पडकास्ट
BBC World Service
७६६ एपिसोड · en
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.
२०२६ जुन ३० · ११ मिनेट
.When you think of fertility, you might automatically think of women’s fertility. But there are men online doing something called ‘fertilitymaxxing’ - it’s all about young men trying a bunch of unproven hacks in hopes of improving their sperm health. Content with these hacks are often pushed by male wellness and manosphere influencers online - but is this really about raising more awareness of male fertility (which is an under-researched issue)? Or is it about other anxieties Gen Z men might have about their health - and masculinity more generally? Jacqui Wakefield is our Global Health Correspondent and has been speaking to men, like Simon in Miami, who have been doing things like icing his testicles in a bid to boost sperm count. And also Professor Channa Jayasena, a reproductive endocrinologist and Imperial College, explains that some medicines these influencers are recommending can be very dangerous. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Chelsea Coates Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ जुन २९ · १० मिनेट
After a devastating double earthquake in Venezuela, tens of thousands of people are still believed to be missing, with many trapped under rubble. Nearly 1,500 people have been confirmed dead and the death toll is expected to rise. Aid agencies say the first 72 hours after a disaster are the most critical to finding people alive. But there is a lack of heavy machinery and specialised equipment needed to rescue people. Much of the emergency response is being carried out by volunteers and international aid workers from Turkey, the UK and France. BBC’s Global Affairs reporter Mimi Swaby gives us the latest update on the situation. Against all odds, several videos online show miraculous stories of survival, like young infants and children being lifted from the rubble. Bill Murphy, a professor of engineering geology at the University of Leeds in the UK, tells us what increases the chances of survival in awful conditions like these. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Emma-Louise Amanshia Producer: William Lee Adams and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ जुन २६ · १० मिनेट
Buzz around the GTA 6 pre-order is building fast. After two trailers and a 13-year wait, fans can finally play the latest instalment of the game on 19 November when it’s released on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S. Priced at $79.99 and $100 for its standard and premium versions in the US, it’s expected to generate billions for its developer Rockstar Games. BBC technology reporter Laura Cress explains the scale and significance of the upcoming release. We also hear from GTA fans from Italy, South Africa and Canada about why they love the game. Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams and Stefania Okereke Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ जुन २५ · ११ मिनेट
For some women, the two-week luteal phase of their menstrual cycle can be extremely disruptive and life altering. PMDD or Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder is mental health disorder directly linked to regular hormonal fluctuations that take place during a cycle. People living with PMDD can experience anger, anxiety, severe depression, and even suicidal thoughts which then stops shortly after menstruation begins. Two women, Shariya in the US and Janna in Germany tell us how PMDD has impacted them. There’s very little scientific research about why PMDD happens and the signs or symptoms can be missed by doctors. We hear from BBC Health Reporter Ruth Clegg, who’s been reporting on how social media has shifted perceptions of the disorder, and led to changes around how doctors screen for symptoms. If you are affected by any of the issues in this episode, or suffering distress or despair and need support, you could speak to a health professional, or an organisation that offers support. Details of help available in many countries can be found at Befrienders Worldwide. www.befrienders.org Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Benita Barden, Ash Mohamed and Adam Chowdhury Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ जुन २४ · ११ मिनेट
A heatwave across Western Europe has left tens of millions of people coping with record temperatures. France endured its hottest day since records began, with temperatures reaching 44.3C in Pissos, and it’s estimated that nearly 100 million people will endure temperatures of over 35 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. Temperatures can feel particularly extreme in cities, where buildings trap heat and where there’s often a lack of green spaces. In today’s episode, BBC weather presenter Sarah Keith-Lucas explains why we’re seeing more heatwaves. We also hear from people around the world about what it’s like where they live. And several BBC reporters — Davide Ghiglione in Rome, Pierre-Antoine Denis in Nice, Makuochi Okafor in Lagos and our Chelsea Coates and William Lee Adams in London — explain how people in various cities are addressing rising temperatures. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Chelsea Coates and William Lee Adams Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ जुन २३ · ९ मिनेट
For decades, mangrove forests were disappearing at an alarming rate. Now, new satellite data reveals a hopeful shift. After years of decline, these vital coastal ecosystems are making a comeback. In this episode, BBC environment correspondent Matt McGrath explains what mangrove forests are, why they suffered such significant losses from the 1980s through the 2010s and how advances in technology are allowing scientists to track their recovery from space. We also examine why mangroves are one of nature’s most powerful tools for protecting coastlines, storing carbon and helping communities adapt to climate change. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams and Benita Barden Video producer: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ जुन २२ · १० मिनेट
If someone you loved died, would you want to keep chatting to them? Now you can - with an AI griefbot. The idea is you use their texts, emails and voice notes, as well as photos and videos, to train AI to reply in the dead person’s tone and style. It can be through text-based conversation or even an AI-generated voice. The "digital afterlife" industry is now worth more than $130 billion. Is this just the latest way for humans to try to maintain a relationship with their deceased loved ones? Or could it negatively affect the grieving process, if people start to believe that person is actually still alive through the technology? And what might companies do with all the data we input? Tech journalist Tamzin Kraftman explains this growing area of tech and the pros and cons of using griefbots. Andy Langford, clinical director at Cruse, a bereavement charity in the UK, gives us his thoughts. And we hear from Muhammad Ahmad in the US, who developed his own grief bot of his dad. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Julia Ross-Roy, William Lee Adams and Chelsea Coates Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ जुन १९ · १० मिनेट
