Best of Today: Recent Episodes
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Former aid worker Simon Boas, whose essays about his feelings towards life and death went viral, died in July aged 47.
He was told he had terminal throat cancer in 2023 and began writing about his experiences in his local newspaper, the Jersey Evening Post. This inspired readers across the country.
His book, A Beginner's Guide to Dying, will be posthumously published in September.
If one of his final interviews before his death, Simon spoke to Emma Barnett on Radio 4's Today programme in June 2024 ahead of being moved to a hospice.
Listen to the Today programme on Radio 4 and BBC Sounds: 6-9am Monday-Friday; and 7-9am on Saturdays.
Vogue has given unparalleled access to the Lightroom at Kings Cross for a brand-new exhibition examining the history of the runway and invited Today for an exclusive preview. Emma Barnett sits down with the exhibition curator David Sable, and British Vogue’s Chioma Nnadi, the first black woman to take up the mantle of Head of Editorial Content. Chioma discusses her concerns around weight loss drugs, women of colour breaking the glass ceiling, and whether the fashion industry is doing enough for sustainability. Listen to the Today programme on Radio 4 and BBC Sounds: 6-9am Monday-Friday, and 7-9am on Saturdays.
Buffer zones will come into force around abortion clinics in England and Wales from 31 October. It will make it illegal to hand out anti-abortion leaflets within 150m of a clinic or obstruct anyone using or working at an abortion clinic. It will also be illegal to stand and silently pray within the same zone. Emma Barnett reported for Today from an abortion clinic in South London. She spoke to protesters outside and staff at the clinic about the law change. She also spoke to the Labour MP Stella Creasy who has long campaigned for protection zones. The change in the law follows similar bans in Northern Ireland in 2023 and in Scotland in September earlier this year.
Listen to the Today programme on Radio 4 and BBC Sounds: 6-9am Monday-Friday, and 7-9am on Saturdays.
A former colleague of the firearms officer who fatally shot Chris Kaba told Today that he should not have been put on trial for his murder. Metropolitan Police Officer Martyn Blake, shot and killed Mr Kaba – who was unarmed – during a vehicle stop in South London in September 2022. Mr Blake denied killing the 24 year old.
The unnamed colleague, who was at the scene immediately after the shots were fired, said: "At no point was there any evidence that Martyn Blake had done anything wrong or at least deviated from his training or indeed the law."
Mr Kaba’s family have said they are "devastated" by the outcome. "The acquittal of Martyn Blake isn't just a failure for our family but for all those affected by police violence," his cousin said. "Despite the verdict, we won't be silenced."
Listen to the Today programme on Radio 4 and BBC Sounds: 6-9am Monday-Friday, and 7-9am on Saturdays.
After serving as foreign secretary in the Conservative government until July, Lord Cameron has a new role at the Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre, which aims to find cures for rare, genetic conditions like the one his son Ivan was born with.
In his first interview with Today since the election, Lord Cameron also urged the government to consider sanctioning two Israeli ministers as a way of "putting pressure" on the country to act within international law.
He said the Foreign Office, when he was in charge, had been "working up" plans to put sanctions on Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. The BBC has contacted Smotrich and Ben-Gvir for a response.
Listen to the Today programme on Radio 4 and BBC Sounds: 6-9am Monday-Friday, and 7-9am on Saturdays.
The government has started a major review of the curriculum and assessment in England's schools, chaired by education policy expert Becky Francis. But how could we rethink England's curriculum and assessment?
Today hears from schools across the country trying new ways of doing things from using AI in classrooms to a more skills based approach and looking at why the 'exam season' might cease to exist.
The series hears from: former Conservative Schools Minister Nick Gibb; Jill Duffy from the OCR exam board; Jason Arday, former guest editor of the Today Programme and professor of the sociology of education at Cambridge University; Sir Ian Livingstone, a giant of modern British business and the man behind the Livingstone Academy; and Claire Heald, CEO of the Cam Academy Trust.
Listen to the Today programme on Radio 4 and BBC Sounds: 6-9am Monday-Friday, and 7-9am on Saturdays.
The outcome of the US presidential election will have repercussions beyond America, says ex-Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Rodham Clinton - who lost the 2016 election to Donald Trump - speaks to Today's Amol Rajan about Joe Biden's decision to step down as candidate.
And Amol asks her whether she gives any credence to Trump's claims that he articulated sooner and better than some others the legitimate grievances of many Americans about globalisation.
Rodham Clinton was speaking as she publishes her new book - Something Lost, Something Gained - reflections on life, love and liberty.
(Photo: Hillary Rodham Clinton. Credit: Reuters)
Earlier this year, the Today programme gave our listeners the chance to look at an issue that matters to them.
Herbie and Ayesha both voted for the first time this year.
They wanted to look at the disconnect they believe exists between young people and politicians.
Listen to the other stories explored by our listeners this week on Radio 4 and BBC Sounds between 6am-9am.
All this week we've been hearing stories brought to us by Today listeners.
Dr Lisa Wright and Dr Mark Walton are both clinical psychologists, who work on Merseyside in the only NHS unit of its kind - where they are trying to cut criminal offending rates using therapy.
It's not an alternative to prison - the NHS Forensic Psychology centre in Liverpool works with people who have served custodial sentences who might be at risk of re-offending.
Listen to the other stories explored by our listeners this week on Radio 4 and BBC Sounds between 6am-9am.
Earlier this year, the Today programme gave our listeners the chance to look at an issue that matters to them.Anna and Chloe - along with Chloe's 19 year-old daughter Pearl - wanted to ask "University: Is it worth it?" and interrogate the value of a university education in 2024.As part of our coverage, Today has exclusively seen a blueprint for the future of universities in England. Universities UK, which represents 142 universities, is calling for a rise in tuition fees linked to inflation and more government support for students.Listen to the other stories explored by our listeners this week on Radio 4 and BBC Sounds between 6am-9am.
Earlier this year we gave listeners the chance to ask us to look at an issue for them. Martin and Sandra from Macclesfield, in East Cheshire called their application Where’s my bus? They both rely on the buses to get around and met on a Facebook group dedicated to their local bus service.
The new government has plans to give local authorities more power to take control over bus services, for example through a ‘franchising’ arrangement.
Our Transport Corr Katy Austin took a look at whether this plan will help listeners like Martin and Sandra and Today presenter Nick Robinson spoke to Graham Vidler, Chief Executive, Confederation of Passenger Transport.
All this week the Today programme is looking at stories that have been brought to us by our listeners. Vanessa and Toby are parent governors at a secondary school in South London. They have noticed far fewer children and families where they live, and primary schools closing down as a result. Exclusive research for Today has shown that primary school numbers have fallen by 5% in London in the last five years. And they are projected to continue falling at double the rate of the rest of England. Listen to the other stories explored by our listeners this week on Radio 4 and BBC Sounds between 6am-9am.
In Kate Winslet's new film, she plays Lee Miller, the famed model-turned-photographer who acted as Vogue's war correspondent in the 1940s.
Speaking to Today's Emma Barnett about making the film, Kate said that the photographer "was born with her eyes wide open".
"She can really step into the same world as that person to really immerse herself. Lee was Lee and she saw things and did things her own way."
Kate also produced the film and worked closely with Miller's only son, Antony Penrose.
Listen to the Today programme on Radio 4 and BBC Sounds: 6-9am Monday-Friday; and 7-9am on Saturdays.
Photo credit: Kimberley French © Sky UK Ltd
A Beginner's Guide to Death, a book by aid worker Simon Boas whose essays about his feelings towards death went viral, is being published posthumously.
In her first broadcast interview, his wife Aurelie says he knew he "wouldn't see the book" but that he knew he had "done his part".
Speaking to Today's Emma Barnett, she said: "It's a bit unusual to grieve this way.
"It's a great responsibility for me. But it's quite wonderful."
Listen to the Today programme on Radio 4 and BBC Sounds: 6-9am Monday-Friday; and 7-9am on Saturdays.
Photo credit: David Ferguson
Garry Richardson has finished his last sports bulletin on Radio 4's Today programme - 50 years to the day since he started at the BBC.
Garry is best known for his sporting interviews, but his career has ranged from climbing towers for Radio Oxford to singing with the great Buddy Greco.
James Naughtie picks some of the highlights from Garry's half century.
Sir Ian McKellen talks to Amol Rajan after he took a break from acting following a fall off stage in London's West End. The 85 year-old, who suffered a broken wrist and chipped vertebrae, describes the emotional 'residue' of the accident.
He’s back on screen playing a gay theatre critic in The Critic, set in the 1930s before homosexuality was legalised in the UK.
The Today programme is on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds every weekday 6-9am and on Saturdays 7-9am.
This week a new report into the care of Nottingham killer Valdo Calocane identified 'errors, omissions and misjudgements' by Nottinghamshire Healthcare Foundation Trust.
The situation was all too familiar for Kathleen Barnard, whose son William, who had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, killed her father John McGrath in 2009. He too was under the care of the same trust.
Speaking to Today's Emma Barnett, Kathleen says Calocane's situation "seems the same again" to what happened to her family, and that it's "more than disappointing".
After being approached for comment, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust said it accepted the CQC report into Valdo Calocane's treatment and has "significantly improved processes and standards" since the review.
Listen to the Today programme on Radio 4 and BBC Sounds: 6-9am Monday-Friday; and 7-9am on Saturdays.
James Coates's father, Ian Coates, was one of three people stabbed by Valdo Calocane, who was suffering from paranoid delusions last June.
Yesterday a report published by the Care Quality Commission said it found a series of errors, omissions and misjudgements by mental health services in Nottingham when it came to Calocane's care.
Speaking to Today's Emma Barnett, James said he is positive that a public inquiry will be held into what happened, and he's hopeful of changes to mental health care to improve public safeguarding.
Listen to the Today programme on Radio 4 and BBC Sounds: 6-9am Monday-Friday; and 7-9am on Saturdays.
(Image: Huntingdon Academy/BBC)
James Coates's father, Ian Coates, was one of three people stabbed by Valdo Calocane, who was suffering from paranoid delusions last June.
Yesterday a report published by the Care Quality Commission said it found a series of errors, omissions and misjudgements by mental health services in Nottingham when it came to Calocane's care.
Speaking to Today's Emma Barnett, James said he is positive that a public inquiry will be held into what happened, and he's hopeful of changes to mental health care to improve public safeguarding.
Listen to the Today programme on Radio 4 and BBC Sounds: 6-9am Monday-Friday; and 7-9am on Saturdays.
Victims of historic miscarriages of justice have been told by the government they must have 'bed and board' costs for the time they spent in prison deducted from their compensation payments.
Today's Mishal Husain speaks to Paul Blackburn, who was wrongly convicted and spent 25 years in prison. He says he's owed hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Mishal also speaks to Lord Falconer, former Labour justice secretary who’s calling for the new government to change its position; and puts their criticism to Nick Thomas-Symonds, the Paymaster General.
Listen to the Today programme on Radio 4 and BBC Sounds: 6-9am Monday-Friday; and 7-9am on Saturdays.
Victims of historic miscarriages of justice have been told by the government they must have 'bed and board' costs for the time they spent in prison deducted from their compensation payments.
Today's Mishal Husain speaks to Paul Blackburn, who was wrongly convicted and spent 25 years in prison. He says he's owed hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Mishal also speaks to Lord Falconer, former Labour justice secretary who’s calling for the new government to change its position; and puts their criticism to Nick Thomas-Symonds, the Paymaster General.
Listen to the Today programme on Radio 4 and BBC Sounds: 6-9am Monday-Friday; and 7-9am on Saturdays.
BBC presenter Kirsty Young presented Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs for 12 years, before stepping down to receive treatment for fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis.
Speaking to Today’s Emma Barnett, Kirsty Young says her chronic pain made her feel “incapable” and that she “lost her sense of self”.
Listen to the Today programme on Radio 4 and BBC Sounds: 6-9am Monday-Friday; and 7-9am on Saturdays.
Hundreds of people gathered in Southport on Tuesday evening to remember one of the three little girls who died in the Southport knife attack. John Hayes was working in the same building as the summer dance class and was stabbed while attempting to defend others. He tells Today's Emma Barnett it will take 'a while' to process and recover from what he saw at the scene.
After a week of violent riots around the country, what has it been like for some of those on the receiving end of the disorder?
Over the weekend, an angry mob terrorised Middlesbrough. Businesses were forced to board up their shops as cars were set alight and missiles chucked at the police - 35 arrests were made in what the police called staggering levels of violence.
Today's Emma Barnett speaks to Aneeqa and Kashif, who have both been targeted by the rioters, and Anne, who is concerned about the future for her grandchildren.
Listen to the Today programme on Radio 4 and BBC Sounds: 6-9am Monday-Friday; and 7-9am on Saturdays.
Radio 4 is marking Friday 12th as “Just One Thing Day” in celebration of Dr Michael Mosley’s life and legacy. Throughout the week, we’ve asked his friends and colleagues to tell us what change they might have made that was down to him. Speaking to Today’s Justin Webb, Dr Clare Bailey Mosley shares touching tributes, and reflects on his work, influence, and legacy. Listen to the Today programme on Radio 4 and BBC Sounds: 6-9am Monday-Friday; and 7-9am on Saturdays.
Sir Tony Blair agrees that the new Labour government face the prospect of ever-rising taxes alongside under-performing public services.
However, the former Prime Minister says embracing the latest technological revolution could slash the cost of government and improve Britain's productivity and growth.
Speaking to Today's Nick Robinson, Sir Tony suggests AI could provide solutions for key issues such as industrial policy, public sector efficiency and improved health care.
Listen to the Today programme on Radio 4 and BBC Sounds: 6-9am Monday-Friday; and 7-9am on Saturdays.
Former aid worker Simon Boas was told he had terminal throat cancer last year and only had months to live. He began writing about his feelings towards life and death in his local newspaper, the Jersey Evening Post. This inspired readers across the country.
Now he has pulled his thoughts together into a book called A Beginner's Guide to Dying, which comes out in September. It will be a posthumous publication.
Simon speaks to Emma Barnett on Radio 4's Today programme ahead of being moved to a hospice for his final days.
Today listeners put their questions to would-be MPs in the Bolton West constituency.
The hustings is chaired by Nick Robinson.
Today held similar sessions in two other seats - Wells & Mendip Hills and Motherwell, Wishaw & Carluke.
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has left the UK after agreeing a US plea deal that will see him plead guilty to criminal charges and go free.
Speaking to Today's Mishal Husain, Stella Assange says her children have never seen their father outside of prison and she's "not used to talking about Julian free in the present tense".
Listen to the Today programme on Radio 4 and BBC Sounds: 6-9am Monday-Friday; and 7-9am on Saturdays.
On 7 October last year, Ada Sagi's life changed forever. The 75-year-old grandmother of six - who has spent most of her life working towards peace between Israelis and Palestinians - was having a morning coffee at home on the Nir Oz Kibbutz, on the border with Gaza, when suddenly several men working for Hamas burst into her home and forced her barefoot by gunpoint onto a motorbike and took her hostage, alongside scores of others.
The Arabic and Hebrew teacher who still supports students through her work, was imprisoned for 53 days at an apartment in Khan Younis until she was freed as part of a deal between the Israeli Government and Hamas.
In her first UK interview, Today's Emma Barnett speaks to Ada, six months on from her release. She shares the details of her ordeal; her thoughts about those who captured her, the global reaction and the actions of the Israeli government since last October. As a lifelong peace activist, right at the end of the conversation, she shares a stark view of the future as she sees it.
But Ada Sagi began by speaking about hearing security alarms going off in the kibbutz on the morning of 7 October, alerting her and the other hundreds of other residents they were under attack and then about the moment, men armed with Kalashnikovs, entered her home.
Today listeners in North Lanarkshire put their questions to would-be MPs in the Scottish constituency of Motherwell, Wishaw and Carluke.
The hustings is chaired by Mishal Husain.
A similar session will be held next week in the Bolton West seat also adopted by Today for the election.
