What in the World

Over the last few decades, most countries in Europe have abolished compulsory military service. But following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the debate around conscription has returned. Last year Latvia restarted mandatory military service for men between 18 and 27. And now other countries are expanding their policies on conscription and encouraging their allies to follow suit. Last month Denmark proposed extending mandatory military service to women.BBC Europe correspondent Nick Beake explains why countries are bringing back conscription and how changing rules are affecting young people. We also hear from two young conscripts in Estonia . They describe their training and the mental toll it can take. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler, Mora Morrison, Alex Rhodes, William Lee Adams Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Vinícius Júnior is one of the top footballers in the world but recently he broke down in tears when asked about the racist abuse he’s suffered from fans while playing for Spanish side Real Madrid. It’s sparked a fierce debate about racism in the sport and in Spain itself. The Brazilian has said that La Liga “belongs to racists”, so what can be done about the problem?We’ve got BBC Sport presenter Isaac Fanin and the What in the World team’s Maria Clara Montoya in the studio with Hannah to break down the issue. And we hear how a small team in Madrid, Dragones de Lavapiés, is trying to tackle racism and prejudice at a community level. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Alex Rhodes and Julia Ross-Roy Editor: Verity Wilde

Welcome to the future. There are some people who already live with an implant inside their head. Noland Arbaugh is one of them - he’s paralysed but can now work a computer with his mind. There could be more people with brain chips if Elon Musk's hopes for his company, Neuralink, come true. He wants humans to merge with artificial intelligence to stop AI from taking over the world. That’s not happening any time soon, but there are lots of questions around how brain implants are used at the moment. How are they helping people? Are they ethical? Could we all have one at some point?Wired's biotech reporter, Emily Mullin, tells us more about how these brain interface devices work. And neuroethicist Laura Cabrera reflects on the moral implications of these implants. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Baldeep Chahal, Benita Barden and Emily Horler Editor: Julia Ross-Roy

Senegal's democracy was put at risk earlier this year when former president, Macky Sall, tried to hold onto power by delaying elections and putting political opponents in prison. But the election went ahead and Senegal now has a new president. Who is Bassirou Diomaye Faye and with him in charge, what’s the future for the country?From Dakar, BBC correspondent Thomas Naadi tells us more about Faye's road to the Senegalese presidency.And BBC journalist Natasha Booty gives us some details about Faye's personal life, which has attracted much attention now he’s the first president in Senegal in a polygamous marriage with two wives. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler, Maria Clara Montoya and Benita Barden Editor: Julia Ross-Roy

You may have started seeing adverts on your social media feed for a website called Temu. Its motto is “shop like a billionaire” and it sells… well, pretty much everything. The only thing the products in its marketplace have in common is that they’re dirt cheap and made in China.It’s the global wing of a Chinese e-commerce shopping company and burst onto the scene in 2022. It’s now worth just under 150 billion dollars. It’s aggressively marketed itself, releasing glossy adverts during the Superbowl, cultivating an army of influencers and offering promotions that encourage users to sign up other shoppers for cash giveaways. But the small print details of these deals got some experts worried about data and privacy protection. Alex chats to BBC Business and Tech reporter Sam Gruet talk about the origins of the company and how it manages to make money when its products are so cheap. Hannah speaks to BBC journalist Tom Espiner about the giveaway promotion and why users may have signed away more than they’d bargained for. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworldWhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6Email: [email protected]: Hannah Gelbart and Alex Rhodes Producers: Baldeep Chahal and Maria Clara Montoya Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

The cost of cocoa - the key ingredient for making chocolate - has reached an all-time high. In fact, the price has roughly doubled over the past year. The soaring cocoa prices are squeezing major chocolate makers and filtering through to consumers who are paying more for their sweet treats.Nkechi Ogbonna, the BBC’s Senior West Africa Business Correspondent, explains how climate change, irregular rainfall and crop infestations are contributing to the price hike. It’s a similar story for coffee, as producers face growing demand and environmental challenges. Vanusia Nogueira, the executive director of the International Coffee Organization, tells us more.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: Alex Rhodes Producers: William Lee Adams, Baldeep Chahal and Mora Morrison Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Marina Summers is one of the top drag queens in the Philippines and she was one of the finalists on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World. Her drag embraces her Philippine identity, with looks on the show inspired by rice farming and even the national fish. Drag culture in the Philippines is becoming more mainstream but it’s not completely easy for all drag queens - one queen, is facing prison time for ‘offending religion’, after dressing up as Jesus in a show. So what is life like for a Filipino drag queen? Plus we hear from two young LGBT people about what drag and being LGBT means to them.Also, William Lee Adams, from the What in the World team, takes us through what LGBT rights are like across Southeast Asia. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Mora Morrison Editor: Verity Wilde

