The latest shipping forecast.

The latest news from BBC Radio 4.

A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Bishop Joe Aldred.

A badger culling pilot in England moves a step closer, as a group of farmers in Gloucestershire are issued with a provisional licence to cull. Show more

Jim Al-Khalili interviews Prof David Nutt about his research into using psychedelic drugs to treat depression. Show more

Sarfraz Manzoor explores the risks and rewards of taking a personal story and making it public. He talks to Judith Kerr, author of When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit. Show more

Nigel Slater on his new book, Tessa Jowell on her retirement from front-bench politics, women in the Mormon church, and author Bridget O'Donnell. Presented by Jane Garvey. Show more

A freezing cold winter gives way to a May heatwave, and the dreaded bubonic plague claims its first victims. With Kris Marshall, Katherine Jakeways. Show more

Brett Westwood asks what role brownfield sites across the UK can play in building wildlife into our built environment and bringing nature closer to 80 per cent of the population. Show more

The enduring appeal of the Dire Straits classic, Brothers in Arms, is explored. With John Illsley and Sam Millar. From September 2012. Show more

The latest weather forecast.

National and international news with Martha Kearney. Listeners can share their views via email: wato@bbc.co.uk or on twitter: #wato.

Juliet Gardiner explores the ideas of Karl Marx, who envisaged that the future was predetermined, not by God, but by inexorable economic forces. From September 2012. Show more

Darrell brings bad news. Meanwhile Christine finds a knight in shining armour. Show more

Series set in a Manchester legal practice, created by Tom Fry and Sharon Kelly. Frank thinks he's going to have a quiet day, but then a childhood pal turns up. Show more

Nina Garthwaite presents mini-documentaries with tales of love, lying and a having a loose grip on reality. From September 2012. Show more

Ten stories from the shortlist for this prestigious award. A Seoul businessman has his eyes opened to intriguing new possibilities when he takes in a tenant. Read by David KS Tse. Show more

Michael Portillo revisits the great moments of history and looks at the reputation of King Alfred the Great - bold English hero or Anglo Saxon spin-doctor? Show more

Former home secretary Alan Johnson chooses the writer George Orwell. With Jean Seaton and Matthew Parris. From 2012. Show more

Full coverage and analysis of the day's news with Eddie Mair. Includes Weather.

The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.

From Al Pacino to Paul McCartney, Jon Culshaw and friends imagine the private lives of the famous. From September 2012. Show more

Pawel needs to talk and Joe makes the most of his big day. Show more

Mark Lawson interviews Gareth Malone and comedian Greg Davies, plus Brad Pitt's latest Killing Them Softly reviewed, and the latest BBC International Short Story Award contender. Show more

A freezing cold winter gives way to a May heatwave, and the dreaded bubonic plague claims its first victims. With Kris Marshall, Katherine Jakeways. Show more

Rana Mitter is in Beijing to find out how China's government is hoping to improve welfare for its 1.3 billion citizens, with the surprising aim of fostering a nation of consumers. Show more

Peter White talks to visually impaired people who have set themselves up in business, exploring some of the problems they face and how they deal with them. Show more

US research says screening all women for ovarian cancer does more harm than good. Plus listeners' emails on gallstones, vegetarianism and a constant urge to clear one's throat. Show more

Jim Al-Khalili interviews Prof David Nutt about his research into using psychedelic drugs to treat depression. Show more

The latest weather forecast.

Nato forces in Afghanistan, the killing of two police officers in Manchester, and the hypocrisy around the Kate Middleton photos. News round-up with Robin Lustig. Show more

Merivel finds adventure and surprise as he sets out on a dazzling journey to the glittering court at Versailles by way of the court of Charles II. Read by Nicholas Woodeson. Show more

Nick Perry's dramatisation of Ted Lewis's crime classic Get Carter. Jack's discovery that Frank's daughter had appeared in a pornographic film drives him to seek out her co-star. Show more

The Commons sits for its final day before the party conference season. Susan Hulme has the best of the day's debates. Show more

The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4. Followed by Weather.

In his autobiography, Salman Rushdie describes how storytelling was central to his life as a youngster, then it's on to schooldays at Rugby. Show more

The latest shipping forecast.

BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.