What in the World

Officials in Lahore, Pakistan have been using artificial rain in an effort to lower levels of air pollution. They make it rain through cloud seeding, a process that involves firing special particulates from a plane. Alex from the What in the World team explains how the process works. And Navin Singh Kadka, the BBC’s global environment correspondent, discusses the impact of creating artificial rain and the controversies that come with it. Also: The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) starts on 13 January. Several of Africa’s top footballers will step away from their clubs in Europe and Saudi Arabia during the month-long tournament. Nishat Ladha, a reporter with BBC Africa Sport, explains the impact that could have on their clubs and their careers. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producer: Alex Rhodes and William Lee Adams Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

China’s population is shrinking so its government is trying to get more people to have kids by offering financial incentives and its own dating app. But not everyone is on board. Some people, especially young women, aren’t keen to follow in their parents’ more traditional footsteps. The BBC’s Fan Wang tells us how China got into this situation. Is it fair to put it all on women?And Mei Fong, the author of ‘One Child: The Story of China's Most Radical Experiment’, talks us through why she thinks an apology from the government over its strict one-child policy could help it persuade more people to have babies. Plus, our population correspondent, Stephanie Hegarty, explains what China’s shrinking population could mean for the rest of the world.Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producer: Emily Horler, Julia Ross-Roy and Mora Morrison Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Russia’s president Vladimir Putin says he’s going to stand for the top job again in March. He’s been in charge of the country in some way or another for almost 25 years. The BBC’s Russia Editor Steve Rosenberg takes us through his rise to power and how the country has dramatically changed under his rule. Plus Alex from the What in the World team brings us five surprising facts about the man himself. Here’s one to get you started… he might be the richest man on earth.Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee Adams Producer: Alex Rhodes Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

From the Chupacabra to the Yeti, lots of countries and regions around the world have their own myths about strange creatures whose existence has never been scientifically proven - known as cryptids. These 'eyewitness sightings' have captured people’s imaginations for decades and even centuries. Alex from the What in the World team takes Hannah on a tour of some of them - with help from BBC reporters Beverly Ochieng, Surbhi Kaul, Fan Wang, Blaire Toedte and Anselm Gibbs.Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producer: Alex Rhodes Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

There are more than 2000 billionaires worldwide with a combined wealth of $13 trillion. Some say they’re good for society, others call them a symbol of inequality. Even though many billionaires donate to philanthropic causes, there is growing scrutiny on how they make and spend their money. We hear from Simon Jack, the BBC’s Business Editor, about how people get rich nowadays - and why tax is such a hot topic. And Mahayle Khonziwe, who campaigns against inequality, joins us from South Africa to share why she thinks billionaires are bad. But, what do you think? Do you think billionaires are a good thing? Send us a WhatsApp on the number below. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenters: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Mora Morrison and Julia Ross-Roy Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Ethiopia says its huge dam upstream on the Nile will generate electricity for millions. But downstream countries like Sudan and Egypt are worried about what it’ll mean for their water supply. We get the details from two BBC reporters: Kalkidan Yibeltal, in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa and Jaidaa Taha, in Egypt’s capital Cairo. We also take a look at disagreements over the Mekong River in Asia. It runs through Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Brian Eyler is from a foreign affairs think tank, the Stimson Centre, and has written a book on it. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenters: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Alex Rhodes Editor: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Kush is rumoured to contain everything from chemicals used to preserve dead bodies to shoe polish. Nobody really know what’s in it or where it’s coming from. But we do know that it’s having a big impact on young people in Sierra Leone, who are already struggling with high unemployment and a difficult economy. We speak to the BBC’s West Africa Correspondent, Mayeni Jones, to establish what we know about the drug. We also hear from charity head, Sidikie Kamara, who’s seen its devastating effects first hand. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Alex Rhodes Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Indian software billionaire Narayana Murthy (the father-in-law of UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak!) - says that young people in his country should be happy to work 70 hours a week to help India’s development.Indians already work long hours but how does it compare to other countries? We take a trip to India, Mexico, and Sweden to hear from three BBC reporters: Umang Podder, Laura Garcia and Phelan Chatterjee. Emily, from the What in the World team, runs us through some of the countries that have the longest and shortest working hours.And Dr Carolyn Rubenstein is a psychologist - she gives us tips on how to reset your work-life balance and some tiny things to do if it’s not that easy. How can you avoid burning out at work?Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenters: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler, Julia Ross-Roy and Adam Chowdhury Editor: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

