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.

Talking points 18 December

Somalia has been named as the most lawless place in the world, Zimbabwe sits at number 4. Two countries where it’s been argued the international community should intervene, but it hasn’t. So do we have to accept that there are some countries we don’t care enough about?

On air: Why are women still under attack?

It’s the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. That’s not the only reason we’re talking about this today though. It’s the number of current stories that highlight the range of physical threats that women around still face (see links below).

We’re going to try and understand why the level of violence against women in all forms remains so high. Is it because of a lack of education, a lack of legal measures to stop it, or a willingness among some women to tolerate it?

Somalia – how can the reporter help?

Isa Ali Gedi lives in the Somalia capital Mogadishu. He told us: “I’ve lost 50% of my life. I’ve lost some of my kids. I’ve lost my house, my job. I live like the cats and dogs. I live in a hopeless place.” After we thought the interview had finished, Isa said he wanted to ask us some questions. “What can the BBC do for me?” “What can I tell my three kids?” So what is the role of the journalist? To help or to report?