Germany enters a new European security era

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Qatar’s prime minister joins the US president for dinner as the push for a ceasefire in Gaza continues. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another day, another letter from the Trump administration spelling out tariff rates and sending markets into confusion. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The fourth annual Ukraine Recovery Conference is under way in Rome during record drone-and-missile strikes from Russia in Kyiv. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hamas says more captures are coming after five Israeli soldiers are killed in Gaza, threatening the coalition in Israel.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What would a “humanitarian city” in southern Gaza look like? And could it become permanent? We explore the plans of Israel’s defence minister and consider whether Netanyahu and Trump will back the move.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss the latest from the Brics summit in Rio de Janeiro as Donald Trump threatens tariffs on the bloc due to “anti-American policies”. Then: a Swedish church or a Russian spy enclave?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.