Podcasts about European Parliament

Editors Jimmy Lovaas and Ahmed Namatalla discuss the threat of U.S. strikes in Iran, plus more on  U.S. Supreme Court opinions, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting Israel, an International Criminal Court hearing against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, and the European Parliament voting on a trade pact with the U.S.Subscribe to the show: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and many more. These stories and others are also available in our free weekly Forecast newsletter.This episode includes work from Factal editors Ahmed Namatalla, Alex Moore, Jess Fino and Michael Archer. Produced and edited by Jimmy Lovaas. Music courtesy of Andrew Gospe. Have feedback, suggestions, or events we've missed? Drop us a note: hello@factal.comWhat's Factal? Created by the founders of Breaking News, Factal alerts companies to global incidents that pose an immediate risk to their people or business operations. We provide trusted verification, precise incident mapping and a collaboration platform for corporate security, travel safety and emergency management teams. If you're a company interested in a trial, please email sales@factal.com. To learn more, visit Factal.com, browse the Factal blog or email us at hello@factal.com.Read the full episode description and transcript on Factal's blog.Copyright © 2026 Factal. All rights reserved.

ISGAP Founder Dr. Charles Asher Small addresses the EU's European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium to discuss the topic of "Antisemitism and the Demonization of Israel on European Campuses."

It's been almost four years since Russia's brutal full-scale invasion of Ukraine began. Now, Ukrainian negotiators are headed to Geneva to meet with Russia and the United States for the next round of talks, hoping to hammer out a ceasefire agreement. In Munich, Christiane sat down with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, alongside NATO's Secretary General Mark Rutte, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, and US Republican Senator Roger Wicker.  Also on today's show: Jesús Armas, Freed Venezuelan opposition activist; Margaret Hany, Professor of Neurobiology, Columbia University Medical Center  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What does it really mean to shape European policy? From 5–8 February 2026, students in Košice experienced it firsthand. Model European Union brought together 60 high school students from across Slovakia for an immersive, English-language simulation of EU decision-making. Stepping into the roles of Members of the European Parliament, EU Commissioners, and national representatives, they debated pressing topics such as the EU–Mercosur trade agreement and the Green Claims Directive tackling greenwashing. Organised by BETA Slovakia in cooperation with FUTURUM Bilingual High School, and supported by the European Parliament Liaison Office in Slovakia, the event blended dynamic debate with real-world insight. We spoke with participating students, as well as Veronica Anna Lacová, President of BETA Slovakia, and Ján Haraslín, Community Manager at the EP Liaison Office in Bratislava. The programme was further enriched by the opening address of the Vice Mayor of Košice and by discussions with MEPs Katarína Roth Neveďalová and Michal Wiezik, who engaged directly with students about the work of the European Parliament and the importance of youth participation in European democracy.

What does it really mean to shape European policy? From 5–8 February 2026, students in Košice experienced it firsthand. Model European Union brought together 60 high school students from across Slovakia for an immersive, English-language simulation of EU decision-making. Stepping into the roles of Members of the European Parliament, EU Commissioners, and national representatives, they debated pressing topics such as the EU–Mercosur trade agreement and the Green Claims Directive tackling greenwashing. Organised by BETA Slovakia in cooperation with FUTURUM Bilingual High School, and supported by the European Parliament Liaison Office in Slovakia, the event blended dynamic debate with real-world insight. We spoke with participating students, as well as Veronica Anna Lacová, President of BETA Slovakia, and Ján Haraslín, Community Manager at the EP Liaison Office in Bratislava. The programme was further enriched by the opening address of the Vice Mayor of Košice and by discussions with MEPs Katarína Roth Neveďalová and Michal Wiezik, who engaged directly with students about the work of the European Parliament and the importance of youth participation in European democracy.

Jack Horgan-Jones and Harry McGee join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics:· This week saw the European Parliament approve a € 90 billion package to support Ukraine in its defensive war against Russia. The loan was approved by a comfortable majority, but among those who voted against it were Sinn Féin's two MEPs, Lynn Boylan and Kathleen Funchion. The decision to oppose the measure put them in the company of the likes of Germany's Alternative für Deutschland, Hungary's Fidesz and France's Rassemblement National.· The Government has made a U-turn on the regulation of short-term lets here. After consultation with the tourism industry, Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke decided to change the previous plan to restrict such lets in towns with populations of more than 10,000 to populations of at least 20,000, this move would effectively lift the threat of regulation from potentially thousands of Airbnbs across rural towns here.· The mood was buoyant at the Social Democrat national conference in Cork with the afterglow of Catherine Connolly's presidential election win in evidence, along with polls showing the party has begun to put daylight between itself and the Greens and Labour, who occupy the same political space. Are they about to spearhead a united left movement ahead of the next general election?· Plus, sport and politics collide ahead of the Republic of Ireland's Nations League fixtures against Israel in the autumn. There have been calls for a boycott, but the FAI confirmed on Thursday that the matches would go ahead as planned. Would you like to receive daily insights into world events delivered to your inbox? Sign up for Denis Staunton's Global Briefing newsletter here: irishtimes.com/newsletters/global-briefing/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Digging In, we're talking about the ongoing negotions between the United States and European Union. These nations are negotiating "The Cooperation Agreement on Reciprocal, Fair and Balanced Trade" to stabilize their $1.5 trillion economic relationship and reduce the long-standing U.S. agricultural trade deficit. This agreement is critical for U.S. agricultural interests, as it aims to boost demand for products like meat, soybeans, and corn while opening the EU market to $750 billion in American energy exports by 2028. Although political disputes over Greenland recently stalled progress and led the European Parliament to pause considerations, recent diplomatic resolutions have sparked hope that the ratification process will soon resume. For more information, read our recent post here.

On Europe Today, your daily Euronews podcast, presented by Méabh Mc Mahon we speak in an exclusive interview with European Parliament president Roberta Metsola at the Belgian castle where EU leaders met yesterday. We also speak with European Commissioner for Sports, Glenn Micallef, about the disqualification of an Ukranian athlete at the Winter Olympics over a helmet picturing dead ukranian athletes. We also travel to Munich to our EU news editor Maria Tadeo ahead of the Munich Security Conference.Europe Today is Euronews' daily podcast hosted by Maria Tadeo and Méabh Mc Mahon, broadcasting directly from Brussels, at the heart of Europe. Every morning, we deliver the top and exclusive stories shaping the European Union (EU) and beyond.Stay ahead with the key news and insights that matter in Europe today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the season 4 finale and we're celebrating at 150 bpm, when Vitaly Friedman joins us to talk about his lifelong journey through techno music. It all began in Belarus when, as a child, he discovered The Prodigy on cassette, continuing into his teens, that were spent obsessively exploring every possible musical avenue. Vitaly explains his preference for minimal, melodic, and "honest" techno over mainstream EDM, emphasizing his deep appreciation for the craft, passion, and commitment artists put into their work. He discusses how music serves different functions in his life, whether providing flow and calmness while working, or creating vivid, cinematic experiences at live concerts, and reveals his practice of continuously discovering new artists to avoid getting stuck.Guest BioVitaly Friedman (he/him) loves beautiful content and does not give up easily. Born in Minsk, Belarus, he studied computer science and mathematics in Germany. While writing algebra proofs and preparing for software engineering at nights in the kitchen, at the same time he discovered passion for typography, interface design and writing. After working as a freelance designer and developer for 6 years, he co-founded Smashing Magazine back in 2006, a leading online magazine for designers and developers. His curiosity drove him from interface design to front-end to performance optimization to accessibility and back to user experience over all the years. Vitaly is the author, co-author and editor of Smashing Books (https://www.smashingmagazine.com/books), and a curator of Smashing Conferences (https://www.smashingconf.com). He is the UX lead with the European Parliament and Smashing Magazine and front-end/UX consultant in Europe and abroad, working with large and small companies and organizations like Haufe-Lexware, Axel-Springer and others. He also runs Measure UX (https://measure-ux.com) and Smart Interface Design Patterns (https://smart-interface-design-patterns.com), friendly video courses on UX and design patterns, along with a live UX training for passionate UX and product designers. LinksVitaly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vitalyfriedmanAmelie Lens at EXIT 2021: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80jdSJxZUAEAmelie Lens — Live In the tunnel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1-Xc7EfT44Worakls: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXJawwVI03EPaul Kalkbrenner: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YPbpWeIx2QExtrawelt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryc3YudCYXUProdigy — Out of Space: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4eav7dFvc8CreditsCover design by Raquel Breternitz.