Smart glasses are big business, Meta, one of the leading manufacturers of the glasses say that last year they sold seven million pairs globally. But new designs that resemble regular sunglasses or reading frames mean they can be difficult to spot. Users can make phone calls, follow maps, and use AI assistants completely hands free. They can also use the built in camera to take photos and record videos subtly - this is part of the controversy. There have been cases of people being filmed secretly and posted online without their consent. So how many people are buying smart glasses and how significant is the risk to privacy? BBC technology reporter Laura Cress tells us about the tech that goes into smart glasses and investigative reporter Georgia Poncia talks us through the concerns. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producer: Benita Barden and Emma-Louise Amanshia Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ जुन १८ · १० मिनेट
Backrooms. Obsession. Bring Her Back. These are some of the biggest Hollywood films from the past 12 months and they have one thing in common: they are all horror movies directed by YouTubers. What’s behind this new wave of directors coming from YouTube and why is horror becoming more and more popular? BBC journalist and horror obsessive Mel Ramsay explains how the likes of Kane Parsons and Curry Barker have shown how their success online can be translated to the box office. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams, Adam Chowdhury, Benita Barden and Chelsea Coates Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ जुन १७ · ११ मिनेट
People in South Korea have been smashing their Starbucks mugs with hammers, a CEO has been fired and there have been protests on the streets, but why? Starbucks is the number one coffee chain in South Korea with over 2000 branches. Recently they launched a marketing campaign for a new reusable tumbler "SS Tank" and they've faced huge backlash. The release was on the same day as the anniversary of the 1980 Gwangju Uprising, a sad day in the history of the country which left more than a 200 people dead. So what impact have the boycotts had? And what happens next? Jake Kwon the BBC's Seoul correspondent tells us about the Tank Day promotion, the financial implications and the wider context of the upset this has caused. We also hear from young people in South Korea on what they think about the boycott. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee Adams Producer: Benita Barden and Emma-Louise Amanshia Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ जुन १६ · ११ मिनेट
For millions of people living with obesity, weight loss drugs have been hailed as a game changer. They’re known as GLP-1s but are more commonly known by their trade names: Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro. So far they’ve only been made by two companies in Denmark and the US and they’re pretty expensive. But now the patents for these drugs have expired in China and India, which means pharmaceutical companies in those countries can now make cheaper copies. India has a reputation as the "pharmacy of the world" because of its ability to turn expensive medicines into affordable mass-market products. The country is the world's largest supplier of generic medicines. Indian companies are already starting to produce and sell these weight loss drugs. So what impact will this have on the cost and supply of weight loss drugs in India and around the world? Archana Shukla, the BBC’s India business correspondent in Mumbai, tells us why the expiry of the patents is such a big deal. And BBC Health correspondent James Gallagher explains how these drugs work. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Chelsea Coates, Julia Ross-Roy and Benita Barden Video Producer: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ जुन १५ · ९ मिनेट
This year’s Fifa World Cup is the biggest yet. The football tournament is being co-hosted by Mexico, Canada and the United States and has a record 48 teams taking part. Four of those teams have qualified for the first time ever: Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan and Uzbekistan. In this episode, we get familiar with the debuting nations on and off the pitch with some of our BBC reporters, including Paul Njie, a senior journalist at BBC Africa, and Husam Assal, a BBC reporter in Amman. Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: William Lee Adams, Benita Barden and Julia Ross-Roy Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ जुन १२ · ९ मिनेट
On Thursday, US President Donald Trump threatened to take “total control" of Iran's oil and gas markets, and to seize Kharg Island. Just hours later though, he claimed an agreement to end the war with Iran was on the horizon and cancelled a third consecutive night of strikes. Mixed messaging from the US President on this conflict is nothing new - but the island at the centre of this latest dispute has a huge role to play. It’s a small, rocky outcrop off of Iran’s coast - but it’s importance for the country’s oil infrastructure- and now for President Trump - is huge. So why is Kharg Island so important? And why does President Trump want it? Ghoncheh Habibiazad, from the BBC’s Persian language service, joins us to unpack it all - and to explain what the consequences could be if President Trump decides to take the island. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee Adams Producers: Chelsea Coates and Emily Horler Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ जुन ११ · १३ मिनेट
PCOS is one of the most common hormonal disorders affecting women globally; affecting roughly 13% of women who have a menstrual cycle. The World Health Organization has estimated that up 70% of women with PCOS worldwide do not know they have this condition. Symptoms can include irregular periods, fertility issues, weight gain, acne, excess hair growth and insulin resistance. There is no cure. And now Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is officially being reclassified as polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS). The new name reflects growing recognition that the condition involves much more than ovarian cysts alone. It’s actually a complex endocrine condition (to do with hormones) which affects the whole body. Experts hope that the name change will lead to a better focus on treating and reversing some of symptoms. Global health reporter Dorcas Wangira in Kenya explains what we know about the condition. And we hear from Professor Helena Teede, from Monash Univerity in Australia, who led the name-changing initiative. Jenef Ngombo, 25 from the UK and Chelle Robotham, in Florida USA, share their experiences of PMOS/PCOS and tell us what they think about the name change. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producer: Shakira Abdi and Julia Ross-Roy Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ जुन १० · ११ मिनेट
