What in the World

Gen Z protests have been happening all around the world. And you might have seen photos of some of these protestors waving the same anime pirate flag in countries from Indonesia to Morocco. It’s from the hit Japanese manga show, One Piece that recently got a live action makeover on Netflix.In this episode, LaNeysha Campbell, a podcast host and anime fan based in the US, explains why One Piece has become such a big deal and talks us through some of the political themes within it. Panisa Aemocha, a BBC journalist in Thailand, tells us why protest movements in South Asia and South East Asia have been using these symbols. One of the other countries where people have been using the flag is Madagascar. Mika, from the campaign organisation Za Koa Hanorina, tells us what it means to him.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Julia Ross-Roy, Benita Barden, and Chelsea Coates Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

If you’ve checked out the label of your favourite leather accessories lately, you might see Made in China or Italy… but perhaps not Nigeria. The country exports nearly 90% of its hides, as part of a historic leather industry that feeds luxury labels around the world. But because the products are finished off abroad, you wouldn't know their origins. Now, Nigerian designers are working to change this and reclaim ownership. BBC reporter Elaine Chong explains how Nigerian tanneries make their leather - and why it’s so in demand. We hear from Nigerians working in the leather industry, who tell us how it’s changing. And Adedoyin Adeniji, a fashion writer who has worked with several Nigerian brands, tells us what challenges leather designers there are facing — and how they are working to overcome them.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Emily Horler and Chelsea Coates Editor: Verity Wilde

Taylor Swift has long dominated the world of music, but her new album, The Life of a Showgirl, had massive sales but mixed reviews. Could her reign ever come to an end or is she too big to fail?Mark Savage, the BBC’s Music Correspondent, chats through the new album with us and explains how views on Taylor Swift have changed over the years.Our BBC friend and Swiftie, Hayley Clarke, investigates some of the easter eggs on one of the album tracks (you’ll be into this if you’re a romantasy fan…) And we hear from some Swifties - what do they think of TLOAS and is Taylor unstoppable?Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Emily Horler, Benita Barden and Maria Clara Montoya Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

What’s small, sausage-shaped, wrinkly and pink? No… not that… Get your mind out of the gutter.It’s a naked mole rat!!! A new study of the odd-looking rodent shows that they’ve evolved a DNA repair mechanism that could explain why they live for so long. They have a max life span of nearly 40 years.Victoria Gill, our Science Correspondent and strange animal expert, explains why they live so long and what human science can learn from these quite wonderful critters.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Emily Horler and Chelsea Coates Editor: Verity Wilde

Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire, arranged by US President Trump. Under the agreement Hamas will release all Israeli hostages, alive and dead, and Israel will release Palestinian prisoners in exchange. Israeli forces are expected to partially withdraw from Gaza, and humanitarian aid is to be allowed into the territory. This is described as the first phase of Donald Trump’s 20-point “peace plan”. We hear how it’s being received by people in Gaza and Israel.In this episode, with the help of the BBC journalists like Lyse Doucet and Anthony Zurcher, we answer some of the big questions people are asking, including how it all started, why has this deal been agreed now and what will happen to Gaza? We also explain what still needs to be negotiated. This episode was recorded on Friday 10th October 2025 at 1430GMT. For further updates please check the BBC News Live page.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Julia Ross-Roy, Benita Barden, Emily Horler and Maria Clara Montoya Editor: Verity Wilde and Harriet Oliver

The Golden Triangle, a border region of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos is the world’s most active production zone for synthetic drugs like methamphetamine. Synthetic drugs are made from chemicals, instead of plants. But yaba - which has been around for decades and is a mix of caffeine and meth - has swept across the region and hit Thailand particularly hard because it’s really cheap and easy to come by. According to UN Office of Drugs and Crime, in 2024 Thailand seized more than 1 billion yaba tablets.We speak to BBC Thai reporter, Panisa Aemocha in Bangkok about who is making yaba, how authorities are trying to tackle it, and why people are detoxing from it in a Buddhist monastery. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Pria Rai Producers: Julia Ross-Roy and Benita Barden Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

Renewables are now the world’s leading source of electricity and China has boosted its solar and wind capacity more than the rest of the world combined. But it’s also one of the world’s biggest polluters and is thought to be behind 30% of global emissions. So what's behind the country's boom in green energy - and are other countries set to follow suit?Tony Han from the BBC’s Global China Unit explains why China is pushing ahead in renewable energy — and how we might power our homes, gadgets and daily lives in the future.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Chelsea Coates Producer: Mora Morrison Editor: Emily Horler

