On air: Is Africa expecting too much from Obama?

Much excitement in Ghana as Barack Obama gets ready to leave Italy. And he’ll be greeted John Atta Mills and by the expectations of a continent. But from better governance, to more aid, to inspiring new leaders, to improving the attitudes of kids at school – is too much being loaded onto one man’s shoulders? Or do Africans have every right to expect these things from the first black President of America?

Obama and Africa – When times are tough, do we turn our backs on the world’s poor?

“When world leaders break a promise, it is a sin, but when governments break a promise to the poorest people on the planet, it is nothing short of a crime,”

On air: Your questions about the violence in China

We can see by looking online that you’re interested in this story, and your questions and discussions are more about wanting to know more about the people and places involved, than about the rights and wrongs. So we’ll have a panel of experts ready to answer your questions about the violence between Han Chinese and Uighurs in the city of Urumqi. Please post them here.

On air: Has all perspective been lost on the death of Michael Jackson?

UPDATE : On yesterday’s programme we discussed both issues : The first edition, which   goes out to the rest of the world MINUS Africa, the mood was clear ; generally speaking, you thought we  shouldn’t be talking about Michael Jackson at all.

The second edition, broadcasting to Africa, the response was equally clear : we can talk about China any day, you said, but today is about MJ.

Just thought i’d share that with you.

Mark 

Ever since we devoted a whole programme to his death, some of you have been fuming at the extensive media coverage and the outpouring of emotion that’s followed Michael Jackson’s passing. Put this in perspective, you’ve told us time and time again. Surely there are more important things for the media to be worrying about, you’ve argued. Some of you will think much the same when we discuss this today, but today’s memorial service is right at the top of the most read subjects online and we can’t ignore it.

On air: Are the French right about the burqa?

You’re still talking about Nicolas Sarkozy’s call to ban the burqa from France. And yesterday Al Qaeda issued this statement,
“We will not tolerate such provocations and injustices, and we will take our revenge from France.”

House rules on the air

If you take part in any WHYS broadcast there are a few things that you can expect from us, and a few things that we ask of you in return. Here’s how it works.

WHYS and AHYS in 2 minutes

We joined forces with Africa Have Your Say a couple of weeks ago for a one-off special (you may remember, it didn’t all go to plan). A short video of the show has been produced and we thought you’d like to see it.

The latest sign-up to the Daily Email

Harry works on the BW Vik, and wrote to me from the Indian Ocean yesterday asking to sign up to the Daily Email. I (of course) said ‘yes’ and he’s replied with  some snaps and a message…

On air: Does it matter if Michael Jackson was black or white?

This is what Jamie Foxx said at yesterday’s Black Entertainment Awards in LA. “We want to celebrate this black man. He belongs to us and we shared him with everyone else.” Just a couple of sentences, but it’s brought to the boil a heated debate that was already simmering.

On air: Michael Jackson and you

He clearly means an enormous amount to many of you (we’ve had over 10,000 message already into BBC News). But some of you need persuading that he was this big a deal, and that he warrants this much attention. If you’re mourning, tell us why the man and the music are so important to you. And if you think the reaction is over the top, tell us why too. Is it because you don’t like his music, or just that no musician warrants this level of adoration?