Brandi Carlile, singer-songwriter: I believe in the separation of church and state

At the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984 a diminutive Moroccan runner named Nawal El Moutawakel won the 400 metres hurdles and so became the first Arab and Muslim woman to win Olympic gold. She says her victory changed her life forever and propelled her towards a career in sports administration and as a passionate advocate of women in sport, especially in the Islamic world. She's now an influential member of the International Olympic Committee. With current IOC president Jacques Rogge due to step down next year, could she be in line to succeed him? Nawal El Moutawakel talks to Rob Bonnet.(Image: Nawal El Moutawakel in 2010. Credit: Getty Images)

27 Juli 201223min

Six of the world's ten fastest growing economies are in Sub- Saharan Africa. The World Bank predicts a decade of African growth which Europe can only dream of, but how realistic is the excitable talk of economic transformation in the world’s poorest continent? Stephen Sackur speaks to Arnold Ekpe, CEO of Ecobank, which boasts eight million customers across 32 Sub-Saharan nations. As economic opportunity beckons, are Africans ready to seize it?

24 Juli 201223min

More than 10,000 athletes are about to compete at the London Olympics. The spotlight will certainly be on them but one former champion, Jonathan Edwards, will take a particular interest. He won Olympic gold in the triple jump and his world record in the event has stood secure for 17 years. On present form no triple jumper to compete in London looks close to breaking it. He was also part of London's bid when the city was awarded the Games in 2005. Now he's the athletes' representative on the Games organising committee overseeing preparations for the athletes. London is almost at the start line but what did it take to get this far? Jonathan Edwards talks to Rob Bonnet.(Image: Jonathan Edwards. Credit: AP Photo/Herbert Knosowski)

23 Juli 201223min

Baaba Maal is maintaining a West African tradition: he is an internationally renowned musician with a strong political voice, like Fela Kuti and Youssou N'Dour before him. His campaigning touches on sensitive subjects, from women's rights to HIV and climate change. Africa is currently a jarring mix of rapid economic growth and life-threatening poverty. As the continent changes, is the music changing too?(Image: Baaba Maal performing. Credit: Getty Images)

19 Juli 201223min

Stephen Sackur speaks to the renowned Harvard academic James Robinson. In a recent book, written together with Daron Acemoglu, he tries to answer one of the most basic questions of global economics and politics: why do some nations thrive while others fail? What does Norway have that Mali lacks? There are of course multiple answers based on physical geography, resources and cultural differences, but James Robinson is adamant one factor determines economic success much more than all others: the development of resilient, inclusive political institutions. Put crudely, the idea is political freedom begets prosperity - but is that always true?(Image: James Robinson)

18 Juli 201223min

Stephen Sackur speaks to a scientist of rare distinction. Jocelyn Bell Burnell was a key member of the team which discovered pulsars and neutron stars in the late 1960s. She became one of the world’s most renowned astrophysicists - remarkable for the originality of her research, but also for being one of the few prominent women in her discipline. Throughout her career she's blazed a trail for women in a predominantly male world. Why are there so few women at science's top table?Image: Jocelyn Bell Burnell

15 Juli 201223min

Is Rwanda's president Paul Kagame in serious danger of losing the international community's goodwill?He has been accused of autocratic behaviour and of being unrealistic about the prospects for an economic transformation of Rwanda, a country still haunted by the ghosts of genocide.Perhaps most damagingly, a recent UN report claimed that the Rwandan government is breaking UN sanctions by backing rebels in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.Zeinab Badawi talks to President Paul Kagame: can he reclaim his reputation as a bold and visionary leader or is he destined to go down as another African strongman who failed to live up to expectations?(Image: Rwandan President Paul Kagame in 2010. Credit: AP Photo / Adam Scotti)

12 Juli 201223min

Stephen Sackur talks to a member of the Brussels political elite, the EU Trade Commissioner Karel de Gucht. His job is to promote Europe's trade agenda around the world - but who is listening when the EU itself is staring over an economic abyss?Europe's politicians resemble the cast of a third rate disaster movie... trapped in a Eurozone crisis from which there is no obvious means of escape. Can the continent's leaders stay calm or will rising panic consume them?(Image: Karel de Gucht giving a press conference in February 2012 Credit: AFP / Getty Images)

11 Juli 201223min