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The Economist.

Thank you. The Economist. Hello and welcome to the intelligence from The Economist.

I'm your host, Rosie Bloor.

Every weekday, we provide a fresh perspective on the events shaping your world.

Francis Tussius. on the events shaping your world. France's colonies in Africa gained independence in the 1960s,

but France has maintained a foothold and often a military presence in many of them.

Now its troops are finally withdrawing, our correspondent considers the implications.

And the Mahakumela, a Hindu festival where pilgrims take a dip in a holy river to cleanse their sins,

takes place once every 12 years. These days, says our correspondent, its popularity isn't just about the alignment of the planet. It also serves a political purpose.

But first...

This week, European leaders lined up in Washington for a charm offensive.

I felt we had a very productive discussion, obviously, as the president says, the deal has to come first.

But yes, our teams are going to be...

...