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Today (News)

  • Next available on BBC Radio 4 93.5
  • With James Naughtie and Evan Davis. Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day.
  • in 1 day 14 hours 47 minutes
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  • Host: James Naughtie, John Humphries
  • Radio 4's flagship news and current affairs program is widely considered the most significant news broadcast in the UK, and numbers among its listeners most of the country's politicians, opinion-formers and journalists.
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Including Sports Desk, Weather, Thought for the Day; Yesterday in Parliament.

Today: How to solve a cryptic crossword

Fri, Nov 27 Listen
How do you complete a cryptic crossword? A new book published today provides tips and pointers for answering the clues. Colin Dexter, author of the book and creator of Inspector Morse, and Sandy Balfour, author of Clue to our Lives: 80 years of the Guardian Cryptic Crossword, discuss how best to approach a crossword's cryptic teasers.

Today: NHS ratings 'can be misleading'

Fri, Nov 27 Listen
A taskforce is being sent to Basildon and Thurrock NHS trust after Care Quality Commission inspectors identified serious concerns in emergency care, hygiene and cleanliness. The Trust, which has a mortality rate a third higher than the national average, was rated as "good" on quality of service in the CQC's 2008/09 assessment and marked "excellent" for its financial management. Martina Davies, a former patient at the hospital, comments on her experience of care. Sir Brian Jarman, of Imperial...

Fri, Nov 27 Listen
Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day; Yesterday in Parliament.

Today: Iran's youthful opposition

Thu, Nov 26 Listen
Mohsen Makhmalbaf, Iranian filmmaker and overseas spokesman for Iranian presidential candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi, is in London to receive the 2009 Freedom to Create Prize. He was presented with the award last night and has dedicated it to Grand Ayatollah Montazeri who has become the spiritual leader of the Iranian opposition. Mr Makhmalbaf discusses the support for the opposition movement.

Today: Water price cuts 'could stop leak programmes'

Thu, Nov 26 Listen
Water companies and industry regulator Ofwat are engaged in discussions over the future pricing of water. Ofwat advise that bills should be reduced by 2015, but water companies insist bills need to rise to pay for improvements and repairs, warning that jobs will be lost. Business presenter Adam Shaw examines the discussions and Pamela Taylor, chief executive of Water UK, discusses water pricing.

Thu, Nov 26 Listen
Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day; Yesterday in Parliament.

Today: Scots' independence hopes 'flatlining'

Wed, Nov 25 Listen
Early next week, on St Andrew's Day, Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond will unveil a white paper for a Referendum Bill on Independence. He hopes it will be the first step towards an independent Scotland. In the first of two reports, Today presenter James Naughtie examines how the recession has coloured the debate about Scottish secession from the UK.

Today: Banks 'came close to meltdown'

Wed, Nov 25 Listen
The Bank of England has revealed for the first time that it lent Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and HBOS 61.6bn in emergency funding during the banking crisis last year. The huge sum is four times the value of the National Grid, and was kept hidden from the public. Treasury Minister Lord Myners discusses the secret loan, and chief economics correspondent Hugh Pym comments on the implications for the financial system.

Wed, Nov 25 Listen
Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day; Yesterday in Parliament.

Today: Iraq inquiry should provide 'full answers'

Tue, Nov 24 Listen
The inquiry into the legality of the Iraq war is to start hearing evident from senior government figures today. After four previous inquiries into different aspects of the war, Sir John Chilcot, the retired civil servant heading the inquiry has promised it will not be a whitewash. Security correspondent Gordon Corera outlines the aims of the inquiry. Lord Falconer, former Lord Chancellor and close friend of Tony Blair, and Michael Howard, leader of the opposition at the time of the war,...

Today: Trial 'felt like continued abuse'

Tue, Nov 24 Listen
Should young children ever be cross-examined in court? More than 1000 children under the age of 10 appeared in trials as witnesses, in England and Wales last year. The youngest child was four, the victim of a rape by the man convicted of causing the death of Baby Peter in Haringey, who gave evidence live via a video link. Reporter Angus Crawford spoke to a mother and a daughter about the trial process.

Tue, Nov 24 Listen
Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day; Yesterday in Parliament.

Today: Northern Ireland dissident threat 'deeply personal'

Mon, Nov 23 Listen
There are fears of an upsurge in violence in Northern Ireland, after an attempt to blow up the headquarters of the policing board in Belfast. Police say dissident republicans left a car bomb outside the building. It is thought only the detonator exploded. Five men have now been arrested, after an exchange of gunfire with police in Fermanagh last night. Sinn Fein member Gerry Kelly discusses his reaction to the violence.

Today: Great Escape Plot

Mon, Nov 23 Listen
An account of life at Stalug Luft III, the prisoner of war camp from which the Great Escape took place, have emerged thanks to diaries written by an RAF officer held there. Flt Lt Ted Nestor was a navigator who was held in the camp for 18 months after being shot down in 1943. His journal includes stories of camp life, cartoons and even a coded reference to the mass breakout. The story is told tonight on BBC One's Inside Out North West programme. The story is told tonight on BBC1's Inside Out...

Mon, Nov 23 Listen
Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day.

Today: 'Like a war town'

Sat, Nov 21 Listen
Severe flooding in parts of the UK has destroyed homes and livelihoods. Reporter Nicola Stanbridge visited the hardest hit town, Cockermouth, to see how people are coping.

