Poland’s Donald Tusk fills a leadership vacuum, election shock in Romania, and has Ireland cracked the formula for political stability? In the second half: a special post-COP29 climate episode guest-produced by award-winning British environmental journalists Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor and featuring additional reporting by Ashish Sharma.

Azerbaijan’s human rights record, Hamburg's bid to clean up global shipping, Turkey's Acik radio is taken off air, Bulgaria's ill behaved caricaturists, NFL's brain damage problem and Spain's organ transplant success.

Taking a break from the news, we're sharing uplifting stories from our 'Other Europes' series this week: an Italian city granting every newborn citizenship, a British nursery bridging generations, and a young Irish filmmaker shining a light on marginalized voices. Plus, a sneak peek of New York’s “Kafka: Making of an Icon” exhibit. Join us for these stories of hope and resilience across Europe.

Germany’s coalition government collapses, Europe reacts to Trump’s re-election, and in Serbia, a fatal accident feeds unrest over corruption allegations. Also: Spanish floods fallout, Battle of the Scheldt and farewell, Helen Seeney!

Georgia’s disputed election, EU rhetoric vs reality, US overseas ballots in Berlin. Also: Brussels and Ankara have different takes on the US election, VW is in trouble, and Spain is on the frontline of Europe's climate crisis.

Russia's airspace incursions spark calls for NATO action, Moldova's EU poll could impact Sandu's reelection, Gisele Pelicot tells of her ordeal in mass rape trial and Turkey awaits a new refugee crisis. Also: Georgia picks its next parliament, how Russia's war economy is fueling a housing crisis, Spanish football takes action against racism and Italy's plans for more wind and solar spark protests.

Irish soldiers in Lebanon, linguistic defiance in Belarus and the long shadow cast by Norway’s worst ever oil platform disaster. Also expect: modern day shepherds, post industrial landscapes, lenient lexicographers and edible insects!

Are Zelenskyy’s conditions for peace in Ukraine at odds with the realities of the war? Ordinary men, horrific crimes - could France’s mass rape trial be a catalyst for change? Why Norway is revving up for EVs. Plus: 1itch hunts: the medieval conspiracy that just won’t die.

A warm cultural shower of a show, featuring: embarrassing friendships, spiritual awakenings, and community pubs! In the second half we invite you to: peak inside a Scottish croft, hang out with some rebellious Italian foodies and meet a young Irish filmmaker for whom representation is a deeply personal mission. Special Guests: Dominic and Katy from The Europeans podcast.

Austrian elections, a pyrrhic victory for the SPD in Brandenburg, France's new government, Oslo Innovation Week. Also: Croatia’s bid to reverse its youth exodus, sun, sea and sustainable tourism, all aboard the newly extended Paris metro, and forbidden sounds: a world first for Spain’s Thyssen-Bornemisza museum.

Visible minorities fear for their safety in Brandenburg, Talking Left, Voting Right report, and Meloni vs. Mussolini - what’s in a name? Then, a youth-themed second half featuring the Finnish Tinder for Good Deeds, 1000 Turkish Youth For Palestine, School smartphone bans and the ever youthful Dolly Parton... or at least her new Prosecco label!

The familiar face of France’s new Prime Minister, Turkey’s naval expansion plans and what they mean for Europe, and a wind-swept trip to patrol the Baltic Defence Line. Also: Schengen under threat, Santorini’s struggle with overtourism, Spain’s Spaghetti Western film-sets, and a German dance collective taking on Parkinson’s Disease.