Today - 17/12/2008

Presented by James Naughtie and Sarah Montague. Gary O'Donoghue reports on the Met Police's review into the arrest of Damian Green. Adam Brimelow examines whether the obesity epidemic has become a national crisis. Former ambassador to Iran Sir Richard Dalton discusses why he thinks the time is right to negotiate with the country. James Rodgers reports on Russia's suffering oil industry. Barry Sheerman, chairman of the Children, Schools and Families Committee, says the system for inspecting children's services must change. Karen Allen is in Zimbabwe to assess the cholera crisis. Sir Victor Blank, chairman of Lloyds TSB, has spoken out about the takeover of HBOS. Thought for the day with Prof Mona Siddiqui. Adam Crozier, chief exec of Royal Mail, says a small private stake is good news for the company and customers. Democratic Congressman Dennis Kucinich and business editor Robert Peston discuss the US Federal Reserve's drastic cut in interest rates. Gordon Brown has confirmed that British troops will leave Iraq 'in the first half of next year'. Paul Adams reports. Assistant Chief Constable Patricia Gallan, of Merseyside Police, Merseyside poet Roger McGough and Winifred Robinson, a Radio 4 presenter who grew up in the Norris Green area of Liverpool, discuss how the killing of Rhys Jones has changed the area. Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson discusses measures to tackle childhood obesity. Mike Thompson reports on why the average life expectancy in the Central African Republic has fallen to 42. Wayne Coyne, co-director of the film Christmas On Mars, discusses how he got the idea for the film. Caroline Wyatt and James Arbuthnot discuss the announcement that UK troops will leave Iraq by the end of July next year.