Podcast: Merkel attempts balancing act with call for veil ban

Angela Merkel’s announcement that full veils should be banned in public “wherever possible” signals a reversal in her position on the issue and an attempt to fend off populist forces.

The remark will be welcomed by the conservative wing of the Christian Democratic Union, who have been frustrated by her approach to the migration crisis and whose support she needs to win a strong new mandate to lead, says Berlin Correspondent Derek Scally on this week's World View podcast.

From Washington, Simon Carswell profiles the individuals Donald Trump has chosen for his cabinet, including his one-time opponent (and target for some particularly nasty criticism) Ben Carson and bullish former general James "Mad Dog" Mattis.

While his picks mainly show that president-elect Trump intends to reward loyalty shown during the campaign, they also offer clues as to whether he is serious about fulfilling promises made on issues such as free trade and healthcare to the white working class in “Rust Belt” states.

From Rome, Paddy Agnew explains why prime minister Matteo Renzi's defeat in Sunday's referendum is not a judgment on the European Union, but will still embolden Italian Eurosceptics.