Beyoncé has released her highly anticipated new album, Cowboy Carter. It is a deep dive into the country-western genre. Some critics have questioned why one of the biggest R'n'B vocalists in the world would experiment with country. But others say it is her right as a Texas-born singer. Regardless, there is a strong sense that she is helping black artists take up more space in a genre long associated with white Americans. Sophie Williams, a BBC reporter, explains how black artists have often felt excluded from the country music industry. We also hear the from two black women working in country music: Holly G, the founder of Black Opry, an organisation that connects black artists in the country and Americana genres, and Tiera Kennedy, a singer-songwriter from Alabama who appears on Beyoncé’s tracks Blackbird, which is a cover of The Beatles’ original song, and Tyrant.We also hear from Dr Emmett G Price III, dean of Africana Studies at Berklee College of Music & Boston Conservatory. He explains how African-American history influenced the development of country music. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: Hannah Gelbart with Sophie Williams Producers: William Lee Adams and Benita Barden Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Flying cars are something that’s straight out of sci-fi films and novels. But despite predictions in the past that we’d all be driving/flying one by now, they’ve always been confined to visions of the future. But could all that be about to change? A Chinese firm has bought a European company who’ve made a working flying car and has got permission to fly them in an unspecified location in its home country. China is a huge driving force behind the adoption of electric vehicles - can it do the same for flying cars? The BBC’s Technology Editor Zoe Kleinman takes us through the story. Plus Alex from the What in the World team drops in to talk about other predictions and whether they came true. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Alex Rhodes, Adam Chowdhury and Baldeep Chahal Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

More than two years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Western countries have ramped up their attempts to stifle Russia’s economy using sanctions. These are economic penalties imposed by one country on another to stop them acting aggressively or breaking international law. There are now around 16,500 sanctions against Russia that target sectors from energy to finance to aviation. However, Russia’s economy has proven resilient. Vitaly Shevchenko, Russia editor at BBC Monitoring, explains the ways Moscow has managed to evade sanctions. He also assesses whether sanctions can work long-term. Plus, Dr Thomas Withington, an expert on electronic warfare, discusses how Russia uses ‘ghost ships’ to trade sanctioned goods without being caught.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams and Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

All of these African countries have suffered major internet disruption this month: Ivory Coast, Liberia, Benin, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Namibia, Burkina Faso. This meant people couldn’t do everyday things like post on social media, send money to each other or order taxis. It’s because of damage to some of the underwater cables off the coast of west Africa. These cables, some only as thick as a garden hose, span thousands of miles and are responsible for most of the earth’s internet access. BBC Africa business reporter Jewel Kiriungi tells the affected countries are dealing with being knocked offline.And internet infrastructure expert Doug Madory explains how exactly this vast network of cables works and what might have happened to cause the online blackout. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Julia Ross Roy, Alex Rhodes and Adam Chowdhury Editor: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Havana Syndrome has confused scientists ever since it first emerged in Cuba in 2016. The mystery illness mostly affects American officials working in embassies abroad. They report symptoms like hearing buzzing and screeching noises, and often experience pulses of pain and intense pressure in their skulls.Among other theories, people have suggested it’s a side effect from some unknown surveillance technology or the result of microwave weapons deployed by foreign enemies. Others argue it’s likely a mass psychogenic illness — so one that’s all in the mind — resulting from stress.But some scientists think it might be physical, so there have been studies that look for signs of damage in the brains of people experiencing symptoms. Two of the most recent studies in the U.S. failed to detect any. So what or who is causing this illness?We hear from Gordon Corera, the BBC’s Security Correspondent, who talks us through the some of the theories.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: Hannah Gelbart with Gordon Corera Producers: William Lee Adams and Benita Barden Editor: Simon Peeks

Cookies are a way for organisations to collect data from people who visit their site or app. You might see banners popping up on sites you visit asking you to accept or decline them. Maria Clara Montoya from the What in the World team explains how cookies work and why we often see that choice.Meta, the company behind Facebook and Instagram, has rolled out a paid-subscription version of their social media sites for users in Europe. If you pay the subscription you don’t get advertisements and Meta says it doesn’t get your data. If you don’t pay, the sites get your data and you see ads. Meta says they’re doing this to comply with European Union laws on data collection.But some privacy campaigners say people shouldn’t have to pay if they don’t want to share their data. Privacy expert and campaigner Alexander Hanff, known as That Privacy Guy, explains what happens to our data when we browse online.And Bipana Dhakal, founder of “The Learning Fortress” in Nepal, explains how you can keep your online data safe. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: William Lee Adams Producers: Emily Horler, Maria Clara Montoya and Adam Chowdhury Editor: Julia Ross-Roy