What is the future, if any, of the transatlantic relationship? Where do we stand on European sovereignty versus President Donald Trump? What should we know about the 'brave new world order' proposed by Canadian PM Mark Carney? Should Europe try to keep the United States on board as long as possible or mobilize against it? And is Europe ready for a war on multiple fronts given its internal challenges and the current aspirations of Russia and China? Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Olaf Osica, a graduate of the European University Institute in Florence, a former director of the Centre for Eastern Studies (OSW), and a columnist for Tygodnik Powszechny. Tune in for their talk! This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with the Movimento Liberal Social and the Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

The Mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, described the situation in his city

Sinn Féin's two MEPs have voted against a €90 billion European Union loan to Ukraine when the before the European Parliament today. The party has said it supports the provision of humanitarian aid but says the proposed loan is ‘primarily for military expenditure'. Joining Shean to discuss was Regina Doherty, Irish Fine Gael MEP and Micheal Mc Namara, Independent MEP for Ireland South

Your morning briefing. All the news you need to start your dayOn today's podcast: (1) At least 10 people are dead and 25 injured after a mass shooting in northeastern British Columbia, according to the police. The shootings were Canada's deadliest rampage since 2020. (2) European Union leaders are finally ready to unify their markets to compete globally, European Council President Antonio Costa said, arguing that the fracturing world order is driving the continent to act. (3) The European Parliament is moving closer to approving a trade deal with the US after senior lawmakers agreed to make some changes ahead of a vote planned this month. (4) Russia’s crude shipments are holding steady in the face of mounting pressures on its critical oil trade, but the steeper discounts that are keeping the barrels flowing have hammered the Kremlin’s revenues. (5) Kimbal Musk, a longtime director at Tesla and the brother of Elon Musk, was connected with at least two women through Jeffrey Epstein several years after the disgraced financier pleaded guilty to sex crimes, emails released by the US Justice Department show. (6) Poland has never been more prosperous or more influential since regaining its independence as a sovereign state a little over a century ago. Data compiled by Bloomberg show that companies from Poland announced 22 acquisitions in Western Europe last year, the highest number on record, and another four are in the works this year. Podcast Conversation: Young Car Collectors Snap Up the Classics They Idolized as TeensSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's Europe Today, we dive into the tensions that are rising over the future of the European economy as EU leaders prepare for a crucial retreat in Belgium. French President Emmanuel Macron calls it a moment of truth for the EU, pushing for new common EU debt — while Germany's Friedrich Merz firmly resists. Is there a compromise in sight? From Strasbourg, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen addresses MEPs ahead of high-stakes talks with industry leaders in Antwerp. We break down the political signals and what they mean for Europe's economic direction. We also break down the European Parliament votes on stricter asylum rules, paving the way for easier deportations to countries outside the EU.Europe Today is Euronews' daily podcast hosted by Maria Tadeo and Méabh Mc Mahon, broadcasting directly from Brussels, at the heart of Europe. Every morning, we deliver the top and exclusive stories shaping the European Union (EU) and beyond.Stay ahead with the key news and insights that matter in Europe today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

None of Your Goddamn BusinessJohn Morgan Salomon said something during our conversation that I haven't stopped thinking about. We were discussing encryption, privacy laws, the usual terrain — and he cut through all of it with five words: "It's none of your goddamn business."Not elegant. Not diplomatic. But exactly right.John has spent 30 years in information security. He's Swiss, lives in Spain, advises governments and startups, and uses his real name on social media despite spending his career thinking about privacy. When someone like that tells you he's worried, you should probably pay attention.The immediate concern is something called "Chat Control" — a proposed EU law that would mandate access to encrypted communications on your phone. It's failed twice. It's now in its third iteration. The Danish Information Commissioner is pushing it. Germany and Poland are resisting. The European Parliament is next.The justification is familiar: child abuse materials, terrorism, drug trafficking. These are the straw man arguments that appear every time someone wants to break encryption. And John walked me through the pattern: tragedy strikes, laws pass in the emotional fervor, and those laws never go away. The Patriot Act. RIPA in the UK. The Clipper Chip the FBI tried to push in the 1990s. Same playbook, different decade.Here's the rhetorical trap: "Do you support terrorism? Do you support child abuse?" There's only one acceptable answer. And once you give it, you've already conceded the frame. You're now arguing about implementation rather than principle.But the principle matters. John calls it the panopticon — the Victorian-era prison design where all cells face inward toward a central guard tower. No walls. Total visibility. The transparent citizen. If you can see what everyone is doing, you can spot evil early. That's the theory.The reality is different. Once you build the infrastructure to monitor everyone, the question becomes: who decides what "evil" looks like? Child pornographers, sure. Terrorists, obviously. But what about LGBTQ individuals in countries where their existence is criminalized? John told me about visiting Chile in 2006, where his gay neighbor could only hold his partner's hand inside a hidden bar. That was a democracy. It was also a place where being yourself was punishable by prison.The targets expand. They always do. Catholics in 1960s America. Migrants today. Anyone who thinks differently from whoever holds power at any given moment. These laws don't just catch criminals — they set precedents. And precedents outlive the people who set them.John made another point that landed hard: the privacy we've already lost probably isn't coming back. Supermarket loyalty cards. Surveillance cameras. Social media profiles. Cookie consent dialogs we click through without reading. That version of privacy is dead. But there's another kind — the kind that prevents all that ambient data from being weaponized against you as an individual. The kind that stops your encrypted messages from becoming evidence of thought crimes. That privacy still exists. For now.Technology won't save us. John was clear about that. Neither will it destroy us. Technology is just an element in a much larger equation that includes human nature, greed, apathy, and the willingness of citizens to actually engage. He sent emails to 40 Spanish members of European Parliament about Chat Control. One responded.That's the real problem. Not the law. Not the technology. The apathy.Republic comes from "res publica" — the thing of the people. Benjamin Franklin supposedly said it best: "A republic, if you can keep it." Keeping it requires attention. Requires understanding what's at stake. Requires saying, when necessary: this is none of your goddamn business.Stay curious. Stay Human. Subscribe to the podcast. And if you have thoughts, drop them in the comments — I actually read them.Marco CiappelliSubscribe to the Redefining Society and Technology podcast. Stay curious. Stay human.> https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7079849705156870144/Marco Ciappelli: https://www.marcociappelli.com/John Salomon Experienced, international information security leader. vCISO, board & startup advisor, strategist.https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnsalomon/  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

News Extra - -00.25 Irish classes taking place in Dromindoora, Jim Collins spoke to Mary Noonan.. - 17.30 Pat O Brien reports from Clare Camogie AGM Convention held recently at the Woodstock hotel - 23.38 Seasonal Message from  President of European Parliament - 25.00 Pat O'Brien reports from Clare v Limerick Munster league game that took place in Tulla. Originally broadcast 4th January 2026

Shared economic and security interests still bind Europe and the United States, even as trust has eroded, insults have flown and rhetoric has hardened in the transatlantic relationship, Brando Benifei, the chair of the delegation for relations with the United States at the European Parliament, tells FRANCE 24 in Talking Europe.

We are kicking off the new season of the Liberal Europe Podcast with a thought-provoking conversation between our two hosts, Ricardo Silvestre (Movimento Liberal Social) and Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!). They talk about the animated start of 2026, the transatlantic relationship, a new world order, and what is on tap for one more year of episodes.  This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

In Poland in 2024, 99% of abortions took place outside hospitals, outside the legal framework. Polish women find alternatives to the near-total ban on abortion, but sometimes in ways that are either dangerous or very costly. That is why the European Parliament is asking for an European mechanism to allow every single woman in the EU to have access to safe and free abortion. This episode unpacks this proposal to see if it can come to light.Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sphera network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Europe faces unprecedented geopolitical headwinds, from the Ukraine war to Donald Trump's designs on Greenland, we speak to the EU Commissioner in charge of the economy, productivity, and simplification: Valdis Dombrovskis. A former prime minister of Latvia, Dombrovskis is very much a Brussels insider, serving in various high-profile roles in the EU Commission since 2016, and as a member of the European Parliament in 2004-2009.

