A controversial debate on assisted dying will take place in the House of Lords today, with a record number of peers requesting to speak. If passed, the bill would allow doctors to prescribe a lethal dose to terminally ill patients judged to have less than six months to live. Supporters of this bill include Desmond Tutu, who has said he reveres "the sanctity of life, but not at any cost".Ìý

In 1996, Desmond Tutu visited Anglican bishop Trevor Huddleston, two years beforeÌýhis death in 1998. Huddleston was best known for his anti-aparthied activism and worked with Desmond Tutu opposing the aparthied regime in South Africa. Arena filmed this rare meeting, where the pair talk candidly about the Christian relationship with suffering and theirÌýviews on mortality.

Arena: Stories My Country Told Me (1996). Directed by Anthony WallÌý

ÌýCONFLICT ESCALATES IN GAZA

The Israeli military has begun a ground offensive against Palestinian militants in the Gaza strip. Troops and tanks were sent into Gaza to deal "a significant blow to Hamas", Israel said. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the invasion after days of intensive rocket fire and air strikes between the two sides. It is reported that 258 Palestinians, three quarters of them civilians, have died since the start of the wider Israeli operation on 8 July.Ìý

The conflict between Israel and Palestine stretches back decades, with many attempts for a peace settlement that remains elusive. In 1982, Arena filmed the Israeli novelist Amos Oz in his home town of Jerusalem, where he talks about his desire to create a dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians. HeÌýbelieved that discussing their shared, albeit antagonistic, past could provide an avenue for understanding between young people on opposing sides. Oz takes a walk through Jerusalem, reflecting on his own experiences during the 1967 Six Day War and the complexities of the Palestinian-Israeli relationship.

Arena: A Walk With Amos Oz (1988). Directed by Dennis Marks, Series Editor - Anthony Wall

DYLAN THOMAS'S LOVE LETTERS AUCTIONED

Three unpublished early love letters written by poet Dylan Thomas to his wife, Caitlin Macnamara, have been sold at auction for £11,250. Thomas met Caitlin in the spring of 1936 after the two were introduced by the artist August John, and were married soon after. In these letters Thomas declared his love for Caitlin: "When I think of you doing anything, anything at all, I feel so many hundreds of miles and days away from (me) that I want to lie down and howl like a dog at all the cruel, uncharitable things that muddle us up and won't let us be together".

Dylan and Caitlin had a famously tempestuous and often destructive relationship; an inscription in one of his poetry bookes read "From Dylan to Caitlin. Adoringly - in spite". Arena's 2003 film 'Dylan Thomas: Grave to Cradle" uncovers the truth of the poet's life and death, including his relationship with Caitlin. The couple were both unfaithful, yet could not keep away from each other. Here, Caitlin gives a shocking account of their behaviour towards one another before Dylan's death in 1953.

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Arena: Dylan Thomas - Grave to Cradle (2003). Directed by Nigel Williams Ìý

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Prince Rupert Loewenstein, credited with turning the Rolling Stones into the world's richest rock band, has died at the age of 80. He was the band's financial manager for nearly 40 years, becoming a close friend to Mick Jagger. Through his advice, the band became tax exiles, retreating to the South of France in the 1970s. Loewenstein famously commented that he was not a fan of the Stones' music "or indeed of rock and roll in general", but regarded the bandÌýwith great affection.

From the South of France to the Caribbean, Arena caught up with the Stones in 1989 when they retreated to Monsterrat to record at the studio of legendary music producer George Martin. After years of well publicised acrimony amongst band members, they reunited for the 1989 'Steel Wheels' tour which proved an enormous financial success. Here, whilst rehearsing the track 'Mixed Emotions', Mick JaggerÌýand Keith RichardsÌýspeak about the band reuniting and making music.

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Arena: 25 x 5: The Continuing Adventure of The Rolling Stones (1989)

Directed by Nigel Finch

SOPHIA LOREN AT CANNES

Italian actress Sophia Loren wowed the red carpet at this year's Cannes Film Festival, bringing some Hollywood glamour to the event. The 79 year old is no stranger to Cannes, as she was a staple at the film festival during the 1950s. Loren attended the premiere of 'Two Days One Night' looking every inch the screen goddess in a bejeweled gold gown.

