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The United Arab Emirates said it would leave the organisation of petroleum exporting countries

on May 1st after six decades of membership. The departure is likely to weaken a group

that supplies around a third of the world's oil. The UAE, which in 2025 was the cartel's third

largest producer and has long chafed at OPEC's constraints on its output, recently criticised its

neighbours in the Gulf for not doing enough to defend it against attacks from Iran, another member.

In a speech to America's Congress, King Charles III sought to salvage the country's battered, quote, special relationship,

saying ties were more important than ever and that global challenges were, quote, too great for any one

nation to bear alone. He stressed that the two countries have worked closely together on defence

and intelligence for decades.

Earlier, he met Donald Trump at the White House.

Mr. Trump claimed Iran had told America it was in a state of collapse and wanted the

Strait of Hormuz reopened as soon as possible.

Officials in Iran have not confirmed this.

Mr. Trump also lashed out at Friedrich Mertz,

Germany's chancellor, saying he, quote,

...