Trading of insults, a cancelled joint press conference and the refusal to sign a draft UN resolution condemning Russia’s aggression. We examine the deepening feud between Ukraine and the US and what it means for the prospect of peace. We’re also in Berlin as Germany prepares to head to the polls. Then: a look ahead to midterm elections in the Philippines and a conversation about Birkenstock and artistic copyright. Plus: theatre news, Design Biennale Rotterdam and ‘What We Learned’.

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As South Korea tries a sitting president in a criminal court for the first time in its history, John Nilsson-Wright and Steven Borowiec join Emma Nelson to discuss where the country’s political crisis could go next. Plus: London Fashion Week begins, journalist Steven Erlanger on Germany’s elections and what to expect from Frieze LA.

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While the US seeks reconciliation with Russia, it angers China by quietly dropping reference to opposing Taiwan’s independence. Then: Turkey detains PKK suspects, what Ukraine thinks of the US-Russia talks, South Korea’s secret sauce joins Unesco list and tech news with David Phelan.

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We discuss Washington and Moscow’s push for peace in Ukraine, without Kyiv or Brussels at the table. Then: China’s president, Xi Jinping, signals that Beijing is open for business as he courts private-sector innovation. Plus: a flip through the international papers, design news and a jolt of caffeine at Monocle’s newly opened Paris café.

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As European leaders announce an emergency meeting to discuss Ukraine, Suzanne Lynch joins Emma Nelson to consider where ceasefire talks might go next. Plus: the African Union Summit examines the future of the continent; a look at the effects of the Santorini earthquake on hospitality; and the Japanese IT company offering ‘hangover leave’.

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Monocle is in Munich with the latest on the “terror attack” as the Bavarian capital kicks off its high-stakes security conference. Plus: China-UK talks revive, Nordic news and why romance bookshops are booming. Then: a special interview with the prime minister of the Solomon Islands, the honourable Jeremiah Manele.

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As Narendra Modi becomes the fourth head of state to visit the White House during Donald Trump’s second term, Maya Sharma and Natasha Lindstaedt discuss the tensions that lie beneath the bonhomie. Then: Turkey’s president goes to Pakistan and the Munich Security Conference begins. Also on the programme: could K-Pop be South Korea’s secret weapon against Trump’s trade war? Plus: we speak with Rainer Stampfer, president of global operations at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.

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Justin Trudeau visits Brussels as Donald Trump imposes tariffs on allies; Sudan’s civil war enters a new phase; and Denmark reports a historic low of asylum seekers. Plus: Saïd Business School’s Soumitra Dutta at Dubai’s World Governments Summit.

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