A volcanic eruption in the Reykjanes peninsula of south-west Iceland has captured the world’s attention. But how dangerous are volcanoes, and how much do we know about their activity?The BBC's Science correspondent Pallab Ghosh explains why Iceland is such a hotbed of volcanic activity and the health risks that volcanoes can pose. Nick Beake, the BBC’s Europe correspondent, describes his helicopter ride over the Grindavik volcano. And Dr Kenna Rubin, a volcanologist at the University of Rhode Island, explains the different types of volcanoes you can find all around the world. We also speak to Anna and Sigrún — two of the more than 4,000 residents of Grindavik who have been evacuated to safety. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams, Chelsea Coates, Benita Barden Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Since April this year the Sudanese army and a rival military group called the RSF, the Rapid Support Forces, have been locked in a civil war that’s raged across the country. The United Nations says more than 12,000 people have been killed, and over seven million displaced.Two Sudanese women in different parts of the country describe the effect the war has had on their lives. Kalkidan Yibetal, a BBC journalist based in Ethiopia, explains who’s winning where, the massive impact on civilians and why there’s no sign of a peace deal. And James Copnall, who used to be a BBC correspondent in Sudan, gives us the background to this war, broken down into three parts. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Alex Rhodes, Chelsea Coates and Julia Ross-Roy Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Myanmar is now the world's largest producer of opium, overtaking Afghanistan. That’s after the Taliban banned the cultivation of opium poppies, which can be used to make heroin.Growing opium is illegal in both counties, but that isn’t stopping all farmers from growing the crop. Yogita Limaye, the BBC’s South Asia and Afghanistan correspondent, explains how the ban has impacted farmers who previously depended on opium to survive. And Soe Win Than, editor of the BBC Burmese Service, tells us how corruption and political instability in Myanmar have contributed to the growth in opium production.Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams, Baldeep Chahal, Benita Barden Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

As AI technology advances, new image generator apps pop up all the time. Some of these can be used to make deepfake pornography where someone’s face is stitched onto an image of a naked body. Pictures of faces are often taken from social media profiles and used without consent. Our Disinformation Reporter, Jack Goodman, takes us through how the tech works and what you should do if a deepfake video is made of you.It’s not just deepfake porn that’s a worry though - fake videos can be made of almost anything. The BBC’s Noor Nanji explains how Bollywood actresses are being targeted in this way.And Dr Kerry McInerney and Dr Eleanor Drage from Cambridge University and the Good Robot podcast tell us about their biggest concerns around AI. What do tech companies need to do to protect people?Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenters: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler, Alex Rhodes and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

There’s a concerning rise in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) across Europe. That’s according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). In a new report they focus on three specific STIs: chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV).Lina Nerlander, the lead STI expert at the ECDC, explains some of the factors that may be contributing to the increase. So how do you know if you have an STI? Michelle Roberts, a doctor and health reporter with the BBC, talks us through some of the symptoms.And Adriana Stinga, a sexual health counsellor in Romania, discusses how she’s working to improve sexual health education in her country. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams, Mora Morrison Editors: Emily Horler and Simon Peeks

All members of BTS are now in the South Korean military. This week, lead vocalist Jung Kook joined the rest of the group to enlist - a requirement of all able-bodied South Korean men aged 18-28.There have been exemptions given to Olympic medallists and classical musicians but not for the BTS boys - although they were allowed to defer their service until the age of 30.The BBC’s Frances Mao explains what their service will involve and when we can expect them to return. And Alex from the What in the World team runs us through some other celebs that have served in their country's army.Also, we’re going to take a look at football violence in Turkey after a referee got punched in the face by an owner of one of the teams. We speak to Victoria Craig, a BBC reporter in Ankara. How linked are football and politics in Turkey?Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenters: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Alex Rhodes Editor: William Lee Adams and Simon Peeks

