29/06/2012

Composer Cheryl Frances-Hoad joins Jenni to talk about the world premiere of Amy's Last Dive, a contemporary opera which celebrates the life of the aviation pioneer, Amy Johnson. The tiny principality of Liechtenstein is Europe's only absolute monarchy, and its hereditary prince, Prince Alois, has the right to veto legislation. Next week the people of Liechtenstein will vote in a referendum to decide whether to strip him of his veto power. It comes after the Prince had threatened last year to override the decision if voters decided to legalise abortion. But will limiting the Prince's political powers influence attitudes to abortion in the country? The Leaf is a special resourced class which caters for children, as young as three, who have social, emotional and behavioural problems. There are very few school units that cater for such young children - how is it changing their lives? A court in Germany has ruled that the circumcision of boys on religious grounds caused bodily harm and infringed on a child's right to physical integrity. Jewish and Muslim leaders say the decision will effectively outlaw the practice. Does a parent have the right to permanently and irreparably change their child's body for religious reasons, or is it time for a widespread ban on the circumcision of boys? And in the Diamond Jubilee year, we have been looking at female sovereigns who reigned in their own right. For the next in the series, we look at Mary, Queen of Scots. Was she guilty of plotting to kill Elizabeth the First, or was she the victim of a set up?