Best of Today

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Recent episodes (10)

• Politicians 'play language game'

  Thu, 9 Jul 09

  Duration:
  6 mins

  Is the language politicians and policy makers use clear or confusing? The Public Administration Committee is today holding a public hearing on how the government uses, and misuses, language. Matthew Parris, Times columnist and former MP, and linguistics expert Professor David Crystal discuss the evidence they will give to the committee.

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• News of the World 'bugging' claim

  Thu, 9 Jul 09

  Duration:
  17 mins

  The Guardian newspaper alleges that News International, which owns the News Of The World, has secretly paid more than £1m in out-of-court settlements after its journalists were accused of involvement in phone hacking. Media correspondent Torin Douglas, and Andrew Neil, a veteran of News International and former Editor of the Sunday Times discuss whether phone hacking has become commonplace in modern journalism. Following the allegations, John Prescott called for David Cameron to get rid of his director of communications, Andy Coulson, who was the News of the World editor at the time of the scandal. Political editor Nick Robinson and former home secretary Charles Clarke discuss whether Mr Coulson should be held responsible.

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• Nick Clegg - UK 'lacks strategy' in Afghanistan

  Thu, 9 Jul 09

  Duration:
  9 mins

  Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has questioned whether the government has the political will to see through the UK's military campaign in Afghanistan. Correspondent Ian Pannell reports from Afghanistan where he is with US troops fighting in Helmand. Nick Clegg discusses the government's tactics in Afghanistan.

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• 'Sceptical' over lab sperm claim

  Wed, 8 Jul 09

  Duration:
  7 mins

  Scientists in Newcastle say they have achieved a world first by creating human sperm in a laboratory. The researchers believe the work could eventually help men with fertility problems to conceive. But other experts question the breakthrough. Professor Karim Nayernia, who has been leading the research at the University of Newcastle, and Dr Allan Pacey, senior lecturer in Andrology at the University of Sheffield, discuss the viability of the research.

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• 'Tangible success' in Afghanistan war

  Wed, 8 Jul 09

  Duration:
  9 mins

  UK forces are on a major offensive against the Taliban in Afghanistan. Ian Pannell reports from the front line and Lt Col Nick Richardson discusses troop moral following the deaths of six soldiers in the last week.

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• Accounts of Xinjiang violence

  Tue, 7 Jul 09

  Duration:
  8 mins

  Chinese police have arrested more than 1,400 people in connection with rioting in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang region, state media says. The Chinese government has blamed exiled separatists for the unrest. Correspondent Quentin Sommerville reports from pro-government protests in Urumqi. Liu Weimin, a spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in London, discusses whether there is evidence of outside involvement.

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• Social housing discrimination 'is a myth'

  Tue, 7 Jul 09

  Duration:
  13 mins

  Claims that immigrants are given unfair access to social housing have been discounted in a new study. The report, by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), says that immigrants who have moved to the UK in the last five years account for less than 2% of social housing. EHRC director of policy, Andrea Murray and Housing Minister John Healey discuss the report.

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• Tower block design questioned

  Mon, 6 Jul 09

  Duration:
  7 mins

  A local politician has called for an investigation into the safety of tower blocks across the country following the death of six people in a fire at a south London high-rise. Jenny Jones, chair of the London Assembly planning and housing committee and Sunand Prasad, president of the Royal Institute of British Architects, discuss the concerns about the safety of tower blocks of similar design.

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• Cameron promises end to quango 'empire building'

  Mon, 6 Jul 09

  Duration:
  11 mins

  Conservative leader David Cameron is to pledge to reduce the number of unelected quangos in a speech to the Reform think tank. He discusses how a Conservative government would cut the 790 quangos, which currently cost £35bn a year.

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• Buzz Aldrin tells of moon landing

  Fri, 3 Jul 09

  Duration:
  7 mins

  Buzz Aldrin was the second man to step foot on the surface of the moon in July 1969. Forty years on from the Apollo 11 mission to the moon we take you back to when President Richard Nixon talks to Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong. And Buzz Aldrin talks about his new book "Magnificent Desolation".

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