A 60-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Vietnam halves its cities and France’s smoking ban

With Japan, China and others reaching framework trade deals with the US, South Korea hopes that it can be next as the countdown to the 1 August tariff deadline continues.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monocle’s Paris bureau chief, Simon Bouvier, and foreign editor, Alexis Self, discuss France and Germany’s dissent to the EU-US trade deal, calling it an act of “submission”. Plus: Japanese pictograms take London.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest on Israel’s military pauses to allow aid into Gaza. Then: Thailand and Cambodia agree to a ceasefire in Malaysia. Plus: Japan’s newest theme park and UAE papers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

French president Emmanuel Macron’s decision to formally recognise a Palestinian state draws sharp criticism from Israel and the US, while garnering support from several European and Arab leaders.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Deadly escalations at the disputed Thailand-Cambodia border fuel fears that violence could spill into a broader conflict. Monocle’s Asia editor, James Chambers, has the latest from Bangkok. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss the fallout from protests in Ukraine after president Zelensky signed a bill that critics say undermines anti-corruption bodies. As Kyiv and Moscow meet in Istanbul, will Ukraine’s internal strife affect negotiations? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ukraine-Russia peace talks set for tomorrow and what does a ‘Japanese First’ approach mean for defence? Plus: North Korea’s new beach resort struggles to attract visitors and Spain reforms its Franco-era Official Secrets Law. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky asks for peace negotiations to restart; former Brazil president Jair Bolsonaro to wear an ankle tag; and the Philippines’ president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, visits Washington. Plus: the latest fashion news.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Germany’s chancellor, Friedrich Merz, resets UK relations but tussles with Brussels’ budget. Plus: Milan’s mayoral woes, the UK lowers the voting age and how Superman overcame an attempted Maga backlash.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Trump hosted Qatar’s prime minister and Bahrain’s Crown Prince, reinforcing a growing diplomatic push in the Gulf. We discuss the strategy and why US engagement with the region is intensifying.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.