What in the World

Join William Lee Adams, the resident animal expert, as he delves into the intense debate surrounding the existence of zoos. With a rich history dating back to royal displays, Adams reveals how modern zoos have evolved from mere attractions to centers of conservation. He discusses the ethical dilemmas of captivity versus animal welfare and the distress signals animals exhibit in enclosures. Featuring perspectives from a biology lecturer and an animal rights activist, this conversation navigates the future of zoos, advocating for a shift towards ethical sanctuaries.

In November, fifteen people were killed at the Novi Sad railway station in Serbia when a concrete canopy collapsed. Students in the country have been protesting ever since, claiming that government corruption contributed to the tragedy. The protests have brought the country to a standstill, and on Monday students occupied the public TV station RTS. Slobodan Maričić from BBC Serbian tells us about the student protests, what he’s seen when out reporting and the criticism faced by President Aleksandar Vučić. We also hear from several student protestors and Konstrakta, a popular singer. She explains why students have been so effective leading and organising the protests and how their movement has expanded to include people of all ages. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams, Emilia Jansson and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde

Two weeks ago $1.5 billion vanished from a cryptocurrency platform - it’s thought to be the biggest crypto heist ever. They had fallen into the hands of some infamous hackers - the Lazarus Group. These hackers have alleged ties to the North Korean government and have managed to steal huge amounts of money from other crypto platforms before. The BBC’s Cyber Correspondent, Joe Tidy, takes us through all the details and explains why North Korean hackers are so untouchable.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Emilia Jansson Editor: Verity Wilde

Plastic pollution has been highlighted as an environmental issue for several years. But experts are now researching whether it poses a potential danger to our health. Microplastics specifically are found in our bodies - even in our brains.The BBC health reporter Smitha Mundasad explains to us what they are and whether we should be worried. And 25-year-old microplastics researcher and influencer Dana Zhaxylykova shares her top tips on how to avoid plastics.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Mora Morrison and Emilia Jansson Editor: Verity Wilde

Just like seemingly all aspects of life these days, AI is going to become more and more present in our dating apps. Match Group, the dating company that owns Tinder and Hinge and has a market value of over $10 billion, recently announced they would increase investment in AI. They’re hoping to use AI for a spoken interview with the user to work out what they want to get out of their dating experience, and also provide “effective coaching for struggling users”.Some newer apps focus entirely on AI models and choose your matches for you. As annual downloads of some of the biggest dating apps are going down, could these AI elements improve things? Or will AI cause more concerns?Tamzin Kraftman, a BBC journalist, downloaded one of these new apps, iris, to check it out.We also hear from the app’s CEO - Igor Khalatian. He explains what it’s all about.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Josh Jenkins Editor: Julia Ross-Roy

Victoria Uwonkunda, a BBC journalist and polyglot, shares her unique experience growing up fluent in multiple languages. She highlights the cognitive advantages of multilingualism, including delayed dementia and improved recovery from strokes. Uwonkunda discusses the challenges and joys of daily language use, while also emphasizing the cultural richness that comes with each language. Insights from cognitive neuroscientist Professor Frédérique Liégeois reveal how speaking multiple languages can enhance brain health and function as we age.

Shawn Yuan from the BBC’s Global China Unit shares insights on how China's aid models in Africa differ from the U.S., especially after the recent freeze on American foreign aid. The discussion highlights China's focus on infrastructure versus the U.S. humanitarian approach. Janice Nkajja, a Ugandan TikToker, raises concerns about aid accountability, while reporter Daniel Dadzie reveals the implications of China's increasing influence in funding strategies. Tune in for an engaging look at the shifting dynamics of global aid!

Half of the Kenyan population use TikTok everyday. But when the sun sets, darker content appears on the platform. Girls as young as fifteen are advertising their bodies through livestreams and avoiding being caught by using coded messages. It’s a way for them to make money - but TikTok is also profiting, despite their strict rules on underage and sexual content.BBC Africa Eye reporter Debula Kemoli has been to Kenya to investigate. She tells us what she uncovered, and shares insights from content moderators and the women and teens participating in the livestreams.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams and Emilia Jansson Editor: Verity Wilde

At the end of last year, astronomers detected 2024 YR4, an asteroid that could collide with Earth on the 22nd December 2032. It was dubbed the ‘city-killer’ and news reports warned of Armageddon, comparing the potential impact to a nuclear bomb explosion. But since YR4’s discovery, space agencies and scientists have been studying the asteroid’s size, potential path and what we can do to divert it. There’s only the tiniest risk it will hit earth and experts say there’s no need for alarm.BBC science and climate reporter Georgina Rannard talks us through all the details of Asteroid 2024 YR4, and gives a quick history of how we’ve managed asteroids in the past.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler, Adam Chowdhury and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde

The illegal drug trade is booming in Europe due to a growing and profitable demand for cocaine. It can be sold for almost double the price you can get for it in the US. Belgium and the Netherlands have been named as the new cocaine capitals, as the major container ports there have been infiltrated by drug smuggling gangs, and the US market becomes saturated and turns to opiates instead.But how does cocaine get to Europe? And who’s operating these gangs? We speak to two journalists who’ve been looking at the illegal drug trade in Europe; Anna Holligan, BBC correspondent in the Netherlands, and Gabriel Stargardter, a Reuters journalist in Paris.As more drugs are routed to Europe, countries in West and Central Africa are increasingly being used as key transit zones. Lucia Bird from the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime tells us what impact it’s having on those countries.Plus David Hillier, a freelance British journalist, explains what kinds of illegal drugs Europeans are currently taking. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Julia Ross-Roy, Hayley Clarke and Benita Barden Editor: Rosanna La FalceThis podcast was edited on 28 February 2025.