Since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia has been banning social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and X. Recently the government also extended the ban to Telegram, one of Russia’s most popular messaging apps. It’s cracking down on VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) and it’s introduced a new state-backed app called Max, which comes downloaded on any new phone. Authorities say these internet crackdowns are needed to “ensure security” and disrupt Ukrainian drones. But some say this is actually all about censorship - and that the government is trying to extend its control over the internet. So - how are these bans affecting Russians that rely on the internet everyday? BBC Monitoring journalist Clare Denning joins us to break down why the Kremlin is restricting access to the internet and how Russians are reacting to the crackdown. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Julia Ross-Roy, Sarah Coop and Chelsea Coates Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ जुन ९ · ९ मिनेट
Around half of the world’s languages are in danger of disappearing, according to UNESCO. Languages often become endangered when parents stop talking in them to their children, when schools no longer offer them on the curriculum - or when governments don’t recognise them as official languages that need to be protected. Campaigners are calling for more efforts to preserve them - and the history, heritage and culture they carry - and they’re using an unlikely tool: AI. But there are concerns that artificial intelligence could actually create more language inequality, because it’s mainly trained on a handful of dominant languages. So, could AI stop endangered languages from going extinct? Or will it speed up their demise? Journalist and author Sophia Smith Galer joins us to explain how languages become endangered, how AI is being used to combat this and the risks of using the technology to preserve languages. And we hear from Ivory Yang in the US, who built an AI tool to help preserve her grandmother’s endangered language, Nüshu. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Chelsea Coates and William Lee Adams Video producer: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ जुन ८ · ११ मिनेट
Mosquitoes are frequently called the world's deadliest insect. They kill more people every year than any other creature by spreading diseases like malaria, West Nile virus and Zika. In an effort to combat the disease carrying-bug in the U.S., Google is creating an army of sterile male mosquitoes by infecting them with bacteria. It’s hoped that over time these mosquitoes will lower the population of mosquitoes that carry some illnesses. James Gallagher, BBC health and science correspondent, explains how the process works and the reasons Google is interested in this area of research. We also hear from Dorcas Wangira, a global health reporter, about the release of genetically modified mosquitoes in Djibouti. She explains why it’s important to engage with local communities about the issue. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams and Stefania Okereke Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ जुन ५ · ११ मिनेट
South Africa has seen weeks of protests against illegal immigrants. Some of these protests have turned violent and people have been killed. The country is grappling with deep tensions around immigration and identity. Houses have been burned, shops damaged and looted, and people have been forced to leave their homes. There have been reports of vigilante groups checking the documentation of foreign nationals and forcing small businesses run by non-South Africans to close. Countries like Ghana and Nigeria have even been evacuating their citizens from the country. So what’s behind these recent protests? And what are authorities doing to try to reduce illegal migration in South Africa? BBC correspondent Mayeni Jones explains. We also hear what South Africans and migrant workers living in the country make of the protests. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams, Julia Ross-Roy and Stefania Okereke Editor: Verity Wilde.
२०२६ जुन ४ · १० मिनेट
Work feels more uncertain than it has in years. Layoffs, AI disruption, hiring freezes and a tough job market are leaving many people out of work or stuck. So instead of hopping jobs for better pay or new opportunities, more people are doing the opposite. They’re staying put, even if they’re unhappy. It’s called “job hugging”. But is it a smart move in an unstable world, or could it hold you back in the long run? On this episode of What in the World, we break down the rise of job hugging with the BBC’s business reporter Emer Moreau. We discuss why it’s happening and whether sticking with your current role is a risk or a strategy. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Chelsea Coates, Emily Horler and Ash Mohamed Video producer: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ जुन ३ · ९ मिनेट
Serena Williams is making a comeback to tennis at 44 years of age. She is one of the greatest players of all time. She’s won 23 Grand Slam titles - the second highest tally by a woman in the sport’s history. She’s the highest earning female athlete of all time. She was world number one for 319 weeks. And the stats go on and on. Now, she wants to add to them. Four years after leaving the sport and after giving birth to her second child, the American will play in the doubles at Queen’s Club in London next week - a warm-up tournament on the road to Wimbledon. However, she is attempting something almost no tennis player has done before - returning to the game in their mid-40s and going up against much younger players. How well can she perform? Ben Rothenberg, a tennis journalist who runs the Bounces podcast, joins us to explain the significance of Serena’s comeback and the challenges she might face. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams and Adam Chowdhury Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ जुन २ · १० मिनेट
New forecasts show that the developing El Niño in the tropical Pacific Ocean could be one of the strongest on record. The weather phenomenon could be so strong, scientists and the UN are describing it as a “Super El Niño” or “Godzilla El Niño.” And with that comes warnings of record global temperatures and huge potential humanitarian impacts. But what exactly is El Niño and its sister phenomenon La Niña? BBC Climate & Science correspondent Georgina Rannard breaks it down. She also explains the origins of their names, why it can lead to flooding in some regions and droughts in others, how it relates to climate change, and what people can to do prepare for its consequences. We also hear from Drishti in India and Santiago in the US for how they’re being affected. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams and Adam Chowdhury Video Producer: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Emily Horler This audio was updated on 8th June 2026 to remove an incorrect figure.
