Paranoia Bamako, extreme team-building in China, and dating woes in Iran

Story 1: Mali

We begin today in Mali, West Africa. French and Malian troops are currently battling to retake the northern part of the country from Islamist forces who took control last year. Back in the south, people who look like they come from the north - light-skinned Arabs and Tuareg nomads - find they are coming under suspicion of being Islamists. In one recent incident in the capital Bamako, local residents called the police to arrest a group of men they thought were suspicious. Our observer Alassane Sidibe has the story.

Story 2: China

Next we go to eastern China, to a hotel called "Arirang", not far from the border with North Korea. "Arirang" is the name of the annual festival in North Korea that's known for its choreographed mass gymnastics. It seems that the hotel in China is getting inspiration from across the border. Take a look at this video, with commentary from our Observer Lu Haitao.

Story 3: Iran

We finish today in the Islamic Republic of Iran, with three points of view on sensitive social issues. Thanks to our Observer Omid Habibinia for doing the interviews.