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
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.…
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…
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…
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.
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.
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…
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.
A frosty G7 meeting in Canada
G7 foreign ministers touched down in La Malbaie as transatlantic tensions rise over tariffs and a ceasefire plan for Ukraine. We also head to Dubai to hear how heritage hospitality brands are looking to the future and Fernando Augusto Pacheco takes us to Mexico for ‘The Global Countdown’.
Ukraine accepts US ceasefire proposal, Russia strikes Zelensky’s hometown
As a 30-day ceasefire is proposed, former US ambassador to Ukraine, John Herbst, joins Chris Cermak to discuss if Russia will accept. Plus: Pakistan train hijacking, the Iran nuclear issue ramps up, Nissan’s management is overhauled and we hear from our team at Mipim.
Portugal’s government faces collapse
As a no-confidence vote threatens to topple Portugal’s Luís Montenegro, Carlota Rebelo joins Christopher Cermak to discuss. Plus: who is North Korea’s Lazarus Group and how did it steal $1.5bn (€1.3bn) worth of cryptocurrency? Then: Andrew Tuck joins us from Mipim and Simon Bouvier tells us why rural France might…
