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What in the World

What in the World

By: BBC World Service
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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.

(C) BBC 2026
Politics & Government
Episodes
  • The UN recognises slave trade as ‘gravest crime’: What now?
    Mar 30 2026

    The United Nations has voted to recognise the transatlantic slave trade as the “gravest crime against humanity”, after a proposal from Ghana. It comes after years of campaigning from African and Caribbean nations, calling for reparations for the largest long-distance forced movement of people in recorded history.

    But not all governments supported the vote. The US, Israel and Argentina voted against it and 52 countries - mostly members of the EU - decided not to take part. The wording of the resolution has received criticism, with some arguing it implies that some crimes against humanity are worse than others.

    So what does this vote mean - and how could it change the way we look at this chapter of history in the future?

    BBC Africa reporter Daniel Dadzie joins us for this episode to explain it all - along with two students based in Accra, Malisecullen and Abena. We also hear from Meghan in the US, who shares her thoughts on her country rejecting the vote.

    Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Mora Morrison, William Lee Adams and Chelsea Coates Editor: Verity Wilde

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    10 mins
  • The verdict’s in…is social media about to change forever?
    Mar 27 2026

    A 20 year old woman in the US has successfully sued Meta and YouTube over her childhood addiction to social media, winning $6million in damages.

    Jurors found that Meta, which owns Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp, and Google, owner of YouTube, intentionally built addictive social media platforms that harmed her mental health.

    This result is likely to have implications for hundreds of similar cases now winding their way through US courts. Meta and Google said they disagreed with the verdict and intended to appeal.

    In this episode BBC tech correspondent Joe Tidy explains the arguments made in the trial and whether this decision could lead to any changes in the way they work. And we hear your views on whether you think these apps are addictive and what you make of the ruling.

    Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Benita Barden, William Lee Adams and Julia Ross-Roy Editor: Verity Wilde

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    11 mins
  • Why are celebrities like KSI buying football clubs?
    Mar 26 2026

    Ryan Reynolds and Wrexham, Michael B Jordan and AFC Bournemouth, Snoop Dogg and Swansea City FC. And now YouTuber KSI and Dagenham and Redbridge. There’s a growing list of celebrities investing in lower league English and Welsh football clubs. But is this a good thing for the clubs? And how much influence do these celebs actually have? Emma Middleton from BBC Sport explains. We also hear from some fans around the world.

    It’s not just English and Welsh football. Celebrities are also buying into American football teams, Formula One and cricket with the Indian Premier League. Journalist Janhavee Moole tells us about the situation in India.

    Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Benita Barden, Chelsea Coates and Julia Ross-Roy Video producer: Tim Hodges Editor: Verity Wilde

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    13 mins
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