´óÏó´«Ã½

Here's Emily with news of what's coming up on tonight's programme:

Can the private sector really provide 2.5 million new jobs within the next five years to save Britain from mass unemployment? It is an extraordinarily ambitious target by a government whose own independent forecasters predicted today that over 600,000 jobs will be lost in the public sector over the next six years.

Tonight, as Labour accuses the coalition of forcing the 'abject misery of unemployment' on the country, we ask leading figures from the world of business - as well as the politicians themselves - whether it is realistic to assume that they can provide the jobs.

The one phrase from the Tory handbook on crime-fighting that no-one ever forgets is, arguably, Michael Howard's mantra that 'prison works'.

But that was old Tory, it seems, and today Justice Secretary Ken Clarke has torn up the handbook and called short term sentences an expensive failure. He accuses previous Labour home secretaries of building up the prison population with ' a chequebook and a copy of the Daily Mail'.

How will that go down with the country at large? We'll be hearing the views of former inmate and Tory minister Jonathan Aitken, and Richard Watson has been speaking with some victims of crime to get their views.

Also tonight, award winning Tim Whewell has an extraordinary film on the children of Rwanda.

And we'll be asking whether the true star of the 2010 World Cup is a man who hasn't even set foot on the pitch - Maradona. Peter Marshall examines Diego's power and influence in Latin America.

Join me at 10.30pm on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two.

Emily

Earlier today

A newspaper has claimed cuts announced in the Budget could lead to the loss of up to 1.3 million jobs by 2015.

We're heading to Leeds to ask what the coalition government's plans mean for people working in the public and private sectors.

Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Ken Clarke is outlining measures to tackle the growth in the prison population - such as paying private firms and voluntary groups according to how many prisoners they rehabilitate. He argues vast sums are being spent "warehousing" people in outdated prisons without any proof it protects the public.

We'll be looking at the alternatives to prison - and questioning the apparent U-turn in Tory policy.

We also have a special film from Rwanda, with interviews with women raped during the 1994 genocide. They describe how the horrors of that year continue to affect their lives and those of their children.

And finally, we will be profiling Argentina coach and footballing hero Diego Maradona.

More details later.

Here is what we are planning for tonight:

The man chosen by President Obama to lead the international forces in Afghanistan has warned of an escalation of violence there in the coming months. General David Petraeus has been appearing at a Senate hearing, to outline his strategy for tackling the Taliban, and handing more control of security to Afghan forces. Meanwhile David Cameron has indicated he wants British servicemen home from Afghanistan within five years. Labour's acting leader Harriet Harman yesterday warned against "artificial" timetables for withdrawing troops.

Tonight we talk to the Defence Secretary Liam Fox, who is in Washington, to find out what the priorities should be for British troops in Afghanistan and ask just how feasible a withdrawal within the next five years might be.

We will also have a special film from Lyse Doucet about life in Afghanistan's only women's prison. Badam Bagh is home to 147 women and children. We go inside, see the conditions and meet some of the inmates.

But how many of them should be in prison? Even the prison director estimates only 50%. She says many are in there because of problems in the family or personal vendettas.

Ian Watson has spent the day in Bradford, where David Cameron has been having an away day with the Cabinet - it's first meeting outside London. Ministers say they're creating a £1 billion fund to help English regions. But they're axing nine Regional Development Agencies - set up by Labour to support local businesses. We'll be discussing what effect that will have.

We'll also be talking about pensions. The ´óÏó´«Ã½ announced today a complete overhaul of its final salary scheme. The changes would dramatically reduce the pension benefits for many.

Around five million people are contributing to public sector pension schemes around the country. We'll be asking whether the proposed changes at the ´óÏó´«Ã½ could be a blueprint the government could use as it tries to cut spending by reducing the cost of pensions for those on the public payroll.

And two internet gurus - Clay Shirky and Alex Krotoski - will be debating whether the internet is a force for good.

Do join Gavin at 10.30 tonight on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two.

Earlier today

The government is looking at ways to reduce the costs of public sector pensions and today the ´óÏó´«Ã½ announced a major overhaul of its final salary scheme.

From next year an employee's pensionable salary will rise by no more than 1% a year, even if that employee gets a substantial pay rise.

´óÏó´«Ã½ business editor Robert Peston says the plans could be a blueprint for future public-sector pension plans.

We'll be asking what that could mean for the five million people working in the public sector.

We'll also have a special film from Afghanistan about life in the country's only women's prison.

Here's what we are planning for tonight:

The government has introduced the UK's first cap on immigration. From next April there'll be an annual limit on the number of skilled workers from outside the European Union allowed into the UK. In the meantime, to avoid a rush of applications, an interim cap of 24,100 will be imposed.

There are reports of division within the coalition with David Willetts, Michael Gove and Vince Cable said to be worried about the impact of the policy on business and universities. But with just one in seven potential migrants subject to the cap, how much of a difference will it make? Richard Watson will investigate and we hope to discuss the issues with the Immigration Minister Damian Green, Labour's Mayoral hopeful Oona King and Lord Pearson, the Leader of the UK Independence Party.

Could the imposition of unilateral targets to cut carbon dioxide emissions damage our economy? That's the fear of the former Government Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir David King. Our Science editor Susan Watts is at the World Forum on Enterprise and the Environment in Oxford where the T.25 car was launched today. It produces about 40% fewer emissions over its lifecycle than the average car. Are such technological innovations the answer as we move towards a low-carbon economy?

Our Economics Editor Paul Mason will examine why the England team were so poor in their World Cup match against Germany. Have we seen the first real triumph of the economics of modern football over skill and organisation: the triumph of a club-first, nation-last mentality and individualism over teamwork? Read Paul's blog.

And our Culture correspondent Stephen Smith will be meeting the legend of jazz and popular music, the 15 Grammy award winning Tony Bennett. .

Do join Gavin at 10.30pm on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two.

From earlier today

The number of skilled workers allowed into the UK from outside the EU is to be cut, Home Secretary Theresa May has said. Numbers will go down to 24,100 between now and April 2011, 5% less than last year.

We've asked Richard Watson to investigate what difference this is really going to make, and why this immigration cap will work when others haven't.

Our Science editor Susan Watts is at the World Forum of Enterprise and Environment in Oxford, where the T.25 car is to be launched which produces about 40% fewer emissions over its lifecycle than the average car. She'll be considering if imposing unrealistic targets in an attempt to curb climate change could put economic growth at serious risk.

Paul Mason will be presenting his thesis on why England were so poor in their World Cup match against Germany yesterday.

And our Culture correspondent Stephen Smith will be meeting the legend of jazz and popular music, Tony Bennett.

Here's Kirsty with more details on tonight's Newsnight:

Prince Charles's opposition to modernist architecture is well known, but did he overstep his constitutional position when he lobbied the Qatari royal family - behind the scenes - to express his passionate opposition to a multi-billion pound property contract in London which was later cancelled?

Does he, as his supporters claim, simply give voice to the views of local residents who feel ignored by the planning system? Or is his clout increasingly making it impossible for new exciting architecture to find favour?

Today Judge Geoffrey Vos ruled that CPC group, a developer whose Chelsea Barracks property scheme in London was cancelled following opposition from Prince Charles, is entitled to damages.

In June last year the Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment withdrew its planning application for the Chelsea Barracks development masterminded by Richard Rogers for CPC.

It followed a letter Prince Charles had written to Qatar's prime minister and the head of Qatari Diar expressing his opposition to the design.

Judge Vos said, both the developers, the Candy Brothers, and Qatari Diar "were faced with a very difficult position once the Prince of Wales intervened in the planning process" in March last year. "His intervention was, no doubt, unexpected and unwelcome," he said.

Live on Newsnight one of the Prince of Wales advocates faces a leading architect.

As world leaders jet into Toronto for the start of the G20 we have a live interview with the head of the OECD about the dangers of a double dip recession, as European nations tighten their belts in concert. Plus, when he described George Osborne's budget as "courageous," what exactly did he mean?

And, on the subject of these straightened times, our Science editor Susan Watts has a special report from the See Further festival on London's South Bank which opens today, timed to coincide with the 350th anniversary of the Royal Society.

It is a celebration of science that also heralds a big warning - spending cuts for short term savings in the area of science and innovation, engineering and design could have disastrous, long term consequences for Britain's prosperity.

Could we risk losing our place as one of the world's leading scientific nations?

Sir James Dyson tells Susan about the dangers of neglecting science, in particular in our education system.

Do join me at 10.30pm on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two.

Kirsty

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From earlier today:

David Cameron has urged a "tight focus" on priorities at the G8 and G20 summits - his first as UK PM - to make sure they "deliver for people".

The leaders of the G8 industrialised nations are meeting in Muskoka, Ontario to discuss help for poor countries.

Tonight we'll be speaking to the head of the OECD, Angel Gurría.

Then Richard Watson will be examining the curious world of planning and property development in Britain.

A high-profile court case has blamed Prince Charles for the demise of a scheme for luxury apartments in one of the country's wealthiest areas.

The case saw property developers the Candy brothers accuse the Qatari royal family of dropping the £3bn development plans for Chelsea Barracks in London after the prince's intervention. They sued the developers, state-backed Qatari Diar, for £81m compensation.

So is Prince Charles overstepping his constitutional role? Is his influence in affecting the landscape of our cities benign or otherwise? And does it lead to an inherent conservatism in British architecture?

And our Science editor Susan Watts will be reporting from the South Bank's celebration of science which coincides with the 350th anniversary of the Royal Society. She'll be considering if cuts in Science and university budgets could undermine Britain's position as one of the world's leading scientific nations, and affect our long term growth prospects. Read more about that story on Susan's blog.

More details later.

HERE ARE MORE DETAILS ABOUT TONIGHT'S PROGRAMME

The Liberal Democrat deputy leader, Simon Hughes, today warned the government not to break the coalition deal between his party and the Conservatives.

He insisted that there must be no attempt to "unpick" the agreement between the two parties. But with the widely respected Institute for Fiscal Studies saying that this week's Budget looks "somewhat regressive", Mr Hughes said his party could try to amend the Budget to "improve fairness and make for a fairer Britain."

Our political correspondent Iain Watson has been assessing just how comfortable some LibDems are with the Budget proposals.

On the day the government announces plans to raise the state pension age for men to 66 and raises the possibility of people having to work into their seventies, we'll talk to the Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith. He says it is time to "reinvigorate the pensions landscape", but just how is he going to find the billions of pounds of savings he'll need to make in the welfare budget?

The Government says the Greek economic crisis shows why tough action is needed to cut the deficit. The G20 meets this weekend with President Obama warning that Europe's attempts to save its way out of the debt crisis could put the global recovery at risk.

Tonight we talk to the Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou and look ahead to the G20 Summit and the conflict between Europe and the US on the way forward economically.

Also tonight we'll have an interview with the godfather of movie special effects Ray Harryhausen who is 90 next week. Among his most famous films are The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad and Jason and the Argonauts featuring a famous sword fight against seven skeleton warriors. An exhibition of his work is opening at the London Film Museum.

Do join Kirsty at 10.30pm.

ENTRY FROM 11.20

The Government says the Greek economic crisis explains why they've had to take tough action to cut the deficit. The G20 meets this weekend with President Obama warning that Europe's attempts to save its way out of the debt crisis could put the global recovery at risk.

The austerity measures introduced in Greece have led to continued civil unrest there and in France today there are public sector strikes against their government's plans.

We'll look ahead to the G20 and the conflicts between Europe and the US on the way forward economically.

And as the analysis of Tuesday's budget continues, the Institute of Fiscal Studies says the overall impact was regressive.

The poorest have been hit hardest and homelessness is expected to increase as a result of the housing benefit plans. How comfortable are the Liberal Democrats with this?

Here is what we are planning for tonight.

George Osborne has suggested the Government will be looking for more savings from the welfare budget so that other public services can be spared even more savage cuts in the autumn spending review.

But how much and how easily can the welfare bill be cut? Richard Watson has spent the day in Stockton with a family who couldn't survive without state aid.

And our economics editor Paul Mason will look more deeply into the budget figures to try to see where it leaves Britain in relation to the global economy. Are we likely to see a double dip recession?

As world leaders start gathering for the G8 and G20 meetings in Toronto tomorrow, we'll be talking live to the eminent Japanese economist Richard Koo.

We'll have the latest on the Rolling Stone magazine row between President Obama and his top US military commander in Afghanistan Gen Stanley McChrystal.

The General held a one-on-one meeting with the President earlier today which lasted about 30 minutes.

There are reports the General has offered his resignation - as was predicted yesterday by our diplomatic editor Mark Urban. Mark will bring us up to date with all today's developments.

We also have a special film tonight on Sierra Leone. Allan Little returns 10 years after the civil war which he reported on at the time.

The hoped for economic benefits of peace are few and far between and the ex-colonial power Britain is back trying to help lift the country out of poverty.

Allan looks at what has changed in Sierra Leone over the last 10 years and asks what Sierra Leoneans feel about having Britain back.

Here is what we are planning for tonight.

Chancellor George Osborne has delivered the toughest package of tax increases and spending cuts in a generation and tonight we'll examine what it means for our economy, our politics and society.

Our economics editor Paul Mason will analyse what the budget means for the economy. David Grossman and Michael Crick will consider the political implications.

Jackie Long will be in Teesside to report on how the measures are being received in an area heavily dependent on the public sector for jobs and looking at whether the private sector is ready to take up the slack.

The region will be hit disproportionately by spending cuts. Jackie will be asking whether the new smaller state can help stimulate economic growth and enterprise.

Jeremy will also be talking to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander in the studio.

With big cuts in public spending and some benefits, VAT going up to 20% and income tax allowances increased taking almost 900,000 people out of income tax altogether, there will be lots to talk about.

Jeremy will be joined by some of the biggest names in politics and economics to chew over the day's announcements.

Do join him at 10.30pm on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two.

Here is what we are planning for tonight:

The number of UK service personnel killed as a result of the Afghanistan conflict since 2001 has reached 300, after a wounded marine died from his injuries in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. The prime minister said it was a moment for the whole country to reflect on the sacrifices the armed forces make and that "we should keep asking why we're there and how long we must be there".

Tonight our Diplomatic editor Mark Urban will be considering what has been achieved over the past nine years in Afghanistan and what our future strategy should be. The Armed Forces minister will join us live to debate our mission there.

The coalition government has been warned against making "deep" and "senseless" cuts in Tuesday's Budget as it seeks to reduce the deficit.

Chancellor George Osborne has warned Britain will be "on the road to ruin" unless borrowing is reduced, and denied his plans are driven by ideology. Our Economics editor Paul Mason will be giving us his pre-Budget analysis this evening and asking if possible cuts to middle class benefits may damage the universal concept of the welfare state.

And as we enjoy the sunshine on the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere, parliament will be hearing evidence from campaigners who are urging the government to keep British Summer Time (BST) all year round. The Cambridge academic Dr Elizabeth Garnsey says that not putting clocks back would save carbon emissions and lives... Could it really work?

Do join Jeremy Paxman at 10.30pm on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two.

MORE DETAIL ON TONIGHT'S PROGRAMME:

The Unite union has urged Liberal Democrats to tear up their membership cards rather than be associated with cuts in public spending.

Unite has accused Lib Dem leaders of "falling hook, line and sinker" for an agenda of cuts in public services, a day after the coalition government cancelled 12 projects totalling £2bn agreed to by the previous Labour government since the start of 2010.

Tonight we will be examining how the cuts, announced by Liberal Democrat Danny Alexander, are going down with the party's grassroots supporters.

IMF Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn said today that he was confident about the future of the Spanish economy, and praised recent government measures aimed at restoring it to health.

"I'm confident. That's the main message I want to give," Mr Strauss-Kahn said after talks with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.

Tonight we will be discussing whether that confidence is misplaced or not.

We have an interview with Stephen J Dubner, one of the co-authors of Freakonomics.

Plus, today is the anniversary of two of the most celebrated speeches of World War II - Charles de Gaulle's ´óÏó´«Ã½ broadcast urging the people of France not to capitulate to the Nazis and Winston Churchill's "finest hour" address to the British nation in which he said that the battle of France was over, and the battle of Britain about to begin.

Both of those speeches had the power to rally a nation, but what of speeches now? In this age of the internet and multi-channel TV does the power of words remain?

ENTRY FROM 1106BST:

Yesterday the coalition government has cancelled 12 projects totalling £2bn agreed to by the previous Labour government since the start of 2010.

How are the cuts, announced by Liberal Democrat Danny Alexander, going down with Lib Dem grassroots supporters?

Also, as the IMF holds talks with Spanish authorities today we ask how precarious Spain's economy is right now, and what kind of threat it poses for us?

Here's Kirsty with more detail on what's coming up:

We'll lead tonight with the government's first major announcement of detailed spending cuts - £2bn scrapped from projects decided upon in the last days of the Labour government and another £8.5bn suspended.

The cuts include everything from £25m for the Stonehenge Visitor Centre to £450m for the North Tees and Hartlepool hospital, and it appears that Sheffield will be hit hard with the cancellation of an £80m loan for Sheffield Forgemasters, announced by Peter Mandelson in March.

The-then business secretary had said that the loan, to build parts for the next generation of nuclear power stations in the UK, would make the company a world leader in nuclear technology.

Also in Sheffield, £12m for the city's Retail Quarter has been suspended.

Paul Mason is in the deputy prime minister's city for reaction to today's announcements.

As I write I am captivated by the live coverage of the US Congress Committee's interrogation of the BP CEO Tony Hayward.

"Sliced and diced" is one description of the due diligence that is taking place, as the Committee get's ready to interrogate Hayward for his handling of the Gulf disaster, and about BP's decision making and risk analysis about drilling the Gulf field in the first place.

We will bring you the highlights, analysis and live reaction from Washington.

And 70 years after De Gaulle's inspiring rally to the free French broadcast from ´óÏó´«Ã½ Broadcasting House in London, Allan Little explores the reality of, and the myth surrounding, the French resistance.

Do join me at 10.30pm on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two.

ENTRY FROM 1313BST

Coalition ministers have cancelled 12 projects worth £2bn agreed to by the previous Labour government since the start of 2010, including an £80m loan to Sheffield Forgemasters.

Paul Mason is on his way to Sheffield now.

Also, BP boss Tony Hayward is to face a US congressional committee, a day after the firm agreed a $20bn fund for victims of its oil spill. Katty Kay will be reporting from the Capitol.

And on the eve of anniversary of de Gaulle's famous 1940 broadcast to occupied France, calling for resistance to the Nazis, Allan Little looks at France's relationship with its wartime past and the resistance.

More details later.

We are leading on a Newsnight exclusive tonight. It's under wraps at the moment so you'll have to tune in at 10.30pm for details.

Also - Chancellor George Osborne has confirmed that he will give the Bank of England the key role in regulating the UK financial sector. Mr Osborne is due to give more details of his plans in a speech tonight at Mansion House - one of the set piece occasions in the chancellor's calendar, and an opportunity to update the City on the state of the economy.

Our Economics editor Paul Mason will be bringing us the latest on that story tonight and we'll be discussing whether the reforms go far enough.

And, it's payback time, boys... or so says the website for a new first-person shooter game for woman called Hey Baby.

The controversial web games allows the player to extract their vengeance on men in the street who catcall and leer by shooting and killing them.

We hope to be speaking to the game's creator Suyin Looui who says she designed Hey Baby to spark discussion about women's experiences of public space.

And we'll be asking if we're seeing a rise in female violent retribution in popular culture.

Join Gavin at 10.30pm on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two.

Tonight Jeremy Paxman will be cross examining the five candidates who have put themselves forward - and crucially have won enough backing from fellow MPs - to stand in the Labour leadership contest.

Diane Abbott, Ed Balls, Andy Burnham, David Miliband and Ed Miliband will all take part in the first televised hustings of the contest in front of an audience.

Our political editor Michael Crick will be live blogging throughout the event from 10.30pm on the . And to get more information on how you can contribute.

And Jackie Long is in Londonderry again for us where the families of those killed and injured on Bloody Sunday and the soldiers involved are studying Lord Saville's report on the events.

The outcome of the Bloody Sunday inquiry, the longest and most expensive public inquiry in UK legal history, is due to be made public later.

Jackie will be explaining exactly what the report says, getting reaction from the families, considering what the political fallout might be and asking, what next?

Do join Jeremy Paxman at 10.30pm tonight on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two.

MORE ON TONIGHT'S PROGRAMME:

Jackie Long is in Derry on the eve of the publication of the Saville Report on the events of Bloody Sunday, when British soldiers opened fire on a civil rights march in Londonderry in 1972, resulting in the death of 14 people.

The inquiry, led by Lord Saville, is the longest-running in British legal history and has cost about £195m.

But will this be the end of the matter? And will the report heal wounds or open fresh ones? We will be talking to some key players.

The new fiscal watchdog, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), has reduced growth projections for the UK economy, but said that the deficit will not be as bad as forecast.

Labour says that we are about to embark on a cuts programme that is faster and deeper than necessary. What is the truth? We speak to a specially convened Brains Trust.

Mark Urban will be assessing what changes the armed forces can expect in the wake of Defence Secretary Liam Fox's comments that the government will act "ruthlessly and without sentiment" in finding savings in the defence budget.

Michael Crick is looking into complaints from MPs that the way allowances are supervised in the wake of the expenses scandal are leaving them out of pocket.

And, the sound of the summer at this year's World Cup is the droning note of a plastic trumpet which calls to mind a huge swarm of bees.

But can the vuvuzela be used to less annoying and more musical effect? We'll ask a musician to prove that it can make beautiful sounds...

ENTRY FROM 1127:

We will be looking at the impact of the decisions by the new independent fiscal watchdog to downgrade the economic growth projections for the UK economy.

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) predicts the economy will expand 2.6% in 2011, down from the 3% to 3.5% estimate given in Labour's last Budget.

We will be asking what the strategic defence review and the departure of Chief of the Defence Staff Sir Jock Stirrup and Ministry of Defence Permanent Under Secretary Sir Bill Jeffrey mean for the MoD.

Jackie Long is in Derry ahead of the Bloody Sunday Inquiry conclusions, due to be published tomorrow.

And Tim Whewell has a film on Mezzo soprano Pauline Malefane grew up in Khayelitsha, one of South Africa's biggest and poorest townships, and is now a celebrated international singer.

The race is on to succeed Gordon Brown after he stood down as Labour Party leader, and on Tuesday 15 June 2010 at 10.30pm on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two Jeremy Paxman will be cross examining the five candidates who have put themselves forward - and crucially have won enough backing from fellow MPs - to stand in the leadership contest.

Diane Abbott, Ed Balls, Andy Burnham, David Miliband and Ed Miliband will all take part in the first televised hustings of the contest.

What questions would you like Jeremy to put to them? Post your thoughts below or email them to newsnight@bbc.co.uk with the subject heading LABOUR and we'll arm Paxman with the best for the programme.

More details on this evening's programme:

Estimates of the scale of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico have been constantly changing. The US Geological Survey says twice as much oil as previously thought - 40,000 barrels (1.7 million gallons) per day - might have been gushing out since the explosion in April. That's equivalent to an Exxon Valdez type spill every week.

Sharp criticism from the US about the way the company is handling the disaster has been described by some UK politicians as anti-British rhetoric. But should we bother defending the company after the devastating environmental damage they have unleashed? We'll be debating that question in the studio.

And it can't have escaped your notice that the 2010 World Cup in South Africa is now under way. The spectacular opening ceremony took place earlier at the 94,000-capacity Soccer City in Johannesburg, followed by the first game of the tournament which resulted in a draw between the hosts and Group A rivals Mexico.

Tonight Gavin will be joined by the former French international David Ginola and advertising executive Martin Sorrell to ask whether marketing and money are now overshadowing the simplicity of the beautiful game.

Do join us for this evening's Newsnight at 10.30pm on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two.
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As many as 40,000 barrels (1.7 million gallons) of oil a day may have been gushing out from a blown-out Gulf of Mexico well, doubling many estimates.

The US Geological Survey says that flow rate could have been reached before a cap was put on the well on 3 June.

Sharp criticism from the US about the way the company is handling the disaster has been described by some UK politicians as anti-British rhetoric.

But should we bother defending the company after the environmental damage they have unleashed?

A host of celebrities from the world of politics, business and sport will attend the opening ceremony of the World Cup at Soweto's Soccer City stadium later today, before the competition's opening game between South Africa and Mexico.

We'll be joined by the former French international David Ginola and English businessman Martin Sorrell to debate if marketing and money are now overshadowing the simplicity of the beautiful game.

It's Gavin presenting tonight and we'll bring you more details later.

MORE DETAILS ON TONIGHT'S PROGRAMME:

Right across Europe austerity is a la mode - in Britain where the government is set to take the axe to public spending in this month's emergency budget, in Germany where public spending has already been hit, and in the south, scene of wage cuts and demonstrations.

But what happened to the strategy of fiscal stimulus that was de rigueur before?

Tonight, our Economics editor Paul Mason reports on how much of the world's economic recovery is surviving on fiscal stimulus, and what happens when you turn it off - will we as some fear fall into a double dip?

When David Cameron became prime minister, Barack Obama was the first world leader to call to congratulate him, but now tensions over the damage wrought by the BP oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico are taking their toll on the special relationship.

UK politicians have complained about anti-British rhetoric in US comments about the disaster - particularly the use by Obama and others of the name British Petroleum - which the company dropped in favour of BP 12 years ago.

Tonight, in the studio we will be discussing the state of the special relationship and where it goes from here.

Universities Minister David Willetts said today that England's university system is on "shaky financial foundations" and needs a radical overhaul.

But should higher education be the focus of cuts on education spending, or should it be services for pre-schoolers which are trimmed?

Britain spent £5bn on pre-school services in 2007-08.

But according to a report from the Office for National Statistics, details of which emerged this week, teaching for toddlers shows no improvement over informal learning by age five.

And with just one day to go till the start of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Lyse Doucet convenes four of the Elders, the independent group of eminent global leaders who together highlight what they see as the most pressing issues that the world must address, to ask them what the games can really deliver for the continent.

Find out what Desmond Tutu, Graca Machel, Kofi Annan and Ladkhar Brahimi think at 10.30pm on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two.

ENTRY 1222BST:

UK interest rates have been kept on hold at a record low of 0.5% by the Bank of England for the 15th month in a row. The Bank also decided not to inject any more money into the UK economy under its policy of quantitative easing (QE).

Our Economics editor Paul Mason will be asking why we have moved so quickly from fiscal stimulus to austerity measures and considering what that tells us about the state of the global economy.

And with just one day to go till the start of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Lyse Doucet convenes four of the Elders, the independent group of eminent global leaders who together highlight what they see as the most pressing issues that the world must address, to ask them what the games can really deliver for the continent.

Find out what Desmond Tutu, Graca Machel, Kofi Annan and Ladkhar Brahimi think at 10.30pm on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two.

MORE DETAIL ON TONIGHT'S PROGRAMME:

Is time running out for the oil industry?

Many energy experts are warning that we are fast approaching "peak oil" - the moment when the maximum rate of global extraction is reached, after which the rate of production enters terminal decline.

And, while there are as yet untapped reserves, they are often in inaccessible areas, and the Deep Water Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico has raised questions about whether mining them is worth the risk and the expense.

Jeremy Leggett, author of Half Gone, said in the Financial Times today that we are facing an oil crunch in the same way that we had a credit crunch.

He will be joining us on the programme tonight, along with the CEO of an oil company.

Diane Abbott, Ed Balls, Andy Burnham and David and Ed Miliband have all gathered enough nominations to make it onto the ballot paper for the Labour leadership contest.

Abbott - who says she entered the race because she wanted to offer an alternative to the white, male, middle-class New Labour field - will be joining us live on the programme tonight.

The UN Security Council has imposed fresh sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme, but despite the bluster from both sides how much difference will they really make?

Mark Urban has a film about the growing independence and economic development of the West Bank.

And we will be asking what is our "folk memory" of the 1980s and why does it continue to influence our culture and politics to such a degree?

David Peace, author of The Damned United and The Red Riding Quartet, and PR and lifetstyle guru Lynne Franks will be giving us their view.

ENTRY FROM 1820:

As the crisis over the oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico continues we are looking at the wider state of the oil industry.

Many energy experts say that peak oil - the point at which the growth of demand for oil exceeds the growth in supply - is fast approaching, and that reserves are in such inaccessible areas that the risk of mining them could simply be too great or too expensive.

We are watching what happens in the UN, where the Security Council is due to vote this afternoon on whether to tighten financial curbs on Iran, while expanding a limited arms embargo its nuclear policy.

And we are keeping an eye on who will make the final cut for the Labour leadership race - the contenders will be announced today.

Mark Urban has an interesting film about the growing independence and economic development of the West Bank.

And we will be asking what is our "folk memory" of the 1980s and why does it continue to influence our culture and politics to such a degree?

Ministers are to give details about a "once-in-a-generation" re-examination of the way the government works, as it prepares to make "painful" cuts.

The Treasury is to ask for the public's views on which functions the government should perform and which could be done by other bodies to save money.

A "star chamber" of senior figures will be created, before which ministers will have to justify their spending.

Tonight Michael Crick and Paul Mason will be analysing the politics and economics behind George Osborne's plans to eradicate the country's budget deficit.

And we will be having our very own mini-consultation on where the cuts should come and what should be kept in the Newsnight Star Chamber.

We'll convene a committee of people with public spending cut proposals and others who'll be making the defence to save particular areas from the axe.

They'll be pitching in front of a panel which will include John Redwood MP - who today proposed on his blog that the government "should stop the cash and cut the interference".

Plus, ahead of the World Cup celebrations, Tim Whewell travels to the 'rainbow nation', South Africa where he finds deep race divisions.

Tim meets two young men with very differing views - controversial ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema and Ernst Roets, chairman of white pressure group AfriForum.
.

Do join Jeremy at 10.30pm on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two.

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From earlier today:

Ministers are to give details about a "once-in-a-generation" re-examination of the way the government works, as it prepares to make "painful" cuts.

The Treasury is to ask for the public's views on which functions the government should perform and which could be done by other bodies to save money.

A "star chamber" of senior figures will be created, before which ministers will have to justify their spending.

