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
Who is Thailand’s new prime minister?
Monocle’s Asia editor James Chambers joins us in the studio to discuss Thailand’s youngest-ever prime minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Plus: Venezuela braces for weekend protests as more South American countries call for a new vote and, as the Netherlands hits 18 million people, we find out why it is one of…
A push for peace in the Middle East – and what we know about mpox
As the US tries to bring Israel and Hamas to the negotiating table, we look at the latest efforts to prevent a wider conflict in the Middle East. Then, after the World Health Organization declares mpox as a global public health emergency, we ask: how seriously should it be taken? Plus,…
Russia’s Belgorod region declares an emergency and Kishida to step down
Russia’s Belgorod region declares a state of emergency. Meanwhile, Japan’s prime minister, Fumio Kishida, announces that he will not seek re-election and the US braces itself for an increased chance of recession. Plus, the fate of Mathieu Lehanneur’s Olympic cauldron and Dolce & Gabbana’s perfume for dogs.
Ukraine claims Russian territory
The latest on Ukraine’s cross-border offensive, as Volodymyr Zelensky says that the ‘war is coming home’ to Russia. Then: what did we learn from Elon Musk’s discussion with Donald Trump, and why has Italy decided to sell off 33 heritage sites, from castles to army barracks, to tackle its growing…
The Middle East prepares for escalation and Mahmoud Abbas visits Moscow
The US sends reinforcements to the Middle East as Israel prepares for a possible retaliation by Iran. Mahmoud Abbas, the president of Palestine, is in Moscow for talks with Vladimir Putin as Russia fends off a Ukrainian incursion and Ferdinand Marcos Jr, the Philippines’ president, warns China against aggression in…
Thailand’s new opposition party. Same as the old?
Thailand’s most popular party, which disbanded on Wednesday, is reconstituted as the People’s Party. And the US becomes Germany’s largest trading partner. We’ll also check in with our correspondents in Ukraine and at Copenhagen Fashion Week. Plus: Disney animator extraordinaire Glen Keane.
Ukraine pierces Russia’s border – how will Moscow respond?
As Ukraine launches a major incursion into Russia’s border region of Kursk, we ask political analyst Mark Galeotti what Moscow’s likely response will be. Then: we meet Yiannis Exarchos, CEO of Olympic Broadcasting Services and the man in charge of bringing the Games to our screens. Plus: business news with…
Hamas names Yahya Sinwar as political leader
Yahya Sinwar, one of the architects of the 7 October attack, has been named as Hamas’s new political leader. What will his leadership mean for the conflict? Then: we turn to the US, as Simon Marks joins us in the studio to discuss why Kamala Harris chose Tim Walz as…
Bangladesh: Who will replace Sheikh Hasina?
Protesters rejoice after the resignation of Bangladesh’s prime minister, Sheikh Hasina. But what comes next and can military rule be avoided? Then: we turn our focus to Latin America, where all eyes are on Venezuela as Brazil’s president, Lula da Silva, touches down in Chile. Plus: the race for a…
Bangladesh’s prime minister resigns and Ukraine’s push in Africa
After a weekend of fresh protests, Bangladesh’s prime minister announced her resignation and fled the country. What will happen next? Plus: what Ukraine’s foreign minister is pushing for on his four-day trip to Africa and a flick through the morning papers. All that, plus the latest from our team in…