२०२६ जुन १ · १२ मिनेट
Influencers like Andrew Tate popularised the so-called manosphere — the network of websites, forums and social media influencers that promote "traditional" masculinity. In their thinking, men hold a dominant role in a relationship and women are subservient. BBC World Service Disinformation reporter Jacqui Wakefield recently spent a year following El Temach and Andrew Kibe — two of the most influential manosphere figures in Latin America and Africa — for her BBC Africa Eye documentary Manosphere Messiahs. She explains why their message resonates with so many young men, the consequences that can have on women and how manosphere content is driving men and women apart. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams and Ash Mohamed Editor: Emily Horler
२०२६ मे २९ · ११ मिनेट
Some women in China are unhappy with how brands are making women’s clothing. Posts on the social media site Xiaohongshu show just how awkward the sizing can be. A video of a tiny dog squeezed into a size L women top went viral as proof that brands label tiny clothes as much bigger than they actually are. Now many women are turning to menswear for its durability, quality and low cost. BBC Chinese reporter Eunice Yang explains the trend in detail. This isn’t just happening in China. Gender and age in fashion have been getting more blurred. Fashion Psychologist Shakaila Forbes-Bell explains why we could all benefit from shopping in any department. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producer: Benita Barden and Adam Chowdhury Editor: Emily Horler
२०२६ मे २८ · १३ मिनेट
According to the World Health Organization, around 1 in 5 people will develop cancer during the course of their lifetimes. We usually associate the disease with getting older - but doctors are warning that some cancers are becoming more common in people in their 20s and 30s too. Data shows that bowel and breast cancer are the most common cancers for young adults, with others such as thyroid and ovarian cancer on the rise too. So, what’s behind this? BBC Health and Science correspondent James Gallagher explains why we are seeing more young people being diagnosed with cancer - and the new treatments scientists are finding to combat the disease. We also hear from Lauren McDermott in Canada, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at 22. She shares her story and tells us why she is encouraging other young people to advocate for their health if they are showing symptoms. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producer: Emily Horler, Chelsea Coates and Ash Mohamed Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ मे २७ · ९ मिनेट
The cockroach has become an unlikely symbol for millions of Gen-Zs in India, thanks to the Cockroach Janta Party - a satirical collective posting online. Nearly 40% of graduates aged 15-25 in India are jobless and many of them are frustrated or disillusioned with politics. So, it didn’t land when India's Chief Justice Surya Kant compared the unemployed to “parasites and cockroaches”. He later clarified that the comments were directed at people with fake degrees. But within days the Cockroach Janta Party attracted over 22 million followers and lots of support. At the time of recording this podcast, the group’s account on X has been withheld in India ‘in response to a legal demand’. BBC’s South Asia Correspondent Azadeh Moshiri tells us why the cockroach symbolism is resonating but also why there may be pushback from the government. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producer: Emily Horler, William Lee Adams and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ मे २६ · ९ मिनेट
The war in Iran is doing something years of climate summits haven’t managed to - pushing some countries towards renewable energy, fast. That’s because ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz have been pretty much blocked for months, since the war began. Thousands of oil tankers are stranded near the Strait, which is one of the world’s most important channels. And it’s particularly affecting Asia. The majority of the crude oil passing through the Strait is headed to Asian markets. Energy prices there are soaring and there are fears of shortages and blackouts across the region. Shawn Yuan from the BBC’s Global China Unit takes us through how some countries are accelerating their search for alternative energy sources. Plus, we hear from Tri Wahyuni, from BBC News Indonesian and BBC reporter Thuong Le who tells us how Vietnam is coping. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Benita Barden Video producer: Tim Hodges Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ मे २५ · ११ मिनेट
President Trump has issued an executive order to speed up reviews into psychedelic drugs like psilocybin, LSD, and Ibogaine. Psychedelics are banned in the US in the vast majority of circumstances, but scientists are looking at the drugs and their possible therapeutic benefits for serious mental health conditions. Ibogaine comes from a shrub native to west Africa and is used ceremonially in Gabon. Trials have reported benefits from the drugs in conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder and opioid addiction. But experts say that it’s been difficult to study because it can cause heart problems. BBC’s Bernd Debussman Jr in Washington tells us more about the growing interest in psychedelics in the US. Plus, we hear about the reaction in Gabon from Yann Guignon, a researcher at Blessings Of The Forest, a charity that works to protect Gabonese cultural heritage. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producer: Emily Horler, Chelsea Coates and Benita Barden Editor: Harriet Oliver
२०२६ मे २२ · ९ मिनेट
Tourism is a vital part of the economy for many Caribbean nations, from Jamaica to Grenada to the Bahamas. In fact, the United Nations says the Caribbean is the region of the world that’s most dependent on tourists. The sector supports millions of jobs — from barmen and waiters to cab drivers and chefs — and many of these roles go to women and young people. But what happens when developers close off beaches to locals? BBC reporter Chelsea Coates, who has visited several Caribbean islands, explains the growing tensions across the region as countries try to balance tourism with the rights and interests of local communities. Focusing on Barbuda, a tiny island with just a few thousand residents, she looks at the impact of major developments and how local residents are reacting. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams, Deedee Kyeremateng and Benita Barden Editor: Julia Ross-Roy
२०२६ मे २१ · ११ मिनेट
