Newsline 26 October 2009: Turkey worries the EU with a show of support for Iran. A look at why the EU's failing to make a difference in Afghanistan. American atheists look to spread disbelief in New York. A new Dutch MEP thinks the EU's giving him too much money.
 

Listen to today's edition of Newsline:

What's behind Turkey's flirt with Iran
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan ruffled quite a few feathers in the West today by saying Turkey is "a friend of Iran" and that fears over Iran's nuclear programme are mere "gossip". His comments come at a time when relations between the EU and Turkey are strained because of slow progress in talks over Turkey's membership of the Union. Listen to an interview with Dutch MEP Sophie in 't Veld and Dutch historian / Islam specialist Alexander de Groot.  Read the full story.

EU Afghanistan mission a lost cause
Afghan President Hamid Karzai and his challenger Abdullah Abdullah have ruled out any prospect of a power-sharing deal, meaning a run-off vote will go ahead in two weeks time. The EU has been criticised for its role in monitoring the first round of these elections, and its inability to make an effective contribution to reconstruction and development. Despite pumping millions of euros into the country, the EU is failing to make a difference. Listen to the report by our Brussels correspondent Vanessa Mock.

Now's the time for atheism
"A million New Yorkers are good without God. Are you?" That's the question being asked of New Yorkers today as part of a campaign launched by atheist groups. The Big Apple Coalition of Reason, which is behind the stunt, wants to get people thinking about religion and morality. Dr Anne Klaeysen, head of the New York Society for Ethical Culture - one of the groups in the Coalition of Reason - explains why the time is right to spread this message.

MEP says Brussels wants him to spend too much
A new Dutch MEP has expressed shock at the generous expenses package politicians in Brussels receive. Peter van Dalen says it's incomprehensible that MEPs receive over 4000 euros a month without having to show proof of how they spend the money. Mr van Dalen, of the orthodox Christian Union party says he's gathering support to change the rules.