Jakarta is the largest megacity, Louvre hikes tickets for non-EU visitors and Brazilian soaps go international

Summary

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The Monocle Daily – November 28, 2025

Episode Overview

Host Andrew Muller is joined by Monocle correspondents Carlotta Rebello and Fernando Augusto Pacheco for a brisk, sharp-witted take on the day’s international headlines. This episode spotlights three major stories: Jakarta becoming the world’s largest megacity, the Louvre increasing ticket prices for non-EU visitors, and Brazilian telenovelas pushing for global audience domination. Alongside the headlining topics, the show delivers a signature blend of humor, cultural insight, and headline dissection, including a satirical weekly roundup.

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1. Jakarta Overtakes Tokyo as the World’s Largest Megacity

Starts at 04:14

Key Points & Insights

• Jakarta now the world’s most populous city with 42 million inhabitants, overtaking Tokyo, due to a UN reclassification of urban/rural boundaries.
• Nine out of the ten biggest cities are in Asia, with Cairo being the only exception outside Asia.
• Rapid urbanization is most intense in Africa and Asia.

Discussion Highlights:

• Changing Status of Megacities

  • Fernando Augusto Pacheco: “We used to be top ten, but not anymore.” [05:15] on São Paulo's new 13th place
  • The panel discusses how some megacities are seeing growth slow or decline, while Asian cities surge ahead.

• Demographic Trends

  • Carlotta Rebello: “By 2050, 68% of the world population would live in cities… in 1950, only 2.5 billion people lived in cities.” [06:06]
  • Urbanization is described as “one of the biggest demographic shifts in human history.”

• Drivers of Urbanization

  • Andrew Muller questions whether migration to megacities is by choice or necessity. [07:36]
  • Fernando: “Personally, I think it's both… If you want to have a good career, it is a good idea to move to a big city. The difference is, it doesn’t need to be New York or London these days.” [08:02]

• Future of Megacities

  • Concerns about sustainability as cities like Jakarta literally sink (prompting Indonesia’s plan to build a new capital), and Tehran faces possible evacuation due to environmental collapse. [08:59]
  • Carlotta: “Sometimes it's just as simple as the actual timing of things. You cannot build at a pace that matches the demographic movements…” [09:32]

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2. The Louvre Hikes Ticket Prices for Non-EU Visitors

Starts at 10:56

Key Points & Insights

• Louvre ticket prices to rise from €22 to €32 for visitors from outside the European Economic Area.
• Funds will be used for security upgrades, particularly following a recent museum heist.
• Satirical assertion that the price hike “is basically an American/British tax” to “wind up” those visitor groups. [12:44]

Discussion Highlights:

• Fernando: “I would make it cheaper for locals, for Parisians even... so in that sense it feels a little bit discriminatory, I have to say.” [11:52]
• Carlotta argues that higher fees for non-EU visitors are justified because “a lot of the funding... are EU funds, so EU citizens have paid for it in a different way with their taxes.” [13:00]
• London model praised for keeping museums free for all, with charges for special exhibitions. [14:50]
• Fernando: “I like the model, but I don’t think it’s the perfect model as well.” [15:06]

Notable Quote

“They have literally just done this to wind up the Americans and the British, which I genuinely think is just altogether commendable.”
— Andrew Muller [12:49]

• Security upgrades post-heist are discussed as necessary to protect both the Louvre’s integrity and visitor experience. [15:27]

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3. Brazilian Telenovelas Eye International Expansion

Starts at 16:15

Key Points & Insights

• Brazil’s iconic telenovelas are set for English-language adaptations, targeting the US and broader global markets.
• Telenovelas remain highly popular in Brazil and Portugal, influencing domestic production styles.
• Format differences likely for US audience adaptation: Brazilian telenovelas typically run a fixed 200 episodes, unlike ongoing Western soaps.

Discussion Highlights:

• Fernando: “Five years ago… a lot of people in Brazil, they were saying, is this the death of the telenovela? … That is not the case.” [17:17]
• Despite streaming, telenovelas thrive—even among youth, albeit via mobile devices.
• Carlotta describes Portugal as “one of the biggest markets for Brazilian telenovelas… It started in the late 70s… the power, the soft power of the Brazilian telenovela.” [18:03]
• On adaptation for the US:
  Fernando: “They might not understand the way we do telenovela, which… is like 200 episodes… and then we move on.” [19:46]

Notable Moments

• The telenovela "Avenida Brasil" cited as a cultural phenomenon that reflected the emerging middle class in Brazil; even disrupted a presidential address.
• Fernando’s recommendation: “A próxima vítima… four wealthy kind of Italian-Brazilian sisters… that’s iconic.” [21:56]

