If you have any better ideas, burning questions or want to tell us about talking points in your area, please get in touch (and don't forget to leave us a phone number). Post a comment at or email us.

First up, Pakistan. The state of emergency is still in place. The security situation in the North West border region has deteriorated, the ousted Chief Justice has urged for revolt against the President. Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto will decide today whether to join the protests and Imran Khan, another opposition leader forced into hiding has promised a youth revolution...

I think this is worth a revisit.

Ugandan LRA rebels are going to ask for forgiveness. A delegation from the Ugandan rebel group, the Lord's Resistance Army, is due to visit refugee camps later today to meet some of the victims of the group's 20 year insurgency. The LRA representatives have already asked local Ugandans for forgiveness and some of them are reported to have taken part in traditional cleansing ceremonies before meeting community leaders.

They want to ask for people's opinions on whether an alternative justice mechanism could be found to the charges brought against five of its leaders by the international criminal court.

Can the victims forgive? Is it really an alternative for justice? Will it help heal the country or is it simply an easy way out for the rebels?

RELIGIOUS SYMBOLS

A Sikh mother from the South Wales says she's taking legal advice after her 14 year-old daughter, Sarika Singh, was twice excluded from school for wearing a Sikh bangle, or "Kara".

Sinita Singh said that the small Kara (one of the the five K's of the Sikh religion) is an important part of her daughter's faith and that it is not a piece of jewellery. (Mrs Singh says that, for health and safety reasons her daughter is prepared to remove the bangle off for gym classes and wood or metalwork.)

Why do people keep fighting for the right to wear religious symbols? Why do people and institutions want them banned? What do these symbols really mean?

We've done all sorts of stories about this kind of thing - hijab, niqab, France's secular laws, Danish outrage, Iranian dress bans… How some countries are tolerant while others aren't… Is this freedom of expression? Or is it a way of showing difference and setting yourself apart from society? Why the on earth do people get so worked about them in the first place?

SARKOZY IN AMERICA - is everything all ok now?

The French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, is in Washington for his first official talks with President Bush. What do the French and the Americans think of each other? Is Sarkozy picking up where Tony Blair left off?

LEGALISE PROSTITUTION?

The Womens Institute in the Hampshire, UK, famed for making cakes for charity, has begun a campaign to create licenced brothels. After 5 prostitutes were murdered in Ipswich last year, this branch of the WI felt that this was the only way to protect the safety of prostitutes.

Its an unusual alliance, but is this the best way to deal with prostitution? Legalising it, licensing brothels is one way - but in Amsterdam, where it is legal and licensed, residents say it does not necessarily reduce crime. Its complicated, but what do you think is the best way forward? Perhaps you think that legalising it simply encourages prostitution, and that a concerted effort to enforce the law is actually what is needed.

Sweden has a law which makes it illegal to BUY SEX (i.e. the men who use prostitutes are the criminals). They belive this has worked and is the way forward. A survey in Scotland a few weeks ago, suggested a similar thing.

Your thoughts?

NO PROGRESS ON BURMA

We've talked about Burma a lot lately. The talking point here is that there isn't one - no one wants to talk to anyone here... What will force the Junta to make concessions?

GEORGIA - the Rose Revolution has lost its bloom?

On the sixth successive day of anti-government demonstrations in the Georgian capital, Tblisi, fighting has broken out between police and demonstrators. President Mikhail Saakashvili came to power on a wave of popular support four years ago, he now stands accused of being as corrupt adn autocratic as the man he replaced. Does Georgia need another revolution? Do they have the stomach to do it again? Is it necessary?

MORE AFRICAN MIGRANTS DIE TRYING TO GET TO EUROPE

Yesterday's toll of 45 was the biggest yet so far this year. Its an ongoing problem, for everyone involved, and perhaps the issue should be explored by World Have Your Say - why do African migrants make such a perilous journey? Are the risks worth it? What do the ones who make it across alive find on the other end? How do the Spaniards and Maltese and Italians see it?

There has been a spate of stories lately about Russia... with accusations of bombing Georgia, coming hotly on the heels of the news of the patriotic North Pole flag-planting incident, which many say is Russia's attempt to claim large parts of the oil, gas and mineral resources that lie underneath.

There have been joint Chinese Russian miltiary exercises, seen as a rival to NATO. While the EU has been very nervous of Russian ability to cut off oil and gas supplies at whim, like it did to Ukraine 2 years ago.

And there was the Litvinenko case, where Russian agents were accused of poisoning of the ex KGB agent in LOndon.

Yesterday we talked about China, its role in Sudan and pressure on it to improve its record on human rights. One of our callers suggested that China was always being criticised when other countries are no better.

He meant the US and UK and its record in Iraq, but it got us thinking...what about Russia? Does Russia's control over oil and gas supplies to Europe mean we let it off lightly on its democracy and human rights record?

Should we be worried by Russia? Is it on the 'rise'? Is the old Cold War enemy flexing its muscles? Or is it just behaving like any sovereign country has a right to...protecting its interests?

What do you think? Get in touch please, the show is nothing without you... really.

Ok, enough of the emotional return, back to the important stuff, I'm in sunny old West London looking around for the stories and debates that you want to talk about. Any ideas? Read on for a few of mine....

