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
EU slaps China with new tariffs
The EU votes to impose tariffs on Chinese electric cars as the bloc fights to remain a manufacturing power. Plus: students take to the streets in Argentina. Then: theatre critic Matt Wolf tells us what this autumn’s unmissable shows are.
How far is Netanyahu willing to go?
Israel strikes into the heart of Beirut and suffers heavy losses. How far is prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu willing to take his offensive? Plus: shifting immigration sentiment is at the heart of a new G7 minister cohort – how will they navigate the issue? Then: as Celine announces its new…
A widening war in the Middle East
As strikes between Israel, Lebanon and Iran continue, can de-escalation be achieved? We cross to Beirut for the picture on the ground. Plus: Tim Walz and JD Vance faced off in the US vice-presidential debate. Then: Hedi Slimane leaves Celine – we look at their history together and what comes…
US Election Special: Crime and punishment
Monocle’s Chris Cermak kicks off our US election special, airing every Tuesday between now and the presidential election on 5 November. On today’s show: the role of crime and policing in this year’s political campaigning.
What do Israel’s cabinet changes mean for Netanyahu?
As Benjamin Netanyahu appoints a former rival to his cabinet, we explore how this move could strengthen his hold on power ahead of Israel’s 2026 election. Plus: the latest from Austria as the far-right Freedom Party narrowly wins the country’s vote, and why Switzerland and Italy are redrawning part of…
How seriously should we take Putin’s nuclear threat?
Russian president Vladimir Putin draws a new nuclear red line and the US announces $8bn of military aid for Ukraine. Where does that leave the war and prospects of peace? Then: what does Japan’s new leader mean for the country? Plus: Monocle’s Andrew Mueller reflects on the week.
Israel rejects Lebanon ceasefire
Are any hopes of a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon over before they started? Plus: Cyprus’s president says he is ready to begin reunification talks with Turkey “today”. Then: peel back the cover of our latest issue with Monocle’s fashion editor Natalie Theodosi.
Nations urge their citizens to leave Lebanon and InnoTrans 2024 begins
A new wave of Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon has prompted national leaders, including the UK’s Keir Starmer, to urge their citizens to leave Lebanon. Then: Berlin is playing host to InnoTrans 2024 this week, the world’s largest mobility trade fair, and we assess the ‘slow television’ craze in Norway.…
Lebanon latest and the struggles of multilateralism
We check in on Lebanon and how events in the Middle East have affected discussions at the UN General Assembly in New York. Plus: Distripress in Hungary and the Thai sensation that is pygmy hippo calf Moo Deng.
Israel launches strikes across Lebanon. Plus: France’s new government
The latest as Israel intensifies its strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon. Then: France has a new government but for how much longer? Plus: the president of the UAE is in Washington for a meeting with his US counterpart. Also on the programme: Seoul and Prague take steps to collaborate more…
