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Coral around the world is turning white and even dying as recent record ocean heat takes a devastating toll. It has triggered the fourth âglobal mass coral bleaching eventâ. Hannah chats to What in the World producer Kevyah Cardoso about the magical life of coral.
BBC climate reporter Georgina Rannard explains whatâs causing this bleaching and whether the coral can recover from it. And we hear from two parts of the world where people are trying to monitor and revive their coral reefs. The BBCâs Alfred Lasteck in Tanzania tells us about his visit to the Mnemba Island, Zanzibar where they are restoring the coral reefs. And 19 year old environmental activist and divemaster Emma Batty Sukerta, whose family are from Bali, Indonesia, talks about why she is recording the sounds of the coral reefs there.
Email: [email protected]: +44 0330 12 33 22 6Presenter: Hannah GelbartProducers: Kevyah Cardoso & Julia Ross-Roy Editor: Verity Wilde
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Thousands of young people have been out protesting in Georgia. But this isnât organised by the opposition or a political party - these demonstrations are being driven by the 20 year olds themselves. Itâs all because of a âforeign agentsâ law the government there is trying to bring in. Thereâs a fear that this law will suppress dissent and prevent Georgia from eventually joining the European Union.
This law will require non-governmental organisations and media outlets that receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register as an "organisation serving the interests of a foreign power". Donât worry, weâll go through it all in the episode.
The government says the law aims to increase transparency. Critics refer to it as the âRussian lawâ because it mirrors similar legislation introduced by Russian President Vladimir Putin in his country.
Nutsa Dzandzava (22) and Dato Dolaberidze (23) have been spending their spare time on the streets of Georgiaâs capital Tblisi. We hear why theyâre protesting and what they hope to achieve. The BBCâs Rayhan Demytrie explains a bit about Georgiaâs history with Russia - and the details of the controversial law that started the protests.
Email: [email protected]: +44 0330 12 33 22 6Presenter: William Lee AdamsProducers: Maria Clara Montoya, Julia Ross-Roy & Alex RhodesEditor: Emily Horler
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This yearâs Olympics will, for the first time, feature breaking â a style of street dance that originated in 1970s New York City. Itâs characterised by acrobatic movements, speedy footwork and a hip-hop soundtrack. More than 30 breakers from all over the world will compete.
Rachael Gunn, from Australia, is one of them. She tells us what she loves about the sport, and why itâs so physically demanding. And BBC Sport Africa reporter Isaiah Akinremi explains what else to look out for this year â including an Opening Ceremony on the River Seine.
Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworldWhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6Email: [email protected]: Adam ChowdhuryProducers: William Lee Adams and Mora MorrisonEditor: Verity Wilde
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As India votes in the general election, it is impossible to avoid the wealth of AI-generated content being created - from campaign videos, to personalised audio messages in a range of Indian languages, and even automated calls made to voters in a candidate's voice.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also already made the best of the emerging technology to campaign effectively - addressing an audience in Hindi which, by using the government-created AI tool Bhashini, was then translated into Tamil in real time.
But as the tools get more sophisticated, experts worry about its implications when it comes to making fake news appear real. In April, two viral videos showed Bollywood stars Ranveer Singh and Aamir Khan campaigning for the opposition Congress party. Both filed police complaints saying these were deepfakes, made without their consent.
The BBCâs Meryl Sebastian, who is based in Kochi in southern India, explains how the election is playing out amidst the wave of AI and deepfake content.
Plus we get advice on how to deal with AI and deepfake material as a voter from Divyendra Jadoun, founder of The Indian Deepfaker, who creates this exact content.
Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworldWhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6Email: [email protected]: William Lee AdamsProducers: Julia Ross-Roy, Josh Jenkins and Adam ChowdhuryEditor: Verity Wilde
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Iranâs President Ebrahim Raisi, and several other officials, including the foreign minister, have died in a helicopter crash. Mr Raisi was widely tipped to eventually become Supreme Leader, the most powerful role in the country.
The BBCâs Shayan Sardarizadeh explains who Mr Raisi was, how power works in Iran, what the reaction has been, and what this could mean for the future of the regime.
Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworldWhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6Email: [email protected]: William Lee AdamsProducers: Mora Morrison and Maria Clara Montoya Editor: Simon Peeks
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The Premier League may vote to scrap the use of video assistant referees (VAR) from next season.
