What in the World

Protests are still ongoing across France, but now it’s no longer just about schools. People of all ages are protesting over a high cost of living. But there was violence and riots over the weekend, with thousands of arrests.

Dramatic pictures of wreckage, fires and police clampdowns have spread online and have had a huge response internationally. But what exactly is happening and why have things shifted since earlier protests this month? We hear from BBC reporter Pierre-Antoine Denis, about what has caused this intense shift.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Emily Horler and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde

Have a look at the label in the clothes you’re wearing today. Chances are, you’re wearing some polyester. It’s the most- produced synthetic fibre on the planet and it’s having a bit of a moment on socials. In a bad way…people are giving it up and swapping for more natural fibres.

You might’ve seen claims that polyester is linked to diseases like cancer and can cause fertility issues. But how worried should we be? Professor Mohamed Abdallah from the University of Birmingham breaks it down for us and Chelsea Coates from the What in the World team explains how we can make better clothing choices.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Chelsea Coates and Emily Horler Editor: Verity Wilde

Is educational content about women’s reproductive and sexual health being removed or restricted on social media apps? Content moderation tools are meant to flag specific words and imagery that breach platform guidelines, like showing nudity or explicit content, but posts that use clinical terms like ‘vagina’ are getting blocked too. BBC reporter, Ashitha Nagesh has been speaking to charities, campaigners and businesses about this issue.

We hear from three creators, Dr Aziza Sesay, Samantha Hadadi and Gigi Engle about their experience of being shadowbanned on social media and how it’s impacted their work.

And Martha Dimitratou is the founder of Repro Uncensored, a non profit that tracks censorship online, she tells us how this is impacting content creators on a global scale.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde

What began as a peaceful protest in Albania turned violent in October, as students took the lead, setting buildings on fire and clashing with police. They are demanding better university conditions, greater opportunities for young people – and an end to what they describe as a corrupt government.

This all goes back to a proposal to build a huge, luxury tourist resort in Zvërnec, where there’s a flamingo reserve. US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, is among the investors. But locals were unhappy at the impact the proposals would have on the flamingos and the nature in the area. So, they began to protest.

The Flamingo Movement has grown, and crowds are now chanting not just about the environment, but schools, jobs and living standards. We hear from some protesters, including 23-year-old activist, Brunela, who has become known as “the girl who started the revolution”. And Rita Behadini from the What in the World, breaks down the political landscape of Albania.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producer: Mollie Perella, Baldeep Chahal and Rita Behadini Editor: Verity Wilde

Shoes on or off? Laptops in or out? And don’t get us started on the rules around liquids! Getting through airport security never seems to be simple. It’s there for a reason, of course. But there are so many rules and why do they seem to be different everywhere you go?

We’re joined by science journalist and presenter Caroline Steel to talk about everything from the miles long luggage belts our suitcases travel on, how x-ray scanners work, what they’re looking for and whether or not they can ACTUALLY see us naked.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Mollie Perella and Baldeep Chahal Video Producer: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Emily Horler

Singapore’s got a reputation for being one of world’s cleanest cities. But right now, it’s covered in a thick blanket of smog. And it’s recently seen its worst air quality levels for the year. The reason? Fires in nearby Indonesia.

Indonesia’s seen its worst wildfire season in years. Huge areas of land have been burning for weeks. Fires are sometimes lit as a way to illegally clear land to make room for plantations - a process known as ‘slash and burn’. Hot and dry conditions caused by extreme weather mean the fires grow and spread easily.

We hear from people in Singapore and Indonesia about how the fires and resulting haze are affecting their daily lives. Plus, BBC reporters Tessa Wong in Singapore and Liza Tambunan in Indonesia explain how both countries are responding.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee Adams Producers: Baldeep Chahal and Mollie Perella Editor: Verity Wilde

It’s no surprise more people want to become influencers - a study found that in 2024, YouTube content creators alone contributed £2.2bn to the UK’s economy. But… would you pay thousands to study how to be one?

A growing number of universities around the world, like Arizona State University in the US, have started offering Content Creation courses. We hear from Martyna who is currently studying BA Content Creation at Nottingham Trent University in the UK.

So are these courses the best way to become an influencer? Or are they more about training to go into a career in online marketing?

BBC journalist Megan Lawton takes us through the stats and Daanish (@doctordaanish), a medical doctor and influencer, gives us his take on these degrees.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams and Chelsea Coates Video Producer: Tim Hodges Editor: Emily Horler

There’s just SOMETHING not quite right about that French influencer we’re seeing all over socials. His blonde bob, the suit he wears, and that moustache! His name is Jean Philanthrope, and his videos have wracked up millions of views. But, it turns out, he’s not real. He’s AI and he’s being used to promote a risky type of crypto called a Meme coin.

We speak to BBC Verify’s Marco Silva about how he investigates characters like this, how they work, and what you can do to keep yourself safe from falling for this kind of content. Artist and performer Nadir Josi also tells us his concerns about the ‘copy and paste culture’ of the internet, and what it means for the future of art.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Mollie Perella Editors: Emily Horler

Last week, Christa Pike, a death row inmate in the US faced execution via lethal injection for a murder she committed in 1995. But after she was given two full doses of the drug pentobarbital, she survived. At the time of uploading this podcast, she remains awake in hospital and it’s unclear what went wrong with the attempted execution.

We hear the details from BBC reporters in the US, who have been covering this story including Brandon Drenon, Kayla Epstein and Nada Tawfik.

Not long after Pike’s recovery, the US Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth, announced that an execution by firing squad in Fort Hood, Texas will be livestreamed to the public for the first time. The man on death row is Nidal Hasan, a former US Army major and he shot dead 13 unarmed US soldiers in 2009.

What does this all mean for the future of the death penalty in the US?

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Chelsea Coates and Benita Barden Editor: Emily Horler

January isn’t the only time for new year’s resolutions anymore. The end of the year is having a moment too - as part of the great lock-in trend. There’s lots of content online about locking in for the last four months of the year - whether that’s working out more regularly, spending less time on your phone, or trying to get that promotion at work.

Some people call it a winter arc, a September reset or the fresh-start effect - why have so many of us decided this is the perfect time for self-improvement? And is striving for optimisation all the time necessarily a good thing?

We hear from Adeja Shivonne, a lifestyle content creator based in New York City, who shares how her great lock-in is going. And BBC journalist Melissa Hogenboom explains what the science says about how to successfully set new goals - and stick to them.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams and Chelsea Coates Video Producer: Tim Hodges Editor: Emily Horler

Film and TV show spoilers often come with a warning because people know they can be annoying. But when it comes to footage from concerts and gigs… those rules don’t really apply, as Olivia Rodrigo fans found out when clips of a surprise moment from her ‘Unraveled Tour’ went viral on socials.

You might have saved up for a ticket to see your favourite artist, found the perfect outfit and be counting down the days to the big show, but the chances are that you’ll know what’s going to happen way before you get there. Fan clips of all the biggest moments, the surprises and the special guests are usually shared everywhere online and difficult to avoid. If you’ve been to a concert recently, you might have found it irritating if people are filming huge chunks of the show in front of you. Some artists like Phoebe Bridgers, are even banning phones from their concerts.

We ask if gig spoilers ruin the surprise or actually add to the excitement. And, if they’re not for you, what can you do to avoid them when you’re online? We speak to BBC journalist Riyah Collins who has been looking into this and ask music fans from Nigeria, Australia and the UK what they think.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Chelsea Coates and William Lee Adams Editor: Emily Horler

Can we really get swallowed by a black hole? And what would actually happen if we did? Black holes are really mysterious and there is still so much we don’t know about them. So, grab your space helmet because we’re getting into some of the biggest questions scientists are still trying to answer.

We speak to science journalist, Caroline Steel, to clear up some of the mysteries around black holes. How do they distort time? Are wormholes real?

We also hear from astrophysicist and postdoctoral researcher Rowina Nathan - she separates fact from fiction and busts some of the most common black hole myths, answering questions from members of the Cosmic Girls Foundation, a global community helping teenage girls engage with space, science and technology.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producer: Baldeep Chahal, William Lee Adams and Rita Behadini Editor: Emily Horler

Across France, thousands of high school students are protesting. They say they’re doing it because of conditions in their schools - that classrooms are overcrowded, there’s not enough teachers and they can’t concentrate on exams because school buildings aren’t being maintained well enough.

Five hundred schools are shut and some protests have turned violent, with riot police being deployed and some streets set on fire. Pupils, teachers and police have been injured. Many of the protesters are under 18 and at this point there is no sign of the demonstrations ending. So why is this happening?

