The Briefing

We unpack the latest on Ukraine's peace talks in Geneva – will Russia ever be satisfied with the outcome? Also on the programme: Fernando Augusto Pacheco on Cop30 and Eurovision news. Plus: The COO of Van Cleef & Arpels.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The full US peace plan for Ukraine is revealed, Italy braces for a potential upgrade by Moody’s after years of stagnation and we meet Marcus Mucha, executive director of Prague’s Mucha Museum. Plus: Winkreative’s new campaign for Canary Wharf.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Author and commentator David Marsh on whether France and Germany can still be the engine of Europe. Plus: Monocle’s editors discuss the new December/January issue, which is out today. And: this week’s episode of ‘The Global Countdown’. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lord Adair Turner joins us from Belém with details of what Cop30 has been able to achieve. Plus: a look at what’s making headlines in the business world. Then: the government effort to make Italian a global language and the latest from the Venice Biennale.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inzim Amrashid, a Gulf correspondent, shares insights on the significance of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's first visit to the White House since 2017. He discusses the potential F-35 sale and regional implications. Ricardo Barayba, Deputy Director of Incoming Tourism at PromPeru, highlights Peru's rise as a tourist destination with a focus on sustainable practices and preserving indigenous culture. Finally, Brenda Tui, Monocle's Luxury Markets editor, explores the booming UK sparkling wine market, spotlighting investments and celebrity ventures.

Volodymyr Zelensky is in Paris today in a bid to secure air defences as Russian strikes become increasingly lethal. Then: can Belém’s Cop30 increase Brazil’s soft power amid protests? Plus: the state of the fashion industry ahead of 2026.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A US aircraft carrier strike group has arrived in the Caribbean, putting president Trump’s peace through strength mantra to the test. Then: how hard is it to report on the Pentagon after the press corps clear-out? Plus: Meloni battles for her Albanian immigration plans and is soft power still effective?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

United Nations special rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Francesca Albanese, outlines her report on the systemic violation of Palestinian self-determination and what the international community must do to secure peace. Then: the winter issue of ‘Konfekt’ hits newsstands and we travel to Belem, Brazil, on ‘The Global Countdown’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We get the latest on the far-reaching corruption scandal involving state nuclear power in Ukraine.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Trump issued symbolic pardons for close allies who aided his efforts to dispute the 2020 presidential election. Plus: Ireland’s new president, Reebok embraces AI and an Asian news round-up. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.