In The News

Carlo Acutis was just 15 when he died in 2006. British-born and living in Milan, the teenager became a devout Catholic and used his computer skills to develop a website detailing miracles. Just a few days after he launched his website, he fell ill and died.By 2013 he was on the way to sainthood having been named a “Servant of God”; in that same year a woman in Brazil claimed that praying to Acutis helped heal her son’s pancreatic illness. In 2020 Pope Francis authenticated the miracle and Acutis was beatified. Then, in 2024, a second miracle was recognised.The Pope approved Acutis’ canonisation in July, with an official ceremony set for 2025.Already relics of the “saint dressed in jeans, sneakers and a sweatshirt” are touring the world with a lock of his hair being stolen at this year’s National Ploughing Championships in Co Laois.Former Irish Times religious correspondent Patsy McGarry explains the path to sainthood and what the teenager’s elevation means.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One city in China produces 80 per cent of the world’s Christmas decorations.Yiwu International Trade City exports more than 20,000 types of Christmas products to more than 100 countries, with Europe and the Americas the most important markets for most producers. That’s a lot of plastic Christmas trees, wreaths, baubles, life-size elves, tinsel and flickering lights.When Irish Times Beijing correspondent Denis Staunton visited, he found manufacturers with a clear idea of just what westerners want and the emerging trends – there’s a new trend towards pastel coloured decorations, including trees.He tells In the News that although Communist Party members are forbidden from practising religion, Christian churches are allowed to operate under the supervision of the authorities. But some state schools have recently been discouraging children from marking western holidays such as Halloween and Christmas, urging them to celebrate Chinese traditions instead.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A French court on Thursday found Dominique Pelicot guilty and sentenced him to 20 years in prison for repeatedly drugging and raping his ex-wife Gisèle Pelicot over a nine-year period from 2011 and inviting dozens of men to rape her unconscious body in their home.The retired electrician and former estate agent was also found guilty of making sexual images of his daughter Caroline and the wives of his sons.The five judges also found the 50 other men on trial guilty. Some of their sentences were lower than those that had been suggested by the state prosecutor.In an act of immense bravery Gisèle waived her right to anonymity so that Dominique and the names of the 50 men accused of raping her could be made public.The case has gripped France, prompting discussion on misogyny, sexual abuse and the country’s laws around rape and it has made Gisèle a national hero, particularly among the thousands of women who turned up each day to the court to support her.Laura Gozzi was in court in Avignon every day reporting for the BBC and she tells In the News about the case and how the details unfolded in the court.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan.If you have been affected by sexual violence, you can contact the 24-hour Rape Crisis Centre helpline at 1800 778888 for free, confidential and non-judgemental support Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Tuesday, gardaí and emergency services found the body of Anthony Maguire (36) in his Drogheda home, six days after he was arrested in connection with the disappearance of Kyran Durnin. He is believed to have had access to Kyran in the period before the last confirmed sighting of the boy as a six-year-old in the summer of 2022. He was a close associate of another suspect in the case. Gardaí had also been looking into whether he was involved in the presentation of a different child to Túsla, in an attempt to pass that boy as Kyran Durnin. Maguire's death is being treated as a suicide. Now as Conor Lally, Irish Times crime and security editor, explains Gardaí investigating the suspected murder of Kyran are working to determine if Maguire left behind any vital information on the disappearance of the child.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan and Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.