What in the World

Natalia Jimenez, a BBC journalist and expert on Elon Musk, dives into the tech mogul's rise from a challenging upbringing to leading companies like Tesla and SpaceX. She discusses Musk's surprising alignment with Donald Trump, examining how their relationship reflects his influence on both politics and technology. Jimenez also unpacks Musk's personality traits that shape his leadership style, while exploring how he both conforms to and diverges from typical 'tech bro' stereotypes. Buckle up for an engaging look at a transformative figure!

Dive into the intense world of South Korea's Suneung exam, where students face an eight-hour marathon of tests all in one day. Discover the skyrocketing numbers of students resitting this grueling exam and the cultural pressures that lead to mental health challenges. Learn about community support, from adjusted transport to cheer squads on exam day. A glimpse into personal experiences reveals the emotional toll on students, making it clear that academic pressure is a universal issue, with comparisons to China's equally daunting Gaokao.

CBD products are everywhere. You can get the cannabis extract in oils, vapes, skincare products, even gummy bears, coffee and fizzy drinks. Videos recommending it are all over TikTok, and it’s so popular Kim Kardashian even had a CBD-themed baby shower.Fans and influencers say it can help improve your mood, help you sleep, get rid of anxiety and chronic pain. But are these claims true? BBC reporter Annabel Rackham explains what CBD is, where it’s legal and whether it can be addictive or have side effects. We hear from two people who take CBD. And Harry Sumnall, Professor in substance use at the Liverpool John Moores University in the UK, explains what we know from scientific studies on the health effects of CBD. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Julia Ross-Roy, Hayley Clarke and Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

Disputes over the South China Sea are back in the news, with China and the Philippines both marking out areas they say are theirs. China has previously been accused of hitting Philippine boats with water cannon and both sides say the other have rammed boats into each other. Benny Lu from the BBC’s Chinese service in Hong Kong takes us through the background of it all and explains how the US’s relationship with China fits into it, especially with Donald Trump’s re-election. It’s not just China and the Philippines arguing over this area. BBC Vietnamese reporter Thuong Le explains Vietnam’s involvement in the ongoing disputes, which even led to the Barbie movie being banned in Vietnam last summer.Plus, we hear from people we spoke to in Manila when What in the World visited the Philippines, on why they feel strongly about the issue.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler, Hayley Clarke and William Lee Adams Editor: Verity Wilde

Ines Silva, a BBC Monitoring journalist, explores the explosive scandal surrounding leaked sex tapes in Equatorial Guinea, involving high-ranking officials and their relatives. She discusses how the tapes have not only captivated social media but also highlighted the country's oppressive political landscape. The conversation delves into privacy issues, government censorship, and the potential for increased crackdowns on free expression. Activist Nsang Christia Esimi Cruz contributes insights on the human rights implications amid this turmoil.

Henrietta Bowden-Jones, Director of England’s National Centre for Gaming Disorders, sheds light on the recognized mental health condition of gaming disorder. She discusses the symptoms, including losing control and prioritizing gaming over life’s responsibilities. Personal stories reveal the transformative journey from addiction to recovery. The conversation also touches on global strategies to manage underage gaming, with a focus on China’s unique responses. Practical solutions for treatment and prevention strategies are offered, emphasizing a balanced approach to gaming.

According to the United Nations, Africa’s urban population is projected to triple by 2050, with over 60% of 2.5 billion people living in cities. This rapid urbanisation and population growth is driving demand for properties across the continent. Nigerian and Ghanaian cities are some of the fastest-growing globally, but with inflation and the rising cost of living, prices are going up and people are finding it harder to save - making property and land acquisition a real challenge. BBC journalist Stefania Okereke discusses the pressures on young people when it comes to purchasing real estate in Nigeria and Ghana. Ebube Okafor in Nigeria tells us about the hurdles to owning and buying land in Nigeria. Yaa Ofori-Ansah, a Ghanaian based in the UK shares her experience of preparing for a move back to Ghana. And Victoria Agyekum, co-founder of the Ghana Property and Lifestyle Expo, offers advice for anyone considering this journey.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Julia Ross-Roy and Stefania Okereke Editor: Verity Wilde

$20,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000. That’s how much a Russian court has fined Google for restricting Russian state media channels on YouTube. That’s two undecillion roubles - and far greater than the world’s total GDP, which is estimated by the International Monetary Fund to be $110 trillion.Jen Monaghan, from BBC Monitoring, talks us through why Google has been hit with such a massive fine, and how it’s impossible to pay. And the BBC’s Anastasia Golubeva shares how the internet and social media apps - including YouTube - are restricted in Russia, and the impact this has on young people there. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Mora Morrison, Hayley Clarke and Benita Barden Editor: Emily Horler

Donald Trump will return to the White House in January 2025, after defeating Democrat rival Kamala Harris in the 2024 U.S. presidential elections. The win comes just four years after he lost re-election to Joe Biden — and just weeks before his sentencing in his New York criminal trial. We explain the factors behind his historic win and hear from political analysts about how issues like the economy and immigration influenced voters in the crucial swing states that decided the election.One of Trump’s campaign promises was to quickly end the wars in Ukraine and Gaza and to prioritise America’s interest above all others. We hear from the BBC’s International Correspondent Lyse Doucet and the BBC’s China correspondent Laura Bicker about how international leaders are reacting to the win and what it means for their them. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams, Benita Barden and Julia Ross-Roy Editor: Verity Wilde

Floods have swept through Valencia on Spain’s eastern coast, causing death and destruction in their wake. It’s the worst flooding in Europe this century. More than 200 people have died and many are still missing - it is the country’s deadliest natural disaster in recent memory. There is widespread anger over the government’s response, and when Spain’s king and queen visited the town of Paiporta, they were met with protesters and even had mud thrown at them.We speak to BBC journalist Iqra Farooq, who has just been to the area. She tells us about the devastating scenes she saw, and the anger people are feeling. The BBC’s Mimi Swaby has been speaking to the mayor of Paiporta, Maribel Albalat, who told her she was shocked by the violence, but that she understood "the frustration and desperation of the people".And we speak to Stav Danaos from BBC Weather, who explains the Dana phenomenon that caused the flooding and how climate change made it worse.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk Presenter: William Lee Adams Producers: Emily Horler and Hayley Clarke Editor: Verity Wilde