When the Covid-19 pandemic struck in 2020, hundreds of millions of people worldwide suddenly found themselves working from home for the first time. Since then, calls for more flexible and shorter working hours have continued to gain momentum.Proponents of a four-day week argue that employees, business and society at large would be better off with one less day of work. Those in favour of reducing working hours also say it would help tackle burnout, gender inequality, unemployment and improve general health and wellbeing.However, opponents say reducing working hours could cause economic damage, waken people’s work ethic and put a strain on public services.They’ve also warned that industries like education, medicine and hospitality, which require staff seven days a week, 24 hours a day, cannot simply change their working format.The Netherlands, where the average working week is now 32 hours, is one country where the four-day model is quietly changing people’s lives.How did the Dutch embark on this working model, how successful has it been and what downsides are there to cutting back the working week?Financial Times columnist and reporter Sarah O’Connor discusses the shift in the Netherlands to a shorter working week and examines whether the Dutch model could function in other countries.Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Andrew McNair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
--------
16:53
--------
16:53
Daniel Aruebose: Body found in north Dublin search for vanished boy
Gardaí searching for a child who went missing when he was three years old have found human remains at a site in Donabate, north Dublin.Confirming that skeletal remains had been discovered, Garda HQ also named the boy as Daniel Aruebose.It is the first time he has been named since his disappearance and assumed death was placed under investigation three weeks ago.Conor Lally reports from the scene on what is known and is yet to be uncovered about the tragic case. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
--------
11:06
--------
11:06
Eoin Hayes 'blackface' controversy: What can the Social Democrats do with him?
On Tuesday, Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns returned to the helm of her political party for a think-in dominated by the controversy over TD Eoin Hayes.The previous night, Mr Hayes issued an apology for wearing brown make-up on his face and hands while dressed up as former US president Barack Obama, at a party 16 years ago.Mr Hayes was previously suspended from the Social Democrats last December after it emerged he had issued misleading information about when he sold his shares in Palantir, a company he worked with which has been linked to the Israeli military. He was readmitted to the party over the summer.Ms Cairns said she was “hugely disappointed and annoyed” about the ‘blackface’ incident but has not yet revealed whether her colleague will face disciplinary actions.How will the Social Democrats respond to this latest scandal and could they suspend the Dublin Bay South TD for a second time?And how has the Social Democrats fared as an opposition political party during its leader’s maternity leave?Today, on In The News, Holly Cairns’s return from maternity leave was spoiled by another embarrassing controversy involving Social Democrats TD Eoin Hayes.Irish Times political correspondent Jack Horgan-Jones discusses the fallout from the Hayes photograph and Cairns’ return to party leadership.Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Andrew McNair and Declan Conlon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
--------
20:28
--------
20:28
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.
--------
21:06
--------
21:06
From Gaza to AI, Pope Leo is taking the papacy in a different direction
As Pope Leo XIV turns 70 we look back at his first months in office, the messages he has been giving to his flock of 1.4 billion Catholics and what they reveal about the direction of his papacy.Since May the Pope has used his Wednesday audience to condemn the actions of Isreal in Gaza and to call for peace in Ukraine. What he has chosen to wear and where to live has signalled a return to tradition – but as Irish Times Europe correspondent Naomi O’Leary explains he’s also spoken about the dangers and the promise of AI.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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.
Brasil