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The Europeans

@europeanspod.bsky.social
2.1K followers 603 following 347 posts

An award-winning weekly podcast about Europe hosted by katyinparis.bsky.social and dominicinamsterdam.bsky.social New episodes every Thursday 🎉 europeanspodcast.com

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The Europeans @europeanspod.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
This week's newsletter looks at some rather disturbing reporting by @lighthousereports.com and others into what we CAN'T know about the environmental impact of Europe's data centres: substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com
Getting the AI story straight
To build a truthful narrative, we’re going to need the facts.
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The Europeans @europeanspod.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
A Spanish theatre got banned from Meta ads because the play related to feminism. To quote this week's newsletter: "When are we getting off Meta? Where are we going? And *how good is it going to feel when we are finally gone*?" substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com
When are we leaving Meta?
Or: The landlord has leased out A Room of One’s Own
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The Europeans @europeanspod.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
🚨 NEW EPISODE 🚨 How do Europeans actually feel about Europe? A major study interviewed nearly 6,000 people across the continent using AI. Listen to this week's great interview to find out why that might have yielded more interesting answers. www.europeanspodcast.com/all-episodes...
Text reads: 
“I adore Sánchez and Macron gives me orgasms when he treats Trump badly.”
A European from Italy, born in the 1960s
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Darach Ó Séaghdha @darach.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Lads, am I losing it or does the Lithuanian accent sound a lot like the Limerick accent?
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The Europeans @europeanspod.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
🚨 NEW EPISODE 🚨 This week: meme-maker Fabio Mauri on his work at the EU's (very unofficial) Directorate General of Memes, Satire, and Sober Fun: @ecmemes.bsky.social. Are memes Europe's most underrated democratic tool? 🎧 www.europeanspodcast.com/all-episodes/hooray-for-normalised-boredom
europeanspodcast.com
Hooray for normalised boredom! — The Europeans
This week, we’re attempting to solve some tricky problems. How can the EU tackle the ballooning housing crisis? Can we revive a cinema industry on death’s door? And how on earth can we get bureaucrats...
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The Europeans @europeanspod.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
"As the continent races to rearm, it has largely relied on the United States for guns, tanks and aircraft. For many of the less-visible systems now at the center of modern security — sensors, interceptors, surveillance technology — governments are increasingly turning to Israel."
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The Europeans @europeanspod.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Have you read anything about the Saxony-Anhalt election that you found extra surprising, useful or thoughtful? We want to read it too. Drop your links below, please 👇 🙏 #germany #afd #politics #europe #elections #eu
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Diego Velazquez @diegoinbxl.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
hi EU bluesky, When in Strasbourg, where do you go for a run?
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The Europeans @europeanspod.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
🚨 NEW EPISODE 🚨 Last week, Meta reached a settlement with nearly every US state over claims that it knowingly harmed children with its addictive apps. But what does that mean for Meta users in Europe? www.europeanspodcast.com/all-episodes...
europeanspodcast.com
Will Meta's American makeover come to Europe? — The Europeans
Last week, tech giant Meta reached a settlement in a lawsuit with nearly every state in the US over claim...
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The Europeans @europeanspod.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
🚨NEW EPISODE🚨 This weekend Icelanders vote on restarting EU accession talks shelved since 2013. We talk to journalist Elias Thorsson and analyst @alanderminna.bsky.social about what's at stake for Iceland, the Nordics, and the EU. www.europeanspodcast.com/all-episodes...
europeanspodcast.com
What's on the line in Iceland's EU referendum (besides fish)? — The Europeans
This weekend, Icelanders go to the polls to determine whether the nation should pick up its EU accession talks...
