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Ìý0715

This week Libya's rival politicians signed a UN-brokered deal to form a unity government in a nation split by more than four years of conflict. Whilst the heads of the rival parliaments failed to sign the agreement because of major disagreements it could yet prove to be a springboard for a wider agreement that eventually unites the country. If it fails the country could spiral further into violence. Oliver Miles is a former British Ambassador to Libya and former head of the Foreign Office's Near East and North African Department.

0720

The Miss World pageant takes place in China today without the Canadian contestant. Anastasia Lin, who was born in China, was crowned Miss World Canada in May, later appeared before the US Congress where she criticised China's human rights record. She's now been denied a Chinese visa. She spoke to Mishal Husain and described how she found that she wouldn't be able to compete in the final.

0725

Parliament’s "green watchdog", the Environmental Audit Committee has warned the Government that its proposed privatisation of the Green Investment Bank (GIB) must not go ahead unless Ministers can ensure that the Bank’s guiding green objectives are protected and strengthened. We speak to Caroline Lucas who is a Green MP for Brighton Pavilion.

0730

Earlier this week Sir Elton John described secondary ticket sites as ‘disgraceful’, saying that he would rather have empty seats at his concerts than see his fans paying extortionate prices. A review into existing regulation of the secondary ticket industry is currently underway – an extended period of public submissions closed yesterday. Currently it is completely legal to re-sell tickets online – so what’s all the fuss about? Oliver Wheeler is spokesperson for ViaGoGo.

0740

The fact that some of the terrorists involved in last month's attacks in Paris were French citizens has fuelled fears about extremists returning from Syria to plot atrocities in Europe. Hundreds of British Muslims are thought to have travelled to Syria to join so-called Islamic State - but Indonesia, home to more than 200 million Muslims, is thought to have fewer IS recruits than either Britain or France. The Indonesian government says that's because the tolerant Islam it has fostered. Our correspondent Mike Thomson reports from Jakarta on what Indonesia calls 'archipelago Islam'.

0750

The Fire Brigade Union are warning that the Government's bid to get the Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC) Ìýto take over fire and rescue authorities, could damage public trust in firefighters. The Home Office is due to take on responsibility for fire and rescue policy next year and the Government has been consulting on how the emergency services can work closer together. Ministers argue their plans could lead to significant savings and benefits for the public. Matt Wrack is General Secretary for the Fire Bridge Union and Kevin Hurley, Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey and former firefighter.

0810

David Cameron says that European leaders are moving towards a deal for the UK that will reframe the UK’s relationship with its EU partners. For those who think Britain would be better off outside the Union, you might think that they’d be looking towards UKIP for leadership in the debate. However this week the party’s only MP said that the party needed a new leader. Steve Crowther is Chairman for UKIP.

0820

For decades, Israel has had a problem with feral cats - there are an estimated two million of them on the streets. A neutering programme run by an animal charity has been keeping the numbers down but this year it faced a challenge from a right-wing minister who felt it was against Jewish ethics to spend state money on interfering with the reproductive cycle. For now, the charity has won the argument. Our correspondent Kevin Connolly went to see it at work.

0840

World powers meeting in New York have unanimously endorsed a peace plan for Syria.Ìý The resolution approved by the UN Security Council demands that all parties cease attacks on civilians.Ìý It stresses that the Syrian people will decide the future of their country, and sets out a timetable for UN-supervised free and fair elections within eighteen months.Ìý It does not refer to the future of the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad. Our correspondent Lyse Doucet and British Ambassador to Syria from 2003–2006, Peter Ford, speak to us live.

0845
Ten years ago today, at Belfast City Hall, Grainne Close and Shannon Sickles made UK history. They were the first gay couple to become civil partners. Since then, almost 70,000 same-sex couples have followed suit. Gay marriage has been legalised in the UK except in Northern Ireland and the numbers opting for civil partnerships have fallen. What does the future hold for civil partnerships? Joining us on the programme is Nick Lansley who was in civil partnership and converted to marriage this year. Charles Keiden is challenging the Civil Partnership Act at Judicial Review as he and his female partner want a civil partnership.Ìý

0850

The first Star Wars film released in 1977 is either credited or blamed with the take off in profitable movie merchandise.How many of those toy Star Wars figures have been sold since then and how would they fare if they came up against today's armies? Neal Razzell from the ´óÏó´«Ã½ World Service reports.

0855
Tim Peake has now been in space for four days and has already started his work at the International Space Station. Although he’s not the first Britain to go into space, he is the first professional British astronaut funded by the UK government to do so. Until fairly recently the UK have refused to contribute to funding the European Space Agency’s manned missions, which has effectively excluded the UK from taking part in these space missions. David Willets is former Science Minister who was involved in getting funding for Tim Peake’s mission. David Whitehouse is author of ‘One Small Step: The Inside Story of Space Exploration'.