Germany and Poland meet to mend ties and pledge unity for European security

We discuss the historic victory of the Labour Party, led by Keir Starmer, in the UK general election with reactions from Monocle’s correspondents in the Balkans and US. Then: we turn our attention to a second major election, as France prepares to head to the polls for the second round of the country’s parliamentary elections. Plus: as more publications and big Democratic donors turn on Joe Biden, is it too late to save his campaign?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We take a view from Europe as the UK general election gets under way. Also in the programme: Victoria Craig joins us from Ankara to discuss Vladimir Putin’s meeting with Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation meeting in Kazakhstan. Plus: we assess the future of the International Space Station with Richard Hollingham and learn about a new quality-of-life survey from Brazil.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss the bilateral consultations between Germany’s chancellor, Olaf Scholz, and Poland’s prime minister, Donald Tusk, at talks in Warsaw. Also on the programme: as the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation Summit kicks off in Astana, we discuss why India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, is skipping the event. Plus: what’s behind a surge in impeachment calls for South Korea’s president, Yoon Suk-yeol?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss the latest on the Hamas-Israel war following the release of dozens of Palestinian prisoners and the UN Security Council’s special session on the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Meanwhile, a new European far-right alliance led by Hungary’s Viktor Orbán is announced in Vienna. Plus, a flick through the papers, South Africa’s new government and a round-up of fashion and retail news.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Florence Biedermann and Alexandre Kouchner give us the latest on the first round of France’s legislative elections as the results come in. Also in the programme: William Yang on Taiwan’s decision to raise its travel alert for China to orange – the second-highest level – and why Busan’s population might be entering a ‘phase of extinction’. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We look ahead to the first round of France’s parliamentary elections with journalist and writer Christine Ockrent. Plus: Japan’s efforts to curb tourism on Mount Fuji, the first US presidential debate of the 2024 election season and a sneak peek into our new Paris bureau. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ursula von der Leyen set to be approved for a second-term in Brussels, Peru’s president visits China and Dubai invests in infrastructure to help protect against extreme weather. Also in the programme: the latest news from across Africa and the city in the top spot of Monocle’s Quality of Life survey.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A look back at the leaders debate in France and Macron’s stark words over immigration policies. Plus: protests in Kenya intensify, our Quality of Life series casts an eye on Vienna and Japan unearths rare metals.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Javier Milei’s Europe visit wraps up, Oscar Guardiola-Rivera assesses the international reaction. Plus: why US prosecutors are recommending that Boeing should face criminal charges and we reveal which city has won the bronze medal in Monocle’s Quality of Life Survey.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We unpack the latest as the EU begins accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova. Also in the programme, we look ahead to the Venezuelan elections with Chris Sabatini, discuss the security of Israel’s Iron Dome and find out why Rome’s taxi drought might be coming to an end. Plus: we kick off our series on Monocle’s Quality of Life Index 2024.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.