
We need precious metals to run green tech but what’s the cost of mining them?
Norway has approved commercial-scale deep-sea mining off its shores in the hunt for precious metals which are in high demand for green technologies. However, environmental scientists warn it could be devastating for marine life. Climate reporter Esme Stallard takes us through the controversial plans.
One of the metals Norway is looking for is cobalt. Currently the world’s main source of cobalt lies in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where miners toil in often poor conditions and armed conflict in the country has contributed to what the United Nations says is one of the “largest humanitarian crises in the world”.
BBC Africa’s Wedaeli Chibelushi describes the picture in the country and explains why some TikTokers are quitting vaping because of mines in the DRC.
Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee Adams Producers: Alex Rhodes and Adam Chowdhury Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks
ADHD is a condition that causes difficulties with things like concentrating, regulating emotions and sitting still. And many young women living with ADHD say their symptoms worsen during specific periods of their menstrual cycle.
Now, a first of its kind study by Queen Mary University and Kings College in London is putting that potential link to the test. They’re asking around 50 women who have ADHD and are taking medication for it to track their menstrual cycle and the impact it has on their ADHD symptoms, and daily life more broadly.
Dr Jessica Agnew-Blais, lead academic on the study, explains the motivations behind her work and why past ADHD studies have focused mostly on men and boys. We also hear from two women living with ADHD who explain how their symptoms change during their menstrual cycle.
Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams and Chelsea Coates Editor: Verity Wilde
Sickle cell is a genetic blood condition that can cause severe pain, extreme tiredness and serious health complications. It mainly affects people of African and Caribbean heritage, and for many, it's something they've had to live with their whole lives. But that could be changing.
We meet Daniel Cressy, a young man from Louisiana whose dream is to become a pilot. After years of living with sickle cell, he received a ground-breaking treatment that has effectively cured him. He shares what life was like before and what it's like now to be sickle cell free.
We'll also hear from Dr Steven Okoli, who breaks down how these new treatments work and what needs to happen to make them available to more people across the world. Could we be entering a future where sickle cell is no longer a lifelong condition?
Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Emma-Louise Amanshia Producers: William Lee Adams and Stefania Okereke Video Producer: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde
There’s a new Netflix show that has got lots of us talking: The Polygamist. It’s a drama based in South Africa about a wealthy businessman named Jonasi Gomora who has multiple wives and a mistress. It’s packed with betrayal, revenge… and cheating. It’s become the most-watched Netflix show in South Africa and Kenya, and it’s hit the top 10 in countries like Nigeria and Romania too. But it’s also got people talking about polygamous relationships - which are legal in South Africa and many other countries - and whether they work.
BBC reporter Khanyisile Ngcobo joins us from Johannesburg to unpick how people in South Africa have been reacting to the show, how polygamy traditionally works, and how conversations around it are changing. And we hear from fans in Ghana, South Africa, the US and the UK, who share what their group chats have been saying about the hit show.
Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams and Chelsea Coates Editor: Verity Wilde
According to the National Institute of Health, long or repeated exposure to sounds at or above 85 dBA can cause hearing loss. The noise levels at a big concert or live music gig typically fall between 90 and 120 dBA, according to the British Academy of Audiology. These levels depend on things like the type of music, whether the venue is indoors or outdoors, and how close you stand to the speakers.
So what impact is this level of noise having on our ears and can the trendy, visible earplugs that are booming online protect you from hearing loss. We speak to Andrew Rogers from BBC Newsbeat who has been reporting from gigs and festivals across the UK and speaking to earplug users.
BBC Health Correspondent, James Gallagher gives us a full explanation on what happens inside our ears when we are in loud environments.
Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Lucy Davies, Benita Barden,Eleanor Sly and Liv Cleal Editor: Verity Wilde