Prediction markets Kalshi and Polymarket allow people to make trades against future events - which can range from when the US and Iran might sign a permanent peace deal and sports results, to whether a politician will mention a certain phrase in a speech. These sites have surged in popularity over the past year, hosting more than $44 billion in trades. But they bring up all sorts of ethical questions. Not just war profiteering, but also insider trading. Recently a US soldier was arrested for allegedly using classified information to place bets on the capture of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro - before it happened. Reports say he won more than $400,000 from these bets. And there are dozens of lawsuits at the US state level trying to figure out how to regulate these platforms. Minnesota has just become the first state to ban prediction markets. So, why are people betting on things like the weather, elections and global conflicts - and should it be allowed? The BBC’s Madeline Gerber, who’s based in Washington explains. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Julia Ross-Roy, Santiago Vanegas Maldonado and Chelsea Coates Video producer: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ मे २० · ११ मिनेट
The World Health Organisation has declared an outbreak of the Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo a public health emergency of international concern. Officials say there are now over 600 suspected cases, and over 139 suspected deaths. This latest outbreak presents a series of difficulties for health officials. The outbreak is driven by a new strain of the virus called Bundibugyo, for which there is no vaccine. The epicentre of the outbreak is in the remote eastern province of Ituri, which is an active conflict zone. And local superstitions and beliefs frequently lead people to seek help at places of worship rather than from medical professionals. We cover what you need to know about this current outbreak and how cases are being managed. Among others, we hear from BBC health correspondent James Gallagher and BBC presenter Anne Soy, who covered the 2014-16 Ebola outbreak in West Africa and later in the DRC. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ मे १९ · ९ मिनेट
Most of the world’s call centres are based in India and the Philippines, but major hubs are also on the rise in other regions - especially in Latin America. In countries like Colombia, Brazil and Mexico, thousands of young people work in this industry to earn money while they’re studying. They mainly answer customer services calls coming from the US, trying to solve their problems and dealing with a lot of frustrated customers - all in their second language. BBC Mundo reporter Santiago Vanegas Maldonado, who’s based in Miami, explains why this industry is growing so much in Latin America - and how it’s affecting the local economy. Plus we hear from people who’ve worked in call centres to find out what it’s like. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Santiago Vanegas Maldonado, William Lee Adams and Chelsea Coates Video producer: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ मे १८ · ९ मिनेट
After an explosive public feud with Kendrick Lamar, Drake is back with a triple-solo album release. The three albums - Iceman, Habibti and Maid of Honour - contain a blend of music genres across 43 different songs. The albums have sparked a mixed reaction from fans and critics, but they have already helped Drake become the most streamed Spotify artist of 2026. BBC Newsbeat’s Peter Gillibrand explains why Drake decided to publish so much music all at once and discusses how it reflects on and reignites Drake’s beef with Kendrick Lamar. He also touches on Drake’s reputation, his lawsuit against his record label UMG, and the hype around Iceman. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ मे १५ · ११ मिनेट
For the last few days, international headlines have been dominated by stories about Donald Trump's visit to China, to meet Xi Jinping. The trip featured marching bands, red carpets, photocalls, big smiles and many, many handshakes. Now that President Trump has left the country, we ask what actually happened below the surface level. Was it all just superficial pageantry or did the leaders of the world’s two largest economies make any real agreements or deals? People expected talks on trade deals, the war in Iran and Taiwan. President Trump didn't travel alone; he was joined by some of the biggest heavyweights in American technology and business. Tesla and Space X boss, Elon Musk, Tim Cook, the head of Apple and David Solomon, from the bank Goldman Sachs to name a few. So, what, if anything, actually came out of this trip? And what is the US-China relationship really like? We hear from BBC reporters covering the visit and find out how people in China are reacting to President Trump and his visit. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Julia Ross-Roy, Chelsea Coates and Emma-Louise Amanshia Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ मे १४ · ९ मिनेट
Since the Iran war broke out, the Strait of Hormuz has effectively been blocked. The Strait is one of the world's busiest oil shipping routes - leading to fears about shortages of jet fuel. Prices for aviation fuel more than doubled after the war began, and the cost of some plane tickets has gone up dramatically. In May 13,000 flights were cut from schedules. And European travel operator Tui says its customers are appearing more cautious about booking summer holidays due to the Iran war. Loads of people have questions about jet fuel shortages, airlines cancelling flights, and if jet fuel could run out. This has also sparked a conversation about sustainability, with people asking if reducing flights could have a positive impact on the climate, as well as whether eco-fuel could replace jet fuel. In this episode we sit down with BBC business reporter Emer Moreau to answer all your burning questions about jet fuel shortages. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Mora Morrison, Baldeep Chahal and Benita Barden Video Producer: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ मे १३ · १० मिनेट
Where do you stand on voice notes? In some places, sending a three minute - or even 20 minute(!) voice memo is totally normal and actually seen as much more personal than texting. It started back in 2013 on WhatsApp but now you can send voice messages on Instagram as well as some dating sites. Lots of people love them as you can send messages on the go and don’t have to worry about typos. BUT is it selfish or indulgent to send them? Some people say they demand more time for the person receiving them and it’s not always practical to listen to them, especially if you’re at work. In this episode we unpack why voice messages are more popular in some countries and some of the voice message etiquette with BBC reporter Ashitha Nagesh. We also hear from some of our BBC friends around the world - why do you love or hate them? Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Chelsea Coates, Jenna Abaakouk, Emily Horler and Julia Ross-Roy Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ मे १२ · १२ मिनेट
