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 UK’s Conservative Party suffers a historic loss
After 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…
Hezbollah launches barrage of rockets at Israel following commander’s killing
Hezbollah 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…
Japan’s new banknotes and Joe Biden’s jet-lag excuse for his faltering debate performance
Joe 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.…
Dutch government sworn in with far-right participation
The 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.
Iran to hold a run-off vote after a low turnout
A 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.
The EU fills its top jobs
After 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.
Attempted coup leader arrested in Bolivia
Police 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…
Journalist Evan Gershkovich’s closed trial begins in Russia
‘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,…
Julian Assange strikes plea deal for freedom
After 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…
Ukraine prepares for the formal launch of its EU accession talks
What 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.