Nine To Noon for Wednesday 19 June 2019
09.05 Facebook unveils Libra digital currency
Facebook says it'll roll out a digital currency called Libra next year that would allow its billions of users around the world to make financial transactions online. It's partnered with 28 companies including Mastercard and Paypal to form Libra Association - an entity which will govern the new digital coin. But what about growing privacy concerns and possible regulatory barriers? Kathryn discusses the development with cryptocurrency and tax specialist Campbell Pentney seniors associate with law firm Bell Gully.
09:20 How long can Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam last?
Hundreds of thousands of people continue to occupy streets in Hong Kong in protest over the controversial extradition bill. It follows the estimated two million who took to the streets at the weekend. Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam has apologised to the people for her handling of the situation - but has not withdrawn the bill. Kathryn talks to Dr Kenneth Chan, an associate professor and Director of the Comparative Governance and Public Policy Research Centre at Hong Kong Baptist University.
0935: Reversible superglue from snail slime!
US Scientists have developed a new type of reversible superglue inspired by snail slime. The team at the University of Pennsylvania developed the material from hydrogel, a polymer chain that can absorb alot of water. When dry, the glue is very strong but when water is added, it quickly softens. Shu Yang, is Professor of Materials Science and Engineering and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania.
09:45 Labor's union problem and missing Belgian backpacker
Australia correspondent Chris Niesche looks at how union leader John Setka is proving to be a real headache for newly-elected Labor leader Anthony Albanese. He'll also report on the latest in the search for missing Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez and the university chancellor charging the university for use of his home which he bought with a loan - from the university.
10:05 What do we really do while we're sleeping?
Our feature guest this morning is neuroscientist Dr Guy Leschziner who's written a fascinating book about what we do while we're sleeping - it's called the Nocturnal Brain, and covers everything from dreams, to sleep walking, talking and restless legs.
10:35 Book review - West Island by Stephanie Johnson
Louise O'Brien, from quarterly review periodical New Zealand Review of Books Pukapuka Aotearoa, reviews West Island: Five Twentieth-Century New Zealanders in Australia by Stephanie Johnson. This book is published by Otago University Press.
10:45 The Reading
The Ice Shelf written and adapted by Anne Kennedy told by Amy Tarleton (Part 8 of 10, RNZ)
11:05 What RNZ Music has in store
Kirsten Johnstone & Elliot Childs share some of the interesting stories RNZ's music team has been working on, including the Universal Music archive fire in 2008, the WOMAD 2019 concerts that are playing on RNZ National (Saturdays at 6pm) and Songcrush's wealth of new music.
11.30 Tales from the inside: Sarah Hopkins The Subjects
Sydney-based criminal lawyer turned novelist Sarah Hopkins has spent years defending young people in the children's court. She speaks to Kathryn Ryan about putting her inside information to work, in a work of fiction. The Subjects tells of the over-medicalisation of 'bad behaviour' and the over-criminalisation of children and young adults. This is Sarah's fourth book after The Crimes of Billy Fish, Speak to Me and This Picture of You.
11:45 Plankton light shows and the jacuzzi bug
Science correspondent Siouxsie Wiles joins Kathryn to explain why researchers believe the bioluminescence of plankton is a defence mechanism, how your gut bacteria could determine whether Parkinson's drugs will work for you and a new species of bacterium that likes to live in warm water has been identified after it caused an outbreak of infections in women undergoing breast implant surgery. The culprit? Their surgeon's jacuzzi.
Associate Professor Dr Siouxsie Wiles is the head of Bioluminescent Superbugs Lab at the University of Auckland.