South African legend Miriam Makeba dies

Miriam Makeba, or ‘Mama Africa’, the South African singer who wooed the world with her sultry voice, has died at the age of 76, leaving a great legacy behind.

Al Jazeera’s Dorsa Jabbari looks back at her life of struggle and achievement.

Source:

Al Jazeera: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHgKcPP6yK0

Did Obamas sex appeal help him win?

He’s cool, charismatic and sexy! Americans seem to be collectively swooning over Barack Obama. And, while it’s his policies that have primarily attracted them, some haven’t been shy about admitting they find America’s President-elect fetching.

Russia Today: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxeT9MjBv98

Swan Lake in the Caribbean

Cuba’s national ballet, one of the world’s best, has turned 60. Its not a lot in ballet terms, but it is a lifetime for Cuba. 60 years ago the island was an artistic desert but its now considered to be one of the ballet capitals of the world.

Russia Today: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6rUQg1Aw7I

Beijing criticises US on human rights record

One of the big foreign policy challenges facing the next US president is how to handle China.

Trade has grown exponentially between the two nations but bilateral ties remain strained.

The US accuses Beijing of locking up political dissidents and brutally suppressing a separatist movement by Uighur Muslims.

But China has published its own reports on human rights abuses in the US, saying Washington has been incapable of lifting many African-Americans out of poverty.

In our second of a series of reports examing this fractious relationship, Al Jazeera’s Tony Cheng has more

Source:

Al Jazeera: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2eKfd62BMY

Cambodia’s thriving child prostitution industry

Child prostitution in Cambodia is often associated with foreign sex tourists but Al Jazeera has found new evidence which suggests that the clientele are mostly local men, including members of the country’s elite.

Al Jazeera’s David Hawkins reports from Phnom Penh.

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44adVh9-NoQ

Capitalism on Trial

Is capitalism taking a pounding as Western nations try to handle the global financial crisis?

On Thursday, Riz Khan speaks to economist Robert Shiller, the best-selling author of The Subprime Solution, in which he charts the origins of the ongoing crisis and calls for an aggressive solution.

Mark Bloomfield, the president and CEO of the American Council for Capital Formation, also joins the show.

Sources:

Al Jazeera: http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/insidestory/2008/10/200810161365822531.html

Riz Khan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W646OE1W1UM

Riz Khan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlf1mEp5i0o

Part1

Part 2

One on One with Spike Lee

One on One meets the outspoken, award-winning filmmaker.

Source: One on One http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NePIS-R3Sgg

Source: One on One http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkTMqYKVFSY

Part 1

Part 2

TTDF Steel Orchestra in Halifax

Trinidad & Tobago Defence Force Steel orchestra and Drums in halifax tattoo 2008.  The only military steel pan orchestra of its kind.

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmb_Epq1M9M

China’s media laws under scrutiny

China’s temporary media laws – designed to give greater, freedoms to foreign journalists during the Olympics, are due to expire on Friday.

The Chinese government has given no indication that it plans to renew the law.

That could see reporters once again having to seek permission every time they want to leave Beijing.

Melissa Chan reports.

Source: Al Jazeera http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1Fm6VdV-Dk

UAE invests in film production

The United Arab Emirates is known globally for its huge investments.

Now it has set its sights on the movie industry.

Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital, has launched a new production company hoping to become a top producer of feature movies.

Source: Al Jazeera http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_dzW8DNRhA

Hashem Ahelbarra reports.