Plane manufacturing giant Boeing has been making the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Videos of a dramatic door blowout onboard an Alaskan Airlines flight swept through social media in January. BBC reporter Thomas Mackintosh tells us about his chat with Cuong Tran, the man who was just inches away from the hole in the plane.We also hear from the BBC’s North America Business Correspondent Erin Delmore, who tells us what might be behind the other incidents involving Boeing this year and how the company has responded.Plus we discuss the allegations of a whistleblower who appears to have taken his own life in between testifying against the company. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: William Lee Adams Producers: Alex Rhodes and Baldeep Chahal Editor: Julia Ross-Roy

Some women with afro and curly textured hair use chemicals to straighten their hair. But using these products can lead to burns and skin irritation. And some of the ingredients, like formaldehyde, are carcinogens. Some studies have shown a link between their use and higher rates of some cancers. Kate Holden, a hair and scalp expert, tells us how chemical straighteners work. Dorcas Wangira, the BBC’s Africa Health correspondent, explains the health effects of using these products. Mary Isokariari from the What in the World team discusses why some women feel pressure to straighten their hair. Chinenye Ézémbu in Nigeria tells us why she chemically relaxes her hair and Deborah William shares her health issues, which she thinks are linked to her use of chemical hair straighteners. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Mary Isokariari, Emily Horler and Adam Chowdhury Researcher: Jaidaa Taha Editor: Julia Ross-Roy

Idris Elba, one of the actors rumoured to be the next James Bond, is leading a project to turn an island in Sierra Leone into an eco-city. The new plans for Sherbro Island include wind-powered renewable electricity, solar farms and a film studio. The hope is that the island will become a tourist destination for people seeking the sun. The BBC’s David Waddell spoke to Elba about his new project. David joins us to explain the actor’s motivations and his vision for the city. But we can’t not mention Akon City! Grammy award-winning artist Akon also has plans to transform a part of Africa. In 2018, the Senegalese-American said he would build ‘Akon City’ on the coast of Senegal. The R&B star said he wanted to create something like Wakanda from Marvel’s Black Panther. However, the project has been hit by delays and has barely got off the ground. Borso Tall, a journalist based in Senegal, takes us though the latest. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: Alex Rhodes Producers: William Lee Adams and Adam Chowdhury Editor: Emily Horler

The Philippines is one of the most at risk countries in the world from the effects of climate change. At the same time, it has some of the most expensive energy in Southeast Asia and relies heavily on imported coal. But a recent report by the NGO Climate Analytics found that, by 2050, the Philippines could get its energy entirely from renewable sources.Is it feasible? Three Filipinos give us their thoughts. Jhesset Enano is a journalist, Mitzi Jonelle Tan is a climate activist and Joshua Miguel Lopez works for Reboot, a youth-led organisation working towards a just energy transition. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Mora Morrison and Adam Chowdhury Editor: Emily Horler

In Cameroon, 62 football players have been suspended from the domestic league for double identification or age fraud. One of them is 17 year old Wilfried Nathan Doualla who was part of the Indomitable Lions squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.There have been claims of age fraud in Cameroonian football for a long time now. Last year, 21 members of their under-17s squad failed age tests. Some of them were found to be in their late 20s and early 30s. But these allegations aren’t just limited to Cameroon - there have also been cases in Ghana and Nigeria. BBC Sport Africa reporter Oluwashina Okeleji explains why some players lie about their age and how clubs use MRI technology to work out if a player is under 18. Former Premier League footballer and Ghana international Kwesi Appiah talks about his experience of how age impacts players on the pitch. And Alex from the What in the World team chats about other cases of age fraud and age controversy outside football, from gymnastics to Mariah Carey. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee Adams Producers: Julia Ross-Roy and Josh Jenkins Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

At least six trans people have been killed in Mexico since the beginning of the year. Human rights groups say that Mexico is the second most dangerous country to be trans, after Brazil.One of the women killed was Samantha Gómez Fonseca, a trans activist and politician. She was shot multiple times in a taxi in Mexico City. Miguel Fuentes, from the LGTBQ organisation Yaaj, tells us about her life. Naran Sofia Martin del Campo explains the daily challenges that come with being a trans woman in Mexico. And BBC journalist Marcos Gonzalez talks about the culture in Mexico and attitudes towards LGBTQ+ people. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Julia Ross-Roy and Maria Clara Montoya Researcher: Elena Angelides Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Muslims around the world are observing the holy month of Ramadan. It's a month of fasting, reflection, community and family time. But this year it feels different.Iqra Farooq, a BBC journalist in London, explains how people have traditionally marked Ramadan and how the Israel-Gaza war is impacting those traditions. We also hear from Muslims, from Gaza to Sudan, who discuss how the conflict is affecting them and their families during Ramadan. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenters: Hannah Gelbart with Iqra Farooq Producers: William Lee Adams and Baldeep Chahal Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