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4. Special Report: The National Newspaper and Abu Dhabi as Media Hub

Starts at 22:42

Key Points & Insights

• Featuring Mina Al Arabi, editor in chief of The National (UAE).
• The National: an English-language paper launched in 2008, relaunched for a regional/global audience in 2016.
• Most readership is international (55–60% outside UAE), underscoring the region’s global media relevance.
• Abu Dhabi discussed as a growing regional media and convening hub, attracting global journalists and outlets.
• Editorial diversity and audience digital engagement highlighted as key strengths. [24:00–28:45]

Notable Quote

“You are at the perch of a city and a country that is such a global hub… our newsroom… over 30 nationalities working together.”
— Mina Al Arabi [22:50]

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5. Weekly Satirical Wrap: "What We Learned"

Starts at 29:48

Tone & Highlights

Andrew Muller offers a wry digest of the week’s most bizarre headlines, ranging from conspiracy theorist claims to peculiar political developments—with tongue firmly in cheek.

• Recaps Candace Owens’ wild conspiracy claims involving Emmanuel Macron and the French secret service. [30:42]
• Playful skewering of US political machinations, military investigation absurdities, and—most surreal—news of a Namibian politician named Adolf Hitler winning re-election.
• Memorable closing moment:

  “That is it for this edition of the Monocle Daily… Thanks for listening and have a great weekend.”

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Notable Quotes & Moments With Timestamps

• “By 2050, 68% of the world population would live in cities… in 1950, only 2.5 billion people lived in cities.” — Carlotta Rebello [06:06]
• “Personally, I think it’s both… If you want to have a good career, it is a good idea to move to a big city.” — Fernando Augusto Pacheco [08:02]
• “They have literally just done this to wind up the Americans and the British…” — Andrew Muller [12:49]
• “Five years ago… is this the death of the telenovela? … That is not the case.” — Fernando Augusto Pacheco [17:17]
• “Portugal is perhaps one of the biggest markets for Brazilian telenovelas…” — Carlotta Rebello [18:03]
• “You are at the perch of a city and a country that is such a global hub…” — Mina Al Arabi [22:50]

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Overall Tone, Style & Experience

The episode brims with Monocle’s typical mix of urbane wit, cultural curiosity, and internationalism. Andrew Muller’s sardonic humor complements Carlotta and Fernando’s expert insights. The show moves effortlessly from statistical analysis and sociological implications to absurdist satire, making for a lively, engaging listen even as it brings clarity to complex global trends.

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For listeners wanting sharp perspective on the world’s shifting urban landscapes, cultural institutions’ balancing acts, and the enduring global allure of Brazilian melodrama, this episode of The Monocle Daily delivers both substance and smiles.

Transcript

[A]

Every day, the world presents you with hundreds of headlines. What do you believe? Who do you trust? The Financial Times cuts through complexity with clarity, accuracy and global perspective. Its journalism is guided by independence, not agendas. That's why leaders in business, policy and culture turn to one trusted source for facts, for insight, for what matters next. Source FT Read more and [e-mail].

[B]

You'Re listening to the Monocle Daily, first broadcast on 28 November 2025 on Monocle Radio.

[C]

Tokyo is displaced as the world's most mega metropolis. The Louvre ups its charges despite a recent reduction of its contents. And is the Brazilian telenovela about to go global? I'm Andrew Muller. The Monocle Daily starts now. Hello and welcome to the Monocle Daily. Coming to you from our studios here at Midori House in London, I'm Andrew Muller. My guests, Carlotta Rebello and Fernando Augusto Pacheco of Monocle's Lusophone contingent. We'll discuss the day's big stories. We'll have more from the recent Monocle weekender in Abu Dhabi. And we'll have our weekly wrap up of what we've learned. Stay tuned. All that and more coming up right here on the Monocle Daily. This is the Monocle Daily. I'm Andrew Muller and I am joined today by Fernando Augusto Baseco, Monocle's senior correspondent, and Carlotta Rebello, Monocle's senior foreign correspondent and executive producer. Just the one person though. Hello to you both.

[B]

Hi, Andrew.

[D]

Pleasure to be here.

[C]

Steady on, Fernando. First of all, I understand that round your way, Friday night is fondue night.

[D]

I am so 70. So tonight I'm having fondue with good red wine. I mean, that's the perfect winter evening for me, right?

[C]

As opposed to fondue with bad red wine.

[D]

And by the way, you know that Brazilians adore fondue. There's something, we have a love affair with it. We have specific restaurants in the country only serving fondue even in the summer.

[C]

You're making this up.

[D]

Honestly, I'm not joking. People probably consume more fondue than the British.

[B]

But do you think it's as tasty in the summer when it's like warm?

