Monocle 24: The Briefing

Monocle’s foreign editor, Alexis Self, explains the minefield awaiting Starmer as he meets Trump. Our fashion editor, Natalie Theodosi, wraps up NYFW, while our design editor, Nic Monisse, takes us to London Design Festival.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thailand’s new prime minister will submit his cabinet for royal approval this week, Beirut’s historic Le Colisée cinema reopens for Lebanon’s International Theatre Festival and the latest design news from the Monocle team.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The view from Brazil as the country’s former president Jair Bolsonaro is sentenced to decades in prison for plotting a military coup to overturn its 2022 election. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The hunt continues for the killer of conservative US influencer Charlie Kirk, then business news and the changing of the guard at luxury group Kering. Plus: ‘The Global Countdown’ takes us to Japan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As protests erupt across France, we discuss whether the nation’s political and economic future is beginning to look like Italy’s. Then: reflections on a successful Quality of Life Conference in Barcelona with Andrew Tuck. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss the rebrand of the US federal agency formerly known as the Department of Defense. What does the name change mean for the Pentagon’s approach to global military strategy and power?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new Thai prime minister is sworn in as former leader Thaksin Shinawatra returns from abroad ahead of a crucial court verdict. We discuss the latest with Monocle’s Bangkok-based Asia editor, James Chambers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monocle’s editors and producers join Tom Edwards and Ed Stocker live from this year’s Quality of Life Conference in Barcelona to recap their favourite moments so far.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emmanuel Macron hosts world leaders in Paris for talks on Ukraine security guarantees. Plus: ‘Konfekt’ editor Sophie Grove discusses the latest issue of the magazine and we head to Catalonia on ‘The Global Countdown’. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As France and Italy argue over ‘fiscal dumping’, Milan is attracting wealthy newcomers who are changing the feel of the city. We discuss how tax breaks are redrawing the borders of Europe’s millionaire map.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thailand’s House of Representatives convenes on 3 September to elect a new prime minister – but who is vying for leadership?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ursula von der Leyen says that Ukraine’s security guarantees could include thousands of European troops and an American ‘presence’. But is there real consensus in the EU on sending soldiers to Ukraine? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss the progress and friction of Europe’s rearmament drive. As Germany opens its largest munitions plant, Merz and Macron meet in Toulon to rescue a stalled fighter jet project.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

French president Emmanuel Macron risks losing his fourth prime minister in just two years with François Bayrou facing a crucial confidence vote. As France’s political and economic crisis deepens, what’s Macron’s next move? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Could a deal requiring Ukraine to cede territory set a dangerous precedent for international law and embolden future aggression? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gaza is reeling after yet another attack by Israel on a hospital, which killed 20 people, including five journalists. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fiona Wilson reports on Japan’s hot summer and prime minister Ishiba’s fate, Juliet Linley shares Italy’s latest, and Fernando Augusto Pacheco and Chris Cermak discuss Brazil’s luxury boom and central bankers in Jackson Hole.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

France makes a bid to rescue a political agreement that would redefine New Caledonia’s status with broad new powers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Turkey set to host a Nato summit for a second time. Monocle’s Istanbul correspondent highlights Turkey’s growing role on the international stage. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We unpack the day’s biggest stories with our editors in Zürich, London and Paris. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, and a host of European leaders visit the White House to hold talks with Donald Trump about ending the war in Ukraine. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We analyse what’s on the table ahead of a meeting between Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, and key European leaders at the White House.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Moscow signals that Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin’s summit in Alaska could shift from Ukraine to restarting nuclear-arms talks. Gorana Grgić explores its prospects.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UK prime minister Keir Starmer welcomes the Ukrainian president at 10 Downing Street as Russia continues its offensive.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National Guard, normally reserved for times of major upheaval, takes to the streets of the US capital overnight. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leaders from Ukraine and Europe offer their own vision for ending the war after Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, demands territorial concessions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iran, Russia and China bristle at the US’s involvement in the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace deal. Plus: a nuclear race to the moon and a row over eel conservation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Families of Israeli hostages lead protests in Tel Aviv as Israel announces plans to take over Gaza City. Plus: the showrunner of ‘Zero Day Attack’ and international box offices soar.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asian nations brace for a new tariff regime from the US. Taiwanese semiconductor maker TSMC hopes to get a reprieve, even as it fends off possible corporate spying.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Switzerland’s president and business minister meet with the US secretary of state to discuss Trump’s steep tariffs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss how Texas Democrats left the state to block a Trump-backed redistricting plan, as well as the Republicans’ response with civil arrest warrants. Plus: what the partisan standoff means ahead of 2026 midterms.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss the first strike at Boeing’s defence hub in nearly 30 years and what it means for a company already facing production delays and reputational damage.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Trump administration has announced a wave of new tariffs on dozens of countries. We discuss the impact on Canada and Brazil, some of the hardest hit by the president’s escalating trade war.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At 83, Côte d’Ivoire’s president, Alassane Ouattara, will risk political instability and years of strong economic growth by running for a fourth term. Is this move a repeat of the country’s past mistakes?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Japan, China and others reaching framework trade deals with the US, South Korea hopes that it can be next as the countdown to the 1 August tariff deadline continues.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monocle’s Paris bureau chief, Simon Bouvier, and foreign editor, Alexis Self, discuss France and Germany’s dissent to the EU-US trade deal, calling it an act of “submission”. Plus: Japanese pictograms take London.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest on Israel’s military pauses to allow aid into Gaza. Then: Thailand and Cambodia agree to a ceasefire in Malaysia. Plus: Japan’s newest theme park and UAE papers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

French president Emmanuel Macron’s decision to formally recognise a Palestinian state draws sharp criticism from Israel and the US, while garnering support from several European and Arab leaders.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Deadly escalations at the disputed Thailand-Cambodia border fuel fears that violence could spill into a broader conflict. Monocle’s Asia editor, James Chambers, has the latest from Bangkok. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss the fallout from protests in Ukraine after president Zelensky signed a bill that critics say undermines anti-corruption bodies. As Kyiv and Moscow meet in Istanbul, will Ukraine’s internal strife affect negotiations? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ukraine-Russia peace talks set for tomorrow and what does a ‘Japanese First’ approach mean for defence? Plus: North Korea’s new beach resort struggles to attract visitors and Spain reforms its Franco-era Official Secrets Law. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky asks for peace negotiations to restart; former Brazil president Jair Bolsonaro to wear an ankle tag; and the Philippines’ president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, visits Washington. Plus: the latest fashion news.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.