Monocle 24: The Monocle Daily

Ukraine halts strikes on Russia’s tankers as per JD Vance’s request. Then: Donald Trump’s catering van controversy, French journalists go to war with AI and we get down to “Swissness”. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sea Legend shipping company is launching the first regular container service along Russia’s northern Arctic coast. Then: the World Bank helps Lebanon with its digital transformation. And: France says ‘non’ to unsolicited telemarketing calls.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rejected by Israel and left out by Oman: is Donald Trump losing influence in the Middle East? Then: plans to change the French parliament spark outrage. And: would you wear air-conditioned clothing? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We examine the significance for the region and the world at the announcement of a new Middle East security deal. Then: our weekly quiz, chairs to make the neighbours jealous and ‘What We Learned’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Russia, China and the US are teaming up for global law enforcement. Then: the left’s media machine, London’s pigeon war and we settle the debate over packing light versus packing heavy once and for all. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the Democratic Party redefines itself, Tira Shubart and Phil Tinline explore what lessons European centre-left parties are taking from the US. Plus: who is responsible for protecting the lunar environment?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Taiwan tests how the public responds to limited internet connectivity, Mark Leonard and Aliona Hlivco look into how to prepare a society to function when it’s suddenly offline. Plus: Brazilian designer Duda Lopes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iran’s foreign ministry is discussing a new Strait of Hormuz shipping route with Oman. Julie Norman and Mark Earls explore Oman’s soft-power influence. Plus: what makes residents spend a weekend in their own city?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our weekly quiz dives into Anthony Fauci’s diary and public nuisances in Singapore. Then: as Europeans drive off on their holidays, our Monocle contributors give you their recommendations for the best food, tunes and etiquette while on the road. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inga Thordar and Alexander Görlach on Iceland’s looming EU referendum and why the organisation is popular again. Plus: an aerial-firefighting CEO and shortcuts to a happier summer from our ‘Med, Mountains & More’ newspaper. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thomas Waterhouse joins us from Lacanau, where French water bombers are refilling from a nearby lake to fight the fires. Our panel of Ash Bhardwaj and Zoë Grünewald assess the fallout for tourism and politics. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Antônio Sampaio and Marion Messmer discuss Argentine president Javier Milei’s direct intervention in Brazil’s elections, endorsing Flávio Bolsonaro and calling President Lula a “convict” and “delinquent”. Has it become the norm for politicians to intervene across borders?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Regional conflicts in Ukraine and Iran intersect as Kyiv hits a ship from Tehran in the Caspian Sea. Could the wars become global? Then: Can we learn from political leaders’ sartorial decisions – or are we too buttoned up?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tira Shubart and Andrew Mueller discuss the plans to reflect the sun’s rays in a way to capitalise on solar energy. What could possibly go wrong for life on Earth? Plus: a light round-up of the week’s events.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Charles Hecker and Patti Cohen on the effects of Yemen’s Houthis on global shipping, how much the Iran war will cost the US, whether Pakistan will get compensated for mediation and how fresh EU sanctions impact Russia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hannah Lucinda Smith and Erin O’Halloran assess the global impact of a US agreement to build out Saudi Arabia’s nuclear energy programme. Plus: why Japan’s prime minister was pleased to get five hours of sleep over the weekend. And Guy De Launey reports on a Balkan conspiracy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andy Burnham’s cabinet sit down for their first meeting: what can we learn from their early policy positions? Then: why is the French far right bucking the tech-bro trend and shunning Elon Musk? Plus: Chengdu’s West Village.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alex von Tunzelmann and Justin Quirk on the chances of Andy Burnham succeeding where Sir Keir Starmer could not. Plus: Farnborough International Airshow opens and an interview with Jack Watling, author of new book Statecraft.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monocle writer Julia Jenne looks at the consequences of the cabinet reshuffle in Kyiv and why Vladimir Putin’s popularity is dropping in Russia. Then: Andrew Mueller and Robert Bound test each other’s news knowledge in our weekly quiz. And: we hear from Italo disco revivalists Mind Enterprises. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Ukrainian president’s decision to dismiss popular defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov has sparked anger. Then: Ten years after a failed coup, what’s next for Turkey? And: China bans chatbots built for companionship.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iran and the US are back in conflict. Daniella Peled and Ash Bhardwaj discuss who (else) can bring an end to the war with Iran if the IRGC and the Trump administration fail to cease hostilities. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

France offered a show of military force and European unity during Emmanuel Macron’s last Bastille Day parade. Is there such a thing as a good display of military might? Our panel, including Michael Binyon and Elisabeth Braw, discuss. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Negah Angha and John Everard on the US and Iran’s failure to give diplomacy a chance. Then: Japan aims to centralise intelligence and French parents bring kids to work. Plus: Sally Hayden’s book This Is Also a Love Story.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We look inside the Fifa International Police Co-operation Center, which brings together the law enforcement agencies of every competing country to share intelligence. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The burial of Iran’s former supreme leader Ali Khamenei is now set to go ahead after delays due to US strikes. Then: India and Australia reach a uranium deal, Nigel Farage meets a bin-worthy opponent and should shorts in the office be banned? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US president Donald Trump has ordered a halt to trade with Spain, the only Nato member that hasn’t committed to the alliance’s new target of defence spending at 5 per cent of GDP. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All eyes are on Estonia at the Nato conference in Ankara as the Baltic nation looks to spend more than €10bn euros on defense over the next three years.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canada’s prime minister, Mark Carney, is poised to announce who will supply the Royal Canadian Navy’s new submarine fleet – what it could mean if they buy within Nato and draw closer to Europe? Plus: Casio watches rebound.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We speak with Catherine Ellis in Venezuela and Charlotte McDonald-Gibson in Washington about the politicised celebrations for the 250th anniversary of US independence. Plus: Madonna’s new album and Canada joins Eurovision.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Germany’s AfD prepares for its annual political conference, as France’s Marine Le Pen waits for a court ruling on her presidential candidacy. Then: Why visit the Bayeux Tapestry in London when you could have gone in France?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our panel looks at the successes and failures of anti-corruption drives in Iraq and Hungary. Plus: Fernando Augusto Pacheco on the announcement that Canada is joining Eurovision.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK government published its long-delayed defence spending plans, investing £270bn (€313bn) over the next four years. Plus: yet more conflicting narratives from Iran and the US. And: from scoring goals to corking bottles, Brazilian footballer Neymar turns his hand to winemaking.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andy Burnham makes the case for greater devolution if he becomes Britain’s next prime minister. Then: Tensions flare between Afghanistan and Pakistan. And: South Korea invests big in chipmaking and AI. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We look at the best the Danish capital has to offer with Monocle’s Michael Booth as our most liveable cities list is released. Plus: we meet leading Australian choreographer Stephanie Lake. And: Fernando Augusto Pacheco talks Angèle, Italo Disco and bikinis. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Live from Almedalen 2026 on the island of Gotland in Sweden, Andrew Mueller is joined by Tom Edwards, Andreas Carlson, Pia Sandvik and Seppo Aaltonen to discuss the day’s big stories.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ukraine strikes put Putin under pressure – but who could mediate peace talks? Then: President vs PM in Czechia, heated debates in France and our Quality of Life Survey 2026. Plus: Andrew Mueller live from Sweden’s Almedalen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Live from Almedalen 2026 on the island of Gotland in Sweden, Andrew Mueller is joined by Tom Edwards, Karin Karlsbro, Henrik Jönsson and Elly Reinolds to discuss the day’s big stories.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andy Burnham looks likely to be the next prime minister of the UK but what will happen if nothing changes under his leadership? Then: JD Vance walks a tightrope. Plus: Remembering Alan Greenspan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgina Godwin speaks to former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar about how Europe views Brexit 10 years on. Plus: Monocle staff share their World Cup hopes and fears. Is it coming home to England? Will Brazil add a record sixth star to its jersey? Can New Zealand find some glory? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ukraine’s president calls the overnight strikes on Moscow a totally just response to Russia’s recent attacks as senior EU officials hold calls with the Kremlin. Then: the US defense secretary scorns Nato allies. And: as the US blockade holds fast, we look at Cuba’s new economic reforms.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the final day of the G7 summit in France, the US president says that the peace memorandum agreed with Iran is “not final”. Then: Germany and Poland sign a new defence deal. And why are Japanese ice-cream makers in hot water?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ukraine’s president attends the G7 summit, with the US promising to get Russia to discuss peace. Then: why some global banks are raising interest rates. And: we examine India’s bolts and braces approach to exam security.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.