Best of Today

Mina Smallman believes the police "made assumptions" about her daughters and was slow to investigate when Nicole Smallman, 27, and Bibaa Henry, 46, were reported missing. The two sisters were stabbed to death in Fryent Country Park in Wembley last year. Two officers were suspended amid allegations they took selfies next to their bodies when they should have been securing the scene. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is considering the actions of police when Bibaa and Nicole were reported missing. Radio 4 Today programme’s Mishal Husain spoke to Mrs Smallman about her daughters and how the police handled the case. (Image: Mina Smallman; Credit: BBC)

What might be the effect of a treasury ban on Covid-related business rates appeals? Also, how might the blockage in the Suez Canal affect supply chains? (Photo: Getty Images)

As European Union leaders hold virtual talks on how to boost coronavirus vaccine supplies, the European Commission will seek to tighten controls on vaccine exports. The UK has warned that any blockade would cause long term damage but officials from both sides said they would seek a win-win deal to increase supplies. Sir Jeremy Farrar, director of the Wellcome Trust, the world's biggest funder of medical research, told R4 Today's Martha Kearney what he thought was the best route out of the pandemic was, not just for the UK, but around the world. (Images: Medical worker with a Covid vaccine; Credit: Getty Images)

People who enter the UK illegally to claim asylum will no longer have the same entitlements as those who arrive legally, under new immigration plans. But Labour said the plans would do "next to nothing" to stop criminal gangs, while refugee groups called the proposals "unjust" and "unreal". Today programme's Justin Webb hears from shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds, Hassan Akkad, an English teacher who fled Syria, and Priti Patel, home secretary. (Image: Migrants on a boat in the English Channel; Credit: PA)

It is a year since Andrew Bailey took over as Governor of the Bank of England ... and what a year. Because of the pandemic, the UK economy plummeted over the last twelve months with its biggest contraction in more than three hundred years. The government has been borrowing at levels never seen before outside wars helped by the Bank's own actions in buying up its debt. At a time of huge uncertainty, the Governor has to plan for the future - what kind of recovery can we expect? And as we have been hearing in the news, his own past role as a regulator has been called into question. Radio 4's Martha Kearney asked the Governor what he thought the recovery would look like. (Image: Andrew Bailey, Governor of the Bank of England Credit Reuters)

It has been billed as the most significant overhaul of the UK’s foreign, defence, security and development policies for a generation. What the government has called its Integrated Review will be published tomorrow. At its heart will be a big question - how should Britain live with an ever richer, ever more powerful, ever more assertive China. Radio 4's Nick Robinson spoke to some of those writing and shaping this review - and those watching nervously to see how dramatically Britain's policy might now shift (Image: Screen displays President Xi Jinping Credit: EPA)

Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin, the Bishop of Dover, presents the highlights from her guest edit of Today. The South African concept ‘Ubuntu’ or “I am because you are” is at the heart of her programme, reflecting on our common humanity. She hears from students at a pupil referrals unit, the charity Justice Defenders who work to improve access to justice, and also a Uighur child refugee exiled in Turkey. Including Mishal Husain and Martha Kearney. (Image: Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin, credit: Jim Drew)

Snap CEO Evan Spiegel presents all the highlights from his guest edit for Today, on the theme of the future of the USA. He looks at what big ideas have shaped modern America and what will continue to define it, including justice reform, how society can make wiser investments and the balance of power between tech companies and government. Including Mishal Husain and Simon Jack. (Image: Evan Spiegel, credit: Snap Inc)

Twice Booker Prize-winning author Margaret Atwood guest edits Today, looking at the theme of change. She interviews climate activist (and 2019 Today guest editor) Greta Thunberg and speaks to The Prince of Wales about campaigning for the environment over several decades. Also, Margaret’s Booker Prize co-winner Bernardine Evaristo speaks to gal-dem founder Liv Little and birdwatcher extraordinaire Mya-Rose Craig, aka Birdgirl. Including Martha Kearney and Simon Jack. (Image: Margaret Atwood, credit: Luis Mora)

Sir Jeremy Farrar, the director of the health research foundation Wellcome Trust, guest edits Today along the theme of uncertainty and clarity in complex times. Sir Jeremy speaks to Dr Anthony Fauci about mixing politics and science, and we hear from Erna Solberg, the Prime Minister of Norway, on leading in uncertain times. Author Elif Shafak gives a more literary take on uncertainty, and England cricketers Sir Andrew Strauss and Nat Sciver discuss how elite sport has adapted in 2020. Also, a special performance from the Wellcome Voices choir. With Nick Robinson and Simon Jack. (Image: Sir Jeremy Farrar, credit: Dave Guttridge, Francis Crick Institute)

