What in the World

Afrobeats originated in Nigeria and Ghana, starting to get popular in the 2010s. It’s generally seen as a blend of West African music styles with Western pop and rap. Artists like Wizkid, Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, Rema, and Davido have gone global. TikTok and Youtube have played a big part in the genre’s popularity, so have collabs with people like Beyonce and Drake.But some are turning away from Afrobeats. Burna Boy has said ‘there’s no substance’ to the genre, even though it’s ‘an amazing time’. Wizkid has said he doesn’t want to be labelled as ‘just Afrobeats’ and that he makes more genres of music. And Davido has said he prefers to be called Afrofusion. So what next?Our BBC pal Faith Oshoko takes us through what the music scene is like in Lagos and and some of the history behind Afrobeats. We also chat to Candy Bleakz, a rapper in Nigeria. She’s made Afrobeats tracks and is the only woman in the Street Pop genre. We sit down and chat through her inspirations and hopes for her music career and why people in Lagos make such good music.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producer: Alex Rhodes and Emily Horler Editor: Verity Wilde

South Sudan — the world’s youngest nation — endured the longest civil war in Africa. Now, in their debut Olympic Games, its men’s basketball team is helping the country forge a new identity.BBC Africa Sport journalist Kelvin Kimathi explains South Sudan’s meteoric rise in basketball -- and how the national team almost beat the United States in an exhibition match a week before the Olympics. Luol Deng, a former NBA and Chicago Bulls star, is widely credited with revolutionising basketball in the country. He tells us about his work leading the South Sudan Basketball Federation, the potential he saw in his countrymen, and how he funded basketball programmes to create a pipeline of talent. We also hear from Olympic team member Khaman Maluach, who grew up as a refugee in neighbouring Uganda. The 17-year-old explains how a chance encounter led him to basketball. Finally, basketball fans from South Sudan tell us about the pride they feel watching their player succeed internationally. During the Opening Ceremony in Paris, which featured performances from Lady Gaga and Celine Dion, international commentators cited the men’s basketball team as South Sudan’s big hope in the Games. In their opening match, South Sudan defeated Puerto Rico 90-79. But their debut appearance wasn’t without hiccups. Players said they were "disrespected" after organisers played the wrong national anthem at the start of their match.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: William Lee Adams Producer: Mora Morrison Editor: Verity Wilde

The Philippines is racing to contain the oil from a tanker that sank on Thursday in the midst of heavy rains from Typhoon Gaemi. It was carrying 1.5 million litres of oil, and the spread of it could cause an environmental catastrophe. We hear the latest on the coast guard operation from Jhesset Enano, a journalist based in Manila.This incident has reminded people about the devastating impacts of previous major oil spills like BP’s Deepwater Horizon in 2012 and when MV Wakashio ran aground on a coral reef near Mauritius in 2020. We unpack how oil can be cleaned up and what these spills do to marine life with BBC climate and science reporter Georgina Rannard.We also hear from Vikash Tatayah, conservation director at Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, about how Mauritius’ biodiversity was affected by the country’s worst environmental disaster. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: William Lee Adams Producers: Julia Ross-Roy and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde

The Olympics have a huge impact, in many ways. Whether that’s tears, screaming at the TV, or inspiring you to take up rhythmic gymnastics. There’s another impact though, that affects us all, and that’s on the environment and climate. The 2016 Rio Games had a total estimated footprint of 3.6m tonnes of carbon.Ahead of Paris 2024, we chat to BBC climate and sport reporter David Lockwood and Jordan Dunbar, co-host of BBC podcast The Climate Question. They explain how organisers are trying to cut their emissions in half this year, compared to previous Olympics and discuss what a future, greener Olympics could look like.And almost 16,000km away in Tahiti, French Polynesia, the small community of Teahupo’o will host the surfing event on their legendary waves. But it’s not all smooth sailing, as the Olympic committee faced protests against the building of a massive new judging tower in the reef. Local photographer Tim McKenna explains what the locals think now, and how they’re preparing. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: Alex Rhodes Producer: Imogen James and Julia Ross-Roy Editor: Verity Wilde Check out some of our other episodes about the Olympics:- How do I become an Olympian? https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3ct67qg - Breakdancing at the Paris Olympics: What to expect https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3ct6807 - How do African athletes train for the Winter Olympics without ice? https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3ct67hv

White cast, nostalgic smell, never quite rubbed in enough. Yep, that’s sunscreen. It can be the stuff of nightmares when sand is involved. But recently, some TikTok influencers - and even celebrities - are telling their followers that it’s dangerous. They allege that chemicals seep into your skin, and cause harm, even cancer. But science says no. In this episode, biomedical scientist Judey Pretorius explains how UV rays cause cancer, and that you need chemicals, good ones, to help save your skin from sun damage. She goes through what actually happens when you use sun cream and the benefits. And what about for darker skin tones? Dr Shadi Kourosh, professor of dermatology at Harvard Medical School, and expert in multi-ethnic skin, tells us how sunscreen is still important even if you have darker skin.So where did this trend come from - if it’s a myth? BBC disinformation reporter Jacqui Wakefield speaks about reports, famous people and even trad wives. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: Alex Rhodes Producer: Imogen James, Benita Barden and Emily Horler Editor: Verity Wilde