Watch The X22 Report On Video No videos found (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:17532056201798502,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-9437-3289"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");pt> Click On Picture To See Larger Picture The American people are growing their wealth again. Trump admin are reversing everything the [CB] has done. Trump is 5 steps ahead of the [CB]/[DS] players, he is allowing the younger generation to start at an early age building their wealth. The Federal Reserve Note is weakening, we are in the process of taking back economic control. The [DS]/D’s are now trapped, they thought they would stall and get the people on their side, but it is backfiring. Ilhan Omar money laundering system is being exposed, did she stage an event to distract? The D’s are now saying the quiet part out loud. Illegals, antifa and criminals will be creating chaos during the midterms. Trump and team have begun the process of exposing the election fraud in 2020, the FBI raided the GA elections. It’s about to fall apart for the D’s.   Economy (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:18510697282300316,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-8599-9832"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs"); https://twitter.com/profstonge/status/2016488930518921261?s=20 (VIDEO) Trump Announces John Deere is Building $70 MILLION Factory in North Carolina – “This is Going to be the Only Excavator Entirely Made in the United States of America” President Trump announced on Tuesday that agriculture and construction machinery manufacturer John Deere is building a $70 million factory in North Carolina, moving its construction of excavators from Japan to the United States. John Deere is also building a distribution center in Hebron, Indiana, according to a press release from the company. “In keeping with our strong tradition of building America, we are excited to announce plans to open two new U.S.-based facilities: a state-of-the-art distribution center near Hebron, Indiana, and a cutting-edge excavator factory in Kernersville, North Carolina, both set to open in the next year,” the company said. Each project is expected to employ 150 Americans. Source: thegatewaypundit.com https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2016546217237369225?s=20 Bank of America to match $1,000 government deposits for Trump accounts The 100% match is available to all eligible Bank of America employees in the United States  Bank of America announced Wednesday that it will be contributing funds to the proposed “Trump accounts” for eligible employees. The bank said it will match the government's $1,000 contribution to the newly established accounts for children born between Jan. 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2028 for all 165,000 U.S. employees. Additionally, the bank will enable its employees with children under age 18 to make pretax contributions to Trump accounts through payroll deductions. According to the Treasury Department's Office of Tax Analysis, a fully funded Trump account could be worth as much as $1.9 million by age 28, with lower-end returns approaching $600,000 over the same period. Treasury estimates the savings account would rise to between $3,000 and $13,800 over 18 years without contributions beyond the federal government's initial $1,000 deposit. Source: foxnews.com https://twitter.com/SteaknShake/status/2016521248088477733?s=20 https://twitter.com/GordonGekko/status/2016457976761266259?s=20  TRILLION debt inflated away  China/EU competitive advantage destroyed Strong dollar = America buys cheap foreign goods Weak dollar = World buys American goods Trump isn’t losing. He’s winning a game you aren’t even aware is being played. https://twitter.com/KobeissiLetter/status/2016368889588810171?s=20   https://twitter.com/NewsTreason/status/2016437444669772102?s=20 https://twitter.com/TheGreatLander/status/2016596027751715064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2016596027751715064%7Ctwgr%5E39d637d875750db480861c1ca4ea03cd3df6bd53%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fredstate.com%2Fwardclark%2F2026%2F01%2F28%2Ffed-holds-rates-steady-in-january-2026-key-decision-details-n2198607 https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/2016287802632106145?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2016287802632106145%7Ctwgr%5E2ab81191000b8625268417e79ce0ffc79deee62c%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fturnto10.com%2Fnews%2Fnation-world%2Ftrump-promises-rate-cuts-with-new-fed-chair-pick-as-powell-defends-cautious-approach-federal-reserve-chair-jerome-powell-interest-economy-job-market-mortgages-borrowing-costs President Donald Trump, as the sitting president in January 2026, can nominate a successor to Jerome Powell as Chair of the Federal Reserve in advance of the term’s expiration. However, the actual replacement can only occur once Powell’s current term as Chair ends on May 15, 2026.  Political/Rights Geopolitical Spain's Socialist Government Moves to Legalize Up to 500,000 Illegal Migrants in Sweeping Decree Spain's entrenched leftist political class is once again moving to normalize illegality, this time through an extraordinary mass regularization that could grant legal status to more than 500,000 illegal immigrants. The deal, announced Monday by far-left Podemos and the Socialist government of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, represents one of the most sweeping amnesties in modern Spanish history, La Gaceta reports. According to party sources and reports from Cadena SER, the measure will be approved by royal decree at Tuesday's Council of Ministers. It bypasses ordinary parliamentary scrutiny and fast-tracks a policy that will undoubtedly have catastrophic, long-term demographic, economic, and security consequences. Under the plan, illegal immigrants who can demonstrate as little as five months of residence in Spain will be eligible for legal status. The regularization applies regardless of how they entered the country or whether they previously violated immigration or labor laws. The cutoff date for eligibility is December 31, 2025, meaning anyone already residing illegally in Spain before that date may qualify. Government estimates suggest more than half a million people could benefit, making this not an isolated humanitarian measure but a structural transformation of Spain's migration policy. Source: thegatewaypundit.com President of European Parliament Bans EU Nations from Purchasing Russian Gas Without Paying Commission to Third Party   the European Union is now banning the EU countries from purchasing discounted Russian oil and gas directly. Instead, the EU will force their assembly to purchase Russian oil and gas from India at a premium.  The EU is still buying Russian oil and gas; however, paying more, they believe, will work out better for them in the long-term.    European Parliament President Roberta Metsola made the announcement via X: [SOURCE] The actual target of this oil and gas ban is the nation of Hungary, who as a landlocked nation is dependent on the gas from Russia.  The EU ban expressly hurts the position of Hungary because Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has refused to kneel to the dictates of Brussels. Prime Minister Orban has vowed to sue the European Parliament over the ban. The lawsuit will likely be supported by other EU countries who understand the stupidity of paying India for what amounts to a brokerage fee to deliver the same oil and gas. Source: theconservativetreehouse.com https://twitter.com/SnowflakeSlayr1/status/2016495583419130320?s=20 https://twitter.com/HansMahncke/status/2016259110048829789?s=20   mentioned. Even more striking, the United States is constantly accused of insufficient zeal for Ukraine, yet it is the only country actually willing to confront China and India over their support for Russia. The whole thing is completely insane. https://twitter.com/Rob_Roos/status/2016423309622059098?s=20   short-sighted leaders this continent has ever seen. https://twitter.com/MarioNawfal/status/2016345497787892018?s=20  supplies drying up, and Mexico’s support now under threat. https://twitter.com/GuntherEagleman/status/2016563107397591404?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2016563107397591404%7Ctwgr%5Efb0a706a2ffe3303cdd5433ec1a2ccc7032b01f9%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fredstate.com%2Fnick-arama%2F2026%2F01%2F28%2Frubio-lights-dems-up-during-hearing-on-venezuela-protester-also-goes-down-to-a-brutal-defeat-n2198605 Rubio pointed out how the Helms-Burton Act has codified that we’re trying to promote a different form of government in Cuba. That’s the purpose of the boycott we’ve had for decades. So Rubio can’t commit to not doing what we’ve been doing for years, and that’s required by the Act. Then there was this truly funny moment when a protester stood up with a sign and didn’t even last fifteen seconds. Committee Chair Jim Risch (ID) delivered a great response. You can see Rubio grinning. War/Peace   Iran once before, MAKE A DEAL! They didn't, and there was “Operation Midnight Hammer,” a major destruction of Iran. The next attack will be far worse! Don't make that happen again. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP Ali Khamenei out as Supreme Leader? Medical/False Flags [DS] Agenda https://twitter.com/RickyLaFleurRX7/status/2016218369507152259?s=20 https://twitter.com/BuckSexton/status/2016379291060052426?s=20 https://twitter.com/julie_kelly2/status/2016616967067537667?s=20   https://twitter.com/seanmdav/status/2016369871483781293?s=20   Who Attacked Ilhan Omar? What We Know So Far We reported Tuesday evening about the bizarre attack on the far-left Democrat Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-5) in Minneapolis. As RedState's Susie Moore wrote, Omar was “speaking at a town hall event there when a man approached her and appeared to spray an unknown substance at her while pointing and yelling at her.” The man was quickly taken down by what appeared to be a security guard, and an apparently unharmed Omar initially moved toward the assailant and yelled angrily at him. https://twitter.com/EndWokeness/status/2016375584331354404?s=20 Kazmierczak, a 55-year-old Minneapolis resident, was arrested on January 27, 2026, for third-degree assault after spraying Omar with an unknown substance (reported to smell like vinegar) during a town hall event she hosted in Minneapolis. He shouted demands for her to resign, claiming she was “tearing Minnesota apart,” amid tensions over federal immigration enforcement in the area.  . Public records indicate Kazmierczak has been unemployed since at least 2017 (when he was receiving disability payments), has filed for bankruptcy, and has a history of two DUI convictions but no prior violent crimes. He has been married and divorced twice, but there are no verified links between his ex-wives and Omar. Some social media speculation has suggested connections—such as claims that he worked for Omar’s husband’s business partners or that an ex-wife supported Omar—but these appear unsubstantiated, with no supporting evidence in news reports or public records.  Source: redstate.com https://twitter.com/mymomcare/status/2016495436018733441?s=20   President Trump Weighs In With a Highly Provocative Take Regarding the Spray Attack on Ilhan Omar Shortly following the attack, Trump was asked by ABC's Rachel Scott regarding whether he had seen the video. https://twitter.com/rachelvscott/status/2016365247817257360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2016365247817257360%7Ctwgr%5E18f7c1027a366f0d59a4aaa3f423ebe67276fc1e%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thegatewaypundit.com%2F2026%2F01%2Fpresident-trump-weighs-highly-provocative-take-regarding-spray%2F Source: thegatewaypundit.com How do we know it was staged 1. sprayed unknown liquid, keyword unknown 2. was it poison, was it a virus, etc. 3. why wasn’t everyone evacuated or contained in this location 4. why wasn’t poison control called, no hazmat suit people coming 5. why did she decided to continue with the townhall if she doesn’t know what the liquid was, she doesn’t want to be checked out.  Forensic investigators determined the substance was apple cider vinegar  https://twitter.com/WallStreetApes/status/2016410811024216116?s=20  https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/2016482991220851124?s=20 Soros-backed Philadelphia DA vows to ‘hunt’ down ICE agents: ‘We will find you’ https://twitter.com/PressSec/status/2016501035414466807?s=20   President Trump's Plan https://twitter.com/AGPamBondi/status/2016585424840339831?s=20 https://twitter.com/MayorFrey/status/2016241048209518736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2016299403230036327%7Ctwgr%5Ee97929c3cc41b95d49cf21728478f8315dc83629%7Ctwcon%5Es3_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fx22report.com%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost.php%3Fpost%3D28444action%3Dedit  They were stalling/lying. Surrender is not a feasible option for them. Their only hope is chaos. https://twitter.com/WarClandestine/status/2016269118693847148?s=20   the Dems just made it worse on themselves. Now they have to deal with Homan, and the more the Dems resist, the closer they get to Trump sending active duty military who are on standby. Trump would later go on to say that he is not retreating, he says it's “the opposite”. The show goes on. https://twitter.com/drawandstrike/status/2016288343789539487?s=20  you don’t see is that we have hundreds of accountants and from all of the different people. We have hundreds of accountants going over everything that’s happening.” “And we’re finding fraud on top of fraud on top of fraud. And I think that they don’t want that to happen. You’re talking about $19 billion. Probably that’s a minimal number.” “If they think it’s $19 billion, triple it or quadruple it. And if we catch a lot of this fraud, and I felt it for a long time, but now we know what’s happening.” “And the answer is, yeah, there will be accountability!” https://twitter.com/seanmdav/status/2016378613042446355?s=20 2416 Q !!mG7VJxZNCI No.405 Nov 4 2018 17:33:58 (EST) [PANIC IN DC] If you witness members of ANTIFA or any other people or organizations stationed at ‘key’ voter locations making threats or attempting to use scare tactics [voter intimidation] please contact local authorities immediately and report the incident(s). Internal comms suggest preparations are being made and organized to conduct a 29+ location push [battleground locations]. See Something Say Something Uniformed and Non-Uniformed personnel will be stationed across the country in an effort to safeguard the public. If you witness anything out of the ordinary with regards to staff, officials, machinery & equipment failures and/or malfunctions, unusual ‘grouping’ [buses dropping off people w/ guide and/or instructor], voter prevention [blocking], or other suspicious activity please contact local authorities immediately and report the incident(s). See Something Say Something [take a picture and/or video only when safe to do so] Q https://twitter.com/mrddmia/status/2016501286292865280?s=20 Virginia Judge SHUTS DOWN Democrats' Power-Grab Redistricting Scheme — Rules Map CANNOT Go to Referendum Until After 2027 Election   In a stunning victory for election integrity and a humiliating defeat for the Virginia Democrat establishment, a circuit court judge has officially deadlocked the Left's desperate attempt to rig the state's congressional maps. On Tuesday, Tazewell County Circuit Court Judge Jack Hurley Jr. issued a blistering ruling that effectively dismantles the Democrats' partisan redistricting scheme, declaring their process unconstitutional and blocking any referendum on the matter until after the 2027 House of Delegates election. Source: thegatewaypundit.com https://twitter.com/disclosetv/status/2016273639398588734?s=20 https://twitter.com/MacFarlaneNews/status/2016569917668053396?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2016569917668053396%7Ctwgr%5Eb5cf3202d5098a19625a7ace645f34ff34541c9d%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thegatewaypundit.com%2F2026%2F01%2Ffbi-is-executing-search-warrant-fulton-county-reportedly%2F   https://twitter.com/realLizUSA/status/2016526106950517128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2016526106950517128%7Ctwgr%5E40a229b9865812f6b3f2a7723f6eb6ffe7ce3e40%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thegatewaypundit.com%2F2026%2F01%2Ffbi-is-executing-search-warrant-fulton-county-reportedly%2F   They knew it, and they covered it up.    https://twitter.com/Scavino47/status/2016341798730313735?s=20 https://twitter.com/RealAbs1776/status/2016363642090815500?s=20   (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:13499335648425062,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-7164-1323"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="//cdn2.customads.co/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");

