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
How tourism in the UAE is staying resilient despite the Iran war
Almost seven weeks since the US and Israel launched their war against Iran, the Emirati city of Ras al-Khaimah is taking a cautious yet effective approach to its day-to-day business.
Live from Sharjah: The UAE’s start-ups look beyond the conflict
Our team in Sharjah discusses the Iran war’s impact on start-ups in the UAE. Plus: the latest Nordic news and what’s topping music charts in the emirates.
Live from Dubai: The state of tourism and education in the Gulf
Our team in Dubai hears from tourism and education voices dealing with conflict in the Gulf region. Plus: Donald Trump turns on Giorgia Meloni.
Live from Abu Dhabi: Lebanese and Israeli officials set to meet in Washington for the first time in decades
Hezbollah has urged Lebanon to pull out of US-brokered talks with Israel. We speak to the Israeli ambassador to the UAE.
The US prepares to launch Iranian port blockade within hours and Viktor Orbán defeated in Hungary
Following the failure of talks between Washington and Tehran, we discuss why Donald Trump’s next move is a blockade of Iranian ports. Plus, Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orbán, concedes defeat at the polls.
The view from Beirut on Israel’s deadly strikes. And: Hungary’s pivotal elections
Israel has killed more than 300 people in Lebanon since the ceasefire. We head to Beirut for the latest. Then: Europe watches on as Hungary heads to the polls. Plus: New York City mayor Mamdani’s first 100 days.
US-Iran ceasefire tested by deadly Israeli strikes on Lebanon
Fractures emerge between the US and Iran as negotiators head to Pakistan for talks. Tehran demands an end to attacks in Lebanon while Washington says that wasn’t part of the deal.
Keir Starmer heads to the Gulf after the US and Iran agree to a ceasefire
We discuss reactions to the 11th-hour ceasefire between Iran and the US as the UK prime minister prepares to meet Gulf leaders for discussions about reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump’s Iran deadline approaches and JD Vance visits Hungary to bolster Victor Orbán’s election chances
There’s little sign of a breakthrough as US president Donald Trump’s deadline for Iran to agree a deal or face devastating infrastructure attacks looms. Plus: Orbán faces a tough election, will a visit by US vice-president JD Vance help?
Asia’s worsening fuel crisis: a sign of what’s to come for Europe?
As the US-Israel war on Iran continues to send shockwaves across oil markets, we discuss how Asia is coping and what it might mean for Europe. Then: elections in Latin America and newspapers from Switzerland.