It’s been over two months since Hamas attacked Israel. The war between both sides has continued since then, with a temporary ceasefire and pauses in fighting in recent weeks. The BBC’s International Editor Jeremy Bowen, who has been covering the Middle East for nearly 30 years, gives us his analysis on how the war could end.One challenge for Israel is Hamas’s network of tunnels, where its leaders are thought to be hiding. It’s believed to run for hundreds of miles, under most of Gaza. Jeremy is one of few BBC journalists who has been inside the tunnels, several years ago. He describes what they’re like and why they’re so important in this conflict. The head of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees recently described Gaza as “hell on earth”. Hisham Mhanna from the ICRC tells us what it’s like in Southern Gaza right now, and the BBC’s Sally Nabil in Cairo explains the challenges getting aid across the border. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Julia Ross-Roy and Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Nearly 200 countries have agreed a new global deal on climate change at COP28 in Dubai. It’s the biggest step forward on climate since the Paris Agreement in 2015. For the first time, countries are calling for a move away from fossil fuels, but the language is far weaker than many wanted.Our Climate and Science reporter, Esme Stallard, walks us through the details of the deal. What could mean for our futures?We also hear from three BBC Monitoring journalists: Rupsha Mukurjee, who covers India; Padmaja Venkataraman, who reports on China; and Rose Njiroge, who covers sub-saharan Africa. What scores out of 10 does this COP get from India, China and Africa?Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenters: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler, Alex Rhodes and Julia Ross-Roy Editor: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

On Monday, India’s Supreme Court upheld the government’s 2019 decision to revoke Article 370. That’s a law that previously gave the region of Jammu and Kashmir special status within India to make its own laws.Umang Poddar, a reporter in the BBC Delhi Bureau, explains why Prime Minister Narendra Modi revoked the law and what it means. Plus: Is it a good idea to take a social media detox? Luis from the What in the World team tells us about a recent study that suggests some drawbacks. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart with Umang Poddar Producers: William Lee Adams, Baldeep Chahal, Luis Felipe Molina Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Pope Francis is not your standard pope. He’s talks about climate change, he has a more liberal stance on divorce and he’s even weighed in on hot-button political topics like migration. But it’s his softer stance on LGBTQ+ issues that has proved to be one of the most controversial parts of his papacy, even within the top levels of the Vatican. The BBC’s Sofia Bettiza and Reha Kansara give us some background on the man himself. And we take the pod to Church to chat about the Pope’s legacy with LGBTQ+ Catholics. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenters: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Alex Rhodes, Benita Barden, Adam Chowdhury, and Mora Morrison Editor: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Grammy award-winning rapper Young Thug is currently on trial for gang-related charges in Atlanta, US. Prosecutors claim that the rap label he founded, Young Stoner Life (YSL) Records, is a front for an organised crime syndicate responsible for ‘75-80% of violent crime’ in the city.His lyrics have been used as part of the evidence against him. But some argue that this raises concerns about freedom of artistic expression and racism.Benita from the What in the World team explains how Young Thug rose to fame and legal affairs journalist Meghann Cuniff - who went viral recently as ‘Meghann Thee Reporter’ - explains what we’ve heard from the trial so far. She also discusses how the new RAP (Restoring Artistic Protection) Act could restrict how lyrics are used in court in future cases.Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee Adams Producers: Chelsea Coates, Maria Clara Montoya and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde

We’re back at COP28, discussing ways to help you cope with climate anxiety. The ever present threat of climate change can feel overwhelming and can have a negative impact on your mental health - it’s called climate-anxiety (some people call it eco-anxiety). So how can you deal with these feelings? BBC climate reporter Georgina Rannard sat down with three activists at COP28; Baliqees Salaudeen from Nigeria, Ana Gabriela Mejía Silva from Ecuador and Saad Uakkas from Morocco, to discuss their strategies. We also chat about flaring with BBC filmmaker Owen Pinnell, who’s made two BBC documentaries about it. What is it, what are the health effects if you live near to where it takes place and how easy is it for countries and companies to stop doing it?Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenters: Hannah Gelbart with Georgina Rannard Producers: Mora Morrison, Julia Ross-Roy and Adam Chowdhury Editor: Verity WildeThis podcast has been updated

