Thursday saw an extraordinary US debate between presidential candidates Joe Biden and Donald Trump; what happened and what comes next? International journalist Isabel Hilton joins Georgina Godwin to discuss the fallout of the event and the global reaction, the comparatively uneventful debate in the UK, Bradford Literature Festival and the latest news from China. Plus: Monocle’s senior news editor, Chris Cermak, speaks to the debate director of Braver Angels, Jessie Mannisto, about its debate watch party and how they are fighting political polarisation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This edition of Monocle on Saturday was first broadcast on 29 June 2024.
Hello, I'm Georgina Godwin, broadcasting to you live from Midori House in London.
This is Monocle On Coming up on today's program, we'll have a look through the week's news and culture with international journalist and founder of China Dialogue, Isabel Hilton.
Then how do we live in a politically polarized time without developing contempt?
Because we get why they're angry.
We came here because we're angry, too.
Monocle's senior news editor Chris Chermack finds out how nonprofit Braver Angels is fighting political polarization in the United States.
That's all ahead here on Monocle on Saturday.
For first, though, here's the news.
President Joe Biden said on Friday he intended to defeat Republican rival Donald Trump in the November presidential election, giving no sign he would consider dropping out of the race after a feeble debate performance that dismayed his fellow Democrats.
Biden's verbal stumbles and occasionally meandering responses in the debate heightened voter concerns that he might not be fit to serve another four year term.
Kenyan activists have circulated calls for fresh protest strikes and sit ins demanding President William Ruto quit after nationwide demonstrations forced him to u turn on proposed tax hikes.
Ruto withdrew the contested finance bill on Wednesday and said he would listen to young people a day after Parliament was briefly stormed and set ablaze.
And at least 23 people were killed in clashes with police.
And adding partners to the Aukus defence project would be complicated, a senior Australian diplomat said on Friday, saying he didn't believe the US Congress is open to expanding the pact involving Australia, the US and Britain.
Aukus was formed in 2021 to counterbalance China's growing power.
A first pillar involves cooperation between the three partners to provide Australia with nuclear powered submarines.
But they have raised the possibility of other countries joining a second pillar to develop other high tech weaponry.
And that's your Monocle Radio News.
Hello and welcome to Monocle on Saturday.