The United States and Europe are experiencing rising borrowing costs as markets wise up to unprecedented levels of debt. Plus: Reviewing the start of Brazil’s electoral campaign and how to give your children independence.

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Over the past week, Japan’s prime minister Takaichi has seen the Trump administration sanction Tomoko Akane, a Japanese citizen and head of the International Criminal Court, which Japan still funds. Trump has also limited military drills with South Korea, which are in Japan’s national interest. So how will Takaichi respond?

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Thailand’s prime minister travels to Canberra as Bangkok looks to deepen ties with Australia. Could the relationship offer Thailand a useful alternative to its reliance on China?

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Can Jared Kushner bridge the divide between Hamas and Benjamin Netanyahu? We examine the art of mediation, how negotiators can break the deadlock over disarmament and withdrawal, and what leverage Washington and regional powers have to help secure a deal.

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Why does Switzerland’s immigration rate keep tumbling? Then: outrage in North Korea as the US and South Korea begin joint military drills. And: we look at why specialist bookshops are still essential.

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With war in Europe, should Switzerland take a stricter approach to its neutrality stance? As campaigning starts on the Neutrality Initiative, we discuss how it could impact the Alpine nation’s standing in the world. 

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Amid fears that President Trump might interfere in the looming November ballot, primary votes in Minnesota and Wisconsin have revealed the differences between establishment candidates and more progressive elements in the Democratic Party. 

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Greenland issues a warning after drilling equipment linked to the US was brought ashore without approval. We explore the future of the territory. Plus: on board Bombardier’s Global 8000, the world’s fastest civil aircraft.

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We look at low water levels on the Rhine, South Korea’s Arctic ambitions and what these shifts mean for global trade on the Strait of Hormuz.

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We look at what’s making the capital and largest city of Nova Scotia a boom town for defence industries. Then: should we be worried that AI writing is taking over from human writing? And: could Seoul authorities succeed in creating a city that never sleeps?

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There are no official military or diplomatic links between Kyiv and Taipei but communication is growing, what might they teach the other? Then: Tomos Parry, chef behind Michelin-starred Brat, on bringing his food to the skies. And: we look at our summer newspaper ‘Med, Mountains & More’.

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