An online storm has engulfed Kate Middleton. Rumour and speculation have swirled ever since she underwent planned abdominal surgery at the start of the year. Kensington Palace said from the beginning that she wasn’t expected to resume Royal duties until after Easter but that did nothing to stop the pressure mounting over a lack of public appearances. Over the weekend the Palace released a photo of the Princess of Wales with her children but then people started noticing odd details. Soon the press agencies that distributed the photo had issued a “kill notice” - over concerns that it had been digitally altered or edited. Eventually Kate issued a statement on Instagram, admitted “experimenting” with editing and apologised for any “confusion” the picture may have caused. This PR disaster has done nothing to quell the rumours. In this episode we break down the timeline of the story so far, the BBC’s Jacqui Wakefield looks into how the image may have been edited and we get some PR tips from crisis management expert Molly McPherson. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Alex Rhodes and Maria Clara Montoya Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

These days tickets for big music tours and sports events can sell out in a matter of seconds. And not everyone who buys a ticket is planning on going. Touts, scalpers, resellers (whatever you know them as) are using increasingly high-tech ways to snap up all the tickets before real fans get a chance, then selling them on for dizzying amounts. It’s not just big stars like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé, it’s also huge sports events like the Cricket World Cup, the Superbowl and the Euros. We hear from Rachel Lee, a reporter in South Korea, and Roxy Gagdekar, a reporter in India, about the scale of the problem in their countries. Plus we speak to Alessandro Moretti, a criminologist who’s spoken to some prolific touts to study their secrets. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Beverly Ochieng Producers: Alex Rhodes, Baldeep Chahal and Maria Clara Montoya Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

By the end of March, the Academy Awards and the Grammys will have finished, with hours of dedicate coverage, posts and memes galore. But viewing figures in the US show less people are tuning in. There’s a tendency to highlight the glitziness and importance of these events in the US, UK and Europe, but are award shows held to the same standard everywhere? And do these shows even matter anymore?Noor Nanji, the BBC’s Culture Reporter and Fan Wang, a BBC Journalist in Singapore tell us about what award shows exist across Asia, and whether winning an award holds the same weight culturally. Nyasha Michelle, a journalist at BBC Africa also gives us a glimpse into Africa’s award show industry.Plus, what do you have to do behind the scenes to actually win an Oscar? It's not as simple as putting in the best performance. Stars like Oppenheimer's Cillian Murphy, Maestro's Bradley Cooper, Killer of the Flower Moon's Lily Gladstone and the studios behind them have been on the campaign trail to try and secure that famous golden statue. We get some Hollywood insight into what it takes from Jillian Chilingerian, the co-founder of Offscreen Central.Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Beverly Ochieng Producers: Alex Rhodes, Adam Chowdhury and Benita Barden Editors: Simon Peeks

South Korea has had the world’s lowest birth rate for several years. And recent figures show that it has dropping even further.Yuna Ku, a reporter in the BBC’s Seoul bureau, explains why the high cost of childcare and expectations about women in the workplace have really put young people off. She also tells us about government efforts to encourage women to have kids, including subsidised housing, IVF treatment and even cash handouts.Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Beverly Ochieng Producers: Josh Jenkins and William Lee Adams Editors: Simon Peeks

Senegal has a reputation as being a beacon of stability in West Africa. Even (whisper it) a bit boring when it comes to politics - but in the last few months all that has changed. Senegal was supposed to hold a presidential election in February but that hasn’t happened and no new date has been set. Critics of the current president, Macky Sall, say they’re worried he’s trying to stay on for a third term - which is prohibited under the country’s constitution. Young protestors have been out on the streets, they don’t think they’re getting enough opportunities and are worried that if the chance to vote is taken away then nothing is going to change. The BBC’s West Africa Correspondent Mayeni Jones helps us take a complicated situation back to basics and explains why what happens in Senegal might have big consequences for the entire region. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Beverly Ochieng Producer: Alex Rhodes Editors: Simon Peeks

Doctors in Kenya have been on the streets protesting against the state of healthcare in the country. They’re angry about a shortage of staff in hospitals and other public medical facilities. The Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union or KMPDU want the government to plug the gaps by paying for medical interns to start working in hospitals immediately. But the country’s Ministry of Health says it doesn’t have the funds to do that. Dorcas Wangira, the BBC’s Africa Health correspondent, explains the doctors’ main demands and discusses how a planned 14-day strike could impact the health system. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Beverly Ochieng Producers: Josh Jenkins and William Lee Adams Editors: Simon Peeks