We hear from French teenagers who have spent the last few days protesting about what they want to change and why this is so important to them. We also hear from BBC reporter Pierre-Antoine Denis and former student union president Manès Nadel.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Chelsea Coates, Emma-Louise Amanshia and Rita Behadini Editor: Emily Horler

It’s something you might dream of - or only see in films or read in books - moving to a remote island in the middle of the sea. Only wildlife around you. No bars or clubs and barely any people!

Sound like a bit of you? Or maybe it’s your worst nightmare. We speak to BBC reporter Georgina Rannard, about why she’s swapping city life to be a farmer on an island in Wales with only three other people. We also hear tips from people that’ve done similar things. Jaleesah lives on Siquijor in the Philippines and Tom works on a research station in Antarctica.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producer: Mollie Perella Editor: Emily Horler

Researching ways to improve your sleep has been popular for years but now it’s evolved and there’s a whole new genre of social media content called ‘Sleepmaxxing’. It shows ways you can build your perfect night’s sleep, by taking magnesium supplements, using black-out curtains or white noise machines. Experts say the popularity has boomed thanks to the accessibility of smart watches which give users sleep scores. We hear from Ollie, who tracks his sleep and is aiming for the perfect score.

BBC reporter Ashitha Nagesh who’s been reporting on the trend, tells us why some experts advise against multi-layered sleep routines and an obsessive fixation with sleep called orthosomnia.

Plus, sleep expert Sophie Bostock tells us how reliable popular sleep trackers are and what they are really measuring.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Mollie Perella, Emily Horler and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde

The issue of safety on college campuses is nothing new. But it’s back in the spotlight again because of the re-opening of a case at Cornell University, New York in the US. A woman alleges she was gang raped at a fraternity party in October 2024. The group is being called the ‘Cornell 7’ on social media. The incident was reported to campus police at the time, but no formal charges were made.

The woman claims she was drugged and raped at a frat house and says the uni didn’t protect her or adequately punish the men she says were involved. Cornell rejects this. Her lawyer says she was traumatised and dropped out of uni.

Now, two years later, state prosecutors have reopened the investigation following a civil lawsuit she’s filed. So - what happened with the case the first time? And what’s different now?

We speak to the BBC’s New York correspondent Nada Tawfik about the case and the conversations about consent, accountability and campus sexual assault.

If you are affected by any of the issues in this episode, details of help available in many countries can be found at Befrienders Worldwide. www.befrienders.org

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producer: Mollie Perella Editor: Emily Horler

More and more of us are picking up side hustles - US national employment data shows that the number of people with more than one job is going up year on year, and a survey found that the majority of them are 16-24 year olds. So why are more of us turning to side hustles? And what’s the best way to start one?

We hear from Katie (@katiesgarms), Vera (@viavera_) and Shania (@shaniasvault) who have all started successful side hustles. They share how they got into them and their top tips for getting started. And Chelsea Coates from the What in the World team explains why the current global job market is encouraging more people to pick up second jobs - and the things to look out for if you’re thinking of doing this.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Mollie Perella, Chelsea Coates and Emma-Louise Amanshia Video Journalist: Chelsea Coates Editor: Verity Wilde

Madonna won Artist of the Year and Taylor Swift made a splash at Sunday’s MTV Video Music Awards - she became the most decorated performer in VMA history, and premiered her music video for Patient Zero, the lead single from the encore to her album The Life of a Showgirl.

And there’s a reason the VMAs might have been so keen to have her - award ceremonies aren’t pulling the big audiences that they used to. Millions of people used to tune in and pore over the outfits and the speeches, hoping their favourite artists would win. But now, viewing figures are falling for shows like the Grammys, the Oscars and the Emmys.

So… why are award shows in their flop era? And what’s being done to revive them?

BBC culture journalist William Lee Adams breaks it all down - and we hear from music fans on whether they think award ceremonies are still relevant.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Benita Barden and Chelsea Coates Editor: Emily Horler

VMAs 2026 audio courtesy of MTV/CBS

Would you bring an iced coffee to a job interview? A viral TikTok from Caitlin Wehniainen - a recruiter in Florida - has stirred up a huge debate. It’s after she said that Gen Z candidates turning up to job interviews with an iced coffee can look too casual and unprofessional.

But seriously…can an iced latte actually hurt your chances of getting a job? And what does your coffee order have to do with whether you’d be good at it? Grab your drink of choice because we’re getting into it with BBC reporters Baldeep Chahal, Leona Gasper and Stefania Okereke from the What in the World team. BBC journalist Sanjana Idnani tells us about the difficult job market recent graduates are having to contend with. And BBC reporter Basma El Atti shares her thoughts from Nairobi.

Plus: We get hot takes from content creators Alexis Wilson (@sucseed_academics), Olivia Monday (@oliviamonday_) and Piper Phillips (@piperphillips) from Instagram, and Coka (@cokafree), Anne-Tso @theportfoliocareercoach, Evan (@thisamericanmess) from TikTok.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee Adams Producer: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

We’ve seen more and more women talking about cycle-syncing. It’s where you adjust your diet and work outs to match the different phases of your period. Things like eating more in certain phases or taking it easy in others.

But does cycle-syncing help you get better results? Does the science back it up or is it just another wellness trend and rule book for women to follow?

BBC reporter Zara Salaria takes us through what cycle syncing is, we hear from people who have tried it and a doctor breaks it down for us: does it work?

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Benita Barden Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

Globally more than a billion tonnes of food is wasted each year and much of it ends up in landfills. As the food breaks down it releases huge amounts of methane, making up 10% of the world’s climate-warming emissions. Now many cities and governments are looking to South Korea as a model of how to reduce food waste and boost food recycling.

BBC reporter Soo Min Kim explains how South Korea cut household food waste going to landfill from 97% to almost nothing. Among other things, they’ve nudged the public to think about their food waste by making it mandatory to separate food waste and to pay for throwing it away. The country also has special RFID bins to handle disposal and payments, and there are financial penalties for people who don’t comply.

We also hear from content creators around the world about how they reduce their food waste. They are: Senjuti Chakraborty in India, Debbi Love in the UK, and Chatty Miss Maddie and Lani Marschall in Australia. Plus BBC reporter William Lee Adams shares some of the surprising food saving hacks he came across on social media.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producer: William Lee Adams Editor: Verity Wilde

You may have seen whimsy all over your socials this year. Maybe you’ve been trying to make your days more whimsical? To some, that means taking a moment to appreciate the small things in life: the way the light falls on your desk in the afternoons, or a slow moment spent watching the way the trees blow in the wind. But now, rhinestones have entered the chat and the trend seems to have evolved into something entirely different. There are now concerns that it’s turned into over-consumerism, with people buying gems and other items to be whimsy. When some argue that whimsy simply cannot be bought.

We speak to content creators Karris & Elizabeth about what whimsy means to them. Mollie from the What in the World team talks us through how the trend has grown. And we break down the evolution of whimsy with pop culture writer, Alyssa, and de-influencer, Emma.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Mollie Perella and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde

For months gamers and horror movie fans around the world have been waiting for the brand new Resident Evil movie to drop. After the trailer was released there was a huge backlash from fans who were worried that it would be terrible. They said that key characters were missing, it was set in the wrong decade and previous films in the franchise weren’t great. So, now that they’ve seen it, what do they think?

We speak to the film’s director Zach Cregger, BBC reporters Tom Richardson and Baldeep Chahal and six Resident Evil fans to find out about the response to the film and how it compares to the famous game.

Resident Evil audio courtesy of director Zach Creeger and Constantin Film.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: William Lee Adams, Emma-Louise Amanshia and Mollie Perella Editor: Verity Wilde

For the first time in a loooong time, Macklemore’s face is probably all over your timeline, alongside Ed Sheeran’s. This week, Ed Sheeran’s Loop tour’s been plunged into chaos after Macklemore was dropped as Ed's support for making pro-Palestinian comments on stage. The other artists who were going to take part in the tour with Ed pulled out in solidarity. What’s gonna happen with his Philadelphia concert? Is this going to ruin the tour?!

We unpack how the week unfolded with Zara Salaria from BBC News. Do you want your favourite artists to speak about politics on stage? Jordan Kenny from Newsbeat talks us through the different takes. We also discuss what’s next for Ed Sheeran and his career with our human Wikipedia, BBC music correspondent Mark Savage.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Mollie Perella, Emily Horler, Baldeep Chahal, Chelsea Coates and Liv Cleal Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

Can being ultra-flexible be a sign of a health condition? Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD) cause joint hypermobility - which is when your joints have greater than normal range of motion. It means you might be able to bend your body in ways others can’t, but it can come with lots of health issues including digestive problems, joint pain and fatigue. It can take years to be diagnosed with HSD.

