Radio Schuman

Changing the rules on subsidising farmers is at the heart of a 100-page report on the future of agriculture set to feed a vision document due in the first 100 days of the Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s second mandate.A significant overhaul of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to make subsidies based on farmers’ income rather than farm size is among changes proposed in a report on the future of agriculture presented to Ursula von der Leyen.Today’s Radio Schuman looks at this report – launched in response to widespread anger from farmers protesting in EU capitals – which also pledges a shift to plant-based diets and a temporary just transition fund outside the CAP to help farmers transition towards more sustainable practices.Will this blueprint make Europe’s farmers’ lives easier? Environmental NGO Greenpeace seems to think so. Euronews’s Aida Sanchez spoke to Marco Contiero, the organization’s EU agricultural policy director.We also take a quick look at the ongoing saga surrounding the appointment of European commissioners saga: what is the latest timeline?There’s also some good science news: did you know that sleeping some extra hours during the weekends can save your life? Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by Zacharia Vigneron and music by Alexandre Jas.

On Monday, Roxana Mînzatu was presented by the Romanian government as the next European Commissioner for the country, withdrawing the previous nomination of Victor Negrescu, to comply with Ursula von der Leyen's gender criteria.Minzatu, who is 44, is a former Secretary of State for European funds, and later for public procurement. She spoke to Euronews journalist Shona Murray hours after her nomination about her recent job interview with von der Leyen, the importance of implementing EU law in Europe, and her concerns over the EU’s backsliding on gender balance. A quick look at the gruesome report from Human Rights Watch on forced returns of Syrian refugees by the Cypriot and Lebanese authorities. The NGO claims that the financial help from the EU to Lebanon on border management has never been conditional on the respect of human rights. How much does it cost to go back to school? Today Radio Schuman talks about the average spending of the top European five economies on school supplies- spoiler alert: those spending more are not very rich. Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by Zacharia Vigneron and music by Alexandre Jas.

From regret for the outcome tax state aid cases, to optimism for the future of European AI - outgoing Executive Vice President Margrethe Vestager sat down with Radio Schuman.The EU’s outgoing digital and competition supremo regretted the outcome of landmark tax state aid cases and expressed optimism for the future of European AI in an exclusive sit down with Radio Schuman.“It would have been better” if the Commission had won the controversial tax state aid cases – successfully challenged by Ireland and Luxembourg in respect of so-called sweetheart deals with Apple and Engie - Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager told us.However the woman at the forefront of shaping the EU's competition and digital policies for nearly a decade was content that global tax policies had adapted over the same period, and she expressed optimism that the conditions for investment and ethical development of AI have paved the way for a European AI model that can compete in a fierce global contest.Vestager also defended her track record, and criticised gender imbalance in the nominations for the next EU commissioners.Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by Zacharia Vigneron and music by Alexandre Jas.

In this episode of Radio Schuman, we discuss Ukraine's urgent plea to lift EU restrictions on long-range weapons for better defense against Russia, featuring insights from Ukraine expert Sasha Vakulina.We also touch on Putin's recent trip to Mongolia and explore a quirky new dating trend in Spain's supermarkets.Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by Zacharia Vigneron and music by Alexandre Jas.

In today's episode of Radio Schuman, we dive into the tangled web of Belgian politics as the country faces the challenge of naming a European Commissioner while still negotiating a new government.With Didier Reynders as the only official candidate just before the deadline, we explore Belgium's political landscape and the pressures from the European Union.We’ll hear from top journalist Wouter Vershelden, who shares the behind-the-scenes story.We also discuss the EU's divided response to Josep Borrell’s proposal to sanction Israeli ministers and explore the surprising launch of a Barbie-themed phone aimed at helping young people detox from digital devices.Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by Zacharia Vigneron and music by Alexandre Jas.

With just one day left to nominate the next EU commissioner, Italy, Belgium, and Bulgaria are still undecided.We explore why Italy is holding back and what this means for its relationship with Ursula von der Leyen.Plus, we cover Macron’s strategic visit to Serbia, Sanchez's trip to West Africa, and Sicily’s move to ban Mafia-themed souvenirs.Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by Zacharia Vigneron and music by Alexandre Jas.

In today's episode of Radio Schuman, we explore the growing calls to ban Telegram within EU institutions following the arrest of its founder, Pavel Durov.Bart Groothuis, a Dutch MEP and former cybersecurity expert, highlights the app's security risks, particularly its Russian origins and encryption practices, which could potentially expose sensitive information to the Russian state.We also discuss Austria's push to toughen the EU's migration laws and examine which European countries have the highest levels of education.Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by Zacharia Vigneron and music by Alexandre Jas.

In this episode of Radio Schuman, we explore UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's plan to renegotiate the Brexit deal, focusing on trade and citizens' rights, without rejoining the EU's single market or customs union.We also delve into the EU's latest legal battle with Uber over data privacy violations and explore new climate-related vocabulary making waves across Europe.Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by Zacharia Vigneron and music by Alexandre Jas.

In our final episode before the summer break, we dive into the EU's new migration and asylum pact and the challenges it faces. We speak with Federica Toscano from Save the Children Europe about the concerns over the pact's implementation and the rights of asylum seekers. We also explore the newly enforced AI Act and its impact on tech companies, and reveal the surprising truth behind Olympic gold medals. Join us on Radio Schuman for these stories and more, and we'll be back on August 27th!