The Briefing

We hear from Ruth Michaelson in Istanbul as the city’s jailed mayor is expected to appear in court. Also on the programme: Japan’s largest yakuza crime syndicate pledges to end its decade-long internal feud. Julian Ryall in Tokyo tells us more. Then: Andrew Mueller sits down with senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Europe Center, Ian Brzezinski, at the Delphi Economic Forum and we hear from our team at Salone del Mobile. Plus: how transferable are TV show formats? We ask Scott Bryan as the UK announces its own version of the US’s popular Saturday Night Live. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Emmanuel Macron announces France’s plan to recognise Palestinian statehood at a conference in June, Georgina Godwin is joined by Leila Molana-Allen to discuss what the future holds for Gaza. Plus: The ‘coalition of the willing’ meet in Brussels, the Delphi Economic Forum, Milan Design Week and a Eurovision edition of ‘The Global Countdown’. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Germany’s CDU and SPD reach a coalition deal, we discuss what the country’s new government will look like. Also on the programme: Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs have created global market turmoil – but what do the president’s allies at home think? Then: we check in with our teams at the Delphi Economic Forum and Salone del Mobile. Plus: we speak to Sam Rice-Edwards, editor of ‘One to One: John & Yoko’. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Washington and Tehran agree to meet in Oman this weekend – will the talks be direct or indirect? Also in the programme: we check in with our team on the ground at Salone del Mobile 2025 and get the latest in the world of diamonds. Plus: as ‘The White Lotus’ draws its third season to a close, we discuss its soft-power strength. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asian and European markets tumble as Donald Trump’s trade war rattles investors, we discuss the global stakes. Then: Serbia’s political crisis deepens. Can president Aleksandar Vučić hold on to power? Plus: ‘Konfekt’ editor Sophie Grove joins the show from Milan as Salone del Mobile gets under way See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We unpack the latest as the chief of Myanmar’s junta joins a regional summit in Bangkok. Also in the programme: Trump’s tariffs on the UK come as a sticking point for Northern Ireland and we discuss the state of the markets. Then: Laura Kramer joins us in the studio for a round-up of the latest culture news. Plus: we look ahead to the The Plus Grande Raclette of the World competition in Switzerland. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monocle’s security correspondent, Gorana Grgić, tells us what Hungary’s withdrawal from the ICC means for EU foreign policy. Then: Monocle’s Canberra correspondent, Aarti Betigeri, brings us the latest from Australia’s upcoming election; our Paris bureau chief, Simon Bouvier, takes us to the world’s oldest design fair; ‘Konfekt’ editor Sophie Grove showcases the best from the Watches and Wonders salon in Geneva; and Fernando Augusto Pacheco takes us to Romania for ‘The Global Countdown’. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump is expected to impose his sweeping reciprocal global tariffs today. We unpack the reaction from Europe and have a look at how the world’s financial markets are responding. Also in the programme: any hope of a ceasefire in Gaza is over as Israel ramps up its ground operation in the Palestinian territory. Then: A round-up of the main stories making the papers in the Nordics and we check-in at Watches and Wonders in Geneva. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, withdraws his nomination of an ex-admiral as director of Shin Bet – we unpack why. Also in the programme, Scott Craig of the International Federation of the Red Cross provides the latest on the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar following an earthquake in the region. Then: Italy’s birthrates hit a record low, Monocle’s Ed Stocker unpacks the fallout. Plus: Chiara Rimella updates us on The Michelin Guide France 2025. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We get the latest from our team in Paris as a French court finds far-right leader Marine Le Pen guilty of embezzling EU funds. Also on the programme: we’re joined by Hopewell Chin’ono as Zimbabwe’s president faces calls for removal from within his own party. Then: rice and dairy farmers march in downtown Tokyo to demand better income security and we discuss the state of the Brazilian telenovela. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We get the latest from our Bangkok-based Asia editor, James Chambers, as aftershocks from a huge 7.7 magnitude earthquake continue to rock the Thai capital. Also in the programme: Monocle’s editor in chief, Andrew Tuck, discusses the importance of who owns the media. Plus: a look at the papers in Asia with Tom Webb. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re joined in the studio by our executive editor, Christopher Lord, to get the latest reactions as Donald Trump announces a new 25 per cent tariff on imported cars and parts. Then: a unanimous vote by the Brazilian Supreme Court ruled that former president Jair Bolsonaro should stand trial over an alleged 2022 coup attempt. Plus: Fernando Augusto Pacheco brings us part two of his IFPI Global Music Report 2025 coverage on ‘The Global Countdown’. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As US vice president JD Vance announces that he will join his wife’s trip to a US army base in Greenland, we unpack what message this sends to the arctic territory and gauge Denmark’s reaction. Also in the programme: we discuss the role of the Netherlands in Nato as the nation looks to increase its defence spending and we discuss the effects of Kyoto’s new lodging tax. Plus: A look ahead to Salone 2025. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The world reacts to a major security breach after the White House accidentally shared highly sensitive military plans through a group chat, which included an ‘Atlantic’ journalist. Our security correspondent, Gorana Grgić, brings us the latest. Then: Fiona O’Brien of Reporters Without Borders updates us on the current threats to journalists in Turkey, as anti-Erdogan protests continue. Plus: Chiara Rimella on the latest news in the world of food and drink. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Protests continue in Turkey following the arrest of Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s main political rival and Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu. We get the latest from Ruth Michaelson, who reports the nation’s capital. Also on the programme: Monocle’s Fernando Augusto Pacheco on the importance of Brazil-Japan relations as president Lula visits Tokyo. Plus: Petri Burtsoff joins us from the Nordic Happiness Summit in Finland. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Germany’s upper house of parliament approves a constitutional change to allow a huge increase in spending for the country’s defence and infrastructure needs, Monocle’s senior news editor, Chris Cermak, joins Emma Nelson to explain how significant this bill is. Plus: global travel is plunged into chaos as Heathrow shuts down, South Africa’s ambassador to the US heads home, the new Martin Parr documentary and urbanism news. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Canada strengthens ties with Europe’s defence industry, Monocle’s Toronto correspondent, Tomos Lewis, joins Chris Cermak to discuss rumours that Canadians now want to officially join the bloc. Plus: the death toll mounts in Gaza as ceasefire negotiations continue, the future of Radio Free Europe, Indian film ‘Santosh’ and Fernando Augusto Pacheco’s ‘The Global Countdown’. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Live from our new studios in Paris, we bring you the latest on the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu. Then: ‘Konfekt’ editor Sophie Grove shares her favourite stories from the latest issue and the designers of our new Parisian café discuss their inspiration. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Israel launches the deadliest attack on Gaza since the ceasefire began, Nada AlTaher and Hannah McCarthy join Andrew Mueller to discuss the effects of the strikes. Plus: the US considers recognising Crimea as Russian, the Pope pens a letter and we explore E-Estonia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As tensions rise in the region, foreign ministers meet in Brussels to discuss the future of Ahmed al-Sharaa’s Syria. Plus: Mark Carney snubs the US on his first international trip, why Leipzig is Germany’s fastest growing city, the new Everest restrictions and why Nasa’s stuck astronauts might finally be coming home. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.