# Explainer

Last year

2022

Opinion: Putin's obsession with making Russia great again is driving his approach to Ukraine

Journalist Hannah McCarthy explains the thinking of Russian President Vladimir Putin as his military builds along the border with Ukraine.

21.9k

Feb 1st 2022, 7:00 PM

# Explainer

Explainer: What's the latest with Russia-Ukraine tensions and is an invasion likely?

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Ukraine today ahead of talks with Russia on Friday.

Moscow has been accused of massing tens of thousands of troops near its border with Ukraine in preparation for an invasion.

The conflict in eastern Ukraine has so far left more than 13,000 dead.

16.5k

Jan 19th 2022, 3:01 PM

# Podcast

The Explainer: What led to violent unrest in Kazakhstan?

Click to listen to our interview with former Kazakhstan resident, and expert in post-Soviet countries, professor Donnacha Ó Beacháin.

4.9k

Jan 13th 2022, 6:00 PM

# Prince Andrew

Prince Andrew’s civil case: What is alleged to have happened and what happens next?

The motion to dismiss the case against the prince was denied by a US judge yesterday.

13.2k

Jan 13th 2022, 1:04 PM

# It Could Be You

Explainer: How will the National Lottery's 'must be won' €19m draw work this Saturday?

The current Lotto jackpot has been rolling since Wednesday 9 June 2021.

65.6k

Jan 13th 2022, 12:40 PM

# unrest

Explainer: What led to the crisis in Kazakhstan and what's happening now?

Order has been restored in the former Soviet state after dozens of deaths and the deployment of Russian troops.

The protests began after fuel prices doubled and tapped into wider discontent in the oil-rich Central Asian nation.

A harsh clampdown saw a 'shoot to kill' policy implemented and the deployment of Russian troops in Kazakhstan.

The Department of Foreign Affairs issued advice to Irish citizens in the country.

11.5k

Jan 10th 2022, 4:20 PM

# Boosted

Q&A: Digital Covid Certs are being updated for boosters - here's what they'll be required for

If you’re boosted, you’ll soon get a new EU pass.

61.9k

Jan 6th 2022, 5:00 PM

# funding fertility

The Explainer x Noteworthy: Why are people still paying thousands for fertility treatment?

Noteworthy’s Maria Delaney tells Susan Daly about how the private fertility sector is making millions as patients are left in debt.

12.1k

Updated

Jan 5th 2022, 7:05 AM

All time

# Explainer

New Covid testing and isolation guidelines: Here's everything you need to know

The changes are aimed at freeing up Covid-19 testing capacity and easing disruption to businesses.

90.7k

Dec 31st 2021, 12:03 PM

# Podcast

The Explainer: RTÉ's Brian O'Donovan looks back on Biden's first year as US President

As he prepares to return to Ireland, the Washington correspondent shares his thoughts on the year in US news.

12.5k

Dec 27th 2021, 3:00 PM

# test and case

Why a jump in Covid cases on a given day doesn't always mean an official 'backlog'

To take away any confusion, just look at five and seven-day averages.

Recent spikes on specific days have led to claims of backlogs but what is actually happening?

It's down to the workflow required to turn positive swabs into official cases.

It shouldn't matter anyway because looking at trends will give you the accurate picture, writes Rónán Duffy.

31.0k

Dec 23rd 2021, 12:03 AM

# Covid-19

Explainer: What we know about Omicron and how effective booster shots might be

A new study from Imperial College London found that boosters are key to mitigating the impact of the variant.

21.0k

Dec 17th 2021, 6:30 PM

# Podcast

The Explainer: Is Euroscepticism stronger or weaker after Brexit?

Has Britain’s experience been a motivating force – or turned people off?

4.3k

Dec 16th 2021, 6:00 PM

# Explainer

Explainer: What's happening on the Russia-Ukraine border and how likely is an invasion?

Nearly 100,000 Russian troops have massed on the Ukrainian border in recent weeks.

14.7k

Dec 10th 2021, 1:08 PM

# wham

Explainer: Why is there uproar over a Number 10 party that happened last Christmas?

A look at why Boris Johnson has launched an investigation into a “cheese and wine” gathering at Number 10.

17.5k

Dec 8th 2021, 2:51 PM

# Explainer

What are face mask requirements for primary school children in other European countries?

Nine to 12 year-olds are now required to wear face masks in Ireland.

32.5k

Dec 5th 2021, 7:30 AM

# article 16

Wielding a gun with no ammunition: The UK, the EU and the battle over the Northern Ireland Protocol

It hasn’t gone away, you know.