Haiti is battling a wave of gang violence. On Sunday armed gangs stormed a major prison in the capital Port-au-Prince. At least 12 people were killed and around 4,000 inmates escaped. The United Nations says the country has reached a critical point, with more than 1,100 people killed, injured or kidnapped in January alone. Kenya’s government has offered to help. It’s agreed to lead a multinational security force in the country and will deploy 1,000 troops to Haiti. Pascal Fletcher, a journalist with BBC Monitoring, explains the roots of Haiti’s instability.We also hear from women across the Haitian diaspora including Bertrhude Albert, Monique Clesca, Gessica Geneus and Dr. Tatiana Behrmann.This episode contains discussion about sexual assault, kidnapping and violence. Details of organisations offering information and support with these issues are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline.Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Beverly Ochieng Producers: Benita Barden and William Lee Adams Editors: Simon Peeks

If you’ve made a TikTok recently, you might not have been able to add your favourite artist’s music. That’s because Universal, a massive record label that represents a third of all music in the world, won’t let TikTok use music by any of its signed artists - or songs that were written by any of its artists either. It’s part of a huge dispute that’s been going on in the music industry. We break this down with BBC Radio 1 presenter Maia Beth and producer and music journalist Siobhán McAndrew. Who’s going to lose out? And can Tiktok survive without all that music? Plus former Manchester United midfielder and World Cup winner Paul Pogba has been banned by Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal (Nado) from playing football for four years for a doping offence. BBC Sport Africa’s Kelvin Kimathi tells us all about it.Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Josh Jenkins and Baldeep Chahal Editor: Julia Ross-Roy

Shaikh Mohammad Sarfaraz, a young Indian man from Kolkata, thought he’d landed a great job in another country; the pay was good and he believed he’d get a passport after just a few months’ work. He was told he was going to be a helper for the Russian military, working as a security guard or in the kitchens. But once he got there he found out he wasn’t going to be a helper, he was going to be a soldier - and he was being sent to fight in Ukraine. Neyaz Farooquee, a reporter from the BBC’s Delhi bureau, has spoken to a number of Indian men who say they were also tricked. He describes their experiences. Plus Veronika Malinboym from BBC Monitoring in Georgia tells us about the other foreign nationals fighting in the Russia Ukraine war - on both sides of the conflict. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Alex Rhodes and Baldeep Chahal Editor: Julia Ross-Roy

Singeli is a style of electronic dance music that developed in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in the mid-2000s. The genre fuses incredibly rapid beats, with MCing and more traditional Tanzanian music. It started in underground parties but is now making waves globally. It’s played at Uganda’s Nyege Nyege festival, as well as in Boiler Room sets. Popular artists include Jay Mitta, Abbas Jazza and Sisso. Gloria Achieng and Macharia Maina have been researching the genre for the past year for the BBC. They explain its origins and unique dance style.We also hear how Mimah, and other female artists, are challenging negative stereotypes around the genre. Plus, 23-year-old DJ Travella - a producer from Dar es Salaam - shares his hopes for the future. The Singeli track in this episode is Agaba Kibati by Bamba Pana. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee Adams Producers: Mora Morrison and Benita Barden Editor: Julia Ross-Roy

There are more than 7000 languages spoken around the world. However, nearly 40 percent of them are considered endangered and are at risk of dying out completely. It’s estimated that in the next one hundred years, at least half of the languages spoken today won’t be around anymore. To find out why and whether anything can be done to save them, we spoke to Stephanie Witkowski, the head of ‘7000 Languages’, an organisation that works to keep endangered tongues alive and kicking.And if you’re looking to learn a new language, we’ve got some tips for you from polyglots - people that can speak more than three!Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee Adams Producers: Adam Chowdhury, Baldeep Chahal and Alex Rhodes Editors: Simon Peeks

Darryl George, an 18-year-old student, has been in in-school suspension since August for refusing to cut his dreadlocks. They violate his school’s dress code. His lives in the U.S. state of Texas which had just passed the Crown Act, a law designed to prohibit race-based hair discrimination. A judge has ruled that this does not apply in Darryl’s case. Brandon Drenon, a BBC journalist based in Washington, explains. We also hear from Beverly Ochieng, from BBC Monitoring based in Nairobi, who explains hair standards in Kenya.Plus, BBC news presenter Lukwesa Burak tells us what it was like when she stated to wearing her natural afro on screen. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Benita Barden Producers: Mora Morrison and William Lee Adams Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