What do you think? Are fat people equal in society? And is an anti-discrimination bill the best way to make sure that employers treat them fairly? Is being fat, unlike race or gender, a choice?

A few weeks ago we covered the story of Denmark granting asylum to around 200 people who had worked as interpreters for the Danish forces in Iraq, or who were related to the interpreters.

Now Britain's Times newspaper has reported that senior Brtish army officers in Iraq have accused Britain of abandoning 91 Iraqi interperters and their families.

They want Britain to make arrangements for the Iraqis, whose lives are said to be at risk because of the work they have been doing, to be granted asylum in Britain.

While reports today suggest the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown has intervened personally to look into the matter, would you like to hear from one of these 91 men? What is like for them to work with the occupying military forces, with the enemy?

I read today that the Israeli army was compelled to arrest and jail 12 of its own soldiers as it evicted Jewish settlers from the centre of Hebron in the West Bank. The 12 had refused to take part in the evictions on religious grounds. The last time a similar thing happened was 2 years ago, 3when Israel pulled out of the Gaza Strip.

For a society whose identity is built around its military, what is the reaction in Israel? Was the army right to arrest its own soldiers? And given that these were evictions and not orders for battle, do these soldiers have a right to object because of their religion or should their loyalty be to their country? What does it mean for Israels security?

What do you all think? What consitutes 'conscientious objection'? What would be acceptable for asoldier to do in your country's army?

Let us know what you think, get in touch!!

As always you can phone, text, email us to take part in the programme. Or you can add your comments to our blog.

Sir you came to Sierra Leone. Please I would like to know the area of your interest that assistant will be given to.

Daniel from China writes:

Commonwealth is just a body of hypocrites. I have queued in front of embassies of fellow states before I could get to their country.

ANON from Nigeria writes:

What role will the Commonwealth play in the forthcoming Nigerian general elections? Are you aware that there is a conscious plan to bar certain persons.

Bill writes:

My School head once asked me to name for a member of British Empire. I said British Guiana. She replied 'It's not important enoughi. Is it now?

Steve in Virginia writes:

Are there any chances that they might allow any, or all of the 13 colonies, into the Commonwealth assuming it could be done without requiring those states to make a "treaty" which would violate the US constitution?

Anonymous writes:

Has anyone ever proposed hosting the games in America? It's a neutral venue as the only "anglophone" country not in the Commonwealth (as far as I know), America's turnout to the games would be significant, and we've got the funds to host it.

Tony from the Netherlands writes:

What are the benefits for countries which are members of the Commonwealth?

Joe Eme in Owerri, Nigeria, writes:

Abuja and Nigeria cannot afford the games in 2014 or any time. There are more important things begging for attention rather than the jamboree which would be a corrupt politician's delight.

Bill says:

I once asked school head if British Guiana could be a member of the British Empire. She replied it’s not important enough. Is it now?

Bisong from Nigeria writes:

Just like fifa let the games come to Africa in 2014.

John writes:

The Commonwealth no doubt has good intentions and lived up to it so far, but Nigeria and her African pairs have not been encouraging in capacity building.

Ahmed in Nigeria writes:

I don’t think Nigeria is ready to host this games, it will just be another corruption bonanza that will further impoverish it. I’m not proud to be in the Commonwealth.

Bainta in Nigeria writes:

I know some Nigerians will frown, but hosting the games in Abuja will bring economic opportunities.

Peter Unodiaku in Nigeria writes:

Please tell the Commonwealth scribe that I am expecting him in Abuja in 2014.

Musa in Nigeria writes:

I would like the game to be played in Nigeria in 2014, but the corruption and poverty status of the country have to change.

Ejalu Simon Soroti writes

It's a fact that common wealth is an organised click which not only legitimises dictatorial regimes but sponsors them. Mostly in Africa.

Darboe from Gambia writes

I think the Commonwealth is doing a lot especially in the education and health sector but I believe there is still a bit more to be done specifically youth immigration policies

Tiny from Nigeria writes:

How about the case of the Nigeria govt on the elections that is close by what impact does the Commonwealth has on this?

Jason in Wisconsin writes:

I have a question. What does the Commonwealth DO as a whole? I don't recall them ever doing ANYTHING. Maybe it is just the lack of outside news here in the US. I hear plenty about the WTO doing all sorts of thing. Seeing as the Commonwealth seems to be a little similar, why not do something with all that financial clout?

Muhammad in Pakistan writes:

Commonwealth is not really doing their best for the implementing democracy in the member countries unless they special interest like in case of Pakistan they are supporting General Musharaf government because of the only reason that he is giving favor to UK and USA for their so called war against terror ( actually war for oil).

On tonight's show we are talking about women. It's International Women's Day today and we want to know what, if anything, this day can do for women across the world.

You can read emails and text messages here, and of course post your own comments as well.

Women are the ones most involved in bringing up children. So they are the ones who may be remembered for saying things like "Stop picking your nose". Ergo some not-quite-grown-up-men may have a down on them all, mothers or not. The International whatever Days, appear to make little or no difference to their whatevers. So I tend to wonder why they are there.

Benedict, in Nigeria, writes

Hi there! I wonder how many women are aware today is their day. I don't have any problem with international women's day. However, I think a more collective action should be done to better women's position in the world.

Michael, in Accra-Ghana, says

I believe women can take charge themselves. I went to a co-ed senior secondary school here in Ghana where the girls were very much on an equal footing with the boys because they chose to not see themselves as inferior.

