What in the World

By BBC World Service

What's What in the World about?

Helping you make sense of what’s happening in your world. Big stories, small stories and everything in between. Understand more, feel better. Five days a week, Monday to Friday.

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What in the World episodes:

05.17.2024
Is the Premier League going to give VAR the red card?
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...
05.16.2024
Electric vehicles: Charging up or powering down?
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...
05.15.2024
Why is ChatGPT so flirty?
Open AI has just revealed the latest version of the AI chatbot ChatGPT. It’s 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...
05.14.2024
Is the world experiencing more flooding?
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....
05.13.2024
Why was Eurovision so controversial this year?
The Eurovision Song Contest is the biggest music competition in the world. Countries from all over Europe, and some from outside (we’re looking at you Australia), compete to reach the Grand Final and win the iconic glass microphone trophy. The...
05.10.2024
Why North Korea’s TikTok hit is so catchy
If you’ve been scrolling on TikTok recently, you might have come across the viral song out of North Korea called ‘Friendly Father’. It’s been released by the country’s leader Kim Jong Un. Frances Mao, from the BBC’s bureau in Singapore,...
05.09.2024
Where does our rubbish go?
We throw tonnes of rubbish away and globally we’re 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...
05.08.2024
Drake v Kendrick Lamar: What’s the beef?
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 ‘Euphoria’ and ‘Meet the...
05.07.2024
Can social media apps help you save money?
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....
05.06.2024
Where’s all the sex gone in movies?
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 steamy… A study from The Economist suggests that sexual...
05.03.2024
Why are so many people in gaming losing their jobs?
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. That’s more than the music and entertainment industry combined. It’s not all...
05.02.2024
Why is Zimbabwe launching a new currency?
Zimbabwe has a brand new currency; it’s called the ZiG (Zimbabwe Gold) and it’s backed by the country’s gold reserves. This is the third time they’ve launched a new currency in ten years and 80% of transactions in the country...
05.01.2024
Why are student protests in the US spreading?
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...
04.30.2024
From pangolins to plants: how we’re getting better at protecting nature
Nature conservation is effective at protecting animals and plants - and we’re getting better at it. That’s according to a new major study published in the journal Science. Esme Stallard, a BBC climate and science reporter, explains what conservation is,...
04.29.2024
Modest fashion is on the rise
Modest fashion has been steadily gaining more global recognition over the past decade, with longer hemlines spotted on the runway. It’s now estimated to be worth around $300 billion. But modest fashion isn’t just religious coverings, loose dresses, or...
04.26.2024
What’s causing the blackouts in Sierra Leone?
Sierra Leone’s capital Freetown and other cities have been suffering blackouts for weeks. It’s disrupted hospitals and daily life for many. Most of Freetown’s power comes from a Turkish ship floating off the country’s coast - and they’ve massively reduced...
04.25.2024
How will the US TikTok ban affect me?
President Biden has just signed a law that says TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance has nine months to sell the app or it will be blocked in the US. We hear what TikTok users in the US think about the ban -...
04.24.2024
Nuclear weapons: who has them and how do they work?
Nuclear weapons have been back in public conversation recently - partly due to rising tensions between Iran and Israel. Outside of the news, they have also been featured a lot in films and TV shows. (Think Oppenheimer and Fallout). ...
04.23.2024
Is extreme weather the new normal?
There’s been massive flooding in Dubai, with twice the annual amount of rain in a single day. Roads, runways and shopping malls were flooded. Meanwhile, West Africa has been dealing with one of its worst heatwaves. Late March and early...
04.22.2024
Why I won’t switch to the metaverse as a professional gamer
The metaverse has been talked about as the next big thing in technology: a virtual world which will become a part of our daily lives (think Ready Player One). Mark Zuckerberg even changed his company’s name from Facebook to Meta...
04.19.2024
South Korea’s shamans are now online
Korean shamans hold significant cultural importance in Korean society. They are often shown in Korean dramas and films, adorned in shiny and colourful traditional attire, dancing on sharp knives, summoning spirits, and banishing demons. They offer fortune telling services and...
04.18.2024
Why is India having a live music boom?
India’s live music scene is thriving with higher ticket sales and more concerts from international artists. To meet demand, the country is renovating old venues. And the government has simplified tax rules to encourage more stars like Ed Sheeran to...
04.17.2024
I eat three steaks a day - how does beef affect climate change?
In this episode we chat with someone who just LOVES steak, and eats it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. But Eric’s not the only one who loves beef: its consumption is going up around the world. But many people are...
04.16.2024
How big could women’s basketball get?
Women’s basketball is more popular than ever. Ratings for the WNBA are growing and the professional league has plans to increase its number of teams. Monday was a huge day for the sport, as the best college players in the...
04.15.2024
Why has Iran attacked Israel?
Iran has carried out direct strikes on Israel for the first time. It’s believed to be a retaliation for a deadly strike on its consulate in the Syrian capital Damascus. The bad blood between both countries goes back many years....
04.12.2024
What's P-pop and could it rival K-pop?
P-pop, or Pinoy pop, is a growing genre of music in the Philippines. It stems from OPM (Original Pilipino Music). You may be more familiar with K-pop, which is a multibillion-dollar industry. P-pop is hoping to get a slice of...
04.11.2024
Why isn’t enough aid getting into Gaza?
Famine is imminent in northern Gaza, according to the United Nations. There is some aid going into Gaza, but it’s severely limited and aid workers face dangerous, sometimes deadly conditions. Last week there was widespread international criticism after seven...
04.10.2024
Is Botswana really going to send Germany 20,000 elephants?
When it comes to elephant conservation, Botswana is the world leader. It is now home to more than 130,000 elephants — or around a third of the world's elephant population. But this growing number poses major problems for humans:...
04.09.2024
How much can scientists learn from eclipses?
On Monday, millions of people across Mexico, the US and Canada saw a total solar eclipse. That’s when the Moon moves between the Earth and the Sun, blocking its light. But it’s not just eclipse-chasers who are excited. Scientists...
04.08.2024
Is conscription making a comeback in Europe?
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...
04.05.2024
How can you fix racism in Spanish football?
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...
04.04.2024
Elon Musk put a chip in my brain
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...
04.03.2024
Who is Senegal’s new President Bassirou Diomaye Faye?
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...
04.02.2024
The unstoppable rise of Temu
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...
04.01.2024
Why are chocolate and coffee getting more expensive?
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...
03.30.2024
Marina Summers: What’s life like for a Filipina drag queen?
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...
03.29.2024
Can Beyoncé’s new album Cowboy Carter boost black country artists?
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...
03.28.2024
Are flying cars finally taking off?
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...
03.27.2024
Are sanctions on Russia actually hurting its economy?
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...
03.26.2024
The secrets of the underwater cables carrying your internet
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...
03.25.2024
Havana syndrome: What’s causing it?
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...
03.22.2024
Personalised ads - would you pay to opt out?
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...
03.21.2024
Are Boeing’s planes in trouble?
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...
03.20.2024
How dangerous are chemical hair straighteners and relaxers?
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...
03.19.2024
Idris Elba’s plan to build a brand new city on an African island
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...
03.18.2024
What’s the future of renewable energy in the Philippines?
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....
03.15.2024
Why are footballers lying about their age?
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...
03.14.2024
Why are trans people being murdered in Mexico?
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...
03.13.2024
How are people in Gaza observing Ramadan?
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...
03.12.2024
Kate Middleton photo: What went wrong?
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...

What's What in the World about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

What in the World episodes:

Is the Premier League going to give VAR the red card?

Electric vehicles: Charging up or powering down?

Why is ChatGPT so flirty?

Is the world experiencing more flooding?

Why was Eurovision so controversial this year?

Why North Korea’s TikTok hit is so catchy

Where does our rubbish go?

Drake v Kendrick Lamar: What’s the beef?

Can social media apps help you save money?

Where’s all the sex gone in movies?

Why are so many people in gaming losing their jobs?

Why is Zimbabwe launching a new currency?

Why are student protests in the US spreading?

From pangolins to plants: how we’re getting better at protecting nature

Modest fashion is on the rise

What’s causing the blackouts in Sierra Leone?

How will the US TikTok ban affect me?

Nuclear weapons: who has them and how do they work?

Is extreme weather the new normal?

Why I won’t switch to the metaverse as a professional gamer

South Korea’s shamans are now online

Why is India having a live music boom?

I eat three steaks a day - how does beef affect climate change?

How big could women’s basketball get?

Why has Iran attacked Israel?

What's P-pop and could it rival K-pop?

Why isn’t enough aid getting into Gaza?

Is Botswana really going to send Germany 20,000 elephants?

How much can scientists learn from eclipses?

Is conscription making a comeback in Europe?

How can you fix racism in Spanish football?

Elon Musk put a chip in my brain

Who is Senegal’s new President Bassirou Diomaye Faye?

The unstoppable rise of Temu

Why are chocolate and coffee getting more expensive?

Marina Summers: What’s life like for a Filipina drag queen?

Can Beyoncé’s new album Cowboy Carter boost black country artists?

Are flying cars finally taking off?

Are sanctions on Russia actually hurting its economy?

The secrets of the underwater cables carrying your internet

Havana syndrome: What’s causing it?

Personalised ads - would you pay to opt out?

Are Boeing’s planes in trouble?

How dangerous are chemical hair straighteners and relaxers?

Idris Elba’s plan to build a brand new city on an African island

What’s the future of renewable energy in the Philippines?

Why are footballers lying about their age?

Why are trans people being murdered in Mexico?

How are people in Gaza observing Ramadan?

Kate Middleton photo: What went wrong?