Chappell Roan recently faced backlash amid online chat that falsely claimed her bodyguard left a young fan in tears. But reports now suggest the entire online drama could have been driven by bots programmed to spread misinformation. The BBC’s disinformation reporter Jacqui Wakefield explains what bots are, how they work, and what the people who operate them stand to gain. State actors and governments have been linked to specific bot campaigns in the past. BBC Monitoring’s Veronika Malinboym looks at some of the bot activity linked to Russia, including a campaign to undermine the Summer Olympics in Paris by spreading misinformation about a bed bugs outbreak. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producer: William Lee Adams and Benita Barden Editor: Julia Ross-Roy
२०२६ मे ११ · १० मिनेट
Instagram has switched off one of its privacy policy options - end‑to‑end encryption. If an app has it, it means your messages can only be read by the sender and the recipient. But now Meta, who owns Insta has turned off that option. And it doesn’t just own Instagram - it’s also in charge of Facebook and WhatsApp, so people are worried about what could happen on those platforms in the future. Joe Tidy, the BBC’s Cyber Correspondent, takes us through why are is Instagram pulling the plug on end to end encryption - and what does it mean for you? Plus, Anushka, an Insta user in India gives us her take and Andre Najee, a cyber security content creator, tells us his tips for staying private online. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler, Chelsea Coates and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ मे ८ · १० मिनेट
You’ve probably grown up hearing his unmistakable voice in some of your favourite nature documentaries…we’re of course talking about Sir David Attenborough, who turns 100 this Friday. He’s been making wildlife films for more than 70 years, turning nature documentaries into must-see TV and inspiring people all over the world to learn more about the wonders of our planet. But he hasn’t just changed the way we see the natural world - he’s also alerted us to how rapidly it’s changing because of climate change, and has influenced policy and public perceptions in the process. In this episode, we look back at some of his most iconic moments. Our climate and science correspondent, Georgina Rannard, tells us how he’s changed the world - and we hear how he’s inspired lots of you to take action on climate change. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Mora Morrison, Chelsea Coates, Makuochi Okafor and Jenna Abaakouk Editor: Julia Ross-Roy
२०२६ मे ७ · १२ मिनेट
Saunas and cold plunges are getting really popular and people say they can boost your mood and come with all sorts of health benefits. So we sent Hannah off to try them out and see what she thought… In this episode we talk about why so many people are into saunas and cold plunges with Emilia Jansson, a BBC journalist and our resident Finn. Plus we’ll hear if there’s evidence that they’re actually good for you with James Gallagher, our Science and Health Correspondent. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler, Chelsea Coates and Ash Mohamed Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ मे ६ · १० मिनेट
A cruise ship in the middle of the Atlantic ocean has been hit by an outbreak of hantavirus. A number of passengers on the MV Hondius have been infected with the virus, and three have died. Some passengers have been evacuated from the ship and it’s currently anchored off Cape Verde, off the West coast of Africa. Spain had agreed to let it dock in the Canary Islands. But now, as we’re recording this podcast, the president of the Canary Islands has said he can’t allow the vessel to dock there. Hantavirus is a rare disease usually spread from infected rodents. In this episode we tell you everything you need to know about hantavirus and explain why the risk of another COVID-style pandemic is actually really low. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Mora Morrison, Benita Barden and Julia Ross-Roy Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ मे ५ · १० मिनेट
What if the best way to stop fearing rejection is to seek it out? Rejection therapy - the idea of deliberately putting yourself in situations where you might be rejected - has exploded on social media. From asking strangers for favours to dancing on trains, people are documenting their experiences online. Supporters say it helps people build resilience, reduce anxiety and stop taking rejection personally. But does rejection therapy actually work? Or is it just another viral self‑help trend? In this episode, Claudia Hammond, a psychologist and BBC presenter, helps us unpack where rejection therapy came from, what psychology says about it, and why it’s taken off on platforms like TikTok. We also hear from Sophie Jones, who’s gone viral for her videos on the topic. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler, Baldeep Chahal, Chelsea Coates and Maria Clara Montoya Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ मे ४ · ९ मिनेट
The Met Gala is the super bowl of fashion. It’s a relatively small event, only open to a small number of invited guests - usually around 450. Tables cost upwards of around $350,000 , while individual tickets are reported to go for about $75,000. And every invitee has to be signed off by ex-Vogue editor Anna Wintour. Celebs go out of their way to impress on the red carpet. Think Rihanna’s legendary yellow dress or Kim Kardashian’s ‘wet look’. But this year’s Met Gala feels a little bit different - partly because of it being sponsored by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, and his wife Lauren Sanchez Bezos. Not everyone’s happy about a tech billionaire being involved. Journalist Amy Odell (author of Anna: The Biography) has even called this year’s event ‘Tech Gala’. She joins us to explain why. We also chat about the super high ticket prices and why protest posters have been popping up around New York City. Audio for this episode was updated on 5 May 2026. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Mora Morrison, William Lee Adams and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ मे १ · ९ मिनेट
Tensions are high in the Middle East, not just because of the US-Israeli war with Iran but also because the region has been dealing with a long period of severe drought. The social and economic consequences of these events has fuelled a lot of online misinformation. It’s led some people to speculate that the extreme weather is being caused by foreign interference. This theory has spread all the way up to senior officials, with an Iraqi MP even discussing cloud theft on TV. We unpack the possible roots of the ‘cloud stealing’ conspiracy with BBC climate disinformation reporter Marco Silva. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ अप्रिल ३० · ९ मिनेट
