Dutch elections, Lebanon seeks to disarm Hezbollah and the US government shutdown’s impact on aviation

Presidents Trump and Xi hold a consequential meeting in Seoul to iron out trade relations. Is progress possible? Plus: police raids rip through Rio de Janeiro and the Dutch election results. Then: are you faster than the Slovakian pedestrian speed limit?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dutch voters head to the polls, Lebanon’s race to disarm Hezbollah, Australia’s PM heads to Malaysia and the US government shutdown’s impact on aviation. Plus: the ‘Perfume, sculpture of the invisible’ exhibition in Paris.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peace talks between Afghanistan and Pakistan continue. Will Trump’s intervention help? Then: Canada’s ambitions for a trade agreement with the Philippines. Plus: European aerospace companies look to build a rival to Elon Musk’s Starlink.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Asean summit kicks off in Kuala Lumpur as the world watches trade negotiations between China and the US. Then: Argentinians head to the polls, Pope Leo embarks on his first foreign trip and we take you to the Helsinki Book Fair.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Moscow is hit with new sanctions from the EU and the US, we explore Art Basel Paris, hear how tariffs are reshaping the superyacht industry and get the latest business news. Plus: newspapers and ‘What We Learned’ this week.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss the European Council meeting and what’s on the agenda for today’s high-profile talks. Plus: Ramaphosa’s Asia tour, Germany takes on AI, the soft power of football and food news from Tokyo. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, visits the Gulf, Japan stocks hit record high and the Berlin Process Summit 2025 begins. Plus: The rise of microdramas.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Japan has a new prime minister, the next phase of the Israel-Gaza ceasefire, how Russian drones have impacted politics in Poland, L’Oréal acquires Kering’s beauty portfolio and we meet alt-pop star Allie X.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anthony Albanese travels to Washington for his first formal meeting with Donald Trump since the US president took office.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the presidents of Ukraine and the United States prepare to meet in Washington, we explore how much support will be on offer this time around.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.