We hear from Ana Simmons about how hypermobility affects her everyday life. And, BBC reporter Ella Kipling, who also has HSD, tells us why it’s so hard to get a diagnosis.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Mollie Perella and Benita Barden Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

Sydney Sweeney has sparked controversy for a provocative ad campaign that appears to show her naked. It’s for the sports betting company Novig. In the advert, Sweeney is seen covering parts of her body with footballs, basketballs, golf clubs and other sports equipment and is heard repeating the word “sports.” But several women athletes — including Sophie Capewell, Amy Hunt, and Gracie Kramer — have criticised the campaign, saying it sexualises female athletes and views sport through the male gaze. Sweeney, who is best known for movies like ‘Anyone But You’ and ‘The Housemaid,’ hasn’t responded directly.

BBC Sport journalist Sarah Dawkins tells us more. We also hear from female athletes and content creators, including German rugby international Sofie Fella, Aofie Hernon, and Izza Khan.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Chelsea Coates and William Lee Adams Editor: Verity Wilde

Ever wondered why you might feel a bit unwell after a flight? There are lots of reasons for that - from dehydration, jet lag, cabin pressure and altitude.

Last month, a French court recognised that cosmic radiation was a factor in a flight attendant’s breast cancer diagnosis. Studies show that cabin crew and pilots have the highest level of radiation- related cancer deaths compared to more than 500 other jobs.

We’re looking at what impacts flying regularly, and for long periods of time, can have on your body. We hear from Savannah, a pilot in the US, about what she does to keep herself healthy when sitting in a cockpit for hours. And Naomi, who is taking a break from being cabin crew, tells us how spending so much time in a plane has affected her.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producer: Mollie Perella and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde

You are at the top of your game in your sport. Maybe you are the best in the world. But, you also want to start a family. For many female athletes, these two things happen at the same time - with careers often peaking when athletes are most fertile - the ages of 20-29.

Can you do both? We have seen athletes like Serena Williams, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Alice Kinsella do it. But how easy is it? Spain’s Football Federation, and Chelsea football team are paving the way to helping women have more options when it comes to their athletic careers and motherhood.

We hear what several athletes think about the new fertility schemes announced, and we speak to Jo Perkins, an expert in female athlete health. She tells us why options like this are so important, but what else needs to be done.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Mollie Perella and Chelsea Coates Editor: Verity Wilde

Russia has been trying to grow its influence in Africa for years, with Russian paramilitary groups operating in countries such as Mali and Niger and Africans being recruited to fight in Russia’s war in Ukraine.

But it’s not just through soldiers and paramilitaries - Russia has now announced plans to open eight new cultural centres across Africa. The new centres are expected to open in countries such as Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Senegal, and they will offer locals the opportunity to learn Russian, find out about Russian culture, and get help applying to study there.

So, why is Russia opening more of them? And are more young Africans interested in learning Russian?

The BBC’s West Africa Reporter Makuochi Okafor explains why Russia is keen to build more influence on the continent - and the other countries it’s competing with. We also hear from Raphael, a student based in Lagos who’s learning Russian, about whether he’s seen more people wanting to learn the language.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Chelsea Coates and William Lee Adams Editor: Verity Wilde

A series of recent studies suggests that drug use is increasing among Gen Z. Some young people are taking prescription anti-anxiety medications — such as propranolol and pregabalin — without a prescription. They’re buying them online or on the black market, exposing themselves to additional risks.

Jacqui Wakefield, our Global Health Reporter, explains why some young people see these drugs as an alternative to alcohol. They want to reduce social anxiety on a night out and experience a feeling of euphoria, but without the calories and hangover that can come with heavy drinking. We discuss the risks associated with using these drugs without medical supervision, and the potential consequences for young people’s health.

Warning: This episode includes references to suicidal thoughts.

If you are affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode, or are experiencing distress or despair and need support, you could speak to a health professional or an organisation that offers support. Details of help available in many countries can be found at Befrienders Worldwide: www.befrienders.org

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams and Chelsea Coates Video Journalist: Tim Hodges Editor: Verity Wilde

In the current global economic environment, youth unemployment is higher than the national average in many countries, as companies are reluctant to take on new staff. According to the United Nations, the global youth unemployment rate rose to 12.4 per cent last year, meaning around 67 million people under 24 can’t find jobs.

Now some companies are staging less conventional recruitment processes that are attracting job applicants and buzz.

We speak with journalist MaryLou Costa about L'Oreal’s Brandstorm competition, which turns recruitment into an X Factor-style competition, with jobs as the prize. The process starts with domestic competitions around the world and culminates in a grand final in Paris.

For the young people involved, is it exciting - or unfair? We hear from Allodya Arofa, a final-year university student who won the national competition in Indonesia, about her experience.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Chelsea Coates and William Lee Adams Editor: Verity Wilde

From memes to movies, we’ve all seen vultures getting a bit of a bad rep! The bird of prey is often linked to death and decay, but some people are trying to fight back and try and give them a bit of a rebrand.

Kojo Baidoo is a vulture fan and birder in the US. He tells us about how he’s trying to rehab the vulture brand through social media and why we should have some more love for these feathered friends.

Plus, Makuochi Okafor our West Africa reporter, explains how vultures are disappearing in Nigeria, but a man called the ‘Vulture King’ is trying to save them.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Emily Horler and Benita Barden Video Producer: Baldeep Chahal Editors: Verity Wilde

After a record 250 consecutive days at sea, the USS Abraham Lincoln finally docked in Thailand last week. Half of the 5,000 crew members are under 24 years old and they’ve been on board since December, as part of the US-Israel war with Iran.

There have been reports of difficult conditions on board, with food shortages, broken plumbing and concerns about the crew’s morale and mental health, but the US Navy says there haven't been severe problems on board. So how can spending months at sea impact your mental health?

We speak to Dr Harold Kudler, a psychiatrist and former head of mental health policy for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, about the toll this can take. We also hear from Joe Franta, a merchant mariner and YouTuber who documents his experiences working on cargo ships. He shares what it’s like to be at sea for long periods of time.

Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams and Chelsea Coates Editor: Harriet Oliver

A floating island that appeared in a Canadian reservoir and seemed to vanish has returned. Officials at Williston Reservoir in British Columbia spent months tracking it through satellite imagery and discovered it had drifted 30 kilometres away. The island made international headlines and gained a loyal fan base on social media. Jake Horton from BBC Verify has been looking at the data and gave us an overview of what we can confirm about the island’s story. Plus, Jon Dickson, who specialising in marine wood and sea restoration tells us all about floating islands, and what it’s like to be on one.

Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Mollie Perella and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde

Imagine you’ve just started a new job or it’s your first day at uni. You’re talking to your boss or teacher, someone who’s much older, much richer, or much more powerful than you. Do you call them by their first name? Or do you go with Mr, Mrs, Professor, Doctor?

In Nigeria, a video of a young woman being corrected for calling a billionaire businessman, Tony Elumelu, by his first name has sparked a conversation about respect, age and power.

We speak to three Nigerians to get their take on the story and how you should refer to your boss.

Plus our reporter Basma El Atti in Nairobi, Kenya, tells us about the unwritten rules elsewhere in the world.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler, Mollie Perella and Stefania Okereke Video Producer: Baldeep Chahal Editors: Verity Wilde

Aura farming has left your phone screen and landed in public squares all over Latin America. Hundreds of people are attending ‘aura battles’ - high-energy public competitions where the only way to win is show just how much raw charisma you have. Laura Garcia from BBC Mundo tells us exactly what it takes to prove your aura. Dani San, who’s been organising aura battles in Chile, tells us what it’s like to watch one unfold.

Plus Mollie Perella from the What in the World team gets a lesson in ‘aura farming’ from Ava Arabian, a content creator from New York.

Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler, Benita Barden and Mollie Perella Editor: Verity Wilde

Investing used to be seen as something that was for older people in suits, but now more young people are getting into it, thanks to the rise in online investing apps that have made it more accessible, and a growing awareness of how stocks and shares work.

But data suggests that despite being less likely to start investing, women often make higher returns than men when they do. So, why are women often better at investing? And how does it work?

BBC business reporter Emer Moreau unpacks the data on how women and men invest differently, what investing is and why it can be risky. We also chat to Viktoriia and Gabriella, two women in their 20s, about why they started investing and how they are finding it.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Chelsea Coates, Emily Horler and Emma-Louise Amanshia Video Producer: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

Videos from the second edition of the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing have been going viral. Two thousand robots from 16 countries took part and the robots seem more human-like than ever. They dance, compete in boxing matches, sprint faster than Usain Bolt, and even lift weights (not always successfully).