A teenager recently died in Mexico, reportedly after having cosmetic surgery. Paloma Nicole was just 14. Her dad claims he didn’t know she was having surgery until after she died. BBC Global Affairs Reporter Mimi Swaby joins us to talk through the details.#Lasniñasnonecesitanimplantes (girls don’t need implants) has also been trending. We hear why some people online are so angry, and why the Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum has even commented on the case. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Video producer: Baldeep Chahal Producers: Mora Morrison and Chelsea Coates Editor: Verity Wilde

Cameroon’s president Paul Biya is 92-years-old. He’s been the president for decades. This weekend Cameroonians will vote in presidential elections to decide if he will continue in this role. Despite some criticisms, as well as a host of security and economic challenges, many believe that Paul Biya stands a strong chance of victory. BBC journalist Paul Njie, who’s based in Cameroon’s capital Yaoundé, joins us to share all we need to know about Cameroon’s upcoming presidential elections - including which issues are important to young voters. And this election has us thinking: how old are other global leaders, and is 90 the new 70 in politics? Jem Westgate from the What in the World team explains. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Mora Morrison and Jem Westgate Editor: Verity Wilde

Afghanistan has just come out of an internet blackout, which paralysed businesses, banks and airports and cut people off from their friends and family. People in the capital Kabul celebrated in the streets when the Taliban government finally switched it back on. So what do we know about why it was shut down in the first place? And what impact did it have on women in the country, where the Taliban has banned girls over the age of 12 from receiving an education? Alia Rajai from the BBC’S Afghan Service explains.It’s not uncommon to hear about the internet being shut down for political reasons, like during elections, protests and times of civil unrest. Felicia Anthonio from Access Now, a non-profit organisation which campaigns for digital rights, tells us how common internet blackouts are around the world. Plus, Jacqui Wakefield, a BBC tech reporter breaks down how governments can turn off the internet.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Julia Ross-Roy, Maria Clara Montoya and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde

In 2017 a cruise ship called the Caledonian Sky was sailing near the Raja Ampat islands in Indonesia when it ran aground in the shallow waters and got stuck. The coral reef was severely damaged. Raja Ampat is one of the world’s most popular dive sites and a national park. The accident caused a serious loss of marine diversity and affected the livelihoods of the islanders, who rely on fishing and tourism. After a long investigation, an out of court settlement was reached, worth hundreds of millions of dollars. And this money has been used to repair the coral reefs, with the indigenous population playing a crucial role. Normally coral can take years and years to grow back, but this project is already yielding results, after just a few months. We chat to Lesthia Kertopati, a BBC journalist in Jakarta, about this multi-million dollar coral reef restoration project.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producer: Julia Ross-Roy Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal Editors: Verity Wilde and Harriet Oliver

It is Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio AKA Bad Bunny’s year. In January, he released Debi Tirar Mas Fotos, his sixth album, with great reception from audience and critics and a heavy influence of Puerto Rican culture and sounds. In July he started a two-month gig residency in San Juan, which has boosted the island's economy, and in November he will start a world tour that is largely sold out. In a twist of events, he will play the US after all, but for one night only. He's been confirmed as the headliner for next year's NFL Super Bowl halftime show in California. It’s a huge deal every year- in 2024 it had about 124 million viewers in the US, making it the most watched broadcast since the 1969 Moon landing. In a recent interview Bad Bunny ruled out an American tour out of fear that ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents could do raids at his concerts. The BBC's Nathalie Jimenez tells us more about this Super Bowl announcement and Bad Bunny's success. We also hear from Fiama, from Puerto Rico, who's been lucky enough to see one of his shows. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Benita Barden, Maria Clara Montoya and Emily Horler Editor: Verity Wilde

In Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, two countries in central Asia between Russia and China, there is a so-called tradition of bride kidnapping. Young women are abducted, often in broad daylight, and taken to a man’s house, where they are pressured into accepting his marriage proposal. It’s illegal in both countries but recently the president of Kazakhstan announced a law to further crack down on it and increase the penalties for the perpetrators.In this episode Malika Burieva, a content creator who covers central Asia, explains where this practice comes from and why people do it. Kubat Kasymbekov, from the BBC Kyrgyz service, tells us how two high profile cases of bride kidnapping led to protests and calls for action and why so few cases get to court.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Julia Ross-Roy, Chelsea Coates and Benita Barden Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