Bjay says

Sunny side up! I am an equal opportunity 'kiss-her'.

Mark writes

In the West, there is still only one vital issue- equal pay for equal work. Women are still nowhere near pay equity with men, and thats ridiculous after all this time.

Obed from Ghana says

Women are the only ones who can help themselves. No man can do that.

Sarah, in New York, writes

I think that women around the world should stand together and stand up for each other, but race and ethnicity still get in the way.

Mohammed Ali, in Monrovia, says

Women are already making their mark in LIBERIA. President, Ministers of justice, finance, gender, police director and etc. Are all women.

Mohammed Ghassani, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, writes this poem for all the women across the world

Look around you At your back, at your front At your left, at your right Can't you see Her? Yes, Here She Is Here, there and everywhere And in you yourself You feel Her presence And Her very existence She, a Woman It's all about women!

Those people you see Their houses you admire Their cars you grasp Their lives they enjoy All Possible have been made Enabled By Her It's all about woman!

You know: As child we speak those first words They are named: motherence As we grow speaking that first language They call it Mother language Our in-born intellect Mothertec, so it's known They all come from Our mothers From women It's all about woman!

Women have ever since Brought us to this world Nurtured us with their kindness Taught us with their knowledge They can, therefore, Do anything else They are, therefore, Everything else It's all about women!

We, men are Nothing but images Of theirs Their success Their happiness and Pride It's all about women!

As bad as sometimes we become Their failures Their atrocities But No matter what They never give up Praises be to the Lord For creating these creatures The women Because It's all about women!

Kalenga, in Kampala, says

The world is like a bird with 2 wings. One wing is a man and another a woman. The bird will only fly if the two wings are strong.

Mr. Moennsad from Nairobi, writes

It's a day for the emancipation of women from the male chauvinists, specifically in the Islamosphere of female oppression..

Ekayu Wilson from Soroti, Uganda, says

Women spend a lot of time on their hair and looks. If they spent half that time on their brains they would be better off.

Leland from Indiana, USA, writes

Query: Why should men support international women's day? What benefit are "Women's Rights" for men? What about men who are physically abused by women? What about cultural rights that Women have, which men do not? What about countries that favor women in the assigning of a child due to a divorce?

Bruno, in Belgium, says

We seem to be hearing only women on today's programme!
Here's a message from a man to his fellow males: as long as we won't understand that women are the most civilized half of humanity, and act upon it, how can we hope to move forwards?

Mach Ayom Anyang from Kampala, Uganda, says

Women are great caretakers but we men do take them for granted, as we give them one-day freedom in a year.

Matthew from Nigeria writes

Please help me & tell the international women that nigerian women are free but most of their children are into prostitution, is it poverty that violates their rights?

Ritodhi Chakraborty says

The International Women's Day serves a rather symbolic role. Definitely symbols are what people rally behind and get motivated by.

S Saroj Kumar from India writes

The issues concerning women is highly a politicised one all over the world. I hear the much of cry on freedom from only urban living women why is that so ?

Susannah (again) from San Francisco says

Ros-Even my friend Michael, who can be the biggest womanizer thanks women for at one point in the history of primitive man, choosing their mates based on their intelligence and skills. It was woman's excellent decision making process in picking mates that formed a more capable human society during evolution.

Jean Shirkoff from Portland, Oregon, says

Men ARE the dominant gender so it is true that every day is Men's Day not because men are not wonderful but it just is a different experience to live in a world where your gender is the dominant gender.

ANON from Kenya writes

Women only have themselves to blame for men's attitude to them. If every mother brought her sons to treat their sisters as equals, the world would be a different place.

Peter Bassey from Calabar, Nigeria, writes

Women want equality,yet they segregate themselves thereby attracting discrimination. Well,I wish them the best in their quest for equality.

Jonathan says

Women and men are different. Its society's loss when women try to be same as men. Society must understand that there are differences, but that these do not make one sex better than another.

Michael says

I don't think this day is necessary, because women don't support each other, and it's this that leads to violence against them.

Isaac says

Congrats to all women in the world on this day, men it's time you give them the support and empowerment they need to make a better world.

Steve from USA writes

Sandra is an example of the victim mentality. If anything in the USA, affirmative action helps women out in the university level.

MR RIZWAN GILANI from PAKISTAN writes

Women's must be treated with respect dignity and honour .Their fundamental rights are equal to those of mens.

Laura Maffitt sayd

Both men and women have the responsibilities to change their intrinsic views of women. As women, we need to conduct ourselves in such a way as to not diminish ourselves but men won't respect women while they see them strutting around in bikinis on TV.

Helen from Barcelona writes

The worlds' self proclaimed greatest democracy is debating whether they are ready for a woman President. They pay lip service to equality but in pratice ... they doubt the ability of a woman.

Mach Ayom Anyang in Kampala, Uganda, writes

Women are great caretakers but we men do take them for granted, as we give them one-day freedom in a year. I think we men should add another day to their usual one so that they can hold celebrations twice a year and feel considered as respected ones.

Denge from Lusaka, Zambia, writes

International Womens day, women always ask 4 equal rights, how bout God's plan? Women are there to support men and not fight to be their equal. Traditional, but thats biblical fact.

