The Explainer

This week, we look back at some of our best episodes from the past year. What did we learn about how drugs like Ozempic actually work? Why are companies so determined to get people back to the office, even if the evidence shows remote work is as productive? And what happened when unknown drones were spotted over the Irish Sea?

We’ve all been there: the forced smile as you unwrap a jumper you wouldn’t be caught dead in, or the gimmicky gadget someone already gave you last year. Instead of regifting or throwing it in the bin, could you maybe get a refund? We're joined by Jennifer Darmody, media communications manager at the CCPC to explain exactly where you stand when the gift isn't quite right.

You've likely noticed the price of your favourite treats creeping up, but now there's a new element: look at the label, and some of the most iconic choccie bars have recently undergone recipe changes so significant they can no longer legally be called 'chocolate'. From soaring cocoa prices driven by climate change to the rise of 'skimpflation,' the confectionery industry is facing a massive shake-up, and one you might notice when you're working through your Stephen's Day chocolate stockpile. We're joined by Gráinne Mullins, founder and CEO of Grá Chocolates, to examine how the global cocoa crisis is hitting the industry and what it means for the future of luxury artisan brands.

Enoch Burke is, yet again, back in Mountjoy Prison, but this time, the legal stakes for him and his family have risen dramatically. After weeks of chaotic scenes in the Four Courts, a High Court judge has not only ordered the teacher’s return to prison but has also directed the Attorney General to consider criminal contempt charges against him, his mother, and two of his siblings. The Journal's FactCheck editor Stephen McDermott joins us to unravel the latest developments.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy paid his first official visit to Ireland this week. As his plane was flying towards Dublin Airport late on Monday night, four unidentified military-style drones breached a no-fly zone and flew towards his flight path. But where did the drones come from? How close did they get to Zelenskyy’s plane? And what does it say about Ireland’s capacity to deal with this kind of security incident? We're joined by the The Journal’s News Correspondent Niall O’Connor who broke this story earlier today.

Taxi drivers have held several demonstrations in Dublin city centre over recent weeks that have caused gridlock traffic in the capital. The target of their annoyance is a new fixed rate option that was recently introduced on the Uber app. How does the fixed fare option compare with the taxi app's previous offerings or with paying by the traditional meter? And how has Uber responded to complaints about the new feature? We're joined this week by The Journal reporter Andrew Walsh.