No Metaphors – China Miéville’s Imagined Language

In the latest World in Words podcast, a science fiction writer conceives of a language in which is impossible to lie.

Blair slams successor Brown in memoirs

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Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has said his successor Gordon Brown could be “maddening” and accused him of lacking “emotional intelligence”. In his memoirs, he called Brown a “brilliant” chancellor but claimed Brown put him under “relentless” pressure as he tried to take over from Blair as prime minster. Alex Gallafent explores this ‘special relationship’ Download MP3

• Video: BBC coverage
• Tony Blair’s memoirs: key quotes
• ‘A Journey: My Political Life’ by Tony Blair

“Seismic shift” in British politics

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New British Prime Minister David Cameron says the UK’s first coalition in decades could mark a “historic and seismic shift” in British politics. Now that the Conservatives have returned to power, Britain’s foreign policy and its “special relationship” with the US could change as well. As Laura Lynch reports, the new government in London wants a “solid but not slavish relationship” with Washington. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• How the deal will work
• The new prime minister David Cameron

Gordon Brown resigns as UK prime minister

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British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has resigned, and the leader of the Conservative Party, David Cameron, has been appointed prime minister by Queen Elizabeth, five days after the inconclusive election. Brown’s departure brings to an end 13 years of government by the Labour Party. Laura Lynch in London describes the end of Brown’s tenure. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• The political career of Gordon Brown
• In pictures: Gordon Brown’s life in politics
• The new prime minister David Cameron

Brown resigns as party leader

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Gordon Brown has said he is stepping down as Labour Party leader – as his party opens formal talks with the Liberal Democrats about forming a new British government. Brown, who has been UK prime minister since 2007, said he hoped a successor as Labour leader would be in place by September. Marco Werman gets the latest from Laura Lynch in London. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• Gordon Brown profile
• UK election results in hung parliament

UK election results in hung parliament

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After an inconclusive general election in Britain and no party with an overall majority for the first time in almost 40 years, moves are under way to put together a new government. The opposition Conservative party emerged as the largest in the new parliament, and its leader, David Cameron, has said an agreement is needed fast, and that he is making a big, open and comprehensive offer to share power with the Liberal Democrats. Marco Werman talks with Laura Lynch in London. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• What is a hung parliament
• BBC election on Twitter

Final day of campaigning in Britain

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It’s the last day of campaigning before the British general election on Thursday and the leaders of the three main parties are travelling across the country in last-minute bids to win votes. Opinion polls put the main opposition Conservative party of David Cameron ahead, but suggest he won’t win an outright majority. Many voters are thought to be still undecided. Laura Lynch reports from London. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• UK elections could bring hung Parliament
• Candidates focus on economy

British candidates focus on economy

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One week to go, but there’s still no certain winner, or even clear leader, in the British election. Today, the leaders of the three main parties squared off in the last of three televised debates. This one’s on the British economy but it might not be that illuminating. That’s because all three candidates have been accused of not coming clean on the looming crisis in the nation’s finances. The World’s Laura Lynch reports. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• On The World: British election campaign heats up
• Gordon Brown’s apology

British election campaign heats up

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The men who would be prime minister debated a range of foreign policy issues on Thursday. British voters go to the polls on May 6th and the American-style tv face-offs have injected extraordinary energy into the campaign. They’ve also helped elevate the Liberal Democrats into the thick of things. Jeb Sharp talks with Basham Patrick, who directs the Democracy Institute, a think tank in Washington and London. Download MP3

• BBC coverage of the UK election 2010
• On The World: British election campaign launched

Twitter freedom, a zeitgeisty Chinese word, and Lakota immersion

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Question: what happens when a court gags a newspaper? Answer: The gag sags, 140 characters at a time. That’s what happened this month when microbloggers tweeted what The Guardian couldn’t report. Also, a group of Beijing and expat artists discover a Chinese word that seems to convey the state of China today; and the near-death – and possible rebirth – of the native American Lakota language, with an assist from a German rock star.

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Deployed in Afghanistan

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Britain will send 500 more forces personnel to Afghanistan but only if key conditions are met. UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown says, they will be sent as long as they have the necessary equipment, if other NATO allies boost their troop numbers and more Afghan soldiers are trained. We speak with two veterans of the war in Afghanistan – one British, and one American in today’s show. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• Audio slideshow: A father’s tribute to UK Trooper Jack Sadler who died in southern Afghanistan
• Background Brief: Taliban insurgency