What in the World

Shawn Yuan, a journalist from the BBC's Global China Unit, provides a deep dive into China's sophisticated internet censorship, famously known as the 'Great Firewall.' He discusses how the government censors Western websites and manipulates pop culture, such as editing films and banning celebrities like Lady Gaga. Yuan highlights the generational divide in perceptions of censorship and the government's narrative control strategies. He reveals how these tactics affect daily life and self-censorship, painting a complex picture of information management in China.

Yuna Ku, a BBC Korean reporter based in Seoul, dives into the phenomenal success of the animated film 'K-pop Demon Hunters.' She reveals how the film, featuring a K-pop girl group fighting demons, resonates deeply with Korean culture despite being an international production. Yuna discusses the catchy hit 'Golden' and explores the cultural ties in the film, from iconic outfits to Korean bathhouse traditions. She also sheds light on the global rise of K-pop and its impact on Korean culture.

Young women in South Africa are being warned about a deceptive job scheme enticing them with opportunities in Russia. Disturbingly, some who accept these offers may end up working in weapon factories tied to the Ukraine conflict. The podcast dives into how economic struggles make young women vulnerable to such scams, especially when promoted by social media influencers. Experts discuss the urgent need for awareness and caution to combat human trafficking and exploitation in this alarming landscape.

Join Jacqui Wakefield, a BBC global disinformation reporter, as she dives deep into the troubling world of the 'manosphere.' Discover how this online space promotes toxic masculinity, with terms like Chads and Alphas perpetuating harmful ideologies. Wakefield unpacks the disturbing connections to incels and real-world violence. Plus, hear insights from psychotherapist Will Adolphy, who shares his journey of escaping this environment and advocating for healthy masculinity. It's a thought-provoking discussion on redefining what it means to be a man.

Damian Zane, a BBC reporter with a knack for uncovering intriguing stories, dives into the fascinating journey of a Martian meteorite that sold for $4.3 million in New York. He reveals how this colossal rock traveled from Mars to the Sahara before landing at an auction. Zane discusses the ethical implications surrounding its sale, especially concerning Niger’s concerns, and highlights the interplay between scientific research and private collections. Listeners gain insights into the luxurious world of meteorite collecting and the controversies it raises.

In this discussion, Mark Savage, a BBC music correspondent, unpacks how TikTok and streaming have transformed pop music, particularly the ideal length of songs. He reveals a trend where tracks are getting shorter to capture listeners quickly, yet some recent hits are pushing back over four minutes. Savage explores the creative challenges artists face on platforms like TikTok, balancing quick content with artistic integrity. He highlights insights from musicians Queen Ife and Fiona Kida on how these changes impact their music-making processes.

Joseph Shaw Ayesu, an ecological research manager at The Or Foundation, discusses Ghana's struggle as the world's largest importer of second-hand clothing. He reveals that 15 million garments arrive weekly, with a staggering 40% deemed unsellable, leading to environmental degradation. The conversation highlights community-driven efforts, including beach clean-ups and upcycling initiatives in Kantamanto Market. Joseph emphasizes the need for sustainable practices in the fashion industry and the importance of local production to combat the waste crisis.

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: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk 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: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk 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: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Mora Morrison, Benita Barden and Adam Chowdhury Editor: Verity Wilde