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The Europeans @europeanspod.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
NEW EPISODE 🚨 @sallyhayd.bsky.social made her name documenting the worst human rights abuses of the 21st century. Her new book? Love stories. We talk about her latest release and how to keep hold of the fact that "humans exist at the center of geopolitics." www.europeanspodcast.com/all-episodes...
europeanspodcast.com
Bad news isn't the only news — The Europeans
Sally Hayden made a name for herself by documenting some of the worst human rights abuses of the 21st century. Now she’s written a new book… of love stories. This week we had the honour of sitting dow...
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Szabolcs Panyi @szabolcspanyi.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
Spain-based password manager Passwork, used by EU governments, shares technology with a Russian counterpart serving sanctioned missile makers. Experts warn Russia’s state source-code review could expose vulnerabilities in the European software. @occrp.org
vsquare.org
European Password Manager Shares Origins and Updates with State-Certified Russian Firm - VSquare.org
Passwork, a Spain-based password manager used by European government agencies and universities, shares technological ties with a Russian counterpart — an arrangement that experts say poses a state-level security risk.
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Emma Pearson @emmapearson.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Loving this super fun, pan-European summer songs playlist, from the good people at @europeanspod.bsky.social 😎
open.spotify.com
The Europeans' Summer Playlist Shortlist
Playlist · Morgan · 15 items · 101 saves
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The Europeans @europeanspod.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
🚨 NEW EPISODE🚨 It's been a long, hot summer, and its not even August yet. So this week: one of 2026's most contentious debates — should Europe use more air conditioning? Three experts on the guilt, the emissions, and the life-saving upsides. Bring a fan. www.europeanspodcast.com/all-episodes...
europeanspodcast.com
The great European air conditioning debate — The Europeans
It’s not even August yet, and it’s been a long, hot summer. As temperatures climb and France and Spain fight to keep wildfires contained, we’re devoting the whole of this week’s episode to one of 2026...
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The Europeans @europeanspod.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
🚨 NEW EPISODE We're deep into a hot hot summer and a lot of things are terrible, so forgive us for ignoring the news for one week and bringing you a celebration of Europe's best pop music instead. www.europeanspodcast.com/all-episodes...
europeanspodcast.com
The Europeans’ 2026 Summer Playlist — The Europeans
Last month, we asked you for your favourite sunny, summery songs from across the European continent – and boy,...
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The Europeans @europeanspod.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
🚨 NEW EPISODE We're deep into a hot hot summer and a lot of things are terrible, so forgive us for ignoring the news for one week and bringing you a celebration of Europe's best pop music instead. www.europeanspodcast.com/all-episodes...
europeanspodcast.com
The Europeans’ 2026 Summer Playlist — The Europeans
Last month, we asked you for your favourite sunny, summery songs from across the European continent – and boy,...
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Dave Keating @davekeating.substack.com · 21/07/2026
Great article on the confusing & controversial language situation in Brussels, referencing a 2024 VUB study about what residents speak: 80% can speak French 47% can speak English 22% can speak Dutch For native speakers, Dutch is tied with Arabic at 12%
brusselstimes.com
How Brussels became a French-speaking city
The Francisation of Brussels is known as the "oil slick effect" in Flanders, but how did French really take root in the Belgian capital?
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Emily Brand @emilybrand.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Currently reading the diary of a French 11 year old in 1793 & loving it Summary: Hate having my portrait done, so boring Went to the palace and saw a really mangy rabbit, YUCK My tutor tells me I've got to stop picking my nose Also Marat has been murdered
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The Europeans @europeanspod.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Can we get a round of applause for Producer Morgan's meme creation skills in this week's newsletter? Read what the heck she's on about here: open.substack.com/pub/european...
Meme that says:

