Are strikes against civilians ‘the new paradigm’ in the Ukraine war?

World Cup embarrassment before kick-off

World Cup embarrassment before kick-off with visas blocked, a referee barred and tickets unsold with prices unaffordable for many. Then: are French workers really away from their desks as much as we think? And: we look at Prada’s new undergarments for Nasa astronauts. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Iran and Israel agree to halt strikes after exchanging fire for first time since April

Iran and Israel agree to halt strikes after exchanging fire for the first time since April. Then: we look at what Armenia’s parliamentary election tells us about its ties to Russia. Plus: will a lawsuit disrupt Trump’s birthday party? And: why are Kanye West’s concerts still so popular?   See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

World Cup fever builds with Canada hoping for a tourism legacy

With just days until kick-off, we look at how Canada is hoping to build a World Cup tourism legacy. Then: we speak to the Ukrainian NGO Superhumans, which helps injured soldiers and civilians. And: our weekly quiz with Rob Bound. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Hezbollah rejects new Israel-Lebanon ceasefire as US House seeks to stop war in Iran

Hezbollah rejects a new Israel-Lebanon ceasefire as the US House seeks to stop the Iran war in a vote called ‘unpatriotic’ by Donald Trump. Plus: Albanians take to the streets in anger at plans for a new luxury resort. And: what strange items do Uber customers leave in its vehicles? See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Ukraine bombs St Petersburg as Russia prepares to host Putin’s ‘Davos’

Ukraine targets St Petersburg ahead of Russian president Vladimir Putin’s key economic forum. Then: UK police apologise for handcuffing a dying teenager as PM Keir Starmer condemns angry rioters. Plus: what do the US primaries tell us about what to expect in the mid-terms? See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.