Briefed - Your Daily European Podcast

Three months after the election of Peter Magyar in Hungary, how Hungarians are experiencing this shift in power? Are they feeling a big difference, and are they confident that Magyar will hold his promises to restore the rule of law and the press freedom in particular? Kata Olah, editorial manager at 444 , a Hungarian independent media, answers to my questions in this special episode of Briefed. P...

The European Union is investing tens of billions of euros to make our homes more energy efficient. Yet, according to a new report, much of that money is delivering only limited results. So why isn't EU funding having the impact it was supposed to? Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sphera network . Follow us on: LinkedIn Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more info...

Today's episode of Briefed is a conversation with Ioannis Tsioulis, journalist for the Greek independent media Popaganda , to talk about the comeback of Alexis Tsipras in Greece ahead of next years general elections. What does Tsipras propose, and does he stand a chance to win the election? Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sphera network . Follow us on: LinkedIn Instagram Hosted o...

In March, the EU’s top court ruled in favour of a Bulgarian transgender woman who wanted to correct the gender and name recorded in her civil registry. Some say this is a landmark decision for trans rights in Europe. But what is actually the state of transgender rights in Europe? This episode was co-written with Emma Belmonte. Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sphera network . Foll...

"Remigration". Born within the Belgian far right and later embraced in France and Austria, this concept refers to the forced or voluntary return of foreign nationals, but also legal migrants and even naturalised citizens, to their countries of origin. And it is becoming increasingly popular among right-wing forces across Europe. Is this racial, and xenophobic, policy really realistic and feasible?...

Twenty years ago, Scotland was one of the most violent places in the developed world. Today, it has one of the lowest crime rates in Europe. How did Scotland turn things around, and what lessons can the rest of Europe learn from this success story? Check the BBC story about the Scottish case. Listen to the episode about the prison system in Europe . Production: By Europod, in co-production with th...

Iran and the United States signed an interim agreement two weeks ago. Yet hostilities between the two countries have not completely stopped. Ships have started sailing through the Strait of Hormuz again, but a big share of the usual traffic is still on hold. So starting the summer holidays, what should we expect for oil and gas prices? Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sphera netwo...

If you sometimes order products from Temu, Shein or AliExpress, your next order might soon cost a little more. Because from today onwards, the European Union is introducing a new €3 customs duty on low-value parcels entering the bloc from outside the EU. Who will benefit from this tax? Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sphera network . Follow us on: LinkedIn • Instagram Hosted on A...

The 27 EU member states all agree on one thing: Europe needs new solutions to withstand China's growing economic pressure. But when it comes to taking concrete and far-reaching action, that unity quickly disappears. So what can the EU actually do to push back against the Chinese giant? Listen to the episode about China's own strategic goals: https://pod.link/1633500456/episode/NjlkZmU0NWE5MDdlNWE3...

The European Commission wants to extend unconditional protection for Ukrainians fleeing the war for another year — but not for men of fighting age. That's what European Commissioner for Migration Magnus Brunner announced on Friday 26 June. Where does this decision come from, and what could it mean for both Ukraine and the European Union? Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sphera net...

In this episode of Europe Talks Back, we explore why Europe's digital divide persists in Europe, from infrastructure and connectivity to digital skills and AI adoption, with insights from researcher Dr. Cora Van Leeuwen of the VUB university in Brussels. Production by Europod, in cooperation with ESPON, an EU-funded programme that bridges research and policy. This podcast series is cofunded by ESP...

Within the EU, Giorgia Meloni has proven to be a much easier partner than many had expected. In Italy, she also enjoys an image of stability that reassures at least part of the business community. Can the Italian experience strengthen other far right movements in Europe, such as the National Rally in France? Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sphera network . Follow us on: LinkedIn...

School closures, free access to museums… Across Europe, authorities are taking exceptional measures to cope with the current heatwave. But what is being done on a larger scale to adapt buildings to rising temperatures? Can the EU contribute to that effort, and how? Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sphera network . Follow us on: LinkedIn • Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p...

Ten years after voting to leave the European Union, 57% of Brits now believe Brexit was a mistake. But what if the United Kingdom eventually wanted to rejoin the EU? Is that actually a realistic possibility? Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sphera network . Follow us on: LinkedIn • Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Not only do several EU member states want to build deportation centres, or 'return hubs' in third countries, but they also hope to have them financed by the European Union. Which countries support these return hubs, which oppose them, and what are they likely to get? Listen to the previous episode about the 'return regulation': https://open.spotify.com/episode/26PUqeVGLhEp2cd8D33JAY?si=kZTgcV6zQJS...

Has it ever happened to you to discover, after months of working in your role, that your colleague is receiving a higher salary for the same job? If you’re a woman, there is a high chance the answer is yes. But don’t worry, the European Union is changing that thanks to the Pay Transparency Directive, which just became mandatory everywhere in Europe. Is it for real? What will truly change in your c...

On Wednesday, the new social media platform W launched its beta version. It is said to already have 55,000 users worldwide, and it is already backed by 80 European investors. What does W offer that existing platforms don't? Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sphera network . Follow us on: LinkedIn Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since March, Ukrainians benefiting from temporary protection in Poland no longer enjoy the same rights as before. Free collective accommodation is no longer available to everyone. And neither are family benefits. Why has Poland tightened the rules, and what does it mean for Ukrainian refugees? Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sphera network . Follow us on: LinkedIn Instagram Hoste...

On Monday, Donald Trump threatened France with a 100% tariff on French wine unless it scrapped its digital services tax. More than a year after Donald Trump's tariff revolution, where do things stand? What tariffs are currently applied to European goods? Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sphera network . Follow us on: LinkedIn •. Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...

A few hours after the announcement of an agreement between the United States and Iran, French President Emmanuel Macron, as well as the EU, said they wanted to play a role in the discussions that are expected to follow. What could that role be? And why do Europeans want a seat at the table? Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sphera network . Follow us on: LinkedIn • Instagram Hosted...

The 27 EU heads of state or government will gather in Brussels on Thursday 17 June for what promises to be an intense meeting. They're expected to make key decisions on the future budget of the European Union. So far, the signals coming out of the negotiations have been overwhelmingly negative when it comes to the prospects of a deal. So what are the possible outcomes for the EU's next long-term b...

In the United States, inflation is just as high as it is in the European Union—if not higher. Yet it seems to be hurting the American economy much less, according to a report published on Monday by the Peterson Institute for International Economics. So why are Europeans feeling the pain more intensely, and how much higher could prices still go? Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sph...

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich is now banned from entering France. The sanction is largely symbolic, but it matters. Why aren't other European Union countries sanctioning members of the Israeli government? Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sphera network . Follow us on: LinkedIn Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The aviation industry will probably miss its goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. That’s what Willie Walsh, Director General of the International Air Transport Association, recently acknowledged. So if aviation can’t go green, does that mean that we, as consumers, should stop flying? Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sphera network . This episode is based on a story written...

A meeting is indeed being planned between European Commission officials and representatives of Afghanistan’s Taliban regime, in Brussels. Why is the EU negotiating with a regime it does not even consider legitimate? Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sphera network . Follow us on: LinkedIn •. Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.