Record-breaking Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton guest edits Today, looking at black British history, the environment, and the power of sport. Lewis speaks to historian Professor David Olusoga about the Black Lives Matter movement and black British historical figures who deserve more attention. We also hear from conservationist Dame Jane Goodall on animal extinction, and find out how motor racing is trying to become more environmentally friendly. Presented by Nick Robinson and Justin Webb. (Image: Lewis Hamilton)

Highlights from Prue Leith's guest edit, presented by Prue herself. Including... a discussion of the issue of assisted dying and how hospitals are trying to improve their food. Also - two cherries on top of an already lovely cake - Prue having a singing lesson... and Olympic diver Tom Daley discussing craft and the new swimming trunks he has crocheted! Also featuring Justin Webb and Mishal Husain. Enjoy. (Image: Prue Leith Credit: Clive Holmes Agency)

Karina, 48, died from the coronavirus in May 2020. As a child, she suffered brain damage and was paralysed from the waist down after an operation she had as a teenager. Her brother the actor, Rory Kinnear, had written an essay reflecting on her life, earlier in the year. Now, he records a new tribute looking back on what's been a difficult year. Image: Rory Kinnear (C), Karina (L), Credit: Rory Kinnear

Sir Paul McCartney speaks to John Wilson for the Today programme about this new album, McCartney III. He encourages people to take the Covid. vaccine and fears Glastonbury 2021 will be cancelled. Image: Paul McCartney; Credit: Reuters

Junior doctor Katie Sanderson survived working on Covid ward at the height of the pandemic. Several months later, she sensed hope and less chaos despite the challenges she and her colleagues faced. Radio 4’s Today programme Justin Webb found out more. Credit: PA

Michael Blakstad, 80, and his wife Tricia, 79, who met in North Yorkshire and have been married for 55 years, with three children. But since the coronavirus pandemic Trisha developed dementia and he was forced to sell his house to pay for the care home fees, while suffering from Parkinson's disease. Today's Nick Robinson caught up with Michael, as he reflects back on 2020 and looks ahead to the Christmas period. Credit: Getty Creative Stock

All the highlights from podcaster and spoken word artist George the Poet's guest edited programme, including a reflection of identity in Uganda, DJ Target on the development of grime music, Ziggy Marley on legalising marijuana, economist Mariana Mazzucato on how society thinks about value, and are video games good for your brain? Presented by Martha Kearney and Sarah Smith, and additional sound design by Benbrick. (Image: George the Poet, credit: BBC)

All the highlights from climate activist Greta Thunberg's guest edited programme, including Mishal Husain interviewing her father Svante Thunberg and Greta speaking to Sir David Attenborough for the first time. Also, outgoing Bank of England chief Mark Carney on how the financial sector can tackle climate change, Massive Attack’s Robert Del Naja on reducing the music industry’s carbon blueprint, and Shell’s Maarten Wetselaar on big energy’s environmental impact. Presented by Mishal Husain and Sarah Smith. (Image: Greta Thunberg, credit: BBC)

All the highlights from Margaret Thatcher biographer and former Telegraph editor Charles Moore's guest edited programme. It includes US Special Representative on Iran Brian Hook on violent protests in the country, Charles' nephew Felix on being autistic and transgender, former Conservative leader Lord Michael Howard on why the judiciary needs to change, and Charles sets out the case against the BBC's funding model. Presented by Justin Webb and Nick Robinson. (Image: Charles Moore, credit: The Telegraph)

All the highlights from Supreme Court President Baroness Hale's guest edited programme, including Baroness Hale in conversation with US Supreme Court Judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Clive Coleman going on a tour of the Supreme Court, a report on coercive control, a discussion about justice in opera with Sir Simon Keenlyside and Ian Bostridge and a Vogue editor on what your jewellery says about you. Presented by Nick Robinson and Justin Webb. (Image: Baroness Hale. Credit: BBC)

All the highlights from artist Grayson Perry's guest edited programme, including the former Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams on faith and political myths, how tinnitus affects singer-songwriter KT Tunstall's life and work, political satire with Guardian columnist Marina Hyde, and if there's a link between sexual fantasies and how you vote with Joe Twyman from Deltapoll. Presented by Justin Webb and Nick Robinson. (Image: Grayson Perry, credit: BBC)

Martha Kearney spent a week with the British Antarctic Survey, finding out what rising temperatures are doing to both the landscape and the creatures that live there. (Image: Martha Kearney Credit: BBC)