The Globalist

Why it might be a good idea for Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un to meet in Mongolia. Plus: Australia asks if a bad approval rating should lead to the departure of its PM and a new scandal threatening Japan’s Shinzo Abe.

Emmanuel Macron’s plan to make France India’s new gateway to Europe and Catalonia’s parliament postpones its vote on the new regional president. Plus: a round-up of today’s newspapers.

As Rex Tillerson embarks on a tour of Africa, we ask whether offensive comments by Donald Trump will dominate discussions. Plus: the Australian state that’s considering loosening its gun laws, why a diplomatic row in Serbia has sent clocks backwards and the politics of speaking Portuguese.

As the international fallout continues following Donald Trump’s tariff plan Brian Klaas explains the president’s underlying political motivations. Plus: Angela Merkel puts women at the forefront of her new cabinet, why the Maldives has become a battleground for tense relations between China and India, and Coca-Cola’s new alcoholic beverage will soon hit Japanese shelves.

Chinese president Xi Jinping’s ambitions for indefinite presidency, what the Saudi Crown Prince wants from his state visit to the UK and how Norway will try to clean up its fjords with the help of underwater drones.

As Kim Jon-un sits down with representatives of South Korea, we ask how long the warm relations can last. Plus: Greek soldiers on trial in Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Egypt agree to build a new mega-city and the latest from Adelaide Writers’ Week.

We ask what the populist surge for Italy’s political parties means for the country, discuss France’s relationship with Iran and explore Turkey’s interest in West Africa. Plus: we hear from an Oscar winner and review the front pages.

We find out what to expect from the Italian election, discuss calls to ban the apartheid-era flag and find out why laughter is one of the best forms of protest. Plus: why have Japan’s toilet pictograms gone global?

Russia’s presidential election may seem like a foregone conclusion but the incumbent isn’t taking any chances – Vladimir Putin’s annual speech to parliament is likely to offer all sorts of pre-vote giveaways. Plus: Macedonia’s proposals to christen itself anew, women’s roles in Saudi government and Tokyo’s new Olympic mascot.

South Africa has carried out a radical cabinet reshuffle, with parliament voting in favour of land expropriation without compensation. Can Ramaphosa’s new ministers and policies really deliver the economic rebirth he has promised? Plus: we look ahead to Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit to the UK next week and investigative journalists under threat.