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Today (News)

  • Next available on BBC Radio 4 LW 198
  • With John Humphrys and Evan Davis. Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day; Yesterday in Parliament.
  • in 1 hour 17 minutes
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  • Host: James Naughtie, John Humphries
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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.

Fri, Nov 20 Listen
Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day; Yesterday in Parliament.

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.

Thu, Nov 19 Listen
Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day; Yesterday in Parliament.

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.

Wed, Nov 18 Listen
Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day.

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...

Tue, Nov 17 Listen
Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day.

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.

Mon, Nov 16 Listen
Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day.

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".

Sat, Nov 14
Including Sports Desk, Weather, Thought for the Day.

Today: British Pakistanis on the media

Fri, Nov 13 Listen
Are young people turning to Islamic, Pakistani, Middle Eastern channels in Britain for news on their loved ones and events in Pakistan? Zubeida Malik spoke to British Pakistanis.

Today: 'A lot more to do' in Afghanistan

Fri, Nov 13 Listen
Gordon Brown's leadership has been dictated by the war in Afghanistan. 232 British lives have been lost, the majority under his government. Public opinion is mounting against continued British presence in Afghanistan, and the Obama administration's position on the war is undecided. Gordon Brown discusses the future of his Afghanistan policy.

Today: Is shorthand a dying skill?

Thu, Nov 12 Listen
The use of shorthand has long been an important journalistic tool, but the growing use of recording devices is threatening the skill. Kim Fletcher, chairman of the National Council for the Training of Journalists, comments on the future of shorthand, and Today presenter John Humphrys tests his shorthand skills.

Today: New nursing rules 'will add skills to compassion'

Thu, Nov 12 Listen
All new nurses in England will need to have a degree from 2013. The minimum level for pre-registration courses will be raised from diploma to degree level, making nurses better equipped to improve the quality of patient care. Chief nursing officer Christine Beasley, and Gail Adams, head of nursing at trade union Unison, discuss the implications of increasing the educational level of nurses.

Today: Tories outline DNA profile policy

Wed, Nov 11 Listen
The DNA profiles of innocent people arrested in England and Wales will be kept for six years and not indefinitely under new government proposals. The changes will be put before the European Court of Human Rights, which had ruled the current policy unlawful. Police have defended the system, which it says has led to the solving of crimes, but human rights groups are unhappy with the compromise. Julie Bindel from the campaign group Justice for Women and the shadow home secretary Chris Grayling...

Today: Bosnia's 'heightened tensions'

Wed, Nov 11 Listen
Bosnian leaders are meeting tomorrow to try and resolve long-standing divisions which many fear could lead to a new civil war. Correspondent Edward Stourton reports from the Bosnian Serb town of Banja Luka.

Today: Crime: Worse in the UK or Baltimore?

Tue, Nov 10 Listen
How dangerous are Britain's streets? In a speech in August the Shadow home secretary, Christopher Grayling, claimed that "The Wire used to be just a work of fiction for British viewers. But under this government, in many parts of British cities, The Wire has become a part of real life in this country too. Far too many of those features of what we have always seen as a US phenomenon are now to be found on the streets of Britain as well". To put Mr Grayling's words to the test the Independent...

Today: Tories 'will look at causes of poverty'

Tue, Nov 10 Listen
David Cameron has long accused Labour, and what he describes as "big government", of failing the poor. Today he will set out his party's policies to combat poverty and reform the welfare system. Mr Cameron will say the government is guilty of a moral failure, creating a welfare system that tells young girls having children before finding work and a loving relationship means a home and cash. Shadow secretary for work and pension Theresa May, and Work and Pensions Secretary Yvette Cooper...

Today: Afghan soldier: 'I'm happy to go back'

Mon, Nov 9 Listen
We spend a lot of time talking to politicians about the strategy in Afghanistan, but we spend very little time talking to the people who are sent there to fight. Captain Andrew Tiernan of the Grenadier Guards, who came back from Afghanistan on leave on Friday and will be back there next week, gives his insights into the conflict.

Today: Good parenting is 'experiential'

Mon, Nov 9 Listen
What approach to parenting works best? The Demos think tank are giving their advice on parenting - saying both warmth and discipline builds a good character in children. The report suggests children of married couples and wealthier backgrounds also tend to fare better. Co-author of the report Richard Reeves and Camila Batmanghelidjh of charity Kids Company, discuss the report.

Today: Jan Morris's 'glimpses of people'

Sat, Nov 7 Listen
Travel writer Jan Morris has changed tack for her latest book, by writing about people instead of the places she visits. Miss Morris comments on her latest travels.

Today: UK 'is real frontline' in terrorism fight

Sat, Nov 7 Listen
Britain's presence in Afghanistan has been seriously questioned this week following the deaths of seven army personnel, and calls from former junior Foreign Office minister Kim Howells MP to withdraw all troops from the country. Prime Minister Gordon Brown yesterday defended Britain's continued presence, saying that troops there are "our first line of defence" against terrorist attacks on British streets. Shadow security minister Baroness Pauline Neville Jones and the chairman of the Royal...

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

today
With John Humphrys and Evan Davis. Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day; Yesterday in Parliament.

Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day.

Mon, Nov 23
With James Naughtie and Justin Webb. Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day.

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

Tue, Nov 24
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...

Wed, Nov 25
With John Humphrys 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, Nov 26
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...

Fri, Nov 27
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...

Sat, Nov 28
With Justin Webb and Evan Davis. Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day; Yesterday in Parliament.

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