The Monocle Daily

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What’s in a university ranking? How the US and UK still dominate Aug 17, 2026

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China is a budding superpower but the US and UK still dominate global university charts, even those by Shanghai Ranking Consultancy. We hear from economist Guy Standing, plus our panel of Alex von Tunzelmann and Mark Earls weigh in on why autocrats still send their kids to Harvard.

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Beating the heat and our recommendations for books that transport you Aug 14, 2026

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Robert Bound returns to defend his ‘The Daily Weekly Quiz’ title. We head to the Gulf, North Korea and Australia for tips on how to beat the heat. Plus: stuck at home in August? Book recommendations that will whisk you away.

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What is Crink and should it worry the West? Aug 13, 2026

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China, Russia, Iran and North Korea are increasingly co-operating militarily. How steadfast is this alliance and should it worry the West? Plus: Germany’s ‘spy revolution’, Karoline Leavitt leaves and the pros and cons of Unesco’s World Heritage List.

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Why has the US asked Ukraine to curb strikes on Russia? Aug 12, 2026

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Ukraine halts strikes on Russia’s tankers as per JD Vance’s request. Then: Donald Trump’s catering van controversy, French journalists go to war with AI and we get down to “Swissness”.

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The ‘Ice Silk Road’: China’s new shipping route Aug 11, 2026

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Sea Legend shipping company is launching the first regular container service along Russia’s northern Arctic coast. Then: the World Bank helps Lebanon with its digital transformation. And: France says ‘non’ to unsolicited telemarketing calls.

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Is the Iran war exposing the limits of US dominance in the Middle East? Aug 10, 2026

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Rejected by Israel and left out by Oman: is Donald Trump losing influence in the Middle East? Then: plans to change the French parliament spark outrage. And: would you wear air-conditioned clothing?

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How big of a deal is the Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan defence deal? Aug 07, 2026

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We examine the significance for the region and the world at the announcement of a new Middle East security deal. Then: our weekly quiz, chairs to make the neighbours jealous and ‘What We Learned’.

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Are the FBI, the FSB and China’s Ministry of Public Security now all on the same side? Aug 06, 2026

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Russia, China and the US are teaming up for global law enforcement. Then: the left’s media machine, London’s pigeon war and we settle the debate over packing light versus packing heavy once and for all.

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What lessons is the European centre-left taking from the Michigan Senate primary? Aug 05, 2026

Show notes

As the Democratic Party redefines itself, Tira Shubart and Phil Tinline explore what lessons European centre-left parties are taking from the US. Plus: who is responsible for protecting the lunar environment?

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How will Taiwan respond to limited internet connectivity as it begins its annual defence drills? Aug 04, 2026

Show notes

As Taiwan tests how the public responds to limited internet connectivity, Mark Leonard and Aliona Hlivco look into how to prepare a society to function when it’s suddenly offline. Plus: Brazilian designer Duda Lopes.

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