
The Briefing
A fast-paced news round-up with expert reporting, business insights, and industry updates on technology, aviation, retail, and media. Anchored from London.
Latest Episodes

France could recognise Palestinian statehood in June
As Emmanuel Macron announces France’s plan to recognise Palestinian statehood at a conference in June, Georgina Godwin is joined by Leila Molana-Allen to discuss what the future holds for Gaza. Plus: The ‘coalition of the willing’ meet in Brussels, the Delphi Economic Forum, Milan Design Week and a Eurovision edition…

Germany’s government agrees a coalition
As Germany’s CDU and SPD reach a coalition deal, we discuss what the country’s new government will look like. Also on the programme: Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs have created global market turmoil – but what do the president’s allies at home think? Then: we check in with our teams at…

Iran and US agree to weekend talks and the soft power of ‘The White Lotus’
Washington and Tehran agree to meet in Oman this weekend – will the talks be direct or indirect? Also in the programme: we check in with our team on the ground at Salone del Mobile 2025 and get the latest in the world of diamonds. Plus: as ‘The White Lotus’…

Markets react to Trump’s tariffs
Asian and European markets tumble as Donald Trump’s trade war rattles investors, we discuss the global stakes. Then: Serbia’s political crisis deepens. Can president Aleksandar Vučić hold on to power? Plus: ‘Konfekt’ editor Sophie Grove joins the show from Milan as Salone del Mobile gets under way

A rare show of diplomacy from the chief of Myanmar’s junta and how will Trump’s tariffs affect Northern Ireland?
We unpack the latest as the chief of Myanmar’s junta joins a regional summit in Bangkok. Also in the programme: Trump’s tariffs on the UK come as a sticking point for Northern Ireland and we discuss the state of the markets. Then: Laura Kramer joins us in the studio for…

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…

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…

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:…

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…

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…