Today listeners in Somerset put their questions to would-be MPs in the Wells and Mendip Hills constituency.
The hustings is chaired by Justin Webb.
Similar sessions are to be held in two other seats adopted by Today for the election - Bolton West and Motherwell, Wishaw and Carluke.
(Photo: The hustings session. Credit: Oscar Pearson/BBC
Co-leader Adrian Ramsay speaks to Justin Webb on the Green Party's manifesto launch.
They're promising to tax top earners more and spend the money on public services.
The party is also dealing with a row about anti-Semitism among what the party calls 'a small number of candidates.'
The Today programme will hear from all the major parties throughout the election campaign.
Nigel Farage speaks to Today's Mishal Husain after becoming leader of Reform UK, formerly the Brexit Party.
The party has announced it would freeze non-essential migration, as it seeks to win voters from the Conservatives and Labour.
The Today programme will hear from all the major parties throughout the election campaign.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey speaks to Today's Nick Robinson about pledging free personal care for adults in need, including the elderly and disabled.
Sir Ed is a carer for his disabled son, and also cared for his ill mother when he was younger.
The Today programme will hear from all the major parties throughout the election campaign.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer speaks to Today’s Mishal Husain about the beliefs that will guide him if the party wins the election.
The Today programme will hear from all the major parties throughout the election campaign.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speaks to Today’s Nick Robinson about calling an election for July 4.
The Today programme will hear from all the major parties throughout the election campaign.
On Radio 4's Today programme this week we’re looking at housing - the barriers to young people buying a home and their experience of renting.
Izzy, a 25-year-old from North Shields, moved back to the family home after living down south for work. Since opening a Help to Buy ISA when she was 14, Izzy hopes moving home will allow her to get on the property ladder.
Listen to Today on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds: 6-9am weekdays and 7-9am on Saturdays.
The search for a new First Minister of Scotland has started - the third in three years - after Humza Yousaf announced his resignation yesterday in an emotional speech.
Yousaf says he "underestimated" the hurt caused by his decision to scrap the SNP's power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens - a move that prompted two no-confidence votes.
The polls suggest there is something more fundamental going on - a belief that ministers here in Edinburgh are simply not delivering the basics, like a health service that works and schools with high standards, even though it is they and not ministers in Westminster, who are in charge of those policies.
Today's Nick Robinson spends the day in Holyrood reflecting on the fall out of another emotional resignation by another Scottish first minister.
Listen to Today on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds: 6-9am weekdays and 7-9am on Saturdays.
The search for a new First Minister of Scotland has started - the third in three years - after Humza Yousaf announced his resignation yesterday in an emotional speech.
Yousaf says he "underestimated" the hurt caused by his decision to scrap the SNP's power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens - a move that prompted two no-confidence votes.
The polls suggest there is something more fundamental going on - a belief that ministers here in Edinburgh are simply not delivering the basics, like a health service that works and schools with high standards, even though it is they and not ministers in Westminster, who are in charge of those policies.
Today's Nick Robinson spends the day in Holyrood reflecting on the fall out of another emotional resignation by another Scottish first minister.
Listen to Today on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds: 6-9am weekdays and 7-9am on Saturdays.
Shops are reporting a rise in abusive behaviour towards staff, and thieves ‘clearing shelves’ in what has now turned into ‘organised crime’.
Reporting for the Today programme, Jim Connolly meets shop workers in Halifax and Leeds to see how they are coping with an increase in shoplifting.
This week’s Today Debate looked at the issue of anti-social behaviour. You can listen back on BBC Sounds.
The Today Debate is about taking a subject and pulling it apart with more time than we ever could have during the morning.
Mishal Husain looks at how lives can be blighted by anti-social behaviour and asks if victims are being failed?
Joining Mishal are Emma Dell, a victim of anti-social behaviour; Neil Basu, former Assistant Commissioner for the Metropolitan Police; Ndidi Okezie, CEO of charity UK youth, Paul Gerrard, Director of Public Affairs and Campaigns at the Co-op and Katie Kempen, CEO of Victim Support.
Share your experiences of anti-social behaviour with Today. Get in touch by sending us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to 0330 123 4346 or email us Today@bbc.co.uk
The Today Debate was produced by David Pittam, Sinead Heekin and Louisa Lewis. The editor is Owenna Griffiths. The technical team was led by Clive Painter and Jon Boland. Digital Production from Maisie Smith-Walters.
A Victims and Prisoners Bill is currently being debated in Parliament and tonight's Today Debate on Radio 4 at 8PM will consider one aspect of it.
The legislation largely applies to England and Wales but the issue is one that can disrupt lives everywhere. Campaigners say that anti-social behaviour should not be treated as neighbourly nuisance because it can mean people live in fear in their own homes.
It's a reality the Victims' Commissioner Helen Newlove knows all too well. Her husband, Garry, was attacked by a group of teenagers outside his home when he confronted them over vandalising cars. He died of his injuries. Today's Mishal Husain speaks to Baroness Newlove about what she wants to see happen.
Listen to Today on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds: 6-9am weekdays and 7-9am on Saturdays.
County cricket is back, and Surrey are looking to win the championship for the third year in succession. It would be a fitting send off for their director of cricket, Alec Stewart, who's retiring at the end of the season after 11 years. Today sports presenter Garry Richardson has been to the Oval -- the home of Surrey cricket -- to meet the former England captain and reflect on his long career.
The award-winning actor Andrew Scott talks to Today about playing the character of Tom Ripley.
There have been many screen adaptations of The Talented Mr Ripley over the years - the most famous with Matt Damon and Jude Law.
The new Netflix drama Ripley, based on the novels of Patricia Highsmith, starts this week.
The Today Debate is about taking a subject and pulling it apart with more time than we have in the morning.
Amid a significant backlog in crown courts in England and Wales and related problems in the system in Scotland and Northern Ireland, Today presenter Mishal Husain asks if justice delayed is justice denied?
Joining Mishal on the Today debate panel are Claire Waxman, the Independent Victims' Commissioner for London; Charlie Taylor; His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons for England and Wales; Joanna Hardy-Susskind, a barrister at Red Lion Chambers; Lord Falconer, Labour Peer and former Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice and Sir Max Hill, who was the director of Public Prosecutions for England and Wales until October last year.
When Theresa May was diagnosed with type 1 in her 50s, she told the consultant: "I'm too old. I can't be”. Lady May says she would also eat Jelly Babies when her blood sugar dropped during meetings.
The former Prime Minister has now chaired a parliamentary inquiry into the life-threatening consequences of having both type 1 diabetes and an eating disorder.
She speaks to Today's Justin Webb why a joined-up approach by the NHS is needed so that healthcare professionals are aware of the 'conflicting pressures' on people with type 1 and an eating disorder. She also discusses her experience while in government of managing her blood sugar levels.
The last of our Christmas guest editors is the CEO of the global biopharma company GSK, Dame Emma Walmsley.
She wanted her programme to look to the year ahead with optimism. In these highlights from her programme hear Dame Emma in conversation with the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, who urges politicians not to treat their opponents as enemies but as fellow human beings.
Dame Emma also speaks to the Health Minister for Singapore; visits Kew Gardens and she asks former guest editor and Nobel Laureate Sir Paul Nurse to discuss with a group of students, the scientific and technological advances they are most excited for in 2024.
Simon Jack interviews Dame Emma to end her programme and she chooses a special piece of music.
Professor Jason Arday is our latest Christmas guest editor.
This year he was appointed as Cambridge’s youngest Black professor. A significant accolade by any measure but even more so when you consider that Professor Arday was diagnosed with autism and global developmental delay aged just three and didn't learn to speak until he was nine or read and write until he was eighteen.
He uses his programme to look at improving adult literacy and he speaks to the head of Universal Records about championing neurodiversity in the workplace.
Professor Arday also indulges his passion for 90s music with a discussion including Blur drummer Dave Rowntree and as a fan of a sharp suit, he champions the tailoring industry.
Andrew Malkinson is Today's latest Christmas guest editor. He spent 17 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit before being cleared in July.
He uses his programme to look at justice and how one can cope with being locked up unjustly. He speaks to John McCarthy, who was held hostage for more than five years in the 1980s.
While in prison, the world of astronomy and space offered Andrew a sense of release and sanctuary from the immediate confines of his daily experience and a way to expand his world. So as part of his guest edit, he visits Jodrell Bank observatory.
And he tells Today's Justin Webb about the months since his conviction was overturned and how he still feels anger.
The singer and UN environment ambassador Ellie Goulding is the latest Today programme Christmas guest editor.
Ellie uses her programme to explore her twin passions of music and nature, including looking at rewilding projects
She tells Today's Martha Kearney that nature has helped her through difficult times in her life, including postnatal depression.
Ellie interviews fellow musicians Brian Eno and Chris Martin about the music industry's environmental impact.
And she goes back to her sixth form college in Hereford and answers students questions, including about whether the music industry has changed for the better since the Me Too movement began.
James May, The Grand Tour and former Top Gear presenter, is Today’s latest Christmas guest editor.
He looks at the future of driverless cars and why a culture change may be needed to end conflict between cyclists and motorists.
James believes hobbies are good for people’s wellbeing so the Today team assembled a get together with hobby-mad listeners, including comedian Al Murray.
He also looks at whether coffee culture is eroding the place of tea and gets a poetry lesson from Succession star Dame Harriet Walter.
Here James shares highlights from his programme.
The writer Hanif Kureishi - who is our second Christmas guest editor this year - had a life changing accident which paralysed him on Boxing Day 2022.
He uses his programme to explore his adjustment to becoming disabled, including its impact on his family and his friendships.
Hanif first enjoyed professional success as a writer 1985 with My Beautiful Laundrette, which was Oscar nominated, and he later wrote the novel the Buddha of Suburbia - which became a BBC series - and My Son The Fanatic.
In his programme, he speaks about how he has developed with his son Carlo a new way of producing and publishing his work. He also has a long conversation with Today presenter Mishal Husain just before he returns home from hospital.
Dr Nicola Fox, Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate NASA is the first of our Christmas guest editors this year.
Her programme looks ahead to the launch of the Peregrine Lunar Lander next year which will start the ground work for sending a crewed mission back to the Moon.
Dr Fox, who revealed she was a fan of Duran Duran on her recent Desert Island Discs, talks to band member Nick Rhodes about the influence of space on music. She talks to her counterpart at the European Space Agency, Carole Mundell, about her path into a top space job and she confronts the writers of the last Bond film.
Dr Fox also speaks to Today Presenter Nick Robinson about why her father's interest in space inspired her and why she cries every time a space mission launches.
The daughter of Yocheved Lifschitz, one of the hostages freed last night, has visited her mother in hospital in Israel and has told Today she "seems OK". In an interview with Today presenter Mishal Husain, Sharone Lifschitz said: "The nurses are just having a chat, they say she is very sharp and is very keen to share the information, pass on the information to families of other hostages that she was with."Yocheved Lifschitz was held for 16 days after being abducted from her home in a kibbutz in southern Israel amid scenes of death and destruction. Today's Nick Robinson also spoke to BBC Correspondent in Gaza Rushdi Abualouf.And Noam Sagi joined Nick and Mishal in the studio. His mother, Ada Sagi, was taken hostage in the kibbutz of Nir Oz, near Israel's border with Gaza.
Emma Raducanu burst onto the world stage back in 2021 when she went from being an almost unknown 18 year old tennis player to winning the US Open. She became the first British woman to secure a Grand Slam singles title since Virginia Wade at the 1977 Wimbledon Championships.The media interest in Emma has been huge worldwide due to her stratospheric rise, but her tennis career has been put on hold after three procedures on both wrists and an ankle left her on the side-lines for the past six months.Today's sport presenter Karthi Gnanasegaram speaks to former British number one Emma Raducanu about her much anticipated return to competitive action.(Photo: Robert Prange/Getty Images)
Judgements made in the family courts can affect families forever, including placing children in care or for adoption. After decades of calls for greater scrutiny of the family courts, at the end of January journalists gained access to report proceedings, in a landmark pilot scheme. Three court centres in Leeds, Carlisle and Cardiff allowed accredited journalists to report cases for the first time, providing the families involved remained anonymous. Our Correspondent Sanchia Berg spent several weeks in Leeds Family Court attending hearings. This week Today has featured a series of her reports, highlighting some of the issues that are usually hidden, including a mother's 'remarkable turnaround' to win back her baby. Today presenter Martha Kearney, also spoke to the judge who spearheaded the pilot, Justice Lieven.
In the summer of 2014, Bernard Jordan made global headlines. He had staged a “great escape” from his care home to join fellow war veterans on a beach in Normandy, commemorating their fallen comrades at the D-Day Landings 70th anniversary. It was a story that captured the imagination of the world as Bernie embodied the defiant, “can-do” spirit of a generation that was fast disappearing. But of course, it wasn’t the whole story. It was an inspirational but sanitised retelling of one man’s need to come to terms with the lasting trauma of war. That story is now in the cinemas in The Great Escaper, starring Sir Michael Caine and the late Glenda Jackson Today's Martha Kearney speaks to Sir Michael and the film's director Oliver Parker. Photo: Martha Kearney and Michael Caine)
Residents in a south London block of flats are considering legal action against a housing association, after their neighbour lay dead for two and a half years before her body was found, despite their efforts to raise the alarm. 58-year-old Sheila Seleoane, was a medical secretary, who was found in her flat in Peckham last year. For Sheila's neighbours though it had been obvious for a long time that something was wrong.This week we’re looking more closely at Shelia's story, to explore what happened and what it tells us about modern Britain. Harry Farley speaks to Today's Mishal Husain, and in the first of three reports, he asks why it took so long before Sheila was discovered?
Sheila Seleoane lay dead for two and a half years before her body was found - despite repeated efforts to raise the alarm. Sheila was a 58-year-old medical secretary who died in her South London flat in August 2019.In a final report by the BBC's Harry Farley, he goes back to speak to her neighbours.Today's Martha Kearney speaks to Ian McDermott, chief executive of Peabody, the housing association which was Sheila’s landlord.
Martha Mills was 13 years old when she died in hospital two years ago, after failures by doctors to spot and treat her sepsis.Her mother Merope previously spoke to Today and called for hospitals to implement 'Martha's Rule', where patients and their families would be given the right to an urgent second opinion, if they feel their concerns are not being taken seriously by medical staff. The Health Secretary Steve Barclay then said in the House of Commons that he was looking at introducing a Martha's Rule to the NHS. Labour responded to our interview by saying if the government doesn't act, they will write the rule into the NHS constitution.Today's Mishal Husain speaks to NHS England's National Medical Director, Professor Sir Stephen Powis, responds to that interview by Merope Mills and her call for 'Martha's Rule'.