Tanzania is coping with the aftermath of severe floods and landslides, which killed dozens of people in the northern Hanang region.Shem Otieno, a BBC reporter in Nairobi, explains how rescue workers and the Tanzanian government are responding. We also hear from hydrology expert Wouter Buytaert, who explains how droughts can make landslides more likely. Three survivors also recount their experiences.Also: the BBC’s Maria Clara Montoya tells us about Daddy Yankee’s retirement.Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams, Maria Clara Montoya, Luis Felipe Molina Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Essequibo is part of Guyana in South America - it’s got lots of oil and dense rainforests. But last Sunday, Venezuela voted to claim it in a referendum. There’s been a dispute over the region for a really long time but it’s bubbled up more recently when oil was discovered in Essequibo's offshore waters.Rachelle Krygier, a BBC reporter from Venezuela, gives us the history behind this land dispute and also explains how the referendum campaign played out on TikTok. Anselm Gibbs, a journalist with the BBC based in Trinidad and Tobago, tells us how people living in Essequibo are reacting to the referendum result.Also in this episode, our video games expert, Andrew Rogers, takes us through the new Grand Theft Auto trailer and what gamers can expect from the latest instalment when it’s released in 2025.Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler, Chelsea Coates and Luis Felipe Molina Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Russia’s Supreme Court has banned the “international LGBT movement" and declared it an “extremist organisation.” The ruling does not criminalise being gay. However, it will make the work of all LGBTQ+ organizations, as well as any related political activity, difficult. Sergei Goryashko from the BBC’s Russian service explains the reasons behind the Supreme Court ruling. We also get reactions from three LGBTQ Russians. Finally we hear from Ksenia Kuleshova, a documentary photographer who has been working with and observing the queer community in Russia for several years. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producer: William Lee Adams, Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

41 men were working underground in a tunnel in India when a nearby landslide caused part of it to cave in, trapping them inside. They were rescued after 17 days. BBC South Asia Correspondent Samira Hussain explains why it took so long - and what questions the authorities are facing in the aftermath.Chelsea Coates from the What in the World team describes what being trapped underground for ages can do to your mental and physical health. And Maimuna Jabbie from The Gambia and co-lead of The Great Green Wall is one of the young delegates at COP28. The Great Green Wall aims to create an 8000km ‘wall of trees’ spanning the entire width of the African Continent. Maimuna tells us about the initiative and what she’s hoping to achieve at the climate summit.Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Chelsea Coates and Julia Ross-Roy Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

It’s that time of year again where world leaders, business execs and loads of lobbyists and activists gather for a few weeks to try to make concrete plans to reduce emissions globally and compensate countries worst affected by climate change - it’s COP28 and hopes are high. This year it’s taking place in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, one of the biggest oil producers in the world. And the President of COP is the head of the country’s state oil company. BBC climate reporter Georgina Rannard is at COP28 - she explains what it is and what’s going to be discussed. We hear from two young activists; Yabtsega Getachew from Ethiopia and Shreya KC from Nepal.Marco Silva, a BBC climate disinformation reporter debunks some myths about climate change you might have seen on your social feeds. Also: As Virgin flies the first big passenger plane using 100% alternative fuels across the Atlantic, we ask BBC Transport Correspondent Katy Austin how big a deal is this? And how green are these alternative fuels?Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Alex Rhodes, Maria Clara Montoya and Julia Ross-Roy Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

