

What in the World
BBC World Service
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 10, 2024 • 11min
Why YouTubers are hitting burnout
William, a successful YouTuber, shares insights into the hidden challenges of content creation, including the relentless pressure from algorithms and negative comments that lead to burnout. Roly West, a queer British YouTuber specializing in piercings and tattoos, discusses the emotional toll of online harassment and the struggle for consistent motivation. Together, they explore the financial ramifications of demonetization and practical strategies for maintaining well-being while navigating the demanding landscape of YouTube.

Sep 9, 2024 • 15min
How dangerous is it to be part of the opposition in Venezuela?
Venezuela’s opposition candidate, Edmundo González, has arrived in Spain after being granted asylum. He’d spent weeks in hiding following a disputed election which erupted into unrest across the country. He’s said he will continue to fight from the outside. Many believe González is the rightful president, however the official result gave the incumbent Nicolás Maduro another term.
With González in exile, what will happen now? The BBC’s Mimi Swaby brings us up to speed and talks us through crackdowns on political opposition in Venezuela.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld
Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk
WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6
Presenter: Alex Rhodes
Producers: Emily Horler and Shiler Mahmoudi
Editor: Verity Wilde

Sep 6, 2024 • 15min
How to make a fake language for movies and TV
A lot of films and TV shows like Game of Thrones, Dune, and Shadow and Bone have their own languages, and some are so complex that they have lore and history. But have you ever wondered how languages like Dothraki are created, or if the actors are just making it up as they go along?We take our questions to married couple Jessie and David Peterson whose shared love of linguistics and making up languages has led to them working for some very famous shows. They talk us through how they come up with languages.And the BBC’s resident gamer, Mel Ramsey, takes us on a journey into gaming and the role that languages like Skyrim's Dovahzul play in bringing games to life for fans.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld
Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk
WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6
Presenter: Alex Rhodes
Producers: Emily Horler, Benita Barden, Adam Chowdhury and Shiler Mahmoudi
Editor: Rosanna La-Falce

Sep 5, 2024 • 15min
Is university worth the cost?
Some university students in Kenya have been protesting a new funding model which, they say, favours the rich. The government says the changes are needed to help with funding issues. The BBC’s Anita Nkonge, based in Nairobi, explains. Many universities around the world are struggling with the cost of living, and this burden is often felt most sharply by students. We know that students have been questioning if university is worth the cost for a while, but now it feels like this debate is hotter than ever. We chat through why uni can be so expensive, as well as the pros and cons of going.Ishan Sharma, a YouTuber from India, dropped out of studying engineering and is now living his best life with no regrets. He shares his story, and tips for people considering a life without a degree. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld
Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk
WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6
Presenters: Alex Rhodes and Zofia Louise
Producer: Mora Morrison
Editor: Julia Ross-Roy

Sep 4, 2024 • 14min
Are we too obsessed with celebrities like Chappell Roan?
Chappell Roan has posted on TikTok about "creepy behaviour" she's experienced in person and online. She’s one of this year’s most successful popstars with a growing fanbase, but are some of those fans starting to overstep the mark?Pete Allison, our BBC Newsbeat reporter, tells us what Chappell has been saying.We also look at K-pop fandoms with our Bilingual Reporter, Julie Yoonnyung Lee. There’s even a word in Korean to describe an obsessive fan who invades the privacy of a star - sasaeng.And Veronica Lamarche, a psychologist who has done studies on parasocial relationships, tell us what signs to look out for that your interest in a celeb has turned into an obsession.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld
Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk
WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6
Presenter: Alex Rhodes
Producers: Emily Horler, Benita Barden and Emilia Jansson
Editor: Simon Peeks

Sep 3, 2024 • 12min
Class of ChatGPT?
Rhiannon Williams, a tech journalist, dives deep into the mixed perceptions surrounding AI tools in education, like ChatGPT. She discusses concerns over cheating alongside the potential for enhanced efficiency in learning. Grace Kejo, a bright 17-year-old from Tanzania, shares her first-hand experiences using AI in school, revealing how it influences her studies. The conversation also touches on the unique challenges teachers face in distinguishing between AI-generated work and authentic student submissions, emphasizing the need for responsible usage.

Sep 2, 2024 • 14min
Are more men wearing makeup?
The market for men’s beauty and grooming is blowing up, with more masculine beauty products on the shelves than ever before. It’s not uncommon to see men with manicures. And people like Harry Styles, Pharrell Williams and Idris Elba have even launched luxury product lines. It’s estimated that the global male grooming market will be worth $115 billion by 2028.
It’s fair to say male beauty standards are changing. We hear from Enioluwa Adeoluwa, a Nigerian influencer known as ‘Lipgloss Boy’, about how practices have changed globally and in Nigeria.
We also brush up on make-up for men, and speak to Adrián Ríos about how American beauty influencers are shaking up global standards. Plus if you’re a bloke wanting to change up your look we’ve got some tips for you.
Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld
Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk
WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6
Presenter: Alex Rhodes
Producers: Emily Horler and Benita Barden
Editor: Rosanna La-Falce

Aug 30, 2024 • 15min
Why has the founder of Telegram been arrested?
Pavel Durov’s arrest could impact free speech, and the war between Russia and Ukraine.Over the last few years the social media and messaging app Telegram has become increasingly popular. It’s different from other apps, like WhatsApp and Facebook, partly because it allows you to create massive groups, of up to 200,000 people. But the app has also faced criticism relating to disinformation, and the sharing of conspiracist, neo-Nazi, paedophilic, or terror-related content.On Wednesday Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram, was placed under formal investigation in France as part of a probe into organised crime on the app. BBC tech reporter Graham Fraser tells us what we need to know about Telegram, and this investigation. Telegram has often been used by pro-democracy protesters, including in Hong Kong. The BBC’s Fan Wang explains. And there has been a massive reaction to Durov’s arrest in Russia. The BBC’s Karine Mirumyan tells us why the Russian military, and government, use the app - and whether this arrest could impact the war in Ukraine. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld
Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk
WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6
Presenter: Alex Rhodes
Producers: Mora Morrison and Zofia Louise
Editor: Verity Wilde

Aug 29, 2024 • 16min
Are diamonds losing their sparkle?
Caroline Steel, a BBC Science presenter, shares her insights on the shifting perceptions of diamonds. The discussion unveils the dark links between diamond mining and human rights abuses while highlighting the rise of ethical lab-grown alternatives. Steel explores the recent discovery of a giant diamond in Botswana and its economic implications. With younger consumers favoring eco-friendly choices, the future of traditional engagement rings is called into question, revealing a fascinating intersection of love, luxury, and ethics in the diamond industry.

Aug 28, 2024 • 16min
Israeli settlers are seizing land in the West Bank. Will it be permanent?
The war in Gaza has lead to a surge in settler violence. Extreme Israeli settlers are the perpetrators behind the attacks. Not only have they become more aggressive, Israeli settlers have also seized more and more land. One spokesperson from Peace Now, an Israeli organisation that monitors settlement growth, says Jewish extremists in the West Bank are exacerbating an already tense and volatile situation, and making it harder than ever to end the Israel-Palestinian conflict. So will these settlements will permanent? The BBC’s Middle East correspondent Yolande Knell explains.On Wednesday Israeli forces launched a "counterterrorism operation" in the occupied West Bank which includes air strikes and ground troops in several Palestinian towns and cities - including in Jenin and Tulkarm.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


