This week BBC World has live coverage of the most glamorous state visit of the year as French President Nicolas Sarkozy (pictured) and his wife Carla Bruni arrive in London for a whirlwind stay with Queen Elizabeth II. Despite the ban on the BBC reporting in Zimbabwe, our news teams in Southern Africa will have full coverage on the lead up to, and the aftermath of, the Zimbabwean presidential elections. Plus, on Monday the countdown to the Beijing Olympics begins in earnest when the Olympic flame is lit in Greece. But will the games it heralds be more about sport or politics?

HARDtalk's straight talking, no-nonsense style ensures it gets the answers to the questions that matter. This week, as part of the Inside China season, HARDtalk travels to China where presenter Stephen Sackur meets various names from the worlds of politics, entertainment and the arts. Guests include Wu Jianmin, spokesman for the Chinese People's Political Consultative Congress, and Tang Jun, President of Shanda Entertainment, an online gaming website.

(Duration: 30 minutes)

 Various programmes throughout the week.

Our World features some of the BBC's finest news items on current issues around the world. Sierra Leone and Sweden represent the worst and the best that life has to offer children. In Surviving Childhood, the BBC's medical correspondent Fergus Walsh visits both countries and examines the differences in their maternity and child care.

(Duration: 30 minutes)

Tuesday 25th March at 2230

Repeated: Wednesday 26th March at 0630; Wednesday 26th March at 1430AP; Thursday 27th March at 1730;

 Friday 28th March at 0330; Friday 28th March at 1030 & Saturday 29th March at 0630

Newsnight is a weekly round-up of news and current affairs, including hard-hitting interviews with global opinion-formers, and documentary features from every corner of the world. This week presenter Jeremy Paxman speaks to Tony Blair's ex Chief of Staff, Jonathan Powell about Iraq. Other topics covered include whether the inquest into Princess Diana's death has turned into a stage show, and the cinematic legacy of director Anthony Minghella (pictured).

(Duration: 50 minutes)

 Saturday 22nd March at 1110

Repeated: Saturday 22nd March at 1710 & Saturday 22nd March at 2310

Tourism is an eight trillion dollar per year business and its continuing growth has raised a number of questions. How can tourist destinations cope with the numbers? Do the locals benefit as much as they might? What about the impact on climate change? Presenter David Eades speaks to Jean-Claude Baumgarten, President of the World Travel and Tourism Council, and Geoffrey Lipman, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization.

(Duration: 30 minutes)

 Sunday 23rd March at 2130

Repeated: Monday 24th March at 0430

AP Asia Pacific Only