After literacy levels started to fall in Sweden, the country’s government is cutting down on tablets and laptops…and bringing back good old pens and paper. Not everyone thinks this is the right approach though. Some tech bosses say limiting technology in classrooms will leave pupils less prepared for an increasingly digital world - and make it harder for them to find jobs in the age of AI. So - should more schools around the world follow suit and move away from screens? In this episode, we unpack this education strategy and the research behind it with journalist Maddy Savage, who’s based in Stockholm. And we also hear from students across the globe, to get their take on whether going (more) analogue improves how we learn. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler, Benita Barden and Chelsea Coates Video producer: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ अप्रिल २९ · ९ मिनेट
Under new rules brought in by Fifa, footballers who cover their mouths during verbal confrontations will be sent off at this year’s World Cup. It’s hoped that these measures will help prevent abusive behaviour. Some critics of the rule say that footballers speaking with their shirts raised or hands covering their mouths is a habit they’ve adopted to protect their privacy when they’re surrounded by cameras. But the behaviour became a high profile issue in February after an incident where Benefica’s Gianluca Prestianni raised his shirt while speaking to Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr. Prestianni was later banned for six matches for homophobic conduct after an investigation into what he said. BBC Sport reporter Sam Harris tells us how this new rule might work in practice. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Julia Ross-Roy and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ अप्रिल २८ · ११ मिनेट
Ube — a vibrant purple yam indigenous to the Philippines — has been a staple of Filipino cuisine for thousands of years. But only recently has it surged in popularity abroad. It is now appearing as an ingredient and flavouring in desserts, pastries and coffees, from small independent cafés to global chains. BBC reporter Becca Johns explains how social media is helping drive the trend and turning ube into the new matcha. She also discusses the consequences it could have for farmers in the Philippines. We also hear from members of the Filipino diaspora about their concerns, from cultural appropriation to the trivialisation of an important symbol of Filipino culture. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Chelsea Coates, William Lee Adams and Ash Mohamed Video producer: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Julia Ross-Roy and Harriet Oliver
२०२६ अप्रिल २७ · ९ मिनेट
The White House Correspondents' Dinner is a swanky event - the famous journalists and politicians that go are all dressed in their best tuxes and gowns. Donald Trump and his wife Melania were sat on the very long top table. But on Saturday night’s event, a gunman tried to get into the ballroom at the Washington Hilton hotel. He was stopped by officials after an exchange of gunfire and since then more details have been coming out about who he is. Who is Cole Tomas Allen? And how did he get into the hotel? That’s what we’re going to get into today. There’s also been loads of chat about a manifesto that has been linked to the suspect. President Trump has been speaking about it in that interview with CBS’s Norah O’Donnell. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler, Benita Barden and Ash Mohamed Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ अप्रिल २४ · १२ मिनेट
American singer D4vd has been arrested and charged with the murder of a 14-year-old girl, Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Her body was found in his Tesla in Los Angeles in September last year. Prosecutors allege D4vd repeatedly sexually abused the teen before killing and dismembering her, but D4vd denies all the charges. He has pleaded not guilty to murder, and his attorneys have said they will "vigorously defend” his innocence. In this episode, we’re joined by Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty, the host of the BBC podcast Fame under Fire, to explain what we know so far about what happened to Celeste Rivas Hernandez. And we also look at why it took so long for D4vd to be taken into custody. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams, Benita Barden and Chelsea Coates Editor: Julia Ross-Roy
२०२६ अप्रिल २३ · ११ मिनेट
Harry Styles, Bad Bunny and Shakira are just three of the many huge pop acts that have decided to do residencies — turning away from long world tours and performing night after night in one major city instead. Residencies make it easier for artists to build elaborate shows, help them avoid burnout from constantly being on the move, and save them the effort (and money!) of transporting their crew, costumes and staging. But they can also make it even harder for fans to get the chance to see their favourite artists live. BBC reporter Mollie Perella explains why residencies are becoming more popular - and why concert tickets are getting more and more expensive. Artists CMAT and Wet Leg tell us what they think about residencies - and whether they would ever do one. And fans share their thoughts on Harry Styles’ upcoming residency in New York. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Chelsea Coates, William Lee Adams and Ash Mohamed Video producer: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Julia Ross-Roy
२०२६ अप्रिल २२ · १० मिनेट
People frequently turn to AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Gemini and Grok for health advice. Some people argue that using them is similar to an Internet search. But some experts say that chatbots are getting things dangerously wrong. James Gallagher, the BBC’s Health Correspondent, explains how chatbots work, what the risks are and how the technology is evolving. We also hear from young people about how and when they seek advice from chatbots. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams, Santiago Vanegas Maldonado and Benita Barden Editor: Harriet Oliver
२०२६ अप्रिल २१ · १० मिनेट