Sabrina Carpenter and Billie Eilish may not have much in common, but they do share one thing: asking fans to put their phones away at their concerts. Across the world of music, more artists and venues are asking people to stop filming every moment of the gig and instead, live in the moment to have an authentic experience. However, some artists say fans filming their best moments can help them go viral and boost their careers.Adam Chowdhury from the What in the World team explains what’s happening on the dance floors around the globe.We hear from DJs who support no phones on the dance floor. South Korea’s Marcus L tells us about the no-phone rules at club FAUST - the venue he co-founded in Seoul. Plus, German DJ duo Tube & Berger have released a single called ‘No Phones’ which they say is a “protest song” against the use of phones at gigs.One feature of the world-famous Berlin nightlife is its broad ban on phone usage on its dance floors. Caitlin from the Renate & ELSE clubs tells us why most clubs in German capital don’t allow people to use cameras at their venues.And London DJ Dwayne Parris Robinson explains why he prefers people to have their phones out capturing the best moments whenever he’s behind the decks.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee Adams Producers: Adam Chowdhury and Abiona Boja Editor: Emily Horler

#Rapture has been trending on TikTok. Some believe that the Rapture is when Christ’s followers will be taken up to Heaven, while those who do not follow him will be left behind on Earth, changing life for humans forever. It isn’t a belief held by all Christians, however. The Rapture is closely linked to evangelism, in particular its believers based in the US.But the Rapture is also talked about across Africa. And it was a pastor from South Africa who claimed to have seen Jesus in a vision. He said the Rapture would take place on either 23rd or 24th September 2025. The BBC’s Makuochi Okafor talks us through everything we need to know about the Rapture. Plus, we hear from Hannah in the US about why she was so worried about it.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Pria Rai Producers: Jem Westgate, Chelsea Coates and Mora Morrison Editor: Julia Ross-Roy

A study published earlier this year showed that cutting the working week to four days instead of five significantly improved people's wellbeing. So why hasn’t it become the norm yet? We’re joined by Sofia Bettiza, the BBC’s Global Health reporter, who breaks down all the data we have about the four-day work week, and tells us how reliable it is. Plus we hear about how work culture differs across countries like South Africa and Japan.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Benita Barden Editor: Harriet Oliver

PLAVE is your average hit-making K-pop group, but with a twist: its members are virtual avatars. There are real-life performers behind the characters, who control their voices and dance moves using motion capture technology, but their identities are kept secret. Despite their anonymity, a South Korean court has sided with the group after they sued a social media user for insulting comments they posted online about the avatars. Each member was only awarded around $70 US dollars, but the case is one of the first of its kind and sets an important precedent. So what does this mean for how we interact with virtual bands online in the future? The BBC’s Rachel Lee, based in Seoul, breaks down everything you need to know.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Pria Rai Producers: Maria Clara Montoya and Chelsea Coates Editor: Harriet Oliver

Australian koalas are having a hard time in the wild. As many as 80% of some populations in eastern Australia have chlamydia and it can be deadly. They’re also facing habitat loss from urbanisation and natural disasters. In areas like New South Wales, they're listed as endangered - meaning that they're at risk of becoming extinct.BBC reporter Tiffanie Turnbull tells us about some of the recent moves the Australian government has made to towards koala conservation. And how a newly approved vaccine has shown promising results in stopping the spread of chlamydia in koalas. Plus we also hear about the plans to create the Great Koala National Park. Two campaigners, Paula Flack and Darcie Carruthers who were involved in making the park happen, tell us their thoughts on the final result. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Benita Barden and Jem Westgate Editor: Emily Horler

Imagine if you took a trip abroad and in an effort to extend your stay, you unknowingly sign a piece of paperwork that makes you a front line soldier. That’s what Evans Kibet, a 36 year old runner from Kenya claims happened to him in Russia. He’s now a prisoner of war in Ukraine. BBC journalist Akisa Wandera tells us what we know about his case currently.Citizens of Somalia, Togo, Cuba and Sierra Leone have also been documented as prisoners of war by Ukrainian forces. But how are they recruited in to fighting for the Russian army? BBC’s Vitaliy Shevchenko from Ukrainecast tells us more about the methods Russia is using to get people all over the world to fight for them in the Russia-Ukraine War.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Julia Ross-Roy and Maria Clara Montoya Editor: Harriet Oliver

