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Emotional Friday at work

Martin Vennard | 09:14 UK time, Friday, 10 August 2007

Good morning from the WHYS outpost at Television Centre in West London.

Today my WHYS colleagues at Bush House in Central London are leaving our very small office there as the builders come in to refurbish it.

Even the most emotionally stunted amongst my colleagues are expected to shed a tear as they take take down the wall of inspiration, which bears souvenirs from the first 22 months of WHYS' existence.

However, we still do intend to put out a programme.

Stock market values have been around the world and it's got something to do with sub-prime mortgages in the United States - home loans to Americans with poor credit ratings. It's led to fears of a global credit crunch.

Would you like an expert to come on and answer questions in simple terms about what all this means and, perhaps more importantly, what it means for you in terms of your country's economy, your job and your pension?

Last night in the United States six Democratic presidential hopefuls took part in a landmark campaign on gay and lesbian issues.

Gay voters are estimated to make up at least 3% of the US electorate but Republican candidates have reportedly shown no interest in holding a similar debate.

Who's right, the Republicans or the Democrats? Do politicians still need to reach out specifically to gay voters or are their interests the same as those of the general population?

South Africa's deputy health minister, , has been fired by President Thabo Mbeki after going on a reportedly unauthorised trip to Spain, where she was to speak at an AIDS conference.

She had previously spoken about the country's AIDS crisis, openly criticised Mr Mbeki and her former boss, Manto Tshabalala-Msimangand, and had also called for them, and other leaders, to take public HIV tests. She has also labled as "appalling" the conditions in some South African hospitals.

Would you like to talk about this?

On Saturday in voters are going to the polls to elect a new president. The last elections came in 2002 after Sierra Leone had just emerged from a decade-long civil war, but now the peace dividend has dwindled and ongoing poverty, perceptions of increased corruption and a debilitating lack of electricity are important issues for some.

Are you in Sierra Leone? Are you planning to vote, or do you feel that your ballot won't make any difference?


We had also hoped to talk to South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela today about his that artists like him who fought apartheid are now finding it difficult to get gigs in their own country as they are seen as trouble causers by the government there.

The team did manage to speak to him on the phone last night, but he is busy travelling to the Edinburgh Festival today and he has promised to speak to you at a later date.

London is today hosting what claims to be the first ever music festival.

No adults are allowed, though there is a creche where accompanying grown-ups can pass the time while their offspring rock on. There's a soft-drink-only bar and festival goers have to be 14-17.

Is this a good idea?

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