Last year, Afghanistan attracted 7,000 tourists from abroad. That’s despite many governments warning citizens not to visit the country because it’s ruled by the Taliban, an extreme Islamic group. Since overthrowing Afghanistan’s government in 2021, the Taliban have banned women from attending university and working in all non-governmental organisations. They’ve also ordered the closure of beauty salons across the country.So why are tourists choosing to go there and what are the risks? The BBC’s Flora Drury joined us to explain. Plus, we hear from Sascha Heeney, who’s actually travelled to Afghanistan both as a tourist and a tour guide, and Zarghuna Kargar, an Afghan journalist with the BBC.Rising tourism is good news for tour guides in the country, like Rohullah, who told us about the rules that must be followed and what makes the country appealing to visitors. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: Alex Rhodes Producers: Baldeep Chahal and William Lee Adams Editor: Verity Wilde

After vowing that nothing could stop him from running for re-election, US President Joe Biden has dropped out of the 2024 presidential race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to take over.He didn’t just fall out of a coconut tree, he exists in the context of what came before - so we explain how he got here.He made the announcement via a statement on social media, in which he said his decision was "in the best interest of my party and the country". It comes after weeks of intense suggestions from fellow democrats, voters and even George Clooney to drop out following a dodgy debate performance against Donald Trump. He’s still president until January, when the winner of the 2024 election will take office. But in the meantime, what happens? How do we get there? And why on earth are so many people talking about coconuts? We explain what’s likely to unfold over the next four months.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Alex Rhodes Producers: Emily Horler, Benita Barden and Kevyah Cardoso Editors: Verity Wilde

A lot of us dream about becoming a professional athlete and the ultimate athletes in sport are at the Olympic Games. But what does it take? The Olympics officially start on 26th July in Paris, France. 10,500 athletes from over 200 countries will take part in 32 sports including athletics, swimming, and gymnastics, as well as BMX, surfing and climbing.Kishmala Talat (22), a shooter from Pakistan, and Zenéy Geldenhuys (24), a South African hurdler, are both competing at their first Olympics this year. They talk about how it feels to represent their country and what it takes to become an Olympian. And two other Olympics athletes Tanisha Crasto (21), who plays badminton for India, and Rebecca Meder (21), a South African swimmer, answer some of your questions - like what have you sacrificed and what’s your morning routine?Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: Adam Chowdhury Producers: Julia Ross-Roy and William Lee Adams Editor: Verity Wilde

Since the start of the month, university students have been protesting across Bangladesh, asking for quotas in government jobs to be removed. 30% of roles are reserved for the children and grandchildren of people who fought for the country’s independence back in 1971. The anti-quota protesters have clashed with members of a pro-government student group and police.Things have escalated this week and at least ten people have been killed.Akbar Hossein is from BBC Bangla in Dhaka - he explains what the quota system is and why students want to change it.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler, Benita Barden and Kevyah Cardoso Editors: Verity Wilde

A new strain of the mpox virus is spreading quickly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and experts say it is the most dangerous variant they have seen.We chat to Makuochi Okafor, a BBC Africa health reporter, who explains the symptoms of mpox, why scientists changed its name, and how people can protect themselves. He also describes what we know about the new variant. In 2022, a global outbreak of the virus spread across the world. The World Health Organisation said more than 87,000 cases were recorded in 111 countries. We hear what it was like for some people who caught it. And BBC Health reporter Philippa Roxby tells us how that outbreak was controlled, and the role public information and vaccines played. With not enough vaccines in Africa, can authorities stop the spread this time?Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Julia Ross-Roy, William Lee Adams and Mora Morrison Editor: Verity Wilde

This weekend, traffic in a key part of Mumbai came to a standstill to make way for a convoy of VIP guests attending one of the year’s most talked about events, the wedding ceremony of Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambani. The couple tied the knot in a 4-day wedding extravaganza with the likes of Kim Kardashian, John Cena and India’s PM Narendra Modi in attendance. It was the glittering finale to 4 months of pre-wedding events which spread across continents and featured private concerts by Rihanna, Katy Perry and Justin Bieber. The spectacle of the whole wedding has divided opinions, with some enjoying the extravagance of it all and others uncomfortable with such a display of wealth in a country facing stark inequality between rich and poor. BBC Delhi reporter, Meryl Sebastian, gives us an overview of the event and wedding culture in India. Plus, BBC Business Correspondent, Nikhil Inamdar, tells us a bit about how the Ambani family made its fortune and the changing wealth landscape in India. And Alex tells all about a disaster at his own wedding! Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Alex Rhodes Producers: Emily Horler, Benita Barden and Kevyah Cardoso Editors: Rosanna La-Falce

