The Briefing
1,334 episodes - English - Latest episode: 14 days ago - ★★★★ - 80 ratingsA pacy round-up of the day’s main news stories, anchored from London by a Monocle editor. The show features informed reporting, prescient business analysis and invaluable industry reports covering everything from technology to aviation and retail to media.
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Episodes
Kyiv’s day of mourning and Nato’s aid package to Ukraine
July 09, 2024 12:13 - 30 minutes - 28.3 MBMayor Vitali Klitschko declares a day of mourning in Kyiv following the worst wave of Russian missile strikes in months. Meanwhile, Joe Biden’s health and fitness to serve are under scrutiny at the Nato summit. Plus, why tea prices risk boiling over and Greece’s six-day working week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What’s next for France following the surprise election results?
July 08, 2024 11:47 - 32 minutes - 30.1 MBAs France faces the prospect of a hung parliament, what happens next? Meanwhile, Boeing agrees to plead guilty in the 737 Max criminal case. Plus, the latest on the Gaza ceasefire proposal, business news and a big week for Joe Biden. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The UK’s Conservative Party suffers a historic loss
July 05, 2024 11:50 - 29 minutes - 27.4 MBAfter 14 years in power, the UK’s Conservative Party suffers the most brutal defeat in its history. We’ll look at what’s next and examine how events in the Middle East impacted the vote. Plus, why Hungary’s president, Viktor Orbán, is making more headlines than usual and what to expect from India prime minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Moscow. All that and a look at the latest film news. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hezbollah launches barrage of rockets at Israel following commander's killing
July 04, 2024 11:57 - 41 minutes - 38 MBHezbollah responds to the killing of a senior commander with a barrage of rockets at Israel. And: As Rupert Murdoch’s ‘The Sun’ declares for the UK’s Labour Party on the eve of the election, is the late call a death knell for tabloids? Plus: how “democracy’s biggest year” is going and Japan declares victory in its war on floppy disks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Japan’s new banknotes and Joe Biden’s jet-lag excuse for his faltering debate performance
July 03, 2024 11:59 - 36 minutes - 33.2 MBJoe Biden says that he “almost fell asleep onstage” during his debate with Donald Trump last Thursday because of jet lag. Meanwhile, Japan unveils its first banknote redesign in 20 years and tributes pour in at the funeral of Albanian novelist and poet Ismail Kadare, who died on Monday at 88. Plus, why the Vatican has banned tattoos and body piercings for workers at St Peter’s Basilica. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dutch government sworn in with far-right participation
July 02, 2024 11:59 - 35 minutes - 32.4 MBThe Dutch government, led by independent Dick Schoof but including far-right ministers, is sworn in today. Then: how Republicans are reacting to the Supreme Court’s immunity claim, why the UN is speaking with the Taliban and the Design Parade festival in southern France. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Iran to hold a run-off vote after a low turnout
July 01, 2024 11:55 - 37 minutes - 34.6 MBA run-off vote will take place in Iran this week after none of the candidates in Friday’s presidential election secured a majority. Meanwhile, France’s far-right celebrates a first-round victory in the country’s parliamentary elections. Plus: Boeing’s ‘sweetheart’ plea deal and the debate about corporate arts funding. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The EU fills its top jobs
June 28, 2024 11:48 - 34 minutes - 31.2 MBAfter European leaders agree who will fill the EU’s top posts, we discuss what comes next and look ahead to France’s elections. Plus, international reactions to the US presidential debate, the latest from Gaza, Monocle’s new Paris office and Greenland Air’s first flight to Canada in a decade. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Attempted coup leader arrested in Bolivia
June 27, 2024 11:50 - 39 minutes - 36.3 MBPolice in Bolivia have arrested the leader of an apparent coup attempt, soon after soldiers stormed the palace of the president. In Japan, the yen tumbles to its weakest level in 38 years. Plus: the US prepares for another tense presidential TV debate and Monocle’s Quality of Life Survey hits newsstands. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Journalist Evan Gershkovich’s closed trial begins in Russia
June 26, 2024 11:45 - 36 minutes - 33.1 MB‘Wall Street Journal’ reporter Evan Gershkovich has appeared behind closed doors today in a Russian court, facing spying allegations that the publication and the US government have sternly rejected. Elsewhere, Volodymyr Zelensky hails the start of EU accession talks for Ukraine, Germany’s new citizens must declare Israel’s right to exist, Assange returns to Australia and, with a month to go, Paris completes final preparations for the Olympics. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informa...