Her beauty and sophistication wasÌýrarely unnoticed, not least from British comedian Spike Milligan who encountered Loren on a trip to Rome with Peter Sellers. Arena interviewed Spike in 1995 where he recalls his first encounter with the Hollywood icon, after being invited round for dinner at Mussolini's villa.

Arena: The Peter Sellers Story (1995)

Directed by Paul Lydon, Series Editor: Anthony Wall

For more glitz and glamour visit ourÌý'Screen Goddesses' collection:

CUBAN EMBARGO RESTRICTIONS LIFTED

There are growing calls to lift the Cuban economic embargo, put in place over 50 years ago by the American government as an attempt to restrict the communist regime. Much of this movement is being channeled from Miami, where many Cubans now live after being forced to flee from Fidel Castro's communist regime. Traditionally staunch supporters of the embargo, some new voices are emerging in what has long been one of American's most influential political lobbies.

Latin American superstar Celia Cruz was one of the many who fled Cuba in 1961 at the time of the revolution. Arena interviewed her and her husband in 1988, 27 years after they left the country and found a new home in New York. Like many Cuban exiles, they were unable to return, creating large Cuban populations in American cities - mainly New York and Miami. Despite living in exile, Celia Cruz became one of the most succesful Latin American singers in the world, reaching even greater fame after fleeing Cuba.

Arena: My Name is Celia Cruz (1988)

Directed by Anthony Wall

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Bob Dylan's original hand written lyrics for ground-breaking song 'Like A Rolling Stone' are to be sold at auction in New York. The manuscript has been described as 'the most significant piece of rock material to appear at auction', written in pencil on small sheets of hotel stationery with corrections and doodles in the margins, including a rooster and a fedora hat.

You might think that nothing was left to chance on Dylan's most legendary rock recording, but in Arena's 2005 documentary 'Bob Dylan: No Direction Home', musician Al Kooper recalls how he came to improvise on the opening chords of 'Like A Rolling Stone'.

Arena: No Direction Home (2005). Directed by Martin Scorsese

A Production of Spiftire Pictures, Grey Water Park Production, ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Arena, Skelia Productions, Thirteen/WNET New York/PBS

US INMATE DIES AFTER 'BOTCHED' LEGAL INJECTION

Clayton Locket, a US death row inmate in Oklahoma, died of a heart attack after a botched lethal injection from the state executioner. The problems surrounding Locket's execution are part of a wider debate over the legality of the 'three drug method' and whether this treatment violates the US constitutional vow 'against cruel and unusual punishment'.

Director James Marsh's film 'Death Row - The Last Supper', first broadcast in 1990 as part of Arena's 'Food Night', takes a look at the custom and practice of allowing inmates to chose their last meal on death row. The ritual of the last meal goes back to 18th century England, where prisoners would often have a farewell partyÌýbefore executionÌýas a celebration of life and preparation of what lay ahead. Here in the Louisiana State Penitentiary, Arena looks at the choices inmates have made for their last meal and how some have used this decision to make a final statement on earth.

Arena: Death Row - The Last Supper (1990)

Directed by James Marsh, Series Editor - Anthony Wall

MOYES SACKED AS MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER

This week saw David Moyes sacked as Manchester United manager after just nine months in charge. Following a 2-0 defeat at Moyes' old club Everton and a failure to qualify for the Champions League, the club's owners lost patience after a 'calamatous' first season.

Following in the footsteps of the great Alex Ferguson proved an impossible legacy for Moyes, but this is not the first time Manchester United have suffered such a fate. Sir Matt Busby, one of the greatest football managers in history, took his team to the European Cup Final in 1968 where Manchester United beat Benfica 4-1. Busby was a hero to his fans who often chanted they would have him as Prime Minister. Following his European victory and knighthood, Busby stepped down as manager and was replaced by former player and coach Wilf McGuiness. Arena interviewed McGuinness in the 1997 documentary 'The Football Men' and he discusses the difficulties he faced in taking over from a much loved legend.

Arena: The Football Men (1997)

Directed by Francis Hanly, Series Editor - Anthony Wall

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