BBC China Analyst Kerry Allen explains how the Games relate to China’s international and domestic goals. Among other things, China’s leaders want to show the world how advanced their robotics industry is and demonstrate advances that will allow robots to strengthen China’s workforce.

We also hear reactions from content creators Christina Ernst in the United States, Uchechukwu Ololo in Nigeria and Cheryl Liu in China.

Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams, Benita Barden and Mollie Perella Editor: Harriet Oliver

Rockstar — the developer behind Grand Theft Auto 6 — has released the “extended look” trailer ahead of the game’s November release. The 26-minute preview offers fans the first detailed footage from the game. Among other things, the trailer showcases the relationship between protagonists Jason Duval and Lucia Camino and some very impressive chase scenes.

The extended look premiered following a week of leaks. We get reaction from some popular gamers and content creators: Alogirlx in Canada, ColdJinn in India, Knightenator in the UK, and Nixstah in the United States. Plus BBC reporter Tom Richardson explains why people have been leaking content from the game and what the potential impact could be.

Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Chelsea Coates and William Lee Adams Editor: Verity Wilde

Tradwife content is everywhere - you’ve seen it on your feed. Influencers showing off their sourdough loaves while talking about how lucky they are to be stay-at-home wives, mothers, and girlfriends. For some, it looks like an aspirational lifestyle - fairy-tale wealth, a beautiful home, family and no 9-5 job.

One of the biggest accounts like this is Nara Smith. And although she’s often seen as the face of the movement, she’s now said she doesn’t identify with the label.

Others using the hashtag on their content say the same.

We chat to Crystal Gorsuch, who is 20 and a stay-at-home mum. What does she think of the label and how has her content been received by people online?

Plus, Chelsea from the team talks to us about how this trend is changing and where it might go next.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Chelsea Coates Editor: Verity Wilde

Dolly Parton was a country music star like no other. Following her death from cancer on Tuesday, everyone from President Donald Trump to Beyoncé has expressed condolences online. But the public mourning isn’t just about Dolly’s catalogue of hits like “I Will Always Love You,” “Jolene” and “9 to 5,” or her nearly 50 studio albums like “Backwoods Barbie.”

William Lee Adams, a BBC culture reporter, explains why Dolly’s legacy has only grown with time. We discuss her uplifting personality, endlessly quotable quotes, and philanthropic endeavours — from donating a million dollars to help fund the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine to the Imagination Library, her charity that has gifted children more than 200 million free books.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams and Mollie Perella Editors: Verity Wilde

Scientists have snapped some shiny new pictures of the Sun in the most detail we’ve ever seen. They used a super powerful solar telescope to show "whirlpools" of activity which are the Sun’s magnetic field being twisted and moved by the motion of hot gas.

Victoria Gill, our Science Correspondent chats to us about how the pictures were taken by the Inouye Solar Telescope and what they tell us about the universe.

Plus, we hear from three space photography enthusiasts and science content creators.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler, Chelsea Coates and Adam Chowdhury Video Producer: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

Divine, a short-form video-sharing app, lets users create and share videos which are just six seconds long and repeat on a loop. It’s inspired by Vine, an app founded in 2012 that, at its peak, had more than 200 million monthly active users. It helped launch the careers of some of the internet's biggest stars, including Jake Paul and Lele Pons.

Laura Cress, a BBC tech reporter, explains how the app plans to shake up social media by banning AI and moving away from an algorithm that feeds people videos specific to their taste and browsing habits. Instead it uses an open, decentralized design that encourages people to engage with similar videos as other users.

Plus: Chelsea and Baldeep from the What in the World team re-enact some of the most iconic moments from the Vine era.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Chelsea Coates and William Lee Adams Editors: Verity Wilde

Niu Lai, a low-budget Chinese animation film about a cow in a dream sequence, is going viral. Released on August 5, it earned less than $1,500 in its first ten days. But then — following snarky comments, bad reviews and widespread mockery by Gen-Z — the film found a larger audience and has now brought in more than $1.6 million dollars.

We speak with William Lee Adams, a BBC culture reporter, and Mengchen Zhang from the BBC’s Global China Unit. They discuss the film’s plot, its rudimentary animation and how bad publicity has helped it go viral at home and abroad. We also hear about the origins of the film, which was made by a mother and son over the course of five years.

Plus: Chinese content creator Marcelo Wang offers his hot take, and Utah-based content creator Cameron Cowley shares three of his favourite “so bad they’re good” films.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Benita Barden and William Lee Adams Editors: Verity Wilde

Do you run without a a shirt on ever? Lots of people have opinions on this topic and in some parts of the world it’s something you’re just not allowed to do.

We hear from runners around the world for their take on the decision to run without a shirt one - for both men and women.

And Yijin Shim from BBC Korean tells us about how in South Korea “no shirtless running” signs have been popping up after more runners have been going shirtless in a heatwave.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler, Chelsea Coates and Adam Chowdhury Video Producer: Baldeep Chahal Editors: Verity Wilde

Across social media young women are discussing the "luteal uglies." These are changes in appearance and mood that women experience during the luteal phase of their menstrual cycle. We hear from women in Vietnam, the Philippines, and the UK about the symptoms they experience, from acne and bloating to fatigue and brain fog.

But what’s behind these changes? Dr Helen O'Neill, an associate professor in reproductive and molecular genetics at University College London, explains how changing hormone levels impact women’s bodies and their brains. She also offers some tips and coping strategies.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams and Emma-Louise Amanshia Editors: Verity Wilde

AI isn’t just occasionally going rogue…(Open AI and Meta we’re looking at you) it’s also changing the world of work. Nearly 70% of college students in the US said they thought AI would make it harder to find a job in a recent survey - and 22% said that they’ve changed what they’re deciding to study at university because of this. They’re not the only ones… students all over the world are thinking about how to AI-proof their future careers.

In this episode, we go to the University College London campus to speak to three students: Omer, who’s studying French and German, Zahra, who’s studying entrepreneurship, and Allie, who’s just graduated from Kings College after completing her law studies. They tell us how they think AI could change the course of their careers, how they’re adapting to the new technology, and if their degrees will still be helpful in the face of AI.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams, Chelsea Coates and Benita Barden Video Producer: Baldeep Chahal Editors: Verity Wilde

Rapper Tupac Shakur is one of the most influential music artists ever - with musicians such as Kendrick Lamar, Justin Bieber and Drake citing him as a major inspiration. His career was cut short in 1996 when he was killed in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas - but now, nearly three decades later, a man is going on trial, accused of his murder. He’s called Duane "Keffe D" Davis - he has pled not guilty and denies all allegations.

So, what we can expect from the trial? And how is Tupac’s music continuing to influence hip-hop, decades after his murder?

We speak to culture journalist Ivie Ani, who’s based in New York, to learn more about the impact Tupac has had on music today. We also hear from Tupac fans that have discovered his legacy in the years since his death - and from Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty, host of the BBC’s Fame Under Fire podcast. She is in Las Vegas covering the rapper’s murder trial.

You can follow the trial by listening to the Fame Under Fire podcast here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0030zm4

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams, Chelsea Coates and Emma-Louise Amanshia Editors: Verity Wilde

What would you do if you found out that your favourite artist was not actually human? More musicians are using AI-tools for their work. But recently, there has also been a boom in AI Personas and 100% AI generated work. Some fans and musicians are not happy, they have called for more transparency around what’s human made. Streaming websites have also raised concerns about fraud and copyright infringement. Tidal and Deezer have outright banned the promotion of this AI content. And now Spotify has announced it will begin labelling songs that are AI generated.

BBC Newsbeat journalist, Eleanor Doyle, talks us through how you can spot AI generated music, how it has made and how regulating it on streaming platforms might work.

Plus, we also hear from two musicians, Marina Josephina in the UK, and Nkasiobi Chukwu in Nigeria about their experiences with AI music.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Benita Barden and Eleanor Sly Editors: Verity Wilde

Orangutans are the world’s most endangered apes and they’re now even closer to extinction. They live on two islands in southeast Asia: Sumatra and Borneo. In November, an extreme weather event in the area killed more than 1,000 people there, plus about 7% of the world’s rarest type of orangutan according to a new study.

BBC Climate and Science reporter Georgina Rannard takes us through how orangutans are being pushed towards extinction and what some countries and charities are doing to protect them.

