Hello and welcome to The Intelligence from The Economist. I'm your host, Rosie Blore. Every weekday, we provide a fresh perspective 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 Maha Kummela, 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 planets. It also serves a political purpose. This week, European leaders lined up in Washington for a charm offensive. I

thought 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...

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer was in the Capitol yesterday, touting the special relationship. And a letter from King Charles inviting Donald Trump for a second state visit. President Macron was a very special man in my book. We were

together. We did it

together.