Matthew in Nigeria

Hi BBC, please help me & tell international women that Nigerian women are free but most of their childrens are into prostitution. Is it poverty that is violating women?

You can also join our meeting by sending us your number or calling 44 20 70 83 72 72 (replace the + with 011 if calling from North America, or 00 for most other countries)

Here are a few thoughts on what we could talk about today... what do you think?

Elsewhere the US government is getting itchy over the way we all see the war in Iraq and Afghanistan....

The closing down of the milblogs, or military blogs is apparently being enforced by commanders on the ground - The AP quoted Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Warnock, the commander of the web monitoring team, describing how US servicemen have described the vulnerabilities of their bases, shown damage to their weapons and exposed information that could leave their families open to attack. We are a nation at war, Warnock said by e-mail. The less the enemy knows, the better it is for our soldiers....

Prince Charles visits Pakistan and not everything is going to plan.... What is the reaction in Pakistan?
Rally condemns Pakistan air raid - Tribesmen in Pakistan have rallied against Islamabad's alliance with the US after an air strike on an alleged militant camp at an Islamic school.

It may seem a little boring, but the Kosovo issue is potentially explosive for a region barely recovered from civil war.... Do ordinary Serbs really want Kosovo that badly?
Serbia snubs UN with vote to keep Kosovo - Serbia set itself against the international community and Kosovo's ethnic Albanians yesterday by endorsing a new constitution declaring Kosovo for ever part of Serbia, only a few months before it is expected to lose the province.

Row over Khatami visit to Scotland - Iran's former president, Mohammed Khatami, arrives in Scotland today for a visit opposed by Iranian émigré groups and a group of MPs who charge that thousands of students were imprisoned during his rule.

Riots after Congo elections bring fears of fresh fighting - Mobs went on the rampage through a town in north-eastern Congo and thousands of ballot papers were burnt yesterday after a drunken Congolese soldier killed two election observers, highlighting the fragility of the peace in a country which has just held its first elections in decades.

Jubilation in Chile? Or are there more important issues facing the country now?
'Lucid' Pinochet charged with murder - AUGUSTO PINOCHET, the 90-year-old former dictator of Chile, was branded a "grave danger to society" as he was placed under house arrest in Santiago yesterday by the judge investigating his role in cases of torture and kidnapping during his time in power.

And Mexico again, I think its all kicking off there and would love to hear from Mexicans about what is going on in their country... so get in touch...
- Federal riot police occupying the grand colonial plaza at the centre of the southern Mexican city of Oaxaca defended their position yesterday against angry leftwing protesters they had pushed out fewer than 24 hours earlier.

Other very popular stories on BBC online:

KFC cuts out unhealthy trans-fats
Elephants' jumbo mirror ability
Burger bar lotto couple quit work
Siberia ravaged by bootleg vodka
Audio slideshow: Suez crisis
China tightens death penalty law

Our morning meeting is at 11 am GMT, so please do contact us with ideas.

If, like Steve and Justin did yesterday, you actually want to join in, please either send us a comment with your number so we can call you for the meeting,. Or call us on +44 207 55 70635

(If you are from North America or the Caribbean, dial 011 first. For pretty much everyone else it's 00, exceptions are here)

So here are my ideas...

Controversial hawk joins Israeli coalition - Centrist Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert forged an unlikely alliance yesterday with the hard-line Yisrael Beiteinu party, saving his coalition government but also tilting it decidedly to the right. Are voters of Olmert's Kadima party worried?

This is a popular story on the BBC website:
Current global consumption levels could result in a large-scale ecosystem collapse by the middle of the century, environmental group WWF has warned. The group's biannual Living Planet Report said the natural world was being degraded "at a rate unprecedented in human history". But are you worried?

The veil is making headlines in Detroit:
Ginnah Muhammad, 42, is a devout Muslim, so as such, she feels she was forced to choose between her small claims court case and her religion, Friday.
Judge Paul Paruk, in Hamtramck District Court, told Muhammad she had to take off her niqab; a scarf and veil, which covers her face and head except for her eyes, or he would dismiss her case. The judge said he needed to see her face so he could judge her truthfulness when she testified.

Peter just emailed me to suggest these issues which we could discuss, what do you think?

The Disneyfication of war allows us to ignore its real savagery - Statues of canine 'heroes' from the second world war are still being unveiled while the deaths of Iraqi civilians go unrecorded, argues George Monbiot.

Paul Vallely: Religion is a force for good, believe it or not - Other people's squiffy logic is easy enough to spot. It's our own that causes the problems. Take the unhappy case of Gabriele Torsello, the photographer seized by the Taliban in Afghanistan. His kidnappers yesterday offered to swap Mr Torsello, a Muslim convert, for Abdul Rahman, an Afghan who sought asylum in Italy after being threatened with death for converting to Christianity.
You can see the neat equivalence in the minds of the Taliban. Two converts. A trip from Rome to Kabul. And vice versa. An eye for an eye and so forth. There is just one problem: both converts would rather be here than there. And who can blame them?

This went up on the Have YOur Say UK site yesterday afternoon - Do kids need sex education?
Do you have sex education in your country? And if not, why not? Do you think its a good idea teaching school children about sex?

Here are some early ideas:

The battle for America continues ahead of fairly important mid-term elections in November, and things are getting a little dirty.

