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
Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi plans snap election
Will a snap vote give Sanae Takaichi the mandate that she seeks to push forward her agenda? Plus: China’s strategic support for Iran and we interview Caroline Avedon, the curator of the Richard Avedon: Facing West exhibition.
Donald Trump issues financial warnings. Plus: an urbanism round-up
Donald Trump threatens a 25 per cent tariff on any nation that conducts business with Iran, while also applying pressure on the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates. We look at the global and domestic ramifications.
Venezuela releases political prisoners, business news and Brazil at the Golden Globes
Political prisoners are released in Venezuela as the US president, Donald Trump, meets with oil executives. Then: Business news and we look at Brazilian cinema at the Golden Globes.
Russia’s reactions to US operations in Venezuela
We assess how the seizure of Venezuelan tankers will be viewed in Moscow and whether it has any bearing on broader US-Russia relations. Plus: a day of mourning in Switzerland to honour the 40 victims of the Crans-Montana fire on New Year’s Eve.
Tractors park at the Arc de Triomphe to protest a European trade deal with Mercosur
Tractors have gathered in front of the Arc de Triomphe in a show of dissent against a European trade deal with the South American bloc Mercosur. Plus: what an invasion of Taiwan would actually look like and three exhibitions to have on your radar in 2026.
Will Venezuela hand over 50 million barrels of oil to the US?
As Donald Trump unveils his plan for Venezuela to turn over millions of oil barrels to the US, we assess how viable this ambition might be.
Venezuela: Mission not accomplished?
Did Donald Trump declare victory too soon? We analyse the next steps in Venezuela with Nick Redman of Oxford Analytica. Plus: Ukraine’s cabinet shake-up and a look-ahead to Maison&Objet in Paris.
What does Trump’s audacious attack on Venezuela mean for Europe?
We assess what Venezuela says about Donald Trump’s foreign-policy approach and what it means for Europe as leaders prepare for a ‘Coalition of the Willing’ summit in Paris. Plus: Switzerland identifies the victims of a fire in Crans-Montana. And: how China can manage its economy in 2026.
Friday 2 January
Chris Cermak delivers a fast-paced news round-up, anchored from Midori House in London.
Tyler Brûlé is joined by Benjamin Smith to discuss efficiency and sustainability at Air France-KLM
A special episode dedicated to leadership at one of the world’s largest airline groups.
