Counterpoint

What will the relationship between the EU and the UK look like post BREXIT and might it mean the beginning of the end for the EU? The coronavirus, or COVID-19, is not the first virus, nor will it be the last, that spreads from animal to humans. How can we stop the spread of these viruses or will they now always be with us? In 2018 Dr Francis Arnold was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. A few months later she retracted her paper because the work was flawed. Was it evidence that scientists can't be trusted or should she praised for her transparency? At the turn of the 20th Century Australia went through a bit of a fortune telling craze. The practise was illegal and the police tried to prosecute where they could but the women survived and in some cases thrived.

India is going through some rapid changes politically but is Australia paying enough attention? Should hate speech be banned from social media and who gets to decide if it is hate speech or opinion? Alphabets are disappearing. There are between 6,000 to 7,000 languages in the world. Yet 96% are spoken by just 3% of the global population and 85% are endangered.

Why do regime changes rarely work? What does the term ideological really mean and why is it so often used as an insult? An analysis of the coronavirus suggests it comes from bats who carry a host of viruses without themselves getting sick. How do they do it? How much BPA is too much and is there such a thing as too little to make a difference and why is there a stoush over this? How sick do we need to be before it's solved?

Can you think of anything more boring than living in a world in which nothing and nowhere is unique? Why do we fear difference and yet crave it at the same time? Australia has cracked the top ten in The Economist Intelligence Unit's annual Democracy Index but we're still behind New Zealand! Why? Is Twitter representative of 'main stream' opinion? Do it's users speak for us all? What was it like to live in Romania under Nicolae and Elena Ceausescu? How are they viewed in Romania now?

Do separatists still have ambitions in the Middle East? What are the consequences of gender inequality across Africa and what can be done to give women more economic and social opportunities across the continent? How is it possible that the world is running out of sand and why are people killing for it? Golden Rice could save hundreds and thousands of people every year from dying, why isn't it?

What can Indigenous cultures teach us about diversity? How do some kids get ahead while others don't? Why are children being sacrificed in Uganda today and I could eat a hollow log full of green ants right now. A dog's eye should take the edge off.

The world has changed over recent years and so must Russia. Today we take a bit of a look at what this means in terms of Russian foreign policy.

Why do some people get shivers in their body when someone whispers? Also, an academic hoax comes undone. Is there such a thing as the perfect toilet or does it depend on where you live? New archaeological research has unearthed a vibrant seagoing trade in the Gulf of Papua.

Do you believe that you're a citizen of the world? What does that even mean? What's it like to live in a breakaway state and how didn't the clergy in medieval times scratch more often? Can we stop eating everything that's put in front of us or are we too lazy to stop?

Should Middle Powers such as Canada, Australia and South Korea join together to sustain the liberal international order. What is shrinkflation and how does it effect your visit to the supermarket? Have we put to much trust into renewables and why is science fiction so popular in China right now?

What is it about Vladimir Putin that has made him sometimes seem historically weak against the U.S. and Europe and yet be seen as a bare chested strong man at home? How many buttons do you push in a day and here did the idea of buttons originate from? Toilets', they can be smelly and uncomfortable but could you live without one? Millions do every day.We know that puppies and kittens and babies are cute. But is there more to the idea of cute than we realise?

How can Australian universities ensure that any partnerships they have with Chinese universities don't also involve the Chinese military? They use the Chinese Defence University Tracker! Why is Latin America imploding and what happens after the protests there and in Hong Kong die down? What happens next? The bin chicken is considered to be a pest to most Australians but not to the Ancient Egyptians. For them they were so much more.

Is soft power going hard? What's the story behind China's date-driven power expansion and should we be worried? The fascinating story of some forgotten Australians and the secret to happiness and success is Korean. It's called Nunchi and we can all learn how to do it.

With the world's population booming and with an estimated 2.5 billion people moving into urban areas by 2050, with 90% of that taking place in Africa and Asia, what should be done? Iran's influence in the Middle East is waning, can it get it back or is too late? The long history of eco-pessimism and the surprising need for conspiracy theories.

Is there a connection between the Belt and Road Initiative and debt diplomacy in the Pacific? What is India's Act East Policy and is there a bamboo ceiling in Australia? Could CRISPR help reduce biodiversity loss worldwide?

75 years after The Bretton Woods agreement was signed how are the institutions it created holding up? How to argue better, or at least, ethically and go and get yourselves a big cold glass of milk...or maybe not.

Is the 'Shop Local' movement doing more harm than good? Science and data are inextricably linked, but can you have one without the other? Why being lazy or idle is actually good for you and what Indigenous Tasmania's can teach us about looking after the land.

