Orla Barry is the Europe correspondent for The World. She has been a producer with the BBC World Service for six years, working on Outside Source, World Have Your Say and Newsday. Orla has been a national broadcaster on the Irish radio station Newstalk, where she presented the daily morning show and a weekend arts and culture show.
Orla has produced a series of documentaries from East Africa, including Rwanda, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Uganda. She also presented a BBC Radio 4 documentary on the Irish women who built Britain. She previously worked as an independent producer for NBC and Arte. Orla has been a columnist with two Irish national newspapers, the Irish Examiner and the Irish Independent. She has a Master’s degree in politics and development studies.
New Cate Blanchett film 'Tár' divides opinion among female conductors
“Tár,” about a virtuoso female conductor, has shone a spotlight on the continuing dearth of women leading major orchestras worldwide.
An unseasonably warm winter in Europe threatens ski resorts, tourism
This pastor officiated Orbán’s wedding. Now he’s one of his fiercest critics.
'Nothing Orbán says is by accident': Jewish leaders in Hungary grapple with anti-Semitic tropes in politics
Orbán portrays himself as a ‘defender of Christianity.’ Critics aren’t so sure.
A new Roma radio station gets people talking about taboo issues in Hungary
The Roma are Hungary’s largest ethnic minority, making up close to 10% of the population. Radio Dikh, a new radio station, aims to change perceptions of the Roma community in Hungary, where they have faced decades of stigma and discrimination.
'The summer of stress': Amid airline staffing shortages, lost luggage rates have soared
Thousands of passengers are arriving at their destinations without their luggage and little idea if they will ever see it again.
Poland’s ‘pregnancy registry’ will further restrict abortion access, activists say
The Polish government says it is establishing a national medical database, following a directive from the EU Commission, promising to ensure the protection of people's privacy. But in a country with a near-total abortion ban, rights activists are not so convinced.
No Z allowed: Some European countries move to ban the symbol used to promote Russia’s war in Ukraine
The letter Z has been used to glorify Russia's war in Ukraine. Now, countries like Lithuania and Latvia are moving to ban the letter as one step toward stemming Russia’s pro-war propaganda.
This Polish activist sent abortion pills to a woman in need. Now she's on trial.
An abortion-rights activist charged with breaking Poland’s strict abortion laws goes on trial in Warsaw next week. The case is the first of its kind in Europe.
Russians in the UK face hate speech, verbal abuse as war rages in Ukraine
Many Russian expats are appalled by the war in Ukraine. Some are even speaking out. But many say they're also experiencing verbal abuse and hate speech as the war in Ukraine continues.
‘The best is yet to come': Thousands of Bulgarians return home during pandemic
Since 1989, hundreds of thousands of Bulgarians have left the country, looking for better job prospects and wages. But in 2020, emigration decreased dramatically while the number of returnees soared. Leaders hope they’ll stay and help build Bulgaria’s future.
Malta just legalized recreational cannabis. Will other European countries follow?
Malta is the first European country to legalize adult-use recreational cannabis. Germany and Luxembourg are likely to follow suit, but it's a far cry from the liberal Canadian model.
Belarus theater company flees amid opposition crackdown
Belarus Free Theater has staged provocative plays highlighting political corruption and the effects of authoritarianism for 16 years. Now, all its members are leaving Belarus, saying it’s no longer safe for them.
‘I’m still not free’: Aid workers who helped refugees in Greece face months of legal limbo
This week, Irishman Seán Binder and 23 other aid workers stood trial in Greece, accused of espionage, forgery and supporting a criminal organization. The judge ultimately ruled to refer the case to a higher court.