This month URSA brings you news on Monkeypox - the media rhetoric, the facts, and the vaccine. We also explore the current heatwave hitting Europe, how countries like Spain, Italy and Portugal are faring, and how Germany’s bureaucracy is potentially standing in the way of a swifter response.

Our first feature piece comes from local podcast Another Berlin about how the fall of the Berlin wall shaped the city’s squatting scene, and how that shaped the future of the city. You’ll also be hearing an excerpt of an episode from the Bittersweet Life - where listeners shared their favorite sounds from Rome, Matera, and even Casablanca!

Then, we have our food correspondent, Jane Silver of Exberliner, who joins us to chat about Berlin’s pizza scene! And Alice O’Brien, Lola Magazine’s Digital Editor and the Bear Radio Newsletter Manager shares what culture August has in-store, including Night of the Museums, Meteor Showers, a celebration of Tresor and some of the festivals reachable with your final 9EUR ticket.

Finally, this month’s artist spotlight showcases fictional poetry from writer and editor, Ceri Savage.

Our theme music is from Lucas Carey, with audio from Epidemic Sound. Cover art by Sian Amber Fletcher.

This episode is brought to you by Bear Radio. Special thanks to our featured producers Katarina and Cody of Another Berlin, and Katy Sewall and Tiffany Parks of The Bittersweet Life. Thanks also to our Food & Culture correspondents, Jane Silver of Exberliner and Alice O’Brien of LOLA.

If you’re a producer based in Europe and have an idea for an URSA story, we’d love to hear from you! We’re always accepting new pitches.

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