So tonight we thought we would have our own mini-consultation on where the cuts should come and what should be kept.

And ahead of the World Cup celebrations, Tim Whewell travels to the 'rainbow nation', South Africa where he finds deep race divisions. Tim meets two young men with very differing views - controversial ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema and Ernst Roets, chairman of white pressure group AfriForum.

More details later.

More details on what's coming up in tonight's programme:

David Cameron has warned that planned spending cuts aimed at tackling Britain's deficit will "affect our whole way of life".

In a speech this morning, the prime minister admitted there will be "difficult decisions" ahead on pay, pensions and benefits.

However, although the speech painted a very bleak picture, it contained no fresh details on where the axe will fall. Instead this was a softening up exercise, preparing the public for what is to come.

In his blog afterwards, our Economics editor Paul Mason said that this was the opening of a fiscal dance between now and Budget Day on 22 June, with the steps choreographed with a precision worthy of Balanchine.

Tonight, Paul will be bring us further analysis of what the government is planning and of Labour's claims that the cuts risk throwing Britain into a double-dip recession.

Plus, (Green Howards) as they prepared for and carried out a tour in Sangin, we have the final film in the series.

Mark Urban, our Diplomatic editor, joins soldiers from the Green Howards .

And our Political editor Michael Crick has been in Southport for the first of the Labour leadership hustings. Andy Burnham, John McDonnell and Diane Abbott are currently short of the 33 nominations needed to get onto the ballot paper for the election. David Miliband, Ed Miliband and Ed Balls have already made the cut. But is a cluster of white, middle class men who read PPE at Oxford really the best field of candidates the Labour Party can offer up?

Join Jeremy at 10.30pm on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two.
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From earlier today:

Prime Minister David Cameron has delivered a stark warning about the action needed to tackle Britain's budget deficit and public debt.

He said the UK's economic problems were "even worse than we thought" and "painful" cuts to tackle the deficit would affect "our whole way of life".

Tonight, our Economics editor Paul Mason considers whether the government is finally coming clean on the scale of the cuts necessary.

Most of the Labour leadership hopefuls will be appearing at the first of the contest's hustings in Southport today.

It is understood that all but Ed Balls will attend and our Political editor Michael Crick will be watching.

Plus, almost a year after we began our project to follow the men of A Company, 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) as they prepared for and carried out a tour in Sangin, we have the final film in the series.

Mark Urban, our Diplomatic editor, joins soldiers from the Green Howards as they return home from six-months in Afghanistan to be reunited with their families.

More details later.

More details on this evening's Newsnight:

President Barack Obama is to visit Louisiana again on Friday, to see the area affected by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. A new cap placed over the ruptured oil well has begun to funnel oil to the surface and a rough early estimate shows that about 1,000 barrels a day are being captured.

But BP says it could take 48 hours to know if the system is working, and it is believed that 12,000-19,000 barrels of oil a day are still escaping.

Tonight our Economics editor Paul Mason will be assessing the future of the company.

Prime Minister David Cameron and Home Secretary Theresa May have visited a hospital where survivors of the Cumbria shootings are being treated and met some of the police officers who responded to the incident.

Speaking afterwards, Mr Cameron said that the community would need help to get through what would be "a very, very difficult time".

Richard Watson has been to Hungerford, which was the scene of a mass shooting in 1987 in which 27-year-old Michael Ryan shot and killed 16 people including his mother, and wounded 15 others, before killing himself.

How has this small, historic, Berkshire town coped and how will the community of Cumbria recover from the events of this week?

We'll be talking to the Bishop of Carlisle and a leading psychiatrist.

Join Gavin at 10.30pm on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two.
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From earlier today:

How do communities come together to cope with terrible events like those which took place this week in Cumbria?

Richard Watson will be considering the 1987 Hungerford attacks in which 27-year-old Michael Ryan shot and killed 16 people including his mother, and wounded 15 others, before fatally shooting himself.

Has the small, historic, Berkshire town become defined by the massacre, and might the same happen in Cumbria?

Oil firm BP has lowered a cap onto a leaking oil well in the Gulf of Mexico, in the hope of piping some of the oil to ships on the surface.

Our Economics editor Paul Mason will be assessing the future of the company.

More details later.

MORE DETAIL ON TONIGHT'S PROGRAMME:

Tonight we have an exclusive insight into what might have driven Derrick Bird to shoot dead 12 people and injure 11 in yesterday's gun rampage.

Peter Marshall who is in Cumbria at the scene of the devastating attacks has spoken to a close friend of the taxi driver.

We will be bringing you that story and the latest on the investigation.

In the studio we will be discussing whether Prime Minister David Cameron, who will visit the affected areas tomorrow, was right to rule out any quick review of Britain's stringent gun laws as a result of the killings with his assessment that: "You can't legislate to stop a switch flicking in someone's head and this kind of dreadful event taking place."

The new International Development Secretary, Andrew Mitchell, has announced that an independent watchdog is to oversee Britain's foreign aid spending to check whether international aid actually works and provides value for money.

Mr Mitchell said that the move was part of changes to ensure that the government can "squeeze every last ounce of value" out of its spending.

