Author: BBC World Service

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Focus on Africa - Indaba: Is Africa benefitting from its mineral wealth?

The African Mining Indaba 2024 on how to invest in the African mining sector, is taking place in Cape Town, South Africa.  Who benefits the most from the continent's expansive mining industry and is investment in mineral processing in the continent on course?

There is an increase of cases of Dementia in Africa.  According to one recent report, dementia will affect over three million people in sub-Saharan Africa by 2030.  Countries in the region have the fastest growing older population in the world.  Is the continent equipped to deal with the rise in numbers?

And we probe the rivalry between Nigeria and South Africa as they argue over who is better at entertainment..and football!

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Focus on Africa - Why are Senegal’s delayed elections controversial?

Senegelese President Mackay Sall, shocked the country over the weekend by announcing that the upcoming February 26th election would be delayed.  This led to protests and a vote by lawmakers, agreeing to extend the Presidents tenure and delay elections until December. Is this move lawful? Also, Botswana often tops the list as Africa's least corrupt country, so what is it doing differently?

And how did former president Nelson Mandela’s personal belongings end up in an auction?

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Good Bad Billionaire - Warren Buffett: The oracle of Omaha

How Warren Buffett became the richest investor in history, amassing a fortune of over $120 billion, without moving from the Nebraska home he bought in 1958.

BBC business editor Simon Jack and journalist Zing Tsjeng discover how Buffett earned his first money as a six year old, bought his first shares at 11 and filed his first tax return at 13. He went on to formulate his own investment philosophy on the way to becoming incredibly rich.

Simon and Zing reveal Buffett's biggest deals and pithiest phrases from his decades of investing, as well as his unconventional love life. Then they decide if he's good, bad, or just another billionaire.

We’d love to hear your feedback. Email goodbadbillionaire@bbc.com or drop us a text or WhatsApp to +1 (917) 686-1176.

To find out more about the show and read our privacy notice, visit www.bbcworldservice.com/goodbadbillionaire

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Focus on Africa - Nairobi County Governor vows to act following gas fire

After the huge gas explosion and fire that engulfed buildings and cars, killing at least six people and injuring scores of others, we hear from Nairobi County Governor Sakaja Johnson, on what action is being taken to investigate officials accused of being "incompetent and corrupt".

Ethiopia is on the brink of famine triggered by war and drought warns a UK government minister. We hear more from the BBC’s diplomatic correspondent who has been visiting Ayder hospital in Mekelle, the capital of Ethiopia's Tigray region.

And history making at the Grammys, as South African singer Tyla picks up the first ever award for best African performance.

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CrowdScience - Why do we daydream?

Have you ever been through a romantic break up, unable to shift the ex from your thoughts? You are, obviously, not alone…

Listener Elkin, experienced just that. But rather than wallowing in self-pity, he sought out an explanation. Where better to get it, than from CrowdScience. Now, Alex Lathbridge is putting on his thinking cap to find out why we daydream?

Presenter: Alex Lathbridge Producer: Harrison Lewis Editor: Martin Smith Production: Jonathan Harris

Featuring:

Giulia Poerio, Lecturer in Psychology, University of Sussex. Kalina Christoff, Professor of Psychology, University of British Columbia. Eli Sommer, Israeli Professor of Clinical Psychology, University of Haifa. Sophie Forster, Reader in Psychology, University of Sussex

(Photo: Man daydreaming surrounded by clouds. Credit: jacquesdurocher / Getty Images)

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Focus on Africa - Is Facebook losing its appeal in Africa?

As Facebook looks to celebrate its 20th birthday on Sunday, we look at its appeal on the continent. What do Africans think about the social media platform?

Also Tunisia positions itself as a competitive destination for medical tourism

And Ethiopia wants to ban fuel imported cars for personal use, replacing it with electric ones but, does it have the infrastructure to do this?

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Focus on Africa - Is Facebook losing its appeal in Africa?

As Facebook looks to celebrate its 20th birthday on Sunday, we look at its appeal on the continent. What do Africans think about the social media platform?

Also Tunisia positions itself as a competitive destination for medical tourism

And Ethiopia wants to ban fuel imported cars for personal use, replacing it with electric ones but, does it have the infrastructure to do this?

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Science In Action - Unethical data gathering in China

Starting upbeat this week, engineer Teddy Tzanetos, team lead of NASA’s Ingenuity mission, talks on the Mars-based helicopter which defied all expectations. Our big story this week is on the scientific papers and research databases which contain the DNA profile of thousands of people from persecuted ethnic minorities in China. This data is often collected in association with security forces. Computational biologist and campaigner Yves Moreau now leads the call for scrutiny and the retraction of these papers and databases, which lack evidence of free and informed consent. We often cover the ever-growing threat of bird flu to mammalian populations on Science in Action. But how does the virus make the successful leap from bird to mammal cells? Virologist Wendy Barclay discusses the potential tricks the virus uses to adapt and grow.

And, finally, zoologist Sam Fabian has been trying to answer the question everyone thinks they already know: why are moths attracted to artificial light?

Presenter: Roland Pease Producer: Ella Hubber Production Coordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth

(Image: Protest in Urumqi in China's far west Xinjiang province on July 7, 2009. Credit: PETER PARKS/AFP via Getty Images)

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World Book Club - Carlo Rovelli: Seven Brief Lessons on Physics

Presenter Harriett Gilbert and readers around the world talk to acclaimed Italian physicist and writer Carlo Rovelli about his runaway bestseller Seven Brief Lessons on Physics.

A compact and engaging exploration of some of the most fundamental ideas in modern physics this book takes readers on a captivating journey through seven concise chapters, each dedicated to a different topic. From the theory of relativity to quantum mechanics and the nature of time, Rovelli presents complex concepts with remarkable clarity, making them accessible to a wide audience.

Throughout the book, Rovelli weaves together the history of scientific discovery with his own personal reflections, creating a narrative that is both poetic and thought-provoking. Delving into the mysteries of the universe and examining our own place in the cosmos Rovelli invites readers to ponder the profound questions that physics raises about the nature of space, time, and existence itself.

(Photo: Carlo Rovelli. Credit: Christopher Wahl.)

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Focus on Africa - What is Tagadum and can it end war in Sudan ?

Political analyst Kholood Khair assesses Tagadum, a civilian initiative lead by former Sudan Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok seeking to bring the two fighting generals to the peace table.

Should the rules to reducing carbon emissions, be different for African countries?

And we reflect on the legacy of Ghanaian pioneer photographer Bruce Vanderpuije.