Adrian Edmondson and Nigel Planer, two of the cast from the 1980s sitcom The Young Ones, have reunited to write a new play. ‘It's Headed Straight Towards Us’ follows two bickering actors and the hapless runner on the film they’re shooting in Iceland, as a volcanic eruption causes their trailer to subside and cuts off the only route of escape.Today’s Martha Kearney speaks to Adrian and Nigel about the idea behind their new play and their experiences on The Young Ones.Credit: GettyImages
In June a vessel carrying hundreds of migrants sank 50 miles off the Greek coast. It is thought as many as 600 people drowned as the over-crowded ship sank in the deepest part of the Mediterranean Sea. However questions have been raised about the involvement of the Greek Coast Guard about their involvement in the tragedy. As part of a Radio 4 documentary, BBC Europe correspondent Nick Beake has been trying to find out more about those who managed to escape death on the fatal voyage.Today’s Katya Adler spoke to Nick Beake and to Gillian Triggs, Assistant High Commissioner with the UN refugee agency the UNHCR.(Image, Migrants on board ship, Credit, Hellenic Coast Guard/ Reuters)
Martha Mills died after failures in her treatment at King's College Hospital.Martha’s mother, Merope, is calling for hospitals around the country to bring in "Martha's rule", which would give parents, carers and patients the right to call for an urgent second clinical opinion from other experts at the same hospital if they have concerns about their current care.The government has said it will explore the introduction of Martha's rule in UK hospitals.Today’s Nick Robinson spoke to Dr Sanjiv Sharma, Medical Director at Great Ormond Street Hospital and Matthew Taylor, Chief executive of the NHS Confederation. Nick Robinson also spoke to Sir Robert Francis, chair of the Francis Report and chair of the Freedom to Speak Up Review, published in 2015.(Image, Merope and Martha Mills, Credit Merope Mills)
Thirteen-year-old Martha Mills died after failures by doctors to spot sepsis, and her mother Merope told Today on Monday about her call for hospitals around the country to bring in "Martha's rule". This would give parents, carers and patients the right to call for an urgent second clinical opinion from other experts at the same hospital if they have concerns about their current care. The government said yesterday that it would explore the introduction of "Martha's rule" in UK hospitals. Today’s Martha Kearney spoke to Wes Streeting, Labour's Shadow Health Secretary and Rob Behrens, Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. (Image, Merope Mills, Credit BBC)
More than 150 schools in England have been identified as having a type of potentially dangerous concrete – RAAC (reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete) – with many now closing buildings or classrooms to make them safe.The government has not yet published a list of which schools are affected as it says it wants parents to hear from headteachers and principals about closures first.The Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has said the government "will spend what it takes" to make schools safe from RAAC. Today’s Nick Robinson spoke to Peter Smith, head teacher at Farlingaye High School in Suffolk and Jonathan Slater, who was Permanent Secretary at the Department for Education until the summer of 2020. Nick Robinson also spoke to Gillian Keegan, the Education Secretary. (Image, Parks Primary School, Leicester, Credit Jacob King/ PA)
Martha Mills was 13 years old when she died in hospital two years ago, after failures by doctors to spot and treat her sepsis.Her parents are calling for hospitals to implement 'Martha's Rule', where patients and their families would be given the right to an urgent second opinion, if they feel their concerns are not being taken seriously by medical staff.Today's Mishal Husain speaks to Martha's mother Merope Mills.(Photo: Martha Mills, Credit: Merope Mills)
Back in March, to mark 20 years of the Today guest editors we gave people the chance to apply in teams to make a programme with us.Thousands of you applied and this summer we have been featuring programmes guest edited by those successful teams of listeners.In the last in the series Vince, Fiona, Derek and Lucas invited us to Tenby in West Wales. For their programme they wanted us to look at what happens when the tourists go home from towns like theirs. They don’t think we spend enough time thinking about the challenges that face coastal communities, not just in Tenby, but across the UK.
Former Health Secretary Sajid Javid lost his brother Tariq to suicide in 2018. It is the number one cause of death for young people and biggest killer of men under 50. In a personal report for the BBC Radio 4 Today programme, Sajid speaks to people in Bristol, where he grew up, whose lives have been affected by suicide and also speaks to the chief exec of the Samaritans and other mental health campaigners. He then tells Today's Martha Kearney what he thinks the government should be doing to help with suicide prevention. If you are suffering distress or despair and need support, including urgent support, a list of organisations that can help is available at bbc.co.uk/actionline, or you can call for free to hear recorded information on 0800 066 066
After Lucy Letby, the UK's most prolific baby murderer, was sentenced earlier this month, there has been a lot of discussion about what form the public inquiry should take. The government has now decided that it should be led by a judge with full powers to force people to give evidence. That's what the families have been asking for and Health Secretary Steve Barclay has said he has listened to them - but that kind of inquiry is likely to take more time. Today's Martha Kearney first speaks to Dr Stephen Brearey, who is the lead consultant at the neonatal unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital and who originally raised concerns about Lucy Letby in 2015. She also speaks to to Sir Robert Francis, who was chair of the inquiry which looked into the failings into care in mid-Staffordshire.
Monday’s air traffic control problems have led to thousands of passengers being left stranded abroad and in the UK. Many are having to find and pay for alternative routes.Today’s Nick Robinson spoke to Willie Walsh, a former boss of British Airways and now Director General of IATA, The International Air Transport Association about scale of the disruption and Martin Rolfe, the CEO of the National Air Traffic Services.Photo by ADAM VAUGHAN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock (14072150f)
Today’s Mishal Husain discusses the arguments for and against the implementation of low emission zones for vehicles.London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone, Ulez, has now expanded to cover all of Greater London, with owners of the most polluting cars now facing a £12.50 daily charge to drive in the capital. Whilst these changes have been carried out in at least seven areas in England, the expansion today of London makes it the biggest, affecting nearly 9m people. Mishal first speaks to Irene Bacon, a care worker, who tells us the impact these changes will have on her. She then speaks to Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, who explains why they have decided to expand Ulez to cover all of London. He labels it as a ‘difficult’ but ‘vital’ decision and summarises the implications it will have.He also responds to Irene’s fears by outlining the different schemes available to help solve financial issues.Aaron Chown/PA Wire
Today’s Mishal Husain discusses the arguments for and against the implementation of low emission zones for vehicles.London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone, Ulez, has now expanded to cover all of Greater London, with owners of the most polluting cars now facing a £12.50 daily charge to drive in the capital. Whilst these changes have been carried out in at least seven areas in England, the expansion today of London makes it the biggest, affecting nearly 9m people. Mishal first speaks to Irene Bacon, a care worker, who tells us the impact these changes will have on her. She then speaks to Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, who explains why they have decided to expand Ulez to cover all of London. He labels it as a ‘difficult’ but ‘vital’ decision and summarises the implications it will have.He also responds to Irene’s fears by outlining the different schemes available to help solve financial issues.Aaron Chown/PA Wire
Today’s Mishal Husain speaks to the Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, who states that Police must investigate every theft and follow all reasonable leads to catch offenders. Braverman says that it must change that Police deem some crimes as ‘minor’, effectively allowing criminals to break certain laws. She explains how Police can use evidence from smart doorbells and dashcams to prevent these crimes.Braverman also faces questions on the safety of the Bibby Stockholm, the barge which housed asylum seekers. All residents were moved out after the Legionella bacteria, which can cause serious illness, was detected. She explains that people would go back on the barge “as soon as we have completed the relevant checks” and that she’s been ‘frustrated’ with the recent events.She also explains why she doesn’t rule out the GPS tagging of Channel migrants, and discusses parts of the Illegal Migration Act. Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire
Back in March, to mark 20 years of the Today guest editors we gave people the chance to apply in teams to make a programme with us.Thousands of you applied and every Saturday through August we’ll be featuring programmes guest edited by those successful teams of listeners.Today it was the turn of ‘Friendly Neighbours’. Sudi, Mike, Pol and Sophie are four friends and neighbours from the Kingsdown area of Bristol. At the heart of their community is the Dove Street Estate, a modernist high rise development built in the 1960s. They want to look at how we make sure that, when we are planning housing developments, we really think about the people and communities who will live there.
Chair of Trustees at the British Museum, George Osborne has told Today around 2,000 items have gone missing from the institution but adds they have started to recover some of them.Yesterday, the British Museum director Hartwig Fischer said he will step down from his role, after treasures were stolen from the London institution.In a statement, he said it was evident the museum "did not respond as comprehensively as it should have" when it was told about the thefts in 2021.
Back in March, to mark 20 years of the Today guest editors we gave people the chance to apply in teams to make a programme with us.Thousands of you applied and every Saturday through August we’ll be featuring programmes guest edited by those successful teams of listeners.Today it was the turn of Anne, Moyra, Alan and Andrew who are all members of the Dunbartonshire Concert Band. They wanted to use their guest edit to explore the benefits of community music. They commissioned a special report on music education and they asked us to look at whether playing an instrument help keep your brain “fit” as you get older? Their programme features the violinist Nicola Benedetti.
Our programme is guest edited by Moyra, Anne, Alan and Andrew, four members of the Dunbartonshire Concert Band.For their programme they wanted to look at the contribution community music makes to society. The were very keen to hear from the violinist Nicola Benedetti. Not only is she a world acclaimed violinist, but she has campaigned for years for better music provision – especially for children from underprivileged backgrounds. Nicola Benedetti is also “Big Sister” to a social change and music education programme called "The Big Noise" that provides free music tuition alongside free childcare and healthy food. The charity supports 3,500 children across Scotland.Nicola spoke to Today's Simon Jack for this special edition of Today.
Back in March, to mark 20 years of the Today guest editors we gave people the chance to apply in teams to make a programme with us.Thousands of you applied and every Saturday through August we’ll be featuring programmes guest edited by those successful teams of listeners.Today it was the turn of Hannah, Cenya and Huzaifah. They are three friends who have all experienced the loss of someone close to them and want to talk about what good grief looks like. Their programme features the former England Cricket Captain Andrew Strauss who set up a foundation in memory of his wife, Ruth, who died of cancer. The Ruth Strauss Foundation supports families facing the death of a parent. If you need support with any of the issues raised in this podcast you can find organisations that can help at www.bbc.co.uk/actionlineThis guest edit of Today was produced by Laura Cooper, Hazel Morgan and Louisa Lewis.
Back in March, to mark 20 years of the Today guest editors we gave people the chance to apply in teams to make a programme with us. Thousands of you applied and every Saturday through August we’ll be featuring programmes guest edited by those successful teams of listeners.Today it was the turn of Amy, Jo and Gig. They've called their team, Messy Fostering. Amy who’s now 23-years-old was fostered at 14 by Gig and ended up spending her summers with her teacher Jo.For them, it worked. But sometimes it doesn't and they wanted to use their guest edit to look at how we can stop foster placements breaking down and recruit and retain more foster families. Their programme features the poet and broadcaster Lemn Sissay, the Children's Minister Claire Coutinho and other young people who have been fostered. If you need support with any of the issues raised in this podcast you can find organisations that can help at www.bbc.co.uk/actionlineThis guest edit of Today was produced by Laura Cooper, Hazel Morgan and Louisa Lewis.
More than 1,000 migrants have crossed the English Channel in two days, according to government figures. Today's Nick Robinson reports on the journeys many migrants take before that - from North Africa to Europe.He starts in Tunisia, which is now the biggest departure point for migrants trying to reach Europe across the Mediterranean. (Image credit: BBC)
The Today Debate is about taking a subject and pulling it apart with more time than we could ever have during the programme in the morning.Today presenter Mishal Husain is joined by a panel of guests in the BBC's Radio Theatre, where in front of a live audience, they discuss the current state of the housing market.On the panel are George Clarke, architect and broadcaster; David Simmonds the Conservative MP for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner and Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Housing and Planning; David O'Leary from the Home Builders Federation, which represents housebuilders in England and Wales; Claer Barrett, Consumer Editor for the Financial Times and Richard Fearon, Chief Executive of the Leeds Building Society.
Sir Keir Starmer addresses the GMB union, amid criticism of the party’s plans to end new licences for oil and gas exploration in the North Sea. The union and the Labour leader are in conflict over the policy.Today’s Justin Webb spoke to GMB General Secretary says he hopes Sir Keir will listen to the concerns, because "we need a managed decline and not a cliff edge". He put the GMB’s concerns to Jonathan Ashworth, Shadow Secretary for Work & Pensions.Image Credit: Reuters/Henry Nicholls
Russia’s defence ministry says it's thwarted several Ukrainian attacks in occupied parts of the Donetsk region, and inflicted reverses on mechanised units in a forested area of Luhansk. Kyiv hasn’t responded directly to the claims, saying only that there had been almost thirty combat clashes in Donetsk and Luhansk. The defence analyst professor Michael Clarke told Today’s Mishal Husain the activity suggests Ukraine's counter-offensive is now underway with ground operations. She also spoke to Jeremy Bowen, the BBC’s International Editor, about the pluses and minuses facing the counter-offensive. And she received further analysis from General Sir Richard Barrons, a Former Commander of British Joint Forces Command; and Alina Frolova, a former deputy Defence minister of Ukraine. Image credit: Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images
Dozens of experts - including the heads of OpenAI and Google Deepmind - have supported a statement published on the webpage of the Centre for AI Safety, suggesting it could be an existential threat to humanity. On Wednesday night, the US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken & EU Tech Commissioner Margarethe Vestager met and spoke of their hopes of agreeing a new global code of conduct for AI.Today’s Nick Robinson spoke to Nate Sharadin, Research fellow at the Center for AI Safety, and Dame Wendy Hall, the Regius Professor of Computer Science at the University of Southampton. She also co-chaired the UK government’s AI Review in 2017, and she's a member of the government's AI Council.
Shadow minister Nick Thomas-Symonds said Dale Vince, a green energy entrepreneur, was a "legitimate person" to take money from. Tory ministers have called for the donations to be returned, arguing it legitimises Just Stop Oil's tactics. Protests by the environmental group, which wants the government to halt new licences for the exploration of oil and other fossil fuels in the UK, include blocking roads and disrupting sporting events. Shadow international trade secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said Labour had been "extremely clear on our views on Just Stop Oil". "What they are doing is entirely counterproductive and the only debate it's provoking is about our public order laws," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.We spoke to Dale Vince about his support for Labour and the campaign group Just Stop OilCredit: Just Stop Oil/PA Wire
The Today Debate is about taking a subject and pulling it apart with more time than we could ever have during the programme in the morning.Mishal Husain is joined by politicians, campaigners, food retailers and manufacturers in front of a live audience in the BBC's Radio Theatre to ask whether greed is part of the reason food prices remain so high.
A recent BBC investigation found that illegal vapes confiscated from school pupils contained far higher levels of lead, nickel and chromium than deemed safe. The prime minister Rishi Sunak said he was shocked by this finding and a new crackdown on vape marketing would prevent the "unacceptable" targeting of children and teens.There will also be a review into the rules around the sale of "nicotine-free" products to under-18s.Labour called the announcement a "baby step" and said urgent action was needed. There is now a fast-moving debate on how to tackle vaping by children.We spoke to two headteachers of secondary schools in England and Kate Pike, the Lead Officer for Vaping at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, about whether these were the right measures.(Photo credit: Getty Images)
From September, officers will only attend mental health 999 calls where there is an "immediate threat to life". The Met argues the move will free up officer resources after a significant rise in the number of mental health incidents being dealt with by its officers in the past five years.Some police chiefs believe this is down to the service increasingly being seen as the first resort for people in a crisis, as well as a lack of capacity in the NHS and social services to deal with growing mental health demands.Sarah Hughes, chief executive of Mind, has warned there is not enough capacity in other public services to replace the work police officers currently do.Zoe Billingham, who was previously Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue, said the proposals could create a "vacuum". Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, she warned there is "simply no other agency to call" other than the police for people in crisis.Ken Marsh, chairman of the Met Police Federation - which represent officers up to the rank of inspector - broadly welcomed the announcement. He said police officers can be required to wait in hospital for up to 12 hours with people suffering from mental health problems or dementia.
The parents who murdered their 10 month old baby, Finley Boden, will be sentenced on Friday. Key documents which led to a court agreeing to return Finley to his parents in 2020, who then murdered him 39 days later, have been obtained by the BBC. One of the journalists that pushed for access to the court, and obtained transcripts of the case, is BBC Correspondent Sanchia Berg. Today’s Amol Rajan then spoke to Josh MacAlister, the Chair of the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care, and to Toby Perkins, the Labour MP for Chesterfield, where Finely Boden spent his brief life. They discussed whether greater transparency is something family courts should strive towards, and what went so badly wrong in this case?Image Credit: Derbyshire Police
Tina Turner, the soul star behind hits like The Best and What's Love Got to Do With It, has died aged 83. She overcame abuse by her first husband and her decision to speak out about that violent marriage still inspires other women today. The singer went on to become a global star with her combination of R&B, funk, rock and pop. Today's Amol Rajan speaks to Spice Girl and Women's Aid patron Mel B, and the singer and actress Mica Paris. Nick Robinson speaks to Liz Mitchell, lead singer of Boney M.(Image credit: REUTERS/Rose Prouser)
Inflation has fallen below 10 per cent for the first time since August - but the speed at which prices are rising has slowed less than expected. The Office for National Statistics says the annual rate at which the cost of living is rising fell to 8.7% in April, from 10.1% in March. A slower rate of inflation does not mean prices are coming down, rather that they are not going up so quickly, and food costs are still 19.1% higher than a year ago, according to the Office for National Statistics. Today's Martha Kearney speaks to Dr Sushil Wadhwani, a former member of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee who sits on the Chancellor’s Economy Advisory Council, and to Karen Betts, Chief Executive of the Food and Drink Federation.(Image credit: Andy Rain/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Vapes confiscated from school pupils contain high levels of lead, nickel and chromium, an investigation by BBC News finds. NHS data from September 2022 shows that vape usage among 15-year-olds has risen to 18%.We hear from listeners concerned about their children vaping and the easy accessibility of vape products.Today's Justin Webb also speaks to John Dunne, Director General of the UK Vaping Industry Association, and Alice Wiseman, Addiction Policy Lead for Association of Directors of Public Health.(Image credit: Getty Images)
Martin Amis, one of the most celebrated British authors of his generation, has died aged 73.He died of oesophageal cancer at his Florida home, the New York Times said, quoting his wife, the writer Isabel Fonseca.Amis is best known for his 1984 novel Money, the 1989 work London Fields and 1995's The Information, and authored 14 novels, several non-fiction books and a memoir in a career spanning 50 years.Speaking to Today's Justin Webb, author Ian McEwan and longtime friend of Mr Amis reflects on the life and legacy of the celebrated novelist.
An anti-monarchy protester detained during the Coronation says he believes the police had "every intention" of arresting him before the event. Chief executive of the anti-monarchy group Republic, Graham Smith, was one of 64 people arrested by the Metropolitan Police in London on Saturday.The Met said it had "a duty to intervene when protest becomes criminal and may cause serious disruption".Justin Webb spoke to Graham Smith of Republic, but first Mishal Husain spoke to Caroline Russell, a Green Party member of the London assembly who chairs the Police, Crime Committee.(Image, Republican protestors, Credit, Antonio Zazueta Olmos, Reuters)
For the first time, the public are being given an active role in a Coronation as they are invited to swear allegiance to the King at the ceremony on Saturday. The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has reiterated that the oath is voluntary.Today's Justin Webb speaks to broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby, a close friend of the King, about what he believes the King thinks of the homage.He also spoke to Samuel Kasumu, former No.10 special adviser for civil society and communities, and Helen Lewis, staff writer at the Atlantic magazine, about the controversial invitation.
Missy Elliott is considered one of the most important rappers of all time, who changed the landscape of hip-hop with her eccentric beats and innovative rhymes, with hits like Get Ur Freak On and Lose Control. She's also produced and written songs for other artists including Aaliyah, Destiny's Child and Ciara.It's been announced that she will be the first female hip-hop artist to be chosen to join the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.Today's Sean Farrington speaks to music journalist Jacqueline Springer and writer Christine Ochefu about the rapper's induction to the roll of honour in her first year of eligibility.(Image credit: John Shearer/Getty Images)
Should the police see indecent exposure as a red flag - a signal that the man who exposes himself could be on the path to committing violent sexual offences?The case of Wayne Couzens, the police officer who murdered Sarah Everard, has persuaded the College of Policing - which sets standards for forces in England and Wales - to re-examine the evidence. He pleaded guilty to three cases of indecent exposure before Sarah's murder.Today's Nick Robinson speaks to Lisa Squire, whose daughter Libby was murdered after being a victim of indecent exposure and now campaigns for change, and Zoe Billingham, former Inspector of Constabulary.
Betty Webb is one of the last surviving women to have worked on cracking both the German and Japanese codes at Bletchley Park during World War 2. She attended Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation in 1953 - and has been invited to this weekend’s coronation of King Charles III. A week later she will celebrate her 100th Birthday with a party at Bletchley park. Her new book 'No More Secrets' tells the story of her childhood, recruitment to Bletchley and then the pentagon, her vital wartime role deciphering enemy communications, and how it felt to eventually be able to talk about her experiences which she had to keep secret for years. Today's Martha Kearney speaks to Betty Webb about the memoir and her invite to the coronation.
In December, Today’s Mishal Husain spoke to Frank Cottrell-Boyce, author of children’s books including ‘Millions’ and ‘The Forgotten Coat’. After hearing the interview, Nadia Shireen, children’s author and illustrator, reached out to Frank with the idea of starting a podcast discussing children’s literature. Now, five months later, Today’s Justin Webb heard about their new podcast, ‘Island of Brilliant’, where Frank and Nadia imagine themselves marooned on an island with nothing but children’s books to keep them company. Aimed at adults, it’s both funny and imaginative: as Frank says, “boredom is the compost of imagination”.
Nurses will walk out in an ongoing row over pay starting on Sunday and finishing on Bank Holiday Monday. Today’s Mishal Husain spoke to the General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing and asked her about the decision to include A&E shifts in the strike.Mishal also spoke to Nick Hulme, Chief Executive of Colchester and Ipswich hospitals, to ask him how the strike is going to affect his hospitals.And with two of the biggest health unions now having voted to accept the government’s pay offer, BBC Health Editor Hugh Pym looks at the prospect of whether this could avert more nursing strikes.Photo by ANDY RAIN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
The Met may be failing to identify serial killers because it is not properly investigating unexpected deaths, the police watchdog says.It identified five key failings at the Metropolitan Police in a report: a lack of training, poor supervision, "unacceptable" record-keeping, confusing policies and "inadequate" intelligence procedures.Today’s Mishal Husain spoke with Matt Parr, HM Inspector of the Constabulary, about the report.Mishal also spoke to Donna Taylor, the sister of Jack Taylor who was the last victim of Stephen Port, about her experiences dealing with the police following her brother’s death. Finally, Mishal talked to Assistant Commissioner of the Met Police, Louisa Rolfe, regarding the dangers of poor police practices allowing history to ‘repeat itself’.
Chimpanzee expert and animal rights campaigner, Dame Jane Goodall, is passionate about saving animals and the environment, but says she does not believe in direct action that disrupts people’s everyday lives. Today’s Martha Kearney talked with Dr Goodall about the impact her campaigns have had across generations, ahead of a new TV series called Jane's Animal Adventures, about a young girl inspired by Goodall's passion. Martha also discussed environmental protests like blocking traffic, which Goodall claims are ‘counterproductive’ and don’t encourage positive change. (Ian West/PA Wire)
One of Microsoft's senior leaders has hit out after the software giant's deal to buy US video game company Activision Blizzard was blocked by UK regulators.Brad Smith, who is Microsoft's vice chair and president, tells Today's business presenter Sean Farrington of his disappointment at the Competition and Markets Authority's decision to block the proposed $68.7bn (£55bn) takeover which would see Microsoft get hold of massively popular games titles such as Call of Duty, Candy Crush, and World of Warcraft.(Image credit: Reuters/Dado Ruvic)
The Today Debate is about taking a subject and pulling it apart with more time than we could ever have during the Today programme in the morning.Today presenter Mishal Husain was joined by a panel of guests in the BBC's Radio Theatre in Broadcasting House to look at the future of the Royal Family in 'The Today Debate: Do we need a Monarchy?'Joining her were Billy Bragg, the singer and songwriter; Juliet Samuel, a columnist for the Times; Polly Toynbee, a columnist at the Guardian; Charles Moore, former editor of the Telegraph and the Spectator, biographer of Margaret Thatcher and Jason Arday, an academic who works on inequality, race and education.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has announced that the RAF will begin evacuating British nationals from Sudan. Today’s Martha Kearney spoke to Osman, a British doctor who has been in Khartoum for the past week visiting family. He had decided to try and leave the country by road and said he would have found it difficult to get to an airfield.Martha then heard from General Sir Richard Barrons, Former Commander of Joint Forces Command, on the logistical complexities of the evacuation and to Dr Atia Abdalla Atia, the secretary general of Sudan Doctors Union and a doctor based in Khartoum, about the conflict and the deteriorating situation in his hospital.Image credit: Bundeswehr Handout, 23.04.23
UK diplomats and their families were evacuated from Khartoum on Sunday after fighting escalated. However, potentially thousands of British citizens remain stuck in warzones in Sudan, with many seeking help from the UK government. The BBC’s West Africa correspondent Mayeni Jones spoke to some of those British citizens grappling with whether to flee Sudan or stay put and wait for help. Today’s Mishal Husain put these stories to Andrew Mitchell, Minister for Development and Africa, to see what help the British government is able to provide.
With the last series of hit TV show Succession on our screens, Today’s Justin Webb speaks to one of its writers and producers, Lucy Prebble, about what’s behind its success.Succession follows the fictional, ultra-wealthy Roy family. The British playwright talks about why she’s proud the US series satirises the lives of the very rich, and discusses the changing nature of television, female characters and comedy writing.(Image Credit: Ian West / PA)
Justice Secretary Dominic Raab hit out at “activist civil servants” as he resigned over bullying claims yesterday. Lord McDonald, the top civil servant at the Foreign Office when Mr Raab was Foreign Secretary, rejects those criticisms in an exclusive interview with Today’s Justin Webb.(Image Credit: James Manning / PA)
British Vogue editor-in-chief, Edward Enninful, says the latest issue with five disabled cover stars is one of his “proudest moments”. Today’s Mishal Husain spoke with Mr Enninful about why he decided to work with disability activist Sinéad Burke to create the series and how she taught him ‘that a whole group of people are being ignored’.And away from fashion, Martha Kearney looked at jogging. Specifically, the growing trend of running without headphones or other tech. She spoke with Julia Oosthuizen, Founder of Queen's Running Club, and Jimmy Watkins, co-founder of Running Punks about so-called ‘naked running’.
The former director general of the business lobbying group CBI says his reputation has been ‘totally destroyed’ after being fired over complaints about his behaviour.Simon Jack, business editor for the BBC, spoke with Tony Danker, who says his name has been wrongly associated with separate claims of rape at the CBI. Today’s Mishal Husain spoke with Brian McBride, President of the CBI, about the grounds for which Mr Danker was sacked, and questions of whether the CBI is fit to represent its nearly 200,000 members.
In 2021, an Oxford University analysis of maternal deaths in the UK found that black women were almost four times as likely to die in pregnancy and childbirth as white women - Asian and mixed ethnicity women were twice as likely. The data is part of a report published by the Women and Equalities Committee, which concluded that the role of racism in maternal deaths may have been underestimated by the government and the NHS – and that the "appalling disparity" is still not "fully understood". Today’s Mishal Husain spoke to Professor Marian Knight, who leads a team that investigates every maternal death in the UK. Mishal then talked to mother and co-founder of organisation ‘Five X More’ - Tinuke Awe – who works on improving maternal mortality rates and health outcomes for black women. Finally Mishal heard from Donna Ockenden, a senior midwife who has been conducting independent reviews, who argued for “better, inclusive care”.
This month Easter, Ramadan and Passover have all fallen at the same time. The three religious festivals have coincided with heightened tensions in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, as well as ongoing protests against the Jewish nationalist government of Benjamin Netanyahu. As Orthodox Christians celebrate Easter in the city of Jerusalem, the BBC’s International Editor Jeremy Bowen has been speaking to residents from across the religious and political divides.
A 21-year-old US airman will appear in court on Friday in connection with a leak of highly classified military documents about the Ukraine war and other national security issues. Jack Teixeira was arrested by the FBI at his family home in rural Massachusetts on Thursday.Today’s Justin Webb spoke with Barbara Plett-Usher, correspondent in Washington, about Jack Teixeira and the role his involvement with online messaging platform, Discord, played in leaking confidential US intelligence. A representative of the Visual Investigation Team at the New York TImes, Christiaan Triebert, also explains how they successfully tracked down the suspect, after discovering 27 new leaked documents. Then Justin looked at the future of US intelligence with Jim Jeffrey, former US Ambassador to Iraq, and Kurt Volker, former US Special Representative to Ukraine. Ambassador Jeffrey started by answering the question of how someone so young had access to such important material.
Today’s Martha Kearney, presenting from Belfast, spoke to journalist Lyra McKee’s sister, Nichola Corner, and her friend, Alison Miller, about her tragic death four years ago on Easter Monday. Lyra was known as ‘the voice of a generation’, growing up after the Good Friday Agreement yet still surrounded by echoes of violence and division. Alison Miller directed the new documentary about her life and work – ‘Lyra’- which is airing Saturday 15th April.Martha spoke to Ambassador Philip Reeker, former interim US Ambassador to the UK, about the preparation needed for a presidential visit, and Martin Mulholland, Chief Concierge who has worked for 40 years at the Europa - one of the most bombed hotels in Europe - where President Biden has been staying.
Today’s Martha Kearney, presenting from Belfast, spoke to former Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair, who helped negotiate the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. He shared mistakes he thought he had made under his administration, but also how the agreement has succeeded to this day, 25 years on. Sir Tony Blair shared what he would do if he was faced with today’s current struggles with devolution.Martha Kearney then spoke to Tim McGarry, one of the writers of TV sitcom ‘Give My Head Peace’, and starring as the role Da. ‘Give My Head Peace’ hit the screens not long after the Good Friday Agreement and broke many taboos about The Troubles - it was based on two families - one Republican, one Loyalist. Even in the darkest of days, people often find a way of cracking a joke to ease the tension…
Today’s Mishal Husain spoke to the founder of the humanitarian organisation ‘Save Ukraine’, Mykola Kuleba, who is also the Ukraine’s former children’s ombudsman. Kuleba explained how the charity ‘Save Ukraine’ returned Ukrainian children home after they had been taken from Russian occupied areas. Children were visiting what they had been told was a two week summer camp, and have only now been reunited with their parents six months later. Some children, as young as eleven, spoke of being made to sing the Russian national anthem-- or write notes explaining why they hadn't. Thousands of Ukrainian families still have children in Russia.Image credit: Valentyn Ogirenko, 07.04.23
A series of events are taking place to mark the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.The Good Friday Agreement ended 30 years of violent conflict in Northern Ireland, known as the Troubles, which cost the lives of more than 3,500 people.However divisions still persist. Police in Northern Ireland believe dissident republicans will use the anniversary to spark violence and attack officers.The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) is currently blocking the formation of an executive as part of the party's protest against post-Brexit trading arrangements between the UK and EU.The BBC’s Martha Kearney spoke to four people who have grown up since the peace agreement. (Image: Aerial view over City Hall, Belfast, Credit: BBC)
Housing Secretary Michael Gove has admitted that the government has made mistakes in the social housing sector.His admission comes following our series on the death of 58-year-old Sheila Seleaone in Peckham, which went unnoticed by her housing association Peabody for more than two years.Sheila's neighbours first alerted the housing association to maggots and 'the smell of death' in 2019 - it wasn't until February 2023 that Sheila's body was found in her flat.Mr Gove told Today's Nick Robinson that some housing associations have a culture where monetary figures have been put 'ahead of the heart and soul engagement with the residents'.(Photo Credit: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire)
After former police officer David Carrick was convicted for offences, including dozens of rapes, the Metropolitan Police began a review in January to root out unsuitable staff. It has found that hundreds of officer cases need further checking - the Met Police Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley says the force can not succeed in its policing mission until changes are made.Today's Mishal Husain talks with Sir Mark regarding the investigation of officer criminal convictions.(Photo Credit: CARL DE SOUZA/Pool via REUTERS)
Sheila Seleoane lay dead for two and a half years before her body was found - despite repeated efforts to raise the alarm. Sheila was a 58-year-old medical secretary who died in her South London flat in August 2019.In a final report by the BBC's Harry Farley, he goes back to speak to her neighbours.Today's Martha Kearney speaks to Ian McDermott, chief executive of Peabody, the housing association which was Sheila’s landlord.
Sheila Seleoane was found in her Peckham flat in February 2023 and had to be identified by dental records.Her neighbours initially made complains to their housing association, Peabody, about a foul stench and maggots in 2019 – but the housing association only made one “proactive attempt” to contact the tenant and cut off her gas.Miss Seleoane’s last known contact was with her GP in August 2019, and when her body was found, the cause of her death was unascertained due to the advanced state of composition of her body.But what was she like and who was she? In the second in a series of three, Harry Farley talks to Today’s Justin Webb about loneliness and isolation while living in an urban area.
Residents in a south London block of flats are considering legal action against a housing association, after their neighbour lay dead for two and a half years before her body was found, despite their efforts to raise the alarm. 58-year-old Sheila Seleoane, was a medical secretary, who was found in her flat in Peckham last year. For Sheila's neighbours though it had been obvious for a long time that something was wrong.This week we’re looking more closely at Shelia's story, to explore what happened and what it tells us about modern Britain. Harry Farley speaks to Today's Mishal Husain, and in the first of three reports, he asks why it took so long before Sheila was discovered?
Today’s Martha Kearney spoke to Christopher Eccleston following the closure of the Oldham Coliseum due to a loss of funding from Arts Council England. They are giving money to build a new theatre in Oldham instead. The closing night saw an emotional Christopher Eccleston and Maxine Peake perform excerpts from a new adaptation of Ken Loach's film I, Daniel Blake - which was due to have been on the Coliseum stage this summer. Eccleston talked about his frustration at the lack of funding, which he felt especially targets arts in the North West. The actor discussed growing up in a working class background and the ever-growing elitism of the arts: ‘you’ve got to be Oxbridge otherwise you can’t act’, he says. He says he became an actor not for money, but for his own self-expression and ‘pursuit of the heart’, and that he couldn’t do so without the support of his wonderful family.
It was twelve years ago that the actor Jason Watkins and his wife Clara Francis lost their two year old daughter to sepsis. Now, the couple have made a documentary for ITV called "Jason and Clara: in memory of Maudie" - to raise awareness of the dangers of the condition. Today's Martha Kearney spoke to them about why they decided to make the documentary.(IMAGE CREDIT: David M. Bennett / Getty Images)
Are you satisfied with the performance of the NHS? Fewer people than ever now answer yes to that question. Just 29% say they are satisfied with the health service in the latest British Social Attitudes Survey - that's the lowest level since the survey began 40 years ago. Today's Nick Robinson spoke to Rachel Power, Chief Executive of the Patients Association, and to Chris Hopson, Chief Strategy Officer of NHS England, about why satisfaction is so low and what NHS bosses plan to do about it.(IMAGE CREDIT: ANDY RAIN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock (13802777b))
The Today Debate is about taking a subject and pulling it apart with more time than we could ever have during the Today programme in the morning.Today presenter Mishal Husain is joined by an expert panel in the BBC's Radio Theatre in Broadcasting House to look at the future of policing in 'The Today Debate: Policing and us - how can we fix it?'Her guests include Baroness Louise Casey, whose year long review into the Metropolitan Police found the force suffers from "institutional racism, misogyny and homophobia". The Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley. Mina Smallman, whose daughters Nicole Smallman and Bibaa Henry were murdered in London in June 2020. Two Met officers were subsequently jailed for sharing images of their bodies in a WhatsApp group.Steve Hartshorn, National Chair for the Police Federation of England and Wales, one of the largest police staff associations in the UK representing more than 130,000 rank and file officers.And Sir Peter Fahy, former Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police.
Three gambling firms owned by William Hill are to pay penalties of £19.2m – the biggest ever UK gambling fine. In one case, a customer was allowed to open a new account and spend £23,000 in 20 minutes without any checks. Today's Nick Robinson spoke to the chief executive of the Gambling Commission, Andrew Rhodes, about the company’s failure to protect consumers and evidence of weak anti-money laundering controls. William Hill says it’s now under new ownership and management.(IMAGE CREDIT: REUTERS/Phil Noble)
The winner of the contest to succeed Nicola Sturgeon as SNP leader is to be announced later. The winner will face a vote at Holyrood on Tuesday before also being confirmed as Scotland's new first minister. Regardless of who wins, their in tray is considerable. Today's Mishal Husain spoke to Carolyn Currie, Scotland chair of the Productivity Institute, Jeanne Freeman, former Scottish Health Secretary, and to Professor Lindsay Patterson, Professor of Education policy at the University of Edinburgh, about what the new SNP leader will face.(IMAGE CREDIT: Ken Jack/Getty Images)
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse started out as a few comforting drawings for friends, and eventually became a book which sold 8 million copies. It was then then turned into an animated film with a star studded voice cast which won an Oscar for Best Animated Short Film. Creator Charles Macksey speaks to Today’s Simon Jack about the meteoric rise of the project.(IMAGE CREDIT: ETIENNE LAURENT/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock (13814888eb))
The Bank of England has raised interest rates again after inflation rose unexpectedly this week. Andrew Bailey, Governor of the Bank of England, told Today’s Sean Farrington that companies who raised prices risked driving up the cost of living, hurting those that can least afford it. Sean also discusses with Mr Bailey the health of the UK economy and how to guard against a run on the banks in an age of social media and online banking.(Image Credit: EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Nicola Sturgeon issued a "sincere, heartfelt and unreserved" apology on Tuesday to people affected by the practice of forced adoption in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. It is estimated 60,000 women in Scotland had babies adopted because they were unmarried. This apology follows others around the world including Australia and Ireland. The UK government has previously stated that an official state apology was not appropriate.Today's Justin Webb speaks to Jill Killington who had a forced adoption of her son in 1960.(Image credit: Liudmila_Fadzeyev/ Getty Images)
The inflation rate rose unexpectedly to 10.4% in February, up from 10.1% in January. The Office for National Statistics says the Consumer Prices Index rate has been pushed up by higher prices in cafes, pubs and restaurants and the cost of food and clothing.The BBC's Business Editor Simon Jack speaks to Minette Batters, President of National Farmers Union, and Karen Ward, Chief Market Strategist EMEA at J.P. Morgan Asset Management.Today's Amol Rajan also speaks to Simon about the figures which measure how quickly prices go up.(Image Credit: SolStock/ Getty Images)
A highly critical report on Britain's biggest police force has found it to be "institutionally racist, misogynist and homophobic". Baroness Louise Casey's review says the Metropolitan Police has failed to protect the public from staff who abuse women, and that female officers and staff routinely experienced sexism. Mishal Husain speaks to the report's author Baroness Casey, as well as Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley about the findings. Mishal also spoke to the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan who, with the Home Secretary, is responsible for overseeing the Met.(Image: Baroness Casey, Credit: Kirsty O'Connor/POOL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
The businessman Henry Dimbleby who co-founded Leon has announced he is stepping down as a government adviser on food policy.Today's Mishal Husain speaks to Henry Dimbleby about food policy and his new book 'Ravenous: How to get ourselves and Our Planet into Shape'.(Image credit: RichLegg/ Getty Images)
It has been two decades since the ground invasion of Iraq began. British and US forces led the attack which led to the toppling of Saddam Hussain's regime. The instability that followed led to brutal sectarian conflict, and eventually the rise of the Islamic State.The BBC's International Editor Jeremy Bowen has travelled through Iraq and reports on the legacy and consequences of the invasion in 2003. Today's Justin Webb also speaks to Sir Jeremy Greenstock, UK Permanent Representative to the United Nations between 1998 and 2003 and the UK's Special Representative for Iraq. (Image credit: REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani)
Following on from the government’s announcement on better pay for health workers, Today’s Martha Kearney spoke to Sir Derek Jacobi who plays Ambrose in ‘Allelujah’, a new film which shows the pressures on the NHS. ‘Allelujah’ is based on the play by Alan Bennet, and set in a small Yorkshire hospital where most of the patients are elderly. The cast is drawn from some of the best known actors in the country including Jennifer Saunders, Dame Judi Dench and Sir Derek Jacobi. Sir Derek told Martha about his bumptious character, Ambrose; and the joyful nature of an older ensemble cast – ‘we sit there… and travel back in time’. He spoke about his positive experiences at the NHS and the rejuvenating pleasure of being an actor for over sixty years.IMAGE CREDIT: Eamonn M. McCormack and Stringer - Getty Images.jpg
The Chancellor Jeremy Hunt delivered his first Budget speech on Wednesday. It includes policies directed at getting people into work, and keeping them there, which are central to the Budget and will lead to key changes on childcare and pensions.Today's Nick Robinson speaks to the Chancellor about his new economic measures and Today's Amol Rajan speaks to the Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves.(Image credit: Jeff Overs/BBC)
Lisa Squire, whose daughter Libby was killed in 2019, says indecent exposure and other “non contact sexual offences” need to be taken a lot more seriously. She tells Mishal Husain she suspects the man who murdered Libby may have been the same man who had earlier exposed himself to her before her death. (IMAGE CREDIT: Family Handout/PA Wire)
The BBC's flagship football show is facing a crisis after its stars, pundits and commentators all boycott the show in solidarity with Gary Lineker. Today’s Amol Rajan spoke to former Director General of the BBC, Greg Dyke, who said he thinks the BBC was “mistaken.” (IMAGE CREDIT: Ian Walton/PA Wire)
Judgements made in the family courts can affect families forever, including placing children in care or for adoption. After decades of calls for greater scrutiny of the family courts, at the end of January journalists gained access to report proceedings, in a landmark pilot scheme. Three court centres in Leeds, Carlisle and Cardiff allowed accredited journalists to report cases for the first time, providing the families involved remained anonymous. Our Correspondent Sanchia Berg spent several weeks in Leeds Family Court attending hearings. This week Today has featured a series of her reports, highlighting some of the issues that are usually hidden, including a mother's 'remarkable turnaround' to win back her baby. Today presenter Martha Kearney, also spoke to the judge who spearheaded the pilot, Justice Lieven.
Trading Standards officers say one in three vaping products may fall foul of regulations - breaking the rules on nicotine strength and health warnings. They have also raised concerns about sales to children and want higher fines for shops. Today's Justin Webb spoke to a mother and her 15 year-old daughter about her vaping addiction, and to Kate Pike, Lead Officer for Vaping at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, about what can be done about it.(IMAGE CREDIT: Nicholas.T.Ansell/PA Wire)
The home secretary has acknowledged 80,000 people could cross the channel on small boats this year.Suella Braverman was defending new proposals for anyone found to have entered the UK illegally to be removed from the country within 28 days, but also be blocked from returning or claiming British citizenship in future.The United Nations Refugee Agency has accused the government of violating the Refugee Convention introduced after the Second World War through its proposals to tackle small boats.The BBC’s Nick Robinson spoke to the home secretary and then to Madeleine Sumption, Director of the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford.(Image, Migrants disembark border vessel, Credit, Gareth Fuller PA)
Wayne Couzens, the ex-police officer who murdered Sarah Everard was given a rare whole life sentence, meaning he will never be released from prison.However he has now also pleaded guilty to three incidents of indecent exposure. That means questions are now being asked as to whether his earlier offences could have identified him as a violent threat to women – and what his case tells us about so-called ‘flashers’ going on to commit far more serious sexual offences.The BBC’s Justin Webb spoke to three women in their 20s who have all been subjected to indecent exposure, and to Dame Diana Johnson, Chair of the Home Affairs select committee.(Image, young woman with head in hands, Credit Getty Images)
BBC Radio 2's Ken Bruce presents his final show on Friday as he leaves the station after 31 years hosting its weekday mid-morning show.His slot is the most listened-to show on British radio, and he will now join rival commercial station Greatest Hits Radio.Bruce was originally due to complete his Radio 2 contract on 24 March, but tweeted last week that the BBC had asked him to host the last edition of his weekday mid-morning show on 3 March instead.Today's Garry Richardson speaks to Ken Bruce about his career at the BBC and quizzes him in a mini Today version of Popmaster.(Photo credit: Pete Dadds/ BBC)
Today’s Nick Robinson speaks to Isabel Oakeshott, the British political journalist who handed thousands of Matt Hancock’s private WhatsApps to the Daily Telegraph. She was given copies of the texts while helping the former Health Secretary write his book, ‘Pandemic Diaries’. Today’s Amol Rajan then speaks to Anne Longfield, the Children's Commissioner during the pandemic, asking her whether closing schools was a good decision for the wellbeing of children. Nick Robinson picked up with Education Minister Nick Gibb, who told the programme he was awaiting the outcome of the Covid enquiry.Image: BBC Images November 2022
Today’s Amol Rajan speaks to the historian Lord Hennessy about the changing nature of British politics before and after Covid-19. His latest book ‘A Duty of Care’ argues the pandemic can provide Britain with a moment to forge a better future.“There are so many crucial clocks ticking… we can’t waste another decade,” he argues. He reveals his concerns about Britain’s ageing population, the more “fragmented” nature of society, and the rise of scandals. But he also shares his optimism for what the future holds for Britain.
An Irish Goodbye is the story of two brothers, one with Down’s syndrome, who lose their mother. The dark comedy has already won a BAFTA and an Oscar nomination.Today's Martha Kearney spoke to one of the film’s stars, James Martin, who has Down’s syndrome like the character he plays in the film. At his home in Belfast, they discussed his acting career, the film’s critical acclaim and its chances at next week’s Oscars.CREDIT: BBC
Martha Kearney has been reporting from Belfast this week, looking at the impact on Northern Ireland from a lack of functioning government.Martha spoke to Adele Johnstone, who is waiting for an inquiry to start after she – along with thousands of other mothers - was made to put her son up for adoption when she gave birth as an unmarried 17 year-old. A public inquiry into the scandal was put on hold after the power sharing government collapsed. Martha also reported from the Thales plant, which makes the NLAW system distributed across Ukraine to help fight Russian tanks. She is the first journalist to visit the plant, which employs 800 people across Northern Ireland, since the war started.Credit : BBC
Martha Kearney has been reporting from Belfast this week, looking at the impact on Northern Ireland from a lack of functioning government.Martha spoke to Adele Johnstone, who is waiting for an inquiry to start after she – along with thousands of other mothers - was made to put her son up for adoption when she gave birth as an unmarried 17 year-old. A public inquiry into the scandal was put on hold after the power sharing government collapsed. Martha also reported from the Thales plant, which makes the NLAW system distributed across Ukraine to help fight Russian tanks. She is the first journalist to visit the plant, which employs 800 people across Northern Ireland, since the war started.Credit : BBC
Matt Hancock, the former Health Secretary, has disputed claims he rejected expert advice on Covid tests for people going into care homes at the start of the pandemic.The Daily Telegraph newspaper has printed WhatsApp messages which suggest Mr Hancock was told in April 2020 that "testing of all going into care homes" was recommended. A spokesperson for Mr Hancock said the messages have been doctored to create a false story.Today's Nick Robinson spoke to Lord Bethell, a health minister under Matt Hancock during the pandemic, about why these decisions were taken.Credit:ReutersLocation: Oxford, United Kingdom
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak gives an exclusive interview to Today's Martha Kearney about his Northern Ireland Brexit deal with the European Union. He says the new Brexit framework is a "huge step forward" for Northern Ireland, addressing key “challenges” with the original Brexit deal. The Democratic Unionist Party are considering whether to back the deal and re-enter power sharing government at Stormont. Mr Sunak says he understands parties need "time and space" to consider the details but argues: "The people of Northern Ireland need and deserve their government to be up and running."(Photo: Rishi Sunak. Credit: Dan Kitwood/PA Wire)
Blake Morrison is the last of 3 siblings, having lost both a sister and a half sister in recent years, he decided to go in search for the answers as to why the outcomes of their lives had been so different. Blake spoke with Today's Justin Webb and Mishal Husain about his new memoir, Two sisters, in which he takes a look back at their lives and what led them down such different and difficult paths. He discusses the ethics of writing a memoir.