American company Intuitive Machines has successfully landed its Odysseus robot near the lunar south pole. The US space agency Nasa had purchased room on it for six scientific instruments. It’s also carrying a box containing 125 small stainless steel balls or mini moons by the American artist Jeff Koons to be left there. There’s now hundreds of tonnes of human objects on the Moon - from old space boots and moon buggies to family photos and a javelin. There are also bags of vomit, urine and poo. It’s becoming a lunar junkyard.Professor Jill Stuart from the London School of Economics explains the laws governing the moon and BBC journalist Daniel Dadzie tells us what’s up there and what people might take in future.Also, two years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, what’s life like as a student there? We hear from Vitalii Pashchenko, 21, Arina Stolbtsova, 21 and Yehor Olshevskiy, 17. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee Adams Producers: Julia Ross-Roy and Elena Angelides Researcher: Maria Clara Montoya Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Farmers in India are protesting in the country once again, wanting assured prices for their crops. There have already been four rounds of talks with the government which have failed to reach an agreement.Many have been marching on the capital Delhi, with barricades and barbed wire lined up across the city to stop protesters from entering the city. The last major farming protest in India took place in 2020, with dozens of people dying in the year-long protest.BBC Monitoring reporter Rupsha Mukherjee is in Delhi and explains what people in India are saying, and why the protests take extra significance due to the country’s upcoming general election. Meanwhile in Ghana, the country’s parliament looks set to pass a strong anti-LGBT bill which would bring in harsher penalties. The BBC’s Favour Nunoo explains what the new law would mean for gay people in the country. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee Adams Producers: Josh Jenkins and Adam Chowdhury Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Nigeria is struggling with a kidnapping epidemic. Every year hundreds of people are abducted and held for ransom. The kidnap crisis hit the headlines ten years ago when the Chibok school girls were snatched by Boko Haram militants - but now, arguably, the problem has got worse. We speak to Chimezie Ucheagbo, a journalist with BBC Igbo, about how it’s affecting every day life for Nigerians. Plus, we hear from a family who had to deal with the problem first hand. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee Adams Producers: Emily Horler and Alex Rhodes Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Thailand became the first Asian country to make cannabis legal back in June 2022. They are one of the very few nations in the world to let people use the drug recreationally. Farmers switched from wheat to weed and cannabis cafes have popped up all over the country.However, before even reaching the two-year mark, the Thai government led by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s populist Pheu Thai party, looks set to reverse the decision and outlaw the drug.BBC Thai reporter Tossapol Chaisamritpol explains how the public are feeling about the government’s direction, how it will impact the cannabis business and how the drug is being used in Thai cuisine, including tom kha gai and tom yum soup. The Netherlands is also reconsidering its relationship with the drug. The popular tourist destination city Amsterdam has long been known for its red light district and cannabis hotspots, despite the fact that the drug is technically illegal in the European country. After complaints from residents about rowdy visitors ruining their home town, the local government has placed restrictions on cannabis and other red light district related activities, including a ‘Stay Away’ campaign targeted at certain tourists.The BBC’s correspondent in the Netherlands, Anna Holligan, tells us about how life is changing in Amsterdam.Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee Adams Producers: Julia Ross-Roy, Alex Rhodes and Adam Chowdhury Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Alexei Navalny, the most prominent critic of Russia’s government, has died in a Russian prison, just months after he was placed in a high security cell in a remote Siberian penal colony. His allies, and his wife Yulia Navalnaya, blame President Vladimir Putin and say it was under his orders. What is the state of opposition in Russia without him? BBC Monitoring’s Russia editor, Vitaly Shevchenko, takes us through who Navalny was and where other prominent Kremlin critics are now.With Russia’s elections taking place next month and Putin on his way to a fifth term as president, media censorship is at a high. BBC Monitoring’s Jen Monaghan tells us how Russian state media covered the news of Navalny’s death. We’ll also answer the title question with Vitaly - what would it take for Putin to lose power in Russia?Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee Adams Producer: Emily Horler, Benita Barden and Kevyah Cardoso Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

