Europod • News

Busy week this one for the world of diplomacy where moves and decisions made could determine the war in Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelenskyy has publicly accepted Vladimir Putin’s suggestion to have serious negotiations and challenged him to meet for direct peace talks this Thursday, in Istanbul. In this explosive mix add Donald Trump, who is visiting the region and wants to be part of these negotiations. But is there hope for a deal and what happens if Putin doesn’t show up?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

Albanians  voted this Sunday to decide whether to give Prime Minister Edi Rama a fourth term or side with his longstanding rival, Sali Berisha. From the current polls it looks like Prime Minister Edi Rama has secured a fourth term in office. His Socialist Party won a bit over 50% of the vote in Sunday’s legislative elections, enough to hold a solid majority in parliament, with 79 out of 140 seats. His main rival, conservative leader Sali Berisha, and his coalition received 38% of the vote.But why was this election one of the most crucial ones for the country and what does the result mean for Albania's EU integration ambitions?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 the third episode of A Grain of Power, the team of reporters behind this documentary travels from Odessa, in Ukraine, towards Istanbul, in Turkey, passing through Constanza, in Romania. The trip sheds light on the impact of the war on Ukraine on the transport infrastructure of grain from Europe to the global South. 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'AprileAuthor: Futura D'AprileEnglish adaptation: Futura D’Aprile and Alexander Damiano RicciEditor-in-chief: Alexander Damiano RicciOriginal soundtrack: Epidemic SoundOriginal sound editing and mixing: Jeremy BoquetSound editing and mixing of the English version: Daniel Gutierrez OrtegaCover artwork: Watermelon CollectiveProduction: Futura D'AprileExecutive producer: Ana RiberaEditorial and Production coordinator: Alexander Damiano RicciA Grain of Power s 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.

Habemus Papam! After just two days of deliberations, the Cardinals have chosen their 267th Pontiff: Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo the Fourteenth, the first American Pope in history. Seen as a centrist, Leo inherits a global congregation at a time of deep division and growing calls for reform.But, where does Pope Leo stand on key issues shaping our society today, from LGBTQ+ inclusion and women’s roles in Church leadership, to climate change and migration?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 headline in all caps A “MAJOR TRADE DEAL” is on the horizon, or so says Donald Trump, who posted on social media that he’ll be announcing one at 10 AM sharp, 4pm for us,  from the Oval Office. The deal will be with “A BIG, AND HIGHLY RESPECTED, COUNTRY.” So, which country is getting the Trump treatment this time? And what is this deal actually about?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 76th papal conclave is officially underway, and this one is already being called the most unpredictable in modern Church history. 133 cardinals from across the world have entered the Sistine Chapel, under Michelangelo’s famous Last Judgment and they’re now sequestered from the outside world to elect the next pope.This is the largest conclave ever. And like every time since 1276, the voting will continue until one cardinal receives a two-thirds majority. So, what’s going to happen today in a nutshell?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

Germany has entered unfamiliar territory. For the first time in the history of the Federal Republic, a designated chancellor has failed to get elected in the first round of parliamentary voting. So, what happens now that Merz failed to secure a majority?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 Monday, Israeli ministers agreed to ramp up their military campaign in Gaza as if they had ever slowed down. Now their new plan is to capture more territory, of whatever is left, draft tens of thousands of reservists of their military and continue striking what they call “militant infrastructure”. All this while Donald Trump is getting ready to visit the region. But will this visit shape the future of the war in Gaza? 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 second episode of A Grain of Power brings you to Ukraine. More specifically, we get to know the story of farmers in the Southwestern region of Mykolaiv, where families have suffered the destruction of their fields of wheat through bombs and mines. We also discuss the history of the weaponisation of grain through the voice of historian and professor Steven Kaplan.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 and Diana Lanovets Author: Futura D'AprileEnglish adaptation: Futura D’AprileEditor-in-chief: Alexander Damiano RicciOriginal soundtrack: Epidemic SoundOriginal Sound Editing: Jeremy BocquetSound editing and mixing English version: Daniel Gutierrez OrtegaThumbnail illustration: Watermelon CollectiveProduction: Futura D'Aprile and Diana LanovetsExecutive producer: Ana RiberaProduction coordinator: Alexander Damiano RicciA 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.