We also hear from a conservationist making an effort to save the species.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Emma-Louise Amanshia Producers: Emily Horler and Benita Barden Video Producer: Baldeep Chahal Editors: Verity Wilde

Heatwaves are uncomfortable for everyone. But people living with disabilities face additional and specific challenges that can compromise their health and well-being. Many of these issues - from struggling service dogs to overheating wheelchairs - are frequently overlooked, even in public advice and emergency planning.

Maddie Molloy is a BBC climate and science reporter who is also profoundly deaf. She explains some of the challenges a heatwave can pose for deaf people, the visually impaired and people who use wheelchairs. We also hear from Blessing Odukoya, Emily Davison, Maddie Haining and Osayuki Igbinoba about how they cope with the heat.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams and Adam Chowdhury Editors: Verity Wilde

Working from home has plenty of benefits: no commute, greater flexibility and the chance to catch up on household chores during your break. But for young people starting out their careers, could this extra freedom actually have a negative impact on career progression?

Emer Moreau, a BBC Business Reporter, breaks it down. She explains how the pandemic led to a huge increase in at-home and remote working, and looks at how many people have now returned to in-person work.

She also discusses the impact working from home has on productivity, how it affects the social nature of working life, and the ways it can slow someone's effort to climb the career ladder. We also hear from young people about their experiences with remote working.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Chelsea Coates, William Lee Adams, and Benita Barden Video Producer: Baldeep Chahal Editors: Verity Wilde

There’s a name for when people blare out music, scroll through social media on full volume or talk on loudspeaker in public - loudcasting. Surveys show that in the U.K. most adults find this behaviour irritating, but there’s also data suggesting that your age and culture may influence how indifferent you are to this kind of noise. BBC Reporter Angus Thompson tells us what experts say and explains why some people get so annoyed. Plus we hear from our friends across the World Service about loudcasting in their country.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams and Benita Barden Editors: Verity Wilde

Oil prices have shot up since the US-Israel war with Iran began, and the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes, has been almost completely closed.

It’s been bad news for drivers, airlines and anyone already feeling the squeeze from the cost of living. But for some of the world’s biggest oil companies, it’s been very good news. Oil giants like ExxonMobil and Chevron are reporting huge profits.

And at the same time, we’re seeing record-breaking heatwaves, with wildfires raging in parts of Europe and Asia.

Our resident business expert, Emer Moreau, tells us about the oil giants’ profits and how the high costs are impacting all of us.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producer: Emily Horler, Chelsea Coates and Adam Chowdhury Editor: Verity Wilde

In recent years, attachment theory has exploded into the public consciousness. On TikTok, videos tagged #AttachmentTheory have racked up hundreds of millions of views, with some advising users on how to become more securely attached.

The theory was first developed in the 1950s by John Bowlby, and suggests that the bonds we form with early givers shape our expectations in adult relationships. Further research has expanded our understanding of how we connect since then, and offered a more nuanced view on attachment. But this is not always reflected in popular videos online. We speak to Josh Elgin, a BBC journalist who’s been reporting on discussions of attachment theory.

Plus we hear from Dr Amir Levine, a Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Columbia University and author of Attached, a book which played an influential role in bringing attachment to the mainstream.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producer: Chelsea Coates, Benita Barden and Eleanor Sly Video Producer: Adam Chowdhury and Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

Ariana Grande has announced that she's planning to take a break from the public eye after her Eternal Sunshine tour ends in September. She started her performing career when she was a kid and has since become one of the biggest pop stars in the world, winning three Grammys and most recently portraying Glinda in the hit film Wicked.

But over the past couple of years, a lot of the conversation online about Ariana hasn't been about her music or acting: it's been about her appearance. That's despite her asking people repeatedly not to comment on her body over the years. Her most recent music video, Petal, went viral after some fans said they were concerned about how thin she was.

So, is it ever ok to talk about a celebrity's health or appearance? And where's the line between concern and scrutiny?

Chelsea Coates from the What in the World team joins us to discuss it all - and we hear how Ariana’s fans are reacting to her decision to take a break.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producer: Emily Horler and Chelsea Coates Editor: Verity Wilde

If you are concerned about your health, you could speak to a health professional. If you are suffering distress or despair and need support, you could speak to a health professional or an organisation that offers support. Details of help available in many countries can be found at Befrienders Worldwide. www.befrienders.org

Disaster movie The Day After Tomorrow showed the world hit by extreme weather events caused by disruption to the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). Today, even though the events of the film are highly unlikely to happen, scientists are concerned by changes to the AMOC.

The AMOC is a massive north-south system of currents in the Atlantic Ocean that carries warm surface water towards the Arctic and returns colder water thousands of miles south through the deep ocean. It impacts weather patterns across the world from north-west Europe, to west Africa and all the way to India. However, scientists are worried that climate change is weakening the system which could lead to dramatic changes in weather around the world.

BBC Weather presenter Sarah Keith-Lucas explains what the AMOC is, what exactly scientists are worried about and what the potential impacts could be if the AMOC is weakened or collapses entirely.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee Adams Producers: Adam Chowdhury Video Producer: Adam Chowdhury Editors: Emily Horler & Verity Wilde

Protests against undocumented migrants have been going on for months in South Africa. We’ve talked about them on the podcast before - people are protesting against illegal immigrants, and some of the marches have turned violent and deadly. Houses have been burned down, shops looted, and countries like Ghana and Nigeria have even evacuated some of their citizens from the country.

But these protests aren’t just affecting politics and South Africa’s relationships with other countries on the continent. They’re also impacting sports and pop culture.

Now, Tyla, the South African pop star, has taken Nigeria off her world tour dates. She hasn’t given a reason, but thousands of Nigerians had signed a petition urging her to stay away.

So that’s what we’re getting into today with Makuochi Okafor, our West Africa Reporter.

Plus, we hear from people in Nigeria on what they think about it all.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producer: Chelsea Coates, Benita Barden and Emily Horler Editor: Verity Wilde

It’s less than two weeks after Spain won the men’s World Cup, but suddenly the tournament is back in the headlines. This time it’s because of a plan from Fifa’s President Gianni Infantino to sell a stake in their tournaments to private investors. Infantino says it’s a chance to “turbocharge” the development of the game - and national associations have been offered millions of dollars if they agree to the plans.

It’s fair to say the plans haven’t gone down well with everyone - with European’s governing body Uefa saying their members won’t go to any World Cups (men’s or women’s) if the plans go through.

We talk to BBC Sport’s Isaac Fanin (fresh from a month at the World Cup) about what the plans are, what the response has been and what might happen next.

NB: We recorded this episode on Friday morning and it’s all changing so fast we have to keep rewriting this description…

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producer: Emma-Louise Amanshia Editor: Verity Wilde

You might have heard Gen Z being called the “sober generation” - the data suggests that we’re less likely to drink than older generations, that alcohol-free brands are getting more popular with under-30s and there’s a huge push towards sobriety and wellness culture more generally. At the same time, pre-mixed cocktails are flying off the shelves - and new figures suggest that binge drinking has gone up.

So is Gen Z really drinking less than previous generations? Or is that just a myth?

In this episode, we go to one of London’s alcohol-free pubs to chat to three guests who all stopped drinking in their 20s: Millie, founder of the Sober Girl Society and author of HANGXIETY, Daniel, creative director of The Scene, a South Asian-led collective organising alcohol-free events in London, and Tyler, a content creator. We discuss how drinking culture is changing — and whether quitting alcohol is on the rise for Gen Z.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Chelsea Coates and William Lee Adams Video Producer: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

This year alone, tens of millions of people have downloaded apps which help you identify birds, lots of them are Gen Z. In our gardens, local parks on the street or even just with phones sticking out of a window people are using these apps everyday. But why?

We hear from BBC Tech reporter Liv McMahon about just how big these apps are and what is making them so popular. Plus, we talk to young birders in the UK and Canada who tell us about their love for birds and what makes these apps so special.

Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producer: Chelsea Coates, Emma-Louise Amanshia and Emily Horler Editor: Verity Wilde

Dinosaur bones have become one of the world’s most expensive collector’s items, with some selling for tens of millions of dollars at auction. A Tyrannosaurus rex fossil recently sold for $50 million, making it the most expensive dinosaur ever auctioned. Some celebrities, including Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe, have their own private collections. So why are the ultra wealthy spending so much money on dinosaur bones, and what does it mean for science?

We speak to BBC Climate and Science journalist Esme Stallard about why they have become so valuable, who is buying them, and why many scientists are concerned about private ownership. We also hear from Professor Steve Brusatte, a palaeontologist at the University of Edinburgh and consultant on the Jurassic Park films, about why these ancient fossils matter and the growing debate over who should really own them.

Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producer: Adam Chowdhury, William Lee Adams and Emma-Louise Amanshia Video producer: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Emily Horler

The headlines do sound slightly like the plot of a sci-fi film… but Open AI recently announced that one of its most advanced AI models went ‘rogue’ - and hacked a start-up called Hugging Face. The cyber attack, which the ChatGPT-maker called ‘unprecedented’, took place even though the AI model was being tested in a controlled environment. Open AI says they’re still investigating and they want to implement what they learn from this to stop it happening again.

But how was the AI model able to do this in the first place? And more importantly… should we be worried about AI chatbots taking over?

BBC Tech reporter Laura Cress gives us the lowdown on how OpenAI’s model managed to hack a company - and what safeguards governments and AI companies are putting in place to combat this.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Emma-Louise Amanshia Producers: William Lee Adams and Chelsea Coates Editor: Emily Horler

Huge crowds have been gathering in Jantar Mantar in Delhi all week in support of India’s newest political movement - The Cockroach Janta Party. Supporters are asking for education reforms and the resignation of the country’s Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, sparked by repeated exam papers leaks. Over 2 million students were told they would have to resit their exams this year after they were cancelled in May.

Several people were injured in a police crackdown on protestors marching to parliament. One activist, Sonam Wangchuk, has been on hunger strike for weeks in support of the Cockroach Janta Party.

The BBC’s South Asia Correspondent Azadeh Moshiri is in Delhi where most of the protests are going on. She breaks down how they all started and answers the question, could this lead to real change for students in India?

Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Emma-Louise Amanshia Producers: Benita Barden and Chelsea Coates Editor: Emily Horler

The emergence of micro dramas led to transformation of China’s entertainment industry, cutting costs for sets and boosting jobs for newer actors. There were early estimates that the micro-drama market would be worth $14bn by 2027. But now the emergence of AI tools has changed things once again. Actors and sets can be generated with AI, so production has accelerated and costs have lowered even further. The quality of the content has also massively changed thanks to the uncanny visuals AI can make.

We speak to BBC Global China Unit’s Mengchen Zhang about how this is affecting actors in China especially. We also hear about concerns around rights and the use of people’s likeness in this style of content.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emma Louise Amanshia, Benita Barden and Emily Horler Editor: Verity Wilde

Christopher Nolan's latest film, The Odyssey, is already making headlines. Shot entirely with IMAX 70mm cameras, it’s got a star-studded cast including Zendaya, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson and Lupita Nyong'o. The epic has also had a huge box office opening, earning nearly $260 million worldwide - that makes it one of the year's biggest releases so far.

But not everyone is celebrating. From casting choices to its portrayal of Greek mythology, the film has sparked debate and criticism online. We speak to BBC Culture's Nicholas Barber to break down the controversy and explain why so many people are talking about it.

Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee Adams Producers: Chelsea Coates and Stefania Okereke Editor: Verity Wilde

Loads of young men watch porn and there are plenty of studies that suggest it can be bad for mental health and relationships. Some governments have restricted access to porn sites, and there’s a growing movement towards cutting out porn.

Freddie Woodward is a British Diver and quit porn two years ago. He tell us why he did it.

Some people have healthy relationships with porn but there is some misinformation online and even harmful claims about sex, porn and masturbation. Jacqui Wakefield, our Global Health Correspondent, takes us through some of these claims.

Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Eleanor Sly Video Producer: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

A monkey with striking orange lips and a black furry coat has been officially recognised as a new species in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It was first spotted back in 2008, but at the time researchers only managed to capture a blurry photograph, leaving many questions unanswered. Years later, after extensive fieldwork and research, scientists have finally confirmed it as a species new to science. They've named it “Colobus congoensis”, while local communities have long known it as “Likweli”.

Our BBC Science Correspondent Victoria Gill reveals what makes this monkey so special and how researchers finally solved the mystery of its identity.

Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Stefania Okereke Editor: Verity Wilde

A record 48 teams competed at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Now, with the tournament nearing the final on Sunday, 46 nations have been eliminated, leaving millions of fans to process their team’s defeat.

Football has an extraordinary ability to unite people. Fans have travelled across the world to support their teams, while millions more have gathered in homes, pubs and public spaces to share every moment together. Victory brings elation, celebration and national pride. But defeat can trigger equally powerful emotions – disappointment, anger, grief and even a sense of emptiness. So why do football results affect us so deeply?

In this episode, Martha Newson, Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Greenwich, explains the psychology behind our emotional investment in the beautiful game. We also hear from football fans in Belgium, Egypt, England and France about what it felt like to watch their teams lose on the biggest stage.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams and Adam Chowdhury Editor: Verity Wilde

For decades, only licensed doctors were allowed to ink tattoos in South Korea and breaking the law could lead to heavy fines or jail. Now, that law has been overturned, but there’s still a lot of stigma around body art in Korea, and east Asia more generally.

Leehyun Choi, our BBC Reporter in Seoul, takes us through why and what is changing in South Korea.

Plus, we hear from a Korean tattoo artist in the UK (@doo__tattoo) and a Japanese tattoo artist in Osaka, Japan (@taiki__tattoo) about how they see stigma towards tattoos changing.

Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler, Benita Barden and Lucy Davies Video Producer: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

ADHD is a condition that causes difficulties with things like concentrating, regulating emotions and sitting still. And many young women living with ADHD say their symptoms worsen during specific periods of their menstrual cycle.

Now, a first of its kind study by Queen Mary University and Kings College in London is putting that potential link to the test. They’re asking around 50 women who have ADHD and are taking medication for it to track their menstrual cycle and the impact it has on their ADHD symptoms, and daily life more broadly.

Dr Jessica Agnew-Blais, lead academic on the study, explains the motivations behind her work and why past ADHD studies have focused mostly on men and boys. We also hear from two women living with ADHD who explain how their symptoms change during their menstrual cycle.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams and Chelsea Coates Editor: Verity Wilde

Sickle cell is a genetic blood condition that can cause severe pain, extreme tiredness and serious health complications. It mainly affects people of African and Caribbean heritage, and for many, it's something they've had to live with their whole lives. But that could be changing.

We meet Daniel Cressy, a young man from Louisiana whose dream is to become a pilot. After years of living with sickle cell, he received a ground-breaking treatment that has effectively cured him. He shares what life was like before and what it's like now to be sickle cell free.

We'll also hear from Dr Steven Okoli, who breaks down how these new treatments work and what needs to happen to make them available to more people across the world. Could we be entering a future where sickle cell is no longer a lifelong condition?

Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Emma-Louise Amanshia Producers: William Lee Adams and Stefania Okereke Video Producer: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

There’s a new Netflix show that has got lots of us talking: The Polygamist. It’s a drama based in South Africa about a wealthy businessman named Jonasi Gomora who has multiple wives and a mistress. It’s packed with betrayal, revenge… and cheating. It’s become the most-watched Netflix show in South Africa and Kenya, and it’s hit the top 10 in countries like Nigeria and Romania too. But it’s also got people talking about polygamous relationships - which are legal in South Africa and many other countries - and whether they work.

BBC reporter Khanyisile Ngcobo joins us from Johannesburg to unpick how people in South Africa have been reacting to the show, how polygamy traditionally works, and how conversations around it are changing. And we hear from fans in Ghana, South Africa, the US and the UK, who share what their group chats have been saying about the hit show.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams and Chelsea Coates Editor: Verity Wilde

According to the National Institute of Health, long or repeated exposure to sounds at or above 85 dBA can cause hearing loss. The noise levels at a big concert or live music gig typically fall between 90 and 120 dBA, according to the British Academy of Audiology. These levels depend on things like the type of music, whether the venue is indoors or outdoors, and how close you stand to the speakers.

So what impact is this level of noise having on our ears and can the trendy, visible earplugs that are booming online protect you from hearing loss. We speak to Andrew Rogers from BBC Newsbeat who has been reporting from gigs and festivals across the UK and speaking to earplug users.

BBC Health Correspondent, James Gallagher gives us a full explanation on what happens inside our ears when we are in loud environments.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Lucy Davies, Benita Barden,Eleanor Sly and Liv Cleal Editor: Verity Wilde

You've heard of a situationship. Now meet its chaotic cousin: the ‘maybelatership'. It's when someone says they want a relationship... just not right now.

So are more people putting commitment on hold? How do you know if you're in a ‘maybelatership’? And what does this latest dating trend tell us about modern dating?