On Saturday evening someone tried to kill Donald Trump. The former president was giving a speech at a political rally in Pennsylvania when a gunman took aim from a nearby rooftop. The bullet grazed Mr Trump’s right ear before he was rushed to safety. Images of the defiant presidential candidate, moments after the incident, standing with his fist raised, lines of blood streaked across his face, could impact the election. We look at why. We also discuss security and how the gunman managed to get past US Secret Service agents. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams and Mora Morrison Editor: Verity Wilde

JailTime is a record label that aims to get prisoners away from crime and into the music industry. It operates from a studio in New Bell prison, a high security jail in Douala, Cameroon. They say they’ve brought reoffending rates down significantly.JailTime’s founders, Dione Roach and Steve Happi, tell us what they're trying to achieve and talk about one of their success stories; Moussinghi. Paul Njie, a BBC reporter in Cameroon, describes the conditions in prisons there - and explains why reoffending rates are so high. On the other side of the world, the USA has one of the highest recorded reoffending rates in the world. Can arts programmes prevent offenders returning to crime? Maurice Chammah from the Marshall Project gives us his take. He also talks us through the history of music in prisons and describes how prisoners manage to record music from their cells unofficially. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producer: Ez Roberts Editor: Verity Wilde

Over the last 18 months the world has gone pretty crazy about AI. Apple has been jumping into the space and Samsung is forecasting higher profits than ever from its advanced chips. Tech companies say it’s the future and may even put a lot of us out of a job. But a new report from one of the world’s top banks says that generative AI, things like ChatGPT or Gemini, might not prove to be the gamechanger that tech companies have been promising. Generative AI also uses huge amounts of energy and water, behind the super smart tech are massive data centres that drive up greenhouse gas emissions. So we’re asking is AI really going to be worth the cost to our wallets and potentially our planet?Imran Rahman Jones, a BBC Tech Reporter, tells us how the drive for AI has bumped up Google’s emissions by almost half and explains the ways tech companies are trying to compensate for the surges. Also Ed Zitron, who writes about tech and hosts the Better Offline podcast, tells us why he thinks the hype around generative AI is in danger of becoming overblown.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Alex Rhodes Producers: Benita Barden and Maria Clara Montoya Editors: Verity Wilde

After the Covid pandemic, global tourism numbers have been on the rise again, but so are concerns about the impact of tourism.We will take you to Spain, Southern Africa and Hawaii to discuss the tension between the money that tourism brings in, and the price locals have to pay.Protesters in Barcelona have been showing their discontent with tourists by spraying them with water pistols, trying to scatter visitors from popular areas like La Rambla. Demonstrations against tourism are happening more and more in different parts of Spain. Maria Clara Montoya from the What in the World team explains why the protests have been happening.And James McCulloch in South Africa and Doctor Kiona in Hawaii talk us through how they set up travel companies with an ethical tourism approach to promote a more sustainable way of travelling. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler, Kevyah Cardoso and Alex Rhodes Editor: Verity Wilde

There’s loads of misinformation online about vaccines. For years, there have been false claims about the tetanus jab causing infertility. One of our listeners, Henry, got in touch to ask us if they were true. Fauziyya Tukur, a BBC Disinformation journalist in Abuja, looks into the claims with us. The BBC's medical editor, Fergus Walsh explains why vaccine hesitancy is on the rise around the world - and the impact vaccines have had on global health. And we hear from Sahar Baloch, a BBC journalist in Islamabad, who talks about efforts to eradicate polio in Pakistan, amid misinformation about the jab (fuelled in part by a CIA fake vaccine campaign to seek out Osama bin Laden!). Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: Alex Rhodes Producers: Julia Ross-Roy and Maria Clara Montoya Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

On Sunday night, a surprising exit poll was announced for France’s parliamentary election. It showed that the New Popular Front was about to win the second round, in a result that no-one was expecting.All previous predictions had suggested the far-right National Rally party would come out on top, but it came third.The New Popular Front, a brand new left-wing coalition, was formed as part of a strategy to block seats from the National Rally. And even though the plan worked, the National Rally still got its best result in history. But now no party has a majority, meaning France will have a hung parliament.BBC Journalist, Sara Menai, takes us through what happened and what it means for France.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler, María Clara Montoya and Julia Ross-Roy Editor: Verity Wilde

Dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, Match have changed the way many of us date, offering convenience, choice and connection at your finger tips. They have millions of users worldwide. As many as one in three adults in the U.S. has used them, according to Pew Research Centre. But now, ten years after their boom, there’s endless chatter about deleting them. And it’s not because people are finding their Mr or Mrs Right. Some people are opting for advice online and paid coaching programmes instead.Özge Özdemir from BBC Turkish has looked at the research. She tells us how attitudes are changing about online dating. She’s spoken to psychologists, journalists and young daters about the cultural shift and gives us an overview.Some app developers have been accused of deliberately making their apps addictive. Elias Aboujaoude a psychiatrist from Stanford University, in the US, explains how some people get hooked.Also, we get some dating tips from Anwar White, an American dating and relationship coach who specialises in advice for professional women, and women of colour.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Benita Barden, Emily Horler and Julia Ross-Roy Editor: Simon Peeks

On Tuesday 2nd July, over 120 people died in a crowd crush at a religious event in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. According to police reports, the crush happened after 200,000 people gathered in an area that only had capacity for 80,000. The BBC’s Jugal Purohit has been to the scene of the tragedy - he describes what we know about it so far and the ongoing investigations. On Thursday, police said they had arrested six people who were part of a committee that organised the event.Sadly, people getting crushed in crowds isn’t that rare. In 2022, a Halloween crush killed 159 young people in Seoul. Yuna Ku, a BBC journalist in South Korea, tells us what happened. Why do crowd crushes happen, how can they be prevented, and is there anything you can do if you get stuck in one? Kevyah Cardoso from the What in the World team explains. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Alex Rhodes Producers: Julia Ross-Roy and Kevyah Cardoso Editor: Emily Horler

Hurricane Beryl has been tearing through the southeast Caribbean and is now moving towards Jamaica. It’s expected to reach Mexico after.Hurricanes form every year from June to November - with varying degrees of severity. There are also typhoons, cyclones and storms that rip through countries.But what’s the difference, when does a storm become a hurricane and are they getting worse? Esme Stallard is our Climate and Science Reporter.And Angelie Nieves-Jimenez is a graduate research assistant at Colorado State University, her department works on predicting and calculating storms and she’s actually flown into a hurricane! she tells us how predictions work.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Alex Rhodes Producers: Emily Horler, Benita Barden and María Clara Montoya Editors: Verity Wilde

A growing number of private companies are wading into the global race for space dominance. Space X, Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin, Axiom, Vast and Boeing all have their sights set on the stars. But how ready are we for the new era of space exploration?Two space flight mishaps have recently made the headlines. On Sunday, a space rocket owned by a private Chinese company accidentally launched itself during a test, before crash landing into a hillside.Last week, two NASA astronauts on a critical test flight for Boeing’s new commercial spacecraft were forced to delay their return home because of helium leaks and thruster issues. The flight, launched on 5 June, was meant to last 10 days and show that the Starliner spacecraft is ready to ferry crews to and from the International Space Station. But NASA announced that the astronauts will stay at the station well into the summer until the issues are resolved. More than fifty years after landing on the moon, why is space flight still so tricky?Space X parachute engineer Pele Collins explains what goes into a rocket launch and why space flight is still so complicated. And James Bruegger, co-founder of Seraphim Space, a SpaceTech investment company working to transform science fiction into science fact tells us about the wild wild west of the booming commercial space economy. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Alex Rhodes Producers: Kevyah Cardoso and Benita Barden Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

You might not live in the US but the value of America’s currency most likely affects how much you pay for stuff, wherever you are. In this episode we explain why the strength of the US dollar matters so much.The BBC’s Erin Delmore describes the picture stateside. Cuba Houghton, a graduate in Economics based in Nairobi helps us dig into the meaning of some economic terms that you need to be familiar with - and the BBC’s Jewel Kiriungi looks at how Africa feels the impact when the dollar gets more valuable. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: Alex Rhodes Producers: Julia Ross-Roy and Maria Clara Montoya Editor: Verity Wilde

The East Africa crude oil pipeline - also known as EACOP - is facing ongoing backlash. The pipeline, which will pass through Uganda and Tanzania, is backed by a French and Chinese company. This week protesters have targeted several Chinese embassies to discourage further foreign support. They believe the pipeline is a human rights and environmental disaster. The BBC's Jewel Kiriungi explains the project’s pros and cons, as well as how it could impact ancestral graves in the area. And Nyombi Morris, a 26-year-old Ugandan activist, shares his concerns. Plus, the BBC’s Marco Silva tells us how fake social media accounts could be influencing the debate. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: Alex Rhodes Producers: Mora Morrison, Olivia Briand and Julia Ross-Roy Editor: Verity Wilde

Julian Assange, one of the world’s most notorious hackers and the face of the website Wikileaks, is now a free man. He’s been in a high security prison in the UK for the last five years, fighting extradition to the US, wanted for charges under the US Espionage Act. But who is he and what did he do? We talk you through Julian Assange’s hacker background, some of Wikileaks' biggest revelations and controversies and how he ended up living at the Ecuadorean embassy in London for nearly seven years.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: Alex Rhodes Producer: Julia Ross-Roy and Maria Clara Montoya Editor: Verity Wilde

