The first Radio Schuman episode of the new year follows significant uncertainties left behind by 2024 that Europe will have to handle.

The continent is set to experience significant political and policy shifts, with Ursula von der Leyen’s influence growing, the balance of power in the EU potentially changing due to elections in Germany, and global uncertainties like Trump’s re-election affecting relations with Russia and China.

Key policy discussions will include the upcoming EU Multiannual Financial Framework, increased defence spending and ongoing migration reforms. On top of that, there’s also competitiveness, energy security, and tackling budget deficits in EU economies, all up for debate.

Radio Schuman touches upon what’s ahead with Euronews reporter Paula Soler.

We will also explore last week’s presidential election in Croatia and look at the roster and the gameplan of the first MEP delegation of the year as it begins its work abroad.

Finally, are smokes vanishing into thin air only to be replaced with electronic cigarettes? We’ll check out who and how uses vapes — widely popular nicotine devices — across Europe.

Today’s Radio Schuman is hosted by senior policy reporter Gerardo Fortuna and produced by journalist Eleonora Vasques, with audio editing by Georgios Leivaditis. Music by Alexandre Jas.

The Chinese box office opened 2025 with “Octopus with Broken Arms” leading the first weekend, earning $16.1 million (RMB117.5 million), according to data provided by consultancy firm Artisan Gateway.

The As One Production release climbed from its second-place debut last week to take the top spot. Directed by Jacky Gan, the crime thriller follows Zheng Bingrui (Xiao Yang), a wealthy businessman whose daughter is kidnapped during a holiday celebration. The film’s cumulative total now stands at $74.7 million.

Last week’s leader, Gengxi Pictures’ “Big World,” slipped to second place, adding $11.4 million in its second weekend. Directed by Yang Lina, the drama stars Jackson Yee as a young man with cerebral palsy preparing for college exams while assisting his grandmother (Diana Lin) with a stage play. The film’s cumulative total has now reached $77.8 million.

Newcomer “Honey Money Phony,” released by Maoyan Pictures on Dec. 31, debuted in third place with $7.5 million. Directed by Su Biao, the comedy follows Lin Qinglang (Jin Chen), a working woman who unexpectedly finds herself deeply in debt after a sweet promise turns sour. Her journey intertwines with Ouyang Hui (Sunny Sun), a scammer whose involvement brings unexpected changes to both their lives.

“Hot Pot Artist,” released by Chengdu Film Group on Jan. 3, entered the chart in fourth place with $1.8 million. Directed by Cui Zhijia, who also stars as Li Ruyi, the film tells the story of a young man from Northeast China pursuing his dream of becoming a director. When his career doesn’t go as planned, he returns home to inherit his father-in-law’s hot pot restaurant, leading to unexpected challenges and personal growth.

In fifth place, “Detective Conan: Crossroad in the Ancient Capital” – originally released in Japan in 2003 – fell two spots from last week’s third position. The anime titled grossed $1.5 million over the weekend, bringing its cumulative earnings to $13.8 million. Directed by Kodama Kenji, the film follows Conan Edogawa and Heiji Hattori as they solve a mystery involving a stolen Healing Buddha statue.

Meanwhile, “Paddington in Peru” debuted in sixth place and has collected $3.9 million over five days of release, per data from Ent Group. In eighth place, “Mufasa: The Lion King” has a $14 million cume after 17 days in release, according to Ent Group.

The weekend’s total box office reached $44.3 million, down from the $68.3 million grossed during the final weekend of 2024. Despite the quieter start, the cumulative gross for 2025 stands at $95.9 million, up 5.9% compared to the same period last year.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is reportedly expected to resign from his position as early as Monday, according to Canadian media.

The news was first reported by the Globe and Mail on Sunday night, citing three sources. The outlet said that it is unclear when exactly the Liberal Party leader will step down, but a resignation is expected to come before a national caucus meeting on Wednesday.

The news comes as Trudeau’s popularity continues to dwindle in Canada, which has a national election planned for Oct. 20 of this year. The country continues to suffer from a housing crisis, a declining per-capita GDP and high inflation, among other issues.

According to Canadian pollster Angus Reid, Trudeau has a disapproval rate of around 68% as of Dec. 24, with a meager 28% of Canadians supporting him.

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The potential resignation would also come after Trudeau, who became prime minister in 2015, braved a difficult few months in politics. In September, he faced a no confidence vote in parliament that later failed, despite efforts from the Conservative Party to remove him from office.

On Dec. 16, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland announced that she was stepping down from Trudeau’s cabinet, dealing a significant blow to the prime minister. In her resignation letter, she claimed that the only “honest and viable path” was to leave the Cabinet.

“For the past number of weeks, you and I have found ourselves at odds about the best path forward for Canada,” Freeland, who was previously seen as a Trudeau loyalist, wrote.

“Our country is facing a grave challenge,” the letter added. “That means keeping our fiscal powder dry today, so we have the reserves we may need for a coming tariff war.”

Later in December, one of Trudeau’s key allies, New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh, said that he planned to present a formal motion of no-confidence on Jan. 27.

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Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been facing dwindling popularity in his country. (DAVE CHAN/AFP via Getty Images)

“No matter who is leading the Liberal Party, this government’s time is up. We will put forward a clear motion of non-confidence in the next sitting of the House of Commons,” Singh said.

Trudeau’s personal choices have also invited backlash from his opponents. At the end of November, Trudeau faced international criticism after he was seen dancing at a Taylor Swift concert in Toronto while a destructive riot took place in his home city of Montreal.

Don Stewart, a Member of Parliament (MP) representing part of Toronto, called out the prime minister in a post on X.

“Lawless protesters run roughshod over Montreal in violent protest. The Prime Minister dances,” the Canadian politician wrote. “This is the Canada built by the Liberal government.”

“Bring back law and order, safe streets and communities in the Canada we once knew and loved,” Stewart added. Trudeau later denounced the lawlessness, calling the riot “appalling.”

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will step down, according to the Globe and Mail. (DAVE CHAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Fox News Digital has reached out to Trudeau’s office for comment.

Fox News’ Chris Massaro, The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.