World News Weekly – An SBS World News Podcast

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?

The US Iran conflict threatens to burst beyond the Gulf with Ukraine and Egypt now in the frame. Bibi says his bromance with Trump is still on and does the cockroaches’ big win mean a big loss of face for Modi? Plus, AI claims another victim - a Canadian politician’s pride…