What in the World

For some countries in Africa ruling is very much a family business. Ali Bongo was president of Gabon for 14 years. But that’s nothing compared to his father, who ruled for 41 years. And Mr Bongo will not go on to beat his dad’s record. He’s the latest African leader to be deposed in a coup. There have now been eight in Central and West African states in the last three years. With growing discontent for the traditional, elite families that have dominated many countries for decades we’re asking if Africa’s “nepo baby” leaders are getting nervous. Plus how do these coups happen and how do people pull them off? We speak to Professor Rory Cormac from the University of Nottingham about the plotters who risk it all for power. Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart with Beverly Ochieng Producers: Alex Rhodes and William Lee Adams Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Discussion on North Korea's recent missile tests, the division between North and South Korea, and common misconceptions. Exploring life in North Korea, including propaganda, fashion rules, limited TV channels, smuggling, and internet restrictions. Also discussing extensive monitoring, marijuana legality, and North Korea's unpredictable future.

Poor air quality is now one of the greatest threats to human health. That’s according to a study from the University of Chicago’s Energy Policy Institute. Researchers say air pollution cuts life expectancy by five years in South Asia, the worst affected region.Two BBC reporters — Jaidaa Taha in Cairo and Trisha Husada in Jakarta — tell us what it’s like living in cities coping with high levels of pollution. And from Delhi our South Asia correspondent, Samira Hussain, discusses the startling impact pollution can have on health outcomes. We also hear from Glory Dolphin Hammes — the CEO of IQAir, a tech company that monitors air quality in real time around the world. Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams, Mora Morrison, Alex Rhodes and Julia Ross-Roy Editors: Verity Wilde and Rachael Akidi Okwir

Ecuador used to have one of the lowest annual murder rates in Latin America. But this year there’s been 3500 murders so far and in the midst presidential elections one of the candidates - Fernando Villavicencio - was shot and killed after a campaign event.Hannah is joined by Ana Maria Roura, a BBC Mundo reporter who was born in Ecuador, to get an explanation on what led to the country’s increasing violence. And what’s being done to stop it?Also, the BBC’s Ece Goksedef tells us about the French government’s decision to ban the abaya in state schools, and explains how it links to the country’s history of secularism. Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler, Benita Barden, Alex Rhodes and Julia Ross-Roy Researcher: Dan Eboka Editors: Verity Wilde and Rachael Akidi Okwir

From the U.S. to Australia, reality TV show contestants have been discussing their mental health. The same is true for Big Brother Naija, which is currently airing its eighth season – a special All-Stars edition. The Nigerian programme -- one of the biggest reality shows in Africa – often reflects public debates around important issues like women’s rights and mental health. BBC Pidgin journalist and self-described “BB Naija stan” Faith Oshoko joins us from Lagos to explain why the show is so popular across the continent. We also hear from Season 6 contestant Ololade Gbolahan — better known as Mr. KayVee — who walked out of the show after experiencing what he describes as a “mental breakdown.”Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenters: William Lee Adams with Faith Oshoko Producers: Mora Morrison and Emily Horler Editors: Verity Wilde and Rachael Akidi Okwir

Japan has started to release more than a million tonnes of treated waste water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean. The United Nations nuclear watchdog says it’s safe - but what actually is in the water? And why has there been so much criticism?Hannah is joined by Navin Singh Khadka, a BBC World Service environment correspondent and Tessa Wong, a BBC reporter in Singapore to get the answers.Our health correspondent James Gallagher also explains what exposure to radiation does to our bodies and health - and assesses how dangerous this waste water is.Also in the episode - Coldplay, Beyoncé and Taylor Swift are famous for their huge international tours, but what environmental impact do concerts and festivals have? Jordan Dunbar tells us a bit about what he found out in his episode of The Climate Question podcast. Spoiler alert - it’s the fans, not the private jets. Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Benita Barden, Alex Rhodes and Julia Ross-Roy Researcher: Dan Eboka Editors: Verity Wilde and Rachael Akidi Okwir

A plane has crashed in Russia - and everyone on it is said to have died. The Russian authorities say Yevgeny Prigozhin was amongst them. Lots of people are asking; Was the plane crash an accident? How come it was all caught on camera? And is Mr Prigozhin really dead? In this episode Hannah is joined by Beverly Ochieng and Howard Gethin, both from BBC Monitoring, to explain who Prigozhin is, what the Wagner group does and what we know about the crash. We answer your questions - including one from the BBC’s Ashley Lime in Nairobi - on what will happen to Wagner forces in Africa? Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Julia Ross-Roy and Filiz Gurer Editors: Verity Wilde and Rachael Akidi OkwirAudio for this episode was update on 24 August 2023

India's Chandrayaan-3 is the first mission to land near the south pole. One of its main goals is to hunt for water ice. Scientists believe the deep craters on the dark side of the moon may hold frozen water as they’re permanently in shadow.India's success comes just after Russia's Luna-25 spacecraft spun out of control and crashed trying the same thing.Ashley Christine explains maths, science and philosophy on TikTok - she talks us through what we know about water on the moon. Our reporter in Delhi, Geeta Pandey, has been following the mission from India. And Harriet Bradshaw, our science reporter, ponders what life might be like if we lived on the moon.Also, Indian chess fans tell us how excited they are about the World Cup final, where Pragg is going head-to-head with Magnus Carlsen.Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler, Benita Barden and Alex Rhodes Researcher: Dan Eboka Editors: Verity Wilde and Rachael Akidi Okwir

Somalia’s government has banned TikTok, Telegram, and online betting website 1XBet.It says it’s to ‘limit terrorists and immoral groups spreading constant horrific images and misinformation to the public’. Lots of users rely on TikTok for income, entertainment, and to stay informed. Many have been posting their shock online using the hashtag #tiktokban. So, in this episode we’re asking: Why is Somalia banning these apps? And why are some TikTokers threatening to take to the streets?BBC Somali’s Fardowsa Hanshi has spoken to the country’s communications minister and prominent TikTokers in Somalia - including Abdisalam Abukar who has 1.5 million followers. Fardowsa joins us from Nairobi to explain.Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Mora Morrison and William Lee Adams Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Two reporters help us to reflect on the legacy of this women’s football World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Sergi Forcada Freixas watched the game in Madrid in a fan zone and Katie Falkingham watched it in Manchester. She also breaks down some of the key facts of the history of women’s football and who she thinks are the biggest legends of all time.And the BBC’s Nadine Yousif takes us through the impact of Meta’s news ban on people trying to evacuate the Canadian wildfires.Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Benita Barden Editors: Verity Wilde and Rachael Akidi Okwir