Monocle 24: The Briefing

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.

Germany’s chancellor, Friedrich Merz, resets UK relations but tussles with Brussels’ budget. Plus: Milan’s mayoral woes, the UK lowers the voting age and how Superman overcame an attempted Maga backlash.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Trump hosted Qatar’s prime minister and Bahrain’s Crown Prince, reinforcing a growing diplomatic push in the Gulf. We discuss the strategy and why US engagement with the region is intensifying.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Qatar’s prime minister joins the US president for dinner as the push for a ceasefire in Gaza continues. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss the latest from the Air India crash investigation as the country’s aviation regulator tells its airlines to inspect the fuel switches on several Boeing planes, despite US regulators insisting that they’re safe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

France’s president pledges to double defence spending by 2027 as Paris prepares for its Bastille Day parade at a time when Russia continues to pummel Ukraine.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another day, another letter from the Trump administration spelling out tariff rates and sending markets into confusion. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The fourth annual Ukraine Recovery Conference is under way in Rome during record drone-and-missile strikes from Russia in Kyiv. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hamas says more captures are coming after five Israeli soldiers are killed in Gaza, threatening the coalition in Israel. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What would a “humanitarian city” in southern Gaza look like? And could it become permanent? We explore the plans of Israel’s defence minister and consider whether Netanyahu and Trump will back the move.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss the latest from the Brics summit in Rio de Janeiro as Donald Trump threatens tariffs on the bloc due to “anti-American policies”. Then: a Swedish church or a Russian spy enclave?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Russian attacks on Ukraine’s capital continue as Trump labels his call with Putin “disappointing”. Plus: the chaos of French travel disruption continues. And: Monocle’s Nic Monisse tells you how design can enhance your summer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the US assesses its effect on Iran’s nuclear programme, we ask if things are settling down with a look inside the country.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israel agrees to a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza – but will Hamas? Vietnam halves its cities, France bans smoking at the beach, Monocle’s Tyler Brûlé on our Quality of Life Survey and Brazil’s singing ambassador.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the political turmoil in Thailand continues to worsen, Monocle’s Asia editor, James Chambers, gives us the view from Bangkok. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.