A political scandal shakes the White House. Plus: the UK rejoins the EU’s Erasmus scheme

We discuss the consequences of Donald Trump’s chief of staff's tell-all interview with ‘Vanity Fair’. Then: the UK is set to rejoin the EU’s Erasmus exchange. Plus: artist Sarkis’s first London solo exhibition.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Europe’s leaders sign a treaty to establish a commission for Ukraine war damages. Then: we unpack why Trump is suing the BBC. Plus: How AI summaries ruin recipes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We unpack how Israel is reacting to the shooting at Bondi beach. Then: A flurry of talks in Berlin suggest that progress is being made in ending Russia's war with Ukraine. Plus: Are we all kinder at Christmas?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss the week in Washington as Donald Trump’s approval rating continues to sink over the economy and immigration. Then: we get the latest news from the Gulf and we meet Juliana Ghiotto, CEO and co-founder of the Barracuda hotel group.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Caracas condemns the US's seizure of an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. We discuss how this might escalate. Then: Washington suggests tourists could be asked to prove social media history upon entry. Plus: ‘Time Magazine’ names its Person of the Year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Europe’s far-right parties split over whether backing from Trump gives them legitimacy. Then: The Gulf states look to invest in Hollywood as they back Paramount Skydance’s hostile bid for Warner Brothers Discovery. Plus: Sarkozy’s prison memoir is published. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ukraine prepares to show a revised peace plan to the US – what will Donald Trump make of it? Then: France's Lecornu faces a crucial social-security vote. Plus: We speak with A House of Dynamite screenwriter Noah Oppenheim.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The response from the coalition of the willing summit to the ongoing US push for Kyiv to accept concessions and we look at Syria circa the first anniversary of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad fleeing Damascus.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the world reflects on Pope Leo XIV’s first trip to Turkey and Lebanon, Andrew Mueller and Juliet Linley give us their two cents. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A bipartisan resolution to block US military action against Venezuela without congressional approval and calls for an investigation into self-proclaimed “secretary of war” Pete Hegseth roil US Congress. Then: the latest from presidents Xi Jinping and Emmanuel Macron’s meeting. And: will an afternoon tipple boost Thai tourism?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.