Chelsea Coates from the What in the World team explains how ‘maybelaterships’ differ from situationships, why they can leave one person stuck in limbo, and whether they can ever become healthy, committed relationships. We also hear from a dating coach on how to communicate your expectations and avoid waiting around for someone might not want to commit.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: James Beardsworth, Ash Mohamed and William Lee Adams Video Producer: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

AI has evolved. It’s not just typing a message or speaking to robot-like voice similar to Siri anymore. Now there are apps where you can design AI companions - digital characters customised to act, look and sound however you want. Some users have made AI boyfriends or AI life assistants. Experts have raised concerns about misuse and how apps like this can reinforce negative or even risky behaviours.

The market is continuing to grow globally but China has become the first country to introduce regulation in this area, due to take effect next week.

We chat to BBC’s China Media Analyst, Kerry Allen, about what is behind China’s clamp down on these apps. Plus, we hear from an AI companion user.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producer: Benita Barden, Emily Horler and Liv Cleal Editor: Verity Wilde

Extreme heat is becoming more common around the world. From Europe to India, record-breaking heatwaves are affecting millions of people - but what is all that heat actually doing to our bodies?

Brain fog, poor sleep, heat exhaustion and heatstroke are just some of the ways extreme heat can affect our health. So when does hot weather become dangerous, and how can you stay safe during a heatwave?

BBC Health Editor and doctor Michelle Roberts explains how the body keeps itself cool, why extreme heat can become life-threatening, and who is most at risk. We also hear from some of you about how you're coping with increasingly extreme temperatures where you live.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Stefania Okereke Video Producer: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

West Africa has been struggling with heavy rains. Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast and other countries across the region have had severe flooding - you might have seen videos online. Deep water, filled gutters and lots of people trying to get to safety.

People have sadly died in the floods - at least 59 people in Ivory Coast and 13 people in Ghana. And more heavy rains are expected.

We hear from some of you in Ivory Coast, Ghana and Lagos for how you’ve been affected. Makuochi Okafor, our West Africa reporter, explains what’s been happening in the region.

Plus, Sophia Herod, from BBC Weather, takes us through how the weather works in this part of the world and how much climate change is playing a role in the rains.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Emma-Louise Amanshia Producers: Benita Barden and Emily Horler Editor: Verity Wilde

Are those wedding bells we’re hearing? If the rumours are true, pop star Taylor Swift could get married this Independence Day weekend to NFL star Travis Kelce…in Madison Square Garden arena in the middle of New York City. It’s one of the most anticipated celebrity weddings of the year - but is any of the speculation actually true?

The BBC’s music correspondent Mark Savage joins us to chat through what we know so far…and why Taylor Swift might have chosen Madison Square Garden as the venue for her big day. We also hear from Swifties on their thoughts and hopes for the wedding and ask: Could this all be a decoy for something else?

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Emma-Louise Amanshia Producers: William Lee Adams and Chelsea Coates Editor: Verity Wilde

Not to sound like a gym bro…but the science is clear: more of us should start lifting. Strength training is when you lift weights or use your own body weight to build muscle — and it’s not just about toning up or getting ripped. A new study found it can actually help you live longer. So why is it so good for your health - and how can you start doing more of it?

Health correspondent Melissa Hogenboom joins us to unpack the latest studies on strength training and why we’re seeing a rise in its popularity. Personal trainer and nutritionist Luke Hanna explains the science behind the long-term health benefits of lifting weights. And we hear from some of you about why you’re getting into weightlifting.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Chelsea Coates and Emily Horler Video producer: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

The 2026 Fifa Men's World Cup has the highest proportion ever of players representing countries they were not born in - almost a quarter of all the participating players. Several squads, including those from DR Congo, Morocco and Bosnia & Herzegovina, have a team made up mostly of foreign-born players. Of the 26 players who represented Curaçao, only one was born on the Caribbean island.

Fernando Duarte, a reporter with the BBC World Service, explains why more World Cup footballers aren’t playing for their birth nations. He also highlights how Morocco, the only African team ever to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup, has successfully recruited players from its diaspora.

We also hear from football fans around the world about the foreign-born players representing Cape Verde, Curaçao, Morocco and Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams Editor: Verity Wilde

When you think of fertility, you might automatically think of women’s fertility. But there are men online doing something called ‘fertilitymaxxing’ - it’s all about young men trying a bunch of unproven hacks in hopes of improving their sperm health.

Content with these hacks are often pushed by male wellness and manosphere influencers online - but is this really about raising more awareness of male fertility (which is an under-researched issue)? Or is it about other anxieties Gen Z men might have about their health - and masculinity more generally?

Jacqui Wakefield is our Global Health Correspondent and has been speaking to men, like Simon in Miami, who have been doing things like icing his testicles in a bid to boost sperm count. And also Professor Channa Jayasena, a reproductive endocrinologist and Imperial College, explains that some medicines these influencers are recommending can be very dangerous.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Chelsea Coates Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

After a devastating double earthquake in Venezuela, tens of thousands of people are still believed to be missing, with many trapped under rubble. Nearly 1,500 people have been confirmed dead and the death toll is expected to rise. Aid agencies say the first 72 hours after a disaster are the most critical to finding people alive. But there is a lack of heavy machinery and specialised equipment needed to rescue people. Much of the emergency response is being carried out by volunteers and international aid workers from Turkey, the UK and France. BBC’s Global Affairs reporter Mimi Swaby gives us the latest update on the situation.

Against all odds, several videos online show miraculous stories of survival, like young infants and children being lifted from the rubble. Bill Murphy, a professor of engineering geology at the University of Leeds in the UK, tells us what increases the chances of survival in awful conditions like these.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Emma-Louise Amanshia Producer: William Lee Adams and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde

Buzz around the GTA 6 pre-order is building fast. After two trailers and a 13-year wait, fans can finally play the latest instalment of the game on 19 November when it’s released on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S. Priced at $79.99 and $100 for its standard and premium versions in the US, it’s expected to generate billions for its developer Rockstar Games.

BBC technology reporter Laura Cress explains the scale and significance of the upcoming release. We also hear from GTA fans from Italy, South Africa and Canada about why they love the game.

Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams and Stefania Okereke Editor: Verity Wilde

For some women, the two-week luteal phase of their menstrual cycle can be extremely disruptive and life altering. PMDD or Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder is mental health disorder directly linked to regular hormonal fluctuations that take place during a cycle. People living with PMDD can experience anger, anxiety, severe depression, and even suicidal thoughts which then stops shortly after menstruation begins. Two women, Shariya in the US and Janna in Germany tell us how PMDD has impacted them.

There’s very little scientific research about why PMDD happens and the signs or symptoms can be missed by doctors. We hear from BBC Health Reporter Ruth Clegg, who’s been reporting on how social media has shifted perceptions of the disorder, and led to changes around how doctors screen for symptoms.

If you are affected by any of the issues in this episode, or suffering distress or despair and need support, you could speak to a health professional, or an organisation that offers support. Details of help available in many countries can be found at Befrienders Worldwide. www.befrienders.org

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Benita Barden, Ash Mohamed and Adam Chowdhury Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

A heatwave across Western Europe has left tens of millions of people coping with record temperatures. France endured its hottest day since records began, with temperatures reaching 44.3C in Pissos, and it’s estimated that nearly 100 million people will endure temperatures of over 35 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. Temperatures can feel particularly extreme in cities, where buildings trap heat and where there’s often a lack of green spaces.

In today’s episode, BBC weather presenter Sarah Keith-Lucas explains why we’re seeing more heatwaves. We also hear from people around the world about what it’s like where they live. And several BBC reporters — Davide Ghiglione in Rome, Pierre-Antoine Denis in Nice, Makuochi Okafor in Lagos and our Chelsea Coates and William Lee Adams in London — explain how people in various cities are addressing rising temperatures.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Chelsea Coates and William Lee Adams Editor: Verity Wilde

For decades, mangrove forests were disappearing at an alarming rate. Now, new satellite data reveals a hopeful shift. After years of decline, these vital coastal ecosystems are making a comeback.

In this episode, BBC environment correspondent Matt McGrath explains what mangrove forests are, why they suffered such significant losses from the 1980s through the 2010s and how advances in technology are allowing scientists to track their recovery from space. We also examine why mangroves are one of nature’s most powerful tools for protecting coastlines, storing carbon and helping communities adapt to climate change.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams and Benita Barden Video producer: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

If someone you loved died, would you want to keep chatting to them? Now you can - with an AI griefbot. The idea is you use their texts, emails and voice notes, as well as photos and videos, to train AI to reply in the dead person’s tone and style. It can be through text-based conversation or even an AI-generated voice.

