Today - 14/03/2009

Presented by John Humphrys and Sarah Montague. Stephanie Flanders reports on the meeting between G20 finance ministers in the UK. State department correspondent Kim Ghattas speaks to Charles Freeman about his withdrawal from the role as head of the US National Intelligence Council. Yesterday in Parliament with Mark D'Arcy. Professor Mary Beard discusses her research into the oldest surviving joke book. Reporter Jack Izzard meets one mother whose son was turned down by all three of the schools to which he applied. Solicitor Anita Chopra discuss how some parents have begun to make appeals against such decisions. An encounter on US television between the Daily Show's Jon Stewart and Mad Money's Jim Cramer has been causing a stir. Richard Lister reports on whether the financial media had deliberately obscured the growing banking crisis in the chase for ratings and profits. Thought for the day with Canon David Winter. Journalists Deborah Haynes and Sudarsan Raghavan discuss the judicial system in Iraq. Chancellor Alistair Darling discusses if the G20 countries will be in agreement on the major issues. Jonah Fisher reports on the political tension in Madagascar which has brought the country to the brink of military intervention. Italian actor and director Roberto Benigni explains his rather unusual one-man show TuttoDante (Everything About Dante). MP David Davies and protestor Abu Omar discuss if there is a right to protest against the military. US singer-songwriter Lyle Lovett discusses his music with reporter Nicola Stanbridge. Jo Berry, daughter of Sir Anthony Berry, who was killed in an IRA bomb, and Canon David Porter, Canon for Reconciliation at Coventry Cathedral, discuss how Northern Ireland has reacted to the recent violence. Economist Steven Bell and journalist Gillian Tett discuss what can be achieved at the G20 summit.