The Globalist – Monocle Radio
Episode: Trump attacks the UN, Hong Kong braces for super typhoon Ragasa and falcons on planes
Date: September 24, 2025
Host: Tom Edwards

Episode Overview

This edition of The Globalist delivers a brisk tour of the day’s most potent global headlines and deep-dives, from Donald Trump’s contentious and chaotic speech at the UN General Assembly to Hong Kong’s battle with Super Typhoon Ragasa. The episode also offers insight into Europe’s headlines, a landmark dissident release in Egypt, developments in the Sahel, the latest in Vatican politics, and a quirky look at why falcons are riding in Gulf business class.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s UN General Assembly Speech

(04:55–11:17, 12:05–13:38)

• Trump delivered an “extraordinary” 55-minute address at the UN, dismissing the organization, calling it “ineffective” and making a marked pivot on Ukraine, signaling he now believes Kyiv can reclaim all its territory.
• Significant sidebar: Trump detailed the first concrete US post-war governance plan for Gaza, discussed in a major meeting with Arab leaders. Indonesia signaled willingness to contribute to a Gaza peacekeeping force.
• The speech was marred by technical glitches—escalator breakdown, teleprompter failure, rogue audio—framed by Trump’s camp as sabotage. UN staffers blamed technical mishaps and joked about pranks due to US UN funding cuts.
• Trump’s address included “malicious falsehoods,” according to host Tom Edwards, especially regarding London and climate change denial.
• Quote:
  • “He dismissed the United Nations, calling it ineffective, called for world leaders to rally. … [On Ukraine] now he believes that Kiev can win back all of its territory from Russia. And this is something that, of course, the European allies have hailed because it marks a clear shift.” — Carlota Rebelo (04:55)
  • “He continues to pedal these absolute falsehoods … you can't surely then give credence to what he may say, even about something as serious as Ukraine.” — Tom Edwards (07:56)

Tech glitches and sabotage allegations

• Quote:
  • “What Trump did was he worked the glitches into his speech. He quipped that all he got from the UN was a bad escalator and a bad teleprompter. But he praised Melania's fitness for avoiding a fall.” — Georgina Godwin (12:33)

2. Review of World Headlines

(03:27–03:54, 29:51–31:27)

• NATO: Issued its strongest warning yet to Russia after jet incursions over Estonia.
• Brazil: President Lula pledged $1 billion to safeguard tropical forests, leading into the Amazon-based COP30 summit (31:02).
• Fashion: Gucci’s Milan Fashion Week opening features a debut film from new creative director Demna, aiming to revamp the venerable Italian brand.
  • “Gucci is fundamentally conservative … but it does thrive when a designer adds a bit of shock and theater.” — Georgina Godwin (31:27)

3. Super Typhoon Ragasa Hits Hong Kong

(21:36–29:34)

• James Chambers (Monocle’s Asia editor, from Bangkok): Describes the T10 warning in Hong Kong—the world’s most powerful storm this year. Hong Kong was well-prepared, minimizing casualties and damage, although viral videos from the Fullerton Hotel exchanged on social.

• Taiwan experienced significant tragedy: 14 people killed.

• Discussion about urban resilience: Hong Kong’s infrastructure investment enables quick recovery, in contrast to more vulnerable cities in the region.

  • Quote:
    • “It's remarkable how the city weathers super typhoons like this, and it's remarkable how quickly it'll get back on its feet and clean up.” — James Chambers (25:29)
    • “In Hong Kong, you get to work from home, schools are closed, and shops all have special typhoon discounts. … [They] know how to clean things up.” — James Chambers (24:18)

• There’s less emphasis in regional reporting on the link between storms and climate change, in contrast to Western discussions.

4. Egypt Frees High-Profile Dissident

(14:09–15:41)

• Prominent Egyptian-British activist Alaa Abdel El-Fattah pardoned after years in jail, prominent for his resistance during Sisi’s crackdown.
  • “He spent much of his adult life behind bars. ... He staged multiple hunger strikes. … [Family says] their true joy will only come when no political prisoners remain in Egypt.” — Georgina Godwin (14:09)
• Debate on whether this signals increasing openness or is merely a political maneuver to improve Egypt’s standing in global diplomatic talks.