"This is Latvia.

Latvia knows that smelters turn alumina and manganese ore into materials that they then sell to Russian arms manufacturers who use it to make deadly weapons

Latvia knows that Europe wants to end the war in Ukraine and that selling alumina to Russia is counterproductive

Latvia is smart.
Be like Latvia."
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The Europeans @europeanspod.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
🚨 NEW EPISODE 🚨 This week we discuss the latest twists in the saga of Jared Kushner’s highly controversial holiday resort in Albania, as well as promising signs that Hungary is building a post-Orbán media system that genuinely protects press freedom. www.europeanspodcast.com/all-episodes...
europeanspodcast.com
Did Jared Kushner get scammed over his Albanian resort? — The Europeans
Construction is well underway for Jared Kushner’s $4 billion Albanian holiday resort, but – in true Trumpian you-can’t-m...
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The Europeans @europeanspod.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Can we get a round of applause for Producer Morgan's meme creation skills in this week's newsletter? Read what the heck she's on about here: open.substack.com/pub/european...
Meme that says:

"This is Latvia.

Latvia knows that smelters turn alumina and manganese ore into materials that they then sell to Russian arms manufacturers who use it to make deadly weapons

Latvia knows that Europe wants to end the war in Ukraine and that selling alumina to Russia is counterproductive

Latvia is smart.
Be like Latvia."
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The Europeans @europeanspod.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
🚨 NEW EPISODE 🚨 This week we discuss the latest twists in the saga of Jared Kushner’s highly controversial holiday resort in Albania, as well as promising signs that Hungary is building a post-Orbán media system that genuinely protects press freedom. www.europeanspodcast.com/all-episodes...
europeanspodcast.com
Did Jared Kushner get scammed over his Albanian resort? — The Europeans
Construction is well underway for Jared Kushner’s $4 billion Albanian holiday resort, but – in true Trumpian you-can’t-m...
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The Europeans @europeanspod.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
We're taking a break this week, but back on Thursday next week as usual! Is there a story from your corner of Europe that isn't getting enough international attention? Drop a link below and we'll add it to the list of potential topics to discuss in our next podcast 👇
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Ulrike Franke @rikefranke.eu · 07/07/2026
“Some officials and experts say the continent will have to devise a new European way of war that features more regional leadership, lower-cost weapons, more efficient production and new strategies for protecting against Russian aggression.” - good FT long read
giftarticle.ft.com
How Europe would fight without America
As Nato meets, the continent is starting to think about how to defend itself without the US
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Pascal Jacquemain @jacquep.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Switzerland bolted 5,000 solar panels onto a dam wall 8,000 feet up in the freezing Alps where everyone said solar made no sense, and the plant now makes three times more winter power than any farm down in the valleys share.google/nw0ojKKXnID1...
share.google
Switzerland bolted 5,000 solar panels onto a dam wall 8,000 feet up in the freezing Alps where everyone said solar made no sense, and the plant now makes three times more winter power than any farm do...
High in the Swiss Alps, on a concrete dam wall more than 8,000 feet above the sea, someone bolted thousands of solar panels to a place almost no one thought
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Henry Mance @henrymance.ft.com · 06/07/2026
Incredible
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Stanley Pignal @spignal.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
VEEERRRRY punchy statement by UEFA on the reversal of the American red-card suspension. And quite right, too. "We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision." www.uefa.com/news-media/n...
uefa.com
UEFA statement on the Balogun case
Statement on decision related to Folarin Balogun
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The Europeans @europeanspod.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
On the menu in this week’s Good Week Bad Week: Spain’s move to criminalise conversion therapy; the EU’s rollout of the red carpet for the Taliban; and singing in yoghurt, among other things substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com
One has air con but the other has pride
Let's win this culture war.
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The Europeans @europeanspod.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
🚨 NEW EPISODE 🚨 This week's episode is all over the place (in a good way... we hope). Why did the EU invite the Taliban to Brussels? We dig into EU textile rules, sperm whale dialects, Frankenchickens in Poland’s megafarms & Ghent’s stinky “penis plant.” www.europeanspodcast.com/all-episodes...
europeanspodcast.com
The Frankenchicken is coming to a village near you — The Europeans
This week, we’re asking some tough questions. Is the EU friends with the Taliban now? Is your 100% cotton shirt actually made of cotton? And, our favourite, “Why Did the Frankenchicken Cross the Road?...
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Dr Jo Swabe @joswabe.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Listening to @europeanspod.bsky.social’s exposé of the intensive chicken farming industry. Here’s a link to the original article ‘Why did the Frankenchicken cross the road’. Definitely worth a read!! fellowship.balkaninsight.com/2026/04/09/w... open.spotify.com/episode/36Gr...
open.spotify.com
The Frankenchicken is coming to a village near you
The Europeans | European news, politics and culture · Episode
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The Europeans @europeanspod.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
🚨 NEW EPISODE 🚨 This week's episode is all over the place (in a good way... we hope). Why did the EU invite the Taliban to Brussels? We dig into EU textile rules, sperm whale dialects, Frankenchickens in Poland’s megafarms & Ghent’s stinky “penis plant.” www.europeanspodcast.com/all-episodes...
europeanspodcast.com
The Frankenchicken is coming to a village near you — The Europeans
This week, we’re asking some tough questions. Is the EU friends with the Taliban now? Is your 100% cotton shirt actually made of cotton? And, our favourite, “Why Did the Frankenchicken Cross the Road?...
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The Europeans @europeanspod.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
🚨 NEW EPISODE 🚨 This week, we chat with @philipobaji.bsky.social about how Russia is using African nations as launchpads to sow chaos in Europe. His insights are chilling. Also: Kyiv Pride’s heartening turnout and some Finnish nuclear proliferation news. www.europeanspodcast.com/all-episodes...
europeanspodcast.com
Why is Putin using African trolls against Europe? — The Europeans
We’ve talked a lot about pro-Kremlin internet trolls, who have worked to destabilise the democratic functioning of countries all across Europe. Turns out, there are even more of them than you might im...
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The Europeans @europeanspod.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
You may have heard this article of Katy’s mentioned in last week’s podcast. It’s out now!
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The Europeans @europeanspod.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
🚨 NEW EPISODE 🚨 This week, we're breaking our old rule. For years, we avoided ‘the B-word’. But 10 years on, it’s time to talk. Why didn't we want to discuss Brexit? Have we made our peace with it? What’s the damage? And could it ever be reversed? www.europeanspodcast.com/all-episodes...
europeanspodcast.com
Ten years on, can we talk about 'the B word'? — The Europeans
Long-time listeners will know that in the early days of The Europeans, we had a semi-official ban on talking&n...
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Brian Bilston @brianbilston.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
Today is World Refugee Day. Here’s a poem called ‘Refugees’.
Refugees

