The Briefing

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.

As DOGE is dealt its biggest blow yet by Federal judges, Monocle Chris Lord joins Georgina Godwin to discuss what Trump’s next move might be. Plus: Vietnam-Indonesia Maritime Agreement, Monocle at MIPIM and all the highlights from the latest Konfekt magazine with editor Sophie Grove. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

G7 foreign ministers touched down in La Malbaie as transatlantic tensions rise over tariffs and a ceasefire plan for Ukraine. We also head to Dubai to hear how heritage hospitality brands are looking to the future and Fernando Augusto Pacheco takes us to Mexico for ‘The Global Countdown’. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a 30-day ceasefire is proposed, former US ambassador to Ukraine, John Herbst, joins Chris Cermak to discuss if Russia will accept. Plus: Pakistan train hijacking, the Iran nuclear issue ramps up, Nissan’s management is overhauled and we hear from our team at Mipim. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a no-confidence vote threatens to topple Portugal’s Luís Montenegro, Carlota Rebelo joins Christopher Cermak to discuss. Plus: who is North Korea’s Lazarus Group and how did it steal $1.5bn (€1.3bn) worth of cryptocurrency? Then: Andrew Tuck joins us from Mipim and Simon Bouvier tells us why rural France might be celebrating with a round of drinks thanks to a new law bringing back village bars. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We examine the stacked in-tray of Canada’s new prime minister. Plus: Is Poland becoming a prewar nation in prewar times? And: Switzerland’s new Eurovision stamp. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.