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Why Spain’s housing crisis is a European one

This weekend, the streets of Spain turned to an orange and green “no” due to mass protests over housing. Tens of thousands of people across 40 cities took to the streets demanding what should be pretty basic in 2025, affordable housing. 
But what action is the government taking to solve the housing crisis and why is this more than just a Spanish problem?

This weekend, the streets of Spain turned to an orange and green “no” due to mass protests over housing. Tens of thousands of people across 40...
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EPP’s NGO transparency funding review fails by a single vote

On Monday evening, the European People’s Party EPP tried and failed to push for a review of how the European Commission funds certain climate NGOs. The text voted by the MEP’s in Strasbourg argues that the Commission is basically paying NGOs to lobby for the Green Deal. Or,simply put, hiring cheerleaders for its own policies.
But what is the underlying reason the EPP has declared war on NGOs and did the Commission water down the agreement over NGO lobbying transparency?
Join us on our journey th...

Le Pen found guilty: A big bang moment for French politics?

The latest news says that Marine Le Pen and eight other MEPs have been found guilty of embezzling EU funds by a Paris court. This isn’t just a slap on the wrist,  it’s a political earthquake. 
The presiding judge, Bénédicte de Perthuis, warned from the start that the judgment would be lengthy, packed with explanations for the decision taken. And yet, here’s the first headline: guilty as charged. 
What happens if Le Pen is banned from running and why is this a moment of big bang for French politi...
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Erdoğan jails rival fueling protests and democracy fears

On Sunday, Turkey took a sharp turn toward full-blown autocracy. Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, arguably President Tayyip Erdoğan’s biggest political rival, was arrested and removed from office. Allegedly his crime is corruption. But in reality this is a textbook political purge. 
What does İmamoğlu’s arrest mean for Turkey’s political future and can Europe collaborate with a country sliding into dictatorship?

On Sunday, Turkey took a sharp turn toward full-blown autocracy. Istanbul’s mayor,...

Greece: Massive protests over train disaster could crash the government | Europod • News

Two years after Greece’s deadliest train crash, the country is at a standstill. Today marks the anniversary of the Tempe rail disaster that killed 57 people. Despite repeated EU warnings about safety risks, Greece’s railway system remained dangerously outdated. Now, with no trial and growing suspicions of a government cover-up, public outrage is boiling over. So, today Greeks are taking to the streets in 350 cities worldwide, expressing their deep distrust in the government, as Prime Minister Ky...
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Huawei, Bribes, and the EU: A new corruption scandal hits parliament | Europod • News

“Absolutely forbidden to open this door” signs are plastered with blue and white police tape on doors of European Parliament offices. And all this feels like a depressing déjà vu! Just a few years after the Qatargate bribery scandal rocked the EU’s only directly elected institution, accusations of cash-for-favors are once again casting a shadow on current and former European lawmakers. The “alleged bribery” would have benefited China’s tech giant Huawei, the Belgian prosecutor’s office said on T...

Can Putin say 'nyet' to Trump’s proposed ceasefire with Ukraine?

So the latest diplomatic gymnastics around Ukraine are all about the proposed 30 day ceasefire between the two countries. President Donald Trump has suggested that he might target Russia financially if Moscow refuses to accept it.
This ceasefire was brokered in Saudi Arabia between the U.S. and Ukraine, and now the world is waiting for Russia’s response. Will Vladimir Putin say “nyet” to Trump or will he accept the deal?

Trump and Putin decide on Ukraine: Are EU-US relations at their worst?

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are reportedly pushing for peace talks to end the war in Ukraine, but with one major catch: Europe is being completely left out of the conversation. While the US and Russia make plans, European leaders are scrambling to figure out what’s next. Ursula von der Leyen insists Europe must remain at the center of negotiations, while António Costa bluntly states that the EU “cannot be treated as an ATM.” Are the EU- US relations at their worst?

Donald Trump and Vladimir...

Spyware scandal in Italy: journalists, activists, and government denial

When WhatsApp alerts you that military-grade spyware hacked your phone, it’s not just paranoia, it’s reality. At least seven people in Italy, including journalists and activists, and another 83 people in more than 24 countries were targeted using Israeli-made spyware.
The Italian government denies involvement, but questions remain: Who ordered the hacks? And what does this mean for press freedom and privacy in Europe?

When WhatsApp alerts you that military-grade spyware hacked your phone, it’s...

Trump’s tariff gamble and the price the EU may pay

Donald Trump announced on Sunday that the US will “definitely” impose tariffs on the EU, citing concerns over the US trade deficit with Europe. While Trump has previously made threats without following through, some of his recent tariff measures, particularly on Canada and China, have been implemented stressing European leaders.
But is Trump really going to impose tariffs on the EU, and if so what would the impact be?

Donald Trump announced on Sunday that the US will “definitely” impose tariffs...

Justice for Tempe: Greeks fight for truth as new evidence emerges

Nearly two years after Greece’s worst railway disaster, tens of thousands took to the streets demanding accountability for the 57 lives lost.
In this episode, we take a look into the Tempe train tragedy, unpack the damning evidence of missing CCTV footage, the undisclosed presence of flammable materials, and the alleged cover-ups that have surrounded the case.Why is this case more than just a Greek issue and what should happen next?

