麻豆社

Pascale Harter introduces stories on Mexico's cartel war, President Trump's State of the Union address, and a slow boat journey in Benin.

This episode contains scenes of violence and descriptions listeners may find upsetting.

Mexico was rocked by a violent rampage this week, after the drug lord, El Mencho, died following a fire-fight between his bodyguards and Mexican military commandos. It鈥檚 evidence of the challenges facing President Claudia Sheinbaum as she vows to take on the country鈥檚 criminal gangs. Quentin Sommerville reports on the fallout of El Mencho's death and the disturbingly violent rivalry between the cartels.

'Our country is winning again,' was President Donald Trump鈥檚 rallying cry at his State of the Union address this week in Washington, citing success in the jobs market and stopping illegal crossings at the southern border. But his sinking approval ratings suggest he鈥檚 not necessarily convincing the public. Anthony Zurcher watched on in the House Chamber.

The small West African nation of Benin is made up of around fifty different ethnic groups and languages. Most of the population is concentrated in the south - home to the country鈥檚 main cities, including the port of Cotonou. While Benin has only a handful of highways, its lush inter-connected lagoons provide a vital commercial artery. Sara Wheeler took a trip down the Black River.

Producer: Phoebe Keane
Production coordinators: Katie Morrison
Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith