Location:
London, United Kingdom
Networks:
Monocle
Description:
Hear our take on the news and enjoy sharp reporting on the big stories every weekday. Tune in as our guest panel reviews the day’s events in Europe, follows developing stories in the Americas and welcomes early risers in Asia and Australasia. Plus: reports and analysis from Monocle’s correspondents and bureaux around the world. Nominated for ‘Best Daily Podcast’ in the 2022 British Podcast Awards.
Language:
English
Contact:
Midori House, 1 Dorset Street, London, W1U 4EG, UK +44 20 7725 4388
Email:
info@monocle.com
Starmer stays resolute amid leadership challenge rumours and Trump returns to Beijing
5/13/2026
Today’s panel discusses a busy day in Whitehall and peers into its crystal ball to predict the near future. Then: we assess what has changed since Donald Trump was last invited to China. Plus: how Australia nearly built a Trump Tower.
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Duration:00:41:22
Qatar hosts Gulf talks amid a ‘serious escalation’ threatening vital supply routes
5/12/2026
Qatar moves to promote peace along with its neighbours in the Gulf during a tense moment in the Strait of Hormuz. Plus: have astronauts seen UFOs in space?
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Duration:00:39:06
Europe considers whether Gerhard Schröder should act as a mediator in Ukraine war peace talks
5/11/2026
We assess Europe’s reaction to Vladimir Putin’s suggestion that former German chancellor Gerhard Schröder should act as a mediator in Ukraine war peace talks. Then: are conspiracy theories more powerful than satire in modern America? Plus: fake influencers and John Robb’s new book, ‘Punk Rock Ruined My Life’.
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Duration:00:38:31
Copy of Decoding the Venice Biennale
5/8/2026
We explore whether early controversies over this year’s Venice Biennale have eclipsed the art with our culture editor, Sophie Monaghan-Coombs. Plus: Russia’s Victory Day parade and our weekly Friday quiz.
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Duration:00:47:53
Israel strikes Beirut despite new ceasefire. Will it jeopardise a wider peace deal?
5/7/2026
Could Lebanon pose an obstacle to a regional peace deal at a time when the world is waiting for Iran’s response to a US proposal to end the war.
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Duration:00:39:33
Remembering Ted Turner and one year of Friedrich Merz
5/6/2026
We look back on the life of Ted Turner, founder of CNN, with former network host Fionnuala Sweeney. Then: our panel of Quentin Peel and Armida van Rij assesses Germany’s Friedrich Merz one year into his chancellorship.
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Duration:00:39:32
Asymmetric warfare from the Strait of Hormuz to Ukraine and Lebanon
5/5/2026
Our panellists Isabel Hilton and Somnath Batabyal discuss how Iran, Ukraine and even Hezbollah are using drones to frustrate much larger armed forces. Also: why are the US and China firing all their generals?
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Duration:00:38:46
American troop drawdown in Germany and Canada joins European summit
5/4/2026
Robin Lustig and Alex von Tunzelmann discuss the American troop drawdown in Germany and Mark Carney joining a summit of the European Political Community in Yerevan. Plus: Joe Luc Barnes’s book, ‘Farewell to Russia’
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Duration:00:38:08
Our weekly quiz and what King Charles meant to say in Washington
5/1/2026
Andrew Mueller and Rob Bound return for a quiz on the week’s headlines. Then: Charlotte McDonald-Gibson joins from Washington to dissect King Charles’s visit, pageantry and speech before US Congress. Plus: music from Corb Lund and Hayes Carll.
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Duration:00:42:04
Trump and Putin talk: much said but little gained?
4/30/2026
We look at the latest call between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, who both find themselves in wars with no obvious end. Then: Greece and Ukraine hit a stumbling block on drone co-operation. Plus: can anonymity on the internet be banned?
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Duration:00:36:21
Nothing to see here: Russia plans military parade with no weaponry on show
4/29/2026
We discuss the drivers behind Putin scaling back this year’s Victory Day commemorations. Then: The Afghanistan-Pakistan ceasefire teeters and former FBI director James Comey faces fresh charges from the Trump administration.
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Duration:00:37:31
Leaders in crisis: A Keir Starmer inquiry and embattled Friedrich Merz
4/28/2026
Keir Starmer’s days as PM might be numbered as MPs vote on an inquiry into his appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador. Then: Friedrich Merz nears one year as German chancellor with historically low approval ratings. Plus: breaking news with Manus Cranny as the UAE leaves Opec.
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Duration:00:41:12
King Charles, Jordan Bardella and our royal fascination
4/27/2026
King Charles III goes to Washington to rescue the special relationship and France is talking about Jordan Bardella’s love affair with a Sicilian princess. What is it with our royal fascination? Plus: how Germany’s Bundeswehr plans to lead Europe’s military rearmament and ‘madman theory’ with James D Boys.
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Duration:00:37:30
That’s a wrap: Our weekly quiz and a look back at Salone del Mobile
4/25/2026
Emma Nelson takes on Rob Bound in the weekly quiz and Nic Monisse and Grace Charlton round up their week at Salone del Mobile. Plus: An alternative look at the recent news cycle.
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Duration:00:45:53
The politics of economic shocks – which countries can weather the Iran conflict?
4/23/2026
As more ships are seized in and around the Strait of Hormuz and an uneasy ceasefire continues, our panel assesses which countries are best equipped – politically and economically – to withstand the shocks that continue to reverberate around the world.
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Duration:00:36:01
Has Iran gained the upper hand through negotiation (and memes)?
4/22/2026
We explore US president Donald Trump’s ceasefire extension and how Iran has seemingly managed to control much of the narrative without even attending talks in Islamabad – and also through an extraordinary amount of memes.
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Duration:00:35:17
Ukraine hopes for fresh EU loan and the race for the next UN secretary general
4/21/2026
Hungary is poised to end its blockade of an EU loan for Ukraine while Sweden suggests that Russia is hiding its economic troubles. Plus: auditions for the next United Nations secretary general begin in New York. Then: an interview with Venetian chef Simon Piovesan.
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Duration:00:41:22
Can Starmer stay the course?
4/20/2026
After Keir Starmer pleads ignorance over Peter Mandelson’s failed vetting, how long can he survive as UK leader? We explore Europe’s changing democratic landscape. Plus: Horse-meat pies have become a menu staple in Auckland.
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Duration:00:40:24
Our weekly quiz and a look ahead to Salone del Mobile
4/17/2026
Rob Bound and Andrew Mueller quiz each other on this week’s headlines. Then: a design perspective on Donald Trump’s Jesus memes and what to see at the the world’s leading trade fair for furniture and interiors.
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Duration:00:44:09
Macron and Starmer take the lead on securing the Strait of Hormuz: will they cut Trump out?
4/16/2026
France and the UK are to meet with “non-belligerent” countries to discuss how best to police the waterway after a ceasefire. How will excluding the US play out? Plus: the UK rejoins the EU’s Erasmus exchange scheme.
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Duration:00:39:03