The "digital afterlife" industry is now worth more than $130 billion. Is this just the latest way for humans to try to maintain a relationship with their deceased loved ones? Or could it negatively affect the grieving process, if people start to believe that person is actually still alive through the technology? And what might companies do with all the data we input?

Tech journalist Tamzin Kraftman explains this growing area of tech and the pros and cons of using griefbots. Andy Langford, clinical director at Cruse, a bereavement charity in the UK, gives us his thoughts. And we hear from Muhammad Ahmad in the US, who developed his own grief bot of his dad.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Julia Ross-Roy, William Lee Adams and Chelsea Coates Editor: Verity Wilde

Smart glasses are big business, Meta, one of the leading manufacturers of the glasses say that last year they sold seven million pairs globally. But new designs that resemble regular sunglasses or reading frames mean they can be difficult to spot. Users can make phone calls, follow maps, and use AI assistants completely hands free. They can also use the built in camera to take photos and record videos subtly - this is part of the controversy. There have been cases of people being filmed secretly and posted online without their consent.

So how many people are buying smart glasses and how significant is the risk to privacy? BBC technology reporter Laura Cress tells us about the tech that goes into smart glasses and investigative reporter Georgia Poncia talks us through the concerns.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producer: Benita Barden and Emma-Louise Amanshia Editor: Verity Wilde

Backrooms. Obsession. Bring Her Back. These are some of the biggest Hollywood films from the past 12 months and they have one thing in common: they are all horror movies directed by YouTubers.

What’s behind this new wave of directors coming from YouTube and why is horror becoming more and more popular? BBC journalist and horror obsessive Mel Ramsay explains how the likes of Kane Parsons and Curry Barker have shown how their success online can be translated to the box office.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams, Adam Chowdhury, Benita Barden and Chelsea Coates Editor: Verity Wilde

People in South Korea have been smashing their Starbucks mugs with hammers, a CEO has been fired and there have been protests on the streets, but why? Starbucks is the number one coffee chain in South Korea with over 2000 branches. Recently they launched a marketing campaign for a new reusable tumbler "SS Tank" and they've faced huge backlash. The release was on the same day as the anniversary of the 1980 Gwangju Uprising, a sad day in the history of the country which left more than a 200 people dead.

So what impact have the boycotts had? And what happens next? Jake Kwon the BBC's Seoul correspondent tells us about the Tank Day promotion, the financial implications and the wider context of the upset this has caused. We also hear from young people in South Korea on what they think about the boycott.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee Adams Producer: Benita Barden and Emma-Louise Amanshia Editor: Verity Wilde

For millions of people living with obesity, weight loss drugs have been hailed as a game changer.

They’re known as GLP-1s but are more commonly known by their trade names: Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro. So far they’ve only been made by two companies in Denmark and the US and they’re pretty expensive. But now the patents for these drugs have expired in China and India, which means pharmaceutical companies in those countries can now make cheaper copies.

India has a reputation as the "pharmacy of the world" because of its ability to turn expensive medicines into affordable mass-market products. The country is the world's largest supplier of generic medicines. Indian companies are already starting to produce and sell these weight loss drugs.

So what impact will this have on the cost and supply of weight loss drugs in India and around the world? Archana Shukla, the BBC’s India business correspondent in Mumbai, tells us why the expiry of the patents is such a big deal. And BBC Health correspondent James Gallagher explains how these drugs work.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Chelsea Coates, Julia Ross-Roy and Benita Barden Video Producer: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

This year’s Fifa World Cup is the biggest yet. The football tournament is being co-hosted by Mexico, Canada and the United States and has a record 48 teams taking part. Four of those teams have qualified for the first time ever: Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan and Uzbekistan. In this episode, we get familiar with the debuting nations on and off the pitch with some of our BBC reporters, including Paul Njie, a senior journalist at BBC Africa, and Husam Assal, a BBC reporter in Amman.

Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: William Lee Adams, Benita Barden and Julia Ross-Roy Editor: Verity Wilde

On Thursday, US President Donald Trump threatened to take “total control" of Iran's oil and gas markets, and to seize Kharg Island. Just hours later though, he claimed an agreement to end the war with Iran was on the horizon and cancelled a third consecutive night of strikes.

Mixed messaging from the US President on this conflict is nothing new - but the island at the centre of this latest dispute has a huge role to play. It’s a small, rocky outcrop off of Iran’s coast - but it’s importance for the country’s oil infrastructure- and now for President Trump - is huge. So why is Kharg Island so important? And why does President Trump want it?

Ghoncheh Habibiazad, from the BBC’s Persian language service, joins us to unpack it all - and to explain what the consequences could be if President Trump decides to take the island.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee Adams Producers: Chelsea Coates and Emily Horler Editor: Verity Wilde

PCOS is one of the most common hormonal disorders affecting women globally; affecting roughly 13% of women who have a menstrual cycle. The World Health Organization has estimated that up 70% of women with PCOS worldwide do not know they have this condition. Symptoms can include irregular periods, fertility issues, weight gain, acne, excess hair growth and insulin resistance. There is no cure.

And now Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is officially being reclassified as polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS).

The new name reflects growing recognition that the condition involves much more than ovarian cysts alone. It’s actually a complex endocrine condition (to do with hormones) which affects the whole body. Experts hope that the name change will lead to a better focus on treating and reversing some of symptoms. Global health reporter Dorcas Wangira in Kenya explains what we know about the condition. And we hear from Professor Helena Teede, from Monash Univerity in Australia, who led the name-changing initiative.

Jenef Ngombo, 25 from the UK and Chelle Robotham, in Florida USA, share their experiences of PMOS/PCOS and tell us what they think about the name change.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producer: Shakira Abdi and Julia Ross-Roy Editor: Verity Wilde

Since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia has been banning social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and X. Recently the government also extended the ban to Telegram, one of Russia’s most popular messaging apps. It’s cracking down on VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) and it’s introduced a new state-backed app called Max, which comes downloaded on any new phone.

Authorities say these internet crackdowns are needed to “ensure security” and disrupt Ukrainian drones. But some say this is actually all about censorship - and that the government is trying to extend its control over the internet. So - how are these bans affecting Russians that rely on the internet everyday?

BBC Monitoring journalist Clare Denning joins us to break down why the Kremlin is restricting access to the internet and how Russians are reacting to the crackdown.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Julia Ross-Roy, Sarah Coop and Chelsea Coates Editor: Verity Wilde

Around half of the world’s languages are in danger of disappearing, according to UNESCO. Languages often become endangered when parents stop talking in them to their children, when schools no longer offer them on the curriculum - or when governments don’t recognise them as official languages that need to be protected. Campaigners are calling for more efforts to preserve them - and the history, heritage and culture they carry - and they’re using an unlikely tool: AI. But there are concerns that artificial intelligence could actually create more language inequality, because it’s mainly trained on a handful of dominant languages.

So, could AI stop endangered languages from going extinct? Or will it speed up their demise?

Journalist and author Sophia Smith Galer joins us to explain how languages become endangered, how AI is being used to combat this and the risks of using the technology to preserve languages. And we hear from Ivory Yang in the US, who built an AI tool to help preserve her grandmother’s endangered language, Nüshu.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Chelsea Coates and William Lee Adams Video producer: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

Mosquitoes are frequently called the world's deadliest insect. They kill more people every year than any other creature by spreading diseases like malaria, West Nile virus and Zika. In an effort to combat the disease carrying-bug in the U.S., Google is creating an army of sterile male mosquitoes by infecting them with bacteria. It’s hoped that over time these mosquitoes will lower the population of mosquitoes that carry some illnesses.

James Gallagher, BBC health and science correspondent, explains how the process works and the reasons Google is interested in this area of research. We also hear from Dorcas Wangira, a global health reporter, about the release of genetically modified mosquitoes in Djibouti. She explains why it’s important to engage with local communities about the issue.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams and Stefania Okereke Editor: Verity Wilde

South Africa has seen weeks of protests against illegal immigrants. Some of these protests have turned violent and people have been killed. The country is grappling with deep tensions around immigration and identity.

Houses have been burned, shops damaged and looted, and people have been forced to leave their homes. There have been reports of vigilante groups checking the documentation of foreign nationals and forcing small businesses run by non-South Africans to close.

Countries like Ghana and Nigeria have even been evacuating their citizens from the country.

So what’s behind these recent protests? And what are authorities doing to try to reduce illegal migration in South Africa? BBC correspondent Mayeni Jones explains.

We also hear what South Africans and migrant workers living in the country make of the protests.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams, Julia Ross-Roy and Stefania Okereke Editor: Verity Wilde.