Europod • News

So, European leaders met in Paris for an emergency summit, called by French President Emmanuel Macron. And as we discussed in yesterday's episode the goal was to come up with a common response to the U.S. decision to start negotiations with Russia over ending the war in Ukraine, without inviting Europe or Ukraine. And to figure out what the continent most affected by this war can do to protect itself and support Ukraine. So today, we’re talking about how European leaders failed to agree on Ukraine or, really, on anything substantial. So what can we expect now that there was no consensus?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

So, EU leaders are in full-on crisis mode. Again. This time, they’re scrambling to respond to a rather blunt questionnaire from Washington, yes, an actual questionnaire, that they have to think about during their meeting in Paris and that is asking what kind of security guarantees Europe is willing to provide Ukraine. But what worries Europe, and will these talks find any point of consensus?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

Truck drivers are expected to obey precise rules when driving, but this is not always the case. Many of them are forced to break these rules in order to make as many deliveries in as little time as possible, skipping mandatory rest breaks and exceeding speed limits. This is a problem for their safety, but also for their own. In this episode, we will talk about safety on the roads, but also about our responsibilities as consumers and the impact we can have in protecting the rights of truck drivers.ruck 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.

Germany’s upcoming election is now dominated by a single issue: migration. After a violent attack on a trade union demonstration by an Afghan asylum seeker, conservative frontrunner Friedrich Merz is doubling down on his calls for tougher law and order. Meanwhile, the far-right AfD is surging in the polls, blaming lax migration policies. With security fears shaping the debate, how will this attack influence the final days of the election campaign? And can it push Germany closer to the 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

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are reportedly pushing for peace talks to end the war in Ukraine, but with one major catch: Europe is being completely left out of the conversation. While the US and Russia make plans, European leaders are scrambling to figure out what’s next. Ursula von der Leyen insists Europe must remain at the center of negotiations, while António Costa bluntly states that the EU “cannot be treated as an ATM.” Are the EU- US relations at their worst?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

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has put forward a high-stakes geopolitical proposal: the possibility of a land swap with Vladimir Putin. The idea could fundamentally reshape the conflict, with Ukraine potentially offering part of the Kursk region, a territory that it has controlled inside Russia since a surprise incursion last year, in exchange for land currently occupied by Russia in Ukraine.But is this a real step toward peace, or a dangerous precedent?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

The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Maroš Šefčovič, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security have responded this morning to the U.S. tariffs on aluminum and steel announced overnight, calling them unjustified and vowing that the EU will respond with "firm and proportionate countermeasures." Translation? The EU is getting ready to hit back. But how will these tariffs impact Europe, and can the EU really strike back?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

France is making a bold move in the AI race with a €109 billion investment, backed by private and international investors. But can Europe really compete with the US and China, or is it still too caught up in regulations? As Brussels shifts from AI watchdog to innovation hub, questions remain over funding, infrastructure, and Europe’s place in the AI-driven future. In this episode, we break down the numbers, the power plays, and what it all means for Europe’s tech 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

In Europe, there is a shortage of around 230,000 truck drivers, but by 2028 there will be as many as 745,000 vacancies. Excessive working hours, inadequate wages and long periods away from home are the main causes of this shortage of truck drivers, but the issue is much more complex. In order to understand why this great labour gap exists and what it could mean for our societies and personal lives, we travelled by truck between Spain, France and Germany. Our journey begins with this first instalment.  This podcast is part of WePod, a collaborative project funded by the European Commission's Creative Europe program.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.This podcast is co-produced by Europod.Subscribe to Europod • English for more podcasts, and find us on LinkedIn and Instagram.