Nine To Noon for Thursday 8 November 2018

 

 

09:05 Where do the Midterms leave America? 

Despite an unprecedented turnout, there was no blue tidal wave for the Democrats, but they did regain control of the House of Representatives, while Republicans extended their margin in the Senate. The US President  Donald Trump is portraying the results as an incredible day for his Republicans, but his administration will likely face greater restraints because the Democrats will now head House committees that can investigate Mr Trump's tax returns, possible business conflicts of interest and any links between his 2016 election campaign and Russia. Will Jordan is a Democratic pollster and senior research associate at the Global Strategy Group, which has been advising candidates in the House and Senate races.

09.20 Stuck in the middle, caring for two generations

New research suggests the so-called sandwich generation is at breaking point. The Public Trust has found this group of people, mainly women aged between 35-54, who are looking after both elderly relatives and their own children, often teenagers, are reporting the emotional and financial toll of caring for two generations at once.  Kathryn Ryan speaks with Public Trust's Julian Travaglia who carried out the research, and two mothers, also daughters, who consider themselves part of the sandwich generation.

09:40 When Gaming and Gambling collide

What happens when video games start to feature elements of gambling with financial reward and risk? Dr Aaron Drummond from Massey University and a team of researchers have just been awarded a $300,000 Marsden Fund Grant to investigate possible psychological and financial risks Loot Boxes have on gamers. He joins Kathryn to discuss loot boxes and his research into the potential risks of bringing real world money into video games.

09:45 Brexit staggers on and infighting continues

UK Correspondent, Matthew Parris says Brexit talks stagger on as does the controversy over the funding of the Leave campaign. Meanwhile, the Chancellor and the former sports minister are at loggerheads over fixed-odds betting machines and the National Trust are being criticised for covering up art works of men during a celebration of the role of women.

10:05 Markus Zusak: Bridge of Clay

Known and loved by millions of readers and around the world as the author of the runaway success The Book Thief, one of Australia's youngest best-selling authors Markus Zuzak tells Kathryn Ryan about his new novel Bridge of Clay It's a family saga spanning decades, telling the story of Clay, the middle of five Dunbar boys; teenagers on the brink of adulthood, grieving for their mother, abandoned by their father. Two decades in the writing, in turns Bridge of Clay is poetic, funny, moving and tragic and ultimately a story of ordinary family lives and their many stories. Markus Zusak has written six novels, including The Book Thief and The Messenger.  He's been translated into more than forty languages, to both popular and critical acclaim. He has described Bridge of Clay as "almost like a marriage of all the books I've written, to become one book".

10:35 Book review - The Wych Elm by Tana French

Catriona Ferguson reviews The Wych Elm by Tana French, which is published by Penguin Random House.

"An apparently random burglary turns Toby Hennessy’s life upside down. Beaten and bruised he retreats to the Ivy House to lick his wounds and spend time with his dying uncle. However, a mystery from the past resurfaces and Toby is forced to confront family, relationships and his own identity. The Wych Elm is an immersive and absorbing thriller, that keeps the reader gripped until the very last page."

10:45 The Reading

Sprung  - a short story by Terry Locke read by Gerald Bryan

Unfortunately today's reading is not available online.

11:05 Ridesharing Battle Royale

Tech commentator, Robbie Allan discusses the rideshare revolution. This week a young law student started a female only ridesharing company DriveHer in New Zealand, just as Indian giant Ola enters the market, competing with global giant Uber and kiwi challenger Zoomy. Who will be the winners and losers in the Ridesharing Battle Royale?

11:25 Nathan Wallis: Teenagers and sleep

Parenting expert, Nathan Wallis has been looking into how much sleep teenagers really need? If they sleep all day as a teenager, how will that affect them as adults and does the school timetable work for teenagers and their circadian rhythm?

11:45 The Bodyguard and House of Cards

Tamar Munch reviews the BBC drama The Bodyguard, and the final season of the Netflix series House of Cards. Which one hits the mark?

 

 

 

Music played in this show

Artist: Trinity Roots  
Song: Little Things
Time: 10:32

Artist:   Supergroove
Song: Sitting Inside My Head
Time: 11:23

Artist: Etta James
Song: Tell Mama
Time: 11:47