Don’t worry if you haven’t watched The Summer I Turned Pretty, this episode is a great introduction! And fear not, there will also be no spoilers - we won’t tell you what happens.Choosing between two love interests is a classic plot line in series and films. The big one people are talking about right now is in The Summer I Turned Pretty. Fans are Team Jeremiah or Team Conrad - they’re two brothers who the main character, Belly, is interested in.The BBC's Lola Schroer tells us about how some fans are so into the show, they’ve sent the actors online abuse for choices the characters have made in the series. She also talks us through how the weekly episode release is building the show’s hype and success.Hayley Clarke, BBC journalist and series mega fan, dives into embracing romance in fiction. Plus we hear from people in Hong Kong and Delhi who organised parties to watch the series 3 finale. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Maria Clara Montoya Editor: Julia Ross-Roy

Rwanda has made it easier for teenagers to access reproductive health services with a new law. If you’re aged 15 in the country, you’ll be able to start the contraceptive pill or get condoms through a medical professional without your parents’ permission. Those in favour say it’ll help tackle teen pregnancy, which some lawmakers have called a national crisis. But it’s also sparked backlash from religious communities and social media commentators. BBC Africa’s Health correspondent Dorcas Wangira explains the new law and the arguments for and against it. We also hear what sex education is available in Rwanda, and how big of an issue teen pregnancy is.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams, Julia Ross-Roy and Benita Barden Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

Borderlands 4 is now out after a six year wait and Grand Theft Auto VI is expected to come out in 2026 after more than a decade. It’s one of the most anticipated video game sequels. Gaming is one of the biggest industries in entertainment, with budgets that rival Hollywood. Developers come up with impressive graphics and endless missions. But that level of detail also delays releases. Is that the only reason, though? Peter Gillibrand, a BBC reporter, explains what else is behind this. And the BBC's Laura Cress shares what she has been playing recently and her take on games taking longer to land. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Maria Clara Montoya Editor: Verity Wilde

Applying for jobs is TOUGH. First you’ve got to find the adverts and openings, then there’s the mental energy and time required to put in an application - and that’s before you get to the nerve wracking interviews. But some of us are finding that process even harder than normal - putting in loads of applications and never hearing back. Some recent studies suggest that AI is a contributing factor, with younger workers being replaced by AI in some industries.Companies like Amazon and Duolingo have said using AI is going to lead to a reduction in their workforce. We hear some of your experiences in the current job market. BBC business reporter in New York, Nathalie Jimenez explains which sectors are most affected by the adoption of generative AI - and what you can do to try to adapt. Plus Varun Mayya, a YouTuber and the founder of generative AI company Aeos tells us what the situation is like in India - and how AI is changing how his company operates. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Chelsea Coates, Benita Barden and Julia Ross-Roy Video Journalist: Jem Westgate Editor: Verity Wilde

Protesters in Nepal were demonstrating against corruption, nepotism, and a social media ban which they said limited their freedom of speech. But the protests turned violent and officials say 72 people died in the unrest, including three police personnel.Gen Z groups leading the protests distanced themselves from the destruction, saying they had been "hijacked" by "opportunists".BBC journalist, Emily Atkinson, explains the #NepoKids movement and we hear from a Gen Z protester for her views on what happened.And Phanindra Dahal from BBC Nepali, takes us through who interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki is.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Pria Rai Producers: Emily Horler and Jem Westgate Editor: Verity Wilde

On Wednesday 10 September Charlie Kirk was shot dead at a university campus in Utah. Charlie Kirk was a conservative activist who founded the student organisation, Turning Point USA. It aims to spread conservative ideas in liberal universities and now has chapters at more than 850 colleges. Kirk became known for his controversial views and was accused of being racist, misogynistic and trans-phobic. He held open-air debates on campuses across the country, where he tried to win people over to his thinking. Clips of these conversations were posted on his social media accounts and often went viral. Turning Point USA played a key role in the get-out-the-vote effort for Donald Trump and other Republican candidates in the 2024 election. He was also widely credited with helping to register tens of thousands of new voters. BBC reporter Nathalia Jimenez explains Charlie Kirk’s appeal to young Americans and how he managed to become so ubiquitous online. And we hear from students who followed him and debated with him. Audio of Charlie Kirk used courtesy of Turning Point. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee Adams Producer: Julia Ross Roy Editor: Verity Wilde

