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Wednesday 31 May 2023 Dublin: 8°C

# Explainer

Last week
21st May 2023 - 27th May 2023
# roster tensions
Explainer: Why are HSE bosses calling for a ‘permanent’ seven-day roster for hospital staff?
The HSE has said it wants to avoid a “substantial impact” of overcrowding on hospitals.
Last month
May 2023
# coygig
Explainer: Pauw's Ireland to learn Women's Nations League fate tomorrow
Full focus is on this summer’s World Cup, but the inaugural Nations League is looming.
This year
2023
# Explainer
Explainer: How did violence erupt in Sudan and why have countries decided to evacuate citizens?
Ireland is among countries currently evacuating citizens from the northeast African country due to the conflict.
# Explainer
Explainer: Why has violence broken out in Sudan and what might happen next?
Two opposing factions have taken over key sites in Sudan – but what’s at the root of the conflict?
# Explainer
World Boxing: What is it, will Ireland be involved, and will it affect the Olympics?
New international federation ‘aims to ensure that boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic movement’.
# Podcast
The Explainer: Why are there concerns over how TikTok is using your data?
Chris Stokel-Walker, author of a definitive book on TikTok, joins us this week to explain what the controversies around the Chinese-run app are.
# SNP
Explainer: Who is Humza Yousaf, the new leader of Scotland's ruling party?
Here’s everything you need to know about the soon-to-be First Minister.
# Explainer
All to play for as provinces head into final rounds of URC regular season
All four Irish teams are back in URC action this weekend.
# bye bye protocol
Explainer: Pets, potatoes and the 'Stormont brake', what's the deal with the Windsor Framework?
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the new deal effectively removes “any sense of a border in the Irish Sea”.
# Explainer
What does the 'breakthrough' Windsor Framework mean for Northern Ireland?
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen finalised the deal this afternoon.
# Explainer
Coup rumours, Oligarchs, and pro-Russia agitators: What's going on in Moldova?
With voters split between pro-western and pro-Russia parties, Moldova is at a crossroads ahead of the next election.
# Dissidents
Explainer: The New IRA and their not-so-new belief in violent republicanism
The New IRA was formed in 2012.
# Podcast
The Explainer: How could the war in Ukraine end?
Donnacha Ó Beacháin, professor of politics at the School of Law and Government at Dublin City University, joins us.
# Explainer
Explainer: What is the difference between ‘economic migrants’, ‘refugees’ and 'asylum-seekers'?
False claims about asylum seekers often use terms in confusing and contradictory ways
# Explainer
Nursing home charges: What is the controversy about and how has the Government responded?
A 2011 memo stated that the liability from these incorrect charges could amount to €12 billion.
# timeline
Explained: What you need to know about failed election declarations from Paschal Donohoe and SF
Fine Gael and Sinn Féin have consistently sniped one another over their failure to properly declare donations and expenses.
# Podcast
The Explainer: How did Ireland get so many Oscar nominations?
Listen in to hear reporter Aoife Barry on how it happened – and what it means for the film industry.
# Wood for the trees
Explainer: Why is a deal between Coillte and a British firm so controversial?
Here’s a breakdown explaining the deal, why it’s controversial, and what happens next.
# Podcast
The Explainer: Who is Andrew Tate?
Listen in to hear Dr Debbie Ging of Dublin City University explain more about the controversial online figure.
# donohoe to blame
Explainer: Why is Paschal Donohoe still in hot water over political donation declarations?
The Minister is now due to make a further statement to the Dáil on Tuesday.
# climate protest
Explainer: The story of Greta Thunberg and the small German village on brink of demolition
Here’s a breakdown of the circumstances of the protest in Germany and the activist’s short detention.
# SIPO
Explainer: Why is Paschal Donohoe in hot water over his expense declarations?
Sinn Féin have said that the Public Expenditure Minister’s explanation was “simply not credible”.