The European Union is restructuring its digital infrastructure to reduce its 80% reliance on non-EU technology providers, addressing vulnerabilities from extraterritorial jurisdiction and economic sanctions. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasizes the need for technological autonomy to maintain operational continuity. Concerns about data privacy and US surveillance, highlighted by the Patriot Act and Edward Snowden's revelations, drive this initiative. The EU's digital market is concentrated, with US companies dominating cloud computing. To mitigate risks, EU nations are adopting open-source software and developing domestic platforms. The European Parliament directs the European Commission to reduce reliance on foreign providers, aligning with the upcoming Cloud and AI Development Act.Learn more on this news by visiting us at: https://greyjournal.net/news/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP 276. In this week's update:Ireland has enacted sweeping new lawful interception powers, granting law enforcement expanded access to encrypted communications and raising fresh concerns among privacy advocates and tech companies.TikTok's latest U.S. privacy policy update expands location tracking, AI interaction logging, and cross-platform ad targeting, marking a significant escalation in data collection under its new American ownership structure.The newly released OWASP Top 10 (2025 edition) highlights the most critical web application security risks, providing developers and organizations with an updated roadmap to prioritize defenses against evolving threats.Security researchers have uncovered a critical bypass in NPM's post-Shai-Hulud supply-chain protections, allowing malicious code execution via Git dependencies in multiple JavaScript package managers.As Artemis II approaches, NASA defends the Orion spacecraft's unchanged heat shield design despite persistent cracking concerns from its uncrewed predecessor, while some former engineers warn the risk remains unacceptably high.Anthropic has significantly revised Claude's governing “constitution,” shifting from strict rules to high-level ethical principles while explicitly addressing the hypothetical possibility of AI consciousness and moral status.The European Parliament has adopted a strongly worded resolution urging the EU to reduce strategic dependence on American tech giants through aggressive investment in sovereign cloud, AI, and open digital infrastructure.This one's a good'n.  Let's get to it!Find the full transcript here.

AFH: Season 1, Episode 8Featuring Chelsea Leyland (⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/chelsealeyland)⁠Al sits down with Chelsea Leyland. Chelsea is the co-founder of Looni, a company dedicated to hormonal health and wellness. Her journey has taken her across the globe, speaking about her personal experience with epilepsy and medical cannabis and her commitment to patient access. She has spoken at institutions such as the European Parliament and Cambridge University. More recently Chelsea has spoken openly about navigating endometriosis, pregnancy losses and reproductive health. Previously, she spent over 10 years DJing and curating music for fashion and art clients, including Chanel, Fendi, the Guggenheim Museum, the MoMA as well as opening for Duran Duran and Diplo. Chelsea's super passionate about building community. And with the power of vulnerability and community being central to her ethos, Chelsea started numerous advocacy groups, facilitating personal support for individuals going through challenging experiences with epilepsy, endometriosis, and fertility struggles, in a true combination of her passions.Guest Info:Instagram ⁠Chelsea Leyland⁠Instagram ⁠My Looni⁠Follow Me:Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@afinehuman⁠⁠⁠ Shop Dame: ⁠⁠⁠dame.com⁠⁠⁠ This podcast was produced by ⁠⁠⁠aurielle sayeh⁠⁠⁠, filmed by ⁠⁠⁠@thetellychannel⁠⁠⁠, and powered by @⁠⁠⁠dameproducts⁠⁠⁠.

