Europod • News

For the first time since Russia’s full-scale invasion, large-scale protests have returned to Ukraine’s streets. On Tuesday, over 2,000 people demonstrated in Kyiv, with smaller rallies in cities like Dnipro, Lviv and Odesa, after parliament passed a controversial law changing the structure of Ukraine’s anti-corruption system. But why has this reform triggered protests and what does it mean for Ukraine’s EU future?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 25 December last year, Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243 took off from Baku, headed for Grozny in Russia but it never made it. The plane crashed near Aktau, in Kazakhstan, killing 38 of the 67 people on board. Seven months later, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has gone public with an accusation: that the plane was shot down by Russian air defences, specifically, a Pantsir-S missile system. But why is this crisis between the two countries escalating just now?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

Today’s episode is brought to you in partnership with The Observer and Tortoise, who just released a brand new investigative podcast series, called “The Lab Detective”. “The Lab Detective" deals with the story of Kathleen Folbigg, who experienced unimaginable loss. All four of her infant children died suddenly, over a 10-year period. Their deaths were unexplained. Until a police detective turned up at her door, and arrested Kathleen on suspicion of murder.Kathleen was labelled ‘Australia's worst female serial killer’, convicted, and was destined to spend most of the rest of her life in jail.Until a different type of detective entered her life. A scientist working in a lab who uncovered the truth behind the deaths.This is the story of a shocking miscarriage of justice, but as journalist Rachel Sylvester starts to investigate how this happened, she learns that Kathleen is not alone – other mothers have endured the same fate, and may also be in prison.The Lab Detective is a story about the power of science, and the determination of those searching for the truth.Follow the link to listen to the full series: https://lnk.to/thelabdetectiveFD!europod.About today's episode on Long Story ShortOver the weekend, hundreds of Polish citizens took the streets to protest against immigration. Organised by the far-right party Konfederacja, the protests spread across Poland. Far from being an isolated fact, many countries in Europe have recently experienced a revamp of anti-immigration politics and protests. So, why is that?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 episode 2 of The Right Kind of Family, our reporters travel to Hungary, a country ruled by Viktor Orban's Fidezs party since 2010. This relatively small central European country has surged to the role of ideological cornerstone for the Political Network for Values and its members. In particular, our reporters focus on one specific dimension of the policies enacted by the Orban over the past decade: family policies as a tool to stop population decline.The Hungarian government proudly defines its country as a family-friendly land. But what exactly are the famed policies of the Hungarian government, and how do they affect Hungarian households and women? What do Hungarians think about them, and ultimately, are they effective in halting population decline? The Right Kind of Family is a podcast co-produced by El País Audio, Chora Media, Europod, and 444.It was created within the framework of the WePod project, co-funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Commission.The English version is written and narrated by Lili RutaiResearch and fieldwork: Francesca Berardi, Claudia Torrisi, Lili Rutai, Elsa Cabria and Manuel TomilloScript in original language: Francesca Berardi, Claudia Torrisi, Lili Rutai, Elsa Cabria.Editing of scripts: Alexander Damiano Ricci, Ana Ribera and Sabrina TinelliOriginal sound identity: Daniel Gutierrez Ortega and Mattia Liciotti, based on ‘The Devil You Know’ soundtrack, licensed by Machiavelli Music.Additional musical curation, editing and sound design: Jeremy Bocquet.Original graphic design: Ruth Benito and Rebecca GrassiGraphic design adaptation for the English version: Watermelon collectiveExecutive production: Ana RiberaEditorial coordination and production: Alexander Damiano RicciCo-funded by the European Union. However, the views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.This podcast is co-produced by Europod.Subscribe to Europod • English for even more podcasts, and follow us on Linkedin and Instagram.

Eight months after Georgia’s disputed parliamentary elections, the country has taken a dramatic turn towards authoritarianism. The ruling Georgian Dream party has passed law after law to silence independent media, criminalise protests, and punish dissent.But how did a country once hailed as a frontrunner for EU accession end up targeting its own political opposition and journalists and what does this mean for the rest of 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

The European Commission has officially proposed in a very confusing manner an almost €2 trillion budget for the 2028–2034 period. The biggest budget, in Ursula von der Leyen’s words, to be spent “for a new era.” Von der Leyen says this budget will make the EU’s cash pot “larger, smarter and sharper.” But critics warn it may just end up being leaner, meaner, and far more politically painful than she anticipates. So, what are the first reactions, and who wins and loses with the new MFF?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

This afternoon, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to present a draft proposal for the European Union’s next seven-year budget, officially called the Multiannual Financial Framework, or MFF. The current MFF, running from 2021 to 2027, stands at just over €1.2 trillion. But according to a leaked draft, the next proposal, covering 2028 to 2034, could reach €1.717 trillion, or 1.23% of the EU’s gross national income. That’s up from about 1.1% now. With political divides deepening and resources stretched thin, can this budget still deliver on Europe’s promises?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

Today, EU foreign ministers are gathering in Brussels for their final meeting before the summer recess. The main item on the agenda is of course the EU’s association agreement with Israel, and whether Israel is living up to its human rights obligations under that deal. Following weeks of mounting pressure over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has presented a list of options that range from suspending trade with Israel to halting student exchanges. All because an EU review found Israel falling short of the human rights standards required by the agreement, while the latest reports are showing attacks on civilians at aid distribution centres. So, will the EU take concrete action under Article 2 of the agreement, or settle for monitoring Israel’s promises on humanitarian aid?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

Before the weekend Donald Trump sent a letter to the European Commission announcing his plans to slap a 30% tariff on nearly all EU imports, starting August 1st.This caught Brussels off guard. An agreement was already on the table,  one that included a painful, but tolerable, 10% base tariff. Most EU member states were willing to swallow that to avoid worse. But the 30% tariff had the European Commission rushing for a response. So, what’s von der Leyen’s plan?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