It’s awards season. We’re talking Grammy’s, Golden Globes, Emmy’s and the Oscars. But, as usual, there’s been controversy about how diverse the nominees and winners are. After Barbie’s director Greta Gerwig was snubbed for the Best Director nomination, it’s got people talking. The BBC’s culture reporter Noor Nanji talks us through some of the times when awards shows failed in diversity and the ways they are trying to fix it. We get the inside track on how the Grammy nominations work, from recording academy member Navjosh Singh. And the founder of Diversity in Cannes, Yolonda Brinkley, tells us how she thinks the film industry needs to change. Also, the BBC’s Kostas Kallergis explains what’s behind Greece’s recent decision to legalise same sex marriage.Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Alex Rhodes Producers: Imogen James, Adam Chowdhury and Julia Ross-Roy Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Rival gangs in El Salvador used to rule the streets. It was one of the most dangerous countries in the world, with a really high murder rate. But now its President claims it is one of the safest in the Western hemisphere. How did he do it? By creating a state of exception and arresting 75,000 people. Some of them have ended up in a new mega-jail, where inmates can’t have visitors, go outside, or even make a phone call. It can house 40,000 prisoners. Human rights groups say many innocent people have also been arrested, with little evidence or access to due process. A year after it was built journalists have finally been allowed to go inside. We hear from BBC Mundo’s Leire Ventas who was one of them. And she tells us a bit more about El Salvador’s President Bukele, who described himself as “the world’s coolest dictator”. Also, Anselm Gibbs, the BBC’s reporter in Trinidad and Tobago tells us about a mysterious oil spill that interrupted the islands’ carnival celebrations. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Alex Rhodes Producers: Julia Ross-Roy and Kevyah Cardoso Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

South Africa has the most industrialised and diverse economy in Africa. Yet it faces a major youth unemployment crisis with around four in ten young people jobless. Young people are becoming disenchanted and disenfranchised, which could impact elections later this year. Polls show that the governing ANC party could lose its outright majority for the first time in three decades. Siyabonga Ncala lives in Soweto and is currently hustling to find work. He talks us through some of the barriers he’s facing. Nobuhle Simelane, a BBC producer in Johannesburg, explains what the government is doing to help. And we also hear from Ofentse Lekwane from the Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator. She explains what the future of work could be for young South Africans. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Alex Rhodes Producers: Mora Morrison, Kevyah Cardoso and William Lee Adams Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Netflix’s award-winning series ‘The Queen’s Gambit’ brought to light some of the sexist attitudes people have towards women competing in chess. It’s all fiction, but how much of this happens at real chess tournaments? Matt Graveling, a BBC Sport reporter explains how the professional world of chess works, including why there’s a Women’s Chess Championship and what it takes to compete. A BBC reporter in Mumbai, Cherylann Mollan, takes us through what hurdles women in India have to deal with when competing. International Master Divya Deshmukh recently posted on Instagram about the issues she faces as a woman in chess. She said people often focus on her appearance instead of her skill. And two female chess players tell us about what barriers they’ve seen for women in the sport.Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Alex Rhodes Producers: Imogen James, Emily Horler and Benita Barden Researcher: Marcia Veiga Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

In this episode we’re stepping into the world of art theft. According to the CIA it’s one of the top criminal enterprises in the world. A case was in the headlines recently after two British brothers admitted to raiding a museum in Switzerland and making off with iconic Chinese Ming dynasty era artefacts worth millions. They then fled abroad to try and shift the pieces. But were later caught. The BBC’s Thomas Mackintosh walks us through how the police tracked them down.The art itself however can be more tricky to recover, as it’s often hidden or traded by criminal gangs. Arthur Brand, a Dutch art detective, has recovered hundreds of stolen artworks, including a Van Gogh. He tells us how. Plus, we hear reaction from Ivory Coast and Nigeria football fans following Sunday’s AFCON final. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Alex Rhodes Producers: Imogen James and Mora Morrison Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

