The Briefing | Monocle

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The Briefing

A pacy round-up of the day’s main news stories, anchored from London by a Monocle editor. The show features informed reporting, prescient business analysis and invaluable industry reports covering everything from technology to aviation and retail to media.

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Latest episode

Hungary withdraws from the ICC, Australia prepares for elections and Switzerland showcases watches:

Monocle’s security correspondent, Gorana Grgić, tells us what Hungary’s withdrawal from the ICC means for EU foreign policy. Then: Monocle’s Canberra correspondent, Aarti Betigeri, brings us the latest from Australia’s upcoming election; our Paris bureau chief, Simon Bouvier, takes us to the world’s oldest design fair; ‘Konfekt’ editor Sophie Grove showcases the best from the Watches and Wonders salon in Geneva; and Fernando Augusto Pacheco takes us to Romania for ‘The Global Countdown’.

Latest episodes

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35283 Apr 2025
37 min

Hungary withdraws from the ICC, Australia prepares for elections and Switzerland showcases watches 

Monocle’s security correspondent, Gorana Grgić, tells us what Hungary’s withdrawal from the ICC means for EU foreign policy. Then: Monocle’s Canberra correspondent, Aarti Betigeri, brings us the latest from Australia’s upcoming election; our Paris bureau chief, Simon Bouvier, takes us to the world’s oldest design fair; ‘Konfekt’ editor Sophie Grove showcases the best from the Watches and Wonders salon in Geneva; and Fernando Augusto Pacheco takes us to Romania for ‘The Global Countdown’.

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35272 Apr 2025
35 min

Europe awaits ‘Liberation Day’ 

Donald Trump is expected to impose his sweeping reciprocal global tariffs today. We unpack the reaction from Europe and have a look at how the world’s financial markets are responding. Also in the programme: any hope of a ceasefire in Gaza is over as Israel ramps up its ground operation in the Palestinian territory. Then: A round-up of the main stories making the papers in the Nordics and we check-in at Watches and Wonders in Geneva.

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35261 Apr 2025
34 min

Fears of an Israeli constitutional crisis and The Michelin Guide France 2025 

Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, withdraws his nomination of an ex-admiral as director of Shin Bet – we unpack why. Also in the programme, Scott Craig of the International Federation of the Red Cross provides the latest on the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar following an earthquake in the region. Then: Italy’s birthrates hit a record low, Monocle’s Ed Stocker unpacks the fallout. Plus: Chiara Rimella updates us on The Michelin Guide France 2025.

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352531 Mar 2025
33 min

Le Pen banned from running for office 

We get the latest from our team in Paris as a French court finds far-right leader Marine Le Pen guilty of embezzling EU funds. Also on the programme: we’re joined by Hopewell Chin’ono as Zimbabwe’s president faces calls for removal from within his own party. Then: rice and dairy farmers march in downtown Tokyo to demand better income security and we discuss the state of the Brazilian telenovela.   

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352428 Mar 2025
30 min

Earthquake rocks Thailand and Myanmar 

We get the latest from our Bangkok-based Asia editor, James Chambers, as aftershocks from a huge 7.7 magnitude earthquake continue to rock the Thai capital. Also in the programme: Monocle’s editor in chief, Andrew Tuck, discusses the importance of who owns the media. Plus: a look at the papers in Asia with Tom Webb.

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352327 Mar 2025
37 min

Trump’s 25 per cent imported-car tariff and Bolsonaro to stand trial 

We’re joined in the studio by our executive editor, Christopher Lord, to get the latest reactions as Donald Trump announces a new 25 per cent tariff on imported cars and parts. Then: a unanimous vote by the Brazilian Supreme Court ruled that former president Jair Bolsonaro should stand trial over an alleged 2022 coup attempt. Plus: Fernando Augusto Pacheco brings us part two of his IFPI Global Music Report 2025 coverage on ‘The Global Countdown’. 

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352226 Mar 2025
32 min

What message is the US trying to send to Greenland? 

As US vice president JD Vance announces that he will join his wife’s trip to a US army base in Greenland, we unpack what message this sends to the arctic territory and gauge Denmark’s reaction. Also in the programme: we discuss the role of the Netherlands in Nato as the nation looks to increase its defence spending and we discuss the effects of Kyoto’s new lodging tax. Plus: A look ahead to Salone 2025.

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352125 Mar 2025
36 min

Outrage as the White House accidentally sends war plans to a journalist 

The world reacts to a major security breach after the White House accidentally shared highly sensitive military plans through a group chat, which included an ‘Atlantic’ journalist. Our security correspondent, Gorana Grgić, brings us the latest. Then: Fiona O’Brien of Reporters Without Borders updates us on the current threats to journalists in Turkey, as anti-Erdogan protests continue. Plus: Chiara Rimella on the latest news in the world of food and drink.

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352024 Mar 2025
34 min

Anti-Erdogan protests continue in Turkey  

Protests continue in Turkey following the arrest of Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s main political rival and Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu. We get the latest from Ruth Michaelson, who reports the nation’s capital. Also on the programme: Monocle’s Fernando Augusto Pacheco on the importance of Brazil-Japan relations as president Lula visits Tokyo. Plus: Petri Burtsoff joins us from the Nordic Happiness Summit in Finland.

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351921 Mar 2025
37 min

Germany’s Bundesrat approves historic spending plan 

As Germany’s upper house of parliament approves a constitutional change to allow a huge increase in spending for the country’s defence and infrastructure needs, Monocle’s senior news editor, Chris Cermak, joins Emma Nelson to explain how significant this bill is. Plus: global travel is plunged into chaos as Heathrow shuts down, South Africa’s ambassador to the US heads home, the new Martin Parr documentary and urbanism news. 

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351820 Mar 2025
41 min

Canada: The EU’s 28th member state? 

As Canada strengthens ties with Europe’s defence industry, Monocle’s Toronto correspondent, Tomos Lewis, joins Chris Cermak to discuss rumours that Canadians now want to officially join the bloc. Plus: the death toll mounts in Gaza as ceasefire negotiations continue, the future of Radio Free Europe, Indian film ‘Santosh’ and Fernando Augusto Pacheco’s ‘The Global Countdown’. 

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351719 Mar 2025
34 min

Live from Paris: the latest from Istanbul and Parisian design 

Live from our new studios in Paris, we bring you the latest on the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu. Then: ‘Konfekt’ editor Sophie Grove shares her favourite stories from the latest issue and the designers of our new Parisian café discuss their inspiration.

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351618 Mar 2025
30 min

Ceasefire shattered by Israeli airstrikes on Gaza 

As Israel launches the deadliest attack on Gaza since the ceasefire began, Nada AlTaher and Hannah McCarthy join Andrew Mueller to discuss the effects of the strikes. Plus: the US considers recognising Crimea as Russian, the Pope pens a letter and we explore E-Estonia.

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351517 Mar 2025
31 min

Foreign ministers meet in Brussels to discuss Syria 

As tensions rise in the region, foreign ministers meet in Brussels to discuss the future of Ahmed al-Sharaa’s Syria. Plus: Mark Carney snubs the US on his first international trip, why Leipzig is Germany’s fastest growing city, the new Everest restrictions and why Nasa’s stuck astronauts might finally be coming home.

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351414 Mar 2025
35 min

US judge blocks Trump’s firing of federal workers 

As DOGE is dealt its biggest blow yet by federal judges, Christopher Lord joins Georgina Godwin to discuss what Trump’s next move might be. Plus: Vietnam-Indonesia maritime agreement, Monocle at Mipim and all the highlights from the latest issue of ‘Konfekt’ magazine with editor Sophie Grove. 

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