X: @RogerHelmerMEP @ileaderssummit @americasrt1776 @NatashaSrdoc @JoelAnandUSA @supertalk @JTitMVirginia Join America's Roundtable radio co-hosts Natasha Srdoc and Joel Anand Samy with Roger Helmer, former Member of the European Parliament representing the United Kingdom and business leader who served in Asia and Europe. Topics include President Donald Trump's speech in Davos, America's economic growth for 2026 in light of key reforms implemented, Europe's challenges as stated by Germany's Chancellor Merz, issues impacting Britain, the future of Greenland, and US national security. The conversation will also focus on Nigel Farage's leadership at the helm of the United Kingdom's Reform Party and how that may impact Britain's reform agenda. Speaker Johnson's speech to the U.K. Parliament to be remembered as a historic moment, as the first American Speaker of the House of Representatives adressed the U.K. Parliament. The China threat and Iran's brutal oppression of its own citizens and especially the youth yearning for freedom will be brought under the spotlight as more than 5,000 protestors have been killed and over 20,000 imprisoned. Mr. Helmer has published two books on European issues, "Straight Talking on Europe" in 2000, and "A Declaration of Independence" in 2002. He also served as Chairman of The Freedom Association in the United Kingdom. He was a supporter of the Better Off Out campaign - the Brexit Movement, that called for the UK to leave the European Union. Roger Helmer is a founding leadership member of the Jerusalem Leaders Summit in Israel. americasrt.com https://ileaderssummit.org/ | https://jerusalemleaderssummit.com/ America's Roundtable on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/americas-roundtable/id1518878472 X: @RogerHelmerMEP @ileaderssummit @americasrt1776 @NatashaSrdoc @JoelAnandUSA @supertalk @JTitMVirginia America's Roundtable is co-hosted by Natasha Srdoc and Joel Anand Samy, co-founders of International Leaders Summit and the Jerusalem Leaders Summit. America's Roundtable radio program focuses on America's economy, healthcare reform, rule of law, security and trade, and its strategic partnership with rule of law nations around the world. The radio program features high-ranking US administration officials, cabinet members, members of Congress, state government officials, distinguished diplomats, business and media leaders and influential thinkers from around the world. Tune into America's Roundtable Radio program from Washington, DC via live streaming on Saturday mornings via 68 radio stations at 7:30 A.M. (ET) on Lanser Broadcasting Corporation covering the Michigan and the Midwest market, and at 7:30 A.M. (CT) on SuperTalk Mississippi — SuperTalk.FM reaching listeners in every county within the State of Mississippi, and neighboring states in the South including Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Tennessee. Tune into WTON in Central Virginia on Sunday mornings at 9:30 A.M. (ET). Listen to America's Roundtable on digital platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, Google and other key online platforms. Listen live, Saturdays at 7:30 A.M. (CT) on SuperTalk | https://www.supertalk.fm

The effects of volatile international markets are currently being felt in the bank accounts of UK dairy farmers. Milk prices paid by processors started tumbling in the autumn and there've been further drops this month. Dairy Analyst Chris Walkland discusses the impact of President Trump's trade policy on milk production in the US, which has coincided with a boom in UK and European milk output...leading to a bust. We also consider whether further US trade tariffs as leverage over Greenland could further destabilise dairy trade.We meet a Welsh farmer adding Sunflowers to the cattle feed crops grown on his farm, to cut his feed bill in volatile times. The European Parliament has voted to refer a deal with the South American trade bloc Mercosur to the European Court of Justice, in a move which could see a two year delay in the agreement coming into operation, or even derail it altogether. The European Commission signed the deal with Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay on Saturday. But yesterday MEPs decided its legality needs to be tested. If a water company pollutes rivers or releases sewage illegally, it can be taken to court and fined. The government has just announced that it's reinvesting £29 million pounds from these fines into more than 100 projects to improve 450km of rivers, restore 650 acres of natural habitats and plant 100,000 new trees. The money collected from precious water company fines between April 2022 and 23 was put into a Water Restoration Fund and it's already being spent on local projects. We visit one, on the River Witham in Lincolnshire.Presenter: Caz Graham Producer: Sarah Swadling

Members of the European Parliament, alongside farmers from all over Europe, claim a victory in the fight against the EU/Mercosur trade agreement. On Wednesday 21 January, the Parliament voted to challenge the controversial trade deal before the EU Court of Justice.What will happen if the judges rule against the treaty?Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sphera network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All eyes have been on President Trump's address at the World Economic Forum. Michael Zezas, our Deputy Global Head of Research, and Ariana Salvatore, our Head of Public Policy Research, talk about potential implications for policy and the U.S. outlook.Read more insights from Morgan Stanley.----- Transcript -----Michael Zezas: Welcome to Thoughts on the Market. I'm Michael Zezas, Deputy Global Head of Research for Morgan Stanley. Ariana Salvatore: And I'm Ariana Salvatore, Head of Public Policy Research. Michael Zezas: Today we're discussing our takeaways from President Trump's speech in Davos and what we think it means for investors. It's Wednesday, January 21st at 1pm in New York. Michael Zezas: So, Ariana, over the last couple of weeks, there's been a lot of news about policy proposals coming out of the U.S. and from President Trump around affordability, as well as some geopolitical events around the U.S. relationship with Europe. And investors really started looking towards President Trump's speech at Davos, which he gave earlier today, as a potential vehicle to learn more about what these things would actually mean and what it might mean for the economic outlook and markets. Ariana Salvatore: Yeah, that's right. I think specifically investors were looking for the President to focus on affordability proposals pertaining to housing and some commentary around Greenland. Remember last weekend, President Trump proposed a 10 percent tariff on some EU countries related to this topic specifically. So obviously that did feature in his speech. What did we learn and what do you think are the most important things for markets to know? Michael Zezas: So, maybe the most important headline we got was President Trump appearing to take off the table the use of force when it comes to an attempt to acquire Greenland. And that would seem to, therefore, take off the table the idea of a broader rupture in the U.S.-EU relationship. Both the security relationship vis-a-vis NATO, as well as the economic relationship which could have been ruptured with higher tariffs on both sides, anti coercion measures around trade, and that would be of obvious economic importance. Europe is obviously a major importer of U.S. goods. Not as big as Canada or Mexico, but still pretty significant. So, anything that would've created higher barriers between the two would've had meaningful economic consequences for the U.S. outlook. Ariana Salvatore: Yeah, that's right. And we've been saying that the bilateral trade framework agreement between the U.S. and the EU is actually pretty tenuous in nature, right? So, this doesn't yet have formal backing from the European Parliament. They, in fact, delayed a vote on this exact deal, kind of on the back of these Greenland headlines. So how are we thinking about, you know, what's been priced into markets and maybe what this could mean for something like the dollar going forward? Michael Zezas: Yeah, so it's important to point out that we're not out of the woods yet in terms of potential trade escalation on both sides around the Greenland issue. However, it seems like that bigger tail problem of a decoupling might have gone away. And so, what you saw in markets so far today was that some of the actions over the past, kind of, 24-48 hours with equity market weakness. You know, the S&P was down about 2 percent yesterday. The dollar was weaker. It seemed like more term premium was being baked into the U.S. Treasury market. A lot of that appears to be unwinding today. Said more simply, the idea of a kind of riskier investment environment for the U.S. is getting priced out. At least today, it's getting priced out. And it all makes sense when you think about if there was less of a relationship between the U.S. and Europe, there would be less demand for U.S. dollar holdings overseas. And that's the type of thing that should manifest in a weaker dollar and higher term premia, steeper yield curves for U.S. Treasuries. Ariana Salvatore: Yeah, and that dovetails really nicely with the work that we just put out with the FX team, kind of highlighting some of the policy factors as push factors for countries to move away from the dollar. We think that's happening marginally. We think it's not really a risk in the immediate term, but some of these policy drivers can actually create dollar weakness over the medium to longer term. Michael Zezas: Of course, to the extent that we get news that this is a head fake and that tensions are re-escalating, you'd expect some of those trades to start pushing markets back in the other direction again. Now, President Trump also talked quite a bit about domestic policy, largely about affordability, and some of the policy proposals he's put forward over the last couple of weeks. Was there any new details that you heard that you think are meaningful for investors? Ariana Salvatore: So, the short version is nothing really new, and the reality is that a lot of housing policy in particular is actually out of the hands of the executive. And even if you do see congressional action here, it's likely to be marginal. A lot of housing policy is done at the state level, and even bipartisan efforts to address both the demand and the supply sides of the equation have faced some resistance in Congress. That doesn't mean they can't reemerge. But we would need to see a very large decline in the mortgage rate to get noticeable effects on economic indicators like GDP, inflation and employment. And in terms of what this means for the housing outlook, the programs talked about so far should push sales marginally higher but have little impact on our expectations for our home prices. Now it's important to note that the president didn't spend that much time of the speech talking about housing affordability proposals, as was telegraphed ahead of time. And since that, the head of the NEC Kevin Hassett has said they plan to announce more details on housing in the coming days. Michael Zezas: Got it. So, on the two pieces here that investors have really focused on, which are capping institutional ownership of single-family homes and potentially capping interest rates on credit cards, it sounded like the president talked about he would go to Congress for authorization on those things.Is that right? And if so, how plausible is it that Congress could actually deliver those authorities? Ariana Salvatore: So, here's where I think it's really critical to understand the role that Congress has to play in all of these policy initiatives. So, there are not only political constraints, but there are also procedural ones. If we were to see Republicans kind of push for this 10 percent cap, for example, that likely would have to go through the reconciliation process. And that process, as we know, comes with a number of limitations because something like a 10 percent cap wouldn't have much of an impact on the federal budget in terms of revenues or outlays. We think it's most likely not going to be permissible under that framework. So, understanding that the first filter here is Congress, and the second filter is these procedural limitations that exist in and of themselves is really important context for understanding the president's proposals on housing.Michael Zezas: So, is it fair to say the starting point is that we think Congress is unlikely to act on these things? And what would you have to see that might make you think differently? Ariana Salvatore: I think where we're looking for signals from Republican leadership in Congress – because as of right now, it's been our thinking that a second reconciliation bill ahead of the midterm elections is not feasible. It's too difficult politically, it takes a lot of time, but if you see enough of a push from the president, we do think that can start to become feasible. Again, we have to keep in mind these procedural limitations and where the rest of the party falls on these issues. But I think they're possible if the administration pushes hard enough for them.Michael Zezas: Got it. So, even though we don't think it's likely, we obviously want to prepare in case that happens. When it comes to housing, it seems like our team has said institutional ownership of single-family housing is quite low, 1 percent or less. And so, restrictions there wouldn't necessarily change the game on home prices. What about the 10 percent cap on credit card interests? What are the broader ramifications that our colleagues see? Ariana Salvatore: Yeah, so I'd say generally speaking, when it comes to consumer credit affordability policies, our strategists think that these could actually translate to a benefit for consumer ABS performance because they tend to be a tailwind for a consumer that's struggled with rising delinquencies and defaults post-COVID, right? However, there are some specific proposals like this cap on credit cards, and that's likely going to have a negative consequence because it's going to limit credit access for consumers, especially for those carrying a balance. So, probably a little bit counterintuitive to the overall affordability agenda that the administration's trying to go for. Michael Zezas: So, lots of interesting stuff coming out of the speech. Lots of things we have to track over the next few weeks and months. It certainly doesn't seem like it's going to be a boring year two of the Trump term for investors. Ariana Salvatore: Certainly not, and not for us either. Michael Zezas: Well, Ariana, thanks for finding the time to talk. Ariana Salvatore: Great speaking with you, Mike. Michael Zezas: And as a reminder, if you enjoy Thoughts on the Market, please take a moment to rate and review us wherever you listen. And share Thoughts on the Market with a friend or colleague today.