How often do you discover new music on TikTok? Chances are, quite a lot. That’s because TikTok is becoming a go-to app for finding and remixing music. Veneno is an example of this. It’s a song from the 1980s by Ronaldo Silva, which was sampled by Mari Merenda and Sophia Ardessore on TikTok, and then remixed by pop duo Sofi Tukker in Florida. We speak to Sofi Tukker (Sophie Hawley-Weld and Tucker Halpern) about why they fell in love with this song, and why they chose to release it. We’re also joined by the BBC’s Maia Beth, music commentator Derrick Gee, and Nigerian rapper Reggie Rankin’ who explain the pros and cons of the app.Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Mora Morrison, William Lee Adams and Benita Barden Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

P Diddy, Russell Brand, Jamie Foxx. Those are just three of the male celebrities who’ve been hit with sexual assault lawsuits in recent weeks. All three deny the claims. Those lawsuits were all filed because of a New York law with a one-year time limit, called the Adult Survivors Act. It’s led to a huge rise in accusations.Plus, BBC investigative reporter Rianna Croxford explains how the people she spoke to for her recent investigation into Abercrombie and Fitch have been using this law to take the fashion company to court.Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenters: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Alex Rhodes, Benita Barden and Maria Clara Montoya Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

By Monday morning, more than fifty hostages held in Gaza had been released as part of a deal between Israel and Hamas. The deal, which includes a four-day pause in fighting, came seven weeks after the 7 October attacks on Israel. In exchange, more than a hundred Palestinian women and teenagers have been released from Israeli jails.In this episode, the BBC’s Shaina Oppenheimer in Jerusalem and Jaidaa Taha in Cairo talk us through the detail. We also hear from Tossapol Chaisamritpol, a BBC reporter in Bangkok, who has been speaking to relatives of Thai hostages who have also been released. Plus, Frances Mao explains why New Zealand’s new government has made a U-turn on the country’s pioneering smoking ban.Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenters: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams and Mora Morrison Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Cement is said to be responsible for 8% of global carbon emissions. In the search for an alternative, more sustainable construction material, building companies in Ghana and other African countries are reviving an ancient technique called ‘rammed earth’. Daniel Dadzie, a BBC reporter from Ghana, explains how you make it and why it’s seen as a greener option. Architect and academic Kuukuwa Manful explains the history of rammed earth and how European colonial authorities discouraged indigenous African building styles. Also: Fardowsa Osman, a BBC Somali reporter, describes the effect of the floods in Somalia and BBC Meteorologist Tomasz Schafernaker explains the two weather patterns that contributed to the devastation. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Alex Rhodes, Benita Barden and Julia Ross-Roy Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

There’s been serious drama in Silicon Valley this week. On Friday the board of OpenAI, the multi-billion-dollar company behind ChatGPT, fired its CEO Sam Altman. By Wednesday he was back in the job. But this isn’t just an internal dispute for tech journalists. It’s about the future of artificial intelligence; whether it should be used for profit and whether it should be constrained. BBC tech reporter Shiona McCallum explains who Sam Altman is and how his most famous product, ChatGPT, works. Alex Rhodes breaks down a few of the most important AI terms being used at the moment. And to hear how other people away from Silicon Valley are using AI in their work, Valeria Diaz Romero from Bolivia talks about how her company uses it. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Maria Clara Montoya, Alex Rhodes and Julia Ross-Roy Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Brazil has recorded its hottest ever temperature - 44.8C (112.6F) - as parts of the country endure a stifling heatwave.You may have seen the video of Taylor Swift struggling to catch her breath while performing in Rio de Janeiro. She pushed back a performance on Saturday after it emerged a fan had died after going into cardiac arrest at the stadium. Climate change and El Niño are both impacting this heatwave. But what is El Niño? We explain.And Dr Sooj (@doctorsooj on Tik Tok) offers advice about how to spot, and prevent, heat stroke. Plus, North Korea has revealed that its put its first spy satellite into orbit. Surbhi Kaul from BBC Monitoring tells us more. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Alex Rhodes Producers: Mora Morrison, Benita Barden and Luis Felipe Molina Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Argentina has elected far-right outsider Javier Milei as its new president.He’s a pretty unconventional politician - from tantric sex to cloning dogs. But, how did he win and what could this mean for the Latin American country? The BBC’s Maria Clara Montoya explains.TikTok played an important role in his campaign. So, we also hear from Den Borg, an Argentinian marketing specialist, about how the app was utilised. Plus, we have reaction from two young voters in Argentina. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Alex Rhodes with Maria Clara Montoya Producers: Mora Morrison and Luis Felipe Molina Editor: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that’s fifty times more powerful than heroin. It’s also the biggest killer of 18-45 year olds in the United States.The death toll is so high that the sons of imprisoned drug lord El Chapo have said they aren’t going to sell it anymore - although experts say that’s probably just a publicity stunt. Dr Smitha Mundasad from the BBC’s Health team explains why fentanyl is so fatal. The BBC’s Nadine Yousif in Canada talks about the fentanyl crisis’ ‘fourth wave’, which is affecting every community in the North America - including San Francisco, where activist Darren Stallcup is based.Also in this episode, we talk about Argentina’s election results with the BBC’s Mimi Swaby.Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart with Alex Rhodes Producers: Alex Rhodes and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Al-Shifa hospital has become a focal point of the Israel-Gaza war in the last few days. On Wednesday morning, Israeli tanks and troops entered the complex. Israel has claimed Hamas has a command centre under the hospital in a network of tunnels. Hamas, which is considered a terrorist organisation by many Western governments, including the US, has denied this. The BBC’s bureau chief in Jerusalem, Jo Floto, describes the hospital and its importance. This war is also, in a lesser way, playing out online. Two BBC journalists; Shaina Oppenheimer and Hesham Shawish, who monitor social media across the Middle East, describe the different kinds of posts people in Israel and in Arab nations might be seeing in their feeds. And we discuss what tools social media companies use to try to combat controversial content on their platforms, with BBC global disinformation reporter Jack Goodman.Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Maria Clara Montoya, Alex Rhodes and Julia Ross-Roy Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

The Miss Universe pageant takes place on 18th November in El Salvador. Organisers have introduced new rules to make the contest more inclusive. Married women and mothers can compete for the first time. And the age rule has been abolished, allowing people over 28 to participate. This year’s line-up includes two married mothers, two transgender women and a plus-sized queen. We hear from the pageant’s new owner, Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip, as well as current candidates Miss Colombia (Camila Avella), Miss Nepal (Jane Garrett), and Miss Netherlands (Rikkie Kollé).Despite its efforts to promote inclusivity, Miss Universe still faces criticism for being anti-feminist. Author Jessa Crispin explains.Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenters: Hannah Gelbart and William Lee Adams Producers: Julia Ross-Roy and Mora Morrison Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

A BBC investigation has found that people smugglers in Pakistan are using social media sites to advertise their services, despite a government crackdown on their operations. Reha Kansara from BBC Trending joins us to explain what she discovered.Plus: TikTok is being banned in Nepal. A food influencer tells us how he feels about the ban.Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenters: Hannah Gelbart with Reha Kansara Producers: William Lee Adams, Benita Barden and Adam Chowdhury Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

The world of cryptocurrency can be confusing. There’s no tangible money and no clunky coins. Instead we hear about things like Ethereum, Bitcoin and Dogecoin. Crypto has been in the spotlight this month after Sam Bankman-Fried (the ‘Crypto King’) was found guilty of fraud and money laundering. But there are many people who believe crypto could be transformative, especially for young people and failing states. Michael Kimani, a tech entrepreneur from Kenya, explains. And Erin Delmore, the BBC’s North American business correspondent, takes us back to basics. Plus, what happens to animals when people evacuate from a potential volcanic eruption? We hear from Sigrún Eggertsdóttir who’s been forced to move sheep, hens and a cat in Iceland. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Alex Rhodes Producers: Mora Morrison and Maria Clara Montoya Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Gang members and victims of sex trafficking are often tattooed against their will. For those who escape, their tattoos become permanent reminders of the pain and suffering they endured. The Radiance Clinic in Boston removes tattoos from survivors for free. Dr. Shadi Kourosh, an assistant professor of dermatology at Harvard, tells us how this can help people cope with trauma. We also hear from nurse practitioner Rachel Niemiec who advocates for fellow trafficking survivors. Plus: Why has Kenya’s government given people a holiday to plant trees? Beverly Ochieng, a BBC reporter in Nairobi, explains. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams and Benita Barden Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

There’s so much stuff online about masculinity; guys telling you how to get buff, what to eat and how to talk to women. Sometimes a particular type of masculinity, known as toxic masculinity, seems dominant on some platforms. That’s where traits like being tough and not showing emotion are emphasised. With more awareness of this kind of content, young men are being warned off it. They’re increasingly told what not to do and who they shouldn’t be listening to. But that’s not much of a guide.In this episode the BBC’s Andrew Ochieng and Kai Kim describe their experiences of growing up in Kenya and South Korea and how masculinity is portrayed there.Nigerian commentator and life coach Solomon Buchi gives his view on what 'healthy masculinity' looks like. And we tell you about two different schemes in Guatemala (SerNiño) and India (Coaching Boys Into Men), working with boys and men to help them challenge harmful masculinity.Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenters: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Alex Rhodes, Mora Morrison and Julia Ross-Roy Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Ever since ‘Iron Man’ and ‘The Dark Knight’ impressed audiences in 2008, superhero movies have been a major player in the film industry.Marvel have been at the core of this wave, with the Marvel Cinematic Universe raking in billions of dollars at the box office. Characters like Iron Man, Captain America and Thor have become household names during the 2010s as the studio produced hit after hit after hit.In recent years though, Marvel have suffered a relative downturn in success. Their projects aren’t always getting rave reviews and their latest movie, ‘The Marvels’ starring Brie Larson, is predicted to have a disappointing opening weekend at the box office.Hannah and Adam speak to Digital Spy writer Janet Leigh about the creative side of Marvel, and box office analyst Tom Lashley weighs in on what the numbers are telling us about the MCU.Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenters: Hannah Gelbart with Adam Chowdhury Producers: Alex Rhodes and Emily Horler Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Delhi is often described as the most polluted city in the world. Right now the air quality is so bad the government has ordered all primary schools to shut until 10th November. We want to focus on what’s being done to improve things. Kamala Thiagarajan, a climate and science reporter from India, explains. We also hear about what’s working to improve air quality in Accra, Ghana. And the BBC’s Divya Arya tells us how women who were attacked in Manipur are coping six months on.Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenters: Hannah Gelbart with Daniel Dadzie Producers: William Lee Adams and Mora Morrison Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Nearly two years later, fighting is still going on. Lives are being lost and shattered.The UN Refugee Agency says more than 6.2 million people have crossed into neighbouring countries and around 5.1 million people are internally displaced.Jenny Hill is a BBC Correspondent in Ukraine. She takes us through what life is like in two places there: Odesa is on the coast; Avdiivka continues to see fierce battles.And BBC Monitoring's Vitaly Shevchenko is from Ukraine. He speaks to friends there every day. What do they tell him?Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Alex Rhodes Editors: Simon Peeks

Asexuality – broadly defined as not experiencing sexual attraction — has been called “the invisible orientation”. Asexual people say they’re often misunderstood and that many people doubt that they can really be asexual. But awareness is growing thanks to online resources, social media and global campaigns like Asexual Awareness Week, which recently came to a close.Sex is considered a central part of the human experience. So what’s it like not to have sexual desire? Two women who identify as asexual explain their experiences: Priyanka Chakrabarty, a lawyer and writer in India, and Yasmin Benoit, a model and writer in the U.K.Plus, Colombia’s “cocaine hippos”: What are they, how did they go wild and why are they now being culled? The BBC’s Peter Goffin explains.Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Mora Morrison and William Lee Adams Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Online multiplayer can be a toxic environment, especially for female players and people of colour. There are criticisms that not enough is being done by the gaming companies to address the abuse that some people face on a daily basis. Now the developer behind Assassin’s Creed, Ubisoft, has brought out a “Good Game Playbook” to send to some of its players reported for harassment. But will people read it? We speak to two BBC reporters; Andrew Rogers, who’s been speaking to the gaming companies, and Laura Cress who describes her experiences of toxicity in gaming. Also, as the BBC World Service launches an emergency lifeline radio service for people in Gaza, Hannah speaks to one of the team behind it.Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart and Alex Rhodes Producers: Emily Horler, Mora Morrison and Julia Ross-Roy Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

