Europe Talks Back

In this episode of Long Story Short, we turn our attention to Romania, where Sunday's presidential election could redefine the country's role in Europe and shift the balance of power in the region. With a far-right frontrunner promising to cut off military aid to Ukraine and challenge Romania's pro-Western trajectory, the stakes are high, not just for Romanians, but for the entire European project. We unpack who's running, what's at risk, and how this vote could echo far beyond Bucharest. Could Romania become the EU's next political headache?Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, the EU's top court delivered a landmark ruling: Malta's golden passport programme, which allowed wealthy foreigners to acquire Maltese, and therefore EU, citizenship in exchange for a cash investment, has been found illegal.According to the Court of Justice of the European Union, the scheme amounted to “the commercialisation of EU citizenship.” has violated the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU. But what happens now to the passports Malta has already sold and which other countries are under pressure too?Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Abortion remains illegal in Malta and highly restricted in Poland, despite ongoing pressure from European institutions to uphold reproductive rights. In this episode of Europe Talks Back, we examine the historical and current influence of religious institutions on abortion policy across Europe, and the political forces maintaining these restrictions. We are joined by Neil Datta, Executive Director and founder of the European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual and Reproductive Rights, and Magdalena Chrzczonowicz, Editor-in-Chief of OKO.press and contributor to the cross-border investigation Exporting Abortion, who share insights on how restrictive laws impact women and how cross-border initiatives are working to protect access to safe abortion care. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, our Long Story Short podcast is taking you outside of Europe, to the Mediterranean, to Tunisia. This may not be a strictly European story, but what happens in our neighborhood can have major implications for us too. Especially considering that just last year, Tunisia signed a 255-million-euro deal with the European Union to tackle irregular migration.The birthplace of the Arab Spring, is once again caught in a judicial farce, because last week, a Tunisian court sentenced 40 people up to 66 years of prison. But who are these people, and why is the EU turning a blind eye in its transactional relationship with Tunisia?Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Over the weekend, world leaders gathered in Rome to attend Pope Francis' funeral, an event that quickly became a hotspot for high-stakes diplomacy. At the heart of these diplomatic moves was the very first face-to-face meeting of Donald Trump and Voldomyr Zelenskyy since February's highly tense Oval Office encounter.In what way did this meeting shape the future of the war in Ukraine, and what should we be keeping an eye on this week?Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The first episode of A Grain of Power starts in Trevignano, near Rome, Italy. It starts with the story of Culetti, a small modern bakery led by Mirko Magnano, who discusses the philosophy behind the business. More than 2000 kilometres away, Zainab describes the visceral relationship between Egyptian people and bread, as well as the challenges the local population encounters to access this essential good. How and why are the stories of Mirko and Zainab connected?Through 6 episodes, A Grain of Power is a documentary podcast that takes you on a journey from the heart of Ukraine to the markets of Egypt, passing through Romania, Italy, and Brussels. It explores how an essential commodity – seeds, wheat, bread – has become a weapon of power, playing a crucial role both in the North and the South. Discover how these resources nourish nations, provoke conflicts, and reshape alliancesAnd you? Would you be willing to fight for a piece of bread?Narration: Alexander Damiano RicciReporting and field research: Futura D'Aprile & Matteo GaravogliaAuthor: Futura D'AprileEnglis adaptation: Alexander Damiano RicciEditor-in-chief: Alexander Damiano RicciOriginal soundtrack: Epidemic SoundOriginal Sound Editing: Jeremy BocquetSound editing and mixing English version: Daniel Gutierrez OrtegaIllustration: Watermelon CollectiveProduction: Futura D'Aprile & Matteo GaravogliaExecutive producer: Ana RiberaProduction coordinator: Alexander Damiano Ricci A Grain of Power is a six-episode documentary series produced by Europod and Outriders, as part of the WePod project, funded by the European Union. This podcast is co-produced by Europod.Subscribe to Europod • English for even more podcasts, and follow us on Linkedin and Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The European Union is currently investigating whether Hungary's new plan to use facial recognition at LGBTQ+ Pride events on June 28th is even legal. But what does Hungary's surveillance move reveal about the strength of the EU's AI Act? And will the European Commission take action this time around?Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US president Donald Trump, took to social media, again, to blame Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for blocking a peace deal with Russia. Only Russia has been launching a massive missile attack on Kiev since last night with Ukrainians looking for shelter anywhere underground. But is there a peace deal on the horizon and what does lifting sanctions on Russia mean for Europe and the US?Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the last episode of Sea of Rage, we travel back to Barbate and investigate what happened on the night of the 9th of February 2024, when two local police officers were killed by narco-gangs. We also meet Spanish prosecutors and researchers, trying to understand what the future might hold for Barbate.Sea of Rage is a reportage podcast dealing with the borderless narco-trafficking business as seen from the perspective of ordinary people who live in two towns in Southern Europe: Barbate (Andalusìa, Spain) and Gioia Tauro (Calabria, Italy). Over the past few decades, Barbate and Gioia Tauro have become entry points for hashish and cocaine into Europe. But why have these towns become such pivotal places for drug trafficking? And what does it mean to live, day in day out, next door to such dark and murky businesses?Sea of Rage is an adaptation of the homonymous co-production between Podium Podcast and Chora Media, released in September 2024 under the Spanish and Italian language titles Mar de rabia (Spanish, Podium Podcast) and Mare di rabbia (Italian, Chora Media). Sea of Rage is part of WePod, a collaborative project financed by the Creative Europe program of the European Commission.Art direction: Alexander Damiano RicciReporting on the ground and interview collection: Manu Tomillo (Podium Podcast), Javi Caminero (Podium Podcast) and Francesca Berardi (Chora Media)Original sound design: Elizabeth BuaAdaptation of scripts in English: Alexander Damiano RicciSound editing: Daniel Gutierrez OrtegaEditorial support (original Italian version): Ilaria Ferraresi e Valeria LuziProducer (Italian version): Martina ConteOriginal sound theme: Luca Micheli (Chora Media)Cover artwork: Watermelon collective, based on original artwork by Agencia Player and Giulia Mangano (Chora Media)Executive producer: Ana Ribera (Podium Podcast)Project Manager: Henar Leòn (Podium Podcast) and Gloria Beltrami.Coordination of editorial work and production: Alexander Damiano Ricci.This co-production was financed by the European Union. However, the points of view and opinions shared are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not reflect necessarily the opinions of the European Union. Nor the European Union, nor the authorities and agencies which might have financed this product can be considered responsible for points of view shared through this journalistic and creative work. This podcast was co-produced by Europod.Subscribe to Europod • English for more podcasts and subscribe to our Linkedin and Instagram channels. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we continue our reporting from the area of Gioia Tauro. We meet journalist Michele Albanese who lives under police protection these days. And discover the reach and connections of the Italian Ndrangheta mafia across Europe. From the reporting the differences and red threads connecting Barbate and Gioia Tauro become manifest.Sea of Rage is a reportage podcast dealing with the borderless narco-trafficking business as seen from the perspective of ordinary people who live in two towns in Southern Europe: Barbate (Andalusìa, Spain) and Gioia Tauro (Calabria, Italy). Over the past few decades, Barbate and Gioia Tauro have become entry points for hashish and cocaine into Europe. But why have these towns become such pivotal places for drug trafficking? And what does it mean to live, day in day out, next door to such dark and murky businesses?Sea of Rage is an adaptation of the homonymous co-production between Podium Podcast and Chora Media, released in September 2024 under the Spanish and Italian language titles Mar de rabia (Spanish, Podium Podcast) and Mare di rabbia (Italian, Chora Media). Sea of Rage is part of WePod, a collaborative project financed by the Creative Europe program of the European Commission.Art direction: Alexander Damiano RicciReporting on the ground and interview collection: Manu Tomillo (Podium Podcast), Javi Caminero (Podium Podcast) and Francesca Berardi (Chora Media)Original sound design: Elizabeth BuaAdaptation of scripts in English: Alexander Damiano RicciSound editing: Daniel Gutierrez OrtegaEditorial support (original Italian version): Ilaria Ferraresi e Valeria LuziProducer (Italian version): Martina ConteOriginal sound theme: Luca Micheli (Chora Media)Cover artwork: Watermelon collective, based on original artwork by Agencia Player and Giulia Mangano (Chora Media)Executive producer: Ana Ribera (Podium Podcast)Project Manager: Henar Leòn (Podium Podcast) and Gloria Beltrami.Coordination of editorial work and production: Alexander Damiano Ricci.This co-production was financed by the European Union. However, the points of view and opinions shared are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not reflect necessarily the opinions of the European Union. Nor the European Union, nor the authorities and agencies which might have financed this product can be considered responsible for points of view shared through this journalistic and creative work. This podcast was co-produced by Europod.Subscribe to Europod • English for more podcasts and subscribe to our Linkedin and Instagram channels. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we travel to the Italian coast and port-town of Gioia Tauro, in the Southern region of Calabria. We discover the history of the construction of the port of Gioia Tauro and the role of the Italian mafia, Ndrangheta, in the narco-trafficking of cocaine into Europe. Sea of Rage is a reportage podcast dealing with the borderless narco-trafficking business as seen from the perspective of ordinary people who live in two towns in Southern Europe: Barbate (Andalusìa, Spain) and Gioia Tauro (Calabria, Italy). Over the past few decades, Barbate and Gioia Tauro have become entry points for hashish and cocaine into Europe. But why have these towns become such pivotal places for drug trafficking? And what does it mean to live, day in day out, next door to such dark and murky businesses?Sea of Rage is an adaptation of the homonymous co-production between Podium Podcast and Chora Media, released in September 2024 under the Spanish and Italian language titles Mar de rabia (Spanish, Podium Podcast) and Mare di rabbia (Italian, Chora Media). Sea of Rage is part of WePod, a collaborative project financed by the Creative Europe program of the European Commission.Art direction: Alexander Damiano RicciReporting on the ground and interview collection: Manu Tomillo (Podium Podcast), Javi Caminero (Podium Podcast) and Francesca Berardi (Chora Media)Original sound design: Elizabeth BuaAdaptation of scripts in English: Alexander Damiano RicciSound editing: Daniel Gutierrez OrtegaEditorial support (original Italian version): Ilaria Ferraresi e Valeria LuziProducer (Italian version): Martina ConteOriginal sound theme: Luca Micheli (Chora Media)Cover artwork: Watermelon collective, based on original artwork by Agencia Player and Giulia Mangano (Chora Media)Executive producer: Ana Ribera (Podium Podcast)Project Manager: Henar Leòn (Podium Podcast)Coordination of editorial work and production: Alexander Damiano Ricci.This co-production was financed by the European Union. However, the points of view and opinions shared are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not reflect necessarily the opinions of the European Union. Nor the European Union, nor the authorities and agencies which might have financed this product can be considered responsible for points of view shared through this journalistic and creative work. This podcast was co-produced by Europod.Subscribe to Europod • English for more podcasts and subscribe to our Linkedin and Instagram channels. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After visiting the neighbourhood of El Pinar and the port of Barbate, in this episode we try to understand deeper reasons for why this south-western Spanish port town struggles in changing its status of entry door for hashish into Europe. We discuss the impact of geography, education and, eventually, local politics on Barbate. Sea of Rage is a reportage podcast dealing with the borderless narco-trafficking business as seen from the perspective of ordinary people who live in two towns in Southern Europe: Barbate (Andalusìa, Spain) and Gioia Tauro (Calabria, Italy). Over the past few decades, Barbate and Gioia Tauro have become entry points for hashish and cocaine into Europe. But why have these towns become such pivotal places for drug trafficking? And what does it mean to live, day in day out, next door to such dark and murky businesses?Sea of Rage is an adaptation of the homonymous co-production between Podium Podcast and Chora Media, released in September 2024 under the Spanish and Italian language titles Mar de rabia (Spanish, Podium Podcast) and Mare di rabbia (Italian, Chora Media). Sea of Rage is part of WePod, a collaborative project financed by the Creative Europe program of the European Commission.Art direction: Alexander Damiano RicciReporting on the ground and interview collection: Manu Tomillo (Podium Podcast), Javi Caminero (Podium Podcast) and Francesca Berardi (Chora Media)Original sound design: Elizabeth BuaAdaptation of scripts in English: Alexander Damiano RicciSound editing: Daniel Gutierrez OrtegaOriginal sound theme: Luca Micheli (Chora Media)Cover artwork: Watermelon collective, based on original artwork by Agencia Player and Giulia Mangano (Chora Media)Executive producer: Ana Ribera (Podium Podcast)Project Manager: Henar Leòn (Podium Podcast)Coordination of editorial work and production: Alexander Damiano Ricci.This co-production was financed by the European Union. However, the points of view and opinions shared are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not reflect necessarily the opinions of the European Union. Nor the European Union, nor the authorities and agencies which might have financed this product can be considered responsible for points of view shared through this journalistic and creative work. This podcast was co-produced by Europod.Subscribe to Europod • English for more podcasts and subscribe to our Linkedin and Instagram channels. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Walking the streets of Barbate is not enough to grasp why drug trafficking affects this small town in South-Western Spain. In this episode, the team of reporters behind Sea of Rage visit the port of Barbate, where everything - the smuggling - happens. Sea of Rage is a reportage podcast dealing with the borderless narco-trafficking business as seen from the perspective of ordinary people who live in two towns in Southern Europe: Barbate (Andalusìa, Spain) and Gioia Tauro (Calabria, Italy). Over the past few decades, Barbate and Gioia Tauro have become entry points for hashish and cocaine into Europe. But why have these towns become such pivotal places for drug trafficking? And what does it mean to live, day in day out, next door to such dark and murky businesses?Sea of Rage is an adaptation of the homonymous co-production between Podium Podcast and Chora Media, released in September 2024 under the Spanish and Italian language titles Mar de rabia (Spanish, Podium Podcast) and Mare di rabbia (Italian, Chora Media). Sea of Rage is part of WePod, a collaborative project financed by the Creative Europe program of the European Commission.Art direction: Alexander Damiano RicciReporting on the ground and interview collection: Manu Tomillo (Podium Podcast), Javi Caminero (Podium Podcast) and Francesca Berardi (Chora Media)Original sound design: Elizabeth BuaAdaptation of scripts in English: Alexander Damiano RicciSound editing: Jeremy Boquet, Daniel Gutierrez Ortega and Alexander Damiano RicciOriginal sound theme: Luca Micheli (Chora Media)Cover artwork: Watermelon collective, based on original artwork by Agencia Player and Giulia Mangano (Chora Media)Executive producer: Ana Ribera (Podium Podcast)Project Manager: Henar Leòn (Podium Podcast)Coordination of editorial work and production: Alexander Damiano Ricci.This co-production was financed by the European Union. However, the points of view and opinions shared are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not reflect necessarily the opinions of the European Union. Nor the European Union, nor the authorities and agencies which might have financed this product can be considered responsible for points of view shared through this journalistic and creative work. This podcast was co-produced by Europod.Subscribe to Europod • English for more podcasts and subscribe to our Linkedin and Instagram channels. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, the team of reporters behind Sea of Rage set foot for the first time in Barbate, Andalusia, South-Western Spain. They meet people from El Pinar, a notorious neighbourhood in town which is known to be a pivotal place for drug trafficking. Sea of Rage is a reportage podcast dealing with the borderless narco-trafficking business as seen from the perspective of ordinary people who live in two towns in Southern Europe: Barbate (Andalusìa, Spain) and Gioia Tauro (Calabria, Italy). Over the past few decades, Barbate and Gioia Tauro have become entry points for hashish and cocaine into Europe. But why have these towns become such pivotal places for drug trafficking? And what does it mean to live, day in day out, next door to such dark and murky businesses?Sea of Rage is an adaptation of the homonymous co-production between Podium Podcast and Chora Media, released in September 2024 under the Spanish and Italian language titles Mar de rabia (Spanish, Podium Podcast) and Mare di rabbia (Italian, Chora Media). Sea of Rage is part of WePod, a collaborative project financed by the Creative Europe program of the European Commission.Art direction: Alexander Damiano RicciReporting on the ground and interview collection: Manu Tomillo (Podium Podcast), Javi Caminero (Podium Podcast) and Francesca Berardi (Chora Media)Original sound design: Elizabeth BuaAdaptation of scripts in English: Alexander Damiano RicciSound editing: Jeremy Boquet, Daniel Gutierrez Ortega and Alexander Damiano RicciOriginal sound theme: Luca Micheli (Chora Media)Cover artwork: Watermelon collective, based on original artwork by Agencia Player and Giulia Mangano (Chora Media)Executive producer: Ana Ribera (Podium Podcast)Project Manager: Henar Leòn (Podium Podcast)Coordination of editorial work and production: Alexander Damiano Ricci.This co-production was financed by the European Union. However, the points of view and opinions shared are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not reflect necessarily the opinions of the European Union. Nor the European Union, nor the authorities and agencies which might have financed this product can be considered responsible for points of view shared through this journalistic and creative work. This podcast was co-produced by Europod.Subscribe to Europod • English for more podcasts and subscribe to our Linkedin and Instagram channels. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sea of Rage is a reportage podcast dealing with the borderless narco-trafficking business as seen from the perspective of ordinary people who live in two towns in Southern Europe: Barbate (Andalusìa, Spain) and Gioia Tauro (Calabria, Italy). Over the past few decades, Barbate and Gioia Tauro have become entry points for hashish and cocaine into Europe. But why have these towns become such pivotal places for drug trafficking? And what does it mean to live, day in day out, next door to such dark and murky businesses?Sea of Rage is an adaptation of the homonymous co-production between Podium Podcast and Chora Media, released in September 2024 under the Spanish and Italian language titles Mar de rabia (Spanish, Podium Podcast) and Mare di rabbia (Italian, Chora Media). Sea of Rage is part of WePod, a collaborative project financed by the Creative Europe program of the European Commission.Art direction: Alexander Damiano RicciReporting on the ground and interview collection: Manu Tomillo (Podium Podcast), Javi Caminero (Podium Podcast) and Francesca Berardi (Chora Media)Adaptation of scripts in English: Alexander Damiano RicciSound editing: Jeremy Boquet, Daniel Gutierrez Ortega and Alexander Damiano RicciOriginal sound theme: Luca Micheli (Chora Media)Cover artwork: Watermelon collective, based on original artwork by Agencia Player and Giulia Mangano (Chora Media)Executive producer: Ana Ribera (Podium Podcast)Coordination of editorial work and production: Alexander Damiano Ricci.This co-production was financed by the European Union. However, the points of view and opinions shared are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not reflect necessarily the opinions of the European Union. Nor the European Union, nor the authorities and agencies which might have financed this product can be considered responsible for points of view shared through this journalistic and creative work. This podcast was co-produced by Europod.Subscribe to Europod • English for more podcasts and subscribe to our Linkedin and Instagram channels. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From behind the walls of Silivri Prison, Istanbul's mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu sent a clear message: “If there is even a shred of conscience left, stop this harassment of my family.”İmamoğlu has been imprisoned since March 19, on corruption and terrorism charges widely seen as politically motivated. He was expected to be officially nominated as the opposition presidential candidate. But his arrest, besides the political fall out for Turkey also has severe financial implications forcing the Turkish central bank to act, find out why?Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is in Washington to meet with Donald Trump, a visit that puts her in a delicate position, as she tries to balance the interests of the European Union while staying in the good graces of the U.S. president.To dig a bit deeper into what this visit means for Europe, but mostly for Italy and Giorgia Meloni's political strategy, I'm joined by David Carretta, journalist for Radio Radicale, Il Foglio, and the newsletter Il Mattinale Europeo.Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Tuesday, a Russian court convicted four journalists of “extremism”, specifically, for allegedly collaborating with Alexei Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation, which the Kremlin labeled “extremist” and outlawed back in 2021. But what does this case reveal about the state of press freedom and political repression in Russia? And can an appeal offer any hope for justice in this case?Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Monday, Russia claimed that its deadly missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Sumy, which killed and injured dozens, including children, was aimed at a gathering of Ukrainian troops. Meanwhile, European leaders condemned the attack and are calling it what it is: a war crime. But are European leaders planning to respond?Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Monday, Hungarian lawmakers are expected to vote on a controversial constitutional amendment that would ban LGBTQ+ events, including Pride marches, under the pretext of protecting children. The amendment, backed by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his Fidesz party, would also enshrine the recognition of only two sexes in Hungary's constitution and allow for the suspension of citizenship for dual nationals deemed a threat to national security. Rights groups say the changes mark a serious escalation in Orbán's crackdown on dissent and civil liberties, drawing parallels with Russia's approach to LGBTQ+ rights and sparking protests across the country. EU officials and international embassies have voiced concern over the move, calling it a violation of fundamental rights.Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is ecological debt? Why am I experiencing déjà vu? How do you get better results with ChatGPT?...Do you love learning new things? Do You Really Know is a Bababam Originals podcast which brings you answers to all your questions in under 3 minutes,... even the questions you didn't know you had!You can tune in and listen to new episodes every day to feed your curiosity, on topics relating to health, culture, society, science and much more.Do You Really Know is available on all streaming platforms.Follow Bababam on Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Germany's new coalition government, made up of the conservative CDU/CSU alliance and the center-left Social Democrats, is planning to hit the brakes on a reform introduced in 2023: the 3-year fast track to citizenship for well-integrated immigrants. But what does all this actually mean for the people who've been waiting years to become citizens, or those who finally got their German passport last year?Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the war in Ukraine grinds on, Europe's defence ministers have gathered in Brussels to discuss the possible deployment of international peacekeeping troops, despite there being no actual peace agreement in sight. In this episode of Long Story Short, we unpacks the latest meeting of the so-called “coalition of the willing”, led by France and the UK, as they try to sketch out future security guarantees for Ukraine, heavily reliant, of course, on a hesitant United States that once again didn't bother to show up. With Russia reportedly launching a new offensive and Ukraine still barred from joining NATO, we explore what these vague commitments actually mean, what Kyiv is asking for, and whether Europe is ready to take the lead or simply hoping someone else will.Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The European Union's border protection agency, Frontex, announced this week that it's investigating a dozen serious allegations of human rights violations by Greece when it comes to handling irregular immigration. The latest addition to the long list of violations is the investigation carried by Solomon, Swiss investigative outlet Republik, and the Swiss research collective WAV, into the living conditions of unaccompanied children in refugee camps on Greece's islands.But how can the EU claim to uphold human rights while funding border policies that lead to deaths at sea and inhumane refugee camps?Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The European Union is gearing up to respond to the United States in a long-standing trade dispute over steel and aluminium. With a 25% retaliatory tariff on a wide range of American goods back on the table, tensions between the two transatlantic partners are rising once again. But what is behind the EU's move, why some member states are urging caution, and what this all means for businesses and consumers on both sides of the Atlantic?Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This weekend, the streets of Spain turned to an orange and green “no” due to mass protests over housing. Tens of thousands of people across 40 cities took to the streets demanding what should be pretty basic in 2025, affordable housing. But what action is the government taking to solve the housing crisis and why is this more than just a Spanish problem?Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is ecological debt? Why am I experiencing déjà vu? How do you get better results with ChatGPT?...Do you love learning new things? Do You Really Know is a Bababam Originals podcast which brings you answers to all your questions in under 3 minutes,... even the questions you didn't know you had!You can tune in and listen to new episodes every day to feed your curiosity, on topics relating to health, culture, society, science and much more.Do You Really Know is available on all streaming platforms.Follow Bababam on Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marine Le Pen, the leader of France's far-right National Rally, is now, we could say, a convicted criminal. And her allies across the Atlantic, US Vice President JD Vance and president Donald Trump are not holding back, talking about witch hunts and a minor offense. But why are they supporting Le Pen and what is the reaction from France's far right? Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump's “Liberation Day” just delivered a pretty nasty blow to the global trading system. The United States has decided to impose a 10 percent minimum tariff on all imports coming into the country. The EU, and other top trading partners like China, Japan, and Vietnam, got hit with even higher rates. What kind of economic fallout can we expect from these tariffs? And what is Europe going to do about it?Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to visit Budapest tonight in his very first trip to a European country since the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants against him and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over war crimes committed in Gaza. But Netanyahu will not be detained in Viktor Orban's Hungary and the ICC not only will be defied but it also has limited means to respond to this trip. But what is Hungary's plan to defy the arrest warrant and why is Netanyahu meeting up with Orban?Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Monday evening, the European People's Party EPP tried and failed to push for a review of how the European Commission funds certain climate NGOs. The text voted by the MEP's in Strasbourg argues that the Commission is basically paying NGOs to lobby for the Green Deal. Or,simply put, hiring cheerleaders for its own policies.But what is the underlying reason the EPP has declared war on NGOs and did the Commission water down the agreement over NGO lobbying transparency?Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The latest news says that Marine Le Pen and eight other MEPs have been found guilty of embezzling EU funds by a Paris court. This isn't just a slap on the wrist, it's a political earthquake. The presiding judge, Bénédicte de Perthuis, warned from the start that the judgment would be lengthy, packed with explanations for the decision taken. And yet, here's the first headline: guilty as charged. What happens if Le Pen is banned from running and why is this a moment of big bang for French politics?Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is ecological debt? Why am I experiencing déjà vu? How do you get better results with ChatGPT?...Do you love learning new things? Do You Really Know is a Bababam Originals podcast which brings you answers to all your questions in under 3 minutes,... even the questions you didn't know you had!You can tune in and listen to new episodes every day to feed your curiosity, on topics relating to health, culture, society, science and much more.Do You Really Know is available on all streaming platforms.Follow Bababam on Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump has warned that if the EU and Canada team up against the US, we'll see huge tariffs, much larger than anything we've seen so far. This is coming after Trump announced plans to slap a 25% tariff on hundreds of billions of dollars' worth of imported cars and auto parts from countries like Mexico, Canada, South Korea, Japan, and, of course, Germany. But what does this move mean for the European car industry, and will the EU respond to Trump's latest tariffs?Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Imagine risking everything to reach safety, only to be sent to another country against your will. That's exactly what happened to Nizam, who crossed the Mediterranean for a better life in Italy, only to end up detained in a camp in Albania. He's just one of many asylum seekers caught in Giorgia Meloni's so-called “fast-track” asylum system. But an investigation by VoxEurop reveals the legal challenges and human rights concerns mounting. So, is this a solution to irregular migration, or just another violation of fundamental rights?Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić dined with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa in Brussels last night. And what sounds like a simple diplomatic dinner was in reality a chance for the EU to ask Belgrade to deliver on EU reforms if it wants to join the block, but nothing on the protests was discussed. So how long can the EU keep ignoring the growing protests in Serbia before it risks losing credibility in the region?Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Femicide is not just a word. It's a tragedy, and a manifestation of the deep-rooted inequality women face in every corner of society. It's not just the tragic end of a life; it's the culmination of years of violence, abuse, and power imbalances that have been allowed to fester unchecked.Unfortunately, despite legal advancements, femicides remain a persistent issue across Europe. Some countries have introduced comprehensive laws to combat gender-based violence. But others still lack legal recognition of femicide as a distinct crime. In turn, the lack of official data about femicides in several countries further obscures the true scale of the problem. So, why, then, is the legal recognition of femicides a taboo? And, beyond that, are we doing enough as societies to respond effectively to femicides? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A bombshell report from The Atlantic has revealed private Signal messages between top U.S. officials, including Vice President JD Vance, discussing a military strike on Yemen's Houthi rebels. The problem is that they were so casual about military operations that they let a journalist into their private chat. Yup they offered him a front-row seat to active war planning and to calling Europe pathetic.So what does all this tell us about the U.S. administration's attitude toward Europe? And what does it mean for the future of transatlantic collaboration?Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Sunday, Turkey took a sharp turn toward full-blown autocracy. Istanbul's mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, arguably President Tayyip Erdoğan's biggest political rival, was arrested and removed from office. Allegedly his crime is corruption. But in reality this is a textbook political purge. What does İmamoğlu's arrest mean for Turkey's political future and can Europe collaborate with a country sliding into dictatorship? Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More than half a million people have signed a petition demanding an independent investigation into whether Serbian security forces deployed a sonic weapon or a sound cannon to disperse protesters in Belgrade on March 15. The petition, addressed to the UN and the Council of Europe, calls for accountability, arguing that the use of illegal means against civilians is a serious violation of constitutional and international rights.But what is a sound cannon and what is the government's response to the allegations?Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

So, EU leaders have now gathered in Brussels, as they often do, to discuss Ukraine, Europe's defense strategy, and economic competitiveness. For this summit Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will join via video link possibly in an attempt to convince Europeans to approve faster the next help package of 40 billion euros, proposed by EU's high representative Kaja Kallas. But will everyone be on board and what else is on today's agenda? Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

So, Vladimir Putin has agreed to a limited ceasefire, which basically means he'll stop bombing Ukraine's energy infrastructure, for now. This comes after a high-stakes phone call with US president Donald Trump, who is apparently in his own bubble seeing this as a successful diplomatic move.But what does this so-called ceasefire really mean for Ukraine? And what are Putin's conditions for abiding by it?Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a historic vote, German lawmakers are set to decide on amendments to the country's Basic Law, their constitution. This amendment would unlock billions in funding for defense, infrastructure, and climate initiatives. Leading the charge is Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz, along with his conservative CDU party, who have joined forces with the Social Democrats and the Greens to push through a €500 billion special fund. But will this ambitious plan secure enough support? And what impact will it have on Germany's and Europe's political and economic landscape?Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A night out turned into a nightmare in North Macedonia. On Sunday morning a fire ripped through a packed nightclub in the town of Kočani, killing at least 59 people and injuring over 150. The cause of this tragedy is a mix of reckless decisions, negligence, and corruption, an all-too-familiar pattern in the Balkans. But is this another wake up call? And will anyone actually be held accountable?Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the last episode, we look at the future of the transport sector. How will goods be moved in the coming years? Which role will artificial intelligence play? And most importantly, will truck drivers still be needed or will they be replaced by machines? To answer these questions, we went to Intermodal Europe, the congress that brings together industry professionals in Rotterdam each year to discuss the future of the transport sectorTruck Drivers is a podcast co-produced by Europod and Ser Podcast. This podcast is part of WePod, a collaborative project funded by the Creative Europe program of the European Commission.Hosting and Narration: Alexander Damiano RicciField reporting and research: Manu Tomillo and Futura D'AprileEditor-in-chief of the French and English version: Alexander Damiano RicciSound design and editing: Jeremy BoquetOriginal visual design by: Agencia PlayerVisual adaptation for the French version by: Watermelon CollectiveProducer: Futura D'AprileExecutive producer: Ana RiberaProduction coordinator: Alexander Damiano RicciThis co-production is funded by the European Union. However, the views and opinions expressed are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the authority that funded this work can be held responsible for these views and opinions.Subscribe to Europod • English for more podcasts, and find us on LinkedIn and Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Absolutely forbidden to open this door” signs are plastered with blue and white police tape on doors of European Parliament offices. And all this feels like a depressing déjà vu! Just a few years after the Qatargate bribery scandal rocked the EU's only directly elected institution, accusations of cash-for-favors are once again casting a shadow on current and former European lawmakers. The “alleged bribery” would have benefited China's tech giant Huawei, the Belgian prosecutor's office said on Thursday. But who is involved and what is the parliament doing to fight corruption?Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

So the latest diplomatic gymnastics around Ukraine are all about the proposed 30 day ceasefire between the two countries. President Donald Trump has suggested that he might target Russia financially if Moscow refuses to accept it. This ceasefire was brokered in Saudi Arabia between the U.S. and Ukraine, and now the world is waiting for Russia's response. Will Vladimir Putin say “nyet” to Trump or will he accept the deal?Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is the third time in three years Portugal is heading for a snap election. The political instability is more evident than ever for the country and analysts are worried if it will have a domino effect on the already vulnerable Portuguese economy. But why is political instability becoming the norm in a country that, until recently, was seen as one of Europe's most stable democracies? What happened this time and what implications can this have on a European level? Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Greenlanders are heading to the polls today for an election that is set to be one of the most consequential in Greenland's history. The self-ruling Danish territory will elect 31 members of its legislature, the Inatsisartut, as they do every four years, but this time, the stakes are existential. So, will Greenland remain part of Denmark, will it push for full independence, or will it strengthen ties with major powers like the U.S. and Europe?Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Călin Georgescu was, just a few months ago, a fringe pro-Russian, ultranationalist known to few people even in Romania. Now the Central Electoral Bureau has decided to bar him from running in May's presidential election rerun. This decision comes after allegations of attempting to subvert the constitutional order, extremism and endorsement of fascist leaders. But is this the final call for the authorities, and what does this reveal about foreign interference in European elections?Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Truck drivers transport 77% of products in Europe, but road transport is not the only option. Trains and intermodal systems are one of the alternative solutions the EU is focusing on, and one which could also improve the working conditions of truck drivers. Investment, however, is still too low. In the meantime, Europe is also trying to reduce the fossil fuel consumption of trucks by focusing on electric engines. Truck drivers, though, are still skepticalTruck Drivers is a podcast co-produced by Europod and Ser Podcast. This podcast is part of WePod, a collaborative project funded by the Creative Europe program of the European Commission.Hosting and Narration: Alexander Damiano RicciField reporting and research: Manu Tomillo and Futura D'AprileEditor-in-chief of the French and English version: Alexander Damiano RicciSound design and editing: Jeremy BoquetOriginal visual design by: Agencia PlayerVisual adaptation for the French version by: Watermelon CollectiveProducer: Futura D'AprileExecutive producer: Ana RiberaProduction coordinator: Alexander Damiano RicciThis co-production is funded by the European Union. However, the views and opinions expressed are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the authority that funded this work can be held responsible for these views and opinions.Subscribe to Europod • English for more podcasts, and find us on LinkedIn and Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.