The shooting of Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell in Omagh stirred painful memories - not just of The Troubles but more recent violence. The young journalist Lyra McKee was fatally shot while covering rioting in Londonderry in 2019. Police have investigated links with dissident Republicans with both the attacks. Father Martin Magill, a Catholic priest from the Falls Road in Belfast, gave a powerful speech at Lyra McKee's funeral. He spoke to Today's Martha Kearney about this latest violence. Photo: Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell
To mark exactly one year since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the BBC's Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet presents from Kyiv.She speaks to Ukraine’s Minister of Culture Oleksandr Tkachenko about how things have changed in the country. Lyse also speaks to three Ukrainian women who are leading the fight against Russia.The BBC's International Editor Jeremy Bowen reports on the current situation in the war, and has been catching up with Ukrainians previously heard in his reporting over last twelve months.(Photo: Ukraine flag, Credit: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
Nick Robinson reports from Berlin, examining the dramatic turnaround in German attitudes to peace and war since the invasion of Ukraine and the angst that has produced. We hear from the former bishop of Hanover on a 'Manifesto for Peace', deputy economy minister Niels Annen on whether we're at the start of a new Cold War - and Nick speaks to Timothy Garton Ash, historian and Professor of European Studies at Oxford University on how Russia's war in Ukraine has changed the politics of Europe.(Credit: Getty Images)
Sir Keir Starmer launches what he calls five national "missions" - outlining his plans for the UK if Labour wins the next general election. They include delivering the highest growth in the G7. The others are being a clean energy superpower, securing the NHS for the future, making streets safe and breaking down barriers to opportunity by reforming childcare and education.He spoke to the Today programme's Amol Rajan. (Credit: Getty Images / Location: Manchester, United Kingdom / Copyright: Getty, Dominic Lipinski, Stringer)
Former Labour PM Sir Tony Blair and ex-Conservative leader Lord William Hague discuss their joint plan for a "technological revolution" with Today's Justin Webb.
If companies know they inappropriately installed a prepayment meter, then they should fix it now’ was the message today from the CEO of the energy regulator OFGEM. The forced installation of prepayment meters was suspended after an investigation by The Times into British Gas contractors breaking into the homes of vulnerable customers to force-fit meters. OFGEM will investigate British Gas and will also review regulations on the installation of prepayment meters, which have increased sharply over the last year. Credit: ReutersLocation: Cardiff, United KingdomCopyright: Reuters/Natasha Hirst
As the one year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine approaches, President Joe Biden is to address world leaders in Poland. Today’s Nick Robinson visited Narva in Estonia, close to the Russian border, to see the impact of the war in Ukraine. He also spoke to Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and asked what her message would be for President Biden.
London's mayor Sadiq Khan has announced he is launching a £130m scheme to give every primary school pupil free school meals in the capital for the next academic year. The scheme will reach 270,000 more children and will start in September and follows similar decisions by London councils in Newham, Islington, Southwark and Tower Hamlets to offer their own universal free school meals to primary children. Last month, Westminster City Council also began providing free school meals for primary pupils in a scheme set to run for at least 18 months. Today’s Justin Webb spoke first to Henry Dimbleby, former head of the government’s National Food Strategy, who welcomed the move and the Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan.
Nicola Sturgeon called a surprise press conference and announced on Wednesday to announce that she was resigning as Scotland's first minister after eight years in the job. The SNP's national executive will meet on Thursday to decide the timetable for a leadership race.The Today programme’s Nick Robinson presented the programme from Edinburgh. He spoke to Stephen Flynn, the SNP’s leader in Westminster and he was joined by the BBC’s Scotland Editor James Cook to examine the challenges that lie ahead for the next leader of the party. (Image, Nicola Sturgeon, Credit, EPA-EFEREXShutterstock)
Writer and scholar Robert Douglas-Fairhurst, best-known for writing about literary giants such as Lewis Carroll and Charles Dickens, has turned his attention to his own life. The academic, who discovered six years ago that he had multiple sclerosis, wanted to examine how he had entered ‘a new kingdom, a new country’ with his diagnosis. Martha Kearney spoke to Professor Douglas-Fairhurst at Magdalen College, Oxford where he teaches English Literature about his new book Metamorphosis: A Life in Pieces.(Image, Martha Kearney and Robert Douglas-Fairhurst, Credit, BBC)
It's Valentine’s Day and if you haven't quite got round to penning a poem for the one you love - fear not. Help is at hand. The AI chatbot has had its own stab at writing a romantic Shakespearean sonnet. Actor Charles Dance reads it for us – as well as Shakespeare’s famous Sonnet 18 - and discusses them alongside Oxford University’s Professor Laurie Maguire.(IMAGE CREDIT: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
The US has shot down different sorts of flying objects detected over North America. The sensors of the first object have been retrieved, and John Kirby, spokesman for President Biden’s National Security Council, confirmed it was a Chinese balloon. What is going on? Today’s Justin Webb spoke to Admiral Mike Mullen, a former chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, and to Sir Alex Younger, the former head of MI6.(IMAGE CREDIT: REUTERS/Randall Hill/File Photo/File Photo)
The US has shot down different sorts of flying objects detected over North America. The sensors of the first object have been retrieved, and John Kirby, spokesman for President Biden’s National Security Council, confirmed it was a Chinese balloon. What is going on? Today’s Justin Webb spoke to Admiral Mike Mullen, a former chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, and to Sir Alex Younger, the former head of MI6.(IMAGE CREDIT: REUTERS/Randall Hill/File Photo/File Photo)
The poet and author Michael Rosen spent 40 days on a ventilator in a medically induced coma after falling ill during the pandemic. Doctors dubbed him “Resurrection of the Year”. His new memoir, Getting Better, reflects not just on that experience but the immense grief that followed the death of his dear son Eddie, at the age of 18, from meningitis.(IMAGE CREDIT: David Levenson/Getty Images)
One week on from the earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria, the death toll has passed 33,000. Rescue attempts continue, and survivors are living in tents for fear their homes may still collapse. In Syria, there are serious difficulties in getting aid convoys through the single official border crossing point that is open. Today's Mishal Husain hears from BBC correspondents in both countries to learn about the ongoing humanitarian effort.(IMAGE CREDIT: REUTERS/Sertac Kayar)
More than 24,000 people are now known to have died after Monday's earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. Millions of people are thought to be homeless in the northern region of Syria which was hit.The BBC's Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet is in Turkey and reports from Gaziantep where the search for survivors is continuing. Today's Amol Rajan speaks to Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN Secretary-General António Guterre, about the scale of the challenge of delivering aid in Syria. He also speaks to Wisam Afisa, a British-Syrian national in Aleppo who is part of the humanitarian effort to help people there.(Image: Aftermath of the earthquake in Aleppo, Credit: Firas Makdesi/ Reuters)
New figures from the Office of National Statistics show that the UK has managed to avoid a recession. Inflation is slowing, but the UK has not managed to reach the levels of growth needed for pay increases. On Thursday, as AstraZeneca announced it had opted to build a new factory in Dublin rather than in Macclesfield, its CEO said '"you need an environment that gives you good returns and incentive to invest".Today's Nick Robinson spoke to Dame Deanne Julius, former member of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee, and Julian Metcalfe, CEO of Itsu, about what the UK government needs to do to increase economic growth. Martha Kearney spoke to the BBC’s Business Editor Simon Jack and Richard Torbett, CEO of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, about why AstraZeneca chose to invest outside the UK and what the government can do to make the UK more attractive to investors.Image Credit : By: Neil HallCredit :EPA-EFE/REX/ShutterstockLocation :London, United KingdomCopyright: Copyright (c) 2023 Shutterstock. No use without permission.
Michelle Yeoh is nominated for her starring role in Everything Everywhere All At Once at the Oscars, which has already earned her a Golden Globes win in January. She will become the first Asian woman to triumph in the Best Actress category if she wins the Academy Award.Today's Martha Kearney speaks to Michelle Yeoh.(Image: Michelle Yeogh, Credit: Ian West/ PA)
Irish actor Paul Mescal, known for his role in Normal People, is nominated for Best Actor at this year's Oscars for his role in Aftersun. He is currently starring as Stanley Kowalski in a production of A Streetcar Named Desire in the West End. Speaking with the Today programme - in his first interview since being nominated for the Best Actor Oscar - the Irish actor told Martha Kearney about the challenges he, and his family, have been going through.(Image, Paul Mescal, Credit, BBC)
The earthquake is bringing stories of terrible tragedy but also survival. The Today programme heard Nesli Akarsu, who lived in the worst hit Turkish province, tell her UK-based brother-in-law Cengiz Akarsu how her family escaped. In an emotional interview with Today’s Nick Robinson, she describes receiving messages from friends and students at her school telling her they too have survived. (Image, Kahramanmaras, Turkey Credit Stoyan Nenov, Reuters)
Rescuers are raising concerns that freezing conditions could delay efforts to find survivors across Syria and Turkey. Agencies and rescue workers are racing to save people trapped beneath the rubble after thousands of buildings collapsed in both countries.More than 11,000 people are now known to have been killed, and in freezing temperatures, the death toll will continue to rise. The first 7.8 magnitude quake struck near Gaziantep in the early hours of Monday morning, while people were asleep, and was followed by a 7.5 magnitude tremor hours later.The Today programme’s Mishal Husain and Nick Robinson spoke to reporter Anna Foster, who is in Kahramanmaras, the epicentre of the earthquake and Salah Aboulgasem from Islamic Relief. The BBC’s Middle East Correspondent, Tom Bateman, reports from Adana in southern Turkey.
An international aid effort is being stepped up in southern Turkey and northern Syria following a huge earthquake that has killed more than 5,000 people. Rescuers are racing to save people trapped beneath the rubble after thousands of buildings collapsed in both countries. The 7.8 magnitude quake struck near Gaziantep in the early hours of Monday while people were asleep. The Today programme’s Justin Webb spoke to Sherine Ibrahim, the Turkey Country Director for CARE International who is in Gaziantep and Andrew Mitchell, Minister for Development. The BBC’s Middle East Correspondent, Tom Bateman, reports from south East Turkey, near the epicentre. (Image Hatay, Turkey, Credit, Erdem Şahin EPA-EFEREXShutterstock)
The prospect of fully self-driving cars is still some way off, but are we thinking enough about whether it should happen? Today’s Justin Webb spoke to American philosopher Matthew Crawford - author of 'Why we drive' - about the impact that driverless cars could have on humanity and society. They explore questions like: Are we becoming too dependent on technology? Is 'agency' a key part of what it means to be human? And how does driving a car reflect the way people interact with others? (Image: Self-driving car; Credit: Getty Images)
A major earthquake has struck south-eastern Turkey, near the city of Gaziantep.The quake measured 7.8 magnitude on the US Geological Survey and occurred around a region of instability called the East Anatolian fault, which runs close to the border.A rescue operation is underway across much of southern Turkey and northern Syria following amid concerns that 1,000 people have died. The Today programme’s Mishal Husain spoke to Ismail Al Abdullah, from the White Helmets civil defence organisation, and Ibrahim Ozer Director General for Disaster Management at the Turkish Red Crescent.(Image, Turkey earthquake, Credit Deniz Tekin EPA EFEREXShutterstock)
The US Secretary of state's trip to China was cancelled over the Chinese spy balloon incident, creating tensions between the US and China.Mike Pompeo, the former secretary of state under Donald Trump and former director of the CIA, spoke with Today's Nick Robinson.(Image Credit:Chase Doak/Reuters)
Comedian and broadcaster Griff Rhys Jones, who is president of the Victorian Society, helping to spearhead a new campaign to stop development plans for Grade II listed Liverpool Street Station in London. He spoke to Today’s Amol Rajan about protecting the nation’s heritage – and Justin Webb reveals how Griff encouraged his teenage attempts at comedy back in 1980.(Image Credit: Alex Segre/BBC)
British Gas has suspended the forced installation of pre-payment meters following a report that debt collectors employed by the company have been fitting them in the homes of vulnerable customers. Energy regulator Ofgem has begun an investigation. Companies can apply to the courts for a warrant, authorising the fitting of a pre-payment meter if a customer hasn't paid their bills. Today's Mishal Husain spoke to Chris O'Shea, Chief Executive of Centrica which owns British Gas, and Paul Morgan-Bently, Head of Investigations at The Times who went undercover for the investigation. Today's Nick Robinson also spoke to Labour shadow minister Ed Miliband. (Image: Smart Meter with prepayment tariff, Credit: DANIEL LEAL/ AFP/ Getty Images)
Hundreds of thousands of workers are taking part in what unions say is the largest day of industrial action for more than a decade. School teachers, university staff, train drivers and civil servants are taking coordinated action in their disputes over pay and conditions. It is expected to be the biggest day of industrial action in a decade.Today's Justin Webb spoke to Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, and Nick Robinson spoke to Gillian Keegan, Education Secretary. They also heard from two head teachers.(Image: Striking teachers on the Tube in London, Credit: Kevin Coombs/ Reuters)
Everyone will live within 15 minutes' walk of a green space or water under new government plans to restore nature. The "blueprint" sets out how ministers intend to clean up air and water, boost nature and reduce waste over the next five years in England. Today’s Martha Kearney spoke to Joan Edwards, director of policy at the Wildlife Trust, and Tony Juniper, chair of Natural England, about how it’ll work and what more could be done.(Image: Hedgehog, Credit: Ola Jennersten /WWF-Sweden/ PA)
Björn Ulvaeus has guest edited BBC Radio 4's Today and his programme included a lot of insights and encounters about Eurovision. Hear him talk to one of the British jurors who in 1974 gave ABBA's Waterloo "nul points" - and doesn't regret it! He also discusses with Erasure's Andy Bell, Radio 1's Adele Roberts and UK Eurovision presenter Rylan Clark the appeal of the contest and ABBA itself to the LGBT+ community. Bjorn also speaks to Martin Österdahl, executive supervisor of Eurovision, about whether it can move to be a fully global competition. (Photo: ABBA triumph at 1974 Eurovision. Credit: BBC)
Rishi Sunak is facing questions over his sacking of Nadhim Zahawi. An inquiry found the Conservative chairman had failed to disclose a tax investigation, and this was a "serious" breach of the code of conduct for ministers. Today's Martha Kearney spoke to the BBC’s Political Editor Chris Mason, while Mishal Husain examined the government's defence with Health Minister Helen Whately. (Image credit: PA)
Bodycam footage released last night shows Tyre Nichols, a 29 year black man being repeatedly kicked, punched and pepper sprayed by police officers while lying on the ground. Five officers, themselves black, have been fired from the force. The BBC’s Barbara Plett-Usher speaks to the mother of Tyre Nichols and Today’s Martha Kearney interviews local politician Steve Cohen about what he felt watching the video(IMAGE CREDIT: Facebook/Deandre Nichols/via REUTERS)
In his first full length interview since Pinocchio was nominated for an Oscar, Guillermo Del Toro and his co-director Mark Gustafson came into the Today Programme studio - bringing in two of the puppets. They discussed with Martha Kearney the painstaking process of using stop motion animation which uses physical puppets, as well as the film's setting in Mussolini's fascist Italy.(IMAGE CREDIT: Roy Rochlin / Stringer / Getty Images)
America's 30 tanks, Britain's 14, and Germany's pledge of another 14 in addition to commitments from Poland and possibly from France still leave Ukraine well short of the 300 it asked for. Today's Mishal Husain and Nick Robinson spoke to the NATO Secretary General and former Norwegian prime minister Jens Stollenberg and advisor to Ukranie's defence minister Yuri Sak about what difference the tanks would make to the war.(IMAGE CREDIT: Photo by Sgt Anthony Prater/DVIDS/HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock (13741081a))
Here on Today we have heard from a variety of Oscar nominees over the last few weeks. They include: Cate Blanchett on her role in Tár; Brendan Fraser on his role in The Whale; Tony Kushner on co-writing The Fabelmans; novelist Sir Kazuo Ishiguro on Living; John Landau who produced Avatar: The Way of Water; and Angie Marchese who advised on Elvis. Hear all of those interviews in full.(Image: Oscar statue, Credit: CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Five days ago the Prime minister said the issues around Nadhim Zahawi “had been addressed in full” but has now called an his ethics advisor to look into the former chancellor and current Conservative chairman. There are also questions about BBC Chairman Richard Sharp’s links with former PM Boris Johnson prior to his appointment. Today's Mishal Husain spoke to to Policing Minister Chris Philp about both issues. Amol Rajan spoke to former acting chair of the BBC Trust, Professor Diane Coyle & former Culture Minister Lord Vaizey.(By:Peter Nicholls - Credit : Reuters)
The NHS is under great pressure, with record waiting times, ambulances queuing outside crowded hospitals and more nurse and paramedic strikes to come. Today's Martha Kearney went with Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of NHS England, to an NHS hospital in Warwick to see efforts to stop patients being in hospital unnecessarily. (Photo: Martha Kearney and Amanda Pritchard. Credit: BBC)
The Bank of England Governor says there are early signs “a corner has been turned on inflation". However, there was negative economic news as new figures showed retail sales fell by 1% in December - a really crucial month for shops. Today’s Martha Kearney spoke to John Allan, chairman of the supermarket chain Tesco, about food prices, which are still rising sharply; and the need for a long-term growth strategy.
