Blank Page No.4

Katharina in Belgium and Agostinho in Jamaica are at the control of this weekend’s Blank Page. We only ask you all to keep two things in mind. 1) WHYS is devoted to talking about the news and related issues. 2) Think about how your discussions might lead to a programme. Which issue would you like to hear on air, and which guests would you like to take part? With that said, I’m going to sit back and watch.

Should politicians apologise when they get it wrong?

How often is it you hear a seemingly heart felt apology froma politician?  How about this one earlier this month from American Congressman Geoff Davis of Kentucky. Admittedly what he had prevsiously said was generally thought to be out of line. But it is pretty rare to get an apology from a politican. Should our politicians be ready to hold their hands up and say sorry a little more often?

If you could live in any of the world’s cities, which one would you choose to live in?

This week on The World Today we’re going to be speaking to one of the world’s leading architects Lord Richard Rogers about his favourite cities. We don’t want to hear about where you actually live but where you want to live…

On air: Does every country have the right to be nuclear?

No, would be the American government’s short answer. It’s accusing Syria of building a secret nuclear reactor with North Korean help. And of course, America is no more enthusiastic about the idea of North Korea itself and Iran doing the same thing. But this isn’t an American issue… The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty is signed by 189 countries. Which suggests most of us would answer no to this question. Am I right?

To Murrow

Edward R. Murrow would have been 100 today if, in the words of this thoughtful article,  “he hadn’t smoked himself to an early death”.

Talking points for 25 April

Good morning on World Malaria Day. It’s the top headline on the BBC – “It’s a disease we’ve learned that with just some modest steps, this is one we know we can beat,” says World Bank President Robert Zoellick. “How it can plague people for such a long time?” A good question.