Nine To Noon for Friday 27 November 2015

09:05 Fires rage in Malborough

It's been an early start to what could be a long El Nino fire season in Marlborough Fire-fighters say it will take at least another day to bring a large fire under control in Marlborough which has burnt through about 400 hectares, including forestry blocks in the Waikakaho Valley. Rob Hands is from the National Fire Authority.

09:20 Under the Black Flag: What is daily life like under ISIS?

Sami Moubayed, is a Syrian historian, political analyst, and journalist  based in Damascus. He's been analysing Syria and the region for 20 years. His book, 'Under the Black Flag' is the first inside account of ISIS, with unrivaled access to the movement and Isis officials.

He concludes US air stikes are not working, so we need to accept that ISIS is not going to disappear soon, and Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi 's  power base should be taken more seriously. 

During his career Sami Moubayed has interviewed leading regional and international figures including Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan,  Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal, Lebanese presidents Amin Gemayel and Elias Hrawi, and the current Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam. In December 2008, he was the first Syrian to interview a US president, Jimmy Carter, during his visit to Damascus. 

09:30 Brain Train! You are what you exercise

There are no more excuses to stay on the couch! As well as being good for our bodies, modest exercise can increase memory by about 20% and make older brains look younger. Memory in early Alzheimer's patients, MS patients and Parkinson's patients can also benefit from physical activity.

Professor Art Kramer from the University of Illinois, is a pioneer in the field of brain health. He is in New Zealand for the Australasian Cognitive Neuroscience Conference which is being held in New Zealand for the first time from 26th to 29th November. 

09:45 Pacific correspondent Michael Field

Mike Field reports on Fiji's mysterious assassination plot, how the sinking of an old ferry has sunk at the entrance to Suva Harbour highlights the continuing problem of shipping in the Pacific, and the growing opposition in the Cook Islands to the decision to allow Spanish purse seiner fishing vessels into their waters.

10:05 Denise Carnihan

Throughout her early life Denise Carnihan had a fascination for all things African, not knowing that there was a deep family connection. It wasn't until about 15 years ago, when her 12-year old son had started a school project on geneology, that her mother revealed a long-held secret; that her father - Denise's grandfather - was a mixed raced man from South Africa, who had settled in New Zealand. The knowledge set Denise off on what she describes as a "rampage" to find out more and locate relatives she had never thought she might have. Her voyage of discovery led her to other parts of Africa - including stints doing volunteer work in Kenyan slums. For many people that might have been where contact with the continent ended - but Denise and her husband Chris, decided to build a school.

www.isharemyheartwithafrica.com

10:30 Book review: The Diver's Clothes Lie Empty by Vendela Vida

Reviewed by Kiran Dass, published by Atlantic Books

10:45 The Reading: An Awfully Big Adventure by Jane Tolerton

New Zealand Works War One veterans tell their stories (Part 15 of 15)

11:05 New Music with Jeremy Taylor

Jeremy Taylor questions whether Australian punk rock was actually any good with a new compilation, basks in the austere charms of Nadia Reid's LP, and gets lost in the tangle of guitars that is the music of Bert Jansch.

Artist: The Saints

Song: (I'm Stranded), Track 1, disc 1

Comp: Chris Bailey/ Ed Kuepper

Album: Stranded - The Chronicles Of Australian Punk

Label: Four Four/ Universal

Broadcast Time: 3'31"

Artist: Radio Birdman

Song: New Race , Track 5, disc 1

Comp: Deniz Tek

Album: Stranded - The Chronicles Of Australian Punk

Label: Four Four/ Universal

Broadcast Time: 2'43"

- Terrific 2CD overview of Oz punk rock since 1977, featuring the retro stylings of the Stems, the wild weirdo howlings of Nick Cave's Birthday Party, thru Oz faves like Frenzal Rhomb, Celibate Rifles and the Living End. An odd and uneven collection featuring some genuine gems.

Artist: Nadia Reid

Song: Call The Days, Track 9

Comp: Nadia Reid

Album: Listen To Formation, Look For The Signs

Label: Spunk

Broadcast Time: 3'33"

Artist: Nadia Reid

Song: Track Of The Time, Track 2

Comp: Nadia Reid

Album: Listen To Formation, Look For The Signs

Label: Spunk

Broadcast Time: 4'41"

- Excellent creeper of an album issued earlier this year by local, now Port Chalmers resident singer-songwriter Nadia Reid - recorded with Lyttleton 'wrecking crew' helmed by producer Ben Edwards. Gorgeous, serene voice, mature, sophisticated songs.

Artist: Bert Jansch

Song: Moonshine, Track 5

Comp: Bert Jansch

Album: Moonshine

Label: Earth

Broadcast Time: 4'56"

- 8th album from marvellous late folkie singer-songwriter, recently reissued by Earth label. This album brilliantly displays his winding, intricate picking and weather beaten voice.

11:30 Sports commentator Brendan Telfer

Brendan Telfer reports on the 3rd cricket test between NZ and Australia, which gets underway this afternoon in Adelaide, with an extraordinary amount of public interest in this game because of its historic significance.
It is the first day night test in the history of test cricket and the first match where a pink ball will be used .  
 

11:45 The Week that Was with Te Radar and Irene Pink​