Why China is engaging rival powers as it hosts Putin

Delegates gather in Qatar for negotiations to end the war in Iran as the US carries out fresh “self-defence” strikes. Plus: we meet the pioneers behind the first uninterrupted circumnavigation of the Earth by balloon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss new diplomatic efforts to resolve the US-Iran war and Pakistan’s attempts at mediation. Plus: political turmoil in Turkey, a flick through the international papers and highlights from the 79th Cannes Film Festival.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Russia and China condemn Washington’s indictment of Raúl Castro as a US aircraft carrier enters Caribbean waters. With Donald Trump desperate for a post-Iran win, could Cuba be next? Plus: Tehran weighs a new peace proposal.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Washington warns Moscow over its escalating rhetoric toward Latvia as Nato’s secretary general, Mark Rutte, rejects Russia’s claims that Baltic states could soon allow Ukrainian drone attacks from their territories. Plus: how rebel groups and Isis-backed insurgents are hampering efforts to contain the new Ebola outbreak.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beijing welcomes Vladimir Putin a week after rolling out the red carpet for Donald Trump. Who really holds the cards? Plus: as we look ahead to the Fifa World Cup, Andrew Mueller assesses what could go wrong.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

G7 finance ministers meet as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz continues to roil global economies. Can divisions be overcome? Then: Nic Monisse brings us the latest from NYCxDesign and we hit London’s West End.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi has locked in new trade and defense deals with the UAE, Netherlands and Sweden. What’s on the agenda for Norway and Italy? Plus: the papers, Asia news and talks between Washington, Copenhagen and Nuuk over more US bases in Greenland. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The business world watches the Xi-Trump summit as superpowers try to secure a competitive advantage in key industries such as chipmaking. Who holds the real leverage? Then: Modi’s European tour and the latest from Eurovision.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the leaders of the US and China meet in Beijing, we discuss what’s at stake and get the view from Taipei. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Trump-Xi summit comes at a volatile moment for Washington, with the fragile Iran ceasefire spooking energy markets and Xi Jinping increasingly seen as holding the stronger hand. As Beijing tightens its grip on geopolitical influence, what can Trump achieve on Taiwan, trade and Tehran?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.