Romanians are still navigating the difficult path of building democratic institutions and a culture of transparency.

At the same time, widespread perceptions of corruption and cronyism have caused many Romanians to see little change from communist leadership.

Antonia Colibasanu, a lecturer on International Relations at the Romanian National University, backgrounds Romania’s position and future influence in Europe and analyses the difficulties the country is faced with.

She also summarises the country’s relationship between Russia, Ukraine, Poland and the rest of Europe.

And finally, we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.

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This week we talk with Patrick Basham on President Trump's approval ratings and the Democracy Institute’s latest poll, “Is Trump Fixing America or Breaking it?”

Patrick gives a very good analysis on the most critical issues on the planet; Iran and nuclear developments, Ukraine and the drone strike on Russia and the South Korean and Polish elections.

And we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.

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The rush of technology that is confronting us has gone unnoticed by most of the world’s inhabitants.

That is, until now. The moment we, as individuals start to recognise the magnitude of A.I. is likely to rearrange our view of the future: both short and long term.

The question is, how do we handle it going forward.

Nigel Horrocks and Justin Matthews recently established a Substack, CREATIVE MACHINAS.

Nigel has had an illustrious career in journalism, internet development and is a recent graduate from Oxford University in AI.

Justin Matthews is a senior lecturer in digital media at AUT.

They share with us what they know of the present and what’s ahead.

And we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.

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Consulting power supply engineer Bryan Leyland updates us on the dire straits confronting the nation. And why we should be very concerned.

We address a second matter of public importance; New Zealand’s Gene Technology Bill fails the public interest transparency test, according to submissions from PSGR (Physicians & Scientists for Global Responsibility).

Sociologist J. R. Bruning explains the need for that concern, including the threat to democracy.

Should we shed tears over Biden’s prostate?

And we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.

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Prior to Covid-19, Dr Pierre Kory was an internationally renowned pioneer in the field of critical care ultra-sonography.

In 2020 Dr Kory was carefully selected by the Minneapolis Police Dept to review the George Floyd case.

The conclusion he came to was more complicated than originally thought and summarised it thus, “a brutal, painful way to die”.

He watched hours of eyewitness video footage "and the theme running through it mirrored what I was seeing all around me in Covid: the calculated, callous disregard for human life”.

The challenges that were to confront him over the next few years changed his life.

We also pay a visit to The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.

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Whichever way you look at it, Australia is in political turmoil after the May 3 election.

There are plenty of theories as to why, and plenty of propaganda along with accompanying lies. The question is, what’s next?

Nick Cater returns to analyse how a government with such a poor record in its first term could eliminate its opposition so decisively.

What does it mean to important issues like free speech, taxation, defence, climate, energy supply and the cost of living?

And we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.

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Educated in India and Canada, Ramesh Thakur has had an amazing career as an academic, lawyer and government adviser.

He has taught in universities in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and Singapore.

He offers broad commentary on judicial “adventurism" and growing tyranny, India, Pakistan, China, the U.N. and W.H.O..

His advice on global affairs would unquestionably aid the NZ Government in some of their misguided ideas.

We share a medical professional’s submission to the second Covid Inquiry, and we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.

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After a brilliant academic career, graduating with multiple degrees in various subjects, Kurt Schlichter joined the military and served in Operation Desert Storm, the Gulf War and in Kosovo.

He co-founded a law firm in Los Angeles in 1994 and has been a freelance writer since 1984. Andrew Breitbart seconded Kurt to help establish Breitbart News and now writes three columns a week for Townhall.com. And all that is only part of the story.

As always, the mailroom with Mrs Producer.

And some words on dignity & mass migration from Pope Francis sent shortly before he died, to the Bishops of America. Was he right?

File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz

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