Tonight we will be talking to Mr Mitchell, and discussing the coalition parties' radically differing views on the targeting of aid and why in a time of public spending cuts international aid has been ring fenced.

For the second time in eight days a member of a Food Standards Agency committee running a public dialogue over GM foods has resigned.

Tonight, Susan Watts looks into what has been going on and whether the public discourse over GM foods is now in doubt.

Also, we have a film from Matt Frei on the Brazilian middle classes - and why they are so important.

ENTRY FROM 1137BST:

Peter Marshall is still in Cumbria, scene of yesterday's gun rampage in which local taxi driver Derrick Bird shot dead 12 people and injured 11 others, before killing himself.

He will bring us the latest on the investigation and in the studio we will be discussing the wider impact of such a devastating attack.

Yesterday, saw the second resignation in eight days from a Food Standards Agency (FSA) steering committee running a public dialogue over GM foods.

Tonight, Susan Watts looks into what has been going on and the role of the FSA.

Plus, we have a film from Matt Frei on the Brazilian middle classes - and why they are so important.

More details later.

MORE DETAILS ON TONIGHT'S PROGRAMME:

Police have announced that a gunman who went on the rampage in Cumbria killed 12 people and injured 25 people before killing himself.

Local taxi driver Derrick Bird is reported to have murdered a colleague before driving through the Lake District, firing at people. He was later found dead in woodland.

Peter Marshall is in Whitehaven, where the killing spree began, and will bring us the latest on the story tonight.

In the wake of Monday's lethal raid on an aid flotilla seeking to break Israel's blockade on Gaza, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, has said that the lifting the blockade and allowing the overland import of goods from Israel are key to solving the Middle East crisis.

"What needs to be done is to open the crossings through which goods can flow from Israel into the Gaza Strip," Unwra commissioner, General Filippo Grandi, said.

Tim Whewell is in Gaza and tonight will be reporting on life under the Israeli blockade and whether it has in fact strengthened not undermined support for Hamas.

And Sue Lloyd-Roberts continues her journey to find out the truth of what life is like in North Korea, this time travelling to South Korea to talk to defectors who have made the long and perilous journey to Seoul.

ENTRY FROM 1222BST:

Israel has deported more than 120 foreign activists detained after a deadly raid on an aid flotilla trying to break its blockade of Gaza. The activists were taken to Jordan.

Another 300 people, most of them Turkish, are due to be deported soon. Tim Whewell is in Gaza for us and will be reporting on the situation on the ground.

David Cameron faces his first Prime Minister's Questions this afternoon - how will Harriet Harman perform? Michael Crick will be watching.

And Paul Mason will be giving his take BP - how bad a state is the company in?

And Sue Lloyd Roberts is in South Korea meeting some of the people who have defected there from the North.

You can watch her extraordinary film from inside North Korea .

More details later.

More details on what's coming up on tonight's programme:

Israel is used to facing the opprobrium of the international community, but might internal forces bring the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu down as the Gaza boat affair continues to reverberate?

Ten people died and 30 were wounded when Israeli troops boarded a flotilla of ships carrying aid for Gaza. It was the ninth attempt since 2008 to break an Israeli blockade of the strip by sea, but the first that has resulted in bloodshed. Mr Netanyahu has said that the loss of life was "regrettable".

Tim Whewell is in Jerusalem to bring us the latest on the story as it develops. Our Diplomatic editor Mark Urban will be considering Mr Netanyahu's position and asking what President Barack Obama - whose much anticipated meeting with the Israeli PM tomorrow has now been cancelled - is going to do about it.

We also hope to be hearing from people closely involved.

Then we have an extraordinary film in which Sue Lloyd-Roberts gets rare access to see first hand North Korea's isolation and lack of development. Her heavily chaperoned visit to the country coincided with the extravagant annual celebrations which mark the birthday of the country's founder, Kim Il-sung - who has been dead for some 16 years but is still president and worshipped like a god. .

And we'll be remembering the artist Louise Bourgeois, one of the most influential contemporary artists who has died at the age of 98. Her giant spiders loomed over the Turbine Hall at Tate Modern - the opening installation, a decade ago.

Do join Kirsty for all that at 10.30pm on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two.
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From earlier today:
The UN Security Council has issued a statement calling for an impartial inquiry into Israel's raid on a flotilla of Gaza-bound aid ships.

Does the operation - in which at least 10 people died - change international attitudes towards the Gaza blockade? Tim Whewell is on his way to Jerusalem for us.

The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that the loss of life was "regrettable". Our Diplomatic editor Mark Urban will be considering Mr Netanyahu's position and asking what President Barack Obama - whose much anticipated meeting with Netanyahu tomorrow has now been cancelled - is going to do about it.

Then we have an extraordinary film in which Sue Lloyd-Roberts gets rare access to see first hand North Korea's isolation and lack of development. Her visit to the country coincided with celebrations marking the birthday of the country's founder Kim Il-sung.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has defended Danny Alexander's suitability to be Chief Secretary to the Treasury. There have been questions about whether Mr Alexander has the economic background for the job he moved into after David Laws quit over expenses.
Tonight we'll debate if Mr Alexander really is the best man for the job or simply the only Lib Dem left.

More details later.