Today: Budget shops 'opportunistic'

Sat, Nov 21 Listen
Discount store Poundland is to open its 250th store today. The bargain chain has flourished while many of its competitors, such as Woolworths, have faced financial ruin. Today presenter Evan Davis reports on the bargain chain's appeal, and Robert Clarke, retail analyst at Retail Knowledge Bank, comments on the company's success.

Today: Vintage Agatha Christie story released

Fri, Nov 20 Listen
A newly-discovered story by crime writer Agatha Christie is to be released in the United States. The short piece, The Incident of the Dog's Ball, was found in the crime author's papers when she died. Crime writer Harry Keating, and managing editor of Strand Magazine, Andrew Gulli, discuss the work.

Today: Ashton appointment 'not a fudge'

Fri, Nov 20 Listen
Belgian Prime Minister Herman Von Rompoy and Lady Cathy Ashton have been elected for the new top positions to represent the European Union on the world stage. The appointments have been seen in Brussels as an end to the accretion of power to the EU, with stronger candidates for the roles being overlooked. Lady Ashton discusses her new role.

Today: Cameron: Queen's Speech 'unravelling'

Thu, Nov 19 Listen
The Conservative party have criticised the Queens speech, accusing the government of using it as a "Labour press release on Palace parchment". The party condemned the government for failing to include legislation to tackle MPs' expenses and NHS reform, and Tory peer Lord Strathclyde has threatened to block the proposed bills. David Cameron, leader of the Conservative party, discusses his response to the Queen's speech.

Today: Yes Minister in the Ukraine

Thu, Nov 19 Listen
The classic BBC comedy, Yes Minister, is to be reworked for audiences in the Ukraine. The satirical sitcom, which will celebrate its 30th anniversary next year, has become an international phenomenon and is enjoyed in Turkey, India and Holland. Sir Antony Jay, co-writer of Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister, and Andrey Kurkov, a Ukrainian writer and satirist, reflect on the programme's popularity.

Today: 'It will be for the public to judge'

Wed, Nov 18 Listen
The Labour party is set to deliver proposals for its election manifesto in the Queens Speech, the last before the general election. Among the bills being considered are the provision of free personal care for thousands in England, and the limiting of banker bonuses. Political editor Nick Robinson comments on the upcoming speech, and Business Secretary Lord Mandelson discusses his party's policies.

Today: Osama Bin Laden's son 'normal'

Wed, Nov 18 Listen
What is it like to have Osama Bin Laden as your father? New book Growing Up Osama describes the upbringing of Omer and his mother, who fled from his father during the Afghan war. Author Jean Sasson discusses the book.

Today: 'China is not a global superpower'

Tue, Nov 17 Listen
President Obama has been meeting China's leaders in attempts to seek closer co-operation and trust. China's growing political, economic and military powers are raising concerns in the West. Jonathan Fenby, China director at the Research Service Trusted Sources, and China expert Dr Stephen Tsang, examine the US's relationship with China.

Today: Tory candidate 'dictators'

Tue, Nov 17 Listen
A Tory parliamentary candidate has fought off a de-selection vote, over revelations of an affair. Liz Truss kept her Norfolk constituency association seat by a comfortable margin. The association were not informed of the affair, despite Westminster knowing of it, exposing tensions between the 'Turnip Taliban' and the 'Notting Hill set' within the Tory party. John Strafford, chairman of the Campaign for Conservative Democracy, and Eric Pickles, chairman of the Conservative Party, discuss the...

Today: Financial regulation 'has broken down'

Mon, Nov 16 Listen
The Queen's Speech will be listened to with particular care by bankers who are to learn what the government intends to do to limit their pay. Reforms announced in the speech will give regulators the power to stop bankers from pocketing big bonuses that could destabilize the financial system. Former Chairman of RBS Sir George Mathewson and chairman of the Treasury Select Committee John McFall discuss the proposals.

Today: Australian migrant 'hell hole'

Mon, Nov 16 Listen
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has apologised for the hardship and institutionalised abuse suffered by thousands of British children who were sent to the country up until the 1970s with the promise of a new life. Sydney correspondent Nick Bryant reports on the apology and child migrant John Hennessy describes the terrible treatment he faced when he arrived in Australia.

Today: Neurons ready...go

Sat, Nov 14 Listen
The World Memory Championships are taking place in London. Contestants have to memorise long streams of numbers or the sequence of 35 entire decks of cards. Reporter Sanchia Berg went along to speak the world's top brain athletes.

Today: 'No evidence' of endemic abuse in UK forces

Sat, Nov 14 Listen
The Ministry of Defence has said it is investigating 33 new allegations of abuse by the UK military in Iraq. Armed Forces minister Bill Rammell said the claims were being taken "with the utmost seriousness".

Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day.

Mon, Nov 30
With James Naughtie and Evan Davis. Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day.

Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day; Yesterday in...

Tue, Dec 1
With James Naughtie and Sarah Montague. Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day; Yesterday in Parliament.

Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day; Yesterday in...

Wed, Dec 2
With Justin Webb and Sarah Montague. Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day; Yesterday in Parliament.

Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day; Yesterday in...

Thu, Dec 3
With James Naughtie and Evan Davis. Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day; Yesterday in Parliament.

Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day; Yesterday in...

Fri, Dec 4
With John Humphrys and Justin Webb. Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day; Yesterday in Parliament.

Including Sports Desk, Weather, Thought for the Day; Yesterday in...

Sat, Dec 5
With John Humphrys and James Naughtie. Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day; Yesterday in Parliament.

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