The Tea Dating Advice app blew up in the US earlier this year - it let women run background checks on men - to see if they were married, using fake identities, or even registered sex offenders.But in July, that backfired. Hackers broke into the app and leaked women’s photos and personal data online. Within hours, online misogynist groups online made several websites to humiliate the women who'd signed up.Jacqui Wakefield, our Disinformation Reporter, takes us through what happened and what men and women think of the app. A spokesperson for Tea app said they were "working to identify and notify users whose personal information was involved and notify them under applicable law" and that affected users would be "offered identity theft and credit monitoring services".Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Julia Ross Roy and Emily Horler Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

Kim Ju Ae is reportedly around 13-years-old, but she could be the next leader of North Korea. There is huge speculation about why her father, Kim Jong Un, would choose her over her siblings, and what this could mean for the future of the world’s most secretive country. So what’s going on here? And how does North Korea even choose its successors?The BBC’s Rachel Lee breaks down everything we need to know. Plus, a very special guest (Hannah’s dad) joins us to share whether he would entrust Hannah to succeed him if he ruled a country. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Mora Morrison Editor: Verity Wilde

The Mercator projection, a map that’s been around for over 450 years and which most people use, distorts size. It stretches land masses farther from the equator. It can make Greenland looks the same size as Africa, when in reality Africa is actually around 14 times bigger. Campaigners want schools, organisations and governments to use a different one - the Equal Earth map. And now the African Union, which represents all 55 states on the continent, has endorsed the “Correct the Map” campaign.The BBC’s Makuochi Okafor explains some of the arguments for switching to a different map and also the wider implications of showing Africa as smaller than it really is.Moky Makura, from Africa No Filter, tells us what her organisation is hoping to achieve with the Correct the Map campaign. Plus Edwin Rijkaart, known to his YouTube subscribers as Geodiode tells us why we use the Mercator projection in the first place. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Benita Barden, Chelsea Coates and Abiona Boja Editor: Verity Wilde

TikTok is full of people doing the choreography to Charlie XCX’s Apple dance - as well as many other dances. But can you get in trouble for copying someone’s routine online? Well, not if you’re doing it for fun on your page, but potentially yes if you’re a company using it for profit without the artist's permission. Copyright law can be super confusing, so we sat down with Tony Iliakostas to demystify it. Tony - also known as @theipprofessor TikTok - is a professor in entertainment and Intellectual Property Law at New York Law School. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Mora Morrison and William Lee Adams Editor: Verity Wilde

If you’ve been watching the US Open this year, chances are you’ll have seen that there’s been some drama on the court. There was a heated exchange between players Jelena Ostapenko and Taylor Townsend. Ostapenko has been fined in the past before for throwing her water bottle and knocking over a chair, after she lost a match.So today, we’re talking about bad behaviour in tennis, and what the rules are for tennis players who throw things, shout, and even smash up their rackets. Someone who has seen many a Grand Slam spat in their time is Ben Rothenberg, former NYT tennis correspondent and writer behind the blog Bounces. He takes us through some top tennis meltdowns and explains why it’s such a high pressure sport.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Chelsea Coates Editor: Verity Wilde

Am I a narcissist? Am I dating a narcissist? Is narcissism becoming more common? How do I spot a narcissist? Can narcissists change or be treated? These are just some of the many questions which people - especially on social media - ask about narcissism. It’s a term which gets banded around A LOT these days, but what actually is it? Well, we took five of the most asked questions about narcissism and put them to an expert. In this episode we sit down with Ramani Durvasula (@DoctorRamani on YouTube) - a bestselling author, clinical psychologist and leading expert on narcissism and narcissistic relationships. And, just to be clear, in this episode we’re talking about the narcissism as a personality style not the diagnosable disorder. There’s a big difference. Narcissism is a spectrum of several behaviours and characteristics - like being overly sensitive to criticism and having an unshakeable belief you’re better or more deserving than other people. But Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is more rare and much more extreme — it’s a diagnosed mental health condition where a person demonstrates many of the traits repeatedly and over time, and these traits significantly interfere with a person's life. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee Adams Producer: Mora Morrison Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

There have been huge protests across Indonesia. They were sparked by cost-of-living concerns and discontent at politician wages and allowances. But after police ran over and killed a delivery driver, protests have spread and become violent. Protesters have been killed, buildings torched and politicians' houses looted.Astudestra Ajengrastri, a BBC journalist who’s based in Jakarta, takes us through why the protests began, what the government says about it, and where things could go next.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Mora Morrison and Emily Horler Editor: Verity Wilde

