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29/06/2012

Composer Cheryl Frances-Hoad joins Jenni Murray to talk about her new opera, Amy's Last Dive, which celebrates the life of aviation pioneer Amy Johnson.

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?

Available now

58 minutes

Last on

Fri 29 Jun 2012 10:00

Chapters

  • Liechtenstein Veto

    The people of Liechtenstein will vote on whether to strip Prince Alois of his veto power. Jenni talks to Ö÷²¥´óÐã correspondent Imogen Foulkes in Geneva.

    Duration: 07:34

  • Mary Queen of Scots

    The next in our series - Mary Queen of Scots. Jenni talks to Dr Rosalind Marshall

    Duration: 08:51

  • Male circumcision

    A court in Germany has ruled that circumcision of boys on religious grounds caused bodily harm and infringed on a child's right to physical integrity. Ibrahim Mogra and Jenny Goodman discuss.

    Duration: 09:11

  • Special childrens unit

    The Leaf is a special class in Salford. It caters for only four children at a time. They can be as young as three or four. Geoff Bird reports from the school

    Duration: 06:54

  • Amy Johnson opera

    The life of Amy Johnson has inspired a contemporary opera, ‘Amy’s Last Dive’. Jenni talks to the opera’s composer Cheryl Frances-Hoad.

    Duration: 08:10

Broadcast

  • Fri 29 Jun 2012 10:00

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