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How social media shapes the way we speak
Language is constantly changing. But exposure to social media has seen younger generations, from millennials to Gen Z and Gen Alpha, adopting new terms at a pace never seen before. On this episode, we consider how internet culture is influencing the way many of us speak, as traditional media loses its grip on standard discourse. From vocabulary to grammar, is it possible for politicians to control or protect language, and what is the future of the spoken word in the age of artificial intelligence?Lucy Hockings is joined by journalist and author Sophia Smith Galer and Neil Edgeller from BBC Learning English.The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide. We want your ideas to help us tell #TheGlobalStory. Email us at [email protected] You can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.Producers: Eleanor Sly and Laurie KalusSound engineers: Jack Graysmark and Mike RegaardAssistant editor: Sergi Forcada FreixasSenior news editor: Sara Wadeson
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Path to the Presidency: Trump prepares for power
US President-elect Donald Trump is assembling his future White House team, blending political allies with some surprising choices. Among his picks are vaccine sceptic RFK Jr as health secretary and Elon Musk to head a newly created "Department of Government Efficiency."On this episode, Caitríona Perry is joined by Sumi Somaskanda and digital reporter Bernd Debusmann Jr. to discuss a period of transition for Joe Biden and Donald Trump, as one prepares to leave the White House and the other plans his return.The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell #TheGlobalStory. Email us at [email protected] You can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.
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Does Singapore's death penalty deter drug crime?
Singapore has some of the harshest drug laws in the world. The penalties for trafficking illegal narcotics include decades in prison and even a death sentence. Citizens of Singapore face consequences even if they take drugs while abroad. The government argues its zero-tolerance policy towards drugs – including cannabis - is an effective deterrent.Katya Adler speaks to journalist and documentary maker Linda Pressly about whether Singapore's harsh drugs laws really deter drug crimes.You can listen to Linda's full documentary 'Assignment: Singapore – drugs, rehab, execution' by searching for The Documentary wherever you get your podcasts.Producers: Alice Aylett Roberts and Peter GoffinSound engineers: Mike Regaard and Phil BullAssistant editor: Sergi Forcada FreixasSenior news editor: Sara Wadeson
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Trump's new top team
What the president-elect's inner circle says about his priorities. Donald Trump is surrounding himself with loyalists, billionaires and political newcomers as he prepares for his second term in the White House. On this episode, Caitríona Perry asks the BBC’s senior North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher about new additions to Team Trump like Elon Musk, and notable absences, like Ivanka Trump. Producers: Peter Goffin and Tom Kavanagh Sound engineers: Mike Regaard and Gareth JonesAssistant editor: Sergi Forcada FreixasSenior news editor: Sara Wadeson
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Germany’s deepening political crisis
Chancellor Scholz’s three-party coalition government has fallen apart, leaving Germany mired in a period of political instability. Disagreements between the chancellor and his finance minister Christian Lindner had bubbled for months, ultimately leading to the latter’s dismissal. That prompted two of Lindner’s party colleagues to resign, effectively dismantling the coalition and leaving the chancellor at the head of a minority government.The political turmoil in Berlin comes as Donald Trump’s second election victory leaves the world wondering whether American support will be pulled from Ukraine. Germany is the European Union’s largest economy, but its manufacturing sector has been struggling, while consumers have been affected by high inflation.The BBC’s Berlin correspondent Damien McGuinness and The Guardian’s Berlin correspondent Kate Connolly tell host Katya Adler about the roots of this crisis, and discuss how it may have ramifications around Europe and beyond.Producers: Tom Kavanagh and Alix PicklesSound engineers: Mike RegaardAssistant editor: Sergi Forcada FreixasSenior news editor: Sara Wadeson
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Global perspectives on one big story. In-depth insights from the BBC, the world's most trusted international news provider. Make sense of the news with our experts around the world, every Monday to Friday. Episodes will be ready by 10:30 GMT. Host Katya Adler and our BBC teams guide you through one major global news story each episode. From Beijing to Boston, Baghdad to Bangalore, our unrivalled reach will take you beyond the headlines to help understand and explore what’s happening. The Global News Podcast brings you the latest updates and, on The Global Story, we will drill deep into a single story. From the climate emergency, to the burning questions around Artificial Intelligence, to the movements of money and markets, and the power of the ballot and the bullet. Katya Adler has been a BBC correspondent and editor for more than 25 years, covering conflicts in the Middle East, political and economic crises in Europe, and drug cartels in Mexico. The Global Story team would like to hear your stories and experiences on the issues that we’re covering on the podcast. Please get in touch: [email protected] #TheGlobalStory and tell us your thoughts on what you would like us to talk about.

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