A pair of beluga whales have been evacuated from the besieged city of Kharkiv in Ukraine. They were taken to Europe’s largest aquarium — the Oceanogràfic de Valencia in Spain.Mora from the What in the World team explains how the ongoing war in Ukraine put the belugas at risk. And Daniel Garcia-Párraga, director of zoological operations at Oceanogràfic, describes the complex rescue mission. The evacuation of the belugas has sparked discussions about animal captivity more generally. Rob Lott from the wildlife charity Whale and Dolphin Conservation tells us how perceptions of aquariums are changing around the world. Jeffrey Ventre, a former trainer at SeaWorld in Florida, describes what life at the aquarium was like for Tilikum — the killer whale that was the focus of 2013 documentary Blackfish. Finally, we meet Hot Pink Dolphins, which describes itself as Korea’s first aquarium dolphin liberation movement. One of its activists Oh Yeon-jae explains why she's committed to protecting endangered marine life and returning animals to the wild. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: William Lee Adams and Mora Morrison Producer: Mora Morrison Editor: Verity Wilde

There’s been a lot of unrest in New Caledonia this year and it’s down to a proposed voting reform bill. Buildings have been set on fire, nine people have been killed and seven pro-independence activists have been detained and taken to France. New Caledonia is a French territory, even though it’s really far away from France. Many local people there want independence. The BBC’s Malu Cursino gives us some background on New Caledonia and explains why there have been protests.And Shawn Yuan from the BBC’s Global China Unit explains why China has interest in New Caledonia.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: William Lee Adams Producer: Emily Horler and Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

Hajj — the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca — took place last week during an extreme heatwave. Officials in Saudi Arabia say that at least 1,301 people died. Most of them had not obtained official permits to enter the country to perform Hajj, which all Muslims must do at least once in their lifetime if they are physically and financially able. Without proper documentation, pilgrims cannot access amenities like air conditioned tents and buses. Zeinab Hussein Dabaa, a journalist with BBC Arabic in Cairo, explains how the expense of Hajj leads many pilgrims to pursue what’s called “unofficial Hajj,” despite Saudi Arabia’s crackdown on the practice. We also hear from Hina, a pilgrim from Pakistan. She describes what it was like to perform Hajj as temperatures soared past 51C. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: William Lee Adams Producer: Maria Clara Montoya Editor: Verity Wilde

Young Kenyans are leading demonstrations against a controversial finance bill, organising via TikTok and X. They are unhappy about proposals to raise taxes on sanitary pads and mobile money transfers, amongst other things. A protestor shares her motivation for taking to the streets. We hear from Anita Nkonge a BBC reporter in Nairobi, who tells us what the protests are about. And BBC business reporter Jewel Kiriungi explains why President William Ruto wants to raise taxes. She also describes how tax rises a year ago have affected how people feel now. The government has often defended the tax measures as necessary to reduce the country’s national debt of nearly $80bn.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Josh Jenkins, Julia Ross-Roy and Maria Clara Montoya Editor: Verity Wilde

Hollywood has gone into overdrive trying to guess which celebrities are using weight loss drugs. Elon Musk, Oprah Winfrey, Amy Schumer, and Rebel Wilson have all talked openly about taking them - and there have been loads of rumours swirling around Kim Kardashian. These drugs are often known by their brand names Ozempic and Wegovy, made by the Danish company Novo Nordisk. Who are these drugs meant for and how effective are they? Kevyah Cardoso from the What in the World team explains. We also hear from someone who is taking these weight loss drugs.BBC health and science correspondent James Gallagher describes how these drugs, known as semaglutides, work. And TikTok doctor Dr. Austin does some myth busting for us, including if Ozempic babies are a thing. A black market has grown up to supply people who want to use so-called 'skinny jabs' for cosmetic reasons. BBC journalist Pria Rai tells us about her investigation. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Julia Ross-Roy and Kevyah Cardoso Editor: Verity Wilde

For decades China has used pandas as a way to improve diplomatic relations with other countries. Now, China’s Premier has offered Australia two, to replace the zoo's existing pandas. BBC Sydney Correspondent Katie Watson explains. We also speak to the BBC’s Jack Lau in Hong Kong about China’s history of panda diplomacy and the significance of the animal to the country. And we hear from Katharina Marie Sperling, who is the Head of Wildlife Conservation Program at Berlin Zoo, about the costs involved in keeping them and their characteristics. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Josh Jenkins, Mora Morrison and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde

Nigeria is Africa’s economic powerhouse - so why are so many young people trying to leave and find opportunities in other countries? It’s become so common there’s even a word for it: Japa.Last year, Nigeria’s immigration service issued a record number of passports - almost 2 million.So when we were in Lagos we spoke to the BBC’s Faith Oshoko, who explained what drives young professionals to move abroad. And we chatted to students - would they ever Japa? And would they come back?Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: Hannah Gelbart with Makuochi Okafor Producers: Emily Horler and Alex Rhodes Editor: Verity Wilde