China has one of the world’s most sophisticated internet censorship systems - it’s so extensive that it’s been nicknamed ‘The Great Firewall of China’. Many Western websites, such as Google or WhatsApp, are shut off to Chinese Internet users, while Chinese equivalents like Baidu and WeChat are popular instead. Blockbuster films like Top Gun Maverick have been edited, celebrities like Lady Gaga are taboo and even Peppa Pig has been censored.So, what is the Chinese government trying to achieve with internet censorship? And in an increasingly globalised world, how are they managing to filter out the information they don’t want people to know? Shawn Yuan from the BBC’s Global China Unit explains how the ‘Great Firewall’ works - and what it tells us about the relationship between the government and citizens in China.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Julia Ross-Roy and Chelsea Coates Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

The animated movie Kpop Demon Hunters is topping nearly every chart. Netflix says it’s become its most watched movie ever, and its songs are some of the most streamed on Spotify.The name is pretty self-explanatory - it’s about a Kpop girl group who hunt demons, and their power comes from their music.But one thing that really stands out is how Korean it is - all the references, outfits, and artefacts have gone down really well in South Korea.It wasn’t made in Korea though, but it was co-directed by a Korean-Canadian director and many of the actors are Korean-AmericanBBC Korean reporter Yuna Ku joins us from Seoul to explain why a film made for a global audience is so popular in South Korea.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Chelsea Coates Editor: Verity Wilde

South Africa’s government is warning young women not to fall for social media recruitment drives promoting job opportunities abroad. That’s after a number of online videos by South African social media influencers advertising jobs for young women in Russia went viral.There have been allegations that some of those recruited to work in Tatarstan have ended up working in a weapons factory, making drones that have been used in Russia's war in Ukraine.BBC reporter Danai Nesta Kupemba walks us through the allegations and explains why young women may be particularly vulnerable to the scam. She also discusses Cyan Boujee, an influencer who has apologised after advertising the recruitment drive. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Abiona Boja and William Lee Adams Editor: Verity Wilde

Toxic masculinity can be seen online - and IRL. Chads, Alphas and Stacys are some terms that are used in an online space known as the ‘manosphere’. In this space men often share content that can be toxic, misogynistic, and, in extreme cases, lead to real-world violence. In this episode the BBC’s global disinformation reporter Jacqui Wakefield unpacks how people can become part of the ‘manosphere’, and how it connect to incels - young men describing themselves as "involuntarily celibate". And we also hear from Will Adolphy, a British psychotherapist who experienced the ‘manosphere’ himself and now mentors men on healthy masculinity and mental health. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee Adams Producers: Mora Morrison and Maria Clara Montoya Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

A chunk of the planet Mars - the largest ever found on Earth - recently sold for $4.3 million at Sotheby’s auction house in New York City. A meteorite hunter first discovered the massive rock in the Sahara desert in Niger in 2023. So how did the meteorite end up at an auction in New York City and why would anyone pay millions of dollars for it? BBC reporter Damian Zane walks us through the rock’s mysterious journey — from Mars to New York, via Niger and Italy. He also shares the concerns that Niger’s government has about the sale and how Sotheby’s has responded. We also hear from Julia Cartwright from the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Leicester. She explains how the market surrounding meteorites can lead to even more discoveries. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams and Rosabel Crean Editor: Verity Wilde

It’s a question artists have been racking their brains over for years: how long is the perfect pop song? The rise of streaming platforms meant that for a while, the answer was to keep it short and snappy, so listeners would be less likely to hit the skip button. After the launch of TikTok, pop songs shrank even more, with the average song in the charts lasting only three minutes and twelve seconds. But BBC News analysis shows that song lengths are creeping back up, with some of the biggest hits in the last few years - like Chappell Roan’s Pink Pony Club - crossing over the four minute line. So, how has TikTok affected how artists make music? And are we about to see pop songs get even longer - despite the popularity of the platform?BBC music correspondent Mark Savage explains why the length of pop songs has changed over the years - and what royalties have to do with it. And we hear from TikTok musicians Queen Ife and Fiona Kida, who tell us how the platform has changed how they create and share their music.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams and Chelsea Coates Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Julia Ross-Roy

