We are in a new era of global superpowers, and while Ireland has always sat comfortably with America, this week the Taoiseach has been enjoying the company of Chinese president Xi Jinping rather than Donald Trump. It’s an interesting place for Micheál Martin to be, caught in the middle of the battle for the new world order. But why did China roll out the red carpet for Ireland? And from our perspective, is it all about money?

Host: Kevin Doyle Guests: Alexander Dukalskis and Cónal Thomas

We are&nbsp;in&nbsp;a&nbsp;new&nbsp;era of global superpowers,&nbsp;and while Ireland has&nbsp;always&nbsp;sat comfortably with America, this week the&nbsp;Taoiseach&nbsp;has been enjoying the company&nbsp;of&nbsp;Chinese president Xi Jinping rather than Donald Trump. It’s&nbsp;an interesting place for Micheál Martin to&nbsp;be,&nbsp;caught in the middle of the battle for the new world&nbsp;order.&nbsp;But why did China roll out the red carpet for Ireland? And from our perspective, is it all about&nbsp;money?
Host: Kevin Doyle Guests: Alexander Dukalskis&nbsp;and Cónal&nbsp;Thomas

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Is Xi Jinping vs Donald Trump the battle for the new world order?

Carrie Jade Williams. Sadie Harris. Lucy Fitzwilliams. Jade Cookes. Samantha Black. Rebecca Fitzgerald.

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These are just some of the fabricated identities used by serial con artist Samantha Cookes.

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In 2024, her Walter Mitty-style life finally collapsed as online communities, journalists and a WhatsApp group of victims cross-referenced the inconsistencies in her story, joining the dots that authorities had missed.

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In March 2025, Samantha Cookes was jailed for three years for deception and theft.

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Yet her story keeps getting fresh chapters.

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On this episode of The Indo Daily, host Katie Byrne is joined by Alan Bradley, documentary filmmaker and author of new book Unmasking Samantha Cookes: The Many Lives of a Serial Fraudster, to discuss the breadth and the impact of an incredible deception.

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We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism

Carrie Jade Williams. Sadie Harris. Lucy Fitzwilliams. Jade Cookes. Samantha Black. Rebecca Fitzgerald.
­
These are just some of the fabricated identities used by serial con artist Samantha Cookes.
­
In 2024, her Walter Mitty-style life finally collapsed as online communities, journalists and a WhatsApp group of victims cross-referenced the inconsistencies in her story, joining the dots that authorities had missed.
­
In March 2025, Samantha Cookes was jailed for three years for deception and theft.
­
Yet her story keeps getting fresh chapters.
­
On this episode of The Indo Daily, host Katie Byrne is joined by Alan Bradley, documentary filmmaker and author of new book Unmasking Samantha Cookes: The Many Lives of a Serial Fraudster, to discuss the breadth and the impact of an incredible deception.
­
We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at <a href="https://independent.ie/ourjournalism" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank" title="https://independent.ie/ourjournalism">independent.ie/ourjournalism</a>

The many masks of serial con artist Samantha Cookes

A woman in her 50s, who has been arrested by gardaí investigating the disappearance and murder of Kyran Durnin, was known to the young boy and has had multiple previous interactions with gardaí about his disappearance.




Gardaí said in a statement that the woman was arrested on Monday morning and a new search was underway at a house in Drogheda.




She is the third suspect to be arrested in the case of the young boy who would have celebrated his 10th birthday earlier this month.




Today on this Indo Daily Extra, Kevin Doyle is joined by Irish Independent News and Security Correspondent Robin Schiller for the latest.




We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism.

A woman in her 50s, who has been arrested by gardaí investigating the disappearance and murder of Kyran Durnin, was known to the young boy and has had multiple previous interactions with gardaí about his disappearance.
 
Gardaí said in a statement that the woman was arrested on Monday morning and a new search was underway at a house in Drogheda.
 
She is the third suspect to be arrested in the case of the young boy who would have celebrated his 10th birthday earlier this month.
 
Today on this Indo Daily Extra, Kevin Doyle is joined by Irish Independent News and Security Correspondent Robin Schiller for the latest.
 
We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at <a href="https://www.independent.ie/service/our-journalism/a/98708550.html">independent.ie/ourjournalism.</a>

Extra: Woman known to Kyran Durnin arrested as gardaí search home in Co Louth 

Irish woman Annalouise Spence stands accused of fraud that resulted in an incredible spending spree to the tune of $1.6m.  
Ms Spence previously worked as a private secretary for Australian billionaire philanthropist Judith Neilson.  
Spence is currently behind bars, charged with 68 counts of dishonestly obtaining property by deception, with premium concert tickets, opulent hotel bookings and high-fashion luxury items listed among the court documents.  
So, how did such an extraordinary deception come to pass? 
On this episode of The Indo Daily, Fionnán Sheahan is joined by Kate McClymont, investigative reporter with The Sydney Morning Herald, who first broke this story, to hear the many twists and turns it has taken thus far.  
Host: Fionnán Sheahan 
Guest: Kate McClymont 
We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/our journalism 

Is Xi Jinping vs Donald Trump the battle for the new world order?

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