Chatham House

China's economic woes are mounting as growth weakens across the board. The Pulse With Francine Lacqua discusses global business, economics, finance, and politics from its London base. Today's guests featured are Michael Metcalfe of State Street and Yu Jie, a Senior Research Fellow at Chatham House.

The Pulse With Francine Lacqua is a program covering global business, economics, finance, and politics through exclusive interviews. Based in London, the show features guests such as Grace Peters of JPMorgan Private Bank, Michael Lewis (Uniper CEO), and Jaroslava Barbieri from Chatham House Research Fellow: Ukraine Forum.

Hamas agrees to disarm if Israel halts strikes and withdraws from Gaza as part of a U.S.-brokered deal, but implementation faces challenges due to conditional requirements and political obstacles. Israel has not officially commented, and experts doubt both sides will comply ahead of Israel's elections.

Iraq aims to pursue strategic autonomy as US-led coalition troops withdraw, focusing on institutional reforms, banking sector improvements, and energy diversification to reduce reliance on Iran. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi emphasizes strengthening state institutions and security reforms, while engaging with the US for energy partnerships.

Over 7,000 soldiers and 25 heads of state participated in a Bastille Day military parade in Paris, emphasizing European strategic cooperation. The event highlighted international military presence, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and showcased efforts to strengthen European security amid shifting U.S. alliances.

President Donald Trump is welcoming Iraq's new Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to the White House, following Trump's public support for his candidacy. The meeting focuses on U.S. pressure for Iraq to disarm Iran-backed militias, which have resisted disbanding despite government deadlines. Al-Zaidi, a businessman with no political background, previously led a bank banned by Iraq’s central bank under U.S. pressure for financial violations.

Prince Harry delivered a welcome speech at a conference moments after learning about a court defeat. The event was the 14th Invictus Games Foundation Conversation: From Policy to Practice at Chatham House.

Prince Harry was forced to give a speech moments after a court defeat and delivered a welcome address at the 14th Invictus Games Foundation conference at Chatham House.

Venezuela's earthquake is described as both a natural disaster and a political-institutional crisis, with experts pointing to decades of state erosion, corruption, and economic mismanagement. The interim government faces scrutiny for its response, but the article attributes the systemic failure to 27 years of institutional decline.

Iran and the US exchanged attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, leaving 11,000 crew members stranded on ships between warring belligerents. Iran advised the crew to evacuate via Larak Island, while conflicting guidance complicates their safe exit. France 24's Gavin Lee discussed the situation with Nitya Labh of Chatham House.

Gulf states should prioritize diverse defenses and domestic capability-building to hedge against uncertain US commitments and Middle East volatility, per an expert at the World Economic Forum in Dalian.

Venezuela faces challenges in humanitarian relief efforts due to the Trump administration's closure of USAID. Christopher Sabatini of Chatham House criticizes the administration for requiring multi-agency coordination instead of utilizing an existing agency efficiently.

Ten years after Brexit, Britain faces economic struggles including anemic growth, high taxes, and strained public services, with business leaders expressing frustration over unmet promises. The UK's departure from the EU led to increased trade costs and a loss of wealth, according to economists and a recent report.

Britain's economic struggles a decade after Brexit have led to frustration among business leaders, with promises of economic growth unfulfilled. Experts attribute the weakened economy to Brexit's impact on trade and prosperity.

A decade after Britain's Brexit vote, business leaders from opposing sides of the debate express frustration over unmet economic promises. The article highlights sluggish growth, high taxes, and challenges like restricted EU market access, with experts citing long-term wealth losses due to Brexit.

Britain's economic struggles post-Brexit have led to frustration among business leaders from both sides of the 2016 vote. Promised economic benefits have not materialized, with anemic growth, high taxes, and strained public services, while economists highlight long-term wealth losses from leaving the EU single market.

Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon killed at least seven people, including two children, hours after ceasefire agreement reports emerged. The attacks threaten an interim U.S.-Iran agreement to end the Middle East war, raising questions about Israel's potential loss of Donald Trump's support if strikes continue.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces weakened authority after Defense Secretary John Healey resigned over insufficient defense spending. Healey criticized the government's plan to increase military funding to 3.5% of GDP by 2035, arguing it falls short of the 3% target by 2030 needed to address rising security threats. Starmer has maintained a strong international profile on defense and Ukraine support but struggles with internal party dissent.

The Strait of Hormuz oil crisis has led to Syria's Mediterranean port of Baniyas becoming a hub for overland crude oil transport from the UAE and Iraq. Syria, which has endured 14 years of civil war and requires investment, may establish itself as a new energy corridor despite ongoing Gulf tensions.

The US-Iran ceasefire, in effect since 8 April, is experiencing renewed escalations with US strikes on Iran and Iranian retaliation in Kuwait and Bahrain. Both sides avoid full-scale war but face a stalemate with ongoing regional tensions and four unresolved obstacles, including mutual distrust.

Pro-Trump lawyer Aberaldo de la Espriella leads in Colombia's first-round presidential election, reflecting a regional trend toward crackdowns on criminal groups. Analyst Christopher Sabatini attributes this shift to the 'Donroe' doctrine influencing partisan politics in Latin America.

Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye dismissed Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko after months of political tension. The move highlights ongoing conflicts within the government, with Paul Melly of Chatham House analyzing the situation as a guest contributor.

US President Donald Trump has expressed interest in turning Venezuela into the 51st US state, prompting a muted response from the Venezuelan government. Acting President Delcy Rodriguez stated that Venezuela had no plans to become a US state. The Trump administration has implemented a phased plan to address the crisis in Venezuela.