Nuclear power counts for just ten percent of the world’s total power supply and only 33 countries currently have nuclear power stations. But those numbers could soon change as China rushes to build new nuclear facilities and as African countries consider building their own. Jordan Dunbar from the BBC podcast The Climate Question explains how nuclear power works, describes its benefits and drawbacks, and assesses whether it could ever be seen as a green form of energy. Many people are nervous about leveraging nuclear power, partly because of the infamous disasters at nuclear sites like Three Mile Island and Fukushima. Alex from the What in the World team runs us through what happened at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine in 1986. South Africa is the only country in Africa with a nuclear power plant — the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station near Cape Town. But ten other African countries — including Nigeria and Uganda— are looking into getting a plant of their own. Kevyah from the What in the World team explains why some African nations are considering a nuclear future. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: William Lee Adams Producer: Alex Rhodes and Kevyah Cardoso Editor: Emily Horler

South Korea’s Buldak noodles are super spicy - and Denmark’s food regulator has now recalled some types of them, saying they could cause "acute poisoning". The company behind the noodles says there are no quality issues. They’re used in extreme food challenges that often go viral online. So we decided to try them ourselves and they were FIERY!The BBC’s Health and Science Correspondent, James Gallagher, explains why spicy food can make us feel all hot and bothered, how to combat the side effects, and takes us through some common myths about spice.And one of our BBC colleagues, Akwasi Sarpong, tells us how a tiny bit of extremely hot sauce caused some drama at work.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: William Lee Adams with Benita Barden Producer: Emily Horler Editor: Julia Ross-Roy

She may be one of music's biggest stars, but it turns out even Billie Eilish is not immune to being ghosted. The ‘Bad Guy’ singer recently opened up about her experience on a BBC podcast, and it got us thinking about why ghosting feels so pervasive and hurtful. So, in this episode, we’re chatting about all things ghosting: where the term came from, what it means, and why it makes us feel so bad. We hear from listeners in Colombia, Nigeria, the United States and France who have been ghosted - or done the ghosting. And Sylvia Anim - a psychosexual therapist in London - shares tips on how to look out for yourself if it happens to you. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: Hannah Gelbart with William Lee Adams Producer: Mora Morrison Editor: Julia Ross-Roy

Despite the latest data showing fewer women are dying in childbirth globally, maternal mortality remains a huge issue for women across Africa. The World Health Organization says that more than two thirds of maternal deaths across the world happen in the continent. Chad and South Sudan rank the highest for maternal mortality, followed by Nigeria, one of the richest countries in Africa.Dorcas Wangira, the BBC’s Africa Health Correspondent, explains the major causes of maternal death and what efforts are being made towards prevention and reducing rates. She also tells us about the specific issues faced by Nigeria and Kenya.Plus, we speak to Isata Dumbuya, a trained midwife who moved back to Sierra Leone from the UK to improve maternal healthcare. Sierra Leone successfully reduced their maternal mortality rate by 60% and she describes exactly how they achieved this.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Benita Barden Editor: Julia Ross-Roy

Being a feminist in South Korea is often associated with being a man-hater. And people who are thought to look like feminists - by for example having short hair or not wearing makeup - can be ridiculed, or even attacked. Rachel Lee, a journalist based in Seoul, explains why anti-feminist sentiment is growing among young men, how this plays out online, and what the government is doing to protect women. Investigative journalist Chloe Hadjimatheou talks us through the Burning Sun scandal - which saw some K-pop stars imprisoned for crimes against women. And we unpack the 4B movement, which is currently doing the rounds on TikTok. Note: This episode mentions sexual abuse.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Mora Morrison and Kevyah Cardoso Editor: Emily Horler

Similar to the viral image "All Eyes on Rafah," the image "All Eyes on Papua" has been spreading across social media. It’s turning attention to Papua, a province of Indonesia. The slogan refers to the campaign of the indigenous people of Awyu and Moi in Papua, whose forest is at risk of being cleared for palm oil plantations.Abraham Utama, a BBC journalist based in Jakarta, explains how the campaign started and what it hopes to achieve. We also hear how it has sparked a wider conversation about other issues Papuans face.Plus, Deffe Wabiser, an indigenous Papuan campaigner shares her reaction to the "All Eyes on Papua” picture going viral. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams, Mora Morrison and Benita Barden Editor: Emily Horler and Simon Peeks

