On air: Is it acceptable to intervene in another country’s affairs?

The international calls for Robert Mugabe to leave power are becoming almost deafening. French President Nicolas Sarkozy is the latest leader to say he must stand down.

Talking Points for July 22nd

Good Morning! It’s Priya here with some suggestions of what we should talk about tonight… (and thank you Will for stepping in last night)

KARADZIC ARRESTED: YOUR REACTION

The news that made me choke on my evening cup of licorice tea last night was the arrest of one of the worlds most wanted war criminals, Radovan Karadzic.

So who is he?

The refugee camp in Africa’s richest city

This is Simon, who’s editing today’s show. We’ve broadcast WHYS from all sorts of places but Tuesday’s show looks like it could be one of the most chaotic venues. It’s the Central Methodist Church in down-town Johannesburg. You can see our pictures of it here, and news stories about it here. This is what I’ve seen of it over the past few days….

Talking points 30 June

Thanks to Mike for holding the fort while we were having a couple of days off. Unsurprisingly yesterday Robert Mugabe was sworn in for a sixth term as Zimbabwe’s President after an election which saw just him standing. Intimidation, murder and state sponsored violence against opposition supporters led his only opponent Morgan Tsvangirai to back out of the contest.

So today Mugabe faces his African counterparts at the AU summit in Sharm El Sheik. While questions continue about how much pressure will be placed on him by other African leaders, pressure is growing on companies investing in Zimbabwe to pull out and stop supporting a corrupt regime.

On air: Has Mandela turned the tide against Mugabe?

Just a few words, but what difference will they make? Last night Former South African President Nelson Mandela used a London dinner marking his 90th birthday to criticise Robert Mugabe’s regime he spoke of the “tragic failure of leadership in our neighbouring Zimbabwe.”

Zimbabwe: Mandela’s shame?

NB: Jon wrote this before Mr Mandela made his comments last night..
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So Nelson Mandela turns 90 this week. But as he celebrates his birthday he’s facing growing criticism for failing to take a stand over Robert Mugabe’s regime in Zimbawe. Some people are even calling it Mandela’s shame . Should he be ashamed? Or it is fair enough, given that he’s long retired from political life?

On air: Is it ever justified to interfere in another country?

The pressure is growing on Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe to postpone Friday’s Presidential run off elections. South Africa’s governing ANC party has accused the Zimbabwean government of “riding roughshod” over democracy.

The UN Security Council has unanimously agreed to condemn the violence in Zimbabwe and said a fair election would be “impossible”. And in separate comments, ANC leader Jacob Zuma, who rivals Mr Mbeki as South Africa’s most powerful man, said the situation in Zimbabwe was “out of control” and called for urgent intervention by the UN and regional Southern African Development Community.

On air: What to do about Zimbabwe?

We tried to talk about this yesterday but the phone lines did for us. We’ll put that right today. Of course we’ve asked this question before, but it’s urgency comes from the ongoing reports of violence against President Mugabe’s opponents, and from the restrictions placed on food aid over the past few days. Some political activists are being given asylum in neighbouring Zambia. So what should be done?

Talking Points for June 9th

Good Morning. It’s Priya with a few ideas for today’s programme…

Fuel: Environment v Economy

Fuel Protests continue across the world….

Truck drivers in Spain begin their indefinite strike today. Fishermen, farmers and truckers from across Europe were protesting last week. It’s also happened in the UK, India, Indonesia and a woman in California.

People are talking about it – but not everyone is that upset.

This is a watershed, as Gary Duncan explains in the The Times of London. Perhaps it’s time to face a major change in our economies…

Talking Points for 27 May

Hello, It’s Priya with a few ideas for what we might do today… any comments or suggestions are welcome. Thanks Abdul in Oregon for moderating this page overnight.

First, there is something of theme developing surrounding the protection of children.