In the early hours of Wednesday morning, a ceasefire between Israel and Hizbullah came into effect. The deal was announced the day before with US President Joe Biden saying he hoped it would mean a "permanent cessation of hostilities".

But what does the truce actually entail? And with both sides launching attacks right up until the ceasefire deadline, is the will there to keep the peace?

Irish Times journalist Sally Hayden reports from Beirut.

Presented by Bernice Harrison.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The cost of living is repeatedly mentioned as one of the main issues to the forefront of voters' minds in the run up to the General Election. In the US, president-elect Donald Trump made the economy one of the pillars of his campaign, regularly promising to "make America affordable again." But the reason for price spikes across the industrialised world are complex. So how realistic is it that any political party here could bring down the cost of living? And how can you tell what's within the next government's gift and what is just populist rhetoric. Irish Times writer on economics, Cliff Taylor, explains the factors at play and how to gauge whether party pledges could actually work.

Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Aideen Finnegan.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Twenty years ago, autism in Ireland was still seen as a relatively rare condition. Studies at the time suggested around seven in 10,000 schoolchildren were being diagnosed as autistic.

Today, research suggests as many as one in 20 schoolchildren may have autism or a similar developmental issue.

So, why are so many more children being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders compared with two decades ago?

Is the State equipped to meet the growing demand for specialised health and education services?

And what are the long-term implications for children, who don’t get the support and care that they need?

Presented by Sorcha Pollak, produced by Suzanne Brennan.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.