Might we be to blame for the rise and rise of misinformation or fake news? How can effectively stop or slow down climate change? It won't be at the supermarket but it may be at the ballot box. What happened when Indonesia proposed a no sex for unmarried couples rule? Is putting up your dukes better than picking up a gun?

Is there are a problem with democracy or are some people just sore losers? There was supposed to be a war over water by now but it hasn't happened yet. The reality is that States are much more likely to cooperate over shared water than go to war. What is a luxury belief and why are they so unfair? I could eat a hollow log full of green ants right now. A dog's eye should take the edge off.

Might urbanisation be the most profound change to human society over the last century? What is globotics and what is it doing to the service sector? Why are people still cleaning the sewers in India and are we about to go to the moon?

What is the world to do with it's aging population? Well, we could all learn from China. Is changing a company name an effective crisis strategy? We are living through an age of amnesia but what does that mean and is it a problem. Does having a university degree mean you're smart or just qualified to do a certain job?

Does white privilege really exist and if does how bad is it for everyone who isn't white? Is the world, in general, getting worse? Is it all doom and gloom with the four horsemen of the apocalypse running wild? Plus, the history of publishing, letters and opinions, from the early days to now and what it means for the the rise of digital media

Do we depend less on Chinese trade than we think? Will Australian troops be taking our hearts and minds with them into their next mission or are the days of social mobilization for our military over? A fabulous seafaring tale with no drunken sailors but plenty of maths, in schools, with exams. Might whales and elephants hold the key to preventing cancer?

Can the countries of East Asia find enough common ground to find solutions to global and regional programs? Meritocracy means to get ahead according to merit rather than who your parents are or how much money you have. It sounds ideal but it it? Can we stop eating everything that's put in front of us or are we too lazy to stop? Plus how as innovation and invention changed over the years?

The world has changed over recent years and so must Russia. Today we take a bit of a look at what this means in terms of Russian foreign policy. French foreign policy might also be changing, but is it a good idea? Plus, jump on your e-bike we're going fora ride.

Might plant based food help feed the world now and into the future? To grow plant based food you need water. Could treated wastewater be suitable? Animals need food and water and some of them, like our very own kangaroo, are helping us to solve human health problems like arthritis. Plus, how to protect yourself so you have the best possible chance of surviving a chemical weapon such as sarin.

Does diversity training do what it's supposed to? How can you tell? Should Australia invest in nuclear energy or is that a step too far? What does it mean to be woke and is mindfulness the answer to our problems?

How can individuals and nations protect their data and is information the new oil? Is banning single use plastic bags really going to help clear our oceans of plastic? It's your shout! I'll have a beer with a bit of a history chaser please.

How can the East-West divide within the EU be bridged? What happened to those countries in the East when their best and brightest moved West and did some European countries always have empire on their minds?

Why hasn't China stopped the Hong Kong protests? Do we need to save Asia's democracies and what is it about Putin and his hold on power that makes him so fascinating? Can cute take over the world and would it mean that Hello Kitty will rule us all?

Where did the term 'counter culture' come from? Joel Engel explains its history from an obscure book to an enduring term for anyone who feels outside the system.

Should Middle Powers such as Canada, Australia and South Korea join together to sustain the liberal international order and should we also be nurturing and defending liberal democracy against populism? Not everyone in China is happy with Xi but are they about to turn against him? Hold your nose and watch out for that brown sludge..it's time for a surf!

Is it really realistic to break up Big Tech? Student debt in Asia is having some serious consequences as is religious and political differences. Plus, French colonialism in Africa is still going strong but why?

Why is nationalism so important and why can't it be defeated? How did Indonesia manage its election and where to from here for democracy there? Did we forget to celebrate our victory in the Cold war and do you really think that Sudoku puzzle is going to make you any smarter?

As protests continue in Hong Kong, find out what's at stake and why? Also, an academic hoax comes undone, a possible answer to our fuel questions, and the connection between Vikings and social media.

What is fascism and why are so quick to label people we don't agree with as fascists? Is culture missing form any discussions about our cyber future? Why are children being sacrificed in Uganda today and would you eat a teaspoon of worms if it made you healthier?

Does social media need regulating or would that do more harm than good for users and innovators? Are we all planned out? Can we see what's happening in 15 years but not tomorrow and might Kenya's development hurt it's wildlife and affect tourist dollars in the future?

How good are you in a crisis? What do you do if your dog can't stop scratching and how didn't the clergy in medieval times scratch more often? Are pigs about to cut the waiting time for organ transplants and what's on telly tonight?

Does Qatar have a Islamist soft power problem? Is China's mind closing and why does big tech want to control my world? What is the significance of some shards of pottery pots that have been found in PNG? Grab that chocolate muffin and sit back and have a listen.