[D]

Well, yeah, maybe if you're in aircon environment. I think that's. That's a different feeling in a way as well. But we do make some good fondue.

[C]

How 70s is this going to get, Fernando? Is everyone gonna put on some flared corduroys? Stick a chicory tip album on the stereo?

[D]

Yes, the soundtrack is ready. We'll be listening to CDs. Well, even though CDs are not very 70s, but.

[C]

No, they're not.

[D]

Let's ignore that part.

[C]

What flavor? Fondue. I'm basically, like, seeing how long I can keep the fondue.

[D]

Can I be honest? Cheese. I mean, I think I love a good me fondue. And I'm sure they have specific names, but I think it'll be too hard. And can I say something bad, actually?

[C]

Please.

[D]

I hate chocolate fondue.

[C]

You hate chocolate fondue?

[B]

You know what? I'm not a big fan either.

[D]

Yeah, that's a bit too sickly for me. Stick to the cheese. That's the best one. And good bread as well.

[C]

Please move seamlessly along to what you have. Coming up. Carlotta, will you be having any fondue in Hong Kong, do you think?

[B]

I will be very surprised if fondue comes my way in Hong Kong.

[C]

Well, apparently it's all the ra, so there's no reason why it wouldn't be in Hong Kong.

[B]

I'm not saying I'm opposed. I love fondue like any other girl. But I am actually hoping to eat some delicious dim sum. And I'm just so craving a bit of, you know, a culinary tour of Hong Kong, if I can. I'll be in town next week for mipim Asia. Listeners might remember mipim, the big property fair that happens every year in Cannes. And now they're doing an Asia edition in Hong Kong, so it'll be a good time.

[C]

You could have a combined dim sum fondue evening.

[D]

I would love that. And I agree with Carlotte. I mean, if one thing Hong Kong is good at is with food, wise as well.

[C]

That is true. Well, on the subject of the megalopolises of Southeast Asia, we are going to start in Jakarta, which by the best guesses of the UN's Department of Economic and Social affairs, is now the world's most populous city, home to 42 million people, which, by way of perspective, is slightly more people than live in Canada, which is a good deal bigger. Jakarta and Dhaka have overhauled Greater Tokyo for the crown due to a revamp of the way that cities, towns and rural areas are categorized. Of the 10 most populous cities, nine are located in Asia. The exception being. Did either of you look this up?

[B]

No.

[C]

Cairo. It is Cairo. Did you guess that or did you look it up earlier?

[D]

Well, I kind of knew it, but I did look up as well.

[C]

It's a. It's a. I say, I think. I think Lagos would have been a tempting answer there, but apparently not. It is, in fact, Cairo. Fernando, first of all, as the person at this table who grew up in something closest to an actual mega city, will Sao Paulo be disappointed that it hasn't made the cut a little bit?

[D]

We used to be top 10, but not anymore.

[C]

But because it is, it's a properly big city, it is still a big city.

[D]

It's the 13th biggest, you know, so we were almost there. But, you know, listen, Andrew, this new report is the reflection of a new world as well, because even my city, so Paulo, although still pretty big, we're still mega in many ways. But actually the population in Sao Paulo start declining in the next years. Even so, you know, it's funny that some cities are booming, you see Dhaka, Jakarta, but then many others, they used to be, you know, quite big. Even I think of Mexico City, for example, or even the European cities and in the US is a reflection of a new world order in a way.

[C]

I mean, these are merely extreme reflections, Carlotta, of a global trend, which is people moving into cities. That's why Monocle Radio has a show called the Urbanist and not one called the Ruralist.

[B]

Well, that is true. And you know, ever since I've been doing the Urbanist for a. But over a decade we've heard this stat, which is that by 2050, 68% of the world population would live in cities. By comparison, it's around 55% today. And we've always heard this statistic. And that that growth would tend to happen across Africa and Asia predominantly. And what I find quite interesting about this report is that it is for, I'm not going to risk, say for the first time, but is a huge marker of where the tendencies are going in terms of where people are moving to. We need to remember that urbanization is one of the biggest demographic shifts that have happened in human history. By comparison, in 1950, only 2.5 billion people lived in cities. And you know, if you think that now 68% of the human population will live in urban areas, you know, 100 years later, that is a huge shift. And this change in sad for Sao Paulo dropping off the top 10, but still there. But this really is showing how not necessarily that cities like Sao Paulo are not growing, they continue to grow. But the speed at which cities in Asia and in Africa are growing, the megacities, is so rapid, it's such rapid urbanization that the results are here to see. And this is where some of the challenges come, because with rapid urbanization, you'll get acute challenges too.

[C]

Fernando, do we think, though, that this move to the big cities is driven by the fact that people think they're tremendous places to live, or are people doing this out of economic necessity? Because I'm sure people come from places around Sao Paulo in Brazil and possibly from further afield. But do they do that because they're all thinking, I really want to live in Sao Paulo, or are they thinking, I kind of have to go and live in Sao Paulo if I want to make a living?

[D]

Personally, I think it's both. I think the economic necessity, for sure. Even a city like Sao Paulo, I mean, the city was built by immigrants from other parts of the country as well. So not just international immigration, but even internal one as well. And I believe our editorial director, Tyler Brule said that if you're a young person today and you grew up in a smaller city, by the way, I have nothing against smaller or medium cities.

[C]

I mean, their fondue is as good as anyone else.

[D]

Exactly. But it is still the case that you, you know, if you want, you know, to have a good career, it is a good idea to move to a big city. The difference is it doesn't need to be New York or London these days. Could be Dhaka, could be Jakarta, could be the city of Mexico. And I personally love a mega city. I think they're fun. I just came back from another one, Bangkok, which I think is 14, I think, just close to Sao Paulo. It's so exciting. The food, the people. There are many issues. And I'm sure, you know, we're going to talk about the problems, but I think it's so exciting. I love a big.

[C]

On the subject of the problems, Carlotta, and this is a massive urbanism thing. Do. Do you think there might come a backlash as some of these places become literally unsustainable? Jakarta, for example, is literally sinking, which is why Indonesia is building a new capital on Borneo. And just this week or in the last couple of weeks, the actual president of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, has said that Tehran, population 15 million or so, may actually have to be evacuated. They might just have to give up on Tehran because they can't make it work.

[B]

Well, each city is faced with different challenges. But alluding to what I was saying earlier about the issues with rapid urbanization, sometimes it's just as simple as the actual timing of things. You cannot build at a pace that matches the demographic movements of people into cities. And that presents its other challenges. Can city services cope, can transport authorities cope, et cetera. And then you have, as you mentioned there, Andrew, the climate change shifts. And we know, not just, just like Jakarta Many other cities are dealing with, you know, the erosion of their coastlines or flash floods, which, you know, every year get worse and worse, or extreme drought and extreme heat on the other hand, and these are all challenges that the more people you have, the more exacerbated they'll be. We need to remember that cities are hotter by average, on average than other, other places and megacity even hotter. The urban heat island effect is very much a real thing. So it's no surprise that, you know, people are trying and governments are trying to come up with solutions that include building entirely new cities, entirely new capitals. And you know, as Fernando said, you know, there's still room for the small, medium sized city. In fact, most people live there. Just that the density of the megacity is so overwhelming by comparison that it's difficult to ignore.

[C]

Well, to Paris now, specifically the Louvre, where it will shortly become more expensive for many tourists to gate upon such artefacts as have not been filched by burglars shimmying down ladders and zipping away on motor scooters to a soundtrack of jaunty accordion possibly mowing down a cycle borne onion cellar and a mime to tremendous comic effect. Visitors from outside the European economic Area, that is the eu, plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein will henceforth be stung for €32, up from €22, for the pleasure of attempting to see the Mona Lisa over the lofted phones of idiots taking pictures of the Mona Lisa Lis Lisa so they can show people what the Mona Lisa looks like. The money will fund, among other things, security upgrades, a nice new door for their empty stable. Fernando, controversial hot take. Would it not just make more sense to raise the price for everybody?

[D]

I mean, it would and, but, but at the same time, you know, I understand where they're coming from, but the only thing I would change in that I would make it cheaper for locals, for Parisians even. I wouldn't even say the eu. The eu, whatever. They can pay what the rest of us do. So yeah, so in that sense it feels a little bit discriminatory, I have to say.

[C]

Well, this is where I think the French are coming from. Carlotta. And I'm hanging this one out there. Bear in mind, this is the French we are talking about. Your favourite, my favorite. I'm genuinely a huge fan of the place and I'm genuinely a huge fan of the place for reasons such as the one I'm about to posit, which is which two cohorts of prolific visitors to France are going to be most.

[B]

Irritated by this 100% Americans and 100% British.

[C]

Exactly right. That's why they've done this.

[B]

So you think this should be called American British Tax?

[C]

It basically is. They have literally just done this to wind up the Americans and the British, which I genuinely think is just altogether commendable.