Public Enemy frontman, Carlton Douglas Ridenhour, better known as Chuck D, spoke to Today's Amol Rajan about his new documentary “Fight the Power” explores the relationship between the Hip-hop movement, US politics and the struggles of black people in America. Chuck D also gave his take on the controversial rapper Kanye West. He talked about what motivated him to become an artist and what music means to black history.
There were no train strikes today, but all over the North of England people were wondering whether the train they rely on to go to work, get to school or college would run at all. A quarter of services were cancelled on Wednesday on TransPennine Express, the rail company which runs inter-city services between Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool and Hull.In the past, train companies relied on drivers working overtime on their rest days, but a breakdown in goodwill between management and the unions has meant there is now no agreement to do this.Today’s Nick Robinson has been in Manchester looking at the disruption and he speaks to the head of Aslef, the train drivers’ union, Mick Whelan.
The Metropolitan Police is investigating 1,000 sexual and domestic abuse claims involving about 800 of its officers. Its Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley made the announcement after PC David Carrick pleaded guilty to 49 offences, including dozens of rapes. Today's Mishal Husain spoke to Sir Mark who apologised to Carrick's victims for the force's failings. She also spoke to former Superintendent Del Babu and the former Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales Dame Vera Baird. Justin Webb also discussed the case with criminologist Professor Betsy Stanko.(IMAGE CREDIT: Kirsty O'Connor/PA Wire)
In the 1990s Bret Easton Ellis shot to fame after the release of his novel American Psycho but has not released a book in more than a decade. His new book Shards is a mix of autobiography and imaginings set in the Los Angeles of Easton Ellis's youth. He spoke to Today’s Justin Webb about free speech and how the literary industry has changed over his time writing.Credit :GettyImages/NurPhoto
Under new government plans, the police will have the right to stop a protest before they can cause serious disruption.Today's Mishal Husain spoke to Conservative MP and former Justice Secretary Robert Buckland, along with Labour peer and former director of the civil liberties organisation Liberty Baroness Chakrabarti about the potential damage to protest rights and whether these powers are proportional to the problem.By: Henry NichollsCredit: Reuters Location :London, United Kingdom
How does masculinity turn toxic? What does it actually mean to be a man? Is the remarkable appeal of a figure like Andrew Tate - the social media influencer - the product of a male malaise in liberal democracies? His TikTok videos have been condemned as deeply misogynistic but have been viewed billions of times. He has tens of millions of followers globally - most of them male, many of them very young. The Today programme’s Amol Rajan spoke to Mike Thompson, a former English teacher who now runs workshops about masculinity in Lancashire and Richard Reeves, the author of Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What To Do About It.. (Image, boy and shadow, Credit Getty Images)
Is football in danger of losing its soul to commerce? Former Manchester United footballer Eric Cantona says he would rather watch a second division team today than follow a Premier League side. He says, “I think we live in a big circus. Everybody knows that.” The Today programme’s Nick Robinson spoke to Eric Cantona and the fine artist Michael Browne about how both art and football can reflect and change society. (Image, Eric Cantona and Nick Robinson, Credit, BBC)
Cate Blanchett has just won a Golden Globe for her role as a virtuoso conductor in new film Tar. The fictional musician, who runs a major German orchestra, faces accusations of bullying and predatory behaviour. But Today's Martha Kearney speaks to Blanchett about playing a character corrupted by power, and what acting awards mean to her.(IMAGE CREDIT: BBC)
The scale of raw sewage discharges into rivers by England's biggest privatised water company has been revealed in a new interactive map that shows discharges in real time. It comes from Thames Water, which says it has voluntarily published the data ahead of companies having to do so under law. (IMAGE CREDIT: Thames Water)
The government is to introduce legislation which would ensure public sector services maintain minimum service levels during strike action.Under the proposals some trade union members would be required to continue working during a strike. Unions have condemned the proposals, while the Labour party says the plans "won't work".The move comes amid a wave of industrial action across the public sector as workers seek pay rises in the face of the rising cost of living.The Today programme’s Mishal Husain spoke to Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy about the proposed legislation. (Image, striking ambulance workers, Credit, Henry Nicholls/ Reuters)
Hundreds of rioters have been arrested after supporters of former far-right leader Jair Bolsonaro invaded key democratic institutions. The security breach at the heart of Brazilian democracy has drawn comparison with the 6th January 2021 attack on the US Capitol by followers of Donald Trump.There has been international condemnation of the scenes in Brasilia.The Today programme’s Justin Webb spoke to Oliver Stuenkel who teaches international relations at the Vargas Foundation in Sao Paulo, the BBC’s international editor Jeremey Bowen and Marianna Spring, the BBC’s disinformation & social media correspondent.(Image, Brasilia riot, Credit, Adriano Machado/ Reuters)
Today's fourth Christmas guest editor this year is Sir Jeremy Fleming, director of GCHQ, the UK's largest but probably least known intelligence agency. Hear highlights from his programme which centres on the theme of data and trust, including how we all share our own personal information and how intelligence agencies across the world handle that data. Guests include Avril Haines, the United States director of national intelligence, Vint Cerf, one of the founding fathers of the internet, and multiple Olympic champion Sir Ben Ainslie, who discusses the use of data in his sport of sailing.
Amid the current extreme pressure on hospitals -another ambulance strike in England is due next week followed by a further one later in the month and another two nurses strikes. How do we make the NHS better is a question we are going to try and answer - both with listener and expert contributions. The aim is to identify some immediate achievable changes that can make a difference. Today's Mishal Husain and Martha Kearney hear from a medical company has designed technology to create a virtual ward, allowing hospitals to discharge some patients but still monitor their condition while they are recovering at home, and from Richard Murray, Chief Executive of the health think tank the King’s Fund.(IMAGE CREDIT: James Manning/PA Wire)
Today's third guest editor this Christmas is Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was detained for six years in Iran - before being freed and coming home nine months ago. Hear highlights from her programme including the voices of families of current political prisoners in Iran and Nazanin speaking to chef Yotam Ottolenghi about why one of his recipes has a special resonance for her - and about the solidarity that can be found in food and cooking. Nazanin also has an emotional encounter with tennis ace Andy Murray - she tells him how, while in solitary confinement, she was able to watch him win Wimbledon in 2016 and the joy that brought her. With her husband Richard, she also reflects on trying to get back to normal life against the backdrop of the current uprising and arrests in Iran.
Today's second guest editor this Christmas is Jamie Oliver, the chef, entrepreneur and campaigner. Hear highlights from his programme in our Best of Today podcast, including interviews with former Prime Minister Tony Blair, and former Conservative Chancellor George Osborne about expanding free lunches in schools and providing a healthy array of options for students. Jamie Oliver has been open about his struggles in school with dyslexia. He says he was told he was taught alongside those with special needs. Jamie wanted to speak to the rapper Loyle Carner, who has ADHD about his struggles at school and what food means to him.
The National Association of Funeral Directors, which says its members often have to act as counsellors, is organising a petition to get the matter debated in Parliament. It wants one age-appropriate lesson taught to children during PSHE - that's Personal, Social, Health and Economic - classes. Today's Amol Rajan spoke to children's author Michael Rosen and Head of Development and Education at Child Bereavement UK Tracey Boseley about the support available for children.(IMAGE CREDIT: Getty Images / Mark Gibson)
Rishi Sunak has been criticised for dropping Liz Truss’s plans to expand and deregulate childcare. Today's Nick Robinson discusses how childcare can be made more affordable with Christine Farquharson, Senior Research Economist at the IFS, Justine Roberts, founder and chief executive of Mumsnet, and Robin Walker, MP, Chair of the Education Select Committee.(IMAGE CREDIT: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)
Steven Moffat joined Today's Nick Robinson to talk about his new play, the Unfriend, and the differences between writing for stage and screen. They also discuss the futures of his most recent TV offering, Inside Man, the and hit show Sherlock.(Image: Steven Moffat, Credit: Sarah Louise Bennett/BBC)
Today’s final Christmas guest editor this year is Dame Sharon White, chairman of the John Lewis Partnership and former head of telecoms regulator Ofcom. She was named as the most powerful black person in the country in the 2023 Power List. One of the key issues for her programme is how society can help more people who have been in care get into employment – and includes a report from the BBC’s Ashley John-Baptiste, who grew up in care. She also speaks to world renown choreographer Sir Matthew Bourne about how to attract a wider audience to ballet, and she interviews England rugby star Maro Itoje about his activism off the field.
Today’s sixth Christmas guest editor is Anne-Marie Imafidon – computer scientist, CEO and co-presenter of Countdown.Hear highlights of her programme, whose central theme is opportunity. She looks at how we work, how we fund science, and how we recognise the achievements of women which have been lost to history, such as Dr Gladys Mae West, whose maths work paved the way for GPS navigation. We also explore two of Anne-Marie’s big passions – Nigerian food and trainers.
Björn Ulvaeus has guest edited BBC Radio 4's Today and his programme included a lot of insights and encounters about Eurovision. Hear him talk to one of the British jurors who in 1974 gave ABBA's Waterloo "nul points" - and doesn't regret it! He also discusses with Erasure's Andy Bell, Radio 1's Adele Roberts and UK Eurovision presenter Rylan Clark the appeal of the contest and ABBA itself to the LGBT+ community. Bjorn also speaks to Martin Österdahl, executive supervisor of Eurovision, about whether it can move to be a fully global competition. (Photo: ABBA triumph at 1974 Eurovision. Credit: BBC)
Today's fifth Christmas guest editor is Björn Ulvaeus from ABBA.Hear highlights from his programme, which looks at the impact of Artificial Intelligence and technology on music, the future of democracy and of course Eurovision - the contest which launched Abba's global success nearly 50 years ago. Guests include Dave Stewart from the Eurythmics, the historian Noah Yuval Harari, Andy Bell from Erasure, the boss of Eurovision, as well as its UK presenter Rylan Clark, and former culture minister Lord Vaizey.
Today's fourth Christmas guest editor this year is Sir Jeremy Fleming, director of GCHQ, the UK's largest but probably least known intelligence agency. Hear highlights from his programme which centres on the theme of data and trust, including how we all share our own personal information and how intelligence agencies across the world handle that data. Guests include Avril Haines, the United States director of national intelligence, Vint Cerf, one of the founding fathers of the internet, and multiple Olympic champion Sir Ben Ainslie, who discusses the use of data in his sport of sailing.
Today's third guest editor this Christmas is Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was detained for six years in Iran - before being freed and coming home nine months ago. Hear highlights from her programme including the voices of families of current political prisoners in Iran and Nazanin speaking to chef Yotam Ottolenghi about why one of his recipes has a special resonance for her - and about the solidarity that can be found in food and cooking. Nazanin also has an emotional encounter with tennis ace Andy Murray - she tells him how, while in solitary confinement, she was able to watch him win Wimbledon in 2016 and the joy that brought her. With her husband Richard, she also reflects on trying to get back to normal life against the backdrop of the current uprising and arrests in Iran.
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe had been in solitary confinement for months, separated from her husband and daughter, when her Iranian jailors provided a rare glimmer of joy.In July 2016, after months without books or newspapers, she was granted access to a TV with two channels - one showing Iranian soaps, the other Wimbledon tennis matches.She watched as Andy Murray secured his second Wimbledon title on Centre Court - more than 3,000 miles from her prison cell, but just a little over an hour on the Tube from her home in north London.Earlier this month the pair met at the National Tennis Centre.
Today's second guest editor this Christmas is Jamie Oliver, the chef, entrepreneur and campaigner. Hear highlights from his programme in our Best of Today podcast, including interviews with former Prime Minister Tony Blair, and former Conservative Chancellor George Osborne about expanding free lunches in schools and providing a healthy array of options for students.Jamie Oliver has been open about his struggles in school with dyslexia. He says he was told he was taught alongside those with special needs. Jamie wanted to speak to the rapper Loyle Carner, who has ADHD about his struggles at school and what food means to him.
Today's first guest editor this Christmas is Lord Botham, Ian "Beefy" Botham, former England all-rounder, now crossbench peer and UK Trade Envoy to Australia.Hear highlights from his programme in our Best of Today podcast, including an interview with the current England Cricket captain Ben Stokes, about the future of the Test format of the game. It was a chance meeting after a freak injury in 1977 which first put Lord Botham on the path to nearly four decades of fundraising. He reflects on that moment and looks at advances in the treatment of childhood leukaemia, a cause for which he has raised millions of pounds, with the BBC's medical editor Fergus Walsh.
Our first guest editor this Christmas is Lord Botham, Ian "Beefy" Botham, former England all-rounder, crossbench peer and UK Trade Envoy to Australia.Hear highlights from his programme in our Best of Today podcast, including an interview with the current England Cricket captain Ben Stokes, about the future of the test game. It was a chance meeting after a freak injury in 1977 which first put the sportsman on the path to nearly four decades of fundraising. Lord Botham reflects on that moment and looks at advances in the treatment of childhood leukaemia, a cause for which he has raised millions of pounds, with the BBC's medical editor Fergus Walsh.
Most mornings on the programme this year we’ve been talking to our correspondents in Ukraine about the progress of the war- about cities being pummelled by Russian artillery, war crimes, people driven from their homes, and military stalemate in a conflict which has lasted far longer than Vladimir Putin anticipated in February. Today's Martha Kearney spoke to Fiona Hill, one of the world's leading experts on Russia, about what Putin might do next in the Russia-Ukraine War.(IMAGE CREDIT: REUTERS/Gleb Garanich)
President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed US lawmakers on his first foreign trip since Russia's invasion. Mr Zelensky said US military aid to Ukraine was not charity, but an investment in security for the future. His appeal comes amid signs US support is likely to face greater scrutiny by Republican lawmakers in Congress. But President Joe Biden vowed to stick by Ukraine. Today's Martha Kearney spoke to Ben Rhodes, Former US Deputy National Security Adviser under President Obama, and Alexander Rodnyansky, Adviser to President Zelensky.(Image: President Volodymyr Zelensky, Image Credit: Shutterstock, Michael Reynolds)
In his first interview since being sacked as England rugby coach, Eddie Jones tells the Today programme he wouldn’t have done anything differently. Speaking to Today's Garry Richardson, Jones says he sensed his sacking by England was imminent. Jones, who led England to the rugby World Cup final in 2019, was dismissed earlier this month after a poor run of form. Jones also spoke to Garry about the messages he’s received from players and who he might coach next.(Image: Eddie Jones, Image Credit: EPA, Andy Rain)
The Liberty Choir sees volunteers go into prisons for weekly singing sessions with inmates, aiming to teach confidence skills and stay in touch once they’re out. Covid brought all such contact to an end. Now the choir has re-started, Today's Mishal Husain went to see it again and speak to a prison governor about its work – this time at HMP Coldingley in Surrey.(Image: Singer with choir book; Credit: Getty Images/Sonja Filitz)
The Today programme has asked some well-known faces to talk about the walks they do and why they’re so important to them at this time of year. Author Joanne Harris, best known for her novel Chocolat, describes her favourite walk from Almondbury, near Huddersfield, and up to Castle Hill. (Image credit: Simone Padovani/Awakening/Getty Images)
The Today programme has asked some well-known faces to talk about the walks they do and why they’re so important to them as part of a winter walks series. Author Hunter Davies, best known for the only authorised biography of the Beatles, describes his favourite walk along Ryde Sands on the Isle of Wight. (Image Credit: Laura Palmer/BBC)
The Today programme has asked some well-known voices to tell us about their favourite walks at this time of year. Novelist and journalist Jojo Moyes - best known for 'Me Before You' - describes a walk where she is often accompanied by her dogs in Essex, and how it’s helped her when life is challenging.(Image Credit: Jojo Moyes)
The Today programme has asked some well-known faces to talk about the walks they do and why they’re so important to them as part of a winter walks series.Author Michelle Gallen, who wrote 'Big Girl, Small Town' and 'Factory Girls', describes her favourite walk near her childhood home in Castlederg, West Tyrone.(Image Credit: Deci Gallen)
The Today programme has asked some well-known faces to talk about about the walks they do and why they’re so important to them as part of a winter walks series.Author Michael Morpurgo, best known for children's novel War Horse, describes his favourite stroll near his home in Devon.
