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The latest news from BBC Radio 4.

A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with the Reverend Dr Stephen Cherry, dean of King's College Cambridge. Show more

Avian flu arrives in mainland Europe, leading to lock-down among poultry farmers. Plus how weather forecasting can help farmers prepare for all conditions. Show more

Martin Hughes-Games presents the siskin. These birds now breed across the UK and cash in on our love of bird-feeding. Show more

Morning news and current affairs. Including Yesterday in Parliament, Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.

Monet's work on la grande decoration continues at pace. His great friend Georges Clemenceau wants the artist to donate some works to the state, and this causes problems! Show more

As Rose awaits news of Bayley and the baby, she meets Sam once again. With Rebecca Humphries and Matthew Baynton . From 2016. Show more

Alex Capstick reports on how black sporting talent in South Africa is still struggling to break through into elite sports in the country. Show more

Corin Throsby explores the rich cultural life of Australia. Corin explores the influence of Aboriginal voices and those from recent immigrant populations within Australian culture. Show more

Does the full moon make us act strangely? Crime, suicide and accidents are all said to increase when the moon reaches maximum. But is this really true? Show more

New figures on how much money energy firms are holding in customer credit, why sherry is making a comeback and the new, cheaper alternatives to buying household goods on credit. Show more

The latest weather forecast.

Analysis of news and current affairs.

Half of teenage pregnancies vanished. But how? Michael Blastland searches for a means. Could a simple mouse trap be responsible? Show more

Helen has a heavy heart, and Susan has her ear to the ground. Show more

4 Extra Debut. Two men are determined to persuade the King from a marriage they feel isn’t only unsuitable but also wrong. Stars Jim Broadbent. Show more

Helen Mark visits Eaglesham Moor in Scotland, home of the UK's largest onshore wind farm. Show more

The Rev Dr Sam Wells makes the 90th Radio 4 Christmas Appeal for the work of St Martin-in-the-Fields with homeless people. Show more

American writer Jay McInerney discusses his debut novel Bright Lights, Big City, which established him as the chronicler of New York's hedonistic 1980s elite. With James Naughtie. Show more

Francine Stock visits the setting and locations of The Proud Valley, which starred Paul Robeson, actor, activist, singer, linguist, lawyer and honorary Welshman. Show more

Could rocks studied by the Mars rover Spirit contain the hallmarks of ancient life? Adam Rutherford hears about a discovery in hot springs in Chile with intriguing new clues. Show more

Downing Street says Boris Johnson's Saudi comments are not the government's views.

Sparks fly when inventor Benjamin Franklin meets the ladies of a secret scholarly society. Stars Gavin Mitchell. From 2016. Show more

Usha meets a prospective tenant, and Jill faces up to the enemy. Show more

Oliver Stone's new film about the whistleblower Edward Snowden reviewed, the Christmas books market, including the Ladybird and The Famous Five spoofs, artist Wynford Dewhurst. Show more

As Rose awaits news of Bayley and the baby, she meets Sam once again. With Rebecca Humphries and Matthew Baynton . From 2016. Show more

What are the policies and political decisions which led to the current crisis in prisons? Show more

More is now spent on digital ads in the UK than all other forms of advertising combined. Matthew Gwyther asks what the ad agencies are doing in the face of such challenges. Show more

Could rocks studied by the Mars rover Spirit contain the hallmarks of ancient life? Adam Rutherford hears about a discovery in hot springs in Chile with intriguing new clues. Show more

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Harriet Martineau who wrote extensively in the C19th on a wide range of subjects including abolition, and is called the mother of sociology. Show more

The latest weather forecast.

Russia says the Syrian army has halted military operations in eastern Aleppo so that thousands of civilians can be evacuated. Show more

A short story by Ian McEwan and told in two episodes. Roger Allam reads the tale of two writers - one of whom commits literary theft. Show more

Thom’s riveted by the extravaganza of Straight-to-DVD Bollywood films – drawing parallels with his own life. From 2013. Show more

Susan Hulme reports from Westminster as the Commons hears powerful and moving accounts by two MPs of rape and attempted rape. Show more

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

Monet's work on la grande decoration continues at pace. His great friend Georges Clemenceau wants the artist to donate some works to the state, and this causes problems! Show more

The latest shipping forecast.