Emmanuel Macron’s balancing act on his state visit to China

Can Emmanuel Macron strike a balance with Beijing on his state visit? Then: The US carried out a deadly “double tap” strike on a Venezuelan boat but who was responsible for the order? Plus: The top global cities for cyclists.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We assess the impact of Pope Leo’s first foreign trip to Turkey and Lebanon. Then: the history of democracy in Gdańsk as Polish prime minister Donald Tusk and German chancellor Friedrich Merz meet in Berlin. Plus: we dive into Monocle’s new Switzerland handbook.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Ukraine's corruption scandal makes headlines again, we unpack what this means for the prospect of peace. Then: We sit down with with New Zealand’s former prime minister Jacinda Ardern. Plus: News from the Mediterranean.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hondurans head to the polls on Sunday to vote for a new president – we unpack Washington's keen interest. Then: The reaction from France as Macron announces a voluntary military-service plan. Plus: Tyler Brûlé looks ahead to Monocle's Christmas Markets, which begin this weekend in Zürich.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We get the latest as French and Iranian officials work through a nuclear standoff and prisoner dilemma. Then: Pope Leo XIV heads to Turkey on his first foreign trip. Plus: how to make a Thanksgiving feast with an international flair.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump labels Venezuela president Nicolás Maduro the head of a terrorist organisation. What does this mean for the South American country? Plus: why do modern space missions seem to be struggling?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sudan’s army chief dismisses the latest ceasefire proposal as “the worst yet”. What will this mean for the country’s expanding war? Then we flip through the Nordic newspapers and head to Riyadh for a new edition of Salone del Mobile.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We assess the negotiations behind the Trump administration’s 28-point peace plan for Ukraine and ask whether Republika Srpska's presidential election can actually bring change? Plus: The 11th Explorers Festival in Húsavík.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As leaders and diplomats from more than 40 nations arrive in South Africa for a historic G20 summit, the Trump administration’s decision to skip the event is raising eyebrows. With demonstrations expected, we discuss the stakes and what Africa’s first-ever G20 summit could mean for the continent.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For a second time, Kosovo’s parliament has failed to elect a prime minister. We assess the implications for the region.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.