Ghana has been described as the fashion industry’s dumping ground. Around 15 million second-hand garments arrive every week, making Ghana the world’s largest importer of used clothing. Many of the garments are re-sold and re-purposed at Kantamanto Market in the capital Accra. But estimates suggest that 40% of these garments are too damaged to be sold or upcycled, so much of it ends up as waste on Ghana’s beaches and lagoons. Young people are working to solve the problem. One organisation trying to address the environmental impact of fast fashion is The Or Foundation. We attend a beach clean-up led by Joseph Shaw Ayesu, an ecological research manager, to find out how discarded garments end up on the beach. Then Sammy Oteng, a community engagement manager, explains why Ghana imports so much second-hand clothing in the first place. And finally Nutifafa “Fafa” Mensah gives us a tour of Kantamanto Market, where imported textiles are upcycled and re-purposed to extend their lifespan. Ruth, an upcycler, discusses the difficulties she faces working with bales filled with synthetic and severely worn textiles. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams and Benita Barden Editor: Julia Ross-Roy

In the UK, if you want to watch pornography or see content on sites like X, Reddit and Discord that is deemed only suitable for people over 18 years old, you now need to provide your identification to prove you are old enough to access this material. The UK government says its Online Safety Act aims to make the internet safer, especially for children. However, some are concerned about their online privacy.BBC technology reporter Liv McMahon explains the new law and how the age verification works plus what the rules are in some other countries. We also hear from people in Egypt and Switzerland and how they feel about online age checks.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Benita Barden and Adam Chowdhury Editor: Julia Ross-Roy

The big fat 'fake' Indian wedding is social media’s latest party trend. Fake wedding parties have taken the world and social media by storm with people getting together to enjoy all the fun of a wedding party: the food, Bollywood music, dancing and glamorous outfits. But there aren't any of the rules on how to dress or act and none of the nagging questions from nosey relatives.We speak to Devina Gupta, a BBC journalist in Delhi, about how these fake parties are contributing to India’s $130bn wedding industry, and how venues are optimising the trend to make up for lost profits in the quiet season. We get all the goss on Dubai’s very own fake wedding party from pals Tanisha Dhawan, Laveena Barathi and Mihika Asrani who attended. Plus, they tell us whether they’re ready to splash the cash on a big fat wedding of their own.Thumbnail credit: ThirdPlaceInstagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Abiona Boja and Mora Morrison Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

Life is full of plastic, but it’s not always fantastic. We know that plastic is super useful: it helps keep food fresh and lets medicines, like vaccines, be delivered at scale to billions of people. But the world is drowning in it. In fact, the amount of plastic on our planet now weighs more all the land and sea creatures currently alive. Last week countries from around the world gathered in Geneva, Switzerland, to try to come up with a plan to tackle plastic pollution. But they once again failed. That’s because there is a split between those calling for curbs on the production of plastic, and oil states pushing for a focus on recycling.BBC climate correspondent Georgina Rannard talks us through the problem, the conference, and potential solutions to plastic waste. And we also hear from 24-year-old conservationist Sri Mauliani about how plastic pollution impacts Indonesia. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Mora Morrison, Benita Barden and Adam Chowdhury Editor: Verity Wilde

North Korea is one of the world’s most secretive nations. For years it’s been almost entirely closed to foreign visitors (apart from a few highly-controlled tours each year). But in July the state opened the luxury Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone, which was promoted as an attraction for both locals and foreigners. It has hotels, restaurants, shopping malls and a water park, with a capacity of 20,000 people, according to state media.Since the resort began construction in 2018, human rights groups have protested the alleged mistreatment of its workers. According to early planning documents seen by BBC Verify, the initial goal was to attract more than a million visitors, with foreign tourists expected to mainly come from China and Russia.But now, a notice on North Korea's tourism website says that foreigners are "temporarily" not allowed to visit. Russian tourists appear to be the exception. We speak to Rachel Lee, a BBC reporter in South Korea about why North Korea is trying to boost its tourism. And we hear from Anastasia Samsonova, a Russian tourist who visited the resort.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Mora Morrison and Abiona Boja Additional reporting: Yaroslava Kiryukhina Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Julia Ross-Roy

Jamestown in Accra, Ghana, is famous for producing boxing world champions like Azumah Nelson. However, it wasn't until last year that a female boxer brought back a historic new title. Abigail Kwartekaa Quartey defeated British boxer Sangeeta Birdie, making her Ghana's first female boxing champion and Jamestown's newest boxing prodigy.Abigail tells us how the journey to victory was a difficult one. We hear about the social and financial challenges she faced in detail.Plus, Isaac Fanin, a sports reporter from BBC Newsday gives us a crash course on what it takes to become a world champion boxer.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams, Benita Barden, Beryl Richter Editor: Verity Wilde

