Monocle 24: The Globalist

With US president Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping set to meet in Beijing, we take a look at what is on and off the table. Plus: we meet Greece’s entrant to the Eurovision Song Contest, Akylas.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asean bloc leaders meet in Cebu to discuss soaring energy prices, tariff threats and border clashes. Plus: can relations between Donald Trump and Brazil’s Lula find stable ground? And: what has the first year of Leo XIV’s papacy meant for the Catholic Church?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US hints towards a peace deal with Iran. Then: Friedrich Merz’s first year in office; Air India’s crash report; Canada’s new governor general; and the Jeonju International Film Festival. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More Iranian attacks on the UAE. Plus: what’s next for Romania? After parliament toppled prime minister Ilie Bolojan in a no-confidence vote backed by the left-wing PSD and the far-right AUR, Bucharest faces fresh fears over political instability, economic turmoil and its role as a reliable partner in the EU.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oil prices jump as the US and Iran trade accusations over strikes in the Strait of Hormuz. Plus: Fico’s U-turn on Ukraine and the state of EU-Canada relations as Mark Carney addresses European leaders in Armenia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Japan’s PM kicks off bilateral meetings with Vietnam and Australia, we discuss the agenda. Then: We review the first ever EU-Armenia Summit. Plus: ILTM Villa d’Este, a tour around Alcova and a trip with Alaska Airlines. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump is briefed on possible next steps for further military action in Iran. Then: China’s zero-tariff push for Africa, the freedom press index, Andrew Mueller’s ‘What We Learned’ and Apple’s latest earnings report.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UAE’s exit from Opec is part of a broader strategic pivot, argues Pat Breen of Gas Strategies. We look at the diplomatic intrigue behind a move that has rattled oil markets. Plus: Kosovo faces another election and a preview of the Venice Biennale.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A wave of attacks across Mali raises fresh questions about the state’s grip on security and the growing reach of jihadist groups such as al-Qaeda affiliate JNIM. Plus: the UAE quits Opec, the UK’s deepening political crisis and Nasa’s bid to buy more time for Voyager 1.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, is in Moscow on a high-stakes diplomatic tour, following visits to Pakistan and Oman. With fragile progress made in Muscat, what can the Kremlin do for Tehran? Plus: rising violence in Colombia a month before elections, King Charles’s US state visit and technology news.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tensions between Lebanon and Israel remain high as questions grow over what comes next. We also discuss how jet fuel shortages are affecting the airline industry and go to Finland, where authorities are preparing for a possible oil spill linked to Russia’s shadow fleet.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Washington says that the ceasefire still holds but shipping disruption in the Strait of Hormuz and signals from Tehran suggest the crisis is far from over. We also discuss Hakan Fidan, Turkey’s foreign minister, visiting the UK and New York’s new tax on the mega rich.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The EU grants Ukraine a much-anticipated €90bn loan, but what does that mean for Kyiv and why could Turkey host possible peace talks? Plus: the Delphi Economic Forum and we meet designer Tom Dixon at Salone del Mobile.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the ceasefire between Iran and the US extended at the last minute, we assess what comes next, with former diplomat Carne Ross. Plus: Why Nato chief Mark Rutte is visiting Turkey and the latest from Pope Leo’s Africa trip.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We look at Slovak PM Robert Fico’s spat with the Baltics over Moscow and Slovenia’s coalition talks collapse. Plus: How Iran is affecting aviation, China-Japan tensions over Taiwan and Salone del Mobile’s first preview day.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A week after Hungarians booted out Viktor Orbán in favour of the pro-European Union Péter Magyar, Bulgarians headed to the polls considering the opposite: many are eager to elect the Russia-friendly Rumen Radev. Bruno Kaufmann joins us from Sofia. Plus, the latest on Iran, Israel and Lebanon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Monocle team returns to Dubai to consider how the UAE has remained more resilient than headlines might suggest. We’re joined by Ted Kemp, chief content officer of ‘Khaleej Times’, the UAE’s longest-running English-language newspaper. Then: Christie’s auction house in the Middle East and news from Paris, London and Bangkok.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Team Monocle lands in Sharjah to see how the UAE has built resilience into its global trade and bet on education to further develop its status as an international hub. Plus: the latest from Indonesia and the Nordics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our team is in Dubai for a look at the business and investment community’s view and the impact of a prolonged blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Plus: The Avenue, Dubai’s cultural hub and anchor in times of conflict.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re live from the UAE to discuss the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and the state of tourism in the Gulf. Plus: papers from London and Zürich, and a look inside Abu Dhabi’s Museum of Contemporary Art and Design.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.