Briefed - Your Daily European Podcast

Friedrich Merz, Germany’s chancellor, is facing strong criticism for what many describe as “dangerous rhetoric” on immigration. During a visit to the eastern state of Brandenburg, Merz said that Germany still had “a problem in the cityscape” and that his interior minister was working to enable and carry out large-scale deportations. Why have these remarks sparked such a strong reaction across Germ...

Today, EU energy ministers are meeting to decide the future of Russian fossil fuels in the bloc, after years of delays and exemptions. At the same time, leaders are debating how to use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine’s defence, looking to reach a deal this week. But can Europe finally act decisively on both energy and financial support and what will it actually mean for the EU? Join us on...

Who is threatening women’s rights and why? In the second episode of  The Right to Decide,  we uncover the forces driving the anti-gender movement with our host Sophie in ’t Veld and our guest Neil Datta, Executive Director of the European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual and Reproductive Rights. From fake hotlines that discourage abortion to crisis pregnancy c...

Thousands of Europeans are losing their savings to fake investment ads on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram. These scams use AI-generated deepfakes of politicians and celebrities, like Germany’s defence minister Boris Pistorius or Irish presidential candidate Heather Humphreys, to sell get-rich-quick schemes.  All this information is coming to light after a months-long investigation by Investig...

Across Europe, a quiet movement is taking shape. From knitting circles in Helsinki to pottery workshops in Brussels, people are rediscovering the simple, grounding act of making things by hand. What began for many as a way to fill the long days of lockdown has grown into something deeper, a form of self-care, a social bond, and even a small act of resistance against the relentless pace of modern l...

Greece’s parliament is voting today on a controversial labour reform proposed by the conservative government, allowing employees under “exceptional circumstances”  to work up to 13 hours a day, for up to 37 days a year. The government insists the measure is voluntary and designed to help workers earn more without having to take on a second job.  But why do workers need to take on a secon...

On Tuesday, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced the suspension of Emmanuel Macron’s 2023 pension reform, which had raised the retirement age from 62 to 64. The reform, pushed through parliament without a vote, triggered months of nationwide protests and strikes, becoming one of the most divisive policies of Macron’s presidency.  Now, two years after it was passed, its implementa...

European interior ministers met in Luxembourg yesterday, with the meeting continuing today to discuss how to better manage migration, or at least how to convince voters that they’re doing so. At the centre of the talks is a proposal that would make deportation orders issued by one EU country automatically recognised by all others.  But how would that actually work, and could it be the fix for...

After more than two years of war between Israel and Hamas, all remaining living hostages have been released, a ceasefire has taken hold, and world leaders are gathering in Egypt to talk peace, but only one side of the conflict will be there.  So, what kind of peace can be built without Hamas at the table? Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the Euro...

What happens when the right to choose over your own body becomes a political battlefield? The first episode of The Right to Decide explores the fight for abortion rights in Europe. Our host Sophie in ’t Veld sits down with Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus, Polish MEP and long-time women’s rights defender, to explore one of the most contested issues in Europe today. From&...

Over the summer, a group of 24 European politicians, ministers, commissioners, senior officials, agreed to have their blood tested for toxic PFAS chemicals. The results that now came out showed that every single one of them tested positive.  But will these results push Brussels to act or to water down its own rules again? Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European conti...

After nearly two years of war in Gaza, Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a ceasefire deal, a development announced, rather dramatically, by US President Donald Trump on his Truth Social account.  But after so many failed ceasefires, how much hope can people on the ground really have this time? Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the...

In this episode of Europe Talks Back , we take you on a journey through European cities to explore how the EU’s Cohesion Policy turns funding into tangible improvements for citizens. From Zagreb’s modernised heating networks to Poland’s energy-efficient schools and Portugal’s greener public transport, the episode reveals how European investments support sustainability, energy efficiency, and urban...

EU ambassadors are once again meeting in Brussels this Wednesday trying to agree on a new round of sanctions against Russia. But this time Austria, besides Hungary and Slovakia, has thrown a spanner in the works. Vienna is pushing for what it calls a “derogation”, a kind of legal exception, that would allow frozen Russian assets to be released under certain conditions. But why does Austria want to...

Today marks two years since Hamas carried out the deadliest terrorist attack in Israel’s history, when militants entered the Nova music festival, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251. Since then, many captives have been released in deals or ceasefires, but around 48 hostages remain in Gaza. Israel believes about 20 of them are still alive. Negotiations for their release, and f...

France’s Prime Minister, Sébastien Lecornu, has resigned less than a month after being appointed and just 12 hours after presenting his new government. President Emmanuel Macron accepted the resignation this morning, with the Élysée Palace confirming the decision in a short statement. But what led to the resignation and what happens now? Join us on our journey through the events that shape the Eur...

Discover a new podcast! What does it mean to lose control over your own body, your own life? The Right to Decide is a podcast about the fight for sexual and reproductive rights — and the forces trying to roll them back. From abortion access to sex education, from funding networks to online misinformation, each episode unpacks how anti-gender actors operate and what’s at stake for democracy. &...

This Friday and Saturday, Czechs head to the polls to elect 200 lawmakers to the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of parliament. Polling stations open Friday afternoon and close Saturday at 2 p.m, with results expected that evening. For the first time, Czechs abroad can also vote by correspondence. But the real question for the Czechs is: will the outcome keep them firmly in Europe’s pro-Ukrai...

The French authorities have detained two crew members of a Russian-linked oil tanker suspected of belonging to the so-called “shadow fleet”. The vessel is also thought to be involved in recent Russian drone activity, while Germany has reported sightings of unidentified drones over critical infrastructure. So, where does this leave Europe? Join us on our journey through the events that shape the Eu...

Today, Europe’s leaders gather in Copenhagen under unusually tight security. Outside, a German frigate sits in the harbour, signalling Europe’s military mood. Meanwhile, Danish authorities have banned all civilian drone flights this week, with Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frideriksen stressing that Europe’s “hybrid war,” isn’t some abstract concept it’s already playing out in the skies above us....

After a meeting at the white house Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have presented what they’re calling a 20-point peace plan for Gaza.  They presented this as a historic breakthrough and the basics go like this: a ceasefire would begin immediately, Hamas would have 72 hours to release all the hostages it still holds, and Israel would free around 2,000 Palestinian pr...

A new flagship report from the European Environment Agency says that the continent is struggling to meet most of its 2030 climate and environmental targets. While Europe has managed to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 37% since 1990, more than the US or China, almost everything else looks grim.  With water scarcity threatening one in three Europeans, heatwaves scorching the south and governmen...

All eyes are on Europe's east this weekend, where Moldovans head to the polls on Sunday in an election that could define the country’s future as they will have to decide between Europe and Russia. So what happens if Moldova holds its course towards Brussels, or drifts back into Moscow’s orbit? Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union. Produ...

World leaders have once again taken to the stage at the United Nations, this time presenting a fresh set of targets to cut greenhouse-gas emissions. A total of 120 countries and the European Union have pledged new goals, including China, currently the world’s biggest polluter, which says it will reduce emissions by 7 to 10 percent from its peak level by 2035.  Is this enough? What are experts...

Over the past two weeks, Russian drones and fighter jets have repeatedly strayed into NATO airspace, from Poland and Romania to Estonia, and possibly Denmark, near Copenhagen airport. NATO chief Mark Rutte has called it a “dangerous pattern,” warning the alliance is ready to defend every inch of its territory. But what is Russia trying to achieve with its incursions into NATO airspace and what opt...