The Monocle Daily

We look at what’s driving Italy’s strikes as students and workers take to the streets. Then: what we learned in the last seven days and our weekly quiz. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss why European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen continues to push for associate membership for Canada after dropping the title from a statement. Plus: how can London embassies make nice with the neighbours? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘The New York Times’ reports that Democrats intended to stack the Alaska ballot with Dan Sullivans. Then: can Gulf states prevent fresh attacks on Iran by the US and Israel? Plus: could Viktor Orbán be the next UN secretary-general? And: should you break up with streaming services? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China’s Xi looks for ‘rigorous party self-governance’, while Trump’s DoJ violates political neutrality ahead of midterms. Then: ‘You Can See Everything’ captures global attention. And: what’s in your crisis-ready stockpile? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Antônio Sampaio and Alex von Tunzelmann on Lula’s surprise win and whether he can govern Brazil. Plus: Can Europe’s protests be policed? Oxford Street goes car-free, and mayoral elections in Toronto. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fernando Augusto Pacheco brings us the latest as Brazil heads to the polls. Plus: what we learned this week. And: who will take the quiz crown? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A flaw in computer language led to the shutdown of websites worldwide this week. We examine the long tail of a mass cyber-security event. Plus: Can governments get out of the debt ‘doom loop’ ? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inzamam Rashid explains why UK fighter jets are being sent to protect Saudi cities. Then: Phil Clark and Erin O’Halloran explore whether troops on the ground in France and Italy will quell protests or fan the flames. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Albertans reject a referendum on independence by a clear margin. Has the tide turned against separatists in the West? And: we hear from Lars Bevanger in Oslo on the latest US-Ukraine talks. Plus: comedian Shawn Chidiac. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Antoine Goullin reports from Paris and our panellists Charles Hecker and Zoë Grunewald discuss whether voters ever take their lead from protesters. Plus: Russia wants a US-China summit to end the war in Ukraine. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Zelensky’s €70bn ask exposes Europe’s fight over money and priorities. Then: what Frieze got right this year and the hospitality that keeps it running. Plus: Andrew Mueller’s What We Learned. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brazil scraps the six-day workweek, BMW pulls a car offer from a far-right politician and Cyprus’s stalled Schengen bid. Plus: would you live rent-free in the Arctic? And: São Paulo’s Pulso Hotels. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lufthansa wins the fight for Tap, Ukraine’s access to Starlink is curbed and the Houthis strike Aramco’s HQ in Saudi Arabia. Plus: Frieze Masters and a 1930 kidnapping. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Live from Paris: Alexandre Kouchner and Florence Biedermann discuss the freezer fiasco and protests. Will French politicians be able to agree on a 2027 budget? Plus: Alfa Romeo CEO Santo Ficilli on branching out into sailing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Live from the Paris Auto Show: We speak with the CEO of Dacia and the chief designer of Zeekr. We also get the perspective of the US and from auto analyst and expert Felipe Munoz. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A special design and fashion edition of ‘The Monocle Daily’. Nic Monisse and Grace Charlton discuss Paris Fashion Week during protests, Salone del Mobile 2027, improving our architectural diets and next week’s episode of ‘Monocle on Design’. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the Houthis warning Saudi Arabia to stay away from oil facilities, we consider how the Kingdom will respond. Plus: the Arctic Circle Assembly begins. Who gets to share in the new theatre of global competition? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aliona Hlivco and Charles Hecker join to discuss why the Paris school protests have expanded beyond France. Then: Russia strikes a Ukraine apartment block on Vladimir Putin’s birthday. Plus: AI turns on tech creators. And: do important people have worse manners? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Israel expected to close the British consulate in Jerusalem, we explore why Britain is determined to keep its diplomatic foothold in the region. Plus: Would you date in saunas? What Finns understand about communal spaces that the world has forgotten. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brazil heads to a runoff between Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro. Then: protests in Spain, France and Pakistan – do they work? Plus: should pets be allowed to fly in the cabin? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Robert Bound joins ‘The Monocle Daily’ Weekly Quiz. We head to São Paulo as Brazilians prepare to head to the polls. Plus: Argentina launches a new citizenship scheme and we’re off to Paris for the very best of fashion week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Iran and the US trade peace proposals, we examine realistic diplomatic paths forward. Then: the looming Bosnian and Brazilian elections. Plus: don’t tread on my love life – governments get involved in matchmaking. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a pilot was stabbed and a plane emergency landed, we get the view from Tel Aviv. Then: has the Iran war’s unpopularity given Tehran sway in US politics? Plus: amid a global museum boom, we visit some of our favourites. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Andy Burnham gives his first Labour conference speech as UK leader, will his politics of hope strike a chord or ring hollow? Then: Tucker Carlson sits down with Andrew Tuck in Abu Dhabi. Plus: The beauty of complaining. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the UK investigates an incident near an RAF base that’s used by the US military and the EU discusses incorporating a Nato-style defence pact, Andrew Mueller asks his guests about the hidden risks of alliances. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Switzerland prepares to vote on enforcing its neutral status, Benno Zogg from the Swiss Federal Department of Defence explains what this would mean for security. Plus: will Rob Bound actually win the weekly quiz this time? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carole Walker and Anand Menon discuss Donald Trump’s threat to ban diesel exports. Plus: Australia’s OpenAI hack and the best places to retire. And: a preview of our new podcast, Konfekt Conversations. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Will paralysing Iran’s airports help Washington? Then: Donald Trump calls Cuba a “failed state” and Bordeaux residents get a say in how their city’s money is spent. And: a novel way for bookworms to fall in love. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US president addresses the UN General Assembly amid a row over press freedom. Then: France responds to fuel protests and Seoul’s mayor pushes for more green city spaces. And: Do you feel younger than your actual age? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leaders of the world flock to New York for the 81st edition of the United Nations General Assembly. Then: are US sanctions any more effective, or ethical, than military might? Plus: mayors of the world gather to swap urbanism tips. And: which hotel lobbies are best for lobbying? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Russians go to the polls across three days to elect a new State Duma. Then: The Michelin Keys list 2026, Burberry’s trench coat at the V&A and What We Learned. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Monocle Daily team broadcast live from the World Trade Centre for the Arab Media Summit. Tonight we ask: can foreign news organisations flourish in the UAE’s media landscape? Is there a future for the old-school news anchor and if so, what does it look like? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Monocle Daily team broadcasts live from the World Trade Centre for the Arab Media Summit, taking the temperature of the region’s largest media gathering. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ambassadors from Israel and Lebanon head to Washington for talks unlikely to produce a result. Then: Can Hungary’s fresh start be a blueprint for Europe? Plus: Monocle at the Arab Media Summit and would you buy a dupe design? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pyongyang boasts of new powers after Saturday's missile launches. Then: Is Rubio playing the right game; is Trump the “smart president” who can save us from AI; and could department-store sales hold hope for humanity? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monocle’s Tyler Brûlé, Anita Riotta and Chris Cermak reflect on the 25th anniversary of September 11. Plus: the Japanese-American artist, Miya Ando, who designed London’s September 11 memorial. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ukraine hits the Russian Arctic in the deepest strike of the war to date. Then: Bayeux Tapestry mania in London and the escalator dilemma in South Korea. And: a preview of Konfekt’s Autumn issue. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What would happen if South Korea joined the war against Iran? Then: why are so many Republicans a no-show at Trump’s new convention? And: how closely should we listen to AI whistleblowers? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israel angry as the UK, France and Canada ban imports from West Bank settlements. Then: Odesa considers prohibiting the Russian language in the arts. And: How could a ban on lying in politics be enforced? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the AfD wins in Saxony-Anhalt, how strong is Germany’s firewall against the far right? Then: Is the US concerned about Europe’s space agenda? And: How can a country bounce back after record tourist complaints? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Italian prime minister has beaten Silvio Berlusconi’s record to lead the country’s longest-serving postwar government. We look at what the recipe of her success has been and how this achievement might inspire other far-right parties in Europe. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What can be done to stop Russia meddling in European elections? Then: France and the UK boost their historic ties. And: South Korea unveils plans for a second presidential office and a new national assembly in Sejong. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As strikes resume, we discuss whether the Iran war could stretch on forever. Then: are democratic socialists going to ruin US capitalism? Could a new secretary-general rebrand the UN? And what the hell is an “aura battle”? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Vladimir Putin tells Iran it has Moscow’s support, what is he saying to Washington? Then: is the UAE trying to make itself indispensable around the world? Plus: has the price of gold made museum heists less sophisticated? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Chancellor Merz prepares to point the finger at Moscow for hybrid attacks in Leipzig, how has Germany’s foreign policy changed over the last few years? Plus: When does Japanese etiquette go too far? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We examine the steep decline of the loyalty scheme and spotlight two luxury brands that are bucking the trend. Plus: Andrew Mueller defends his title in the weekly quiz. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Moscow confirms the director of the CIA’s not-so-clandestine visit, we discuss what was on the agenda. Then: The Butcher of Bosnia dies and Syria starts shopping. Plus: Should you consider hotel-first trips? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amid Oman’s negotiations with Iran, how is mediation changing? Then: Can a national crisis have a silver lining for soft power? Plus: Is Trump hoping to give 1968 a run for its money when it comes to the US convention? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US has removed Syria as a state sponsor of terrorism after 47 years. What will this actually mean in practice? Then: does the way political parties are funded affect democratic integrity? Plus: why is the Middle East investing in Europe’s leisure economy? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guy de Launey and the panellists discuss how to understand the reality of a situation when two sparring countries are bloviating. Plus: is fishing the EU’s downfall? And: a book revealing the hidden characters of Cuba. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.