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Saturday 2 December 2023 Dublin: 2°C

# the explainer

All time
The Explainer: Does global vaccine inequality put us at risk of new Covid variants?
Assistant Professor at Trinity College Dublin, Kim Roberts, and Dimitri Eynikel from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) ‘Access’ campaign join us on the podcast this week.
The Explainer: Why do we need another dose of a Covid vaccine?
Will everyone get a booster vaccine, and how long will booster immunity last?
The Explainer: What is the stand-off at the Belarus-Poland border about?
Thousands of migrants are travelling to the border, with some deaths reported in recent weeks. We explain what’s behind it.
The Explainer x Noteworthy: Why are the school days of Traveller children being reduced?
Noteworthy’s Maria Delaney and social care worker Anne Marie Quilligan tell Susan Daly about the conditions faced by Traveller children in the country’s education system.
The Explainer: Why is there so much talk about Ireland's cows right now?
You guessed it – it’s climate change related.
The Explainer: Is Sinn Féin a sure thing to lead the next government?
After the recent ard fheis, we take a look at where things stand with the party.
The Explainer: How do you get a book published in Ireland?
Authors Alice Taylor and Sophie White share their experiences and advice with us this week.
The Explainer: Why are Covid cases rising despite Ireland's high vaccination rate?
We speak to a virologist to get the latest.
The Explainer: Why is there so much talk about Stephen Kenny's job as Ireland football manager?
Could Kenny lead Ireland into the Euro 2024 campaign? We take a look at the highs and lows of his role so far.
The Explainer x Noteworthy: What is the issue with farm subsidies and nature?
Noteworthy’s Niall Sargent and journalist Ella McSweeney tell Susan Daly how agri-subsidies are encouraging farmers to cut back on nature.
The Explainer: How is post-Brexit Britain handling migration?
We look at migration, visas for EU workers and potential impacts on supply chains.
The Explainer: What does 'missing white woman syndrome' tell us about media coverage of missing people?
On this week’s podcast we look at the discussions around the deaths of Sarah Everard, Gabby Petito and Sabina Nessa, and the issues about the media coverage of them raised on social media.
The Explainer: Why are there fears about Ireland facing power shortages this winter?
In this week’s podcast, we look at what’s behind these fears, and how the supply of electricity works.
The Explainer: Should we be ordering our Christmas presents now?
Pressure on global supply chains is explained in this week’s podcast.
The Explainer: How does Ireland fit into the space race?
And what will our first satellite in space do?
The Explainer x Noteworthy: What can be done to halt the decline of our precious biodiversity?
Noteworthy’s Niall Sargent tells Susan Daly how the race is on to save iconic species like the puffin and curlew – and even save ourselves.
The Explainer: How is Australia battling its biggest Covid outbreak to date?
We speak to reporter Peter Bodkin in Sydney.
The Explainer: What can Ireland do now about climate change?
In the wake of the report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change we speak to John Gibbons.
The Explainer: What happened to Ireland’s rail network - and what's its future?
Some counties have good rail coverage – but in Donegal there is none.
The Explainer: From the Olympics to Ryanair flights, why is Belarus making international headlines?
Our guest this week is Matthew Luxmoore, Moscow correspondent from Radio Free Europe.
The Explainer: What has sparked rare protests in Cuba?
Ruaridh Nicoll, a journalist based in Havana, joins us for this week’s episode.
The Explainer: Why does the British government want to stop Troubles prosecutions?
David Blevins of Sky News joins us for this week’s episode.
The Explainer: What could your holidays look like for the rest of the year?
We get the latest on the digital covid certificate, and a travel expert tells us what holidaying will be like from the 19 July.
The Explainer: What is the mica scandal and how has it affected homeowners?
This week, we talk you through how the mica scandal unfolded, and what it tells us about housing in Ireland.
The Explainer: What is going on with the National Maternity Hospital?
Reporter Gráinne Ní Aodha talks us through what you need to know.
The Explainer: How much do we know right now about the Delta variant?
TCD virus expert Dr Kim Roberts and reporter Michelle Hennessy join us to explain more.
The Explainer: What's all this about a Brexit sausage war?
Yes, a Brexit sausage row. Let us break it down for you with the help of Gráinne Ní Aodha and Dominic McGrath of BBC Radio Foyle.
The Explainer: What's next for the Mother and Baby Home Commission?
Catriona Crowe and Órla Ryan join us on this week’s podcast.
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The Explainer: Who are the Uighurs and what is going on in China?
This week, we take a look at the Uighur population and how China is accused of carrying out human rights abuses against them.
The Explainer: Why are you hearing so much about cryptocurrency?
Alpha Wealth’s Nick Charalambous and our own Ian Curran explain the highs and lows of crypto.
The Explainer: What is the impact of the HSE cyberattack?
We speak to a cybersecurity expert to find out more.
The Explainer: What's the story with rapid Covid-19 tests?
On this week’s podcast, we explain more – and producer Nicky Ryan takes an antigen test during recording.
The Explainer: Has Covid changed the way we work?
On this week’s podcast episode, we look at how working from home might work in a post-Covid world.
The Explainer: Why did Arlene Foster make the shock decision to step down as DUP leader?
It was a decision that blindsided many – but what does it mean for the DUP and Northern Ireland?
The Explainer: How do you get nominated for an Oscar?
We speak to director Tomm Moore about Cartoon Saloon’s latest Oscar-nominated film, Wolfwalkers.
The Explainer: From influencers to QAnon - how misinformation changed in Ireland over the past year
From WhatsApp messages to conspiracy theories, we explore how misinformation has evolved over the last 12 months.
The Explainer: How has the pandemic affected house prices in Ireland?
Economist Ronan Lyons explains on this week’s podcast.
The Explainer: How likely is a united Ireland in the next 10 years?
On this episode, we hear from the Good Information Project, which is currently examining this very question.
The Explainer: Banks, brokers, bonds… are back in the news. Should we be worried (again)?
In today’s episode, business reporter Ian Curran explains what’s been going on.