Germany’s chancellor, Friedrich Merz, resets UK relations but tussles with Brussels’ budget. Plus: Milan’s mayoral woes, the UK lowers the voting age and how Superman overcame an attempted Maga backlash.

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President Trump hosted Qatar’s prime minister and Bahrain’s Crown Prince, reinforcing a growing diplomatic push in the Gulf. We discuss the strategy and why US engagement with the region is intensifying.

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Qatar’s prime minister joins the US president for dinner as the push for a ceasefire in Gaza continues.

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We discuss the latest from the Air India crash investigation as the country’s aviation regulator tells its airlines to inspect the fuel switches on several Boeing planes, despite US regulators insisting that they’re safe.

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France’s president pledges to double defence spending by 2027 as Paris prepares for its Bastille Day parade at a time when Russia continues to pummel Ukraine.

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Another day, another letter from the Trump administration spelling out tariff rates and sending markets into confusion.

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The fourth annual Ukraine Recovery Conference is under way in Rome during record drone-and-missile strikes from Russia in Kyiv.

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Hamas says more captures are coming after five Israeli soldiers are killed in Gaza, threatening the coalition in Israel.

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