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What in the World

What in the World

Written 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.

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Daily Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Why is The Odyssey so controversial?
    Jul 22 2026

    Christopher Nolan's latest film, The Odyssey, is already making headlines. Shot entirely with IMAX 70mm cameras, it’s got a star-studded cast including Zendaya, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson and Lupita Nyong'o. The epic has also had a huge box office opening, earning nearly $260 million worldwide - that makes it one of the year's biggest releases so far.

    But not everyone is celebrating. From casting choices to its portrayal of Greek mythology, the film has sparked debate and criticism online. We speak to BBC Culture's Nicholas Barber to break down the controversy and explain why so many people are talking about it.

    Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee Adams Producers: Chelsea Coates and Stefania Okereke Editor: Verity Wilde

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    12 mins
  • Why more young men are trying to quit porn
    Jul 21 2026

    Loads of young men watch porn and there are plenty of studies that suggest it can be bad for mental health and relationships. Some governments have restricted access to porn sites, and there’s a growing movement towards cutting out porn.

    Freddie Woodward is a British Diver and quit porn two years ago. He tell us why he did it.

    Some people have healthy relationships with porn but there is some misinformation online and even harmful claims about sex, porn and masturbation. Jacqui Wakefield, our Global Health Correspondent, takes us through some of these claims.

    Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Eleanor Sly Video Producer: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

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    11 mins
  • Meet the Likweli: The orange-lipped monkey hidden in DR Congo
    Jul 20 2026

    A monkey with striking orange lips and a black furry coat has been officially recognised as a new species in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It was first spotted back in 2008, but at the time researchers only managed to capture a blurry photograph, leaving many questions unanswered. Years later, after extensive fieldwork and research, scientists have finally confirmed it as a species new to science. They've named it “Colobus congoensis”, while local communities have long known it as “Likweli”.

    Our BBC Science Correspondent Victoria Gill reveals what makes this monkey so special and how researchers finally solved the mystery of its identity.

    Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Stefania Okereke Editor: Verity Wilde

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    11 mins
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