In Ohio, the Republican candidate for governor, Kenneth Blackwell, accused his Democratic challenger, Ted Strickland, in their concluding televised debate this week, accusing him of cosying up to an eccentric group called the North American Man Boy Love Association, or Nambla, and associating himself with a man convicted of exposing himself to young children.

All over the world, politicians do and say things to get themselves elected. In Britain, the opposition party leader, David Cameron has been blogging and drinking tea with rappers. Its a fairly transparent way of appealing to young voters. But do you trust your politicians? Do they speak for you or reflect your concerns? What do you think of blatant dirty-tricks campaigns? Are your amused by them? Does it alter they way you vote?

People are still rowing over the veil - is it divisive? And should there be places where dress code is more important than religious beliefs?
The woman at centre of veil case.
Teaching assistant Aishah Azmi, who has caused a stir for refusing to take off her veil during lessons, has a determined and focused character.

Energy and how we will keep our lights on is exercising EU ministers. And since Russia has oil and gas, criticisms of its recent record on civil liberties will be somewhat muted. So what is more important - energy or human rights in Russia?
EU to discuss energy with Putin - European Union leaders are meeting in southern Finland to discuss how to ensure stable supplies of energy

And news has just come in that President Putin joked about the rape claims being made against Moshe Katsav, the Israeli President. According to a journalist standing nearby Putin said to Katsav:

What a mighty man he turns out to be! He raped 10 women - I would never have expected this from him. He surprised us all - we all envy him!

Aides say the President does not find rape funny... What do you think?

Top Have Your Say debates.

"Can North Korea be restrained?
A high-level Chinese envoy returns from North Korea expressing optimism about defusing the nuclear crisis. Send us your views.

"Is it time for a change of policy in Iraq?
President Bush has conceded parallels between events in Iraq and the Vietnam War. Send us your views.

"Is torture ever acceptable?
Almost a third of people worldwide say some torture is acceptable to fight terrorism, a BBC World Service poll finds. Send us your views.

Most popular BBC stories this morning:

Oslo gay animal show draws crowds
Kazakh invite for Borat creator
Experts create invisibility cloak
Beast in sediment is photo winner

As Ros, wrote earlier, today we're talking about the African Union. We want to hear your thoughts on how effective it is.

You can read emails and text messages here, and of course post your own comments as well.

Patrick Smith of the African Confidential newsletter agreed that more money was needed, but questions were raised over whether more money could really help.

Jude in Vancouver asks if NATO should get involved:

NATO seemed to do well in Bosnia after all, and unlike the UN, wouldn't require permission from Sudan. I fear Sudan would never give permission anyway...

Leo in Kuwait thinks the head of the state should be help accountable, and Jason posted on the blog to say

The African Union is a joke. Much like the governments of many countries I see a corrupt group of leaders that do nothing but funnel money for their own self-interest. Name one conflict that the AU has resolved. They are useless.

A listener in Detroit who worked for years in W Africa, contacted us to say:

What seems to be missing on the part of so many African leaders -- is the will to do right by the African people. Far too many hard-working African men and women see unspeakable suffering on a daily basis because so many of those in positions of power are too quick to serve self and cronies rather than work to advance the community as a whole.

Emenike in Nigeria believes...

The AU is fastly becoming a toothless bull dog. It can hardly bark talkless of biting. Member nations must wake up to their roles

Ali joined us on air from Khartoum to say it's not the African Union's fault for all the problems in Africa.

Martin Issa was one of many people contacting us to criticise the Sudanese government:

The African Union can and should not take the blame for not succeeding in Darfur. The Sudan Government simply does not want ANY BODY to succeed. An underfunded,poorly equiped and fickle numbered African Union simply is the wrong force and means to stop this genocide.

Defence for the AU came from Isaiah

They are NOT a joke - The AU is young and growing and will only get better. The African Union ensured democractic transfer of power in Togo after the death of Mr. Eyadema, the hand over of Charles Taylor and the slow process of putting liberia back on track!

Dr Chris Langsberg in Johannesburg said he can see the effects of the AU, Sahr in Sierra Leone believes the AU is a good idea but isn't working, and Adam in Portsmouth who began the debate, called for Arab militia to stop killing and effective African institutions to be brought in.

As Ros, wrote earlier, today we're talking about the African Union. We want to hear your thoughts on how effective it is.

You can read emails and text messages here, and of course post your own comments as well.

Patrick Smith of the African Confidential newsletter agreed that more money was needed, but questions were raised over whether more money could really help.

Jude in Vancouver asks if NATO should get involved:

NATO seemed to do well in Bosnia after all, and unlike the UN, wouldn't require permission from Sudan. I fear Sudan would never give permission anyway...

Leo in Kuwait thinks the head of the state should be help accountable, and Jason posted on the blog to say

The African Union is a joke. Much like the governments of many countries I see a corrupt group of leaders that do nothing but funnel money for their own self-interest. Name one conflict that the AU has resolved. They are useless.

A listener in Detroit who worked for years in W Africa, contacted us to say:

What seems to be missing on the part of so many African leaders -- is the will to do right by the African people. Far too many hard-working African men and women see unspeakable suffering on a daily basis because so many of those in positions of power are too quick to serve self and cronies rather than work to advance the community as a whole.

Emenike in Nigeria believes...