They have no need of our help
So do not tell me
These haggard faces could belong to you or me
Should life have dealt a different hand
We need to see them for who they really are
Chancers and scroungers
Layabouts and loungers
With bombs up their sleeves
Cut-throats and thieves
They are not
Welcome here
We should make them
Go back to where they came from
They cannot
Share our food
Share our homes
Share our countries
Instead let us
Build a wall to keep them out
It is not okay to say
These are people just like us
A place should only belong to those who are born there
Do not be so stupid to think that
The world can be looked at another way

(now read from bottom to top)


Brian Bilston
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The Europeans @europeanspod.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
🚨 NEW EPISODE 🚨 This week, we're breaking our old rule. For years, we avoided ‘the B-word’. But 10 years on, it’s time to talk. Why didn't we want to discuss Brexit? Have we made our peace with it? What’s the damage? And could it ever be reversed? www.europeanspodcast.com/all-episodes...
europeanspodcast.com
Ten years on, can we talk about 'the B word'? — The Europeans
Long-time listeners will know that in the early days of The Europeans, we had a semi-official ban on talking&n...
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The Europeans @europeanspod.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
GOT THOUGHTS ABOUT BREXIT? WE WANT YOUR VOICE MEMOS! We're making a special podcast next week looking back at the Brexit referendum, 10 years on. We'd love to hear about your personal experience, or your thoughts on what's changed. Please send a voice memo to hello@europeanspodcast.com!
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The Europeans @europeanspod.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
This week in our newsletter, we're looking into the EU's troubling plans to create 'return hubs' for rejected asylum seekers. Why is the world's supposed beacon of human rights planning to send people to third countries over which they have no oversight? open.substack.com/pub/european...
open.substack.com
Has the EU gone M.I.A.?
“Return hubs” – what’s with that?
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The Europeans @europeanspod.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
GOT THOUGHTS ABOUT BREXIT? WE WANT YOUR VOICE MEMOS! We're making a special podcast next week looking back at the Brexit referendum, 10 years on. We'd love to hear about your personal experience, or your thoughts on what's changed. Please send a voice memo to hello@europeanspodcast.com!
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Dominic Kraemer @dominicinamsterdam.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
I don't think there are many podcasts out there with such a fabulously odd mix of topics: This week its the Armenian election, Dua Lipa's wedding, maddening quirks of the English language and Denmark's mullet championship. @europeanspod.bsky.social www.europeanspodcast.com/all-episodes...
europeanspodcast.com
Every @#$%ing quirk of the English language — The Europeans
After a triggering event we’re calling Legislativegate, producer Wojciech has a bone to pick with the English langu...
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The Europeans @europeanspod.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Featuring @robwords.com!
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The Europeans @europeanspod.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
🚨 NEW EPISODE 🚨 Think of this podcast as a kind of therapy session for non-native English-speakers. This week we're asking: Why is the English language so goddamn infuriating sometimes? We're also talking about Armenia's election, and Dua Lipa's wedding. www.europeanspodcast.com/all-episodes...
europeanspodcast.com
Every @#$%ing quirk of the English language — The Europeans
After a triggering event we’re calling Legislativegate, producer Wojciech has a bone to pick with the English langu...
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The Europeans @europeanspod.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
🚨 NEW EPISODE 🚨 Has the EU got a funny bone? Susanna Kierkegaard says yes. We chat about an MEP who expensed 250kg of chocolate to the taxpayers, an unpaid electricity bill that fundamentally changed EU law, and about the democratic function of humour. www.europeanspodcast.com/all-episodes...
europeanspodcast.com
The world’s funniest superstate? — The Europeans
The European Union is many things: an economic powerhouse, an improbably successful peace project, or a bureaucratic hellscape, depending on who you ask. Most people would probably agree on one thing ...
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The Europeans @europeanspod.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
Our newsletter is back after a break, and it's sassier than ever. Catch up on Jared Kushner's misadventures in Albania, a legal battle over the fundamental right to tap water, and much more here: europeanspodcast.substack.com/p/long-live-...
europeanspodcast.substack.com
Long live European flamingoes
FYI, Jared Kushner, pink is not your colour.
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The Europeans @europeanspod.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Ooh! www.euractiv.com/news/europea...
euractiv.com
European Parliament to ditch Google for European alternative | Euractiv
France's Qwant will this week become the default search engine on MEPs' computers
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The Europeans @europeanspod.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
Who can beat 'Arsenal player -> chemicals CEO' in terms of interesting career switches?
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The Europeans @europeanspod.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
🚨 NEW EPISODE 🚨 Has the EU got a funny bone? Susanna Kierkegaard says yes. We chat about an MEP who expensed 250kg of chocolate to the taxpayers, an unpaid electricity bill that fundamentally changed EU law, and about the democratic function of humour. www.europeanspodcast.com/all-episodes...
europeanspodcast.com
The world’s funniest superstate? — The Europeans
The European Union is many things: an economic powerhouse, an improbably successful peace project, or a bureaucratic hellscape, depending on who you ask. Most people would probably agree on one thing ...
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Gabriela Greilinger @gabrielagreilinger.com · 26/05/2026
Almost 40% of Austrians prefer a coalition between the far-right FPÖ and the People's Party (ÖVP) in the next government. It's almost like Ibiza, numerous corruption allegations, connections to the Identitarians, open displays of Nazi affinities, etc., etc., never happened.
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Jan Kooy @kooyjan.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Did you know that Russian authorities are unlawfully seizing civilian property belonging to Ukrainians in occupied areas? International law prohibits occupying powers from confiscating or appropriating private property unless strictly required by military necessity. New research @hrw.org ⤵️
hrw.org
Ukraine: Russia Illegally Seizing Property in Occupied Areas
Russian authorities are unlawfully seizing civilian property belonging to Ukrainians in occupied areas, Human Rights Watch said today. International law prohibits occupying powers from confiscating or...
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