American Football, Rugby, MMA, UFC. All these adrenaline-filled sports bring in millions of viewers each year, and athletes put their bodies and brains on the line to excel in them. But there’s increasing concern that head injuries are leading to serious mental health problems.BBC Sport reporter Bobbie Jackson tells us about the research into this. He’s been speaking to the Concussion Legacy Foundation (CLF) to see what’s being done across different sports bodies.We also hear from three athletes; Wayne Drew, Leeon Nyang, Terry Mngomezulu who tell us why they’re willing to take the risk and what drives their passion for the sport.There’s also recognition about the links between concussion and a brain condition called CTE; chronic traumatic encephalopathy, that can only be diagnosed post-mortem. Michelle Roberts from the BBC’s Health team explains the symptoms.This episode contains discussion about suicide and violence. Details of organisations offering information and support with these issues are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline.Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Benita Barden and Julia Ross-Roy Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Hundreds of thousands of people are illegally crossing the border from Mexico into the US every month right now. Some of them try to get across the Sonoran desert - where temperatures can reach 50 degrees. Some people get lost there, and some die. A volunteer group called the “Eagles of the Desert” searches for missing migrants. BBC reporter Valentina Oropeza has been out with them and tells us about the work they do. President Trump was famous for his slogan “Build the wall” but did illegal migration go down under his watch? Why is it so high now? And what has President Biden tried to do about it? Bernd Debusmann Jr, a BBC reporter in Washington D.C. explains why immigration is such a hot topic in the US right now. Also, we hear from someone who’s crossed that border; Leni Alvarez is 27 years old and she now works with the Global Fund for Children in Mexico. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Julia Ross-Roy and Benita Barden Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Social media can be a messy business full of opinions and celebrity influence. But can celebs speak freely online, and what happens when they do?In some parts of the world celebs and influencers are sometimes censored from sharing opinions altogether, unless they align with the state.We look at three countries: Egypt, India and China. The BBC’s Jaidaa Taha in Egypt talks us through what footballer Mo Salah has said online. Rupsha Mukherjee, a BBC reporter based in India, explains why actor Chetan Kumar was arrested over a tweet. And Kerry Allen, the BBC’s Chinese Media Analyst, shares what’s allowed, and what’s not, in China. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Jaidaa Taha, Emily Horler, Mora Morrison and Benita Barden Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Guinea worm could soon be the second human disease to be eradicated. In the 1980s millions of cases were recorded annually in 21 countries in Africa and Asia. Now, thanks to huge efforts globally, only 13 reported cases remain. That’s according to The Carter Center - which is leading the international campaign to eradicate the disease. If successful, guinea worm will not only be the second disease in history to be eradicated, after smallpox, it will be the first to be wiped out without a vaccine or medicine. Adam Weiss, the director of the Guinea Worm Eradication Program, talks us through the actions they’ve taken to cut cases.The world is on a mission to eradicate other diseases too, including polio. What can we learn from the potential eradication of guinea worm? Dorcas Wangira, the BBC’s Africa Health Correspondent, explains. Note: This episode contains medical descriptions of removing worms from the human body. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Imogen James, Mora Morrison and Maria Clara Montoya Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks*This episode was recorded and first published in February 2024. Jimmy Carter, who founded the Carter Center, died on 29 December 2024.*

It’s been three years since Myanmar’s military coup when the army took control of the country, a decade after agreeing to hand power to a civilian government. A civil war broke out after the after the military used lethal force to put down mass protests in the weeks after the coup. Before all this, Myanmar’s army was accused of committing a genocide against the Rohingya Muslim minority. Thousands of Rohingya Muslims fled to Bangladesh to escape persecution and violence. Thousands more died trying to flee. Soe Win Than, editor of the BBC Burmese Service, walks us through what thinks are like now in Myanmar and how it’s impacted young people’s plans for the future.(13:46) Also in this episode - Faith Oshoko, a reporter for BBC Pidgin tells us what it means for the Grammy Awards to finally recognise African musicians in its new category - Best African Music Performance. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler, Adam Chowdhury and Benita Barden Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Hong Kong’s government has said it wants to pass a new national security law. It comes four years after China imposed sweeping legislation in the wake of massive pro-democracy protests.The proposed law would lay out five major areas of offenses: treason, insurrection, theft of state secrets, sabotage and external interference. The proposal, known as Article 23 legislation, has long been a point of conflict in Hong Kong.Martin Yip, a BBC journalist based in Hong Kong, walks us through the significance of this new law, how it relates to the umbrella protests in 2014 and 2019, and if more mass protests are expected.Plus, Nicole Kidman’s new Amazon Prime series ‘Expats’ - a show about the life of foreigners in Hong Kong - has aired everywhere except in the territory itself. The BBC’s Fan Wang explains. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Mora Morrison and Benita Barden Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

This is our simple(ish) guide to how America picks its president. In November 2024, America will go to the polls to pick the next President of the United States. At the moment it looks like we’ll see a 2020 rematch, Republican Donald Trump vs Democrat Joe Biden. But how do US elections actually work? They can be quite complicated, the candidate with the most votes doesn’t always win. In this episode, we explain things like the electoral college, Super PACs and find out just how much running a campaign ad for the most powerful job on earth can cost.BBC reporter Sam Cabral joins us from Washington and takes us through the process. And business reporter Erin Delmore checks in from New York to talk about the money.Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Alex Rhodes Producers: Emily Horler and Adam Chowdhury Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi have been jailed for 14 years after being convicted of illegally profiting from state gifts. It’s the second sentence handed to Pakistan's former prime minister in two days. Khan, who was ousted as PM by his opponents in 2022, was already serving a three-year jail term for corruption.Imran Khan been a dominant figure in Pakistan for decades. He first rose to international fame on the cricket pitch, before shedding his playboy past and embarking on a decade-long marriage with billionaire heiress Jemima Goldsmith in a story captured in the pages of Hello! magazine. He founded the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party in 1996. So what changed, and what does this sentencing say about the state of democracy in Pakistan? The BBC’s Pakistan correspondent Caroline Davies explains. Plus, we hear reaction from some of his supporters. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee Adams Producer: Mora Morrison Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks