Today - 21/11/2009

Presented by John Humphrys and Evan Davis. More rain is forecast for flood-stricken areas of the UK. Correspondent Nicola Pearson reports on the latest in the flooding. The Large Hadron Collider experiment has restarted, 14 months after a fault forced it to shut down. Scientists hope it will prove the existence of the Higgs Boson, a sub-atomic particle crucial to the understanding of physics. Science correspondent Pallab Ghosh discusses the experiment. The largest unionist party in Northern Ireland, the DUP, is holding its annual conference today. Strained relations between the party and its main coalition partner, Sinn Fein, have cast the future of the power-sharing government into doubt. Ireland correspondent Mark Simpson reports on the conference. This weekend marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Cecil Sharp, England's most prolific collector of folk music. His music-collecting trips in America are considered one of the most important efforts in the revival of a fading music culture. To mark the occasion, the English Folk, Dance and Song Society is putting his only surviving diaries online. Written between 1915 and 1918, they cover his experiences of collecting folk songs in the Appalachian Mountains of the United States. Zubeida Malik reports on Mr Sharp's musical legacy. The process of clearing up the damage caused by flooding has been delayed after further rain was forecast for the UK. Correspondent Andrew Hosken reports on the impact of the flood damage to the community in Keswick. Does it matter whether a big name or lesser-known character runs an organisation? This week, Asda and Marks and Spencer appointed new leaders, and two unknowns were elected for high profile roles in the EU. Matthew Gwyther, editor of Management Today, and Matthew Lynn, columnist for Bloomberg and Moneyweek, discuss the week's leadership choices. It is 20 years since the House of Commons was first televised, after a long battle by broadcasters and MPs. Parliamentary correspondent David Wilby looks back on the first televising of the Chamber. Thought for the Day with Rev Roy Jenkins, a Baptist minister in Cardiff. Unprecedented levels of rainfall in Cumbria have toppled flood defences and caused the collapse of several bridges. David Balmforth, chairman of the Institute of Civil Engineers Flooding Group, discusses the safety of bridges in severe weather conditions. Somali pirates have released video footage of British hostages Paul and Rachel Chandler. The video shows the Chandlers pleading for help while surrounded by gunmen. Security correspondent Frank Gardner analyses the video. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, is to meet Pope Benedict at the Vatican for the first time since the row over the creation of a special section of the Roman Catholic Church for defected Anglicans. The Vatican are accused of interfering in the Anglican Church and the Archbishop was criticised for not taking a stronger stand against the Pope. Religious affairs correspondent Robert Pigott reports from Rome. Discount store Poundland is to open its 250th store today. The bargain chain has flourished while many of its competitors, such as Woolworths, have faced financial ruin. Today presenter Evan Davis reports on the bargain chain's appeal, and Robert Clarke, retail analyst at Retail Knowledge Bank, comments on the company's success. Severe flooding in parts of the UK has destroyed homes and livelihoods. Reporter Nicola Stanbridge visited the hardest-hit town, Cockermouth, to see how people are coping. The controversial re-election of the Afghan president, Hamid Karzai, has led to more calls for end to corruption in the country. In his inauguration speech this week, President Karzai said corruption was a 'dangerous enemy of the state' and that corrupt officials should be 'tried and prosecuted'. But is corruption a big obstacle to building a credible state, or is it a vital part of Afghan culture? Professor Michael Clarke, director of the Royal United Services Institute, and veteran journalist John Griffiths discuss whether or not corruption should be the deal breaker on Afghanistan. An 86-year-old RAF veteran must stop carrying the Royal British Legion standard because she is too old to insure, the charity have said. Madge Covey has held a Legion flag at Remembrance services and commemorations for three decades. But now, despite her good health and physical fitness, the former air force cook has gone 'beyond the age of insurance.' Ms Covey comments on her removal. The Sri Lankan government has announced it will allow freedom of movement for ethnic Tamils held in camps. Correspondent Charles Haviland reports from Colombo. The Barbican is to hold a special tribute to the South African singer Miriam Makeba, who died a year ago this month. Nelson Mandela described the singer as the country's 'First Lady of Song'. World affairs correspondent Mike Wooldridge spoke to African singer Angelique Kidjo ahead