The AU is fastly becoming a toothless bull dog. It can hardly bark talkless of biting. Member nations must wake up to their roles

Ali joined us on air from Khartoum to say it's not the African Union's fault for all the problems in Africa.

Martin Issa was one of many people contacting us to criticise the Sudanese government:

The African Union can and should not take the blame for not succeeding in Darfur. The Sudan Government simply does not want ANY BODY to succeed. An underfunded,poorly equiped and fickle numbered African Union simply is the wrong force and means to stop this genocide.

Defence for the AU came from Isaiah

They are NOT a joke - The AU is young and growing and will only get better. The African Union ensured democractic transfer of power in Togo after the death of Mr. Eyadema, the hand over of Charles Taylor and the slow process of putting liberia back on track!

Dr Chris Langsberg in Johannesburg said he can see the effects of the AU, Sahr in Sierra Leone believes the AU is a good idea but isn't working, and Adam in Portsmouth who began the debate, called for Arab militia to stop killing and effective African institutions to be brought in.

Anyway... our regular morning meeting begins at 11am GMT, so if you have any suggestions of news stories or talking points in your area, please get in touch as soon as possible. We will consider all ideas in our meetings before we decide what will make the programme tonight.

Here are some of my suggestions....

Another on-going conflict is in Sudan...the Janjaweed militia in Darfur are fighting with direct support and orders from Sudan's government, a man claiming to be a former member has told the BBC . He isn't the only one, "Dily" has been speaking to the Times newspaper in London. He claims to have been a member of the notorious Janjaweed militia in Sudan, backed by the Sudanese government to burn villages and kill their inhabitants in Darfur.

All of this, if true, completely contradicts the Sudanese government's version of events - i.e. that they have never backed any militia to attack any Darfurians. These claims should then strengthen arguments that the UN should go in, regardless of any objections from the Sudanese government. And where is the African Union in all of this? They have troops on the ground and have done so for 3 years. Has it made any difference? Is the African Union and its force, as many refugees claim, a joke? Send us your comments and don't forget to send a number (we won't publish this though!)

The third conflict I'd like to talk about is Iraq, we did do it yesterday and had such a huge response that maybe it is worth revisiting. Yesterday we asked if Iraq would be better off partitioned, but today I'd like to move it on a bit: What other alternatives there are to the crisis? A panel of experts in the US has been looking at this very question, and one of the possible solutions to emerge is involving Iran and Syria more in efforts to stabilise Iraq. The US has always been against their involvement, but may be beginning to realise that it may now help, or as Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld put it last night

It is quite clear that neither Iran, nor Syria, have been helpful. It obviously would be vastly better from the standpoint of the Iraqi people were they to be at least not unhelpful, as a start. But they have been unhelpful.

The Whaling debate intensifies - Iceland has begun hunting whales after a 20 year pause. It has raised hackles all over the world - but the question is, in a world of fish-eaters, why are whales so special? They do provide more meat per animal than any other fish, and some species are not exactly going extinct - so what's the problem? Why don't people get so upset about the cod, which is under serious threat?

Several high-ranking Nigerian officials condemn the impeachment of a state governor - Is Nigeria finally cleaning up? Or is this a political witchhunt ahead of next year's elections?

Music industry unleashes 8,000 new lawsuits - FILE SHARERS beware, because the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry has just today filed 8,000 lawsuits targeting you.

and many of you are emailing this article to your friends:
Human species 'may split in two' - Humanity may split into two sub-species in 100,000 years' time as predicted by HG Wells, an expert has said. An elite and a troglodyte underclass... Which one would you rather belong to?

GOOGLE MOST POPULAR:

US warns against second nuclear test">American satellite pictures and officials in Japan and South Korea suggested there had been "suspicious vehicle movements" around the first test site, near North Korea's north-eastern city of Kilju.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho Jose hails Cech progress">says that injured goalkeeper Petr Cech is making progress after undergoing surgery on the fractured skull he suffered against Reading

Bush and Blair isolated as criticism of war grows">George Bush and Tony Blair were looking more isolated than ever last night as the ground shifted further under their strategy of remaining in Iraq "until the job is done".

Blair backs suspension of veil woman
Tony Blair fuelled the debate on multiculturalism and integration in British society yesterday as he backed a local authority's decision to suspend a Muslim classroom assistant for refusing to remove her full face veil at school.

Madonna explains adoption
In an open letter, the star has explained the reasons behind the decision to take custody of the one year-old. The baby arrived at the London home Madonna shares with husband Guy Ritchie this morning and the singer is hoping to set the record straight.

The future ascent (and descent) of man
HUMANITY could evolve into two sub-species within 100,000 years as social divisions produce a genetic underclass, a scientist said yesterday

Anyway... our regular morning meeting begins at 11am GMT, so if you have any suggestions of news stories or talking points in your area, please get in touch as soon as possible. We will consider all ideas in our meetings before we decide what will make the programme tonight.

Here are some of my suggestions....

Another on-going conflict is in Sudan...the Janjaweed militia in Darfur are fighting with direct support and orders from Sudan's government, a man claiming to be a former member has told the BBC . He isn't the only one, "Dily" has been speaking to the Times newspaper in London. He claims to have been a member of the notorious Janjaweed militia in Sudan, backed by the Sudanese government to burn villages and kill their inhabitants in Darfur.