29.3k

Dec 4th 2021, 8:00 PM

# Explainer

Pressure grows for patent waiver amid 'Covid vaccine apartheid' - so what's Ireland's position?

A mock funeral will be held outside Leinster House today to protest the Government’s support for EU’s efforts to block the TRIPS waiver.

29.3k

Nov 30th 2021, 12:42 PM

# Explainer

What does the data we have tell us about Covid-19 outbreaks in this school year?

A shift in how Covid-19 cases in schools are being dealt with has taken place this week – so how bad is transmission?

28.6k

Nov 21st 2021, 7:00 AM

# Coronavirus

Here's how Europe is coping with Covid's fourth wave amid weeks of escalating cases

Increasing restrictions and measures targeting the unvaccinated are proliferating on the continent.

34.8k

Nov 20th 2021, 6:30 AM

# Peng Shuai

Explainer: Who is missing Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai and what allegations did she make?

Peng, a former Wimbledon and French Open doubles champion, has not been heard from for two weeks.

21.7k

Nov 18th 2021, 1:04 PM

# Coronavirus

Limited lockdowns and restrictions on unvaccinated: How Europe is dealing with Covid wave

New measures are on the cards in several countries as cases continue to climb.

23.6k

Nov 13th 2021, 6:30 AM

# Podcast

The Explainer: Why is there so much talk about Ireland's cows right now?

You guessed it – it’s climate change related.

3.1k

Nov 11th 2021, 7:00 AM

# Poland-Belarus border

Explainer: Why tensions are flaring between Poland and Belarus over migrant crossings

The situation has escalated rapidly since last weekend.

26.8k

Updated

Nov 10th 2021, 2:07 PM

# Explainer

The government's health screening 'czar' wants people's input on how services could be extended

We see screening as something that is in the public ownership, Professor Niall O’Higgins said on why the public were being asked.

9.7k

Nov 7th 2021, 6:30 AM

# Explainer

What exactly is Article 16 of the Northern Ireland Protocol and how does it work?

The UK is again threatening to trigger the clause this week.

34.4k

Nov 5th 2021, 4:41 PM

# Explainer

The Local Property Tax deadline is approaching - here's how to calculate and pay your bill

Over a third of people can expect to see an increase this year.

107k

Nov 5th 2021, 10:50 AM

# Coronavirus

Heading into winter, how are other countries in Europe coping with the latest Covid wave?

Germany reported its biggest daily increase in cases since the start of the pandemic yesterday.

27.6k

Nov 5th 2021, 6:15 AM

# allies at war

Another fish fight: Why is the UK at loggerheads with France over fishing?

There is a disagreement about French vessels’ access to UK waters, and whose fault it is.

10.9k

Oct 29th 2021, 7:45 PM

# Meta

Explainer: Why has Facebook changed its company name?

Facebook has revealed a new company name and brand, Meta.

29.2k

Oct 29th 2021, 1:25 PM

# Explainer

'Both challenging and not ambitious enough': Why the carbon budgets are a huge deal for Ireland

Ireland’s first proposed carbon budgets were finalised yesterday.

6.8k

Oct 26th 2021, 4:41 PM

# Analysis

Anti-vaxx groups' claims about Covid deaths among the vaccinated are misleading

Anti-lockdown groups suggest that vaccines aren’t working – but the data shows otherwise.

75.2k

177

Oct 24th 2021, 12:05 AM

# fuel allowance

Explainer: What is the Fuel Allowance and who can qualify for it?

It was announced in the Budget this week that the Fuel Allowance would increase by €5 per week.

37.8k

Oct 17th 2021, 6:30 AM

# Explainer

A useful guide to Ireland's planning system and how to have your say on proposed developments

News of two developments brought the system into focus again this week.

14.6k

Oct 9th 2021, 7:00 PM

# Explainer

Explainer: Why did Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp go down yesterday?

The platforms were down for around six hours yesterday.

37.5k

Oct 5th 2021, 12:33 PM

# the explainer

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.

6.0k

Oct 1st 2021, 6:00 PM

# Podcast

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.

10.7k

Sep 27th 2021, 9:50 AM

# Explainer

Ivermectin is not a proven treatment for Covid - so what's behind the demand in Ireland?

Health authorities across the world have warned of potentially serious side effects associated with improper use.

26.2k

Sep 18th 2021, 9:30 AM

# EUSPA

Explainer: What is the European Union Agency for the Space Programme?

EUSPA was officially launched this year as part of the EU’s €14.8 billion space programme.

5.4k

Sep 13th 2021, 7:00 PM

# Explainer

What's going on with the government's Sláintecare plan for the health service?

The office in charge of the reforms saw two key departures this week.

14.3k

Sep 10th 2021, 8:00 PM