EU leaders tipped for the top and multibillion dollar drainage in Dubai

Florence Biedermann and Alexandre Kouchner give us the latest on the first round of France’s legislative elections as the results come in. Also in the programme: William Yang on Taiwan’s decision to raise its travel alert for China to orange – the second-highest level – and why Busan’s population might be entering a ‘phase of extinction’. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We look ahead to the first round of France’s parliamentary elections with journalist and writer Christine Ockrent. Plus: Japan’s efforts to curb tourism on Mount Fuji, the first US presidential debate of the 2024 election season and a sneak peek into our new Paris bureau. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ursula von der Leyen set to be approved for a second-term in Brussels, Peru’s president visits China and Dubai invests in infrastructure to help protect against extreme weather. Also in the programme: the latest news from across Africa and the city in the top spot of Monocle’s Quality of Life survey.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A look back at the leaders debate in France and Macron’s stark words over immigration policies. Plus: protests in Kenya intensify, our Quality of Life series casts an eye on Vienna and Japan unearths rare metals.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Javier Milei’s Europe visit wraps up, Oscar Guardiola-Rivera assesses the international reaction. Plus: why US prosecutors are recommending that Boeing should face criminal charges and we reveal which city has won the bronze medal in Monocle’s Quality of Life Survey.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We unpack the latest as the EU begins accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova. Also in the programme, we look ahead to the Venezuelan elections with Chris Sabatini, discuss the security of Israel’s Iron Dome and find out why Rome’s taxi drought might be coming to an end. Plus: we kick off our series on Monocle’s Quality of Life Index 2024.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After Vladimir Putin’s Asia tour comes to an end, we look at the proposed Asia-Pacific “security architecture” and its effect on Ukraine’s war efforts. Then: we head to the Philippines, where the country’s vice-president, Sara Duterte, has resigned. Plus: we look at a new area of co-operation for the US and China: anti-narcotics. Finally, the latest news from Broadway, as well as a check-in from Paris Men’s Fashion Week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following a trip to North Korea, Russia’s leader heads to Vietnam as he continues his Asia tour. Then: Houthi rebels sink a second ship in the Red Sea and we examine China’s interference in New Zealand and the Pacific. Plus: we speak with author Hamed Amiri for World Refugee Day. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Summary: Vladimir Putin visits North Korea as tensions escalate across the demilitarised zone. Plus: riots in Kenya over proposed tax hikes, a Balkan roundup and Tokyo preserves the view of Mount Fuji.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

European Union leaders gathered last night to discuss who will take the bloc’s top jobs. Then: Vladimir Putin heads to Pyongyang and Nato puts nuclear weapons on standby, amid a record 13 per cent rise in global spending on nuclear armament this year. Plus: Singapore’s mission to clean up its beaches, business news and we tour an exhibition about writer Franz Kafka.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.