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
Iranian and European officials talk nuclear
Emma Nelson discusses nuclear talks in Geneva and a “wonderful” phone call between Mexico City and Washington. Then: rising cinema out of Brasilia and Monocle’s design editor, Nic Monisse, speaks with Soane Medal winner Hanif Kara.
A storm in Paris and sabotage in the Baltic Sea
French prime minister Michel Barnier may be staring down the barrel of a no-confidence vote following an unpopular budget. Beijing is accused of sabotaging cables in the Baltic Sea. Then: how countries are making Thanksgiving foods their own.
Ukraine in South Korea and ceasefire celebrations
A Ukrainian delegation is in South Korea today amid reports that Russia is advancing at pace. Stephen Dalziel joins Christopher Cermak to discuss how much further the war might ramp up. Plus: Should displaced Lebanese citizens be returning so quickly? And how much more will tourists have to pay for…
Fresh strikes on Beirut as Israeli cabinet meets to discuss ceasefire
As hopes grow for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, Leila Molana-Allen joins Chris Cermak to discuss the terms of the proposed deal. Plus: will Trump’s tariffs spark a trade war and how is Chinese Taipei celebrating in Taiwan’s capital?
Yamandú Orsi wins Uruguay’s presidential run-off election
After Yamandú Orsi claims victory in a hard-fought presidential run-off election, Andrew Thompson joins Georgina Godwin to discuss what comes next for Uruguay. Plus: Nina Dos Santos on the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting and Melissa Chemam on the Prix Goncourt controversy.
The White House’s view on Israel
President Biden rejects the ICC’s arrest warrants while US envoy Amos Hochstein continues ceasefire efforts. Plus, we head to Bucharest ahead of this weekend’s Romanian presidential elections. Then, we’re off to Milan to find out why Via Monte Napoleone is now the world’s most expensive street.
Keir Starmer’s global balancing act
We discuss the first Japan-hosted meeting of the Five Eyes grouping of intelligence officials from the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Plus: the UK prime minister is one of the last centre-left leaders who hasn’t lost an election – can Keir Starmer handle the spotlight as Western support…
US shuts Kyiv embassy ahead of potential air strike
The US embassy in Kyiv closes amid fears of a major Russian missile attack, just as US president Joe Biden agrees to give anti-personnel landmines to Ukraine. Then: Austria’s three-party coalition begins to take shape and a group of authors in Australia provide every federal politician with five books to…
Hong Kong jails 45 pro-democracy activists in landmark case
As the world reacts to Hong Kong’s imprisonment of 45 pro-democracy activists, Steve Tsang joins Georgina Godwin to discuss Beijing’s defence of the landmark sentencing. Then: the first globally extinct bird species from mainland Europe and North Africa and West Asia with Stephen Moss.
Ukraine receives permission to strike inside Russia
After months of asking, Ukraine has been granted permission to use long-range missiles provided by the West, to strike deep inside of Russia. Biden’s decision comes just days before a major assault is expected by Russian and North Korean troops to dislodge Ukrainian forces from Kursk.
