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The Fifth Floor

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Global stories from the BBC’s 40 Language Services, with Faranak Amidi

Faranak Amidi presents global stories from the Fifth Floor, home to the BBC’s 40 Language Services.

Faranak Amidi presents global stories from the Fifth Floor, home to the BBC’s 40 Language Services

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The Fifth Floor: Belarus language crackdown

Documentaries

'Belarus is not Russia' placard and woman wrapped in old Belarus flag, at Kyiv rally

20/01/2023 GMT

Belarus language crackdown

BBC World Service - The Fifth Floor, Belarus language crackdown

Why it's become dangerous to speak Belarusian in Belarus

Why has it become dangerous to speak Belarusian in Belarus?

It's becoming more and more dangerous to speak Belarusian in Belarus, with reports of people being sacked and even arrested for trying to conduct their work in Belarusian. The linguistic clampdown escalated after the 2020 pro-democracy protests against long-term leader Alexander Lukashenko, as BBC Russian journalist, and Belarusian, Tatsiana Yanutsevich reports. 

Sri Lanka's education crisis 
In Sri Lanka many parents are having to decide which children to send to school.  It’s a consequence of the political and economic crisis and the dramatic rise in the cost of basics like food and transport.  Delhi-based BBC Sinhala editor Ishara Danasekara returned to her home country to make this report.

Impeachment, protests and deaths: what is happening in Peru?
The impeachment and arrest of Peru's former president Pedro Castillo brought thousands onto the streets, demanding new elections and the removal of his successor, Dina Boluarte.  Violent clashes with the security forces have left dozens dead and scores injured. BBC Mundo’s Guillermo Olmo explains the background, and why Peru is so deeply divided.

South Korea and Ghana – the chocolate connection 
For chocolate lovers in South Korea, the most familiar brand is probably Ghana. “Ghana” is written prominently on the wrapper but how much do South Koreans know about the country it’s named after? We brought together Bugyeong Jung from BBC Korean and BBC Africa’s Thomas Naadi, who’s Ghanaian to find out.

(Photo: 'Belarus is not Russia' placard and woman wrapped in old Belarus flag, at Kyiv rally in solidarity with Belarusian anti-government protest, September 2022. Credit: STR/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

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