In The News

In The News is a daily podcast from The Irish Times that takes a close look at the stories that matter, in Ireland and around the world. Presented by Bernice Harrison and Sorcha Pollak. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. HACE 20 H

    Jair Bolsonaro's conviction: Will the disgraced former president of Brazil really do time?

    Last week, Brazil made history when its supreme court convicted the country’s former far right president Jair Bolsonaro, and seven other defendants, of attempting a coup after his failed re-election bid in 2022. Bolsonaro was sentenced to more than 27 years in prison. The verdict brings an end to Brazil’s historical leniency in dealing with military men who have tried to overthrow democratically elected governments. Thousands of Brazilians took to the streets to celebrate the sentencing, while the leaders of neighbouring countries like Chile and Colombia paid tribute to the country’s democratic institutions. However, some members of the Brazilian congress immediately embarked on efforts to secure an amnesty for Bolsonaro and his co-conspirators. And Brazilian diplomats continue to anxiously await a formal response from the US, where president Donald Trump said he was “very unhappy” with the verdict and US secretary of state Marco Rubio described the trial as a “witch hunt”. Will Trump, who has already imposed 50 per cent tariffs on Brazil, impose further sanctions in response to the conviction? Can Bolsonaro’s supporters secure an amnesty for the divisive former leader? And what does this all mean for next year’s presidential election in Brazil? Today, on In The News, Brazil’s Bolsonaro is facing 27 years in prison, but will he do his jail time? Irish Times South America contributor Tom Hennigan discusses the national and international reaction to the Bolsonaro trial and verdict. Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Declan Conlon and Andrew McNair.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    21 min
  2. HACE 4 DÍAS

    Deep debt, political chaos, riots: Can Macron get France back on track?

    In June 2024 French President Emmanuel Macron took a political gamble – and lost heavily. Hoping to strengthen his centrist alliance he dissolved the National Assembly triggering an election. The result has been chaos – a legislature with no dominant political bloc in power and leading this week to France naming its fourth prime minister in 12 months and riots on the streets of Paris. At the centre of the political chaos is the threat of austerity budgets. France is deep in debt and a succession of Macron-appointment prime ministers have proposed budgets with tax hikes and deep cuts. On Monday, prime minister François Bayrou was ousted by a decisive vote after he proposed a tough budget. By Wednesday, Macron had appointed a replacement, Sébastien Lecornu. The problem for the next government, Lecornu’s, is that a budget still needs to be passed and securing the backing of a very divided parliament will be difficult. The world’s stage does see not much of French prime ministers because the president, Macron, holds substantial powers over foreign policy and European affairs. So does this open the door to a snap election? And how damaging is this for Macron that his own country is in chaos while he bestrides the stage, positioning himself as a powerful European leader. Naomi O’Leary, Irish Times European correspondent, explains a bleak week in French politics. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    23 min
  3. HACE 6 DÍAS

    RFK Jr: Will Trump stand by America’s vaccine-skeptic health chief?

    Earlier this year, US president Donald Trump sent shock waves across America’s medical and scientific community by appointing Robert F Kennedy jnr, one of America’s most prominent vaccine-sceptics, as secretary of health and human services. Since then, the controversial health secretary has caused large upheaval within America’s public health system, making appointments and changing vaccine policies which impact the lives of millions of Americans. RFK Jnr has also been widely criticised for firing Susan Monarez, the director of the Centre for Disease Control, the federal agency in charge of protecting the health of Americans. Kennedy claims his new appointments to oversee disease control are committed to “evidence-based medicine” and “gold standard science”. But, scientists and doctors across the US say he is putting Americans’ health in danger and undermining public trust in highly safe and effective vaccines. What has been the impact, so far, of a prominent vaccine-sceptic, with no medical background, leading America’s health agenda? How far will Trump back him? And what does Kennedy’s anti-vaccine approach mean for the future of scientific research in the United States? Today, on In The News, RFK Jnr has vowed to upend American healthcare. But how far will he go? UCD Clinton Institute professor of American Studies Scott Lucas discusses Robert F Kennedy Jr’s tightening grip on America’s public health system. Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by John Casey and Andrew McNair.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    27 min

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In The News is a daily podcast from The Irish Times that takes a close look at the stories that matter, in Ireland and around the world. Presented by Bernice Harrison and Sorcha Pollak. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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