After a night of intense bombardment, Israel has launched an expanded operation in Gaza. The military says it is targeting Hamas’ infrastructure and has once again warned civilians to flee south. But for many in famine-stricken Gaza, leaving is impossible: the roads are dangerous with ongoing military operations, and the south is already overcrowded.

And today, the UN Commission of Inquiry presented the results of its two-year investigation, officially calling Israel’s actions in Gaza genocide. But can the UN’s damning conclusion influence future action for Gaza?

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Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.

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Loneliness doesn’t stop at city limits or country borders. In this episode of Europe Talks Back,we explore how isolation takes root in both Europe’s bustling cities and its quiet rural towns. With insights from sociologist Jasper de Witte, we unpack why loneliness isn’t just about being alone but about social ties, inequality, and the structures that shape our lives.

From young people in fast-paced capitals to older adults in remote villages, millions across Europe are affected. We look at what makes loneliness different in rural and urban contexts, why it matters for public health and democracy, and what solutions from better transport to community spaces might help people feel less cut off and more connected. And today, we’re diving into what loneliness means in rural and urban Europe, why it happens, why it matters, and what can actually make a difference.

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Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.

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This weekend, US President Donald Trump once again made waves in Brussels with a post on his social media platform, Truth Social. In what he described as a “letter to NATO nations,” Trump demanded that every member state stop buying Russian oil and gas.

His message was blunt, as long as countries like Hungary, Slovakia, and even non-EU NATO ally Turkey continue to purchase Russian energy, the United States won’t move forward with its own sanctions against Moscow. Is this wishful thinking or the key to the EU's 19th sanction package against Russia?

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The political storm in France continues with new players but the same problems: paralysis in parliament, financial strain, and mounting social unrest. In the midst of this turbulence, President Emmanuel Macron once again turned to a trusted ally, Sébastien Lecornu.

But what do we know about France’s new Prime minister?

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Russian drones violated Poland’s airspace yesterday, sparking the first direct clash between NATO and Russian forces in over a decade. Polish and Dutch fighter jets, backed by German and Italian support, shot down several of the drones, while at least 19 were recorded crossing into Polish territory.

Four airports, including Warsaw’s main hub, were shut down, and flights were diverted as the incursion unfolded. What does this provocation mean for NATO and the EU?are they simply quick fixes to distract from soaring prices and corruption scandals?

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Today, Ursula von der Leyen delivered her annual State of the European Union speech in Strasbourg, where she, for the first time, proposed sanctions on Israeli officials, acknowledged the backlash over the EU-US trade deal, and underlined the importance of competitiveness for Europe.

But can these promises restore trust in her leadership, or will they deepen the divisions inside the EU?

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After just nine months in office, Prime Minister François Bayrou has been ousted in a crushing confidence vote. Only 194 MPs backed him, while 364 voted against.

Bayrou, a 74-year-old veteran centrist and long-time Macron ally, called the vote himself a gamble. He said France was sinking in a “swamp of debt” and that he needed parliamentary backing for €44 billion of austerity measures. That included a deeply unpopular plan to scrap two public holidays and in the end, his gamble backfired. So, what happens after handing his resignation to President Emmanuel Macron this morning?

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Greece has announced a sweeping €1.6 billion tax reform aimed at tackling what Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis calls one of the country’s greatest threats, the demographic crisis.

But are these measures enough to reverse Greece’s demographic decline and ease the cost of living or are they simply quick fixes to distract from soaring prices and corruption scandals?

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