# Explainer
Plenty on the line as Irish provinces turn attention back to European Cup
All four provinces are in action on Saturday across a busy weekend in the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup.
# Explainer
Explainer: Why have Greece brought a case against Seán Binder and 23 other volunteers?
The case is before the Greek courts this week.
The case is before the Greek courts on the island of Lesbos this week.
The 24 co-accused could face lengthy jail terms if they are found guilty of charges including espionage and criminal membership.
The trial comes after the country's conservative government has vowed to make Greece "less attractive" to migrants.
# Podcast
The Explainer: How can you make your money go further in 2023?
Listen in to hear financial advisor Nick Charalambous give his advice.
# Damien English
Property questions take out another minister but this resignation is different to the Troy saga
English’s resignation is solely due to a 2008 planning application.
Fine Gael TD Damien English resigned his position as Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment today.
The Meath West TD resigned solely due to a 2008 planning application in which he failed to declare he owned a house.
Public scrutiny of politicians’ ownership of housing has ramped up in recent months following the controversy surrounding TD Robert Troy and his properties.
Fine Gael TD Damien English resigns as junior minister after reports about property ownership
A fortnight of apologies and clarifications that led to Robert Troy's resignation
# brasilia
Brazil's riots at Congress: what we know so far
Hundreds of people have been arrested in the wake of the riots.
Thousands of protesters stormed Brazil's seat of power in scenes which have been compared to the 6 January insurrection at the US Capitol.
Footage posted on social media showed rioters breaking doors and windows to enter the Congress building before damaging property inside.
It comes just a week after leftist Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva was sworn in having defeated former right-wing president Jair Bolsonaro.
Brazilian authorities arrest 1,500 protesters after major pro-Bolsonaro riots
# kevin mccarthy
Explainer: Why can't the House of Representatives elect a speaker?
Twenty hardline Republicans are blocking their party’s candidate, Kevin McCarthy.
Last year
2022
# Podcast
The Explainer: What did 2022 hold for US politics - and what can we expect in 2023?
Listen in to hear columnist, Bostonian and lawyer Larry Donnelly explain how things went.
# reichsburg
A bizarre coup by German plotters loyal to the pre-WW1 Reich was foiled - what do we know?
The coup was allegedly spearheaded by a German aristocrat called Heinrick XIII.
# Strep A
Explainer: What is Strep A infection and how are people affected?
The HSE is investigating if a four-year-old child has died from Strep A in Ireland.
# Explainer
Could Mastodon take over from Twitter - and how do you join?
We explain why the decentralised social media site is now in favour, and what makes it different.
# The North
Still no clarity on an election date in Northern Ireland, what's going on?
The NI Secretary has faced criticism for failing to provide clarity on whether he will call an election.
# Podcast
The Explainer: What’s the story with the women’s football World Cup?
Listen in to hear The42.ie reporter Emma Duffy explain.
# Explainer
Mortgage lending limits: What will the new Central Bank announcements mean for you?
An easing of lending restrictions announced today will make a mortgage more accessible for first-time buyers
# truss issues
Keep Calm and Carry On or quit: Is Truss certain to be ousted and how might it happen?
The British Prime Minister is battling to save her position despite several Tory MPs publicly calling for her to resign.
# Explainer
Disconnection moratorium: How will pay-as-you-go customers be impacted this winter?
The matter has been before the Dáil on multiple occasions in the last two weeks.
# episode
The Explainer: What will Putin's next steps be in his invasion of Ukraine?
Listen in to hear retired army officer Senator Tom Clonan explain what’s going on.
# Explainer
How Ireland could still qualify for the Euros even if they finish bottom of their group
Stephen Kenny’s side were handed a tough draw, with Netherlands and France the favourites to progress.
# Podcast
The Explainer: What's happening in Brazil's closely-fought election?
Listen in to hear journalist Sam Cowie, who’s based in Sao Paulo, explain.