Adam Chowdhury, from the What in the World team, explains how VAR works, why the technology is so controversial (including THAT Luis Diaz disallowed goal), and how itâs used in major leagues, including the Bundesliga and La Liga.
BBC Africa Sport Mimi Fawaz also shares how VAR is used in Africa, and AFCON.
Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworldWhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6Email: [email protected]: William Lee AdamsProducers: Mora Morrison and Maria Clara Montoya Editor: Julia Ross-Roy
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The electric car industry is sending mixed signals. On one hand, sales of electric vehicles in Europe overtook diesel vehicles for the first time last year and annual sales of electric vehicles in China now make up 30% of total car sales in the country.
On the other hand, Elon Muskâs company Tesla and Chinese manufacturer BYD, two of the biggest electric vehicle makers, have both reported significant drops in sales this year. Plus, industry heavyweights General Motors, Nissan, Hyundai, Volkswagen and Ford have all revealed that as a result of a loss in momentum for electric cars, they are increasing their investment in hybrid vehicles, which partly use fossil fuels like petrol or diesel that harm the environment.
Confused? BBC business correspondent Erin Delmore explains what exactly is going on.
Plus, we take a closer look at how the electric vehicle industry is doing in Africa - and why the future is all about e-motorbikes instead of cars. Prosper, a 24 year old courier in Uganda tells us why she likes using an electric motorbike to get around.
Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworldWhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6Email: [email protected]: Daniel DadzieProducers: Josh Jenkins and Adam Chowdhury Editor: Julia Ross-Roy
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Open AI has just revealed the latest version of the AI chatbot ChatGPT. Itâs called GPT-4o and is faster, more friendly, and even flirtatious. Tech journalist Rhiannon Williams explains how it differs from previous versions, and what this means for the future of AI technology.
But not everyone has equal access to ChatGPT. Grace Kejo, a 17-year-old student in Tanzania, shares why. Plus, Maria Clara Montoya describes how AI voices have changed over time: from the 1950s speech recognition systems to Siri and Alexa, and the present day.
Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworldWhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6Email: [email protected]: Laura CressProducers: Mora Morrison and Maria Clara Montoya Editor: Julia Ross-Roy
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Several nations have suffered flooding in just the last few months. Brazil, Kenya, Indonesia and China are just some of those that have been hit. Many people have died and thousands have been forced to move away from their homes.
Floods are common and can happen at any time during the year. However, are we seeing more than usual these days? And how much impact is the El Nino weather system having? BBC Climate Reporter Georgina Rannard explains whatâs been happening and why.
We hear from listener Leandro who sent us a voice message from the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, where more than half a million people have been displaced from their homes.
And eight months on from floods which hit Eastern Libya, the nation is continuing to rebuild from its catastrophic event. The BBCâs Amira Fathalla describes what itâs like on the ground today.
Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworldWhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6Email: [email protected]: Beverly OchiengProducers: Josh Jenkins and Adam Chowdhury Editor: Simon Peeks
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The Eurovision Song Contest is the biggest music competition in the world. Countries from all over Europe, and some from outside (weâre looking at you Australia), compete to reach the Grand Final and win the iconic glass microphone trophy. The winner also gets the honour of hosting next yearâs event, which brings big crowds and parties galore to the host city.
This yearâs event was held in Malmö, Sweden on the 50th anniversary of ABBAâs victory in the event. This year Switzerlandâs Nemo won with their song âThe Codeâ. They are the first non-binary artist to win the competition. However, there was plenty of controversy beyond the celebrations.
In the build-up to Saturdayâs Grand Final, there were protests against Israelâs inclusion because of the war in Gaza. Eden Golan performed the song âHurricaneâ which earned fifth place for Israel. Several acts ended their performances with messages such as "love will triumph hate" and "peace will prevail."
What in the Worldâs William Lee Adams was in Malmö reporting from the event and tells us everything we need to know about Eurovision 2024.
Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworldWhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6Email: [email protected]: Adam Chowdhury with William Lee AdamsProducer: Mora MorrisonEditor: Simon Peeks
*This podcast was amended on 16th May 2024 to remove a reference to Celine Dion being Swiss at 00:33. Celine Dion is Canadian but won Eurovision for Switzerland.*
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If youâve been scrolling on TikTok recently, you might have come across the viral song out of North Korea called âFriendly Fatherâ. Itâs been released by the countryâs leader Kim Jong Un. Frances Mao, from the BBCâs bureau in Singapore, explains why this song went viral, and what it tells us about the regime.
Over in Russia, the nationâs annual Victory Day has taken place, partly to show off Russiaâs military capacity. We talk to the BBC Monitoringâs Alistair Coleman about what message these parades send. Plus, the BBCâs China analyst Kerry Allen describes Chinaâs propaganda methods.
Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworldWhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6Email: [email protected]: Alex RhodesProducers: Mora Morrison and Adam ChowdhuryEditor: Julia Ross-Roy
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We throw tonnes of rubbish away and globally weâre throwing away more than ever. But what happens to it? Well, that depends on where in the world you live. Some gets recycled, some gets burned and some ends up in dumps or landfill.
British author Oliver Franklin-Wallis has written a book all about rubbish (Wasteland: The Dirty Truth About What We Throw Away, Where It Goes, and Why It Matters). He explains where some of it ends up - and why heâs hopeful about the global waste situation. The BBCâs Duc Ha tells us about the impact of imported waste and recycling on Vietnam.
Also we hear about the UNâs Global Treaty to End Plastic Pollution; the BBCâs Esme Stallard breaks down what it is and whether itâll make a difference. Betty Osei Bonsu, 26, from the Green Africa Youth Organisation, has been attending UN summits where this treaty has been discussed. She describes what it was like and what her organisation is doing to try to reduce plastic pollution in Ghana and Uganda.
Email: [email protected]: +44 0330 12 33 22 6Presenter: Alex RhodesProducers: Julia Ross-Roy and Benita BardenEditor: Verity Wilde
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Two of the biggest names in hip-hop right now, Drake and Kendrick Lamar, are certainly not friends anymore. Their beef is escalating as they release diss track after diss track. Lamar has dropped the likes of âEuphoriaâ and âMeet the Grahamsâ whilst Drake has released âFamily Mattersâ and âPush Upsâ.
The musical feud is spilling into real life as well. On Tuesday, police say a security guard was shot outside Drakeâs home in Toronto, Canada. Theyâve added that itâs too early to say who exactly was involved in the incident and that the victim is in a serious condition in hospital.
Music journalist Nicolas-Tyrell Scott tells us everything we need to know about Drake v Kendrick.
The beef isnât just happening in hip-hop. Afrobeat stars Davido and Wizkid are clashing too. Culture journalist Nelson CJ explains the battle and what beef is like in the Afrobeat world.
Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworldWhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6Email: [email protected]: Hannah GelbartProducers: Josh Jenkins and Adam ChowdhuryEditor: Verity Wilde
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Social media platforms, like Instagram and Xiaohongshu, are full of shopping tips to help you spend. But they can also help you save, partly by providing support and advice through groups of like-minded individuals - or, in China, da zi. This is a growing trend, especially among young women.
The BBCâs Sylvia Chang explains why theyâre joining, and how this could impact Chinaâs economy. We also hear from Anita Nkonge, in Kenya, about a popular saving challenge there.
Plus, if youâre currently on a budget weâve got five top tips on how to save from Ashley Lee (@hermoneymastery on TikTok).
Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworldWhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6Email: [email protected]: Hannah GelbartProducers: Mora Morrison, Maria Clara Montoya and Julia Ross-RoyEditor: Verity Wilde
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Challengers. Poor Things. Saltburn. Three Hollywood movies released in the last six months which haven't held back on sex. However, the stats tell us movies in America are actually getting less steamyâŠ
A study from The Economist suggests that sexual content in movies has dropped by 40% since 2000. BBC Culture reporter, Annabel Rackham, explains whatâs behind this Hollywood trend.
Intimacy co-ordinators are a more regular sight on sets these days, helping people in front of the camera and behind it to navigate their way through a sensitive scene. Alicia Rodis, an intimacy co-ordinator whoâs worked on Watchmen, And Just Like That and The Deuce, explains what the job entails.