The Today programme has asked some well-known faces to talk about about the walks they do and why they’re so important to them as part of a winter walks series.The poet, who was National Poet of Wales from 2008 to 2016, Gillian Clarke has chosen a path close to her home in Ceredigion.
The Today programme invites some well known faces to speak about their favourite winter walk.Novelist and history writer Kate Mosse describes her walk through Fishbourne Marshes, near Chichester in West Sussex, from the old duck pond round to Bosham and back again.(Image credit: James Watkins/ BBC)
The Today programme is inviting some famous faces to speak about their favourite winter walk. Poet Laureate Simon Armitage describes his walks up Pule Hill, the high point above Marsden and an exposed look-out post over Yorkshire, Lancashire and a high corner of Derbyshire. (Image, Simon Armistage, Credit, Emma Gibbs, BBC)
The Today programme is inviting some famous faces to describe their favourite winter walk. Actor Rory Kinnear lovingly tells of walking his son and daughter to school.(Image, Rory Kinnear, Credit, Sarah Jeynes, BBC)
Michael O’Leary has been Chief Executive of Ryanair since 1994, and was appointed CEO of Ryanair Holdings, Europe’s largest airline group, in 2019. He’s been speaking to Today’s business presenter Sean Farrington about his unhappiness with post-Brexit Britain, the impact of inflation on his business, and why we’ve probably seen the last of the €10 flight.(Image, Michael O'Leary; Credit, Getty Images)
Dame Sharon White is the Chairman of John Lewis Partnership. Overseeing a team of 80,000 partners working at branches and offices of supermarket Waitrose and department store John Lewis around the country, White took over the retailer in February 2020.She talks to Today’s business presenter Sean Farrington about the number of people who have left the labour market since covid and the impact she believes it could have on the economy.(Image, Dame Sharon White, Credit, John Lewis Partnership)
The government wants to cut up to 91,000 civil service jobs to save money. Today’s Justin Webb speaks to the head of the civil service union and to Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Minister for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency.
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Apple announced it was going to discontinue the iPod after 21 years which brings an end to the device widely praised for revolutionising how people listen to music. Amol Rajan spoke to its inventor Tony Fadell about the iPod’s legacy, recent technological developments and his new book ‘Build: An Unorthodox Guide to Making things worth Making.’
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At the BAFTAS last weekend another hit from Jimmy McGovern was honoured. The prison drama Time won best mini-series and best actor for Sean Bean. For the programme which was broadcast from Liverpool, Mishal Husain speaks to screenwriter Jimmy McGovern about his work and how the city’s changed over his life.
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Throughout the pandemic ‘Today’ followed Wales High School near Rotherham, as they struggled with remote learning, Covid absences and teacher assessed grades. As students there prepare to take the first public exams for two years, Mishal Husain went back to the school to meet with headteacher Pepe Di'Lasio. This summer will be the first exam experience for 17 and 18-year-olds as their GCSEs and National 5s were affected in 2020. Grades are being awarded in the usual way using external marking but the grade boundaries will be more lenient. Mishal also spoke to Ian Bauckham the Chair of Ofqual, England's exam regulator.
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Today's Lyse Doucet reports from Dnipro in the east of central Ukraine on the families sheltering from the war, and reaction to Vladimir Putin’s speech at the annual Victory Day parade to celebrate the Soviet Union’s part in World War Two.
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Yesterday the Prime Minister signalled his determination to lift all remaining COVID rules in England two weeks from today on February 24th. It would mean people wouldn't have to isolate if they have covid, even though that would still be recommended. Today’s Nick Robinson spoke to Professor Melinda Mills, Head of the Department of Sociology at Oxford University and member of the sub-group of SAGE, SPI-B. Also on the programme was Jonathan Neame, Chief Executive of Shepherds Neame pub chain. While the proposed changes would only apply to England, the programme heard from BBC Wales correspondent Hywel Griffith and BBC Scotland correspondent Jamie McIver about the potential for easing restrictions there. Finally, Today’s Martha Kearney spoke to Humza Yousaf, the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care in the Scottish Government, after the SNP called the PM’s proposal to end self-isolation ‘bizarre’.
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"Disgraceful" misogyny, discrimination, bullying and sexual harassment have been discovered within the ranks of the Met Police by the police watchdog. Officers were found to have joked about rape and exchanged offensive social media messages, leading to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to make 15 recommendations. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick has been put "on notice" by the Mayor of London after "shocking" behaviour by some officers was found.
Today's Mishal Husain speaks to London Mayor Sadiq Khan about what the commissioner must do now to tackle these issues.
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The Oscar nominations included one for Lin-Manuel Miranda for a song from the Disney animated film, Encanto. He’s also the man behind the musical 'Hamilton' who has just directed a film for the first time - which produced a best actor Oscar nomination for Andrew Garfield. It’s called Tick Tick Boom and is based on the story of Jonathan Larsen, who wrote the musical Rent but died on its opening night in 1996. Today’s Mishal Husain spoke to Lin-Manuel Miranda about Larsen's influence on his work.
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Boris Johnson is facing fresh calls from Tory MPs to say sorry for his comments about Sir Keir Starmer's failure to prosecute Jimmy Savile, after the Labour leader was targeted by protestors near Parliament on Monday. In footage posted online, demonstrators can be heard shouting "paedophile protector". The false claim about Jimmy Savile was made last week by Boris Johnson as he responded to the initial findings of an inquiry into lockdown parties in Downing Street. The Prime Minister said the behaviour directed at Sir Keir last night was "absolutely disgraceful".
Today's Nick Robinson speaks to Brendan Cox, co-founder of Survivors Against Terror whose wife Jo Cox was murdered in her constituency of Batley and Spen in 2016. He also speaks to Conservative minister Chris Philp MP and Philip Grindell, the police officer who set up the team responsible for MPs security following the Labour MP Jo Cox’s murder.
(Image credit: Victoria Jones/PA Wire)
6 million people in England are on waiting lists for non-urgent operations and procedures. It is an all-time high with 1 in 20 of those having waited over a year for treatment, while eighteen and a half thousand people have been waiting more than two years. On Monday the government was expected to unveil its National Recovery Plan for the NHS. However, the plan is on hold amid reports of a disagreement about the cost within Whitehall. Only one part of it, a new online platform called My Planned Care, is now being unveiled. This will allow people needing non-urgent surgery to get information about waiting times.
Today's Nick Robinson speaks to Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive of the NHS Confederation, as well as Sajid Javid, Health Secretary.
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To mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Celebrations, the Queen’s Green Canopy has invited people to "Plant a Tree for the Jubilee". The aim is to create a network of individual trees, avenues, copses and whole woodlands in honour of The Queen's service, and the legacy she has built. Actor and National Treasure Dame Judi Dench is a Queen's Green Canopy Ambassador and has planted a Himalayan birch tree in her garden as part of the initiative, she has been speaking to Martha Kearney on the Today Programme about her love of trees and explains why each tree planted in her garden has a very personal memory or connection.
Today's Martha Kearney discusses the resignations of a string of the prime minister's aides with senior Conservative MP Huw Merriman, Nikki da Costa, former Director Of Legislative Affairs and ex-No 10 chief of staff Gavin Barwell. Today’s Mishal Husain puts the problems - and rising energy costs - to Greg Hands, the Minister of Energy.
(Image Credits: Andrew Parsons / No10 Downing St)
Jacky Wright is the Chief Digital Officer and Corporate Vice President at Microsoft US. For her Today guest edit, she asked whether young people are being taught the skills they need for the workplaces and jobs of the future.
She grew up in Tottenham, North London, and went back for the programme, asking A level students at a school there what they thought would make them employable.
She also used the programme to explore what everyday life was like for the generation of multiracial children born during World War Two.
Jacky spoke about the importance of role models with one of her own: Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former President of Liberia and the first elected female head of state in Africa.
And there was also time for her to talk about her love of CSI with the show’s creator Anthony Zuiker.
Mina Smallman, guest edited our first Today programme of 2022. Mina is a former Church of England archdeacon and school principal, who began campaigning on violence against women and equity in how victims are seen after two of her daughters were murdered. Nicole Smallman and Bibaa Henry were murdered in a London park in 2020.
For her programme Mina invited Mishal Husain to accompany her and her family and friends on a difficult visit back to the place where Nicole and Bibaa died, where a tree was being planted in their memory.
Mina also used her programme to highlight the work of Victim Support and chaplains working in prisons, hospitals and rural communities.
Dr Jane Goodall is a primatologist, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and a UN Messenger of Peace. She is best known for revolutionising the world's understanding of chimpanzees.
She used her Today guest edit to explore some of the ways we can inspire change to protect animals and our environment. She asked the BBC’s Climate Editor, Justin Rowlatt, to look at the links between poverty and climate change. The programme featured reporting from Tanzania where 30 years ago Jane challenged a group of students to take action to protect the wildlife in their towns and villages. Martha Kearney interviewed the Environment Minister Zac Goldsmith on Jane’s behalf, asking him about COP 26 and trophy hunting. There’s music from Notre Dame and Jane reflects on the reaction to her work and image in the 1960s. With Martha Kearney and Mishal Husain.
General Sir Nick Carter is a retired senior army officer who served as the UK’s Chief of Defence Staff until November this year. He used his Today guest edit to focus on the fallout from the US military withdrawal from Afghanistan. He spoke to former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, the man in charge of the country before the Taliban takeover. He also chatted with retired racing legend AP McCoy about what his own retirement might have in store for him. Finally, Sir Nick explored his deep love of whiskey with an international blind tasting.
The England and Manchester City footballer, Raheem Sterling used his Today programme guest to look at the issue of social mobility, after launching his own foundation earlier this year. His programme featured reporting from Jamaica where he was born and North London where he grew up.
For his programme he also sat down with England manager, Gareth Southgate, the man he credits for his transition from being a target for a hostile press to a young man now trying to be the role model which so many call on footballers to become.
It also featured interviews with his mum Nadine and his sporting hero Usain Bolt. With Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson.
Today programme guest editor, the England and Manchester City player, Raheem Sterling wanted discuss what he, his team mates and the country had learned following the Euros this summer.
For his programme he sat down with England manager, Gareth Southgate, the man he credits for his transition from being a target for a hostile press to a young man now trying to be the role model which so many call on footballers to become. Nick Robinson travelled to St George’s Park to meet them both.
James Rebanks is a Cumbrian sheep farmer and bestselling author. He used his Today programme guest edit to focus on the government's changes to farm subsidies and to look at whether urban farms can create healthy and happy communities. He discussed whether the British countryside is diverse enough and asked how it can attract a workforce that better reflects modern Britain.
Finally, indoctrinated by his father who took him to his first game at Anfield when he was ten, James Rebanks wanted us to talk about Jurgen Klopp and his why he’s popular not only among Liverpool fans, but beyond. With Nick Robinson and Mishal Husain.
Lord Dobbs, Michael Dobbs, is a Conservative Peer and author. He has written more than 20 books, but is best known for his political thriller House of Cards. He used his Today Programme guest edit to look at prostate cancer, after his diagnosis earlier this year. It’s a disease which killed his father and brother. His programme also featured a conversation with the Duchess of Cornwall about the importance of reading and a special retelling of the Christmas story from Joseph’s perspective, written and read by Marcus Brigstocke. Featuring Nick Robinson and Justin Webb.
Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin, the Bishop of Dover, presents the highlights from her guest edit of Today. The South African concept ‘Ubuntu’ or “I am because you are” is at the heart of her programme, reflecting on our common humanity. She hears from students at a pupil referrals unit, the charity Justice Defenders who work to improve access to justice, and also a Uighur child refugee exiled in Turkey. Including Mishal Husain and Martha Kearney.
(Image: Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin, credit: Jim Drew)
Snap CEO Evan Spiegel presents all the highlights from his guest edit for Today, on the theme of the future of the USA. He looks at what big ideas have shaped modern America and what will continue to define it, including justice reform, how society can make wiser investments and the balance of power between tech companies and government. Including Mishal Husain and Simon Jack.
(Image: Evan Spiegel, credit: Snap Inc)
Twice Booker Prize-winning author Margaret Atwood guest edits Today, looking at the theme of change. She interviews climate activist (and 2019 Today guest editor) Greta Thunberg and speaks to the Prince of Wales about campaigning for the environment over several decades. Also, Margaret’s Booker Prize co-winner Bernardine Evaristo speaks to gal-dem founder Liv Little and birdwatcher extraordinaire Mya-Rose Craig, aka Birdgirl. Including Martha Kearney and Simon Jack.
(Image: Margaret Atwood, credit: Luis Mora)
Record-breaking Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton guest edits Today, looking at black British history, the environment, and the power of sport. Lewis speaks to historian Professor David Olusoga about the Black Lives Matter movement and black British historical figures who deserve more attention. We also hear from conservationist Dame Jane Goodall on animal extinction, and find out how motor racing is trying to become more environmentally friendly. Presented by Nick Robinson and Justin Webb.
(Image: Lewis Hamilton)
Sir Jeremy Farrar, the director of the health research foundation Wellcome Trust, guest edits Today along the theme of uncertainty and clarity in complex times. Sir Jeremy speaks to Dr Anthony Fauci about mixing politics and science, and we hear from Erna Solberg, the Prime Minister of Norway, on leading in uncertain times. Author Elif Shafak gives a more literary take on uncertainty, and England cricketers Sir Andrew Strauss and Nat Sciver discuss how elite sport has adapted in 2020. Also, a special performance from the Wellcome Voices choir. With Nick Robinson and Simon Jack.
(Image: Sir Jeremy Farrar, credit: Dave Guttridge, Francis Crick Institute)
Highlights from Prue Leith's guest edit, presented by Prue herself. Including... a discussion of the issue of assisted dying and how hospitals are trying to improve their food. Also - two cherries on top of an already lovely cake - Prue having a singing lesson... and Olympic diver Tom Daley discussing craft and the new swimming trunks he has crocheted! Also featuring Justin Webb and Mishal Husain. Enjoy.
(Image: Prue Leith Credit: Clive Holmes Agency)
All the highlights from podcaster and spoken word artist George the Poet's guest edited programme, including a reflection of identity in Uganda, DJ Target on the development of grime music, Ziggy Marley on legalising marijuana, economist Mariana Mazzucato on how society thinks about value, and are video games good for your brain? Presented by Martha Kearney and Sarah Smith, and additional sound design by Benbrick.
(Image: George the Poet, credit: BBC)