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Best of Today

Best of Today

Insight, analysis and expert debate as key policy makers are challenged on the latest news stories. As part of a short trial, episodes of this podcast will be available until the end of December 2009. To find out more visit bbc.co.uk/podcasts/trial

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  • Average duration:
    8 minutes

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Recent episodes (10)

  • 100th UK Afghan death 'increases determination'

    Tue, 8 Dec 09

    Duration:
    12 mins

    Yesterday saw another grim milestone in Afghanistan: the 100th British soldier to be killed there this year. General Sir Richard Dannatt was head of the army until August this year. He has since become an adviser to the Conservatives and has granted the Today programme his first public interview since retiring.

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  • Knox guilty verdict 'stuns' US

    Tue, 8 Dec 09

    Duration:
    4 mins

    The American public are angered at the guilty verdict passed on Amanda Knox for the murder of British student Meredith Kercher in Italy. Newspapers and broadcasters have been discussing the best strategies for a successful appeal for Ms Knox, who was sentenced to 26 years in prison in an Italian court last week. Correspondent Kevin Connolly reports from Washington on the reaction to the case.

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  • Who is in Who's Who for 2010?

    Mon, 7 Dec 09

    Duration:
    4 mins

    The 2010 edition of Who's Who goes on sale today. Richard Fitzwilliams was the editor of International Who's Who for 16 years and says it should be more up to date.

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  • 'A deal consistent with the science'

    Mon, 7 Dec 09

    Duration:
    11 mins

    Delegates from 192 countries are gathering in the Danish capital Copenhagen for the opening of the long-awaited UN summit on climate change. The conference has been described by some scientists as the most important the world has ever seen. Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband outlines the conference's aims.

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  • Politicians 'want science certainty'

    Sat, 5 Dec 09

    Duration:
    10 mins

    How do you balance scientific facts with public policy? Scientists are faced with pressure to present evidence on issues of public policy, and to lobby for a particular outcome. Leaked emails from the University of East Anglia which imply that climate change data was manipulated have demonstrated the clash between politics and science. Correspondent Tom Feilden reports on the latest 'emailgate' developments, and Professor Malcolm Grant, President and Provost of UCL, discusses how far politics should rely on science.

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  • Rankin 'cack-handed' with technology

    Sat, 5 Dec 09

    Duration:
    8 mins

    Do you prefer to write with a keyboard or pen? A typewriter belonging to American novelist Cormac McCarthy has sold for £150,000 at an auction in New York. The old light blue Olivetti machine was used by the novelist for 50 years, and has shocked some writers who use a computer to work. Crime writer Ian Rankin, who uses a computer, and author Philip Henshaw who writes his works with a green pen, discuss writers' implement of choice.

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  • Intelligent cinema 'a casualty'

    Fri, 4 Dec 09

    Duration:
    6 mins

    Does an all-star cast make or break a movie? The film "Nine" which had its UK premiere in London last night, is notable for its long list of big name stars including Daniel Day-Lewis, Nicole Kidman, Judi Dench, Penelope Cruz, Sophia Loren, and Marion Cotillard. Oscar wining director Ken Russell and The Times' film critic James Christopher debate how far a cast-list contributes to a film's success.

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  • 'The political implications of this are huge'

    Fri, 4 Dec 09

    Duration:
    13 mins

    Emails stolen from the University of East Anglia's Climate Research Unit reveal that figures on global warming were changed to exacerbate the threat. The UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has told the BBC it is taking the matter very seriously and will investigate the emails. Saudi Arabia has said that the emails will have a "huge impact" on the talks and that countries will now be unwilling to cut emissions. Environment correspondent Richard Black outlines the accusations. Philip Stott, emeritus professor of Biogeography at the University of London, and environmentalist and writer Jonathon Porritt, discuss whether the row could have the potential to derail the Copenhagen climate talks.

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  • Bhopal's victims 25 years on

    Thu, 3 Dec 09

    Duration:
    6 mins

    25 years ago today the central Indian city of Bhopal awoke to the horror of the world's worst industrial disaster. 40 tons of a deadly gas had leaked from the Union Carbide pesticide plant, killing more than 8,000 people living in the poor and densely populated neighbourhoods nearby. Correspondent Allan Little reports from Bhopal and investigates how people are still trying to cope with the damage.

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  • Care review's 'very mixed picture'

    Thu, 3 Dec 09

    Duration:
    12 mins

    A comprehensive account of adult care services by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) is published today. The CQC identified eight councils where services are in urgent need of improvement - Poole, Cornwall, Solihull, Surrey, South Tyneside, Southwark, Peterborough and Bromley. With an increase in the number of elderly people in care homes, or receiving care at home, the quality of social care is urgent. 'Pamela', who is campaigning for better standards in care reflects on her experiences, and Baroness Young, chair of the CQC, discusses the report.

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