Julian Assange strikes plea deal for freedom
June 25, 2024 11:56 - 36 minutes - 33.1 MBAfter more than a decade in legal limbo, Julian Assange, the founder of Wikileaks, has agreed to plead guilty to charges of espionage in the US in exchange for his freedom. Also on the programme: why an Israeli Supreme Court ruling that ultra-Orthodox Jews must serve in the IDF could bring down Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. Plus: business news, the Japanese state visit to Britain and China’s unique moon rocks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ukraine prepares for the formal launch of its EU accession talks
June 24, 2024 11:40 - 31 minutes - 28.7 MBWhat does it mean for Ukraine to formally start accession talks with the European Union? We speak to Ukrainian MP Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze. Plus: a look at the Sahel militants operating in Nigeria, the Argentine president visiting Europe and we hear about the Swiss travel system from Andreas Nef. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark Rutte set to become the next Nato chief
June 21, 2024 11:47 - 33 minutes - 31 MBThe Netherlands’ longest-serving leader, Mark Rutte, has won the race to become the next head of Nato. But what will the alliance look like under his leadership? Then: Viktor Orbán and Olaf Scholz meet in Berlin to talk about EU co-operation and Slovakia’s parliament approves the abolition of the country’s public broadcaster. Plus: citizens reclaim their cities, turning squares into public living rooms as football takes the continent by storm. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informa...
The race to become Tokyo’s governor begins
June 20, 2024 11:55 - 37 minutes - 34 MBAs campaigning begins to become the governor of Tokyo, we hear from Tomohiko Taniguchi, a former special adviser to the cabinet of Shinzo Abe, on who’s in the lead to run the world’s most populous city. Then: Canada lists Iran’s Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist group; and we hear from the United Nations deputy high commissioner for refugees, Kelly Clements, on the agency’s work with the likes of Ikea and Uniqlo to employ refugees. Plus: our weekly global countdown takes us to Sri Lanka. ...
Is all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah near?
June 19, 2024 11:46 - 32 minutes - 30.2 MBIsrael’s foreign minister, Israel Katz, says a decision on all out-war is near as Hezbollah releases drone footage of sensitive Israeli sites. Then: As Boeing’s CEO faces a grilling before the US Senate, can the company restore quality to recover its reputation? Plus: the latest business news and a round-up from the Balkans. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The internal battle to be the next Nato secretary-general
June 18, 2024 11:57 - 37 minutes - 34.4 MBAfter Biden praises the outgoing Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg, we look at what his probable successor, former Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte, might have to do to secure the backing of Hungary. Elsewhere, South Korea and Australia attempt to improve diplomatic relations with China as tensions rise in the region. Plus: same-sex marriage is legalised in Thailand and the V&A’s new Naomi Campbell exhibition. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Evan Gershkovich trial date set in Russia
June 17, 2024 12:01 - 30 minutes - 27.7 MBA look back at the weekend’s Ukraine peace summit, a trial date is set for ‘Wall Street Journal’ reporter Evan Gershkovich in Russia, Greece’s prime minister reshuffles his cabinet after the EU elections, and the Tony Awards. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
South Africa inches closer to a coalition government
June 14, 2024 11:44 - 32 minutes - 30.1 MBWe’re in South Africa, where the newly elected parliament has been convening to choose the country’s next president. Then: we turn to Moldova, where the UK, US and Canada have accused Russia of interfering with its forthcoming presidential election and EU referendum. Plus: dispatches from Art Basel and Pitti Uomo, and we hear how the New Zealand Opera is providing braille surtitles for its live performances. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Milei’s reforms spark clashes in Argentina
June 13, 2024 12:09 - 46 minutes - 42.5 MBDemonstrators have taken to the streets outside in Buenos Aires, protesting against president Javier Milei’s controversial economic-reform package. Keir Starmer, the UK’s likely next prime minister, sets out his party’s international agenda. Plus: China’s premier, Li Qiang, visits New Zealand and why Nigeria is changing its national anthem. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Where does Hunter Biden’s conviction leave his father’s re-election campaign?
