Best of Today

• Updated:
  Daily
• Average duration:
  6 minutes

Show all episodes (95)

Recent episodes (10)

• Iraq inquiry should provide 'full answers'

  Tue, 24 Nov 09

  Duration:
  13 mins

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

  Download 6MB (right click & "save target as")

• Trial 'felt like continued abuse'

  Tue, 24 Nov 09

  Duration:
  4 mins

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

  Download 2MB (right click & "save target as")

• Northern Ireland dissident threat 'deeply personal'

  Mon, 23 Nov 09

  Duration:
  11 mins

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

  Download 6MB (right click & "save target as")

• Great Escape Plot

  Mon, 23 Nov 09

  Duration:
  4 mins

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

  Download 2MB (right click & "save target as")

• 'Like a war town'

  Sat, 21 Nov 09

  Duration:
  8 mins

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

  Download 4MB (right click & "save target as")

• Budget shops 'opportunistic'

  Sat, 21 Nov 09

  Duration:
  7 mins

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

  Download 4MB (right click & "save target as")

• Vintage Agatha Christie story released

  Fri, 20 Nov 09

  Duration:
  4 mins

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

  Download 2MB (right click & "save target as")

• Ashton appointment 'not a fudge'

  Fri, 20 Nov 09

  Duration:
  9 mins

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

  Download 5MB (right click & "save target as")

• Cameron: Queen's Speech 'unravelling'

  Thu, 19 Nov 09

  Duration:
  6 mins

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

  Download 3MB (right click & "save target as")

• Yes Minister in the Ukraine

  Thu, 19 Nov 09

  Duration:
  6 mins

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

  Download 3MB (right click & "save target as")

Play recent episodes