Are you happy with the way your country is handling the recession?

Japan is the latest country to have come out of recession with reports of the economy growing by 0.9 % in the April to June quarter. It follows news from France and Germany last week each witnessing a growth of 0.3 % of their economy in the April to June quarter.

Should private firms be in charge of security in some countries?

Alex Mwange, a BBC listener, suggests that African countries outsource responsibility for security in the area to private firms. These firms have been used in Africa before. In Sierra Leone,the government hired a private security company to help it during the civil conflict. But as this paper shows it hasn’t been without its problems.

On air: Who does healthcare best?

As Brits and Americans exchange barbed tweets over the merits of their healthcare systems, we’re going to see who you think is making the best of a difficult job.

We’re inviting five guests to make the case for the UK, America, Cuba, Singapore and France.

You’ll be able to quiz them about the details of their systems, explore how they might work in your country, or explain why yours is superior to all of them. And of course those Americans who think their system needs an overhaul will also get involved.

Here’s Shaimaa’s post on this from earlier:

How good are you at reading people’s faces?

Most people might think that looking at people’s faces is a great way of overcoming language barriers, but apparently, how you read them could depend on your cultural background.

A recent study has shown that Western and Asian cultures read facial expressions very differently.

Is the value of the Olympics being undermined?

Golf and rugby sevens players may be able to compete for gold in the 2016 Olympic games. The International Olympic Committee’s executive board recommended on Thursday in Berlin that golf and rugby sevens be added to the Olympics. They came ahead of other sports like baseball, softball and Karate.

Do serious criminals deserve compassion?

If you have committed a serious crime – say murder, rape, paedophilia – do you deserve any compassion from the criminal justice system?

Should the Lockerbie bomber be freed on compassionate grounds?

Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, the man convicted of the 1988 Lockerbie plane bombing, is expected to be released on compassionate grounds.

Eight and half years ago he was jailed for life for the murders of 270 people but now he is terminally ill.

On air: Is sexism holding Africa back?

On Tuesday’s show we discussed Burma and Hillary Clinton. Michael was our last caller. He said: ‘This is typical of men in the developing world. Their attitude towards women is holding their countries back?’ Then George emailed who describes himself as an African living in Portland, Oregon. ‘The question was not only wrong, it shows the mindset of most men in African. We Africans are very chauvinistic. Next to the Middle East, African males shows the least respect to there women and usually don’t take women seriously. I’m glad Hilary put this person in his place.’

What’s the point of the Geneva Conventions?

Wednesday August 12th is the 60th anniversary of the Geneva Convetions. But is it a Happy Birthday? The Geneva Conventions relate to the immunity of medical personnel on the battlefield, the treatment of prisoners of war and the duty to protect civilians.

I’m Hillary, not Bill

Was Sec of State Clinton justified in giving this terse answer?