[B]

Well, so what you say is that you just completely unpacked what had been done very smoothly, diplomatically, and you're finding the truth behind it. No, but you know what? I actually disagree slightly with fe. While I agree that I think not just the Louvre, but in general more, more and more cultural institutions and museums across the European Union have explored this option of higher fees for non EU visitors. Because it is that idea that there should be some benefits of being part of the club and that should extend to culture, et cetera. Because the thinking here is that a lot of the funding that comes through these institutions are EU funds. So the EU citizens have paid for it in a different way with their taxes. I do agree as well that programs that make it either entirely free or cheaper for residents should be the norm. I know that in the Lisbon metropolitan region, it depends from each museum, but in general there are cheaper tickets and on Sundays it tends to be free for residents. So at least one day of the week where residents can go for free. Now, what I find, while this story is quite amusing, particularly when you think about, you know, where the money is going to be applied to, it's not entirely surprising, because back at the beginning of the year in January, Emmanuel Macron did mention this as a way of funding some of the improvements to the museum. And this is long before the now doomed heist that's overshadowing any move that the Louvre decides to do. But if you think about it, it's 30,000 people on average that visit the Louvre every single day. If this move can help dissuade a few, or at least make the crowds less harmful or less impactful on each visitor's visit, I think that's a win.

[C]

Just finally, on this one, Fernando, I will say on a serious note, I actually really like the model which mostly obtains here in London, which is that the museums are free to all comers, except if you want to see one of the special exhibitions. Exhibitions, you will usually get stung for 10 or 15 quid for that.

[D]

I think it's a good model. My only concern is, you know, and I've been reading a few articles, some museum owners as well, is it. Is it sustainable? Perhaps, but of course. But the problem here in London as well, let's say if you go to the va, the most exciting exhibitions, you do end up paying quite a lot. So I like the model, but I don't think it's the perfect model as well.

[B]

I just want to add one little thing. After the heist in October, the heist in Adel, there was huge concern about what that would mean for the future of the institution. Not necessarily about reputation, et cetera, but if the increase in security would be so overwhelming, that would completely ruin the experience of visiting the Louvre. So these news, if it's a way of kind of addressing that gap that was left exposed by that robbery without robbing people of the opportunity of seeing some art, I think it's a good middle ground. And it's starting at the beginning of January, so I'm sure this time next year we'll be able to unpack exactly what that meant for visitor numbers, for improvements, and even for maybe some purchasing of more art.

[C]

But just imagine how much extra they could charge people to arrive at the Louvre on a motor scooter, climb in through an upstairs window on a ladder anyway. I mean, I mean, they could do a whole thing. They could wear striped shirts and little masks in a big sack with Le Swag. I'd pay. I'd pay €100 for that. But we move along to Brazil, which has ambitions of making a global thing of its local idiom of soap. Soap opera. Telenovelas, as they are known, are stereotypically associated with noisily overwrought over actors hurling crockery around notably wobbly sets. Plans are now afoot to adapt them into English with an eye on the US market, where there is pretty clearly some sort of appetite for the melodramatic posturing of orange skinned hams who can't remember their lines. Absolutely. Champagne satire there, Fernando. First of all, give us some idea of how big a whoop the telenovela is in Brazil, because my understanding is that it is a very big whoop indeed.

[D]

It is a big deal. And I will tell you something else. Five years ago, a lot of people in Brazil, they were saying, is this the death of the telenovela? Because Netflix entered the Brazilian market in a strong way, people are saying, are they old fashioned, outdated? That is not the case. You know what happened? Netflix learned lessons with Globo and they started making their own telenovelas or having ideas, you know, that are quite similar to those. And it's so interesting how resilient they are even among the young generation. The only difference that perhaps they're not watching telenovelas on tv, but maybe on their mobile Phones.

[C]

Were telenovelas a thing in Portugal? Did they make the sort of, I guess, reverse leap from Brazil back to the former colonizer?

[B]

100%. I think Portugal is perhaps one of the biggest markets for Brazilian telenovelas. It started in the late 70s, so shortly after the revolution, when Portugal opened up Back to the World with Gabriella, one of the most famous novellas that you know, long before my time, but I still know all about it, because you grow up knowing all about Gabriella and Joki Santairo. So it's still. It's still Portugal still consumes. It's not just then back in the 70s and 80s, but still is one of the biggest consumers of Brazilian telenovelas. But also it has influenced a lot of the soap opera production in Portugal. Each TV channel, so we're talking both the public broadcaster, rtp, and the two main private channels, Sick and tv, they all produce and have their own studios for telenovela productions in Portugal, which are also called telenovelas. And the reason why it went from a nation that was importing telenovelas to one that still imports telenovelas, but each competitor is making at least two or three that compete with each other, some for the younger audience, some for the older audience, etc. Some just for the weekend, just shows you the power, the soft power of the Brazilian telenovela. Because while the storylines might differ a bit, obviously being more in tune with the cultural differences between the two countries, I don't think Portugal would have had such a big market for the domestic telenovela had it not been for how much it consumed of the Brazilian telenovela.

