

US-Iran peace talks latest as Gulf states reject Tehran’s plan to control Strait of Hormuz
We discuss new diplomatic efforts to resolve the US-Iran war and Pakistan’s attempts at mediation. Plus: political turmoil in Turkey, a flick through the international papers and highlights from the 79th Cannes Film Festival.

US increases pressure on Cuba and Iran mulls over a new peace proposal
Russia and China condemn Washington’s indictment of Raúl Castro as a US aircraft carrier enters Caribbean waters. With Donald Trump desperate for a post-Iran win, could Cuba be next? Plus: Tehran weighs a new peace proposal.

Russia turns on the Baltics. And: how insurgents are impeding Ebola rescue efforts
Washington warns Moscow over its escalating rhetoric toward Latvia as Nato’s secretary general, Mark Rutte, rejects Russia’s claims that Baltic states could soon allow Ukrainian drone attacks from their territories. Plus: how rebel groups and Isis-backed insurgents are hampering efforts to contain …

Why China is engaging rival powers as it hosts Putin
Beijing welcomes Vladimir Putin a week after rolling out the red carpet for Donald Trump. Who really holds the cards? Plus: as we look ahead to the Fifa World Cup, Andrew Mueller assesses what could go wrong.

Can the G7 contain the economic fallout from the war in Iran?
G7 finance ministers meet as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz continues to roil global economies. Can divisions be overcome? Then: Nic Monisse brings us the latest from NYCxDesign and we hit London’s West End.

Modi eyes more defense deals and strengthened India-EU trade amid five-nation tour
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi has locked in new trade and defense deals with the UAE, Netherlands and Sweden. What’s on the agenda for Norway and Italy? Plus: the papers, Asia news and talks between Washington, Copenhagen and Nuuk over more US bases in Greenland.

Chips, rare earths, tariffs: The economic implications of the Trump-Xi summit
The business world watches the Xi-Trump summit as superpowers try to secure a competitive advantage in key industries such as chipmaking. Who holds the real leverage? Then: Modi’s European tour and the latest from Eurovision.

Xi-Trump summit kicks off as Taiwan hangs in the balance
As the leaders of the US and China meet in Beijing, we discuss what’s at stake and get the view from Taipei.

Trump-Xi summit: US president arrives in Beijing weakened by Iran war and tariff setbacks
The Trump-Xi summit comes at a volatile moment for Washington, with the fragile Iran ceasefire spooking energy markets and Xi Jinping increasingly seen as holding the stronger hand. As Beijing tightens its grip on geopolitical influence, what can Trump achieve on Taiwan, trade and Tehran?

Macron turns on the charm at the Africa Forward Summit as Paris eyes a regional reset
Emmanuel Macron has kicked off his Kenya visit with a jog through Nairobi and cooking ugali as the Africa Forward Summit is hosted by an Anglophone country for the first time. After a series of setbacks in western parts of the continent, is Paris flexing softer diplomacy in Africa?