Brave New World

Russian-American actress, singer, songwriter and psychotherapist Natalia Lapina became a famous Soviet TV and film star and songwriter at a young age. Whilst enjoying a successful artistic career, she is now she is offering something unusual: psychotherapy using music as a vehicle to help people with severe depression.

One of the reasons that Brazil can be said to have turned rather far to the right is religion. In his first speech, President Jair Messias Bolsonaro, praised voters for allowing the country to ‘march now on the right path’ in October 2018. Is evangelism a new force to be reckoned with in Brazil?

Since the mid-20th century, economic growth has become a sort of Holy Grail for measuring how economies are doing. But there are real problems using this method as it ignores increasing inequality and worsening environmental problems. Economist Steve Keen suggests an alternative system.

The British Conservative Party is about to elect a new leader who will automatically become the country’s new Prime Minister. How will the UK’s foreign policy shape up under the new leader?

Conflict with Iran is on the cards again. Regardless of who is wrong or right, it might be worth considering, briefly, the depth and breadth of Iranian history, which stretched back for at least 7000 years.

It is difficult to follow what is actually going on in North Korea. First there is a deal then there isn’t a deal, letters are exchanged, then summits are hastily organised and cancelled. Just what is going on now?

How do we handle early death? This is a subject which is seldom discussed, but can be liberating and also helpful when people do indeed open up to their feelings. Taking care of people who have lost loved ones is perhaps particularly poignant when death is seen as not being ‘natural’. This sensitive issue is discussed on this program.

According to a report by ‘Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA’ or PNAS, Global Warming has very likely increased global economic inequality. The report states that the results of warming on annual economic growth has led to a 25% decrease in economic growth in poorer countries, and increases in many wealthier countries.

The term ‘liberal democracy’ has been around for a long time, and it is presented as an ideal system, which it may well be. A Canadian academic explains, however, that there are systemic faults with the concept as it is associated with property ownership, which is problematic.

Narendra Modi’s was re-elected by a landslide victory on Thursday, May 23rd, setting him up for another 5 years in power. Why was he so successful and what does this mean for India?

Cross-Cultural Communication has become a bit of a buzzword these days, with the term being used frequently in even the mainstream press. Yet not all of us really understand what the term actually means, at a time when understanding and respecting different cultures is perhaps more important than ever before.

Despite the current political and economic standoff between the east and the west, English language drama has really taken off in Moscow over the past few years. What productions are being out on, and why is this happening now?

Expats who are open to the world around them in their adopted countries usually become multicultural, and the same can happen in terms of political perspectives. This is significant because it opens up the discussion that culture can affect politics, which has significant consequences.

Scientists have discovered unique oil-eating bacteria at the bottom of the Mariana Trench. How do these bacteria do what they do, and how relevant is their discovery to helping alleviate contemporary environmental problems, such as cleaning up oil slicks?

The UK’s Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act, which was granted Royal Assent in February, bestows on British law enforcement officers new powers. What are these powers and what are the offences?

Trade talks, between the US and China are stealing the headlines, as is the much-publicised Huawei 5G story which some western governments consider to be a security concern. But beyond all of this, is the less talked about but even more important race – the use of advanced AI systems to develop new weapon systems.

The UK is still pretty much embroiled in the mess that Brexit has become. One wonders what countries which are friendly towards Britain and which are ex-colonies think of this all. In this week’s program a Hong Kong resident airs his views about Brexit, how it will affect the economy there, and briefly adds a perspective from mainland China.

Mimi Bekhechi, Director of International Programmes of PETA; People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Foundation, a UK based charity dedicated to establishing and protecting the rights of all animals joins the program.

An interschool music competition has just been held in Moscow called the Young Musician of the Year Gryphon Award 2019, and the winner was presented with her special award by HRH Prince Michael of Kent. This program is about what music and such an award means for children in Russia, and for children all over the world.

The recent trial of Cardinal Pell in Australia can be seen as an example of democracy in action, or of a show trial. The effectiveness of trial by jury at least in this incidence is discussed in this week’s program.