Mexico's president is among those who have criticised Adidas for perceived cultural appropriation. The brand's Oaxaca Slip-On was inspired by traditional leather sandals known as huaraches made by Indigenous artisans in Mexico. But with its slip-ons, Adidas and its designer Willy Chavarria didn’t work with the original designers and there are some reports that the sandals were made in China. We unpack the controversy with Jennifer Meierhans, a BBC business reporter. Plus: Javier Uhthoff, an intellectual property lawyer, explains the rights that designers and artisans in Mexico have when it comes to their creations. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Maria Clara Montoya and William Lee Adams Editor: Julia Ross-Roy

Costa Rica is known as a world leader in eco-tourism. It has lush rainforests, tranquil beaches and protected wildlife and is famous for sustainable travel. It’s part of a growing market that promises to protect nature, support local economies and let people explore the world without harming it.But can tourism ever really be eco-friendly? Or is the very act of getting on a plane, staying at a resort or hotel, and taking selfies in pristine places fundamentally at odds with sustainability?Graihagh Jackson, a BBC journalist who also presents the Climate Question Podcast, takes us through what eco-tourism is and what issues tourism can cause for local communities. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Julia Ross-Roy and Emily Horler Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

Players on Nigeria’s female basketball team will receive a cash reward of $100,000 each and a three-bedroom apartment following their win at the Fiba Women’s AfroBasket Championship. That comes just weeks after Nigeria’s women’s football team, the Super Falcons, were promised a similar award after winning the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.President Bola Tinubu says the women are deserving of the recognition because they have inspired Nigerians to dream big and brought honour to the West African country. But reaction to the cash prize has been mixed, with some saying such rewards are unsustainable given the country’s economic difficulties. Mansur Abubakar, a BBC reporter in Abuja, tells us about the government’s promises and describes the apartments in more detail. We also get reactions from Nigerian basketball fans. And William from the What in the World team tells us about the various incentives — from cash to cows — that other countries have offered athletes. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams and Chelsea Coates Editor: Harriet Oliver

Experts have discovered a new small species of dinosaur. It has been named Enigmacursor mollyborthwickae, and scientists say it lived around 150 million years ago, during the late Jurassic period. Millions of years following their extinction, how are we still finding new dinosaurs? And how much can we learn from them?BBC Science correspondent Victoria Gill explains the discovery and why we’re fascinated by them. We also hear from two dinosaur experts. Steve Brusatte is a professor of Palaeontology and Evolution at the University of Edinburgh and also consulted on the Jurassic Park movies. And Aswatha Biju is an Indian palaeontologist who has been collecting dinosaur fossils since she was 12 years old.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams, Mora Morrison and Chelsea Coates Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

Back in 2019, Ghana’s then president sent out an invitation to people with African heritage to come to Ghana. It was called the Year of Return - a campaign by Ghana's tourism board to mark 400 years since the first documented African slaves were taken to America. The campaign built on ideas of Pan-Africanism, a movement to promote unity and liberation on the continent. So five years on, how is it going? We hear from Lakeshia Ford, Rowena Habadah, and Mama Kexornyi, three women who made the decision to relocate and live in Ghana. They tell us about the challenges they faced and how life in Ghana altered their perspective on life. Plus, Kobby Mensah, chief executive of Ghana Tourism Development Company, discusses whether the Year of Return has benefited Ghana's tourism industry and led to increased investment in the country. We also question him about some of the tensions resulting from rising costs.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams, Benita Barden, Beryl Richter Editor: Verity Wilde

If you’re a Barca fan, you might want to look out for a small change to the players’ kits that’s coming soon. The Democratic Republic of Congo has struck a four-year sponsorship deal with FC Barcelona, that will see “DR Congo - Heart of Africa" emblazoned on the back of their training shirts from the start of next season. The deal reportedly cost the country around 50 million dollars and includes a training camp in Spain for 50 young Congolese players, according to the Sports Minister. But it’s also faced criticism at home and abroad, as the DRC continues to struggle with poverty and political instability.BBC journalist Emery Makumeno joins us from Kinshasa to explain the reasons the country has given for making the deal and the issues its own football league is facing. BBC sports journalist Daniel Austin explains how sports sponsorship works and what it reveals about money, image, and influence in sport. And we hear from football fans in the DRC, who share what they think of the deal.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Chelsea Coates Editor: Verity Wilde