Today - 28/01/2009

Presented by Sarah Montague and Edward Stourton. Former Church of Ireland Primate Lord Eames discusses proposals to offer 12000 pounds to families of those killed in the Troubles. Justin Webb reports on the problems with US Congress putting politics aside to help the economy. Science Minister Lord Drayson and Prof Marcus du Sautoy discuss if science is elitist. Prof Peter Hennessy and Michael Howard MP discuss if cabinet minutes should be made public. US novelist John Updike has died. From the archives, he reads his sonnet Jesus and Elvis. Prof Tim Lenton explains what can be done to curb the effects of climate change. Thought for the day with the Rt Rev Tom Butler. Ken Livingstone and Brian Paddick discuss the appointment of Sir Paul Stephenson as Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police. Angus Stickler examines what has changed in Belfast since the Good Friday agreement. Historian Paul Bew discusses if the proposal to compensate the families of victims is a fair recognition of the pain suffered in the Troubles. Novelists John Banville and Philip Hensher pay tribute to the writer John Updike. Chair of the Commons Treasury Committee John McFall says bank lending is not resuming quickly enough. A major humanitarian crisis is unfolding in northern Sri Lanka, with a quarter of a million people trapped by the fighting, the Red Cross says. Chris Morris reports. Dr Catherine Douglas and dairy farmer Graham Carter discuss if befriending cattle can lead to higher milk yields. Tom Feilden reports on the steep decline in the number of bees. Robert Peston examines the mood at the annual World Economic Forum. Former Navy officer Lewis Page and Commodore Mike Mansergh discuss new Navy warships.