Germany’s chancellor, Friedrich Merz, resets UK relations but tussles with Brussels’ budget. Plus: Milan’s mayoral woes, the UK lowers the voting age and how Superman overcame an attempted Maga backlash.

Germany&rsquo;s chancellor, Friedrich Merz, resets UK relations but tussles with Brussels&rsquo; budget. Plus: Milan&rsquo;s mayoral woes, the UK lowers the voting age and how Superman overcame an attempted Maga backlash.

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

Germany enters a new European security era

As the US president postpones a high-stakes summit with China’s leader, we discuss the mutual strategies at play. Then: France’s municipal election results and Lucas Santtana’s new album, ‘Brasiliano’. 

As the US president postpones a high-stakes summit with China&rsquo;s leader, we discuss the mutual strategies at play. Then: France&rsquo;s municipal election results and Lucas Santtana&rsquo;s new album, &lsquo;Brasiliano&rsquo;.&nbsp;

Trump delays direct talks with Xi as the Iran war rages on

Trump warns Nato that it must assist the US to secure the Strait of Hormuz. Can he rely on the US’s allies after a year of berating them? Plus: the surge in oil markets continues. Then: we take stock of the Oscars.

Trump warns Nato that it must assist the US to secure the Strait of Hormuz. Can he rely on the US&rsquo;s allies after a year of berating them? Plus: the surge in oil markets continues. Then: we take stock of the Oscars.

Can the US rely on its allies in the war in Iran?

We discuss what’s next for Alternative for Germany after a court rules that the party cannot be labelled as an “extremist” group. Plus: an interview with Giorgos Karampelas, creative director of K-Studio, at Mipim 2026.

We discuss what&rsquo;s next for Alternative for Germany after a court rules that the party cannot be labelled as an &ldquo;extremist&rdquo; group. Plus: an interview with Giorgos Karampelas, creative director of K-Studio, at Mipim 2026.

Germany enters a new European security era

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