What in the World

Anura Kumara Dissanayaka has just been elected as president in Sri Lanka’s first election since its economy collapsed in 2022. The National People's Power, the coalition alliance he ran for, drew support by promising to stamp out corruption and improve living conditions. But he faces the challenge of trying to sort out the country’s $92 billion debt.We speak to the BBC’s South East Asia Regional Editor, Anbarasan Ethirajan about what shape the Sri Lankan economy is in and what challenges Dissanayaka’s incoming government may face.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde

Time capsules preserve artefacts and memories so that people in the future can learn about a particular time in the past. Now scientists at the University of Southampton in the U.K. have come up with an innovative memento: a “memory crystal” that fits in your hand and contains the entire human genome. It’s essentially a manual that defines what makes us human. How could future generations use the genetic information in the crystal? Nimesh Pinnamaneni, the CEO of Helixworks, the company behind this technology, explains. We also hear from the founder of Memory of Mankind, an archive of human memories that’s located in a salt mine in Austria. It aims to preserve a back-up of human civilisation, including the crystal, in case we disappear. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams and Maria Clara Montoya Editor: Verity Wilde

Two years ago, rapper and music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs threw a lavish 53rd birthday party at his $61m mansion in Beverly Hills. A host of stars lined up to toast his career with a guest list that included Jay-Z, Travis Scott, Mary J Blige, Kehlani, Tinashe, Chris Brown and Machine Gun Kelly.The party coincided with his 30th year in the music industry - three decades in which he formed his own entertainment empire and changed the sound of hip-hop, both as an artist and a producer for the likes of Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez and The Notorious B.I.G. Fast-forward to 2024, and everything has changed.This week, P Diddy was arrested and charged with sex trafficking and racketeering. He’s pleaded not guilty. The BBC’ Sam Granville explains the case, and if this could be hip-hop’s #MeToo moment. And William Lee Adams from the What in the World team reminds us of Diddy’s career and dominance. This episode contains discussion about sexual assault and harassment. If you’ve been affected by any of the issues in this episode please contact support organisations in your own country. For a list of organisations in the UK that can provide support for survivors of sexual abuse, go to bbc.co.uk/actionline. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Mora Morrison and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde

This week thousands of pagers and walkie talkies exploded all at once in Lebanon. Dozens were killed and thousands injured. These gadgets were used to communicate by members of Hezbollah, a designated terrorist group in Lebanon. Israel is widely believed to be behind these attacks, but Israel has not confirmed or denied its involvement. There are fears this could make the ongoing conflict in the Middle East even worse. Speaking from Beirut, the BBC’s Rami Ruhayem talks us through the aftermath of the attack and explains what Hezbollah is and how it started. He also discusses why Israel may have done this. Why was Hezbollah using these old-fashioned devices and how did they explode? The BBC’s cyber correspondent Joe Tidy tells us more (and explains what a pager is). And Gordon Corera, the BBC’s security correspondent, gives us a short summary of other covert operations - and why this one is different. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Julia Ross-Roy and Maria Clara Montoya Editor: Verity Wilde

In Hong Kong, badminton has bizarrely become a metaphor for sexual self-control in new sex education materials. The controversial guidance suggests teenagers should play badminton instead of engaging in sexual activities, igniting debates over the understanding of young people's needs. Insights from a local journalist and a global sex educator reveal how cultural taboos influence sexual education worldwide. Meanwhile, in Nigeria, educators are creatively using social media to tackle the challenges of discussing sexual health in a culturally sensitive manner.

On Sunday authorities say a second attempt was made on the life of Donald Trump. A gunman was allegedly hiding in the bushes on one of Mr Trump’s golf courses just 500 yards from the US presidential candidate. He was spotted by a Secret Service agent who opened fire at the suspect and whisked Mr Trump to safety. The alleged gunman was later arrested. On this episode we go through the latest about what happened over the weekend, the gunman’s identity and what motivations he might have had. Plus Alex from the What in the World team goes into detail about who the Secret Service are and what we know about how they work. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Alex Rhodes and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde

American entrepreneur and billionaire Jared Isaacman has become the first non-professional astronaut to walk in space. According to Time magazine, he paid $200million for the privilege. Georgina Rannard, a BBC climate and science reporter, talks us through the mission, including his super suit, and the risks involved. Georgina also updates us on those two NASA astronauts stuck on the International Space Station (ISS) following technical difficulties. Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore spoke at a press event on Friday, where they appeared upbeat and optimistic. We hear about how they’re keeping busy, and the challenges of living in a zero-gravity environment for so long. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Alex Rhodes Producers: William Lee Adams and Mora Morrison Editor: Verity Wilde

Huge parts of Brazil are on fire. And it’s not just the drier areas. It’s the wetlands and the rainforests, too. Smoke from the fires can even be seen from space. Brazil has long struggled with wildfires, but they’re getting harder to control. And on top of this, Brazil is also experiencing its worst drought since records began 70 years ago.Leandro Prazeres, a BBC reporter in the capital, Brasilia, explains how bad it is right now and what’s caused the fires. BBC Brasil reporter Giulia Granchi tells us about the wildlife in the affected areas; the Amazon rainforest, the Cerrado savannah and the Pantanal wetlands. And Patricia Zanella, a gender activist who represented the Brazilian government’s youth delegation at COP last year tells us what she wants to see from her leaders to tackle these wildfires.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Julia Ross-Roy and Gabriela Boccaccio Editor: Verity Wilde

Sickle cell is an inherited blood disorder caused by abnormal red blood cells. It can cause sudden bouts of severe pain, as well as fatigue, a stroke, even death. It’s one of the most common genetic disorders in the world, but there’s still some stigma and a lot of misunderstanding around the condition.We hear from Dunstan Nicol-Wilson, who was born with the condition, about what it’s like to grow up with sickle cell, and whether people’s attitudes are changing.Around 80% of sickle cell cases worldwide are in sub-Saharan Africa. Makuochi Okafor, BBC Africa health reporter, tells us how it is inherited and what the symptoms can be. Nigeria has the largest population of individuals with sickle cell in the world, so he tells us how sickle cell is treated there.Also last year the UK became the first country in the world to license a new gene-editing tool known as Crispr, as a treatment for sickle cell disease. Kesewaa Browne, a journalist in the U.K. tells us what treatments are already available and how Crispr could change things.nstagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Benita Barden and Julia Ross-Roy Editor: Verity Wilde

Last week in the US State of Georgia 14-year-old Colt Gray allegedly walked into his Apalachee High School, took out a gun and shot two students and two teachers dead. It’s the 45th school shooting to happen in America this year. With an upcoming election taking place in November is there any desire from the country’s top politicians for change? We speak to the BBC’s North America Correspondent Anthony Zurcher about the complicated laws around gun ownership. And we also hear from campaigner Zoe Touray, who survived the Oxford High School shooting in Michigan in 2021.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Alex Rhodes, Benita Barden and Josh Jenkins Editor: Verity Wilde