Barry Andrews, Fianna Fáil MEP, discusses the implications of Wednesday's European Parliament vote in favour of asking the European Court of Justice to determine whether the Mercosur trade deal is compatible with the bloc's policy.

A Clare based MEP is hopeful an upcoming review of the Mercosur deal by Europe's highest court can help to prevent the controversial trading arrangement. European Parliament members marginally voted to refer the text of the deal to the European Court of Justice at a ballot in Strasbourg yesterday. Under its current terms, up to 99,000 tonnes of beef from Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia would enter the EU each year with reduced tariffs, however farmers are concerned with the quality of the produce. Scariff native, farmer and Independent MEP Michael McNamara believes the deal is unworkable in its current form.

US President Donald Trump tells world leaders in Davos, every NATO ally has an obligation to defend its territory, and Greenland is sitting in a strategic location, undefended. European Parliament suspends work on the E-U's trade deal with the United States in protest of Trump's threats to Greenland and allies. Cuban Canadians ask what's next for their homeland, after Trump promises to block all money and oil that was coming from Venezuela. Trump's Board of Peace: Sweden says it's out. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he's in. One person killed in Barcelona-area train crash, the second deadly train crash in Spain this week. Tetsuya Yamagame sentenced to life in prison for killing former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2022. Lisa Banfield, spouse of Canada's worst mass shooter, details years of domestic abuse in new memoir.

In the first episode of the Better Politics Podcast of 2026, host Lisa Witter is joined by Damian Boeselager, a German Member of the European Parliament and the co-founder of Volt Europa, the first pan-European political party.With a background in philosophy and economics, Damian began his career in strategy consulting and social impact work before an unexpected turn during his graduate studies in public policy drew him into politics. Confronted with a changing political climate in 2016 and growing concerns about the future of European democracy, he chose action over disengagement and helped build a new political movement grounded in the belief that Europe's challenges require European-level solutions. Together, Lisa and Damian unpack  why political parties remain essential to healthy democracies, what it actually takes to build a political party from scratch, and how citizen agency can drive meaningful change. They also explore innovation in party structures, the skills and traits needed for effective political leadership today, and why “hard hope” is rooted in active participation, not passive optimism. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and visit our website to stay up to date with our latest news. Subscribe to the Better (Political) Leadership Substack and sign up to our bi-weekly briefing for insights and inspiration on how to build better politics.

The European Parliament is planning to suspend approval of the US trade deal that was agreed to last July, according to new reports. Donald Trump has been ramping up his efforts to acquire Greenland, including threatening new tariffs over the issue. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says this could see US-based companies barred from EU contracts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

European countries harden their response to President Trump's repeated threats to take over Greenland. We hear from a Swedish Member of the European Parliament pressing for the EU to take the strongest possible action against potential US tariffs.Also in the programme: the head of the United Nations talks to the BBC about what he sees as a new world order, with the US putting itself above the law. and there are no obvious explanations for what caused a horrific high-speed train crash in the south of Spain.(Photo: The European Central Bank (ECB) building is seen in the background as a cargo ship is docked in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, 19 January 2026. Credit: Ronald Wittek/Shutterstock)

After 25 years of negotiations, the European Union has signed the Mercosur trade deal. Farmers across Europe have been out on the streets protesting against it and farming unions in the UK warn that it could threaten the future of family farms. The free trade deal between the EU and Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay gives European businesses access to a market of more than 250 million people and is seen as a way of offsetting business lost because of US tariffs. However it will also open the door to tariff-free imports of food, particularly beef, which European farmers argue is not produced to the same standards. The deal was not approved by all EU countries, France and Ireland were among those voting against, and it will have to be ratified by the European Parliament. All week we're focusing on what farm animals are eating this winter, from grains to soy and silage: it is a mixture of forage, things grown on the farm like hay or silage; and feed that's bought in from the UK or abroad. A combination of geopolitical events, a challenging UK harvest, and an exceptionally dry summer in some areas has put pressure on the supplies of feed. The Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) says the UK needs a national protein strategy to safeguard feed security because that impacts food securityPresenter = Charlotte Smith Producer = Rebecca Rooney

On The Power Vertical Podcast this week, host Brian Whitmore speaks with Katya Pavlevych, founder of the organization Forget Us Not, a civil society coalition advocating for the return of Ukraine's abducted children, and an advisor on children' s issues at Razom for Ukraine; and Andreas Umland, an analyst at the Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs and an Associate Professor of Political Science at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. Andreas also is the author of the 2024 report "Russia's Forcible Transfers of Unaccompanied Ukrainian Children: Responses from Ukraine, the EU and Beyond" and has testified in the European Parliament on the issue.

A majority of EU member states have voted in favour of a landmark free trade deal with Latin American countries. The Mercosur agreement has been 25 years in the making, and its supporters are adamant that it will assert Europe's geostrategic position and benefit consumers. But despite the green light from the EU Council, Mercosur continues to face opposition from countries such as France, as well as from many farmers in the EU. Meanwhile, the European Parliament still has to have its final say. We discuss the deal with two MEPs.

