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National and international news from BBC Radio 4
A reflection and prayer to start the day with Jonathan Rea.
Farming Today
20/04/23 - Tree-planting delays; tax and land values; insects and waste
13 minutes on BBC Radio 4 LW
Available for years
Foresters say paperwork hold-ups are delaying tree-planting; the impact of tax on land values; and scientists work to find food new waste sources that can be fed to insects. Show more
Steve Backshall presents the story and sound of the osprey. Show more
News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.
News, views and features on yesterday's stories in Parliament.
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the pioneering 18th century Swedish botanist, who devised a method of naming species and a new system for classifying plants and animals. Show more
Woman's Hour
Cost of living, Lynn Nottage, Gel manicures, 'Rosewater' by Liv Little
57 minutes on BBC Radio 4 LW
Available for over a year
'Rosewater' Liv Little's debut novel, gel manicure worries, Lynn Nottage on adapting The Secret Life of Bees for the stage, the cost of living and women. Show more
Record numbers are fleeing the island in the wake of a brutal economic crisis – perhaps one in twenty-five Sri Lankans left last year alone. Show more
Great Lives
Matthew Henson, Arctic explorer and pioneer
28 minutes on BBC Radio 4 LW
Available for over a year
In 1909 Matthew Henson became one of the first people ever to set foot on the North Pole. His part in this expedition was largely overlooked, due in part to his skin colour. Show more
Mulberry founder turned spelt farmer Roger Saul, talks to Shari Vahl about how we went from fashion to farming in this edition of Gap Finders from the You and Yours team. Show more
From the team that brings you Sliced Bread. Sean Farrington investigates the big ideas which promised so much to consumers but ended up toast. This week the focus is on Blockbuster Show more
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Forty-five minutes of news, analysis and comment, with Sarah Montague.
The Beauty Queen Riots
4. The Layers of Resentment
14 minutes on BBC Radio 4 LW
Available for over a year
Journalist Amardeep Bassey returns to Birmingham 18 years on to investigate the Lozells and Handsworth riots of 2005. Why did people take to the streets with such force? Show more
Freddie tries to explain his actions, and Adam searches for a silver lining. Show more
Compelling drama exploring the impact of murder through one family’s experience and via group therapy for murderers. Show more
Ian Marchant explores the remote and hidden border country of the Golden Valley in Herefordshire. He visits its ancient and mystical sites and learns about its intriguing history. Show more
Reporter and presenter Saima Mohsin makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of The Citizens Foundation. Show more
Octavia Bright discusses Granta's once in a decade list of new writing talent with Sigrid Rausing, Alex Clark, Max Liu and Sophie Macintosh, one of the featured authors. Show more
The story of the daughter of a Maharajah who went from being a socialite to fleeing the Nazi’s and perhaps even plotting against them. With guests Edmund De Waal and Livia Manera. Show more
With space rockets increasing in size and launch frequency, Vic asks what the environmental impacts of a rapidly growing space industry might be? Show more
Afternoon news and current affairs programme, reporting on breaking stories and summing up the day's headlines
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Six O'Clock News
20/04/2023: The Prime Minister is deciding Dominic Rabb's future.
30 minutes on BBC Radio 4 LW
Available for over a year
The Prime Minister is deciding Dominic Rabb's future after a probe into bullying claims.
Susan Calman explores the things in her life that bring her true happiness. This week, she talks about the pleasure given by great food and drink. New stand-up series. Show more
Tracy faces a ghost from the past and Pat is in a reflective mood. Show more
Front Row
Everything But the Girl, French film Pacifiction and TV drama The Diplomat reviewed
42 minutes on BBC Radio 4 LW
Available for over a year
Tracey Thorn and Ben Watt of Everything But the Girl on their first album in 24 years and reviews of Netflix's The Diplomat and French film Pacifiction. Show more
The Briefing Room
Does Rishi Sunak's maths calculation add up?
30 minutes on BBC Radio 4 LW
Available for over a year
Rishi Sunak says the UK has an 'anti maths mindset' and that low levels of numeracy are damaging the economy. Will studying maths until the age of 18 solve the problem? Show more
Fallout: Living in the Shadow of the Bomb
Episode 3: Secrets of Maralinga
28 minutes on BBC Radio 4 LW
Available for over a year
An examination of the fallout from Britain's atomic testing programme, which began in Australia in October 1952. Show more
With space rockets increasing in size and launch frequency, Vic asks what the environmental impacts of a rapidly growing space industry might be? Show more
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the pioneering 18th century Swedish botanist, who devised a method of naming species and a new system for classifying plants and animals. Show more
Biggest Russian bombardment on Ukraine yet
Tunisia's main opposition leader jailed
45 minutes on BBC Radio 4 LW
Available for over a year
Also:
US military preparing for possible evacuation of US embassy staff from Sudan.
and
First ever feature film shot in space is released in Russian cinemas.
It's 1952 and an architect and his wife take a chance on two siblings, recently released from Borstal. A story of good intentions and opportunity. Show more
Comedian and writer Sofie Hagen’s diaries are full of Westlife, dodgy poetry and boys. With Rufus Hound. From 2021. Show more
Sean Curran reports as MPs question ministers about the scrapping of new smart motorways.
The latest news and weather forecast from BBC Radio 4.
Woke: The Journey of a Word
4. The Women's March
14 minutes on BBC Radio 4 LW
Available for over a year
Matthew Syed traces the evolution of a term that's synonymous with our era of angry debate. In this episode, how a viral photo at a protest helped change the word 'woke' forever. Show more
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BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.