Europod • News

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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