Ukraine agrees minerals deal with US and Japan’s premium-whisky industry

As a South Korean court paves the way for impeached president Yoon Suk Yeol’s release, John Nilsson Wright joins Emma Nelson to discuss. Plus: weekend havoc ensues after a Second World War bomb is discovered at Gare du Nord, Denmark’s 400-year-old postal service announces closure and Nic Monisse brings us the highlights from the Matter and Shape show in Paris.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a special council is held in Brussels to address the rapidly shifting Ukraine-Russia war, Oleksii Goncharenko joins Chris Cermak to discuss how European leaders may respond. Plus: Cyclone Alfred shuts down Brisbane, highlights from Acro Madrid, ‘Mickey 17’ in cinemas and ‘The Global Countdown’ with Fernando Augusto Pacheco.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As president Trump sets out his second-term vision before Congress, we hear from Kyiv, Paris and Hong Kong on how the world is responding to the White House’s pivots in defence and economics. Plus: how the UK is marking the bicentennial of modern railways and who won this year’s Pritzker Architecture Prize?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In responding to Trump’s pausing of military aid to Ukraine, EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen says Europe is in an “era of rearmament” and ready to step up on defence. But can it do so quick enough? Plus: the tariff wars begin, Thailand deports Uyghurs back to China and rail travel marks its bicentennial. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 From London to securing Ukraine’s future, Andrew Mueller reviews the weekend with Monocle’s Alexis Self and Julia Lasica. Then: how the Trump administration could bring Japan and South Korea closer than ever; why trains in Morocco are getting a nearly $3bn (€2.8bn) upgrade; and the Chinese fast-food chain taking the world by storm. Plus: Monocle’s Fernando Augusto Pacheco celebrates Brazil’s Oscars triumph. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The PKK’s leader calls for the group to disband and begin peace talks with Turkey. Plus: the latest on Volodymyr Zelensky’s meeting with Donald Trump, why competition for the Eurostar is a good thing, the Osaka Expo and European theatre shows.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UK prime minister Keir Starmer is set to defend Europe’s interests and voice before US president Donald Trump, France attempts to build a nuclear shield for Europe, Japan’s car industry appeals to the government for help and we have the roundup of London Fashion Week. Plus: ‘The Global Countdown’ brings the Carnival to Monocle Radio.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ukraine signs a minerals deal with the United States but will this help it secure peace as well? We take a look at demonstrations against prime minister Robert Fico in Slovakia and profile the Japanese whisky industry. Plus: Max Porter unveils the longlist for the International Booker Prize.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since the fall of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad, there have been questions about what comes next for the country – and whether any future government will be democratic and inclusive. Today marks the first real test of Syrian plurality as the nation’s interim government holds a national dialogue conference. Plus: we discuss dirty money from fentanyl sales in China, Canada’s televised leadership debates and fashion’s new romance with F1.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Germany will have a new government but in what form? Monocle Radio’s Chris Cermak checks in from Berlin to tell Andrew Mueller what a CDU-led coalition could look like. Plus: European leaders rally around Zelensky, Beirut mourns Nasrallah and we have the latest from newspapers in Brazil.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.