In this special edition of The Briefing we look at some of the top cities in Monocle’s Quality of Life survey. Plus: a look into postcards of the past and a food neighbourhood in the winning city of Tokyo. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Donald Trump and the US Senate battle over Iran ahead of midterm elections
2026/06/25 | 34 mins.
We look at how the Iran war has irked Congress and affected Republicans’ domestic agenda. Then: Monocle’s Quality of Life Survey 2026; MIT Museum acquires IM Pei’s archive; and The Global Countdown World Cup tournament. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Will Russia’s fuel crisis bring peace to Ukraine?
2026/06/24 | 28 mins.
Russian president Vladimir Putin says Moscow is ready for peace talks with Ukraine after infrastructure strikes lead to a fuel shortage. Then: Grace Charlton takes us front row at Paris Fashion Week Men’s. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Would Britain be better off closer to Europe?
2026/06/23 | 34 mins.
Ten years after Brexit, British voters now see the referendum as a disaster. Then: we look at the newspapers in Brazil and our Quality of Life series takes us to a Viennese bunker. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Keir Starmer resigns as UK prime minister
2026/06/22 | 35 mins.
The UK prepares for its seventh head of government in 10 years as Keir Starmer stands down. Plus: Iran and the US hold talks in Switzerland. And: we head to Sydney’s Little Portugal. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A pacy round-up of the day’s main news stories, anchored from London by a Monocle editor. The show features informed reporting, prescient business analysis and invaluable industry reports covering everything from technology to aviation and retail to media.