Mercosur is a bad deal.The European Commission has backed a free trade agreement with Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. The European Parliament is set to decide on the future of the Mercosur Agreement. It has taken twenty-five years to get to this point. The European Commission has decided to support this proposition and the smart money says the Parliament will follow suit. But perhaps not. It's not over until it's over. There will be a legal challenge to the deal, including Sinn Féin's MEPs, and a vote in the European Parliament. Sinn Féin is also bringing forward a Dáil motion calling on the government to support the legal action and mandating all MEPs to vote against the deal. Nollaig na mBanSome of the traditions that surround Christmas and the New Year celebrations have changed over recent years. For example, when I was growing up Christmas decorations didn't start appearing in homes until a fortnight or so before the 25th December. Now, Halloween is barely over before Christmas decorations start appearing. Previously also, the tree, crib, and the rest all stayed in place until 6 January – the Feast of the Epiphany, the date on which it is said that the three wise men visited the baby Jesus in Bethlehem. This year decorations were mostly down from the start of the new year. And already Easter eggs are in the shops. However, one celebration that has taken on a new lease of life is Nollaig na mBan - Women's Christmas. It is celebrated on 6 January. It used to be confined to rural areas but that is changing.  Nollaig na mBan is the day when the role of women, who generally did  all the work for Christmas, was celebrated. It was the day when women get together with other women and enjoy a brief few hours of celebration on their own. Progress on Casement ParkLast week the draft budget for the Executive, announced by Finance Minister John O'Dowd, included an allocation of an additional £40 million toward the rebuilding of the new Casement Stadium.Sadly, despite the 1998 Good Friday Agreement and its principles of equality and parity of esteem, the decades since then have produced many examples of political unionism continuing to resist investment and funding allocation for nationalist areas. Casement Park is a case in point.Last week's announcement is a positive and welcome development.Irish Unity Must be Priority for EU PresidencyOn 1st July the Irish government will assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. This will be its eighth time holding this key administrative and political role within the EU and the first time since Brexit. The agenda for this Presidency is enormous and will affect all of our lives. It will include new legislation as well as significant negotiations around all of the major national and international issues affecting the world at this time – the Israeli genocide in the Gaza Strip, the war in Ukraine, Venezuela, threatened US Foreign Policy adventures toward Greenland, Cuba, Colombia, Nigeria and Iran, famine in Africa, climate change and migration.An Taoiseach Micheál Martin has defined the state's Presidency of the EU as “a Presidency defined by action.”All sounds impressive. But so far no one in the Irish government has said anything about using this unique opportunity to raise the issue of Irish Unity. Thus far, Micheál Martin's approach to Irish Unity can best be described as “a leadership defined by inaction.”

Fianna Fail MEP Barry Andrews on his appointment as the European Parliament 'rapporteur' for EU-Greenland relations.

In this episode of The Sound of Economics, host Rebecca Christie and Bruegel's Zsolt Darvas discuss the European Union's next seven-year financial plan with MEP Johan Van Overtveldt, chairman of the European Parliament's budget committee. Negotiators have until the end of 2027 to figure out roughly €2 trillion in funding, with the parliament and member states not expected to sit down together until next year. How can the EU pay for public goods? Will countries and regions be willing to overhaul the way they finance farmers and other key sectors? Meanwhile, the EU may need to revisit proposals to borrow against the Russian central bank's frozen assets, held at Euroclear, within two years. The next budget will need to accommodate support for Ukraine as well as Europe's current mandates.Related research: Christie, R., J. F. Kirkegaard and Z. Darvas (2025) 'What should Europe pay for?', Podcast, 01 October, Bruegel, available at: https://www.bruegel.org/podcast/what-should-europe-pay Christie, R., J. Van Overtvedlt and N. Véron (2024) 'What to do with frozen Russian assets', Podcast, 21 February, Bruegel, available at:  https://www.bruegel.org/podcast/what-do-frozen-russian-assets Darvas, Z., Dom, R., Lappe, M., P. Saint-Amans and A. Steinbach (2025) 'Bigger, better funded and focused on public goods: how to revamp the European Union budget', Blueprint 37, Bruegel, available at https://www.bruegel.org/book/bigger-better-funded-and-focused-public-goods-how-revamp-european-union-budget

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 35-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 30,742 on turnover of 7.5-billion N-T. The market closed at yet another new high on Tuesday as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing extended its momentum from a session earlier amid optimism over global demand for A-I applications. Cabinet refusing to comment on reports of US tariff deal The Cabinet is refusing to comment on reports that Taiwan and the U-S are close to completing a trade deal. Reports have been suggesting the deal will reduce the U-S tariff rate on Taiwan products will from 20 to 15-per cent, and commit Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing to invest significantly more in the U-S. Cabinet spokeswoman Michelle Lee says Taiwan and the U-S have already reached "broad consensus (共識)" on related issues, and are currently discussing the timing of a wrap-up meeting. And according to Lee, any confirmed arrangements will be announced publicly. T-S-M-C has not commented on the report, but is expected to address the issue at its investor conference tomorrow. Former Legislative Speaker Su Jia-chyuan named SEF chairman Former Legislative Speaker Su Jia-chyuan has been appointed as chairman of the Straits Exchange Foundation. Su had long been widely tipped for the post after his predecessor, Frank Wu, announced his resignation on December 18. According to Presidential Office spokeswoman Karen Kuo, President Lai Ching-te invited Su to take the post, citing his "extensive (全面的) political experience and successful track record in international exchanges." Kuo says Lai is expressing his hope that Su will strengthen the Straits Exchange Foundation's operations and help promote "positive and healthy" cross-strait exchanges. Su most recently served as chairman of the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association for more than three years. Iran Protest Death Toll Surpasses 2Thousand Activists say the death toll from nationwide protests in Iran has surpassed 2,000 people. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which has been accurate (準確的) in previous unrest in recent years, gave the latest toll. It says most of the dead over more than two weeks of protests were protesters and 135 were government-affiliated. With the internet down in Iran, gauging the demonstrations from abroad is difficult. The demonstrations began a little over two weeks ago in anger over Iran's ailing economy and theocracy, particularly the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Human Rights Activists News Agency warns that the death toll will rise. US Justice Department Prosecutors Resign Over Minnesota ICE Shooting Investigation From the US…. Justice Department prosecutors are resigning amid turmoil (動盪) over Minnesota ICE shooting investigation AP correspondent Ed Donahue reports. France Le Pen in Court to Appeal Embezzlement Conviction French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has returned to court to appeal an embezzlement (挪用公款) conviction that risks affecting her 2027 presidential ambitions. She denies any wrongdoing. She was found guilty in March of misusing European Parliament funds and sentenced to a five-year ban from holding office, among other penalties. The appeal trial involving Le Pen and 10 others opened on Tuesday and is set to last five weeks. The verdict is expected possibly before summer. Le Pen argues the funds were used appropriately (適當地). The case weighs heavily on her political future, as she has worked to bring the far right into France's mainstream politics. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. －－－－以下為 SoundOn 動態廣告－－－－ 新感覺夾心土司 多種口味隨心挑選 讓你隨時隨地都有好心情 甜蜜口感草莓夾心、顆粒層次花生夾心、濃郁滑順可可夾心 主廚監製鮪魚沙拉、精選原料金黃蛋沙拉 輕巧美味帶著走，迎接多變的每一天 7-Eleven多種口味販售中 https://sofm.pse.is/8qdvg3 -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

The European Parliament is to consider whether to ratify the controversial Mercosur trade deal between EU and South America. We discussed the matter with Jorgen Warborn of the centre-right European Peoples Party grouping backing the deal and Sinn Féin's Agriculture spokesperson Martin Kenny, who stands in opposition to it.

The chair of the Clare branch of the Irish Farmers's Association has expressed fear that Irish MEPs may be powerless to resist the European Union's willingness to adopt the Mercusor Deal. Thousands of farmers and supporters, along with representatives from the country's MEPs have gathered in Athlone to protest against the EU-Mercosur trade agreement. The deal was agreed to by 20 EU member states with only Ireland, France, Poland, Austria and Hungary in opposition, however, the deal must be ratified by the European Parliament which is set to vote on the matter in a couple of weeks. Clare IFA Chair Stephen Walsh claims pressure from Germany, which is set to export high volumes of cars to South America, will be difficult to overcome.

The Government has confirmed that Ireland will vote against the contentious Mercosur trade deal between the EU and South American countries. Members states are due to vote on signing the deal later today, and if approved it will still need to pass through the European Parliament. We discuss this and more with Dan O'Brien Chief Economist at the Institute of International and European affairs and Columnist with The Currency.

