Today - 17/01/2009

Presented by Sarah Montague and Edward Stourton. Christian Fraser reports on his findings in Gaza. John Ransford of the LGA discusses why pay increases in the public sector are 18% higher than in the private sector. Nick Bryant reports on Lance Armstrong's return to cycle racing. Jack Izzard examines if the economic climate means that the price of art will fall. Jeremy Bowen reports on developments in Gaza. Bill Nighy reads from Sri Lankan editor Lasantha Wickramatunga's final article, in which he predicts his murder. Former defence minister Peter Kilfoyle and former Navy officer Lewis Page discuss how effective nuclear weapons are as a deterrent. Thought for the day with the Rev Bob Marshall. Miles Templeman, of the IoD, and analyst Abigail Herron discuss a vote by shareholders of housebuilding firm Bellway against big bonuses for top bosses. Chief exec of Channel 4 Andy Duncan and Steve Hewlett, presenter of BBC Radio 4's Media Show, discuss if a merger with BBC Worldwide or Channel 5 are reasonable suggestions for Channel 4 to consider. Rebecca Jones talks to Sir David Frost and Michael Sheen, who plays Frost in the film adaptation of his interview with Richard Nixon. Robert Peston explains why shares in Barclays Bank lost 45% of their value in a week. Royal Navy surgeon Harald Veen discusses his experiences working at a hospital in Gaza during the conflict. Mercedes Ramirez Johnson, one of only four of 160 passengers to survive a plane crash in 1995, explains what she remembers. Kevin Connolly remembers the cultural divide throughout US history. Historian Dr David Starkey and Prof Jim Al-Khalili discuss the impact that Cambridge University has made on the world.