World News Weekly – An SBS World News Podcast

Donald Trump lays out a red-carpet welcome for Xi Jinping and gives him a tour of the White House. Did Trump’s change of tact and granite diplomacy impress his best frenemy? Ethiopia descends into civil war, which risks pulling neighbouring countries into the fighting. We take a look at the bizarre terror plot in the UK that may not be all it seems. And Anthony Albanese tries to stir up an AI hornet’s nest of regulation at the UN — will the OpenAI Medicare hack revelation make anyone take any notice? Plus, Cape Town’s nightmare neighbours: baboons.

Donald Trump tells the UN General Assembly he’s got “a big decision to make” on whether to drive Iran “into hell” or negotiate a deal as the Iranian delegation watched. The combative speech took pot shots at the UN itself and Trump re-branded AI. He also lauded a deal over Greenland – but what did he really gain? Anthony Albanese gets a selfie with Trump as he takes his digital agenda to New York but did he land his message of global leadership? Plus, the EU offers its first associate membership to Canada – could Australia be next? Saudia Arabia seeks international support in its renewed fight against the Houthis. Fears of another civil war in Ethiopia as a new rebel coalition vows to remove the government. And is it time to say goodbye to the bank of mum and dad?

Conflict between the Houthis and Saudi-led forces escalates, sparking fears of a renewed humanitarian crisis in Yemen and more oil price rises as the Red Sea is blocked again. Did Putin try to kill Boris Johnson? How the war in Ukraine has become the elephant in the room for Russia's upcoming parliamentary elections. Plus, will Donald Trump’s offer of cash for votes win over increasingly sceptical Americans? The Republican Party makes a midterm pitch amid a turbulent week for the US president. And, will AI lead to the end of us — or just the end of Hollywood?

The AfD wins big in German elections, the first time for a far-right party since World War II. 12 countries, including the UK, France and Canada have announced a trade ban on all goods from Israeli settlements in the West Bank, will others follow suit? And Nepal struggles to grapple with the scale of devastation from flash floods. Plus, the award-winning research into cockroach milk.

Nepal’s new government struggles under a cataclysmic landslide and blames climate change. Iceland says no to even considering EU membership and the Pacific Islands Forum in disarray over Taiwan’s presence. Plus, a very un-Norwegian royal.

The trade war between the US and Canada kicks off, with shots fired in both directions. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent talks up sanctions D-Day for Iran and Syria’s al-Sharaa says the country is “tearing out a painful chapter of its past” after the US lifts sanctions. Also, Borneo goes up in flames with palm oil adding fuel to the fires and threatening orangutans. Plus, a weightlifting robot’s jittering jerk...

Donald Trump is scaling back planned military drills with South Korea which send a “hostile” message to Pyongyang. Is he looking to rekindle his bromance with the North Korean leader? Meanwhile, elections kick off in Israel as settlers continue to surround Palestinian homes in the West Bank. Iran and the US are no closer to reaching a peace deal, and now Trump is threatening his ally Oman. Plus, we look at the terrible animated movie that’s captivating Chinese audiences with its low-budget charms.

Australia’s PM is in hot water over his comments about a gift from his Japanese counterpart, North Korea rides to Russia’s rescue and will Netanyahu’s rejection of Trump’s Gaza plan come back to bite him? Plus, AI runs amok while the world struggles to control it. and Dobby the house elf stops a power project.

Myanmar’s junta finally provides signs of life for its former leader Aung San Suu Kyi - but why now and what does it all mean for the ongoing civil war? Plus, Ceuta’s border crisis reignites immigration divisions in Europe. And, how a US hiker who got himself into – and out of – a sticky situation.

Japan is launching its first foreign intelligence agency since World War Two, backed by a massive US$400 million budget. Driven by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, the move aims to counter escalating threats from China, North Korea, and Russia - placing Japan alongside global espionage powers like the CIA and MI6. But will this historic shift successfully deter regional aggression, or will it risk making relations worse?