Independent European news, selected, rewritten and voiced for EUR RADIO.
1. Cognac faces challenges amid trade wars
As the Cognac harvest concludes in southwestern France, local winegrowers brace for another tough year. The iconic amber brandy, produced exclusively around the Charente River, is being adversely affected by ongoing trade disputes between the EU and China.
2. German minister sees G20 as negotiation chance
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has described the invitation extended to Russian President Vladimir Putin for the upcoming G20 meeting as a potential opportunity. His comments suggest that Putin’s participation could initiate meaningful discussions aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
3. Pope Leo XIV captivates Paris crowds
Pope Leo XIV’s visit to France has attracted massive crowds, with 300,000 people welcoming him in Paris. Later, 80,000 young attendees gathered for a vigil at the Stade de France, marking a significant start to the pontiff’s trip.
4. Belgium calls for enhanced border measures
Belgian Minister of Asylum and Migration Anneleen Van Bossuyt is set to push for stronger European borders and a more effective role for the EU border agency Frontex at a migration meeting in Munich. This marks her second participation in the event, which includes representatives from 18 EU member states.
5. Tajani’s comments spark backlash
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani is facing criticism for his remarks about selecting a life partner based on criteria such as skirt length. Despite his apology and attempts by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to quell the controversy, the comments have ignited a wave of negative reactions both domestically and internationally.
6. A powerful nor’easter storm is wreaking havoc across the northeastern United States, prompting New York and New Jersey to declare a state of emergency. The storm has led to significant coastal flooding, power outages, and widespread travel disruptions, with conditions expected to peak on Saturday.
7. In Germany, a town has sparked controversy by banning stumbling stone memorials that commemorate Nazi victims. Critics, including CDU member Karin Prien, argue that this decision prioritizes death over life and diminishes the visibility of Jewish history in public spaces.
8. Bangkok has been officially declared a flood disaster zone as heavy rainfall inundates the city, overwhelming its drainage systems. Authorities are working to pump out floodwater, but residents are advised to stay indoors as more rain is expected in the coming days.
Even Switzerland is preparing for a more dangerous Europe. The country has adopted a new Security Policy Strategy focused on three key priorities: strengthening resilience, improving protection, and increasing defence capabilities. This shift is particularly noteworthy for Switzerland, a neutral state that has long enjoyed stability and distance from major conflicts, now acknowledging the changing landscape of European security.
In Miami, two illegal immigrants from Cuba have been arrested for their involvement in cocaine trafficking and possession of stolen firearms. The suspects, identified as Cesar Valdes, 89, and Magdaleno Medina, 73, were found to have been living in the United States illegally for over 45 years. Authorities continue to investigate the extent of their criminal activities.
Turning to the weather. In Riga, 11 to 16 degrees with mist feels like. In London, 14 to 21 degrees with overcast feels like. In Paris, 17 to 25 degrees with sunny low. In Brussels, 14 to 22 degrees with overcast low. In Berlin, 11 to 22 degrees with sunny feels like. In Stockholm, 10 to 18 degrees with patchy rain possible feels like. In Madrid, 20 to 29 degrees with overcast feels like.