There’s been a worrying build-up of tensions in the Arab Gulf after the US accused Iran of making military preparations and responded by sending more troops and hardware to the region. This follows the US decision last year to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal and ramp up sanctions that have crippled Iran's economy. Geoff Dyer discusses the risk that this could lead to military confrontation with Andrew England, FT Middle East editor.

Contributors: Josh Noble, weekend news editor, Geoff Dyer, analysis editor, and Andrew England, Middle East editor. Producer: Fiona Symon

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As part of its trade war with the US, China has threatened to restrict exports of rare earths. These obscure minerals, on which the military and tech industries depend, are overwhelmingly produced in China. Katie Martin discusses how the world came to be so dependent on one country for such an essential part of the industrial supply chain with Lucy Hornby and Henry Sanderson.

Contributors: Josh Noble, weekend news editor, Katie Martin, capital markets editor, Henry Sanderson, commodities correspondent, and Lucy Hornby, deputy Beijing bureau chief. Producer: Fiona Symon

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Britain’s best known fund manager Neil Woodford is struggling to save his business after he was forced to freeze his flagship fund because it could not meet withdrawal demands from investors. Patrick Jenkins discusses what went wrong and who will be affected with Caroline Binham and Kate Beioley

Contributors: Patrick Jenkins, FT financial editor, Kate Beioley, FT Money reporter and Caroline Binham, financial regulation correspondent. Producer: Fiona Symon

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Argentina’s Cristina Fernández de Kirchner is back. The former populist president left office in 2015 with the country on the brink of economic collapse. But if polls are to be believed, she has a good chance of returning to office in October as vice president, alongside her namesake and former chief of staff, Alberto Fernández. Jonathan Wheatley discusses how history may be repeating itself in Argentina with Benedict Mander in Buenos Aires.

Contributors: Katie Martin, capital markets editor, Jonathan Wheatley, deputy emerging markets editor, and Benedict Mander, South Cone correspondent. Producer: Fiona Symon

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Natura, the Brazilian cosmetics company that owns The Body Shop, has agreed to acquire Avon Products in an all-stock deal that values the US-listed group at more than $2bn. Vanessa Houlder talks to Andres Schipani about the man behind Natura and his plans for the company.

Contributrors: Josh Noble, weekend news editor, Vanessa Houlder, Lex writer, and Andres Schipani, Brazil correspondent.  Producer: Fiona Symon

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The scientific study of different forms of the human race has a bad history, culminating in the atrocities of Nazi Germany.  But despite its discredited record, race science is enjoying something of a revival. Writer Angela Saini discusses her new book: Superior: The Return of Race Science with Fred Studemann and Clive Cookson.

Contributors: Josh Noble, weekend news editor, Fred Studemann, FT books editor, writer Angela Saini and Clive Coookson, FT science editor. Producer: Fiona Symon

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Apple has faced a barrage of criticism about how it runs its App Store as regulatory scrutiny of the iPhone’s software and services marketplace mounts on both sides of the Atlantic. Madhumita Murgia talks to Tim Bradshaw about the case for and against

Contributors: Josh Noble, weekend news editor, Madhumita Murgia, European technology correspondent and Tim Bradshaw, global technology correspondent. Producer: Fiona Symon

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India's Narendra Modi begins his second term in office this week after a landslide election win. Jyotsna Singh discusses what he must do to live up to the high hopes of the armies of young people who voted for him with Amy Kazmin and Stephanie Findlay.

Contributors: Josh Noble, weekend news editor, Jyotsna Singh, Delhi reporter, Amy Kazmin, South Asia bureau chief and Stephanie Findlay, South Asia correspondent. Producers: Jyotsna Singh and Fiona Symon

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Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has unveiled a proposed €32.6bn all-share merger with Renault that would reshape the global automotive industry. David Oakley discusses how the deal came about and how it will affect Renault’s proposed tie-up with Nissan with Arash Massoudi and Peter Campbell

Contributors: Suzanne Blumsom, executive editor, David Oakley, industry news editor, Arash Massoudi, corporate finance and deals editor and Peter Campbell, motor industry correspondent. Producer: Fiona Symon

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Vladimir Putin hoped western sanctions would provide the impetus for Russia to create “national champions” in industries ranging from food and software to heavy machinery. But the fate of its first commercial airliner, the Sukhoi SuperJet 100, has shown up the flaws in this plan. Katie Martin discusses Russia's bid to develop globally competitive homegrown industries with Henry Foy, the FT's Moscow bureau chief.

Contributors: Josh Noble, weekend news editor, Katie Martin, capital markets editor and Henry Foy, Moscow bureau chief. Producer: Fiona Symon

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