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Wednesday 4 October 2023 Dublin: 15°C

# 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.
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.
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.
US Secretary of State calls on Putin to choose 'peaceful path' as he lands in Ukraine for crisis talks
Russia moves more troops westwards amid Ukraine tensions
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
All time
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.
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.
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.
No plans for more restrictions this week, but Martin can't rule out discussions after Christmas
Increased demand for PCR testing puts strain on HSE booking systems
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.
The Explainer: Is Euroscepticism stronger or weaker after Brexit?
Has Britain’s experience been a motivating force – or turned people off?
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.
Biden promises support for Ukraine and sanctions for Moscow if Russia invades neighbour
Joe Biden warns Putin of 'unprecedented sanctions' if Russia invades Ukraine
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
The Explainer: Why is there so much talk about Ireland's cows right now?
You guessed it – it’s climate change related.
Explainer: Why tensions are flaring between Poland and Belarus over migrant crossings
The situation has escalated rapidly since last weekend.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Explainer: Why has Facebook changed its company name?
Facebook has revealed a new company name and brand, Meta.
'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.
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.
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.
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.
Explainer: Why did Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp go down yesterday?
The platforms were down for around six hours yesterday.
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.
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.
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.
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.