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
Dubai Design Week highlights and British broadcasters Comcast and ITV in talks over major media sale
Monocle’s Gulf correspondent reports from Dubai Design Week, where the region’s largest creative festival underscores the city’s growing influence through a diverse programme of regional exhibitions, experimental projects and design showcases. Plus: we hear from Tyler Brûlé in Hong Kong.
Paris rallies to revive local industry as Duralex raises millions in nationwide ‘Made in France’ comeback
After glassmaker Duralex raised €16m in pledges in just one day and minister Serge Papin proposed new profit-sharing reforms to boost purchasing power, we discuss how citizen investment and policy are coming together to support local industry and spark a renewed “buy French” spirit.
What Zohran Mamdani’s historic win reveals about housing and urban politics
New York mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani campaigned on affordability and a rent-freeze plan. We discuss how cities worldwide are tackling the housing crisis and what mayors can do to stabilise local real estate markets. Plus: a look through the papers and the latest in fashion.
Can Democrats make a comeback?
Millions of Americans head to the polls for elections that will test Democrats and gauge the mood ahead of next year’s midterms. Then: the legacy of former vice-president Dick Cheney, who died aged 84. Plus: Steven Tyler’s Italian legal battle and the Tokyo International Film Festival.
Tourist numbers crash in Thailand and final campaigning in New York’s mayoral race
Tourist numbers crash in Thailand, final campaigning in New York’s mayoral race and the latest business news as global markets continue to soar.
Ukraine-Russia latest and Moscow’s secret missile, Giorgia Meloni’s judicial reform and London’s biggest fireworks display
Russia strikes Ukraine’s rail links and uses a ‘secret’ missile, Italy’s proposals for judicial reform win backing from lawmakers and the city as a public living room as we stop by London’s biggest fireworks display.
Trump returns from Asia to face Venezuela dilemma
Donald Trump returns from trade talks in Asia as a US carrier strike group moves into position in the Caribbean. What is the administration planning? Plus: the view from Europe on the US-China trade deal and ‘The Global Countdown’.
Is France sending troops to Ukraine?
As reports emerge of French forces preparing for deployment to Ukraine by 2026, our Paris bureau chief joins to discuss. Plus: Portugal’s nationality laws and a gripping new feature film about Palestine in 1936.
Japan’s new prime minister rolls out the red carpet for Donald Trump
The latest from Tokyo as Trump receives a royal welcome from Japan’s new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi. Then: Andrew Mueller speaks to former US ambassador to the UN, John Bolton. Plus: New York’s magazine scene.
The view from Bangkok on Asean and ‘Demon Slayer’ slashes records
Monocle’s Asia editor, James Chambers, explores the Thailand-Cambodia peace deal. Then: senior news editor Chris Cermak gives us the latest on the US government shutdown and we learn how the ‘Demon Slayer’ franchise has taken over the world.
