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
“The time to build” at the UN Global Refugee Forum 2025, and Brazil’s 2026 forecast
We delve into the big year ahead for Brazil and discuss how to remain optimistic in meeting the challenges facing refugees around the world.
How can Europe succeed in the Trump era? Plus: design gifts for the holidays
We discuss whether Europe can shirk its rather submissive reaction to Trump’s second administration. Then: we hop on a new train to the Alps and pick out design gifts for the holidays.
The international community weighs in on the Bondi shooting and Thailand’s next election
As Australia reels from the shooting in Bondi beach, how is it being seen globally? Plus: Thailand calls for fresh elections and the new plans for Dracula Land.
Is Gaza’s US-brokered ceasefire moving ahead or failing?
We discuss the worsening political and humanitarian situation in Gaza as Palestinians remain caught between the first two phases of the US-imposed ceasefire. Plus: the Thailand-Cambodia conflict enters its fifth day, business news and Monocle’s winter series continues.
Fresh crisis in Yemen threatens to split the Gulf region
Monocle’s Gulf correspondent joins to discuss tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Plus: Trump gives Nvidia OK to sell chips to China, Christmas-party fashion tips and our look-back edition of ‘The Global Countdown’.
Is the transatlantic relationship facing a major crisis?
As the US president labels European leaders as “weak”, we discuss what lies ahead for the transatlantic alliance. Plus: the winner of the Turner Prize is announced and the best Christmas presents from the world of print.
Thailand and Cambodia’s border feud escalates and the latest in urban-mobility design
We get the latest from Bangkok as the border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia turn deadly. Is de-escalation possible? Then: We weigh in on Saiki, Belgrade and Paris’s latest rail revamps. Plus: What can Miami teach the world about design?
European leaders huddle with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky
The Ukrainian president is in London for another high-stakes meeting after Donald Trump accused him of being less co-operative than Vladimir Putin. Plus: Slovenia’s Eurovision boycott and one year of Syria without Bashar al-Assad.
Germany and France’s generational split over pensions. Plus: four nations boycott Eurovision over Israel’s participation
Pensions continue to be an ongoing source of political instability in Germany and France, we unpack why. Then: Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands and Slovenia will boycott Eurovision 2026 over Israel’s participation. Plus: we meet Anna Nash, president of Explora Journeys, at ILTM.
The Dominican Republic: Caught between Trump’s America and Venezuela’s Maduro
The Dominican Republic has allowed the US military to operate on its territory as the Trump administration prepares for further strikes on Venezuela. We get the view from the ground in Santo Domingo.
