Synopsis
The perfect way to start the day in Europe is with Monocles morning news programme. Join Monocle 24s editors, presenters and guests as they set the agenda in international news and business. Winner Best News & Politics Radio Show in the 2015 Mixcloud Online Radio Awards.
Episodes
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Colombia election results and an interview with US tourism envoy Nick Adams
01/06/2026 Duration: 58minA right-wing political outsider wins the first round of Colombia’s presidential election. Plus: a live interview with Nick Adams, special presidential envoy for American tourism, exceptionalism and values, to discuss his new role and Trump’s plan to boost inbound tourism to 100 million visitors by 2030. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Shangri-La Dialogue opens under the shadow of Iran war and uncertainty over Taiwan
29/05/2026 Duration: 58minAsia security concerns take centre stage at Shangri-La Dialogue as the region’s premier defence forum gets under way in Singapore. Plus: US-Iran latest, a check-in with the Utopian Hours conference and ‘What We Learned’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Bolivia’s protests intensify as pressure mounts on president Rodrigo Paz
28/05/2026 Duration: 58minLarge protests continue across Bolivia as pressure mounts on Rodrigo Paz’s government. With demonstrators angry over the economy and leadership, how vulnerable is the administration? Plus: could the CDU replace Friedrich Merz? And: what comes next for Nasa’s Moon ambitions?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Is Russia preparing a major attack on Ukraine? Will Ukraine call their bluff?
27/05/2026 Duration: 58minRussia urges foreign nationals to leave Kyiv as it prepares a systematic attack. Then: South Korea’s plan for nuclear submarines and Serbia’s Aleksandar Vučić gets China’s friendship medal. Plus: Greece’s letter to Hollywood.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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US launches new strikes against Iran as peace talks continue in Qatar
26/05/2026 Duration: 58minDelegates gather in Qatar for negotiations to end the war in Iran as the US carries out fresh “self-defence” strikes. Plus: we meet the pioneers behind the first uninterrupted circumnavigation of the Earth by balloon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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US-Iran peace talks latest as Gulf states reject Tehran’s plan to control Strait of Hormuz
25/05/2026 Duration: 59minWe discuss new diplomatic efforts to resolve the US-Iran war and Pakistan’s attempts at mediation. Plus: political turmoil in Turkey, a flick through the international papers and highlights from the 79th Cannes Film Festival.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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US increases pressure on Cuba and Iran mulls over a new peace proposal
22/05/2026 Duration: 58minRussia and China condemn Washington’s indictment of Raúl Castro as a US aircraft carrier enters Caribbean waters. With Donald Trump desperate for a post-Iran win, could Cuba be next? Plus: Tehran weighs a new peace proposal.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Russia turns on the Baltics. And: how insurgents are impeding Ebola rescue efforts
21/05/2026 Duration: 01h01minWashington warns Moscow over its escalating rhetoric toward Latvia as Nato’s secretary general, Mark Rutte, rejects Russia’s claims that Baltic states could soon allow Ukrainian drone attacks from their territories. Plus: how rebel groups and Isis-backed insurgents are hampering efforts to contain the new Ebola outbreak.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Why China is engaging rival powers as it hosts Putin
20/05/2026 Duration: 57minBeijing welcomes Vladimir Putin a week after rolling out the red carpet for Donald Trump. Who really holds the cards? Plus: as we look ahead to the Fifa World Cup, Andrew Mueller assesses what could go wrong.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Can the G7 contain the economic fallout from the war in Iran?
19/05/2026 Duration: 58minG7 finance ministers meet as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz continues to roil global economies. Can divisions be overcome? Then: Nic Monisse brings us the latest from NYCxDesign and we hit London’s West End.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Modi eyes more defense deals and strengthened India-EU trade amid five-nation tour
18/05/2026 Duration: 58minIndian prime minister Narendra Modi has locked in new trade and defense deals with the UAE, Netherlands and Sweden. What’s on the agenda for Norway and Italy? Plus: the papers, Asia news and talks between Washington, Copenhagen and Nuuk over more US bases in Greenland. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Chips, rare earths, tariffs: The economic implications of the Trump-Xi summit
15/05/2026 Duration: 58minThe business world watches the Xi-Trump summit as superpowers try to secure a competitive advantage in key industries such as chipmaking. Who holds the real leverage? Then: Modi’s European tour and the latest from Eurovision.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Xi-Trump summit kicks off as Taiwan hangs in the balance
14/05/2026 Duration: 58minAs the leaders of the US and China meet in Beijing, we discuss what’s at stake and get the view from Taipei. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Trump-Xi summit: US president arrives in Beijing weakened by Iran war and tariff setbacks
13/05/2026 Duration: 58minThe Trump-Xi summit comes at a volatile moment for Washington, with the fragile Iran ceasefire spooking energy markets and Xi Jinping increasingly seen as holding the stronger hand. As Beijing tightens its grip on geopolitical influence, what can Trump achieve on Taiwan, trade and Tehran?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Macron turns on the charm at the Africa Forward Summit as Paris eyes a regional reset
12/05/2026 Duration: 58minEmmanuel Macron has kicked off his Kenya visit with a jog through Nairobi and cooking ugali as the Africa Forward Summit is hosted by an Anglophone country for the first time. After a series of setbacks in western parts of the continent, is Paris flexing softer diplomacy in Africa? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Trade, Taiwan and Iran: What to expect from the Trump-Xi summit
11/05/2026 Duration: 58minWith US president Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping set to meet in Beijing, we take a look at what is on and off the table. Plus: we meet Greece’s entrant to the Eurovision Song Contest, Akylas.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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The Asean summit tackles the global energy crisis
08/05/2026 Duration: 58minAsean bloc leaders meet in Cebu to discuss soaring energy prices, tariff threats and border clashes. Plus: can relations between Donald Trump and Brazil’s Lula find stable ground? And: what has the first year of Leo XIV’s papacy meant for the Catholic Church?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Will the Strait of Hormuz finally stay open?
07/05/2026 Duration: 57minThe US hints towards a peace deal with Iran. Then: Friedrich Merz’s first year in office; Air India’s crash report; Canada’s new governor general; and the Jeonju International Film Festival. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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UAE targeted by more Iranian attacks and Romania’s pro-EU government collapses
06/05/2026 Duration: 58minMore Iranian attacks on the UAE. Plus: what’s next for Romania? After parliament toppled prime minister Ilie Bolojan in a no-confidence vote backed by the left-wing PSD and the far-right AUR, Bucharest faces fresh fears over political instability, economic turmoil and its role as a reliable partner in the EU.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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US-Iran ceasefire at breaking point after fresh attacks in the UAE and Strait of Hormuz
05/05/2026 Duration: 58minOil prices jump as the US and Iran trade accusations over strikes in the Strait of Hormuz. Plus: Fico’s U-turn on Ukraine and the state of EU-Canada relations as Mark Carney addresses European leaders in Armenia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.