Nearly two years after Greece’s worst railway disaster, tens o...

Europe’s toxic crisis: Plastics industry lobbying to shield 'forever chemicals’ | Europe Talks Back

Forever chemicals, the toxic, indestructible substances hiding in our everyday lives are threatening Europe’s environment and public health. From their staggering cleanup costs to the plastics industry’s relentless lobbying to block a ban, this episode unpacks the high stakes of PFAS pollution. Why should Europeans care? Because these chemicals don’t just stay in factories, they seep into our water, soil, and bodies. Tune in to explore what’s being done, what’s standing in the way, and why it’s...

What makes Greenland so important for Trump and for Europe?

Greenland, a remote island with a population of just 60,000, has become the unexpected focus of a global power struggle. U.S. President Donald Trump’s audacious idea to buy the territory has stirred debates about sovereignty and self-determination, while exposing the Arctic as a strategic chessboard for world powers. Why does this matter to Europeans? Greenland holds 25 of the 34 critical raw materials essential for Europe’s green transition, making it a linchpin in the fight against climate cha...

Draghi report, competitiveness and EU corporate reporting requirements facing backlash

European businesses are increasingly concerned about the EU's growing regulatory and reporting requirements, which they say hamper competitiveness and productivity.

The combination of high energy prices (well above those in the US) and stringent sustainability and compliance requirements is putting pressure on several industries, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in particular.

While the European Union aims to reduce reporting obligations by 25%, the challenge is to balance simpl...

Can the EU help Ukraine as North Korea sends troops to Russia?

Today marks 1,000 days since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The recent deployment of North Korean troops to Russia's Kursk region, entered by Ukrainian forces in August, signals a major shift in the conflict. North Korea’s involvement, previously seen in arms supplies and meetings between Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin, now includes sending troops to the border.

This move provides Russia with added manpower, posing greater challenges for Ukraine’s strained military resources and incr...

Commissioner hearings end without conclusions as the real negotiations begin

Tuesday (12 November) marked the last day of hearings at the European Parliament, yet no conclusions were reached – in a clear indication that all political parties have laid their cards on the table and are now negotiating over who gets what.

Evaluation meetings have been postponed with no timeline set, leaving many unanswered questions: what is happening behind closed doors, and what can we expect from the hearings’ conclusions in the coming days? 

To break down what has happened with the...

German coalition collapse: What European leaders fear

Germany’s coalition government collapsed on Wednesday, setting the stage for the first minority government in over 40 years and possible snap elections - a turn of events that has European leaders worried.

The breakdown, caused by long-running disputes over economic policy and budget constraints, culminated late on Wednesday when Chancellor Olaf Scholz dismissed Finance Minister Christian Lindner after failed negotiations.

This marks a significant shift in German and European politics, wit...

US Election Night: What happened and what it means for the EU

Last night, Americans headed to the polls to shape not only their own future but also that of the rest of the world by voting for the next US president. Kamala Harris and Donald Trump went head-to-head for the US presidency in what is being called the most significant election in decades.

The race for the White House is expected to come down to seven key battleground states, and it could take days for officials to count enough votes to declare a winner. So, what happened on election night, and...

Moldova and Georgia: how domestic struggles threaten EU dreams

Moldova and Georgia are at a crossroads in their paths toward European integration. Just recently, Moldova held a constitutional referendum where voters expressed their desire to enshrine EU aspirations. The contest turned out to be tighter than expected, with allegations of Russian interference and vote-buying. 

Further southeast on the continent, Georgian voters are preparing to cast their ballots in parliamentary elections this Saturday (October 26). The ruling party's close ties to Moscow...

Orbán's relations with Brussels at boiling point

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had a tense exchange at the Strasbourg plenary on 9 October, after Orbán outlined his country's EU Council Presidency initiatives.

Orbán stressed the need for stricter migration controls, questioning the EU's approach to Ukraine. Von der Leyen responded with a strong defence of Europe’s military and financial support to Kyiv. The clash highlighted deepening divisions within the EU, as Orbán called for...

EU ministers' not-so-subtle rightward shift on migration

Thursday’s Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting has laid bare the stark shift in EU member states' approach to migration, as right-wing politics gain ground across the bloc.

While ministers are due to discuss issues related to Schengen and security, the focal point will be a working lunch where ministers will explore new migration deals with third countries and how to make the return of irregular migrants more efficient.

The obvious harder line that is being taken on both asylum and irre...

ICRC urges end to hostilities as Israel-Hezbollah conflict threatens regional spill over

The situation in the Middle East is rapidly deteriorating. Though not officially termed a war, the escalating conflict across Gaza, northern Israel, and southern Lebanon suggests a new regional conflict in the Middle East is rapidly taking shape.
Israel’s operation against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and Beirut, which resulted in the death of one of Hezbollah’s leaders, has triggered missile retaliation and caused severe civilian casualties. More than 550 people, among them dozens of children...

Draghi: The EU to consider report's proposals or face 'slow agony'

Mario Draghi handed his highly anticipated report on European competitiveness to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, outlining the urgent need to boost productivity to achieve the EU’s political and economic goals.
Without significant progress, Europe risks falling further behind global competitors, particularly in the tech sector. The report highlights the importance of a well-coordinated transition to climate neutrality, ensuring that decarbonisation also supports growth. With...
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