Angela Merkel's eagerly anticipated memoir lifts the lid on parts of her childhood, her private meetings with world leaders and what she thought of Ireland and the bailout. But only partially. In fact, for those who are wondering what her personal reflections are on some of the most consequential decisions she ever made, they're likely to be left as disappointed as Irish Times Berlin correspondent Derek Scally. He's read Merkel's autobiography so you don't have to, sharing the most interesting episodes of her life and analysing how her legacy looks now in the cold light of 2024.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Aideen Finnegan.

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In the early hours of Wednesday morning, a ceasefire between Israel and Hizbullah came into effect. The deal was announced the day before with US President Joe Biden saying he hoped it would mean a "permanent cessation of hostilities". 

But what does the truce actually entail? And with both sides launching attacks right up until the ceasefire deadline, is the will there to keep the peace?

Irish Times journalist Sally Hayden reports from Beirut.

Presented by Bernice Harrison.

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The cost of living is repeatedly mentioned as one of the main issues to the forefront of voters' minds in the run up to the General Election. In the US, president-elect Donald Trump made the economy one of the pillars of his campaign, regularly promising to "make America affordable again." But the reason for price spikes across the industrialised world are complex. So how realistic is it that any political party here could bring down the cost of living? And how can you tell what's within the next government's gift and what is just populist rhetoric. Irish Times writer on economics, Cliff Taylor, explains the factors at play and how to gauge whether party pledges could actually work.

Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Aideen Finnegan.

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Twenty years ago, autism in Ireland was still seen as a relatively rare condition. Studies at the time suggested around seven in 10,000 schoolchildren were being diagnosed as autistic.

Today, research suggests as many as one in 20 schoolchildren may have autism or a similar developmental issue.

So, why are so many more children being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders compared with two decades ago?

Is the State equipped to meet the growing demand for specialised health and education services?

And what are the long-term implications for children, who don’t get the support and care that they need?

Presented by Sorcha Pollak, produced by Suzanne Brennan.

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The Irish branch of the Church of Scientology has been going into an international protection asylum centre in Dublin and recruiting the refugees living there for all types of work, from cleaning parks to handing out anti-drug leaflets on the streets of the capital.

The men are not paid, instead they are given a “certificate” which they are told will help them in their asylum applications.

Many of the people strolling though Dublin who take a leaflet off one of these men will not be aware that it originates in the Church of Scientology.

Irish Times reporters Sorcha Pollak and Conor Gallagher investigated this practice and they talked to some of the vulnerable men who felt taken in by the scheme. They explain to In the News.

And why is Scientology – a very wealthy organisation with a tiny membership in Ireland – operating in this way?

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey

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Nikita Hand has won her civil case against MMA fighter Conor McGregor. The 35 year-old Dublin woman alleged he raped her in the penthouse suite of The Beacon Hotel in December 2018. The jury, believing her account of assault, found in her favour; returning a verdict yesterday evening after six hours of deliberations. McGregor has been ordered to pay Ms. Hand almost €250,000 in damages. But why has the UFC fighter not been found guilty of rape? How has Ms. Hand successfully sued him in the High Court? And what did the jury hear to persuade them she was the one telling the truth. Frank Greaney is courts correspondent for the Bauer Media group, which owns radio stations including Newstalk and TodayFM. He explains how Nikita Hand faced down McGregor at great personal cost. Please be advised this episode contains details of sexual assault, which some listeners may find distressing.

Produced and presented by Aideen Finnegan.

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Donald Trump's choices for the top roles in his administration include TV doctor Mehmet Oz, former WWE exec Linda McMahon, Kristi Noem the South Dakota governor who shot the family dog and pet goat. And billionaire businessman, Howard Lutnick, who thinks the presence of multinationals in Ireland is a barrier to 'making America great again.' Norman Ornstein is a political scientist and resident scholar at the conservative-leaning think tank, the American Enterprise Institute. In 2015, he predicted the rise of Donald Trump. He outlines the most eyebrow-raising of the US president's cabinet nominees and explains why Ireland has a legitimate reason to fear for its economic future.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Aideen Finnegan.

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It's been one year since anti-immigration protests spiralled into full-scale rioting on the streets of Dublin. The issue has dominated the headlines this year, forcing political parties to take a clear position on how they would deal with the rise in international applicants coming here. That said, the issue hasn't eclipsed housing, health and the cost-of-living on the doorsteps in this General Election campaign. So what exactly are the various parties promising on immigration, which is the most hardline and do those actively campaigning on an anti-immigrant platform have a better chance winning a Dáil seat? Irish Times political correspondent Jack Horgan Jones compares the various party manifestos and analyses the chances of any far right voices succeeding.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Aideen Finnegan.

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Fine Gael is doubling down on its support for a General Election candidate who was filmed punching a man in the head. John McGahon was 28 years-old and a Fine Gael councillor, at the time of the altercation outside a pub in Dundalk six years ago. Now he’s running for a seat in the Dáil – which Taoiseach Simon Harris defended on Monday night’s Leaders Debate. But questions remain about how McGahon was nominated for the party ticket, amid accusations of double standards from the opposition. Irish Times political correspondent Harry McGee has the latest.

Presented by Sorcha Polllak. Produced by Suzanne Brennan and Aideen Finnegan.

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In April 2015, William Maughan and his pregnant girlfriend Anastasija Varslavane disappeared without a trace. 

Noone has ever been charged in connection to their murder, but this week a new development is bringing fresh hope to the victim’s families.

Irish Times crime and security editor Conor Lally has the latest.  

Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Suzanne Brennan.

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