What in the World

Helping you make sense of what’s happening in your world.

World Service,753 episodes

Episodes

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The ongoing mysteries of Egypt’s Pyramids of Giza
Do we now know for certain how the Ancient Egyptians built the Pyramids?
29 May 2025,10 mins
How politicians use styling to win hearts (and votes)
In South Korea, what presidential candidates are wearing is a hot topic
28 May 2025,12 mins
How do musicians make money?
And how much do they really get from us streaming their songs?
27 May 2025,10 mins
Why Trump’s ‘white genocide’ claim in South Africa is false
We debunk the statements made by the US President
26 May 2025,11 mins
The difficulties of getting aid into Gaza
Israel has now allowed aid in - but distributing it is proving difficult
23 May 2025,15 mins
Would you turn down a $400m plane?
If so, President Trump thinks you’re a ‘stupid person’
22 May 2025,12 mins
Fortnite, Darth Vader and the use of AI voices in gaming
Why not use human voices?
21 May 2025,13 mins
What’s being done to tackle skin-lightening in Nigeria?
The WHO says 77% of women in Nigeria use skin-whitening products
20 May 2025,13 mins
JAMB 2025: How Nigeria’s university entrance exams went wrong
A record number of students failed because of power cuts and technical issues
19 May 2025,11 mins
Why are young men getting hair transplants in Turkey?
Thousands of people fly there each year for a new hairline - but is it safe?
16 May 2025,15 mins
White snus: Why are teens, Swedes and footballers getting hooked?
Nicotine pouches are increasingly popular with young people in Europe and the US
15 May 2025,10 mins
How did Virat Kohli become one of the world’s biggest sports stars?
And what legacy does he leave for Indian Test cricket?
14 May 2025,12 mins
Big Ocean: The world’s first K-Pop band with hearing loss
How do the Big Ocean members make and perform their music?
13 May 2025,11 mins
Why are India and Pakistan clashing over Kashmir?
All the background details you need to understand what’s been happening
12 May 2025,12 mins
New Pope, who dis?
Who is the new Pope, Robert Prevost, Leo XIV?
09 May 2025,11 mins
Why are we obsessed with true crime?
And are true crime shows bad for your brain?
08 May 2025,12 mins
How does compulsory voting work?
And how does it impact democracy?
07 May 2025,11 mins
Could Bali become waste-free in just two years?
As a tourist hotspot, single-use plastic is used a lot
06 May 2025,10 mins
Why shea butter production could dry up
The popular moisturising product is under threat from human activity
05 May 2025,8 mins
Axolotls: How the endangered amphibian is making a comeback
And what can we learn from their ability to regrow their body parts?
02 May 2025,11 mins
Everything you need to know about the Diddy trial
From baby oil to “freak-offs”
01 May 2025,12 mins
Why would someone try to smuggle 5,000 ants?
Kenya hopes to use bio-piracy laws to crack down on wildlife smuggling
30 Apr 2025,12 mins
How does going into space impact the human body?
Spending a lot of time in zero gravity can have all sorts of consequences
29 Apr 2025,12 mins
Why is plastic surgery so popular in China?
Apps to analyse faces and book surgery are also becoming more popular
28 Apr 2025,13 mins
Are your fashion choices a ‘recession indicator’?
The office-core aesthetic isn’t just about style
25 Apr 2025,12 mins
How inclusive is Korean make-up?
Some K-beauty brands are expanding their colour ranges
24 Apr 2025,14 mins
How Ed Sheeran’s song ‘Azizam’ started a conversation on women’s rights in Iran
The ‘Shape of You’ hitmaker sings in Farsi
23 Apr 2025,12 mins
After Pope Francis, what do young Catholics want next?
And what’s the conclave and how is the next pope chosen?
22 Apr 2025,10 mins
Are all luxury handbags really made in China?
TikTok and the US-China trade war collide
21 Apr 2025,12 mins
Katy Perry went to space but does that make her an astronaut?
She went to space and she liked it
18 Apr 2025,12 mins