Today - 27/05/2009

Presented by John Humphrys and James Naughtie. Dr Sue Ibbotson of the Health Protection Agency says that new cases of swine flu in Birmingham are relatively mild. David Gardner, a former assistant general secretary of the Labour Party, discusses a Labour committee set up to look into the MPs' expenses scandal. Former UK ambassador to North Korea John Everard discusses the future of North Korea's leadership. Report co-author Malin Bergstroem and Belinda Phipps, of the Natural Childbirth Trust, discuss the best ways of coping with pain during childbirth. Technology correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones and Anthony Walker, of the Broadband Stakeholder Group, discuss UK broadband speed targets. Scottish political editor Brian Taylor examines how the structure of the Scottish Parliament compares with Westminster. Reporter Sanchia Berg visits Bristol to meet Derek Paravicini, a blind pianist who can play any music he has ever heard and can improvise brilliantly. Thought for the day with Akhandadhi Vas, a Vaishnav Hindu teacher and theologian. Genomics expert Dr Leo Goodstadt discusses the mouse genome, which has been sequenced in full. Former Ford president Sir Nicholas Scheele and Derek Simpson, of Unite, discuss if the UK government will help to secure the future of the carmaker Vauxhall. At least 23 people have been killed after a car bomb destroyed a police station in Lahore, authorities in Pakistan say. Barbara Plett reports from Islamabad. Author Don McRae and lawyer John Cooper discuss US trial lawyer Clarence Darrow, who was at his height in the 1920s. North Korea says it no longer feels bound by the terms of the 1953 ceasefire which ended the Korean war. Correspondent John Sudworth reports from the South Korean capital Seoul. Author Max Hastings discusses the background of relations between North and South Korea. Reporter Nicola Stanbridge visits a club in Newbury to discover how people feel about losing their jobs late in their careers. SNP leader and First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond discusses his party's campaign in the European elections. Dr Mike Taylor, of Portsmouth University, discusses how he believes a dino-skeleton should be assembled. The British and Irish Lions are in South Africa at the start of a Rugby Union tour with a long and legendary history. Willie John McBride, who captained the team in South Africa in 1974, discusses the task facing the side.