What in the World

A volcanic eruption in the Reykjanes peninsula of south-west Iceland has captured the world’s attention. But how dangerous are volcanoes, and how much do we know about their activity?The BBC's Science correspondent Pallab Ghosh explains why Iceland is such a hotbed of volcanic activity and the health risks that volcanoes can pose. Nick Beake, the BBC’s Europe correspondent, describes his helicopter ride over the Grindavik volcano. And Dr Kenna Rubin, a volcanologist at the University of Rhode Island, explains the different types of volcanoes you can find all around the world. We also speak to Anna and Sigrún — two of the more than 4,000 residents of Grindavik who have been evacuated to safety. Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams, Chelsea Coates, Benita Barden Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Since April this year the Sudanese army and a rival military group called the RSF, the Rapid Support Forces, have been locked in a civil war that’s raged across the country. The United Nations says more than 12,000 people have been killed, and over seven million displaced.Two Sudanese women in different parts of the country describe the effect the war has had on their lives. Kalkidan Yibetal, a BBC journalist based in Ethiopia, explains who’s winning where, the massive impact on civilians and why there’s no sign of a peace deal. And James Copnall, who used to be a BBC correspondent in Sudan, gives us the background to this war, broken down into three parts. Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Alex Rhodes, Chelsea Coates and Julia Ross-Roy Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Myanmar is now the world's largest producer of opium, overtaking Afghanistan. That’s after the Taliban banned the cultivation of opium poppies, which can be used to make heroin.Growing opium is illegal in both counties, but that isn’t stopping all farmers from growing the crop. Yogita Limaye, the BBC’s South Asia and Afghanistan correspondent, explains how the ban has impacted farmers who previously depended on opium to survive. And Soe Win Than, editor of the BBC Burmese Service, tells us how corruption and political instability in Myanmar have contributed to the growth in opium production.Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams, Baldeep Chahal, Benita Barden Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

As AI technology advances, new image generator apps pop up all the time. Some of these can be used to make deepfake pornography where someone’s face is stitched onto an image of a naked body. Pictures of faces are often taken from social media profiles and used without consent. Our Disinformation Reporter, Jack Goodman, takes us through how the tech works and what you should do if a deepfake video is made of you.It’s not just deepfake porn that’s a worry though - fake videos can be made of almost anything. The BBC’s Noor Nanji explains how Bollywood actresses are being targeted in this way.And Dr Kerry McInerney and Dr Eleanor Drage from Cambridge University and the Good Robot podcast tell us about their biggest concerns around AI. What do tech companies need to do to protect people?Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenters: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler, Alex Rhodes and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

There’s a concerning rise in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) across Europe. That’s according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). In a new report they focus on three specific STIs: chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV).Lina Nerlander, the lead STI expert at the ECDC, explains some of the factors that may be contributing to the increase. So how do you know if you have an STI? Michelle Roberts, a doctor and health reporter with the BBC, talks us through some of the symptoms.And Adriana Stinga, a sexual health counsellor in Romania, discusses how she’s working to improve sexual health education in her country. Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams, Mora Morrison Editors: Emily Horler and Simon Peeks

All members of BTS are now in the South Korean military. This week, lead vocalist Jung Kook joined the rest of the group to enlist - a requirement of all able-bodied South Korean men aged 18-28.There have been exemptions given to Olympic medallists and classical musicians but not for the BTS boys - although they were allowed to defer their service until the age of 30.The BBC’s Frances Mao explains what their service will involve and when we can expect them to return. And Alex from the What in the World team runs us through some other celebs that have served in their country's army.Also, we’re going to take a look at football violence in Turkey after a referee got punched in the face by an owner of one of the teams. We speak to Victoria Craig, a BBC reporter in Ankara. How linked are football and politics in Turkey?Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenters: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Alex Rhodes Editor: William Lee Adams and Simon Peeks

It’s been over two months since Hamas attacked Israel. The war between both sides has continued since then, with a temporary ceasefire and pauses in fighting in recent weeks. The BBC’s International Editor Jeremy Bowen, who has been covering the Middle East for nearly 30 years, gives us his analysis on how the war could end.One challenge for Israel is Hamas’s network of tunnels, where its leaders are thought to be hiding. It’s believed to run for hundreds of miles, under most of Gaza. Jeremy is one of few BBC journalists who has been inside the tunnels, several years ago. He describes what they’re like and why they’re so important in this conflict. The head of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees recently described Gaza as “hell on earth”. Hisham Mhanna from the ICRC tells us what it’s like in Southern Gaza right now, and the BBC’s Sally Nabil in Cairo explains the challenges getting aid across the border. Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Julia Ross-Roy and Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Nearly 200 countries have agreed a new global deal on climate change at COP28 in Dubai. It’s the biggest step forward on climate since the Paris Agreement in 2015. For the first time, countries are calling for a move away from fossil fuels, but the language is far weaker than many wanted.Our Climate and Science reporter, Esme Stallard, walks us through the details of the deal. What could mean for our futures?We also hear from three BBC Monitoring journalists: Rupsha Mukurjee, who covers India; Padmaja Venkataraman, who reports on China; and Rose Njiroge, who covers sub-saharan Africa. What scores out of 10 does this COP get from India, China and Africa?Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenters: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler, Alex Rhodes and Julia Ross-Roy Editor: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

On Monday, India’s Supreme Court upheld the government’s 2019 decision to revoke Article 370. That’s a law that previously gave the region of Jammu and Kashmir special status within India to make its own laws.Umang Poddar, a reporter in the BBC Delhi Bureau, explains why Prime Minister Narendra Modi revoked the law and what it means. Plus: Is it a good idea to take a social media detox? Luis from the What in the World team tells us about a recent study that suggests some drawbacks. Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart with Umang Poddar Producers: William Lee Adams, Baldeep Chahal, Luis Felipe Molina Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

With a more liberal stance on social issues, Pope Francis' softer stance on LGBTQ+ issues has caused controversy within the Catholic Church. In this podcast, the guest provides insights on the Pope's LGBTQ+ legacy and his views on inclusivity. The podcast also addresses misconceptions about being LGBTQ+ and Catholic, emphasizing that change within the Catholic Church takes time.