has been broken.But was it a promise that should ever have been made? Is there anything to the "Epstein client list" conspiracy theories? And could the controversy cause Trump real harm? Keith Duggan reports from Washington.

In the last academic year, hundreds of schools around the country have been affected by the ongoing teacher shortage. It’s a crisis which has left almost 1900 teaching posts vacant. But with record numbers of teachers employed in Ireland and a healthy supply of teaching graduates coming down the pipeline, what’s going on? Why are schools scrambling for teachers and what are the knock on effects for students?In today’s episode, Sorcha Pollak talks to Irish Times Education editor Carl O’Brien to find out more.

Opposition parties including the Social Democrats and Sinn Féin have been criticising the Government over its record on the cost of living, and especially the price of food, alleging that supermarkets have been allowed to "price gouge" customers. It's true that food price inflation has hit Irish shoppers hard in recent years. But are supermarkets really ripping us off, and does the Government have the power to influence prices? Sorcha Pollak asks Conor Pope.

The Salt Path, a memoir published in 2018, told an inspirational story; how Raynor Winn and her husband Moth lost their home following an unwise investment while the couple were dealing with Moth’s diagnosis of a rare terminal illness.It was how they dealt with these blows that was so uplifting: they embarked on a 1,000km coastal walk and a journey of self-exploration. The book sold more than two million copies and prompted a film adaptation starring Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs.And while creative licence is usual and even expected in any memoir, an investigation by Chloe Hadjimatheou, a reporter with the Observer newspaper, claims Raynor – real name are Sally Walker – had embezzled money from a former employer.Hadjimatheou also raises a sceptical eyebrow about the diagnosis of corticobasal degeneration that Moth received in 2013, though she does say that nothing she has seen contradicts his diagnosis or the book’s account of it.So what has been the reaction from the publishers, the film-makers and the couple in the eye of this literary storm – the Walkers, aka the Winns.Statements responding to the allegations came as the week went on including one from Raynor posting on her website.She admitted her deep regret for any mistakes she made while working for her former employer and is devastated by “unfair and false” accusations that her husband’s illness was fabricated or exaggerated. She said the book’s account of the way they lost their home is true and that their property in France is “an uninhabitable ruin”. She noted the couple have no outstanding debts.Chloe Hadjimatheou explains the fallout to her report.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. 

The seizure of the MV Matthew, with its massive consignment of drugs, off the Irish coast in September 2023 was as daring as it was skilful.After days of a cat and mouse chase in challenging weather between the Naval Service and the Matthew, members of the elite Army Ranger Wing descended from a helicopter on to the deck of the cargo ship. The crew were arrested and the drugs found.Operation Piano – which brought Revenue, the Garda and the Defence Forces together – resulted in Ireland’s largest ever drugs seizure, worth €156 million.While the operation was an undoubted success, a showcase of ability, power and intent, it also highlighted how ill-equipped the Defence Forces are.Only one ship was available for the operation, and only one helicopter. So many things could have gone wrong.Eight men have been jailed over the drugs seizure, their significant sentences a signal from the Irish courts that anyone involved in such international drug smuggling will be treated severely.Irish Times crime and security correspondent Conor Gallagher describes how the Matthew was intercepted and seized.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey.

Parliament Street, the short, wide road that has Dublin’s quays at one end and City Hall at the other was, up to last week, clogged with traffic.Not any more.In the latest phase of the Dublin City Centre Transport Plan it has now been closed off to motorised vehicles. It is not fully pedestrianised – cyclists can still use it.That’s another car-free initiative ticked off the city council’s list, with the development of College Green Plaza next on the agenda. But that’s been in the works for years and it still seems a long way off.And already the costs have spiralled from €10m to €80 – with no start date in sight.So what’s happening? Irish Times Dublin editor Olivia Kelly explains.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. 

Last week, a catastrophic flood tore through central Texas, killing more than a hundred people, including over two dozen children attending a Christian girls’ summer camp.An entire summer’s worth of rain water was dumped on the region within hours, leaving total devastation in its wake.Now, as the search and rescue efforts continue, the political blame game has well and truly begun.Some Democrats quickly warned about the “consequences” of the Trump administration’s cuts to the federal government workforce, including meteorologists within the National Weather Service.The Trump administration responded that the floods were a “once-in-a-generation natural disaster” and accused the Democrats of pushing “falsehoods” through the media.Today, on In The News, the political fallout from the Texas flooding disaster.Irish Times Washington correspondent Keith Duggan discusses the aftermath of the Texas floods and the political posturing that has followed the human catastrophe.Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Suzanne Brennan.