Global military spending reaches an all-time high

Across the Baltic sea, GPS jamming has led to flights being cancelled, posing serious security risks. Could Russia be behind this? Then: the UN convenes a “mega-summit” of chief executives in Chile, the importance of Nordic influence in Africa and the latest World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders. Plus: we meet Swiss skier Marc Rochat of the documentary ‘La Roche’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss Benjamin Netanyahu’s plans to proceed with an offensive in Rafah, regardless of a hostage deal. Also in the programme: the latest on US university campus protests as Republicans ramp up their criticism of Joe Biden’s handling of the growing movement. Plus: China’s revised state-secrets law comes into force, trade news and London’s mayoral election.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As war closes in on Darfur’s besieged capital, we get the latest on the conflict in Sudan. Then: Japan, Australia, the US and the Philippines meet in Hawaii for defence talks, we hear the case for EU expansion and examine Georgia’s controversial foreign-agent bill. Plus: responsible tourism in Mallorca.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Egypt and Qatar flex their mediator muscles as a Hamas delegation arrives in Cairo for ceasefire talks, Greece apledges €2bn to build its own ‘Iron Dome’, Germany’s far-right is on trial and we hear about the continuation of Ukraine’s global relief programme despite the ongoing war. Plus: newspapers, aviation news and Madonnamania takes over Brazil.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hannah McCarthy joins us to discuss the latest from Gaza. Also in the programme: Tara O’Connor explores the IDA for Africa Heads of State Summit in Nairobi, where leaders are meeting to discuss the continent’s financing and security. Also in the programme: we speak to Sebastian Conran, designer in residence at Habitat, as the company celebrates its 60th anniversary. Plus: a flick through the day’s papers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monocle’s Hannah Lucinda Smith on Mark Rutte’s visit to Istanbul to meet Recep Tayyip Erdogan as he seeks to woo support to become the next Nato chief. Also in the programme: Ed Stocker sits down with Lufthansa CEO Jens Ritter as the airline prepares to launch its new premium cabins known as Allegris. Plus: we discuss why the Indian city of Bengaluru is offering incentives for those who head to the polls and the latest news in film.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss the state of relations between the world’s two most powerful countries as US secretary of state Antony Blinken visits China. Plus: the current humanitarian situation in Gaza, the UN warns that the crisis in Haiti is “catastrophic” and Spanish-language music sweeps global charts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Nato’s secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, and the UK prime minister, Rishi Sunak, visit Warsaw, we examine the role that Poland plays in the diplomatic field. Then: Donald Trump’s criminal trial; Taiwan wants to remove statues of Chinese dictator Chiang Kai-shek; and an exploration of the future of ticket resale with the managing director of Viagogo. Plus: aviation news and a lost Klimt painting is auctioned.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul Rogers of OpenDemocracy explains why global defence expenditure is at its highest level since records began. Elsewhere, Monocle’s Istanbul correspondent, Hannah Lucinda Smith, tells us about Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Iraq, the Maldives shifts its allegiance from India to China and we ask why the US is withdrawing troops from Niger. Plus: art and culture news.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monocle’s Middle East correspondent Leila Molana-Allen discusses the latest on tensions in the region. Also in the programme: Ukrainian MP Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze on the relationship between Washington and Kyiv following the US House of Representatives’ vote on military aid for Ukraine. Plus: a flip through the papers, Balkans news and an interview with Romanian artist Serban Savu.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.