European cities

Cities across Europe are looking for ways to increase the supply of affordable housing as rents and property prices continue to strain households. The issue has become a central concern for urban policymakers, with local governments under pressure to act as housing shortages deepen in many major European cities.

A far-left party has won the Berlin election, running on a pledge to nationalise housing in the German capital. The result points to strong voter support for radical measures against rising rents and housing shortages in Berlin, and is likely to spark debate in Germany over public ownership of residential property and the future direction of the city's housing policy.

La Liga president Javier Tebas said 'equal rules for all' is essential as reports circulate about a verdict in the disciplinary case involving Manchester City. His comments underline calls that clubs be treated the same regardless of size or wealth, a theme he has repeatedly raised in disputes over state-backed ownership and financial regulation in European football.

Munich was selected on Saturday ahead of the Cologne/Rhine-Ruhr region as the German candidate city in a national bid to host the Summer Olympic Games in 2036, 2040 or 2044. It would be a return of the Olympics to Munich, which hosted the 1972 Summer Games. Cologne/Rhine-Ruhr lost out in the domestic selection, with a final international decision still to come.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in the Radmansgatan area of Stockholm on Saturday to protest Israel's attacks on the Gaza Strip. The rally was called by civil society organizations, with speakers demanding an immediate end to what they described as war crimes against civilians in Gaza. The protest is part of ongoing demonstrations across European cities since the escalation of the conflict.

Manchester City have been found guilty in a Premier League case, and attention is turning to how the verdict affects rivals. Manchester United are among the clubs whose standing could be reshaped, with questions over prize money, European qualification and the competitive balance of the league. Football fans and pundits are debating what the ruling means for the rest of the top flight.

The National Council of Resistance of Iran reports that its supporters mobilized in New York during the UN General Assembly and held gatherings in several European cities. The group, which opposes the Iranian government, uses such events to press for human rights concerns and political change in Iran. The weekly report highlights coordination between diaspora communities and international advocacy efforts.

A report from The Brussels Times examines how fear of homophobia influences the everyday movements of queer people in Brussels, from choosing which streets and neighbourhoods to walk through to adjusting behaviour around public transport and nightlife. The piece highlights that safety concerns remain part of daily life for LGBT people in the Belgian capital, prompting discussion about public space, inclusion and city policy.