Special edition: Answering Life’s Big Questions – Politics

The DRC and Rwanda look set to sign an agreement to foster a pathway to peace. Then: the final day of mourning for Pope Francis ahead of his funeral. Plus: Monocle’s new website. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK chancellor eyes a trade deal with the US; Jordan’s changing diplomatic role in the US; and how Portugal is dealing with loudspeakers on trains.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re joined by Nina dos Santos and Lynne O’Donnell to discuss the latest following the deadliest terror attack in Kashmir in the past 25 years. How have India and Pakistan responded? Also on the programme: as CBS’s top producer quits, citing a loss of journalistic independence, we examine the state of media in the US. Then: efforts are under way in Iraq to entice tourists to the post-conflict country. We consider how they might take shape. Plus: new rules for Oscar voters mandate them to watch every film before casting their decision. We ask why this wasn’t already the case.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In partnership with the University of Warwick, Monocle teamed up with the institution’s acclaimed academics to answer big questions submitted by readers. In this episode, Professor of Politics and Global Sustainable Development Elena Korosteleva answers, ‘Have we shifted from a soft power to a hard political environment?’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Giorgia Scaturro and Charles Hecker look at what could come out of peace talks between Ukraine, the US, UK and France. Also on the programme: amid reports of a second leak from US secretary of defense Pete Hegseth, is the Pentagon in disarray? And: what soft power does the papacy give Italy?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Vatican correspondent Juliet Linley weighs Pope Francis’ legacy. Daniella Peled and Alex von Tunzelmann join Andrew Mueller in studio to discuss the continued role of ceasefires and Dubai’s new influencer academy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We assess the economic indicators taking place in the United States, how Donald Trump received Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and musical artist La Force pops by for a chat. Plus: Andrew Mueller tells us what he learned this week.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

French president Emmanuel Macron, US secretary of state Marco Rubio and US envoy Steve Witkoff hold talks in Paris over a Ukraine ceasefire. Then: Denmark looks to train troops to Ukraine and Greece strengthens its military with 16 anti-ship missiles from France. Plus: why South Korea is turning its back on school trips. And: we receive a letter from Denver. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China replaces its top international trade negotiator, Hamas rejects an Israeli proposal for a six-week ceasefire, Angola seeks lengthy prison sentences for fake news and Tuvalu unveils its first-ever ATMs. Plus: Richard Susskind on his book ‘How to Think About AI: A Guide for the Perplexed’. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In partnership with the University of Warwick, Monocle teamed up with the institution’s acclaimed academics to answer big questions submitted by readers. In this episode, Professor at the Centre for Interdisciplinary Methodologies Noortje Marres answers, ‘Are we designing AI to work with us or replace us?’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.