The Kenyan runner Kelvin Kiptum has just set a new marathon world record. He did it wearing “super-shoes”. Sports brands are racing to design new trainers which are lighter and have clever geometry to propel runners forward. Bobbie Jackson from BBC Sport and Celestine Karoney from BBC Sport Africa discuss whether they really make a difference - and is it fair if some athletes wear them? And in the week of Halloween and Day of the Dead, Mathias Clasen, Co-Director of the Recreational Fear Lab at Aarhus University in Denmark, answers our question; “Why do some people love scaring themselves?”Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Mora Morrison, Benita Barden and Julia Ross-Roy Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Canada has banned the all-in-one Chinese social media app, WeChat, on government devices. Even though TikTok has received loads of attention for potential security risks, many security experts think that WeChat is riskier. James Clayton, our North America Tech Reporter, explains. And Kerry Allen, our China Media Analyst, takes us through how tightly controlled social media is in China itself. There’s even secret emoji code to avoid censorship.(10:45) Also, what was Gaza like before this latest escalation with Israel? The BBC’s James Reynolds was previously a correspondent in Jerusalem and spent a lot of time in Gaza. He paints us a picture of what it was like when he was there.Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Alex Rhodes Editor: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

The United Nations says that the Democratic Republic of Congo is facing one of the world’s biggest displacement and humanitarian crises. Around 6.9 million people have fled their homes to escape violence caused by more than 250 rebel groups operating across the country. Emery Makumeno, a reporter in Kinshasa, explains the origins of the 30-year conflict and motivations of several rebel groups. And Byobe Malenga, a journalist with BBC Swahili, describes the difficult conditions he saw recently when visiting camps for displaced people in the Kivu region.Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee Adams Producers: Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Nigeria’s currency has seen a big drop in value over the last few months. The BBC’s West Africa correspondent, Mayeni Jones, helps us find out why. We also take a wider look at currency in general with our North America Business Correspondent, Erin Delmore. Why do some countries see such big fluctuations? And how on earth do you manage a currency successfully? Hannah gets tested to see if she could make it as the head of a country’s bank.Plus Liverpool footballer Luis Diaz’s parents were abducted at the weekend. The BBC’s Mimi Swaby talks about Columbia’s kidnapping problem. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart with Alex Rhodes Producers: Emily Horler Editor: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Across the Caribbean, governments are demanding that former colonial powers, like the U.K., France and The Netherlands, pay reparations for their involvement in slavery. Anselm Gibbs, a BBC reporter in Trinidad and Tobago, explains what forms reparations can take and describes the specific demands that Caribbean nations have put forward. We also hear from Akeem Chandler-Prescod, a member of the Barbados National Task Force on Reparations and his country’s Poet of The Year. He describes how the legacy of slavery still impacts people in Barbados centuries later and how the racial justice movement in the United States has inspired many Bajans to join the reparations movement. Many European governments have refused to pay reparations. However, some individual families with historic links to slavery have decided to make payments. Laura Trevelyan, a former BBC reporter, explains why her family donated £100,000 ($120,000) to establish a community fund for economic development on the impoverished island of Grenada. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams, Chelsea Coates and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Bill Gates, the tech billionaire turned philanthropist, invests huge amounts of money in the climate crisis - and he’s pretty optimistic about how we can avoid the worst impacts. But why? Graihagh Jackson, from The Climate Question, helps unpack some potential solutions. We also hear from Nissa Bek, a climate activist and the founder of Project Mulan in Libya, about ways to get involved - from art to architecture. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Alex Rhodes with Graihagh Jackson Producer: Mora Morrison Editor: Verity Wilde