On air: Do gay people still need separate events?

On your marks. Get set. Gay!

The World Outgames 2009, a celebration of gay sport and cultural diversity, has kicked off in Copenhagen.  The Games’ website says the 9-day event celebrates “the talents and contributions of homosexual, bi-sexual and transgender men and women from every corner of the globe”. And, in true flamboyant style, its 5500 participants were introduced on a ‘catwalk’ .

Should you serve a sentence in the country of the crime?

Pregnant British woman Samantha Orobator, convicted of drugs smuggling in Laos, could serve her jail term back in the UK after successful talks between British and Laotian authorities. She’d been threatened with the death penalty after trafficking 680g of heroin, but became pregnant in jail. Under Loatian law, pregnant women cannot be sentenced to death.

What’s worse for your health, a bad marriage or divorce?

A study out this week says divorce has a lasting impact on your health, with divorcees 20 per cent more likely to suffer from chronic illnesses than those who never marry. For those who get married again after divorce, the figure drops to 12 per cent.

Can you still afford private education?

It’s James here – scholars of WHYS cameos will know I’ve occasionally sat in the presenter’s chair in the past (I’ve posted the evidence below :-)).

At the moment i’m working as a reporter for World Service, and I’m wondering if the WHYS community can help with a story i’m looking into. I’m asking whether financial problems are forcing parents to take their kids out of private schools and put them into the public system.

On air: Is Islamic extremism Africa’s newest fear?

150 people were killed in Northern Nigeria after two days of violence. Residents in the state of Borno said that Islamic militants burnt a police station, a church and a customs office early yesterday.

The group, which calls itself Taliban, emerged in Nigeria in 2004. It has never been clear if it has proper links to the Taliban in Afghanistan but its leaders profess allegiance to and admiration of Osama bin Laden.

Rape : South Africa’s shame.

South Africa is a democratic country with a proud tradition of overcoming apartheid and struggling for human rights.

 So why does it have such a high incidence of rape?

 I’m Jerry from Newshour and we’ll be talking about this later today.

Why are we covering the topic this week?