Nine To Noon for Tuesday 27 September 2022

 

 

09:05 Andrew Roth: "the most dangerous moment in Putin's 22 years in power"

The political temperature in Russia is rising after President Putin's mobilisation decree. Last week, he announced that 300,000 reservists would be called up to boost Russia's war in Ukraine. Media reports say people with no military experience - or who are too old or disabled - are being called up. There is growing public opposition to the draft with thousands of Russian men leaving the country to avoid being sent to war, and sporadic protests particularly in Moscow and St Petersburg. Meanwhile the United States has warned Russia of "catastrophic consequences" if nuclear weapons are used. Andrew Roth is the Guardian's  Moscow correspondent - he's been in Russia's capital for a decade, previously reporting for The Washington Post. He says this is "the most dangerous moment in Putin's 22 years in power".

 

09:30 The risk of sleepwalking into the next pandemic 

University of Canterbury epidemiolgist Associate Professor Arindam Basu says it's crucial to combine disease surveillance and climate modelling to pre-empt future pandemics. In the last three years the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared two public health emergencies of international concern: COVID-19 and monkeypox. Dr Basu says these are not separate issues The spread of disease from animals to humans is on the rise with the increasing destruction of natural habitats from global warming, more international travel and a sharp rise in wildlife trade. Dr Basu says this makes for a perfect storm of transmission and as long as surveillance systems depend on diseases that have already emerged, we run the risk of more frequent pandemics.

 

09:45 USA correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben

Danielle says candidates are shunning debates this year: It was once a given that candidates, especially those seeking statewide office in a midterm election year - would face off with their main opponent for three or more one-on-one debates, so voters could see them side by side and hear them answer questions and explain their positions on the issues. But she says many candidates are skipping the debate ritual all together. In Nevada and Missouri, it appears likely there will be no debates between major party Senate nominees. And the House GOP has unveiled a roadmap for if they win in November: The "Commitment to America" includes four broad pillars focusing on the economy, safety, individual freedom and government accountability.
 

Danielle Kurtzleben is a political correspondent assigned to NPR's Washington Desk
 

10:05 Nash Edgerton: Writer, actor, producer, stuntman and director

Nash Edgerton has worked as a stuntman on films including The Matrix trilogy, The Thin Red Line and as doubling for Ewan McGregor in two of the Star Wars prequels. He directed all episodes of black comedy-drama Mr InBetween and two feature films: 2008's The Square and Gringo in 2018, which starred Charlize Theron, David Oyelowo  and his younger brother Joel Edgerton. He's made music videos for Bob Dylan, Brandon Flowers and Empire of the Sun. His latest work, Shark, will be part of the Show Me Shorts Festival which kicks off next week around the country in cinemas and online. It's part of a trilogy, along with Spider and Bear....and could be described as extremely black comedy.

10:35 Book review: Bliss Montage by Ling Ma

Emma Hislop reviews Bliss Montage by Ling Ma, published by Text Publishing

10:45 The Reading

11:05 Political commentators Neale Jones & Tim Hurdle

Neale,Tim and Kathryn talk about Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern at the UN and her return to a tough domestic agenda, including some headwinds over the shape of the income insurance scheme. Also they discuss the concerns about a potential conflict of interest over contracts awarded to Nanaia Mahuta's husband.

Neale Jones was Chief of Staff to Labour Leader Jacinda Ardern, and prior to that was Chief of Staff to Andrew Little. He is the director of public affairs firm Capital.

Tim Hurdle is a former National party advisor and was campaign director for National at the 2020 election.

11:30 Business commentator Pattrick Smellie

Pattrick talks about NZ’s $30 billion carbon emissions “hole”. Also, the strange case of Tim Boyd, an  Australian who wangled the top job managing Christchurch city’s infrastructure despite having some $30 million of unpaid civil judgments against in various US courts dating back over the last decade or so. 

Pattrick Smellie is the editor and co-founder of BusinessDesk and has reported on the New Zealand economy and business since 1983

11:45 Media commentator Andrew Holden

Andrew looks at the range of responses surfacing about the new public media organisation arising out of RNZ and TVNZ.

Andrew Holden is a journalist for more than 30 years including five as Editor of The Press (in Christchurch) and four as Editor-in-Chief of The Age in Melbourne. 

 

Music played in this show

Track: Shout to the Top
Artist: Style Council
Time played: 9:30

Track: Long time, wrong time
Artist: Sharon Jones
Time played: 10:30

Track: Millennium 
Artist: Toro Y Moi
Time played: 10:40