[C]

Are you concerned, Fernando, that they may lose something in the translation adaptation? Would a non Brazilian audience, do you think, be ready to cope with the full Brazilian telenovela experience?

[D]

I mean, you know, this new agreement with this American production company, there will be some changes for the American market because they might not understand the way we do telenovela, which, you know, usually one telenovela is like 200 episodes. They're not like your soap operas here in Australia or the uk, where it's literally the same stories, like in several seasons, like Neighbors. No, we have a specific story for 200 episodes and then we move on to a completely different one. And I think they are dividing it into seasons. But what I find it great is that they are consuming a Brazilian script, you know, Brazilian stories, you know, so clearly there's something quite creative about that. And I know there's the stereotype, the orange hair, champagne, whatever you're saying. But, you know, I have to say that our telenovelas are high production values. They are very creative products, you Know, some of them are so iconic because they portray the country in a very special way. I give you an example of Avenida Brazil 2012. It was at the moment, Carlotta, dear.

[C]

Listeners, is nodding at this as well.

[B]

It was a huge phenomenon in Portugal and I remember in Morocco as well, because I'm from Madeira and sometimes you Moroccan tv, if it's really hot in the way and the wind is blowing the right way, or Moroccan radio. And they had Avenida Brazil there.

[D]

And the reason Avenida Brazil was so special is because at that time there was a new middle class emerging in the country. And that telenovela really portrayed that new middle class and what they used to eat, what they used to listen, but they did in such a smart way that people, you know, they saw themselves on TV as well. I think even President Dilma at the time, she had, you know, she had a speech at the same time as the final episode of the telenovela. She had to cancel and say, I'll do it tomorrow because I can't.

[C]

That's one recommendation, Fernando. But just finally, before I let you go to your bubbling fondue spot, what is just one? If, if the interest of any listeners has been piqued by this learned disquisition on the subject of telenovelas and they're thinking, I'd like to have a lash at this. What would be a telenovela you would recommend? Someone start with.

[D]

I will go for a personal one. A prossima vicima. I do like older, glamorous women. And this soap opera had four of them there, four sisters, four wealthy kind of Italian Brazilian sisters. And, you know, there was a lot of kind of crime involved. They're the Ferretto family. That's iconic.

[C]

Sounds fabulous. Fernando Augusto Pacheco and Carlotta Rebelo, thank you both for joining us. You are listening to the Daily on Monocle Radio. The Monocle weekender in Abu Dhabi wrapped up last Sunday after three days of exploring the fast changing emirate and meeting some of the people shaping its future. One of those people was Mina Al Arabi, the editor in chief of the national newspaper in the ua. She spoke with Monocle's Tom Edwards in Abu Dhabi, who began by asking her to share the story behind the publication.

[E]

So the national is an incredible outlet and I can only claim a little bit of credit for that because it was established in 2008, way before I came to Abu Dhabi. And the strength of the national is that it is in Abu Dhabi and kind of the world. Now, as you have seen by coming here, Congregates in Abu Dhabi. When I moved here, I thought, oh my goodness, I'm going to miss being in London where everybody passes through. And actually I see many more people from many different backgrounds coming through here. And so the strength of the national is that you are at the perch of a city and a country that is such a global hub. It didn't have its own English language paper and it was established under Abu Dhabi Media, which is the government arm, so to speak, that has media. And then in 2016, a decision was made that it would be relaunched under IMI International Media Vestige was the old name. Now it's known as IMI Media. And IMI sought me out to be the relaunch editor. And as those who work in the media industry know, in this day and age, it's very rare to get a newspaper relaunching and be given new life. So I was super excited at the chance and I moved here to relaunch it. And the relaunch of the national positioned it to be not only a UAE paper, but really to think about the region. And I think this is part of again, the UAE role as being really a beacon in, in the Middle east as a progressive, somewhat socially conservative, but very progressive country. And the newspaper reflects that and also the ethos of everybody's welcome here. And even if you look at our newsroom, we've got over 30 nationalities working in the newsroom. We have different editorial backgrounds but coming together to create something new. And I think that's again, one of the great things about the uae. So the national is in the English language. It is, is in print edition, but sadly you only get the print in the UAE. So 99% of our readership is online. And that's again the incredible strength of now digital media where everybody can get you. And we have podcasts and we've got video and newsletters. The connoisseur's choice indeed. And you know, Our newsletters have 360,000 subscribers from all over the world. Our readership on any given day is about 55 to 60% outside of the UAE because people are interested. Again, our tagline is the Middle east explained. People want to understand the Middle east and what we really try to do is, you know, give you an interesting and fair representation not only of what's happening in this region, but how we see global events happening. So us, China, competition seen through the lens of sitting in the Gulf, Russia, Ukraine, and what's the fallout on geopolitics seen from this region rather than this early Europe or the us And I think that's a needed voice, to be honest. And it's one of the strengths of the national that we have, again, journalists in, in London and New York and Washington, but also Baghdad, Jerusalem, Amman and Beirut.