5. Science, Art, and Space News

(16:18–20:19)

• Rembrandt dog mystery solved: Curators identify the pose of the dog in 'The Night Watch' as based on another Dutch artist’s drawing.
• NASA’s Artemis-II: Set for launch earlier than anticipated, aiming for deep-space biological experiments. Discussion on how Trump might try to claim credit for any lunar milestones.
• Quote:
  • “Rembrandt didn't copy, but he borrowed and adapted … Even 400 years after it was painted, Rembrandt's masterpiece continues to yield new insights.” — Georgina Godwin (16:18)

6. Sahel States Withdraw from ICC

(38:16–44:56)

• Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso announce formal withdrawal from the International Criminal Court, branding it as neocolonial.
• The move is emblematic of the bloc’s pivot from Western partners, strengthening ties to Russia (and salvaging new judiciary frameworks aligned to local interests).
• It insulates visiting Russian officials (including Putin) from the ICC’s reach.
  • Quote:
    • “Once these countries withdrawal is finalized, they are under no legal obligation to arrest Putin or any other figure with an ICC arrest warrant...” — Talia Parker (40:25)

7. Falcons in Gulf Airlines' Business Class

(32:52–37:49)

• Falcons, integral to Emirati identity, now fly regularly in business class as falconry season ramps up.
• Falcons are assigned passports, cushioned for air travel, and their tickets/utilities outprice some human fares.
  • Quote:
    • “Falcons are serious investments. Upkeep can be thousands and thousands of dollars a month. A GPS tracker alone can cost you around $2,000.” — Insamam Rashid (34:27)
    • “You can just see serenely this image of a raptor occupying seat 2A and cabin crew tasked with soothing both humans and birds.” — Insamam Rashid (35:35)

8. Vatican & Italian Domestic Policy

(45:49–54:41)

• First Interview with Pope Leo XIV
  • The first American Pope distances himself from US partisanship but voices support for migrant dignity and continues Francis’ legacy, especially on immigration and LGBTQ questions, though doctrinal change is “highly unlikely.”
  • “We are in different places,”—Pope Leo on his MAGA-supporting brother. (46:24)
• Italy’s Domestic Scene
  • PM Giorgia Meloni faces pressure over Gaza—calling for recognition of Palestinian statehood only under strict new conditions, while vast national strikes wrack the country in Gaza solidarity.

9. Animals on Planes: New Italian Rules

(54:41–55:10)

• Italy’s Transport Minister Matteo Salvini proposes allowing much larger (up to 25kg) dogs in aircraft cabins, citing animal welfare. Critics raise questions of safety and comfort.
• Quote:
  • “He's saying that soon these kind of dogs are going to be able to join the mile high canine club … of course controversy.” — Juliet Lindley (53:06)

10. Obesity Medications: Pharma’s Gold Rush

(55:10–58:56)

• New competition is brewing in the pharma world as Roche advances its obesity drug to phase three trials, eager to join market dominators Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk.
• Personal angle from Georgina Godwin, who’s found benefit from current drugs, while pondering the societal impact—larger health gaps, changing airline and hospitality norms.
  • Quote:
    • “The fat will be poor, the thin won't. ... All of this is going to make a fundamental difference to the way we live our lives.” — Georgina Godwin (57:36)
    • “They are not approved for cats yet.” — Fabian Kinselman (55:10, joking on cross-species interest in weight loss drugs)

Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• “He continues to pedal these absolute falsehoods.” — Tom Edwards on Trump (07:56)
• “Hong Kong is a city that has learned … and invested more and more money… it’s remarkable how quickly it’ll get back on its feet.” — James Chambers (24:18)
• “Families, communities bond over the [falconry] practice. … They’re seated in business class, hooded, calm, sometimes even with live prey … there is a huge business side to this.” — Insamam Rashid (34:27)
• “He said we have to change attitudes before we can even think about changing what the Church says about any given question.” — Juliet Lindley on Pope Leo XIV (46:24)
• “Soon these kind of dogs are going to be able to join the mile-high canine club.” — Juliet Lindley (53:06)
• “The fat will be poor, the thin won’t ... it’s going to make a fundamental difference…” — Georgina Godwin on weight-loss drug implications (57:36)

Notable Segments & Timestamps

• Trump at the UN / Ukraine Shift / Gaza Plan: 04:55–11:17
• Technical Glitches and “Sabotage” Claims at the UN: 12:05–13:38
• Egypt Dissident Freed: 14:09–15:41
• Super Typhoon Ragasa in Hong Kong: 21:36–29:34
• Falcons Flying Business Class: 32:52–37:49
• Sahel States Leaving the ICC: 38:16–44:56
• First Interview with Pope Leo XIV: 45:49–49:34
• Obesity Pharma Boom: 55:10–58:56

Tone and Style

The episode maintains Monocle’s signature blend of world-wise curiosity, wit, and measured skepticism. Hosts and correspondents provide depth without sacrificing levity, infusing serious discussions with memorable asides (e.g., animal flights, technical mishaps) and personal perspectives, keeping content engaging and briskly paced.

For more on all these stories and continuing global coverage, tune in daily to Monocle’s The Globalist.