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
China announces US tariffs and the firing of the Vatican’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’
China slaps retaliatory tariffs on the import of US goods and the US secretary of state tells Panama to change its policy on the canal. Then: why the time to invest in Africa’s digital economy is now. Plus: a civil trial begins over the firing of the Vatican’s ‘Romeo and…
Trump’s tariffs and the Grammy Awards
Donald Trump follows through on his threats to impose tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China, while promising more tariffs against the EU. Also on the programme: Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte meets Hungary prime minister Viktor Orbán. Then: The Christian Democratic Union of Germany holds its party convention today, taking a…
Hamas loses its military chief and DeepSeek’s market impact
Hamas confirms the death of its military chief, Mohammed Deif. Also on the programme: DeepSeek makes it hard for big tech to generate the oligopoly-like profit margins that investors hope for. Then: we speak to the mayor of Sør-Varanger, the only Norwegian municipality bordering Russia. Plus: why Australian journalist Peter…
German parliament’s far-right vote and CIFF 2025
German parliament passes a non-binding motion calling for tougher border and asylum rules, Graubünden named one of the most welcoming places on earth and we check into both the Copenhagen International Fashion Fair and the Angoulême International Comics Festival. Then: we bring you the papers from Switzerland. Plus: ‘The Global…
Giorgia Meloni under investigation and Macron’s Louvre promise
Italy’s prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, is under investigation for repatriating a Libyan warlord despite an active ICC arrest warrant and Serbia’s president, Aleksandar Vučić, pardons 13 people facing charges following weeks of protests in the country. Then: Emmanuel Macron promises to return the Louvre to its former glory and Marina…
The DRC accuses Rwanda of “declaring war”
As the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s east reaches a turning point, Daniel van Dalen joins Emma Nelson to discuss the risks of a wider regional war. Plus: Starmer’s “post-Brexit” EU trade plans, Denmark’s $2bn (€1.9bn) security plan for Greenland and the ‘Brasil! Brasil!’ exhibition at the…
The US and Colombia’s tit-for-tat
Colombia will accept deportees from the US in a bid to avoid tariffs from the Trump administration. Will this become a new model of diplomacy? Then: a ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel is extended. Plus: haute-couture collections head down the runway at Paris Fashion Week.
Davos reflections and Trump’s speech
The Briefing is live from Zürich to review the week in Davos and how Donald Trump’s no-holds-barred speech went down with its guests. Plus: an interview with Mongolia’s culture minister and Switzerland’s digital transformation.
WEF special: defending democracy and leaders with purpose
A special broadcast from our pop-up studio in Davos for the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting. Monocle’s Carlota Rebelo speaks to Erik Berglof of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank about the biggest challenges faced by emerging economies; Politico’s Sarah Wheaton discusses Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez’s warning to defend democracy;…
WEF special: can Europe step up?
Monocle’s Carlota Rebelo hosts a special broadcast from our pop-up studio in Davos for The World Economic Forum’s annual meeting. Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, issued a strong warning for Europe and we’ll hear from American diplomat Kurt Volker on whether leaders can step up. Also ahead: we sit down with…