[F]

And it's interesting because I think that's often forgotten, isn't it? Especially as we see greater polarization, certainly in certain Western media markets that you need to remember there are people in other places with different perspectives and priorities. And I think that's one the of the things that the national does super well. Just talk to me a little bit about the value that a strong media scene and a strong media brand specifically delivers for a city. You know, we're obsessed with quality of life at Monaco. And one of our metrics that everybody uses is how many papers are there, what's the media scene, what's the diversity? Why is it important to have strong media brands, to have good quality of life in the city?

[E]

So completely agreed on the importance of the diversity of media available. And I would say that again, given the era we live in, Monaco doesn't feel far from the uae. You know, we've got the FT Middle east that's here, we've got the national that's very rooted. Again, our name is the national. And so there's the national here. But then there's also the incredible newsletters that are emerging from here and the fact that so many other global outlets, be it AFP or Reuters or others, choose to make the UAE their regional hub. Now, part of that is a reflection of what's been happening in the region. So people used to be based in Jerusalem or people would be based in Cairo or Beirut. But given the dysfunction, sadly, in much of the Arab world, you know, you come and you look at the UA and it's a place you can operate. It's a great hub. As a journalist, you need to get on a plane and get anywhere in no time. And there is no other country in the world that has the sort of hubs that we have at the and the airlines, but also, frankly, the conversations that happen here. So not only in terms of events, which, you know, we currently have this week, Abu Dhabi Art, and we've got Nomad visiting and all of this, but you also have people that are constantly coming here to learn more. In one week, we've had the President of South Korea, we've had the Prime Minister of Canada, and we've had the President of Finland in five days coming through. And so, of course, we're meeting ministers and visiting businessmen and so forth. And that enriches the media output because again, you're telling a global story. And when they come here, they speak differently from when they're in their own capital cities. And so you actually get a different perspective of global news that's happening through here. And so the richness of the media scene is not only from the media outlets that are based here, but I would say also everybody that finds they need to be here, just like Monocle has sought to be here too.

[F]

Well, let's talk about that, because one thing that always strikes me whenever I'm in the UAE at all is the power of convening key stakeholders, whether that's in terms of geopolitics, culture, media, what kind of opportunity does that give you, Mina, in terms of your job, in terms of the potential for growth, whether that's digital, whether that's in print, what is the opportunity and how do you think strategically about what the next phase, the next iteration of that growth and expansion and ambition Commission looks at? It's hugely exciting. But are there almost too many options? How do you untangle the threads and set the course?

[E]

Well, as anyone who runs a newsroom or works in a newsroom would know, it's a matter of resource because there is so much going on here and you do have so much access. And again, it's a country that convenes so many and then making sure that you have the right people who can write about, speak about, about these events. And for me, it's really important that we're doing serious journalism and you can, you know, have a very in depth conversation with one of our business correspondents on where the energy transition is going. And again, the UA plays an important role. But then also this nexus of technology, AI and energy and capital, I mean, that's what you need for the future. And that's all meeting here. And so to be able to do that, but to be able to do that with depth and knowledge and authority. So of course you have all these people coming, but no one's going to want to talk to you if they don't recognize the name of your outlet or your journalist. And I think that's again, one of the strengths of the nationals, that we're able to hire people who have these relationships and who are able to bring in not only big interviews but big ideas.

[C]

That was Meena Al Arabi, editor in chief of the national in the uae, speaking to Monocle's Tom Edwards in Abu Dhabi. You are listening to the Daily with me, Andrew Muller. And finally on Today's show time for our weekly assessment of how much the wiser we are for having endured the last seven days. We learned this week that French President Emmanuel Macron had ordered operatives of the French intelligence services to assassinate the bemusingly popular American conservative podcaster Candace Owens. Not sure the gasp is quite right. Do we have an ominous accordion sting? Close enough. We learned this, admittedly, from Candace Owens herself, who has not always, perhaps been the most reliable or indeed non bonkers of analysts.

[G]

For example, I realize this, I've never been a person that believed in the moon landings. Always just felt a little foolish to me talking on the moon. Yeah, here we are. I don't know. In 1969, we had basically nothing technologically, and then we sort of just stopped going after a period of years during which our government, government really wanted to distract us from some stuff that they were doing overseas.