All of this, if true, completely contradicts the Sudanese government's version of events - i.e. that they have never backed any militia to attack any Darfurians. These claims should then strengthen arguments that the UN should go in, regardless of any objections from the Sudanese government. And where is the African Union in all of this? They have troops on the ground and have done so for 3 years. Has it made any difference? Is the African Union and its force, as many refugees claim, a joke? Send us your comments and don't forget to send a number (we won't publish this though!)

The third conflict I'd like to talk about is Iraq, we did do it yesterday and had such a huge response that maybe it is worth revisiting. Yesterday we asked if Iraq would be better off partitioned, but today I'd like to move it on a bit: What other alternatives there are to the crisis? A panel of experts in the US has been looking at this very question, and one of the possible solutions to emerge is involving Iran and Syria more in efforts to stabilise Iraq. The US has always been against their involvement, but may be beginning to realise that it may now help, or as Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld put it last night

It is quite clear that neither Iran, nor Syria, have been helpful. It obviously would be vastly better from the standpoint of the Iraqi people were they to be at least not unhelpful, as a start. But they have been unhelpful.

The Whaling debate intensifies - Iceland has begun hunting whales after a 20 year pause. It has raised hackles all over the world - but the question is, in a world of fish-eaters, why are whales so special? They do provide more meat per animal than any other fish, and some species are not exactly going extinct - so what's the problem? Why don't people get so upset about the cod, which is under serious threat?

Several high-ranking Nigerian officials condemn the impeachment of a state governor - Is Nigeria finally cleaning up? Or is this a political witchhunt ahead of next year's elections?

Music industry unleashes 8,000 new lawsuits - FILE SHARERS beware, because the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry has just today filed 8,000 lawsuits targeting you.

and many of you are emailing this article to your friends:
Human species 'may split in two' - Humanity may split into two sub-species in 100,000 years' time as predicted by HG Wells, an expert has said. An elite and a troglodyte underclass... Which one would you rather belong to?

GOOGLE MOST POPULAR:

US warns against second nuclear test">American satellite pictures and officials in Japan and South Korea suggested there had been "suspicious vehicle movements" around the first test site, near North Korea's north-eastern city of Kilju.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho Jose hails Cech progress">says that injured goalkeeper Petr Cech is making progress after undergoing surgery on the fractured skull he suffered against Reading

Bush and Blair isolated as criticism of war grows">George Bush and Tony Blair were looking more isolated than ever last night as the ground shifted further under their strategy of remaining in Iraq "until the job is done".

Blair backs suspension of veil woman
Tony Blair fuelled the debate on multiculturalism and integration in British society yesterday as he backed a local authority's decision to suspend a Muslim classroom assistant for refusing to remove her full face veil at school.

Madonna explains adoption
In an open letter, the star has explained the reasons behind the decision to take custody of the one year-old. The baby arrived at the London home Madonna shares with husband Guy Ritchie this morning and the singer is hoping to set the record straight.

The future ascent (and descent) of man
HUMANITY could evolve into two sub-species within 100,000 years as social divisions produce a genetic underclass, a scientist said yesterday

I have one or two ideas of my own.....

A powerful bomb has exploded in Northern Sri Lanka, the latest in the violence which has seen 2000 people so far this year. Peace talks are to be held in Switzerland between the government and the rebel Tamil Tigers, but is there any real hope of them succeeding? What do you think both sides need to do to achieve peace? Do you think either side even want a lasting solution?

Madonna is still making headlines, her Malawian adoption is not quite going as planned as charities in Malawi are challenging its legality. Where most people need to spend a year in Malawi in order to be eligible to adopt, Madonna has spent just two weeks. At any rate she has arrived in the UK empty handed. They aren't the only ones though, apparently an increasing number of developing countries believe Britain is an unsuitable home for their orphans. But is it? Why do people go abroad to adopt? Have you been adopted and taken out of your country of birth - how did it affect your sense of identity? This last questions is particularly interesting since many stories lately have been rows over identity (religious, national etc) - so what happens to a child who is whisked away to a foreign country? Get in touch and don't forget to leave your number (we won't publish this!)

A new book by a former US official says President Bush's top political advisers privately ridiculed evangelical leaders, while publicly embracing them. Perhaps this doesn't surprise many people, we are talking about politicians after all, but does it surprise Evangelical christians in the US?

South American elections continue - the latest is in Ecuador, where banana billionaire Alvaro Noboa edged left-wing economist Rafael Correa in the first round Sunday, setting up a runoff between two candidates who are bitter rivals and polar opposites. The results are partial so far, but its another Right v Left battle, where 'Left' means being allied to Venezuela's Hugo Chavez.

What to do with North Korea? Australia plans to ban all NK ships from its ports. But will sanctions do the trick?

To continue a theme running for the last few weeks, there are a few more 'muslim' stories in the news:

Lecturers and university staff across Britain are to be asked to spy on "Asian-looking" and Muslim students they suspect of involvement in Islamic extremism and supporting terrorist violence. They will be told to inform on students to special branch because the government believes campuses have become "fertile recruiting grounds" for extremists. So have universities allowed too much freedom of thought? Is famous student radicalism getting a bit too radical? Or is this an overreaction to what is simply youthful experimentation with new ideas that are quickly discarded?

