Today - 22/08/2009

Presented by Edward Stourton and John Humphrys. Who is telling the truth about the background to the Lockerbie bomber's release? Correspondent Christian Fraser and political reporter Alicia Maccarthy reflect on allegations that the release of Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi was tied to trade deals. John Sudworth reports on the first meeting between officials from North and South Korea for almost two years. Richard Garner, Education Editor of The Independent, discusses the severity of the shortfall of places to university. Reporter Rajini Vaidyanathan meets The Fortune Group, a number of young performers from Afghanistan, Iraq and Zimbabwe who have all been forced to flee from their countries because of persecution. Experts Andrei Kortunov and Oksana Antonenko discuss a recent increase in Islamist violence in Chechnya. EU monitors in Afghanistan are to publish their assessment of the elections in the country. Ian Pannell reports. The 10th Mobile Phone Throwing World Championships are being held in Finland. Founder of the competition Christine Lund discusses the best technique for competitors. Thought for the day with the Reverend Roy Jenkins, a Baptist minister. Former chairman of Lloyds Banking Group Sir Victor Blank has been explaining the decision to go ahead with a merger with Halifax Bank of Scotland which led to his resignation. Patrick Cockburn, of the Independent, and Michael Clarke, director of the Royal United Services Institute, discuss the worst violence in Iraq for several months. John Gair, an eyewitness to the Lockerbie bombing and local historian, discusses how the people there have dealt with the tragedy and what he thinks of the current furore. Former Harlequins rugby director Dean Richards has admitted he ordered the fake blood substitution of Tom Williams that led to his own three-year ban. Actor Nick Asbury explains how one should go about faking an injury convincingly. Correspondent Christian Fraser reports on why Col Gaddafi chose to meet Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi. Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister David Lidington and Lib Dem MP Ed Davey discuss whether Megrahi was released to ensure UK trade deals with Libya. Headmaster Thomas Packer discusses whether fee-paying schools are at a disadvantage. How easy is it to establish a bank? Entrepreneur Nigel Brown and Giles Andrew, co-founder of Zopa.com, discuss what can be done to increase competition in the sector. Jahid Mohseni, of Tolo TV, discusses whether the Afghan election results will have international legitimacy. Fashion designer Zandra Rhodes explains why she wants to get the creative industries to move out of London.