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?

On air: Should you get paid for your blood, sperm or eggs?

If you have plenty of something which somebody else doesn’t have enough of, and if it doesn’t cost you anything health-wise to give it, should you get paid for it, or just donate it for free? That’s the debate that has been re-ignited in Britain today after it emerged sperm and egg donations have plummeted.

Do we need civil liberties groups anymore?

Here’s the good news. Women are doing better than ever in the workforce. And here’s some more good news – ethnic minorities are also thriving. So what’s the point of pouring millions of dollars into promoting and maintaining civil liberties groups? Isn’t it “job done” for such bodies?

Lots of discussion here in the UK about the role and relevance of Britain’s Equalities Commission. This piece feels that such groups are outdated and that it’s wrong to assume that all minorities share the same view.

Post-racial America: A myth?

It’s Saturday morning and the Newshour team is now on air live discussing the controversy surrounding the arrest of the prominent African American scholar Henry Louis Gates. One of the questions we’re asking is, how has President Obama handled the whole affair? Earlier in the week he said the police acted stupidly, and raised questions about the unfair treatment of black men. But on Friday a complete change of tone: The President said he regretted his comments and was responsible for helping to escalate the situation.

If a killer asks to die, should we kill them?

His deadly attacks in Mumbai were shocking; as was his unexpected confession early this week. And in a final twist,  Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab has  said he’s ready to be hanged and wants no mercy from the court.

Does the character of a politician matter as long as he gets the job done?

“There are a lot of pretty girls about. I’m no saint, but you know that”

Days after tapes emerged of Silvio Berlusconi allegedly telling an escort girl to “wait by the big bed”, he has finally broken his silence.

Milan’s mayor defends Berlusconi

Letizia Moratti, the Mayor of Milan who is a member of Silvio Berlusconi’s People of Freedom party says the media is obsessed with ‘gossip’ about Italy’s Prime Minister

What’s the best way to approach illegal immigration?

You can’t miss them in Milan – the Africans, Asians and North Africans huddled on street corners, sheets laid out with fake designer handbags or toys on the ground in front of them. They’re constantly on the lookout for the police, ready to run should they catch sight of one. No wonder – since earlier this month being an illegal immigrant in Italy is a crime punishable with a fine of up to $13,000.

How immigrants see a doctor in Milan

Can men who hit women ever change ?

This is Chris Brown, apologising for hitting his then partner, Rihanna.