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The latest news from BBC Radio 4

A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Sarah Joseph. Show more

The government's new action plan for animal welfare promises, among other things, that animals will be recognised as ‘sentient beings’ in law. Show more

David Lindo the Urban Birder on seeing an osprey next to Wormwood Scrubs in London. Show more

News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.

Sheetal Surti is proud of her South Asian heritage but when vitiligo caused all of her brown skin to turn white, she tells Jane Garvey, it had a profound effect on her. Show more

Perhaps the most famous Chinese person in history, Confucius was the philosopher and ethicist who advocated a path of calmness in the midst of social turmoil. Show more

Emma Barnett talks to astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti, we talk to Jackie Weaver after her Brits appearance, our series Second Chances continues and celebrities and the male gaze. Show more

Giles and Grace seize on a new possibility of freedom. Hardy's novel of passion and ambition is dramatised by Ayeesha Menon and stars Oliver Hembrough, Holli Dempsey and Katy Sobey Show more

Twenty years on from the 2001 summer of race riots in northern England, Barnie Choudhury returns to Oldham, investigating the flashpoint and its repercussions for the UK today. Show more

Don't mention the goats! Mark Steel visits North Devon and performs a bespoke stand up show for the locals. From 2016. Show more

When an Antarctic expedition goes wrong, the consequences are far-reaching, in Jon McGregor's new novel. Today: heart-stopping moments at the inquest into Thomas' death... Show more

Why Scotland is tackling the cladding crisis differently from the rest of the UK. The risks of rushing to book a foreign holiday this summer.
The boom in sales of sex toys. Show more

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Forty-five minutes of news, analysis and comment, with Sarah Montague.

Chris Mason and Anita Anand meet some of the listeners who have got in touch with Any Questions and Any Answers. Today, we hear from Nina. Show more

Chris pulls no punches and Joy lets Elizabeth in on a secret. Show more

Toby Jones stars as a corrupt politician and financier in GF Newman's powerful series. While waiting for a visit in prison from Leah, Brian receives some devastating news. Show more

Felicity Hannah and guests discuss the rising costs of buying a pet, keeping it well & safe and the demand to cater for all their needs from luxury food to care day. Show more

Can listening to soap operas help us psychologically? Do they help to relieve lockdown boredom as well as cut the stigma around topics like alcoholism? Show more

Blackface and minstrelsy - Laurie Taylor explores a troubled history. Show more

Who sets the news agenda - and what role do politicians play? Show more

Afternoon news and current affairs programme, reporting on breaking stories and summing up the day's headlines.

PM sets date for Covid public inquiry but victims families say its too late

UN says it fears "full-scale war" between Israeli forces and Palestinian militants

After Mitch declines her offer, Ellie asks Will to a wedding, causing Mitch to panic as Ellie and Will seem to hit it off while preparing for their day out. Stars Angus Deayton. Show more

Fallon wants tongues to stop wagging but Emma can’t hold hers any longer. Show more

Theatres in England will reopen soon, what will the experience be like for audiences and staff? How is the money they receive from The Cultural Recovery Fund being spent? Show more

Giles and Grace seize on a new possibility of freedom. Hardy's novel of passion and ambition is dramatised by Ayeesha Menon and stars Oliver Hembrough, Holli Dempsey and Katy Sobey Show more

Sheetal Surti is proud of her South Asian heritage but when vitiligo caused all of her brown skin to turn white, she tells Jane Garvey, it had a profound effect on her. Show more

Qasa Alom is a young, third generation British Bangladeshi - here he explores the birth of Bangladesh. Show more

How will Britain's power system need to change for a zero carbon world? Show more

Who sets the news agenda - and what role do politicians play? Show more

In depth reporting, intelligent analysis and breaking news from a global perspective

When an Antarctic expedition goes wrong, the consequences are far-reaching, in Jon McGregor's new novel. Today: heart-stopping moments at the inquest into Thomas' death... Show more

Stand up comedian Jamie MacDonald’s hilarious take on his rapid descent into blindness. Jokes, stories and revelations about life without sight. This week, he gets sticky. Show more

A heady mix of maths, science and comedy, as the Festival of the Spoken Nerd trio experiment in the living room. From 2018. Show more

News, views and features on today's stories in Parliament

The latest news and weather forecast from BBC Radio 4.

Peter Godfrey-Smith explores the wonder of cephalopods, and visits an extraordinary site off the coast of Australia where the animals have developed a kind of city under the sea. Show more

The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.

BBC Radio 4 presents a selection of news and current affairs, arts and science programmes from the BBC World Service.