On her highly successful Czech podcast, Canaries in the Net, Alex co-hosts on topics surrounding digital propaganda and toxic algorithms. She combines her experience as a communication advisor to the chairman of the legislation committee in the European Parliament with the latest information on how digital space is becoming increasingly targeted. As one of the earliest to speak out about how digital information was being used to sway politics before 2016, she described herself as “one of those canaries in the coal mines”, giving an early warning of impending danger. She described the feeling of being overwhelmed by the information campaigns that we now understand create a technique of “flooding the zone” to destabilize. “At that time, we didn't understand where it came from. It just came from everywhere, from social media, from news, newly built podcasts, and our news outlets.” “The entire information space became unbelievably toxic,” she said of the time. She now understands that Russia was conducting a highly organized campaign to learn to destabilize systems of democracy. When her husband was offered a job in Vancouver, British Columbia, she decided to take the opportunity to relocate. I agreed with Alex about the KGB methodology of demoralization and raising anxiety, fear, distrust, and disgust, particularly against experts in science and democratic institutions. I described the technique she was referencing as their attempts to see what sticks, amplify, and overload methods, a technique used against the U.S., as well as other NATO countries. It is an intentional polarization that allows us to start seeing the enemy in our neighbors, friends, and family.  Alex Alvarová wrote a 2021 fiction book Feeding The Demons: The Conquerors of America. The book was inspired by her research on Steve Bannon and his role in the 2016 election. The outcome is a political thriller that depicts America, Russia, organized crime, and how big data might have been used to influence significant elections. Alex also wrote the 2017 nonfiction work The Industry of Lies, an analysis of how Russia used the 2013 presidential election in the Czech Republic as a trial run to perfect its hybrid-warfare aggression for altering the outcome of the 2016 U.S. Presidential election. She now teaches others how to recognize propaganda, increase data literacy, and defensive techniques against online attacks. Her new project, Radio Free America Prague, which she founded in collaboration with American writer and producer Natalie Kocab, launches in January. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AFH: Season 1, Episode 8Featuring Chelsea Leyland (⁠⁠instagram.com/chelsealeyland)Al sits down with Chelsea Leyland. Chelsea is the co-founder of Looni, a company dedicated to hormonal health and wellness. Her journey has taken her across the globe, speaking about her personal experience with epilepsy and medical cannabis and her commitment to patient access. She has spoken at institutions such as the European Parliament and Cambridge University. More recently Chelsea has spoken openly about navigating endometriosis, pregnancy losses and reproductive health. Previously, she spent over 10 years DJing and curating music for fashion and art clients, including Chanel, Fendi, the Guggenheim Museum, the MoMA as well as opening for Duran Duran and Diplo. Chelsea's super passionate about building community. And with the power of vulnerability and community being central to her ethos, Chelsea started numerous advocacy groups, facilitating personal support for individuals going through challenging experiences with epilepsy, endometriosis, and fertility struggles, in a true combination of her passions.Guest Info:Instagram Chelsea LeylandInstagram My LooniFollow Me:Instagram: ⁠⁠@afinehuman⁠⁠ Shop Dame: ⁠⁠dame.com⁠⁠ This podcast was produced by ⁠⁠aurielle sayeh⁠⁠, filmed by ⁠⁠@thetellychannel⁠⁠, and powered by @⁠⁠dameproducts⁠⁠.

Kenova – Collusion and the Murder of Citizens The Kenova Report adds further substance to the litany of existing reports that over several decades have exposed the extent of British state participation in the murder of citizens.The Kenova Inquiry commenced in June 2016 and the final report was published on 9 December 2025.Operation Kenova covered four distinct investigations:·      Operation Kenova – Stakeknife·      Operation Mizzenmast – The Murder of Jean Smyth-Campbell·      Operation Turma – The killings of Sergeant Sean Quinn and Constables Paul Hamilton and Allan McCloy·      Operation Denton – The activities of the Glenanne Gang.The Kenova Report is 166 pages long and it is impossible to deal with it all in this column. However, it is available on the PSNI website at https://www.psni.police.uk/about-us/our-publications/operation-kenova-final-report. Bondi BeachAnti-semitism is wrong. Just like racism, sexism or sectarianism. The attacks on Jewish people on Bondi Beach are shameful. My thoughts are with those who were murdered, the injured, their bereaved families, the wider Jewish community and the people of Sydney and Australia.Unity project making progressAs 2025 draws to a close the momentum around the demand for Irish Unity continues to grow. Last week Sinn Féin's Commission on the Future of Ireland published its annual report. 2025 was an exceptionally busy year for the Commission with nine public events hosted in Ireland, one at the European Parliament and 13 events organised by Friends of Sinn Féin in America and Canada. In addition, a national strategic conference was held and a series of internal party discussions took place.

Today's West Coast Cookbook & Speakeasy Podcast for our especially special Daily Special, Smothered Benedict Wednesday is now available on the Spreaker Player!Starting off in the Bistro Cafe, polls show Trump's popularity is 'in the toilet.'Then, on the rest of the menu, five Oregon farmworkers were released after their ICE detentions were deemed unlawful; the head of California's Department of Motor Vehicles said that if the carmaker does not correct its “misleading” branding of “Autopilot,” Tesla will be blocked from selling cars in the state; and, absences at a Texas school system soared to almost sixty percent when a measles outbreak hit.After the break, we move to the Chef's Table where Britain launched a review into foreign financial interference after a British former member of the European Parliament was jailed for taking Russian bribes; and, a Brazilian cardinal ordered a popular Catholic priest to go offline following right-wing attacks.All that and more, on West Coast Cookbook & Speakeasy with Chef de Cuisine Justice Putnam.Bon Appétit!The Netroots Radio Live Player​Keep Your Resistance Radio Beaming 24/7/365!“It may be safely averred that good cookery is the best and truest economy, turning to full account every wholesome article of food, and converting into palatable meals what the ignorant either render uneatable or throw away in disdain.” - Eliza Acton ‘Modern Cookery for Private Families' (1845)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/west-coast-cookbook-speakeasy--2802999/support.

Despite their support for Ukraine, European countries have been a significant market for Russian energy. But an agreement has now been reached between the European Council and the European Parliament to phase out imports of Russian gas. The announcement came as it emerged peace talks between the US and Russia had failed, once again, to produce a breakthrough. Also in this episode - France's President, Emmanuel Macron, has arrived in Beijing for an official visit that will also take him to the city of Chengdu. The search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH-370 will resume this month. A new draft law on conscripting ultra-Orthodox Jews has sparked uproar in Israel. The American city of San Francisco is to file the nation's first government lawsuit against manufacturers of ultra-processed food. The BBC investigates the dramatic rise in online abuse towards football players and managers in the Premier League and Women's Super League. And a man in New Zealand is being questioned after allegedly swallowing a Faberge diamond pendant, in an attempt to smuggle it out of a jewellery store.The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

Morena Pedriali Errani was born and raised in Ferrara, by a Sinti family of circus artists and owners. She is also a circus artist, an activist for Romani rights and part of the communications team for Movimento Kethane. She has been a finalist for the Premio Campiello Giovani and Premio Chiara Giovani. She presented some of her writing at the European Parliament in Brussels, through the Roma association Phiren Amenca. She is the author of Before You Close Your Eyes and The Sky Above of Gaza Doesn't Ever Color.About Morena's workRoma crushes: Morena's family and Laura GrecaleYou can book 1:1 readings with Jez at jezminavonthiele.com, and book readings and holistic healing sessions with Paulina at romaniholistic.com.Thank you for listening to Romanistan podcast.You can find us on Instagram, TikTok, BlueSky, and Facebook @romanistanpodcast, and on Twitter @romanistanpod. To support us, Join our Patreon for extra content or donate to Ko-fi.com/romanistan, and please rate, review, and subscribe. It helps us so much. Follow Jez on Instagram @jezmina.vonthiele & Paulina @romaniholistic. You can get our book Secrets of Romani Fortune Telling, online or wherever books are sold. If you love it, please give us 5 stars on Amazon & Goodreads. Visit https://romanistanpodcast.com for events, educational resources, merch, and more. Email us at romanistanpodcast@gmail.com for inquiries. Romanistan is hosted by Jezmina Von Thiele and Paulina StevensConceived of by Paulina StevensEdited by Viktor PachasWith Music by Viktor PachasAnd Artwork by Elijah VardoSupport the show