Today - 10/01/2009

Presented by James Naughtie and Edward Stourton. Ross Hawkins explains the plans to deal with the recession. Tim Franks says the UN's relief operations will be resumed in the Gaza Strip. Russia is still refusing to allow gas supplies to pass through the pipelines that carry gas to several European countries. Nick Thorpe considers how the dispute might be solved. Andy Gallacher finds out how celebrity autobiographies can be turned into comedy gold. Foreign Office Minister Bill Rammell discusses how violence between Israeli forces and Hamas militants can end. Writers Natasha Walter and Allison Pearson discuss the pressures on women to balance home and work. Thought for the day with editor Catherine Pepinster. Phil Redmond, Creative Director of Liverpool's year of events as the European Capital of Culture, and Bet Davies, part of the team that tried to win the title for Cardiff, discuss the idea of a regular 'British City of Culture'. Aleem Maqbool reports from the West Bank and Manuel Hassassian, the Palestinian Authority's representative in London, discusses the possiblilty of a sustainable ceasefire. Nicola Stanbridge spends a morning with volunteers working with London's homeless. MPs Geoffrey Robinson and Michael Fallon discuss the economic downturn. Comedian Arthur Smith and Luisa Dillner, author of the Complete Book of Mothers-in-Law, discuss living with in-laws. Peter Biles interviews political analyst Steven Friedman about Jacob Zuma's chances of becoming president of South Africa. David Benedictus, author of a new Winnie the Pooh story, discusses the first sequel to AA Milne's work to have been authorised by the author's estate. Sir Stephen Wall and Gisela Stuart MP discuss EU involvement in Gaza.