What now for the Democrats?

Nina dos Santos and Nik Gowing take a look at the claims by the Israeli military that it has killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, Zelensky unveils his ‘Victory Plan’, why Italy is criminalising seeking surrogacy abroad and Australia takes a look at its attitudes to the Royal Family ahead of a visit from King Charles III. Plus: we receive a letter from Chefchaouen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A letter from the US gives Israel 30 days to boost humanitarian-aid access to Gaza, we ask: how big is the difference in tone of public and private diplomacy? Also in the programme: we reflect on the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Islamabad and assess the latest cuts to the BBC. Plus: a Californian university has a new graduation requirement – a course on climate change.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We unpack the latest as a diplomatic spat erupts between Canada and India after Justin Trudeau expels six Indian envoys due to alleged involvement in the murder of a Sikh leader. Also in the programme: North Korea blows up sections of inter-Korean roads on its side of the border and we ask why bands are skipping certain locations on their tours in the UK and beyond. Plus: Prague’s strategy to attract more ‘cultured and wealthier’ tourists.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss the latest from Taiwan as president William Lai vows to resist ‘annexation’ amid Chinese military drills around the island. Also on the programme: we assess the significance of the US putting boots on the ground in Israel and analyse how late is too late for justice as a 34-year-old murder case from Germany is closed. Plus: does Chaucer’s ‘Canterbury Tales’ really need a trigger warning?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Norway releases its annual state budget, the voice of Japan’s beloved ‘Doraemon’, Nobuyo Ōyama, dies aged 90, Elon Musk reveals his $30,000 Tesla self-driving Cybercab and larger Robovan, a startling discovery is made on Mount Everest and we check in with the Quality of Life Conference in Istanbul. Plus: We speak to the renowned artist William Kentridge. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coming to you live from Istanbul for the ninth edition of Monocle’s Quality of Life Conference, Tom Edwards and the team detail everything they’re looking forward to at this year’s event. Expect a dizzying array of insights into urbanism, design, entrepreneurship and cocktails! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We unpack the latest from the conflict in the Middle East, as Israeli prime minister Netanyahu threatens Gaza-like destruction for Lebanon unless they oust Hezbollah. Also: We unpack the security threats from Russia and Iran in the West and consider whether the Nobel Peace Prize is deserved this year. Plus: Frankfurt’s controversial new parking portal.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Hurricane Milton sweeps past northern Mexico, we discuss how president Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo and the authorities are preparing to tackle the potential fall out. Also on the programme: we discuss how the Taliban is profiting from travel by charging diverted planes in its airspace. Then: Japan introduces laws to protect workers in customer service following a rise in harassment. Plus: a beer-can artwork is accidentally thrown in the bin at a Dutch museum.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We reflect on the unimaginable conflict in the Middle East, a year on from Hamas’s attacks on an Israeli music festival. How much further are we from peace in the region? We also discuss the ongoing war and humanitarian crisis in Sudan and, with the US presidential election just four weeks away, analyse Kamala Harris’s strategy to appeal to young voters. Plus: Sweden’s pioneering ‘grandparent’ leave.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former US ambassador David Hale joins Andrew Mueller to explore where the conflict in Lebanon and the wider region could lead next. Plus: we get a hot tip from Laura Kramer on who might win Fat Bear Week this year and Tom Edwards looks ahead to Monocle’s Quality of Life Conference in Istanbul next week.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.