June 12, 2024 11:41 - 31 minutes - 29.1 MBJoe Biden has made history – but not in a way he’d like. His son Hunter is the first sitting president’s child to be convicted in federal court. How will it affect the incumbent’s re-election campaign? Plus: Cuba’s tourism industry falters, Iceland continues whaling and Hollywood’s summer turns stormy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ukraine Recovery Conference starts as nervous eastern Nato members meet
June 11, 2024 11:51 - 39 minutes - 36.5 MBThe UN Security Council approves the US-backed ceasefire plan for Gaza but will Israel get onboard. President Zelensky arrives in Berlin for a recovery conference as nervous eastern Nato members meet in Riga. Plus: Slovakia’s public broadcaster comes under threat and the latest fashion news.x See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Macron calls a snap election
June 10, 2024 11:46 - 30 minutes - 28.3 MBAlready democracy’s busiest year, 2024 just got even more frantic with Emmanuel Macron’s announcement of a surprise French parliamentary election after Marine Le Pen’s European-election triumph. Plus: the attack on Denmark’s prime minister, Brazil’s extradition battle with Argentina and Apple plays catch-up on AI. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Zelensky receives a hero’s welcome in France
June 07, 2024 11:52 - 33 minutes - 30.5 MBVolodymyr Zelensky has been branded a “hero” by one D-Day veteran as France announces that it will provide Ukraine with fighter jets and training. Authorities in Hong Kong further crack down on free speech as two British judges quit its top court. Then: a busy week for space travel and why young EU voters are swayed by the right. Plus: can anyone besides Taylor Swift still sell out stadiums? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Voters go to the polls across the EU’s 27 member states
June 06, 2024 12:21 - 40 minutes - 36.9 MBMillions of voters across the EU’s 27 member states are heading to the polls to elect a new parliament. The ballot will return 720 MEPs who could have a major effect on the bloc’s political direction. Joe Biden accuses Benjamin Netanyahu of purposefully prolonging the war in Gaza. Plus: this year’s new Serpentine Pavilion is unveiled and Egypt bids to be the first African nation to host the Olympics. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The world’s biggest election delivers shock result in India
June 05, 2024 11:48 - 36 minutes - 33.5 MBNarendra Modi, the once seemingly unflappable leader of India, appears to have had his wings clipped in a shock result from India’s elections. We also check in on US election campaigns, exactly five months out from the vote. Plus: the latest business news and Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg visits new member Finland. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
India’s surprising election results
June 04, 2024 11:45 - 32 minutes - 30 MBThe results of the world’s biggest-ever election are surprising for India’s incumbent prime minister, Narendra Modi. Also on the programme: the UK’s first TV election debate is overshadowed by the re-emergence of Nigel Farage. Plus: the possible break-up of Belgium and the latest space news. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Will Israel accept the United States ceasefire plan for Gaza?
June 03, 2024 11:47 - 33 minutes - 30.8 MBUS president Joe Biden lays out a ceasefire proposal for Israel and Hamas and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky accuses China of helping Russia sabotage its upcoming peace summit. Then: business news with Bloomberg, we report from Johannesburg on the South African elections and our EU elections series heads to the Baltics. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Trump is convicted on all counts and a US policy shift in Ukraine
May 31, 2024 11:43 - 35 minutes - 33 MBDonald Trump vows to fight on, despite being convicted on 34 felony counts by a Manhattan jury. We have the latest. After that, we head to a Dubai aviation conference, look at Western policy reversals in allowing Ukraine to strike inside Russia and get an update on Iran’s presidential elections. All that, plus a trip to the Netherlands for the next installation of our European Parliament elections series. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Early election results from South Africa and the ‘Hong Kong 47’ trial
May 30, 2024 11:52 - 34 minutes - 32 MBWe get an update from South Africa’s elections and head to Hong Kong for the conviction of more than a dozen pro-democracy protesters. We also get the latest business news and visit Italy for our latest European Parliament elections instalment. Plus: ‘The Global Countdown’ heads to Mongolia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rafah on the brink and closing arguments in the Trump trial
May 29, 2024 11:52 - 35 minutes - 32.5 MBWe get the latest from Rafah, where the US denies a full-scale invasion is under way, even as Israeli tanks appear to enter the heart of the city. Then: we’ll hear about the closing arguments in Donald Trump’s trial in New York and whether the jury might convict him. We also head to Georgia to get an opposition MP’s take on the controversial ‘foreign influence’ law and Monocle’s Nina dos Santos is in France to report on the mood ahead of next week’s European Parliament elections. See omnyst...
UN Security Council meets as Israeli tanks enter Rafah
May 28, 2024 11:50 - 30 minutes - 28.4 MBWe get the latest from Rafah as the UN Security Council plans a closed-door meeting; then we report as Georgia’s parliament looks to overcome a presidential veto to pass its “foreign agents” law, and Queensland’s state authorities offer free public transport to all. Plus: for our EU elections series, we head to Stockholm. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Monday 27 May
May 27, 2024 11:49 - 37 minutes - 34.3 MBA pacy round-up of the day’s main news stories, anchored from Midori House in London by Georgina Godwin. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Russia strikes the key Ukrainian city of Kharkiv
May 24, 2024 11:54 - 31 minutes - 29 MBRussia continues its advance towards Kharkiv, the US sues Ticketmaster owner Live Nation and we check in with Dammam to see how Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 reform has been going. Plus: we meet Ukraine’s Cultural Forces. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
China’s ‘punishment’ drills around Taiwan
May 23, 2024 12:14 - 32 minutes - 29.8 MBChina begins two days of joint military drills around democratic Taiwan, we assess how the UK’s snap election announcement has affected the economy, South Korea unveils a record package to support its chip industry and we hear from the founder of Lisbon Design Week. Plus: ‘The Global Countdown’ comes to us from Tanzania. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ireland, Norway, and Spain to recognise Palestinian state
May 22, 2024 11:44 - 28 minutes - 26.4 MBThree European countries to formally enact Palestinian state recognition, US artificial-intelligence stock-market winner Nvidia announces results and Paris rail workers strike over Olympics bonuses. Plus: Kenya’s president, William Ruto, arrives in Washington. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
ICC wants arrest warrants and the latest from New Caledonia
May 21, 2024 11:53 - 35 minutes - 32.9 MBThe International Criminal Court has requested arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas leaders over alleged war crimes in Israel and Gaza. Then: Australia and New Zealand begin evacuations in New Caledonia as violence continues and the UK’s prime minister, Rishi Sunak, is in Austria for migration talks. Plus: business headlines and a look at the latest fashion news. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A US-built aid pier in Gaza and tussles in Taiwan’s parliament
May 17, 2024 11:45 - 30 minutes - 28.3 MBWe look at the US-built pier off Gaza as it begins delivering aid and what challenges lie ahead. Plus: Taiwan’s legendarily unruly parliament kicks off again as a new president prepares for inauguration and why Hungary’s prime minister is taking the attempted assassination of Slovakia’s prime minister personally. Plus: the new releases hitting screens this week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Security in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region and a state of emergency in New Caledonia
May 16, 2024 11:52 - 32 minutes - 29.7 MBWe check in on Slovakia prime minister Robert Fico’s condition after shooting and the events that led up to this act of violence. Then: we discuss Russia’s offensive in Ukraine’s strategically important Kharkiv region and examine why a state of emergency has been declared in New Caledonia. Plus: ‘The Global Countdown’ heads to Switzerland. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jordan alleges an Iran-backed plot and the German far-right under the spotlight
May 15, 2024 13:39 - 29 minutes - 27.3 MBJordan says that it has foiled an Iran-backed plot to stop weapons being smuggled into the kingdom. We have the latest. Plus: as Vladimir Putin says that he backs China’s plan for peace in Ukraine, we ask what this really means. Finally, after a far-right politician in Germany is fined for using a banned Nazi slogan, we ask whether it is a sign of a wider shift. All that, plus a check-in from Cannes Film Festival. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Georgian students walk out to protest ‘Russian law’
May 14, 2024 11:50 - 36 minutes - 33.8 MBStudents across Georgia have walked out of classrooms and lecture halls to march against the foreign-agent law that is set to be passed by the country’s parliament. In New York, ex-Trump lawyer Michael Cohen testifies in the hush-money trial against his former boss. Plus: Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg’s message for the youth of the alliance, the latest business news and what Gucci is up to in London this week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Protests against the ‘foreign influence’ bill grip Georgia
May 13, 2024 11:47 - 36 minutes - 33 MBWe hear about the huge protests that have broken out in Georgia over the introduction of a new foreign influence bill, described by critics as the “Russian law”. The bill, which has been rushed through ahead of elections, targets civil-society organisations and independent media that receive foreign funding. Plus, we find out why President Putin has changed his defence minister and opened up a new front in Ukraine; Nordic nations meet to discuss closer economic and security co-operation and ...
