The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.

National and international news from BBC Radio 4.

A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Rachel Gardner, director of a charity which specialises in innovative youth work. Show more

A new report criticises Westminster for ignoring the concerns of rural communities and farming businesses. Show more

Brett Westwood presents the aquatic warbler. Show more

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

We love the idea of talking animals in fiction. But can animals learn to use language in real life? Stephen Fry investigates the connection between fact and fiction. Show more

James Naughtie finds the heartbeat of history in the front page small ads of old UK newspapers. Irish Times, Dublin Daily Express, The Freeman's Journal, April 1886. Show more

The wellness industry and its effects on women, young women and unwanted attention, dressing for university as a mature student and challenging the judgement single women face. Show more

A play at the Town Hall marks a turning point in Kate’s life. Stars Charlie Murphy and Aoibhinn McGinnity. Show more

Lucy Cooke explores cooperation, democracy and peaceful behaviour in animals and investigates whether these can be better evolutionary strategies than fighting and aggression. Show more

From Papua to Accra - the sound of rain on tin roofs unites the world - three hundred years since the invention of this most humble, yet practical shelter from the storm. Show more

Rachel recalls meeting her husband-to-be at a Washington party. Tale of a marriage on the rocks read by Julianna Jennings. Show more

With just over two months to go before the UK is scheduled to leave the EU. a no-deal Brexit is looking increasingly likely. Is your business prepared? Show more

The latest weather forecast

Analysis of news and current affairs, presented by Sarah Montague.

Duncan Weldon explores how Germany kick started its economy to become a major military power by 1939. Show more

Jim finds himself a new focus and Phoebe issues an ultimatum. Show more

A husband goes out for wine and comes back with a baby. Can a marriage cope with the arrival of a mystery child? Drama about class, greed and good intentions by Katherine Chandler. Show more

Josie Long presents stories about keeping faith, from looking for a miracle to searching for divine love. From 2019. Show more

Series that gives insights into the world of disability. Peter White meets blind US lieutenant governor Cyrus Habib, who has made a remarkable rise through the political ranks. Show more

Michael Rosen looks at how English is used in Science. From the florid writings of the 17th century to modernist poetry and school experiments. With historian Charlotte Sleigh. Show more

4 Extra Debut. Caroline Quentin chooses playwright and architect Sir John Vanbrugh. With Matthew Parris and Jonathan Glancey. From 2019. Show more

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

The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping

Downing Street says there's no chance of a deal on Brexit, unless the EU scraps the Northern Ireland backstop, which is designed to prevent a hard Irish border.

The world premiere of an incredible lost Jane Austen novel, full of wit, flirtation and dastardly behaviour - and cooked up completely on the spot by the UK's finest improv troupe. Show more

Will struggles to let go and Lynda is determined to come out on top Show more

Antonio Banderas on playing film director Pedro Almodovar in Pain and Glory and Philippa Gregory and V.V. James on witches in literature. Show more

A play at the Town Hall marks a turning point in Kate’s life. Stars Charlie Murphy and Aoibhinn McGinnity. Show more

Fifty years on from the beginning of the Northern Ireland Troubles, journalists Fergal Keane and Peter Taylor look back on the conflict and ask what it all means now. Show more

The first of two episodes examining what power means in the context of being blind or visually impaired. Show more

Philip Ball tells the story of Madame Lavoisier, translator of oxygen. At a time when science was almost a closed book to women, her skills facilitated a revolution in chemistry. Show more

We love the idea of talking animals in fiction. But can animals learn to use language in real life? Stephen Fry investigates the connection between fact and fiction. Show more

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

Rachel recalls meeting her husband-to-be at a Washington party. Tale of a marriage on the rocks read by Julianna Jennings. Show more

Phil signs up to a special class at the gym to impress Ellie. But it turns out to be a dangerous cult. Meanwhile, Polly becomes a community support support-officer. Show more

The Beyond Today podcast team finds the story of 15 year old girl who left the UK to join Islamic State provokes big questions about how young women get involved in terrorism. Show more

National and international news from BBC Radio 4

Reflecting on her school days alongside contemporary relationships, Rachel Cusk considers the experience of being sent to Coventry. Reader: Amelia Bullmore. Show more

The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.

BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.