The Monocle Minute
Latest Episodes
Mystery surrounds Russian prisoner swap
Could a prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine be back on? Plus: chaos as UK MPs rush to block a no-deal Brexit, what to expect from Italy’s new government and Monocle’s Robert Bound examines the state of pop music fandom.
UN issues warning
The United Nations warns that political deadlock over the Middle East peace process could lead to a sudden upsurge in violence. Plus: more signs of an economic downturn, Russia unveils a plan to shake up the global aviation market and why more governments could move to legislate against excessive phone…
Australia questions its question time
Australia asks whether its parliament has become too rowdy, Ukraine mulls a prisoner swap with Russia and fears grow of a crackdown on protests in Hong Kong. Plus: Japan Airlines updates its wardrobe.
Iran counts its friends
Iran’s foreign minister heads to Japan, the Taiwanese president offers her official residence as tourist accommodation and the Venice Film Festival unrolls its red carpet.
Decision day for Italy
A sense of crisis looms over Italy’s politics, the Chinese Communist party’s favourite summer getaway and why a new Google development is ruffling feathers in California. Plus: a visit to a conference dedicated to really big databases.
Protests rattle the Kremlin
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny prepares to leave prison, Phoenix gets set to vote on a proposal that could ban further light-rail construction and North Macedonia reaps the rewards of its name change. Plus: a tribute to the Embraer 190 aircraft.
Has Europe moved beyond Brexit?
The UK’s prime minister heads to France, Canada’s election watchdog sparks fears of a crackdown on climate-change advertising and China calls for calm between Japan and South Korea. Plus: why some hobbies ought to be left to the weekend.
Why gas supplies are worrying Russia’s neighbours
Ukraine strikes a deal with Moldova amid fears that Russia could cut its gas supplies, Boris Johnson meets Angela Merkel, Germany takes aim at unauthorised drones and difficult diplomacy as Finland hosts Vladimir Putin.
Crisis looms in Italy
A political crisis looms in Italy, dark days ahead for Lebanon’s economy, US department stores experiment with second-hand clothing and how would the UK react to Jeremy Corbyn as caretaker prime minister?
When Merkel met Orbán
An ironic show of diplomacy as Angela Merkel meets Viktor Orbán, Disney’s D23 brand expo rattles its rivals and dusting off the old department-store business model.
