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
Monocle Radio at the World Governments Summit in Dubai – Omar al-Olama and more
Tom Edwards hosts a round-up of the conversations from Monocle Radio’s pop-up studio on the final day of the 2026 World Governments Summit in Dubai.
Monocle Radio at the World Governments Summit in Dubai – President Vjosa Osmani and more
Tom Edwards hosts a round-up of the conversations from Monocle Radio’s pop-up studio on day two of the 2026 World Governments Summit in Dubai.
Monocle Radio at the World Governments Summit in Dubai – Adel Mardini and more
Tom Edwards hosts a round-up of conversations from Monocle Radio’s pop-up studio on the opening day of the 2026 World Governments Summit in Dubai.
EU leaders agree a ‘Buy European’ policy
European Commission president Ursula Von der Leyen says that the ambition is for “one Europe, one market” by 2027. We discuss the fine line that leaders have to walk to stay both competitive and open.
What to expect from the Munich Security Conference in a new era of diplomacy
It’s been a year since the US vice president, JD Vance, reprimanded Europe at the Munich Security Conference. We hear from the Monocle team as it prepares for this year’s event and consider what’s on the agenda in a much changed world.
The aftermath of a deadly shooting at a Canadian high school
The view from Toronto and Ottawa after at least 10 people are killed in a school shooting in Canada. Then: We look ahead to the Munich Security Conference. Plus: Switzerland and Austria’s enduring Winter Olympics rivalry.
Netanyahu and Trump plan to meet in Washington. Plus: ‘Zootopia 2’ and animated film’s significance
Benjamin Netanyahu requests an earlier meeting with Donald Trump over Iran. Then: We meet the team behind Zootopia 2 – Hollywood’s biggest ever animated film. Plus: An exhibition dedicated to the future of winter sports.
Hong Kong sentences pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai to 20 years in prison
We get the mood in Hong Kong as a court hands down the largest sentence to date under its national security law.
The US and Iran hold direct talks on Tehran’s nuclear programme
The view from Washington as contentious nuclear talks between the US and Iran begin in Oman. Then: we assess the impact of Trump’s new critical-minerals strategy on Asia. Plus: as the Winter Olympics kick off in Milan, we hear about some of this year’s unlikely competitors.
Human Rights Watch suggests the world is in a democratic recession. Plus: Puerto Rico’s top artists
Almost three-quarters of the world’s population lives under autocratic rulers according to Human Rights Watch. We discuss this ‘democratic recession’. Then: the final day of the World Governments Summit in Dubai. Plus: ‘The Global Countdown’ from Puerto Rico.