In April, a top Nollywood star, Junior Pope, was killed in a boat crash, while being transported from a film set. He starred in more than a hundred Nigerian-produced films and his death has got the people who work in the industry asking questions about its safety record. We speak to Ruth Kadiri, an actor and screenwriter who knew Junior Pope. She tells us about her own experiences with dangerous situations in moviemaking. She also talks about the big changes to Nollywood and how some producers are putting their films straight on YouTube, racking up millions of view in the process. Plus we speak to Chidi Dike, a star who’s only recently burst onto the scene. He shares his advice for other young actors and tells us what it’s like to suddenly find yourself in the limelight. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: Hannah Gelbart with Chimezie UcheAgbo Producers: Emily Horler and Alex Rhodes Editor: Simon Peeks

Phone theft is really common - but what happens to your phone after it’s stolen? Nowadays it’s not just about taking the phone to sell on, or strip for parts. Now thieves will try to scam you afterwards to get your data or bank details. BBC Journalist Zofia Louise’s phone was stolen in London and ended up in Dubai. She talks Hannah through her experience.Nigeria and Brazil also see a lot of phone robberies - BBC journalist Makuochi Okafor tells us what it’s like in Lagos and Jessica Cruz, from the BBC bureau in Sao Paolo, describes how people there try to avoid being a victim of phone theft. Lots of stolen phones seem to turn up in Shenzhen in China. Shawn Yuan from the BBC Global China Unit explains why. And we get tips on how to keep your phone and data safe from British cybersecurity expert Jake Moore.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenters: Hannah Gelbart and Zofia Louise Producers: Alex Rhodes and Julia Ross-Roy Editor: Verity Wilde

For many, it’s a dream to fly to Nepal and reach the top of the highest peak in the world. But climbing Mount Everest is considered extremely risky even for experienced climbers and it can be deadly. On top of this, climate change is making the conditions even more dangerous. It’s thought that the bodies of nearly 200 of the 330 climbers who have died on the peak are still there, in hard-to-reach areas. The BBC’s Navin Singh Khadka gives us an overview of the facts about the giant and takes us through some of the problems climbing Mount Everest.We hear from two people who have been to the summit - Prakriti Varshney who climbed it in 2022 and Kami Rita Sherpa, who has summited Everest 30 times. That’s the most summits that anyone has ever done! He has been a guide there for 20 years. His son Lakpa Tenzing Sherpa tells us about the dangers of his dad going up the mountain.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler, Alex Rhodes, Benita Barden, Baldeep Chahal and Mimi Swaby Editor: Verity Wilde

Female genital mutilation affects around 230 million women and girls globally, with rates highest in Africa. FGM is considered a human rights violation and has no health benefits. That’s according to World Health Organisation. Hibo Wardere, a survivor from Somalia, recounts her ordeal and discusses the importance of education in ending the practice. The Gambia banned FGM in 2015, but it could be about to reverse this. BBC journalist Esther Ogola, who’s based in Nairobi, explains why. We also hear how Kenya has more than halved its victims - and discuss the likelihood of the practice ending by 2030, which is the UN’s goal. Note: This episode contains some graphic descriptions of FGM.Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producer: Imogen James Editor: Verity Wilde

South African politics faces a big change for the first time in 30 years, after its election results. The ruling African National Congress party lost its majority and won’t be able to govern alone. Rival parties will have to find common ground in preparation for a possible coalition to work out next steps. BBC’s Southern Africa correspondent, Nomsa Maseko, explains why the party is falling out of favour despite its anti-apartheid history and what comes next.We also speak to two people who voted in the election - Darren Campher, a socio-political content creator and Zulaikha Patel, an activist and award-winning author. They tell us about what changes they’d like to see from a new government.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: Alex Rhodes Producers: Emily Horler, Julia Ross-Roy and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde

Donald Trump has been found guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records in his historic criminal trial in New York. It is the first time a former or serving US president has been convicted of a crime. The court heard from 22 witnesses over six weeks, including the porn actor Stormy Daniels. Trump called the verdict a "disgrace". It’s an unprecedented situation, which leaves a lot questions. Can Donald Trump still run for president? Could he go to prison? And what happens next? There’s loads of contrasting opinions online, so we break down exactly what Donald Trump was found guilty of and we hear from BBC journalists Nomia Iqbal, John Sudworth, Nada Tawfik and Kayla Epstein. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: Alex Rhodes Producers: Emily Horler, Julia Ross-Roy and Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

The slogan “All Eyes on Rafah” has been trending on social media. One image in particular, of white tents spelling out that phrase, has gone viral on Instagram with around 40 million shares. The picture is AI generated. Shayan Sardarizadeh from BBC Monitoring’s disinformation team tells us where the image came from and why so many people have posted it.Rafah is a city in the south of Gaza and it’s been in headlines since the Israeli military began what it calls “targeted” ground operations against Hamas fighters and infrastructure in early May. The UN says around a million people have now fled the fighting in Rafah, but several hundred thousand more could still be sheltering there. Israel has insisted that victory in its seven-month war with Hamas in Gaza is impossible without taking Rafah and rejected warnings that it could have catastrophic humanitarian consequences.Yolande Knell, a BBC Middle East correspondent in Jerusalem, describes what’s happening in Rafah. We also ask her to explain the different efforts to achieve a ceasefire, via negotiations between Israel and Hamas, draft resolutions at the United Nations, and applications to the International Court of Justice. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Julia Ross-Roy and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde

Two flights have made the headlines recently after being hit by severe turbulence. Early investigations into a Singapore Airlines flight say that the plane dropped around 54m over 4.6 seconds. One passenger died of a suspected heart attack and dozens were injured.Injuries from turbulence is pretty rare but scientists think that climate change could be making severe turbulence more likely in the future. The BBC’s climate and Science reporter, Esme Stallard, joins us to explain what causes severe turbulence and what scientists are doing to limit it.It’s not just planes that fly, birds also have to deal with stormy weather. Researchers are now studying our feathered friends to better understand and predict turbulence. Emily Shepard, a researcher in bird flight and air flow, tells us how this might help.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

In June Europeans will go to the polls to decide the make-up of the next European Parliament. Far-right parties are expected to make significant gains in several countries, including Germany — the most populous country in the European Union. Alternative for Deutschland (AfD) — Germany’s most popular far-right party — have been using social media, especially TikTok, to appeal to younger voters. Their political rivals, including Chancellor Olaf Sholz and his Social Democratic Party, are now playing catch-up when it comes to TikTok.The BBC’s Kristina Volk explains who the AfD are and describes some of the controversies surrounding them during the current election campaign. TikTok specialist Marcus Bösch describes the growth of the AfD on the platform. And we hear from Maggy Hess, who started the #ReclaimTiktok campaign, which makes viral content to counter the influence of the AfD. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Maria Clara Montoya, William Lee Adams and Mora Morrison Editor: Verity Wilde

China and South Korea are arguing on social media. This time it’s over K-pop group IVE’s new video for HEYA: some people in China claim that the group is passing off Chinese culture as Korean.This isn’t the first time the neighbouring countries have had disputes about the origin of certain cultural things. There have been spats involving BTS, Squid Game, fashion, and - one that’s still fermenting - kimchi. The BBC’s Kerry Allen and Fan Wang talk us through the what and why. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: William Lee Adams Producers: Emily Horler and Mora Morrison Editor: Verity Wilde

Coral around the world is turning white and even dying as recent record ocean heat takes a devastating toll. It has triggered the fourth “global mass coral bleaching event”. Hannah chats to What in the World producer Kevyah Cardoso about the magical life of coral. BBC climate reporter Georgina Rannard explains what’s causing this bleaching and whether the coral can recover from it. And we hear from two parts of the world where people are trying to monitor and revive their coral reefs. The BBC’s Alfred Lasteck in Tanzania tells us about his visit to the Mnemba Island, Zanzibar where they are restoring the coral reefs. And 19 year old environmental activist and divemaster Emma Batty Sukerta, whose family are from Bali, Indonesia, talks about why she is recording the sounds of the coral reefs there. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Kevyah Cardoso & Julia Ross-Roy Editor: Verity Wilde

Thousands of young people have been out protesting in Georgia. But this isn’t organised by the opposition or a political party - these demonstrations are being driven by the 20 year olds themselves. It’s all because of a “foreign agents” law the government there is trying to bring in. There’s a fear that this law will suppress dissent and prevent Georgia from eventually joining the European Union. This law will require non-governmental organisations and media outlets that receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register as an "organisation serving the interests of a foreign power". Don’t worry, we’ll go through it all in the episode.The government says the law aims to increase transparency. Critics refer to it as the “Russian law” because it mirrors similar legislation introduced by Russian President Vladimir Putin in his country.Nutsa Dzandzava (22) and Dato Dolaberidze (23) have been spending their spare time on the streets of Georgia’s capital Tblisi. We hear why they’re protesting and what they hope to achieve. The BBC’s Rayhan Demytrie explains a bit about Georgia’s history with Russia - and the details of the controversial law that started the protests. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee Adams Producers: Maria Clara Montoya, Julia Ross-Roy & Alex Rhodes Editor: Emily Horler

This year’s Olympics will, for the first time, feature breaking – a style of street dance that originated in 1970s New York City. It’s characterised by acrobatic movements, speedy footwork and a hip-hop soundtrack. More than 30 breakers from all over the world will compete. Rachael Gunn, known as Raygun, from Australia, is one of them. Raygun explains the rules and tells us what she loves about the sport, and why it’s so physically demanding. William Lee Adams from the What in the World team chats about the sport's history. And BBC Sport Africa reporter Isaiah Akinremi explains what else to look out for this year — including an Opening Ceremony on the River Seine. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: Adam Chowdhury Producers: William Lee Adams and Mora Morrison Editor: Verity Wilde