Friedrich Merz suffers a dramatic defeat in the Budestag, failing to win a majority in a parliamentary vote to become chancellor. 

Friedrich Merz suffers a dramatic defeat in the Budestag, failing to win a majority in a parliamentary vote to become chancellor.&nbsp;

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.

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.

The Briefing

Friedrich Merz’s dramatic defeat and Met Gala 2025

We discuss the damage from strikes in Iran and the Gulf, and whether Israel’s promise to stop targeting Iranian gas fields will do anything to reassure the region. Then: was Sanae Takaichi’s meeting with Trump a success? 

We discuss the damage from strikes in Iran and the Gulf, and whether Israel&rsquo;s promise to stop targeting Iranian gas fields will do anything to reassure the region. Then: was Sanae Takaichi&rsquo;s meeting with Trump a success?&nbsp;

The scramble to take energy infrastructure off the hit list in the Middle East

We discuss the aims of the European Council Summit at a crucial juncture. Plus: Thailand embraces stability as a new prime minister is appointed and what we can learn from the world’s happiest nation?

We discuss the aims of the European Council Summit at a crucial juncture. Plus: Thailand embraces stability as a new prime minister is appointed and what we can learn from the world&rsquo;s happiest nation?

All talk? The European Council convenes in Brussels amid global disruption 

We discuss how Volodymyr Zelensky is working to put Ukraine back on the agenda as he lands in Madrid after meetings in London and Paris. Plus: Frank McCourt on reclaiming your digital identity and the latest Swiss news.

We discuss how Volodymyr Zelensky is working to put Ukraine back on the agenda as he lands in Madrid after meetings in London and Paris. Plus: Frank McCourt on reclaiming your digital identity and the latest Swiss news.

Friedrich Merz’s dramatic defeat and Met Gala 2025

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