What in the World

BBC reporters Katie McEvinney and Dorcas Wangira discuss the impact of false online rumors about birth control on abortion rates in Scotland and attitudes towards contraception in Africa. They highlight the responsibility of social media platforms, the effectiveness and safety of hormonal contraceptives, and the challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa. Seeking advice from reliable sources is crucial for choosing the right contraception method.

This podcast explores the widespread use of palm oil and its negative impact on the environment and endangered species. It discusses efforts to find alternatives and regulate the palm oil industry. Additionally, the podcast touches on the controversy surrounding drag queen events and the resilience of drag performers.

A billion dollar haul of illegal Captagon pills was intercepted in the UAE, revealing Syria's strong involvement in the drug trade, potentially linked to the highest levels of the government. The popularity and effects of Capne-Gon, a party drug in the Middle East, are explored. The podcast also discusses the suspension of women's tennis tournaments in China due to sexual assault allegations against a former vice premier.

Mahsa Amini, a young woman from Iran, died in police custody for wearing her hijab too loosely, sparking protests and calls for women's rights. Journalists Baran Abbasi and Kian Sharifi discuss life for young women in Iran after the protests. Mimi Swaby shares hopeful relief efforts in Morocco after an earthquake.

Devastating flooding has washed away entire neighbourhoods, killing tens of thousands of people in Libya. In this episode, BBC Monitoring’s Amira Fathalla explains how the country’s history and unique political situation has made everything far more complicated. And Esme Stallard, a BBC climate reporter, examines the role climate change could have played in the storm’s severity. Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenters: Hannah Gelbart with Amira Fathalla Producers: Emily Horler, Alex Rhodes and Maria Clara Montoya Editors: Julia Ross-Roy and Simon Peeks

The professional wrestling company WWE and the Mixed Martial Arts company UFC have merged in a giant deal that has created a new organisation called TKO Holdings. The WWE and UFC are quite different and fans of the brands aren’t sure what this deal will mean for them or the future of the sports.Alex from the What in the World team explains the differences between the UFC, which is a real combat sport, and the WWE, which is a scripted form of entertainment. BBC business journalist Tom Gerken explains the incentives behind the merger, and BBC Sport reporter Paul Battison assesses whether the scripted and non-scripted formats will appeal to existing fans.We also hear from Nicole Vaziri, the daughter of WWE wrestler The Iron Sheik. She tells us what it was like growing up with the former heavyweight world champion and explains how different he was from the villainous character he portrayed in the ring.Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenters: Hannah Gelbart with Alex Rhodes Producers: Benita Barden and William Lee Adams Editors: Julia Ross-Roy and Simon Peeks

The new ruling legalises abortion across all 32 states. Mexico's Supreme Court said the denial of the possibility of a termination violated the human rights of women.BBC Mundo's Beatriz de la Pava talks us through what abortion laws are like across Latin America and explains how this rule-change might need a cultural shift for it to have significant impact.Also, the BBC's Mimi Swaby is with aid crews in the Moroccan Atlas Mountains - the area most affected by Friday's earthquake. She explains why the government hasn't accepted aid from all countries that have offered it.Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenters: William Lee Adams with Beatriz de la Pava Producers: Alex Rhodes and Emily Horler Editor: Simon Peeks

Rescue efforts are continuing in Morocco following a deadly earthquake. The worst affected areas are remote villages in the Atlas Mountains. Aid workers are struggling to reach survivors due to its poor infrastructure, rubble and boulders. Mimi Swaby, a BBC reporter, tells us about the ongoing rescue and relief efforts. Also on the pod - is 2023 India’s year of wins? They’ve just hosted the G20 summit and had a successful moon landing in August. BBC India correspondent Zubair Ahmed explains how the country prepared to host some of the world’s most powerful leaders. Finally, Maria Clara Montoya tells us how Spain is reacting to the resignation of Luis Rubiales as president of the Spanish football federation in the wake of the Se Acabo movement.Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenters: Hannah Gelbart with Benita Barden Producers: William Lee Adams Editors: Emily Horler and Simon Peeks

BBC climate reporter Georgina Rannard discusses the rise of climate-related court cases and the involvement of young activists. Topics include young people bringing countries to trial, winning climate cases, emotional journeys of activists, transition from fossil fuels, and an overview of the first Africa climate summit.

The German politician Hubert Aiwanger has admitted to carrying an anti-Jewish pamphlet that mocked the Holocaust when he was a schoolboy. But despite Germany’s tough laws against antisemitism and glorifying Nazism, he’s been allowed to keep his job as deputy premier of Bavaria, the biggest state in the country. Now some worry Germany’s stance against antisemitism is weakening.BBC reporter Kristina Volk, who grew up in Bavaria, explains the scandal, how hate speech laws apply online, and how the Holocaust is taught in schools. Also: Surbhi Kaul, a journalist in the BBC Delhi bureau, talks to Alex about why people are discussing whether India could be renamed Bharat. Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee Adams with Kristina Volk Producers: Alex Rhodes and Julia Ross-Roy Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks