The Briefing

The US embassy in Kyiv closes amid fears of a major Russian missile attack, just as US president Joe Biden agrees to give anti-personnel landmines to Ukraine. Then: Austria’s three-party coalition begins to take shape and a group of authors in Australia provide every federal politician with five books to encourage a nuanced debate over the Middle East conflict. Plus: Los Angeles declares itself a “sanctuary city” and we get the latest fashion news from Balenciaga to LVMH and Saint Laurent.

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As the world reacts to Hong Kong’s imprisonment of 45 pro-democracy activists, Steve Tsang joins Georgina Godwin to discuss Beijing’s defence of the landmark sentencing. Then: the first globally extinct bird species from mainland Europe and North Africa and West Asia with Stephen Moss. 

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After months of asking, Ukraine has been granted permission to use long-range missiles provided by the West, to strike deep inside of Russia. Biden’s decision comes just days before a major assault is expected by Russian and North Korean troops to dislodge Ukrainian forces from Kursk. 

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Brazil is set to host the G20 summit with world leaders expected to focus on social inclusion, global reform and sustainability. But will it be overshadowed by president-elect Trump? Plus: Marine Le Pen battles to stay on the ballot in French courts, secret plans for pay-per-mile driving in London and an Asian news roundup. 

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As Xi Jinping inaugurates a $1.3bn port during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Peru, we discuss China’s expanding influence in South America ahead of next week’s G20 summit. Plus: is Cop29 doomed to fail? And: we head to Italy for ‘The Global Countdown’ with Fernando Augusto Pacheco.

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President-elect Donald Trump has made Elon Musk a cost-cutting tsar as the head of a newly created Department of Government Efficiency. Then: we examine how the violence in Amsterdam surrounding a football match involving an Israeli team unfolded. Plus: how Finns combat the winter blues and the surge in Americans looking to move abroad.

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US president-elect Trump has begun forming his new cabinet. We examine what the White House hopefuls could bring to their roles. Then: world leaders descend on Lima for the Apec summit. Plus: we dig through the archives at Magnum Photos.

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Ukraine takes the fight to Moscow amid confusion over whether Donald Trump actually spoke with Vladimir Putin over the weekend. Will Kim Jong-un be feeling “fire and fury” from the president-elect or will they be exchanging love letters once again? Plus: a round-up of the latest architecture news and a check-in with the COP29 climate summit. 

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As Trump appoints Susie Wiles as his chief of staff, Katie Gaddini joins from Washington to discuss the speculations around Trump’s cabinet appointments. Plus: violent attacks on Israeli football fans in Amsterdam and Karen Krizanovich joins us for the latest from the world of film. 

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As Harris delivers her concession speech, Natasha Lindstaedt joins Andrew Mueller to discuss what Trump’s first 100 days could look like. Then: Melissa Hamilton discusses the small matter of Trump’s criminal convictions and ongoing legal problems. Plus: Nic Monisse joins from Dubai Design Week. 

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