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Women vote in Kuwait

Ros kicked off the programme by talking to Dr Mawdy Al-Homood, President of Arab Open Universityin Kuwait. She told us that she was really happy that finally Kuwaiti women had a democratic voice. She said women had been campaiging for almost 20 years for this right, and even if cultural sensitivities were adhered with seperate polling booths for men and women this was a significant step.

Liz, who has lived in Kuwait for only a few months told us that she was actually surprised that there wasn't that much of a buzz about it on the streets, she put it down to apathy. And Ahmed a Jordanian in the UK contacted the programme to say that yes it was important, but ultimately until the Government answers to the people only then will womens voices be heard. Afreen joined the conversation from Saudi Arabia felt it was a positive and big step and hopeful that other Arab countries would follow suit.

Kevin read out these comments on the topic.

Too little too late. when Kuwait was liberated from Iraq, US should have insisted on restoring full democracy in the state, rather than installing the dictatorial ruling Amir or at least should have made sure that the rights of women are ensured.
Qaiser Bakhtiari

It will certainly make a big difference to the women of Kuwait to be, belatedly, so empowered. No doubt that they will bring a point of view to governance that can only help.
Frank, Carmel, Indiana, United States

It's a scandal that women have waited so long to vote and pressure should be put on the remaining countries to change. They bring a good balance to our society and perhaps if they had been in charge a long time ago, nuclear weapons wouldn't exist. They could be replaced by handbags!
David Little, Andenne, Belgium

Julie in Marrieta in the United States called to ask how long it would be before Kuwaiti women would be an integral part of the Government. Dr Al Homood pointed out that Dr Massouma al Mubarak was already a Kuwaiti Cabinet Minister and has intentions to stand as an MP in 2007.

Thaksin Shinawatra

News came through this afternoon that the Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said he would step down, this after claiming that he had won a clear majority in the weekend's national election. We spoke to three people in Thailand last night about the growing calls for his resignation and Ros spoke to them all again today on their reaction to the news that he had resigned.

Patcharapol said he was shocked at the news, but ultimately this was the best thing for the country.

Surachet said he "saluted him for his sacrifice", but he and his family were sad to hear the news.

And Yongyut originally from Ayuthaya in Thailand also spoke to Ros earlier today and re-iterated that he was not sad that he had gone.

Denis Donaldson

Some breaking news, the former Sinn Fein official Denis Donaldson, who admitted spying for the British Government, has been found shot dead in Co Donegal. Donaldson, Sinn Fein's former legislative chief in Northern Ireland's power-sharing government, admitted in December he had been on the payroll of the British secret service and the province's anti-terrorist police for the previous two decades.

We spoke to our Ireland Correspondent Kevin Connally, who told us that when the Republican movement found out that he was a spy, they took all of his money and effectively left him destitute. Kevin told us that where he lives in Belfast, would be quite divided on how they feel about this, but mainly people will be holding their breath because if there is a hint of mainstream Republican involvement, there will be serious political implications

We're hoping to get more reaction to this story later in the programme.

Wardrobe Malfunction

Namrata Zakaria expressed her surprise at the amount of column inches a wardrobe malfunction was getting during this years Indian Fashion Week. More than a few eyebrows have been raised after a model was over-exposed after her clothes seem to fall off on the catwalk.

Meera Mittal a fashion consultant in Mumbai told Ros that it was the fact that Politicians were getting involved that had made the issue so talked about in India.

Here's what some blogs have been saying about it.

Sahila's Space writes:

There were some bloopers in Mumbai's fashion week, but the reaction of our moral policemen has been ridiculous to say the least... Now the Shiv Sena party is asking for a ban on fashion shows in Mumbai...puhlease!....last year a policeman raped a minor...does that mean we ban policemen in mumbai..

Samisms writes:

People might think what's the hullabaloo all about? However, the bigger picture is about dignity and professionalism. If you are here to do business, do business, sell your clothes. If you want to do a strip show, do it some place else.

Isabelm writes:

The catwalk in Mumbai created a stir in traditionally conservative India.... which I find very confusing. Has anyone seen those moves in a bollywood movie... They're anything but conservative.

Sorcery in DR Congo

We also talked about a new report published today on the plight of children in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It highlights what it describes as an alarming rise in the abuse of boys and girls accused of sorcery.

Well we know from our colleagues at Africa Have Your Say that sorcery and witchcraft is a big talking point for our audience in parts of Africa and you certainly got in touch with us about it.

This is just a selection of the hundreds of comments that came in during the item.

Witchcraft is real. Even an unborn baby could be initiated. It manifests by demonically empowered supernatural abilities. Refer all cases to Christ for deliverance.
Akan, Nigeria

The sorcerers are not those kids but the so-called pastors . Greedy people they are indeed.
Elly - Lusaka, Zambia

I find it hard to believe that human spirits can come in the night & be harming people. This can only happen in Dracula movies.
Tukur Ahmed Yola - Nigeria

The government should have special courts to try witches as they are not compatible with normal courts.
Samson - Zambia

We Africans are so backward and we try to explain things we dont understand with irrational theories which makes it easily exploited by selfish people. The authorities should clamp down on this behavior.
Stephen - Uganda

Well that was all a bit hairy but I think we achieved most of what we set out to do. As always if you have an issue you think we should be debating, get in touch and let us know.