Who is on duty today? - I'm on duty today.
What date is it today? - It is September, 1 (the first) 2014
What day is it today? - It is Monday
Who is absent today? - All are present. ИЛИ Ivanov is absent; he is ill.
What is the weather like today? - The weather is fine today. It is sunny and warm. (The weather is bad today. It is raining. It is cold and windy)