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18/09/2015

Morning news and current affairs. Includes Sports Desk, Yesterday in Parliament, Weather and Thought for the Day.

3 hours

Last on

Fri 18 Sep 2015 06:00

Friday 18th September

0650

When can we say that modern science began? The accepted wisdom is that it dates back to Greek time – the likes of Archimedes shouting eureka in his bath. That’s wrong, according a new book that claims science didn't really start properly until the 16th Century. David Wootton, the author of “The Invention of Science: A New History of the Scientific Revolution”, talks to us about his findings.

0655

Another group of policemen were killed this week in Turkey in an attack by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). The fear is that the country is returning to the armed conflict of the 1980s and 1990s that killed 40,000 people. Mark Lowen reports.

0710

The shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, apologised on Question Time on BBC One last night for saying in 2003 that members of the IRA should be honoured for being involved in 'the armed struggle'. The Democratic Unionist MP Jeffrey Donaldson joins us in the studio.

0715

The Rugby Union world cup, the world’s third biggest sporting event, begins today. Justin Webb looks at the success and scrutiny that comes with the spotlight on the sport.

0720

An NHS report has revealed huge variations in access and quality of healthcare across England, including services for stroke, cancer and diabetes. Julia Verne is the head of clinical epidemiology for Public Health England.

0730

In his interview with us yesterday the head of MI5 Andrew Parker warned of the terrorist threat from people born, brought up and schooled in the UK, but who still regard the country of their birth as their enemy. Sima Kotecha looks at the governments ‘prevent’ strategy in action and Sally Bates, chairwoman of the policy committee of the National Association of Head Teachers, speaks to us.

0745

Justin Webb finds out what goes on inside the rugby scrum.

0750

The mass migration of people from the Middle East – particularly Syria and Iraq – has focused attention on the conflicts in the region, the failure of western policies and the poor response towards refugees from other Arab governments. Tom Fletcher, former British ambassador to Lebanon, talks about the factors in the region that are contributing to the crisis in Europe.

0810

Will Nicola Sturgeon press for a re-run of the referendum on Scottish independence? Alistair Darling, leader of last year’s No campaign, discusses what lies ahead.

0825

Nearly a billion pounds is going to be added to national income of England and Wales this year by the Rugby World Cup, which begins today. Rugby Football Union chief executive Ian Ritchie speaks to us about the economic impact of the event.

0830

Croatia has closed seven of its eight border crossings with Serbia as it struggles to cope with thousands of migrants trying to get to northern Europe. Dr Ivan Grdesic, Croatian ambassador to the UK and Dr Ognjen Pribicevic, Serbian ambassador to the UK, join us in the studio.

0840

We've been looking at artificial intelligence this week: BBC Arts Editor Will Gompertz asks if it is possible for a computer to develop an imagination.

0845

London Fashion Week begins today and the row about the size of the models we'll see on the catwalks is still raging. Model Rosie Nelson and Conservative MP Caroline Nokes discuss the legislation around the issue.

0850

Are machines really going to take over? Simon Jack has found out this week that many robots need to be taught to walk before they can run.

All subject to change.

Broadcast

  • Fri 18 Sep 2015 06:00