Today - 25/05/2009

Presented by James Naughtie and Edward Stourton. Reporter Richard Bilton discusses what the loss of confidential RAF records means for the Ministry of Defence. Expert Aidan Foster-Carter discusses the significance of the nuclear tests in North Korea. Electoral Reform Society chief executive Dr Ken Ritchie discusses why a change in politics can only come through a fundamental re-think of the electoral system. Ecologist Professor Marc Bekoff explains why our long-standing assumptions on animal morality may have been flawed. The Mayor of Oldham, Jim McArdle, and Mark Hastings from the British Beer and Pub Association, discuss whether tough rules on promotions can prevent binge drinking. Jonny Dymond reports from Poland to gauge how the country has changed since joining the EU. Environment correspondent Sarah Mukherjee reports on the new bird research helped by a Today listener survey. Thought for the day with the religious commentator Clifford Longley. Pakistan expert Dr Farzana Shaikh and correspondent David Loyn discuss Pakistan's current strategies for dealing with the Taliban in the Swat Valley. Foreign office minister Bill Rammell discusses how the international community should react to the second underground nuclear test in North Korea. Economist Professor Robert Shiller discusses his predictions for the future of the economy. The Italian art world is debating whether a small wooden statue of Christ is a true Michelangelo. Reporter Duncan Kennedy examines the evidence from Naples. Religious commentator Reverend Giles Fraser, Conservative MP Anne Widdecombe and Constitution Professor Vernon Bogdanor discuss whether the Church should have a place in political debate. Andrew Oswald, Professor of Economics at Warwick University, discusses whether daughters soften their father's politics. Sports writer Will Buckley and expert Mike Warburton discuss whether the top tax rate could drive away foreign players from the premier league. Columnist Anatole Kaletsky and Mark Swift from manufacturers' association EEF discuss their own economic forecasts.