And a ban on muslim headscarves are the subject of a ban in Tunisia rather than the UK:
Islamic headscarves are banned in schools and government offices "The Tunisian authorities have launched a campaign against the Islamic veil worn by some women to cover their hair.

As the 'veil' debate continues in Britain...
Veil teacher 'should be sacked'
A Muslim teaching assistant suspended for refusing to remove her veil in class should be sacked, a local government minister has said.

But its not only muslim religious symbols that are causing a stir - British Airways is facing legal action and calls for a boycott by Christians after it ruled an employee could not display a crucifix the size of a five pence piece on her necklace. Nadia Eweida said she had just undergone training on respecting and understanding other people's beliefs with BA when she was asked to remove the crucifix.

MOST POPULAR BBC STORIES:

Madonna Malawi adoption 'illegal'
A group of Malawian charities says pop star Madonna's bid to adopt a boy is illegal and will seek a court injunction halting the adoption.

Waste bins 'an ID theft goldmine'
Householders are still throwing out too many documents that help criminals steal their identity a survey suggests.

Kelly urges response to extremism
The battle against extremism in the UK should be fought by all communities - not just Muslims - Ruth Kelly will tell a meeting of local authority officials

Beijing stamps out poor English
China has launched a fresh drive to clamp down on bad English in the run-up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Australia to ban N Korean ships
Australia is to ban North Korean ships from entering its ports in response to its claimed nuclear bomb test, the foreign minister has announced.

Katsav avoids parliament opening
Israel's President Moshe Katsav has decided not to attend the opening of parliament, according to media reports.

I have one or two ideas of my own.....

A powerful bomb has exploded in Northern Sri Lanka, the latest in the violence which has seen 2000 people so far this year. Peace talks are to be held in Switzerland between the government and the rebel Tamil Tigers, but is there any real hope of them succeeding? What do you think both sides need to do to achieve peace? Do you think either side even want a lasting solution?

Madonna is still making headlines, her Malawian adoption is not quite going as planned as charities in Malawi are challenging its legality. Where most people need to spend a year in Malawi in order to be eligible to adopt, Madonna has spent just two weeks. At any rate she has arrived in the UK empty handed. They aren't the only ones though, apparently an increasing number of developing countries believe Britain is an unsuitable home for their orphans. But is it? Why do people go abroad to adopt? Have you been adopted and taken out of your country of birth - how did it affect your sense of identity? This last questions is particularly interesting since many stories lately have been rows over identity (religious, national etc) - so what happens to a child who is whisked away to a foreign country? Get in touch and don't forget to leave your number (we won't publish this!)

A new book by a former US official says President Bush's top political advisers privately ridiculed evangelical leaders, while publicly embracing them. Perhaps this doesn't surprise many people, we are talking about politicians after all, but does it surprise Evangelical christians in the US?

South American elections continue - the latest is in Ecuador, where banana billionaire Alvaro Noboa edged left-wing economist Rafael Correa in the first round Sunday, setting up a runoff between two candidates who are bitter rivals and polar opposites. The results are partial so far, but its another Right v Left battle, where 'Left' means being allied to Venezuela's Hugo Chavez.

What to do with North Korea? Australia plans to ban all NK ships from its ports. But will sanctions do the trick?

To continue a theme running for the last few weeks, there are a few more 'muslim' stories in the news:

Lecturers and university staff across Britain are to be asked to spy on "Asian-looking" and Muslim students they suspect of involvement in Islamic extremism and supporting terrorist violence. They will be told to inform on students to special branch because the government believes campuses have become "fertile recruiting grounds" for extremists. So have universities allowed too much freedom of thought? Is famous student radicalism getting a bit too radical? Or is this an overreaction to what is simply youthful experimentation with new ideas that are quickly discarded?

And a ban on muslim headscarves are the subject of a ban in Tunisia rather than the UK:
Islamic headscarves are banned in schools and government offices "The Tunisian authorities have launched a campaign against the Islamic veil worn by some women to cover their hair.

As the 'veil' debate continues in Britain...
Veil teacher 'should be sacked'
A Muslim teaching assistant suspended for refusing to remove her veil in class should be sacked, a local government minister has said.

But its not only muslim religious symbols that are causing a stir - British Airways is facing legal action and calls for a boycott by Christians after it ruled an employee could not display a crucifix the size of a five pence piece on her necklace. Nadia Eweida said she had just undergone training on respecting and understanding other people's beliefs with BA when she was asked to remove the crucifix.

MOST POPULAR BBC STORIES:

Madonna Malawi adoption 'illegal'
A group of Malawian charities says pop star Madonna's bid to adopt a boy is illegal and will seek a court injunction halting the adoption.

Waste bins 'an ID theft goldmine'
Householders are still throwing out too many documents that help criminals steal their identity a survey suggests.

Kelly urges response to extremism
The battle against extremism in the UK should be fought by all communities - not just Muslims - Ruth Kelly will tell a meeting of local authority officials

Beijing stamps out poor English
China has launched a fresh drive to clamp down on bad English in the run-up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Australia to ban N Korean ships
Australia is to ban North Korean ships from entering its ports in response to its claimed nuclear bomb test, the foreign minister has announced.

Katsav avoids parliament opening
Israel's President Moshe Katsav has decided not to attend the opening of parliament, according to media reports.