Zelensky’s staffing shake-up and a new political party in the UK?
May 10, 2024 11:44 - 33 minutes - 31.1 MBAs Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky replaces the head of his personal protection unit after two of its officers were detained over an alleged assassination plot against him. We examine what this and other staffing shake-ups might indicate. Then: after Iran-backed Houthi rebels vow to broaden their attacks in the Red Sea, we ask how much longer companies can afford alternative routes. Plus: the latest from Trump’s hush-money trial and could the UK be about to get a new political party? ...
Biden warns Netanyahu over Rafah and Apple’s advertising blunder
May 09, 2024 11:55 - 34 minutes - 31.2 MBJoe Biden warns Benjamin Netanyahu against an Israeli offensive in Rafah, saying that he is prepared to cut off supplies if troops enter the city. We get the latest. Then: we check in on North Macedonia’s elections and explore why Apple’s latest advertising campaign has prompted unprecedented backlash. Plus: Vietnam’s snub to the EU and our man in Malmö previews Eurovision. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
EU ambassadors discuss further sanctions on Russia
May 08, 2024 11:40 - 29 minutes - 26.6 MBWe discuss today’s EU meeting on new sanctions on Russia. Then we bring you the latest from Tokyo as prime minister Fumio Kishida returns from his diplomatic trip to Brazil and Paraguay. Plus: business news and why the redesign of the Swiss army knife will remove a crucial element: the knife. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Xi Jinping’s European tour kicks off and learning from the campus protests
May 07, 2024 11:53 - 33 minutes - 30.4 MBAs Xi Jinping visits Europe for the first time in five years, we examine the pressure that European leaders are putting on Xi Jinping over the war in Ukraine. And has Turkey’s suspension of trade with Israel had any tangible effect? Then: as student protests continue to shake university campuses across the globe, we ask a Princeton University professor what can be learnt from them. Plus: an interview with the Finnish entrant of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. See omnystudio.com/lis...
Chad heads to the polls
May 06, 2024 11:48 - 32 minutes - 29.9 MBChad holds its first presidential election since the coup in 2021. Plus, a culture round-up with Fernando Augusto Pacheco. Live from London with Chris Cermak. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Xi Jinping’s European charm offensive
May 03, 2024 11:52 - 33 minutes - 30.5 MBAs Xi Jinping visits Europe for the first time in five years, we ask whether China or western Europe have any real interest in reviving relations. Then: UK foreign secretary David Cameron promises long-term aid during a visit to Kyiv as the US warns of chemical weapons being used by Russia. Plus: the latest business headlines and a round-up of what’s hitting cinemas this week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Clashes at US campuses continue and a murder trial in Kazakhstan
May 02, 2024 11:53 - 34 minutes - 31.6 MBAs campus clashes continue across the US, Congress looks to counter rising anti-Semitism but is it taking the right approach? Then: millions in Kazakhstan are tuning into the trial of a former government minister accused of murdering his wife. We ask whether the case could be a game-changer for domestic violence in the country. Finally, we look at the deteriorating security situation in Ecuador and this week’s edition of ‘The Global Countdown’ heads to the Netherlands. See omnystudio.c...
Pro-Palestine protests at US campuses escalate
May 01, 2024 11:47 - 32 minutes - 29.6 MBViolence breaks out at US university campuses. As protesters clash and police move in, we ask what happens next. Then: Donald Trump is fined for violating his gag order, Russian election meddling lands a Moldovan governor in court and the latest from Broadway as the Tony nominations are announced. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
First images of the US aid pier in Gaza
April 30, 2024 11:43 - 31 minutes - 29.3 MBHow will the US aid pier on the Mediterranean coast of Gaza work? Haiti’s transitional council elects its new president and a new round of Brexit border checks takes place amid a row with Ireland over asylum seekers. Plus: fashion news with Dana Thomas. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.