Plus, BBC Asian Networkâs Haroon Rashid describes how sex and romance is treated in Bollywood. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworldWhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6Email: [email protected]: Alex RhodesProducers: Emily Horler, Baldeep Chahal and Adam ChowdhuryEditor: Verity Wilde
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Epic Games. Microsoft. Riot Games; owners of the biggest computer game titles in the world and part of a gaming industry which has been valued at $200 billion. Thatâs more than the music and entertainment industry combined. Itâs not all plain sailing though.
Epic Games, which created Fortnite, recently cut 870 jobs. Microsoft, which now owns Activision-Blizzard; famous for the Call of Duty and Red Dead Redemption series, announced 1,900 job losses earlier this year. League of Legends maker Riot Games reduced their workforce by 10%, which meant 530 job cuts. Itâs estimated that 18,000 jobs have been lost over the past couple of years. BBC gaming expert Mel Ramsay explains whatâs going on. Also, Harriet in the UK and Francis from Canada share their experiences of being laid off. They give their views on the impact on the gaming sector and how to improve things for employees.
And we take a quick look at the computer game sector in Nigeria, where the demand for home grown mobile gaming is taking off.
Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworldWhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6Email: [email protected]: Alex RhodesProducers: Julia Ross-Roy, Josh Jenkins and Adam ChowdhuryEditor: Verity Wilde
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Zimbabwe has a brand new currency; itâs called the ZiG (Zimbabwe Gold) and itâs backed by the countryâs gold reserves. This is the third time theyâve launched a new currency in ten years and 80% of transactions in the country are now carried out in US dollars. Can the government persuade its citizens that this one will remain stable and not deflate?
The BBCâs Zimbabwe correspondent Shingai Nyoka explains how people pay for stuff in the country and why the government has brought in a new currency. Two guys in Harare tell us what they make of the ZiG, and whether theyâre using it instead of the US dollar.
Also Baldeep Chahal from the What in the World team brings us some other examples of countries changing their currency and chats about whether it ever works.
Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworldWhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6Email: [email protected]: Alex RhodesProducers: Julia Ross-Roy and Baldeep ChahalEditor: Verity Wilde
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Demonstrations over the war in Gaza have taken place at several universities in the US over the past few weeks.
They have spanned from Columbia University in New York, to universities in Chicago, Texas and California.
In the last month, more than a thousand people have been arrested.
The BBCâs North America Correspondent Nomia Iqbal explains what has been happening and how this might affect the upcoming US election.
And Bernd Debusmann Jr tells us about the history of student demonstrations in America.
Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworldWhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6Email: [email protected]: Hannah GelbartProducers: Emily Horler, Maria Clara Montoya, Josh Jenkins and Adam ChowdhuryEditor: Verity Wilde
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Nature conservation is effective at protecting animals and plants - and weâre getting better at it. Thatâs according to a new major study published in the journal Science. Esme Stallard, a BBC climate and science reporter, explains what conservation is, where itâs worked (including for humpback whales), and why we need it.
Plus, we hear from two people who work in conservation. Charles Emogor has a PhD in pangolins and is from Nigeria. He shares why he loves them and how heâs saving them from being hunted. And Aiita Joshua Apamaku, from Uganda, tells us why he finds conservation so exciting.
Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworldWhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6Email: [email protected]: Hannah GelbartProducers: Mora Morrison, Baldeep Chahal and Sophie SmithEditor: Verity Wilde
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Modest fashion has been steadily gaining more global recognition over the past decade, with longer hemlines spotted on the runway. Itâs now estimated to be worth around $300 billion.
But modest fashion isnât just religious coverings, loose dresses, or even your grandmotherâs cardigan. At Modest Fashion Week in Istanbul there was everything from faux fur, to gold silk and platform heels. Megan Lawton, a BBC reporter in Toronto, has been looking into how modest fashion has shifted outside the leading markets in Iran, Turkey and Saudi Arabia to the US and Australia. Sheâs spoken to the founders of Reflective - an online marketplace for modest clothes.
We also hear from Nawal Sari, a Muslim model and content creator in Australia, about how the modest-friendly options have shifted over the years - and how authentic some marketing of the clothing is.
Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworldWhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6Email: [email protected]: Hannah GelbartProducers: Emily Horler, Mora Morrison and Benita BardenEditor: Verity Wilde
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