[C]

You can gong her off whenever you're ready. Keep the somber accordion going, though. Quite enjoying it. Anyway, we learned, or at least decided to take Owen's word for the purposes of mockery, that President Macron had taken further umbrage. Come on, you know you want to. No, no. Taken further umbrage at Owen's recent assertions that Madame Macron, that is first lady of France and mother of three, Brigitte Macron, is in fact a chap. A claim which has already prompted legal action by the Macrons and raised the prospect of a trial which must be doing absolute wonders for popcorn futures.

[G]

And then, of course, right about the time that President Donald Trump personally called me and told me that Emmanuel Macron asked him to order me to just stop talking about his wife's penis. Yeah, then the world knew something was going on here, because that's not normal.

[C]

However, we have now learned. Or, yes, played along because there's at least two minutes of monologue in it, that President Macron has arranged insurance against any home ground officiating by any American judge.

[B]

In a lengthy post on X, she.

[C]

Says she was informed of the plot by a high ranking employee of the French government and dispatched a hit squad comprised of, apparently a female French assassin and a male Israeli one. Those guys always up to something with their shenanigans. And that the funds to underwrite the operation are being funneled through something called the Club Descente, which is hanging. Hang on. Aha. A dining club of restaurant critics which meets Thursday lunchtimes at Maxims.

[B]

Hmm.

[C]

We learned when we dug wearily further down this rabbit hole, that Owens may have meant Les Siecle, another regular drink up, which occurs at the French Automobile Club and does tend to convene the currently or formerly powerful. But at that point we began to resent the feeling that we were putting in the yards that Owens herself could not be bothered to. Which seems unfair given that more people listen to her than do to us. Which is itself, when you think about it, an absolutely damning indictment of the podcast listening public. Am I right? Besides which, we learned who America's real enemies are, and they are US Navy fighter pilot pilots turned astronauts and senators. Verily there is the resume of a treacherous ne' er do well, We learned that US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth we're not calling him Secretary of War and he can't make us had determined to go Full Joe McCarthy at Oval People Mark Kelly, who among other career highlights, flew 30 combat sorties during the first Gulf War, served aboard four space shuttle missions, winning along the way awards including but not limited to two Defence Superior Service Medals, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, four Air Medals, the Legion of Merit and the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal took a career pause to care for his wife, former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, after she was severely injured in an assassination attempt before getting elected to the US Senate himself himself by the people of Arizona. We know what you're thinking. What a deadbeat. Like certainly no Pete Hegseth or anything anyway.

[H]

Today, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has presided over a series of deadly military strikes in the Caribbean of highly questionable legality, announced that the Pentagon will initiate an investigation into Senator Mark Kelly, one of six Democrats Democrats who participated in a video simply reminding active duty service members of their duty to refuse illegal orders.

[C]

So we learned that it's bad for some, almost certainly non sinister reason to gently remind serving troops of their right and indeed responsibility to disregard unlawful orders, their oath being to support and defend the Constitution, not whoever happens to be redecorating the White House to look like Elton John bathroom at any given moment. So bad indeed that the highest authority was demanding the severest punishment.

[I]

Today President Donald Trump took to truth social seen right here, branding Arizona Senator Mark Kelly and five other congressional Democrats as traitors who deserved the death penalty for urging military members to reject illegal orders.

[C]

We learned, however, that Senator Kelly, who has the advantage of having been frightened by professionals once or twice, seemed pretty confident of evading the noose on the basis that Hegseth may not have thought this or indeed anything entirely through.

[I]

He can go after me under the Uniform Code of Military justice, which is the law in the military. Which is kind of wild because we recited something in the Uniform Code of Military justice. And he's going to prosecute me under the Uniform Code of Military justice for.

[C]

Reciting the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

[E]

It is.

[C]

We learned, however. However that it could be worse. We learned that Adolf Hitler had been re elected. To be clear, we do not mean this in any hacky satirical or metaphor metaphorical sense by way of deriding any particular current prominent national leader. To whom on earth did you think we might have been referring? We mean that Adolf Hitler has literally been re elected. Or at least that's how exit polls were tracking as of this recording.

[B]

I can't wait to tell me more.

[F]

See where this goes.

[C]

We learned that the people of the Ompunja constituency in the Oshana region of Namibia were set to return to them their local council, Adolf Hitler UNONA of the South West Africa People's Organisation Party, who has to be fair, succeeded admirably in electoral politics despite the consequences of, one assumes, his parents lighting upon the first instalment of the biography of a decorated soldier who reinvents himself as a painter and never getting around to acquiring volume. And that is it for this edition of the Monocle Daily. It was produced by Carlo Toribello and researched by Joanna Moser. Our sound engineer was Christy o'. Grady. I'm Andrew Muller here in London. The Daily is back at the same time on Monday. Thanks for listening and have a great weekend.

[B]

Sam.