Nine To Noon

Melanie O'Loughlin from Lamplight Books in Auckland reviews A Luminous Republic by Andrés Barba, published by Granta.

At just eight years old, an aggressive bone cancer threatened Jess Quinn's life. When endless rounds of chemotherapy failed to shrink the tumour, she was put forward for rotationplasty, a pioneering surgery which involved removing the top of her right leg, rotating the lower section 180 degrees, and reattaching everything from the calf downwards at her upper thigh.

Europe hosts 'last chance' climate talks at G20 & COP26, Paris & London clash over post-Brexit fishing rights, the EU Parliament takes EU Commission to court and the Netherlands breaks record of having no government.

Intensive Care Specialist at Middlemore Hospital, Dr Carl Horsley talks to Kathryn about how one of the country's busiest intensive care units is adapting and changing to prepare for the spread of Covid.

The critical COP26 climate change summit is underway in Glasgow, bringing countries together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Comedians Te Radar and Donna Brookbanks bring a few laughs, including a man's horror first date with a woman who brought many family members along.

Dana talks to Kathryn about the Black Caps Twenty20 World Cup campaign's rocky start with an opening loss to Pakistan, but of bigger concern was some of the fan reaction commentary around the game. Also World Rugby appears to have pulled the pin in the World 12s concept - a pet project of Kieran Read and Steve Hansen. And the Black Ferns imminent 100th test match, taking on England in Exeter.

Catriona Ferguson reviews Bodies of Light by Jennifer Down published by Text Publishing.

Peter Hamilton's 35 years as a diplomat have him convinced that to grow as a nation, New Zealand must become a republic.

Amnesty International is closing its Hong Kong offices in the latest blow for democratic freedom and the government is doubling down on its zero Covid strategy. In China Xi Jinping is pushing ahead with more reforms, this time a property tax.