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The Taiwanese government had the diplomatic spotlights turned on it when Donald Trump accepted a phone call from Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen upon his ascension to President-Elect of the US - the first conversation between the two nations at this level in decades. But others were less pleased - namely the Chinese Government. Alongside other anti-China sentiments expressed by Trump, this conversation with President Ing-wen marks a new faux-pas. Share Radio's Matt Cox spoke to Dr Steve Tsang, Director of the SOAS China Institute, and expert in governance, foreign, and security policies of China and Taiwan.

Jack Sommers of The Huffington Post joined Share Radio Breakfast to give his weekly politics round-up. Chancellor Philip Hammond has called for transitional arrangements to “smooth” Britain’s exit from the EU. What did Jack make of this, and is there the possibility of a cabinet split? Jack also discusses the political implications of the Southern Rail strikes, and gives his take on the events in Aleppo.

An increasing number of official bodies have been describing anti-fracking campaigners as "extremists" in response to a controversial Government strategy designed to prevent people from becoming terrorists. Councils, schools and police forces have listed anti-fracking campaigns in documents about the Prevent programme, which is part of the national counter-terrorism strategy. Green Party peer Baroness Jenny Jones has said she will push the Government to stop the police and local councils from using Prevent to "intimidate people who are objecting to their local water supply being threatened by the frackers" Share Radios Matthew cook spoke With Baroness Jenny Jones to find out more.

Protesters led by Peter Tatchell have disrupted a speech by Jeremy Corbyn, calling on the Labour leader to demand action to end the conflict in Syria. Corbyn halted his speech while several protesters held up banners with slogans including: “Step up and demand action in Syria” and “End the suffering in Aleppo”. Tatchell, a human rights campaigner who has previously supported the Labour party, shouted over the party leader to demand he do more to condemn the actions of Russia in the Syrian conflict. He told Share Radio's Colin Bloom why he felt drastic action was needed.

Welcome to the This is Money and Share Radio podcast, brought to you in partnership with NS&I. Are we seeing the end of an era for ultra cheap mortgages? HSBC is withdrawing its record low 0.99% deal which could usher in a new wave of price hikes. It’s not just mortgages undergoing price hikes though. Rail fares are set to rise 2.3% whilst growing commuter dissatisfaction with poor service has prompted Transport Secretary Chris Grayling to devise a new plan for better management. In the end though train times might be the last of our problems as we hear about one financial expert predicting major financial Armageddon just around the corner. Could we be in for the worst crisis yet? And what can people do to prepare? Gold is being tipped as a favourite but certainly not spread betting which is currently undergoing a crackdown. Georgie Frost is joined by Personal Finance Editor Rachel Rickard Straus and Consumer Affairs Editor Lee Boyce to find out more about this potential money meltdown. Also this week we take a look at Money Mail’s annual Wooden Spoon Awards and see which of Britain’s shambolic businesses have made it onto the shortlist.

Ryan Heath, Senior EU Correspondent and Associate Editor at Politico Europe, joined Share Radio Breakfast to give his weekly take on the latest in European politics. Politico leads with a story on the 28 people shaping Europe. And in first place... Sadiq Khan. Ryan also discusses the reports that the Tories are courting the EPP for a better Brexit deal, and he takes a look at how French and German politics is shaping up ahead of elections next year.

The European Union has started legal action against seven nations, including the UK and Germany, for failing to take action against Volkswagen for cheating emission tests. The German car giant has had huge fines in the US over its use of "defeat devices" used to hide true levels of emissions. More than one million cars in the UK are involved, and Paul Simpson, CEO OF CDP, who run global disclosure systems for investors and companies to manage their environmental impacts, joined Share Radio to bring the latest.

The historic Brexit legal challenge has drawn to a close. And it did so with a reminder from the Supreme Court that it will not "overturn the result of the EU referendum". A decision is expected by early January. To look into the key findings from the case, George Peretz QC from Monckton Chambers joined Share Radio.

Every year, TIME editors select the individual or idea that has most influenced the news and the world. The winner this year is President-elect Donald Trump, who beat ten other finalists, including his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton. He has described being named Time magazine's Person of the Year as a "great honour". Trump will be President of the United States in just over 6 weeks time, but what are his priorities for the US economy? Share Radio's James Brydges has been hearing from Dr Pippa Malmgren, former economic adviser to George W Bush.

MPs have voted to back the government's timetable to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty and formally start the withdrawal from the European Union by the end of March 2017 by a majority of 461 votes to 89. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court appeal on whether the Government can start Brexit by means of the royal prerogative alone has reached its final day. To discuss this, Professor Ian Cram, Constitutional Law Expert from Leeds University, joined Share Radio.