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.

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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?

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Nato foreign ministers meet in Brussels following a US-Russia summit in Moscow. Then: we look ahead to Australia’s teen social-media ban. Plus: the campaign to bring back doors in hotel-room bathrooms.

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As Washington's delegation arrives in Moscow, we discuss how close we are to peace in Ukraine. Then: India begins testing long-range missiles – why is China so interested? Plus: Denmark prepares to cancel Christmas cards.

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The latest as Trump ramps up pressure on Nicolás Maduro’s Venezuela. Then: as Pope Leo continues his tour of the Middle East, we discuss how much sway he has in the region. Plus: Switzerland rejects a wealth tax on the super-rich.

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