On air: Should the match be replayed?

This is rapidly becoming one of the biggest sports stories in years. Where to start?

In the last few minutes Thierry Henry has said, “Of course the fairest solution would be to replay the game but
it is not in my control”. Not everyone, including his President, agrees.

On Air: The spirit of sport

It’s supposed to be  FOOTball … but one player used his HAND instead in a game on Wednesday. – it’s caused a diplomatic row, and a lot of soul-searching about the spirit of sport.

Thierry Henry controlled the ball with his left hand – twice – before passing to William Gallas, who scored the goal that takes France- not Ireland- to the World Cup Finals in South Africa next year. And the French striker has just said the game should be replayed

The Irish government isn’t happy, with the country’s Justice Minister calling for a replay.

Are the French patriotic enough ?

President Nickolas Sarkozy thinks they can do better (writes Golda on Newshour) and has called for a nationwide debate on French identity.

Over the next few months the government wants to hear people’s views on what it means to be French in the 21st century.

Should he quit?

 Passages from  his book in which he describes paying for sex with boys in Thailand were hardly noticed when it first came out four years ago, before he was in government. But French Culture Minister Frederick Mitterrand’s  defense of Roman Polanksi  means that his book, The Bad Life  may cost him his political life.

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.

What’s the most memorable motor you’ve ever driven?

One of the world’s most iconic cars, the Citroen 2CV turns 60 this week. The Deux Cheveaux is an absolute classic but what has been your most memorable motor. Mini Cooper, Fiat Cinquecento, Cadillac, Morris Minor, Mustang…..

On air: Do you trust nuclear power?

About 100 staff at a nuclear plant in southern France have been exposed to a low dose of radiation. They were “slightly contaminated” by radioactive particles that escaped from a pipe at a reactor complex in Tricastin, according to power firm EDF who run the plant. The incident comes two weeks after a leak forced the temporary closure of a reactor at the Tricastin facility and is the fourth incident at a French nuclear site in recent weeks.

Talking Points July 15

Special thanks to Steve in Virginia for the overnight thread handling.

Don’t forget, tonight’s show comes direct from this church in Johannesburg.

What’s gone wrong for Sarkozy?

Hello from Newshour. Has the Sarkozy project run out of steam? That’s the question we, at Newshour, will be asking at 1230 GMT this Saturday as France prepares for a second round of municipal elections on Sunday.