The Explainer

The Journal

The Explainer is a weekly podcast from The Journal that takes a deeper look at one big news story you need to know about. What's the background? Why is this in the news? Get the facts behind the story from Ireland's biggest news website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

About PodLP

PodLP is the leading podcast app for feature phones. With 10M+ installs in nearly every country, PodLP is available for KaiOS on the KaiStore and JioStore, as well as Cloud Phone and Android. If you're interested in promoting "The Explainer" on PodLP, contact sales@podlp.com.

Screenshots are mockup renders of PodLP for KaiOS. Actual design may vary based on platform, operating system, and app version.

The Explainer

Episodes (416)

Thu Jun 11th What does a Limerick refinery have to do with a Russian sanctions row?
Wed Jun 3rd How do Irish contestants keep stealing the spotlight on Love Island?
May 27th Why is the latest Ebola outbreak so hard to contain?

The Explainer

Jun 11, 2026
18 minutes
25 MB

Alumina is the fine white powder needed to make aluminium, and Ireland is home to Europe's largest producer of it. Aughinish Alumina's ownership by Russian giant Rusal has put the Limerick plant under intense scrutiny, with a recent investigation tracing its product all the way to the Russian military. Niall O'Connor, News Correspondent with The Journal, joins us to explain who owns the refinery, how its alumina allegedly ends up in Russian weapons, and what it all means for the hundreds of people who work there. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Explainer

What does a Limerick refinery have to do with a Russian sanctions row?

The Journal

00:00 -18:09