The Monocle Daily

With just days until kick-off, we look at how Canada is hoping to build a World Cup tourism legacy. Then: we speak to the Ukrainian NGO Superhumans, which helps injured soldiers and civilians. And: our weekly quiz with Rob Bound. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hezbollah rejects a new Israel-Lebanon ceasefire as the US House seeks to stop the Iran war in a vote called ‘unpatriotic’ by Donald Trump. Plus: Albanians take to the streets in anger at plans for a new luxury resort. And: what strange items do Uber customers leave in its vehicles? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ukraine targets St Petersburg ahead of Russian president Vladimir Putin’s key economic forum. Then: UK police apologise for handcuffing a dying teenager as PM Keir Starmer condemns angry rioters. Plus: what do the US primaries tell us about what to expect in the mid-terms? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Massive Russian strikes against Ukrainian cities stoke fears that civilian targets will be the new normal. Then: AI fates diverge as some giants plan blockbuster IPOs and others battle lawsuits. Plus: is creativity coming back to Hollywood with ‘Obsession’ and ‘Backrooms’? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As civilians in southern Beirut prepare to leave, we consider the potential effects of Israeli strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Then: is Europe getting tougher on Russia’s shadow fleet? Plus: why are French and British football fans celebrating by rioting? And: would you fall for a holiday gimmick?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Benjamin Netanyahu announces that he intends to take 70 per cent of Gaza as the IDF increases strikes on Lebanon. Plus: the Black Sea Security Forum in Odesa, Colombia’s Sunday elections and AI enters Tribeca Festival.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss how successful a US invasion of Cuba might be. Then: can Tony Blair save the UK Labour Party? Plus: should tap water be free in Italy and what makes a designer eligible for the Monocle Design Awards?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does Russia expanding its hybrid war fronts tell us about the state of the conflict? Then: Can the West tackle corruption in its politics? And: Global tourism trends venture off the beaten track in 2026. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US president Donald Trump wants to make more Middle Eastern countries sign the Abraham Accords as part of a peace agreement – but would it actually make a difference? Then: The French presidential race hots up. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly admitted he is losing sway over President Trump in how to handle the war in Iran. Then: the state of press freedom in the US and the domestic lives of entertainment icons. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the World Urban Forum comes to a close in Baku, we hear from Anacláudia Rossbach, the executive director of UN-Habitat, and Prasoon Kumar, architect and founder of Billion Bricks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Pakistan increases its diplomatic engagement with Tehran and Washington, we assess whether the nation can end the war. Plus: we analyse whether Raúl Castro’s indictment could lead to conflict between the US and Cuba. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Postwar international order is in flux as Xi Jinping welcomes Vladimir Putin and projects Beijing as the world’s stable power. Meanwhile, in Europe, Donald Trump announces the withdrawal of Nato troops, reportedly in response to Friedrich Merz’s criticisms. What will the effects be? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin meet, pledging to support each other’s “core interests”. Then: Turkey looks to carve out a new role in the Middle East after the conflict in Iran. Plus: The rebellion against AI. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why Taiwan is stressing that it’s ‘not part of China’. Plus: As the UAE blames Iran for a drone strike, we look at scenarios for Gulf stability; and why the rivals for British prime minister are mooting rejoining the EU. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Mueller and Rob Bound once again quiz each other over the events of the week. Then: our host delivers another zingy compilation of headlines that you might have missed. Plus: an interview with the Eurovision set designer.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Brics foreign ministers meet in India, the bloc faces divisions over the US-Iran war, rising energy prices and growing global economic uncertainty. Plus: are financial burdens bringing an end to expensive weddings and parties? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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’. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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?   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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’ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.