World Report

In Venezuela, the promised release of political prisoners is being closely watched; there is consternation over Donald Trump's threat to prevent a new bridge in Canada; and a deadly police response to arriving migrant boats is making news in the French island of MayotteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Russian strikes on energy infrastructure in Ukraine leave tens of thousands struggling in freezing winter. In Libya the assassination on Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of the former Libyan leader. And an investigation into the murder of an investigative journalist in Slovakia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Denmark, Tom Carstensen reports on negotiations underway between the United States, Denmark and Greenland; Isabel Conway reports from the Alps, where the start of the year has seen an increasing number of fatal avalanches; And in Lebanon, Mary Fitzgerald tells us about the closure of the Beirut hotelSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's parliament voted for gun reforms and tougher action on hate speech While some European nations have already decided to join US president Donald Trump's controversial Board of Peace, others are still mulling it over A year on from the fall of the Assad regime in Syria the daily life of many Syrian people remains shaped by hardshipSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canada plans to create a 300,000 strong civil defence force as the country worries about defense. Drug-related turf wars in Marseille has led to several deaths including some involving children. A setback for the British arms industry which was excluded from an EU financial assistance programme for countries to improve their defence capabilities.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.