Why does Russia care so much about the Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk?

We discuss the significance of the fierce battles around the Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk. Plus: the results of a series of US elections, the State of Asia conference in Zürich and the Tokyo International Film Festival comes to a close.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Taiwan’s ongoing battle for resignation has stalled in Estonia over the naming of its representation. Plus: The director of Dubai Design Week, Natasha Carella; and OK Go frontman Damian Kulash on why the music video lives on.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Serbians gather in Novi Sad for protests marking a year since the station-canopy collapse that killed 16 people. Plus: US nuclear testing, Victoria’s Indigenous treaty, London’s oldest Islamic bookshop and theatre news. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a meeting between the leaders of the world’s two biggest economies seems to go better than expected, we discuss the ramifications for the world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.