The family of Hong Kong pro-democracy advocate Jimmy Lai say they are heartbroken at the 20 year sentence handed down yesterday. It’s a fate that former Hong Kong legislator Ted Hui was lucky to escape 6 years ago. 

For almost three decades, Andy Griffiths has been creating worlds of wonder and side-splitting fun for children.

His books have sold millions of copies around the world, and he says losing yourself in a book has never been more important. As Australia's new Children's Laureate, he has a plan to help encourage imagination.

Guest: 

Andy Griffiths, Author and Children's Laureate

Thailand’s snap election has delivered an emphatic win for the conservative incumbent Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, the third leader in as many years. Polls had put the pro-democracy People’s Party well ahead of the incumbent, but with recent border clashes with Cambodia, Prime Minister Anutin was able to capitalise on surging nationalism. It was a vote for stability but was it a vote for progress? 

And Jimmy Carr is famous for his sharp one-liners and controversial comedy, but his latest project Fackham Hall isn't his response to the critics. It's the title of an hilarious new film taking aim at the British period drama genre.

In the past five years the Sovereign Citizens movement has been spreading internationally, fast becoming a national security challenge for many countries around the world.

Jimmy Carr is famous for his sharp one-liners and controversial comedy, but Fackham Hall isn't his response to the critics; it's the title of his first foray into film. 

The extremely popular stand-up comedian and host of 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown has turned his hand to screenwriting and has co-written and produced this skewering of the beloved British period drama genre. 

The film is in cinemas from February 19th, and he's on tour around Australia from February 24th.  

Guest:

Jimmy Carr, Comedian and screenwriter

Thailand's ruling conservative Bhumjaithai Party has declared victory in the country's general election, defying the polls to take a commanding lead over the pro-democracy People’s Party. 

The Winter Olympics kick off tonight in Italy, a celebration of human athleticism and death defying feats on snow and ice. But there's growing concern that climate change could change how and where the games are held and Olympic organisers are already making plans.      

Three decades ago an American fella named Craig started an online mailing list. Craigslist took off, making him a billionaire and - according to many - wiping out the revenue streams of newspapers across the world. In the years since Craig Newmark has invested heavily in independent journalism and pledged to give away most of his wealth.

It’s hard to believe but Mental As Anything turns 50 this year, and they’re taking the band on tour to celebrate . Founders and brothers Reg Mombassa and Peter O'Doherty join Fran in the studio. 

When Craig Newmark created Craigslist - the website where you can pretty much find pretty much anything - few could have predicted how the internet age would disrupt the world's media landscape. He's now committed to spending his fortune to help others, but has questions about the value for money in independent journalism. 

Research commissioned by the International Olympic Committee has shown that by the middle of the century, the number of cities across the globe that could reliably host the Winter Olympics and Paralympics could shrink from 93 currently down to fewer than 20.

Boredom has spawned many a folly, but rarely a pop punk band that’s aged as well as Mental As Anything.