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Nicola Sturgeon for BBC Sounds

The story of Scotland's longest-serving and first ever female First Minister. Available on BBC Sounds

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BBC Radio 4: A Succession of Repetitive Beats

Archive on 4 charting the impact of the 1992 rave at Castlemorton Common, and how it led to the 1994 Criminal Justice Act. Presented and produced by Tom Barton. Sound by Barney Philbrick and Joel Cox. Listen: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0017f1b

BBC Radio 4: Able To Parent

Our BBC Radio 4 documentary Able To Parent follows wheelchair-user Emily and her partner CJ as they decide whether they want to try for a baby. Producer: Leeanne Coyle. Listen in full: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000v2t4

Sweden's Summer Shutdown

In the summer of 1978, many Swedish workers relished the chance to take longer, paid vacations than ever before.This was thanks to an update to Sweden’s Annual Leave Act - or Semesterlagen in Swedish - passed the previous year.

The law guaranteed all employees four consecutive weeks of vacation, and increased their total annual leave to five weeks, giving them some of the longest paid holidays in the world.These policies transformed the way Swedes do business. Many factories and offices shut down for an entire month during the summer. Today,Sweden retains its strong reputation for work-life balance, and the annual leave act has given rise to the 'sommar jobb' - short summer jobs that help cover holiday absences.

(Photo: Inga Persson. Credit: Inga Persson)

Producer: Maddy Savage

A Bespoken Media production for BBC World Service.

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Crossing the Line

Campaigner Louise Lancaster has gone from law-abiding teacher to law-breaking eco-activist, and been jailed for her actions. Is she a concerned campaigner or a reckless fanatic?

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