大象传媒

The victory in the Netherlands election of the VVD party led by the Dutch Prime Minister, Mark Rutte, has eased fears about the rise of far right populism undermining the European Union. Mr Rutte's victory is a setback for anti-Islam populist Geert Wilders, who had campaigned with the promise to close borders to immigrants from Muslim countries, close mosques and withdraw from the European Union. We hear from the Netherlands what the Dutch people are making of political developments and how it affects the country's economic fortunes.

US President Donald Trump has unveiled budget plans that will see cuts to foreign aid and environmental protection, while increasing spending on the military and security. We get analysis of the plans put forward by the White House from Dan Mitchell, at the Cato institute in Washington and we also hear from the manager of WHQR radio in Wilmington, North Carolina, about cuts to funding of public broadcasting.

Kenya has decided to ban plastic bags to protect the environment in a country where a hundred million are handed out every year. Our correspondent in Nairobi explains why some Kenyan manufacturers are opposed to the ban.

(Picture: Campaigners outside the Dutch parliament in the Hague welcome the election victory of the VVD party. Getty Images.)