For better for worse, for richer for poorer…but first, can we sign a prenup? You might have heard about them in relation to celebrity divorce scandals, or even in songs, but recent data suggests prenups aren’t just for the rich and famous anymore. A prenup is a legal arrangement made by a couple before they marry or enter into a civil partnership, which sets out plans for how their wealth will be divided if they divorce. Polls in the US, Canada and the UK show that over half of Gen Z would consider signing one and there’s even a growing number of apps to help you draw up the contract. So — why are prenups on the rise? And what does it say about modern marriage? BBC journalist Chelsea Coates breaks down the data behind this - and talks us through the reasons why more of Gen Z are considering signing one. Basma El Atti, a BBC reporter based in Nairobi, explains how marriage differs across the African continent and how conversations around finance before getting married are changing. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Chelsea Coates and Benita Barden Video producer: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Julia Ross-Roy
२०२६ अप्रिल २० · ११ मिनेट
For more than three months, Cuba has been struggling under an oil blockade by the United States. It had been getting a lot of its oil from Venezuela, but President Trump put a stop to that. People in Cuba have been living with all kinds of shortages for decades - food, medicine and of course, oil. This blockade though has made things even more tough and people say they’re exhausted. Santiago Vanegas Maldonado, from the What in the World team, brings us voices of young Cubans who are upset about how their lives have changed and the BBC’s Jose Carlos Cueto Lopez, who is from Havana, takes us through the background to the blockade and what it’s like for people in Cuba. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Santiago Vanegas Maldonado, Chelsea Coates, Emily Horler and Maria Clara Montoya Editor: Harriet Oliver
२०२६ अप्रिल १७ · ११ मिनेट
The Pope is on an 11 day trip around 4 African countries - Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea. This isn’t the only reason why the Pope is in the news though, there’s also been some drama with President Trump, where they clashed over the war in Iran. A major message from the Pope on this tour (and generally) is “peace”. He’s said “the world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants.” Some of the countries the Catholic leader is travelling to are dealing with active conflicts. His visit also shows the increasing importance of Africa to Catholicism - more than a fifth of the world's Catholics live on the continent. Makuochi Okafor, takes us through it all, from Nigeria. Plus we hear from two young Catholics in Cameroon about their feelings about the Pope’s visit. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Benita Barden Editor: Julia Ross-Roy
२०२६ अप्रिल १६ · ११ मिनेट
Today we’re talking talc… that white powder that is sometimes found in make-up. There’s been a lot of chat recently about the safety of talc. So, in this episode we find out why it’s in our make-up and cosmetics, and whether we should be avoiding it. BBC journalist Phoebe Keane, who produced the podcast series Talc Tales, explains what talc is and its link to asbestos, a known carcinogen. We also discuss the different tests that are used to determine if talc has been contaminated with asbestos. The World Health Organization has classified talc as “probably carcinogenic to humans”. Several companies, including Johnson & Johnson, Chanel and L’Oreal have been quietly moving away from using talc-based products in recent years. But do consumers care about this? We hear from Savannah, a PhD student and make-up content creator. And what can you use if you want to avoid talc in make-up? Jen Novakovich, a science communicator and cosmetic scientist, suggests some alternatives. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Mora Morrison and Benita Barden Video producer: Tim Hodges Editor: Verity Wilde and Harriet Oliver
२०२६ अप्रिल १५ · ११ मिनेट
Hippos were first introduced to Colombia by drug lord Pablo Escobar. After his death in 1993, the hippos were left roaming free on his abandoned estate and their population kept on growing. Colombia is the only country outside of Africa with a wild hippo population and they’ve become a tourist attraction there. But like other invasive species, they are an issue - tearing through villages and competing with native wildlife. The government has tried sterilising and relocating them but this has been expensive and unsuccessful. So now, they’ve decided to cull around 80 hippos to limit their growth but animal rights groups think other options might still be possible. We speak to the BBC’s Climate and Science reporter, Esme Stallard, who explains how these decisions are made and why invasive species can be such an issue. And we hear from Manuel Rueda, a freelance journalist in Bogota, who has previously visited the hippos.
२०२६ अप्रिल १४ · ११ मिनेट
India has the biggest youth population in the world and more and more people are graduating from colleges and universities. 5 million people are coming out of education each year, but nearly 40% of graduates aged between 15-25 can’t get a job. In fact, the unemployment rates are way higher for graduates than for people who are less educated. White-collar job creation - graduate office jobs - has fallen from 11% growth before 2020 to just 1% today, according to Naukri Jobspeak Index. Big employers like Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys and Wipro are all cutting jobs or freezing recruitment. And AI is also playing a role here. The Indian government estimates that by 2031, AI could eliminate close to three million IT and customer service jobs. So what’s it like to be an unemployed graduate in India right now? How do you get through the daily grind of job applications and interviews? How do you deal with pressure from your family to find a job? We chat to Karmanya Batra, Anjali Mekala and Bhadra Ashok Kumar. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Ash Mohamed and Julia Ross-Roy Video producer: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ अप्रिल १३ · ९ मिनेट
After 16 years in power, Victor Orbán is no longer in charge in Hungary, after losing the election in a landslide vote. He’s friends with President Trump - who sent his deputy JD Vance to support his campaign - and he’s also close to President Putin. The man replacing him as Prime Minister - Péter Magyar - hinted at making big changes during his campaign, including stamping out alleged corruption and moving away from Russia to get closer to the EU. But his win isn’t just a big moment for Hungarians - it also marks a huge change for politics across Europe and could have ripple effects that will be felt across the world. In this episode, we hear from the BBC’s Rajini Vaidyanathan, who’s in Budapest reporting on the election, and explains why this result is so significant. And we also hear from young Hungarians who voted for Magyar - and their hopes for the future after his win. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Benita Barden and Chelsea Coates Editor: Harriet Oliver
२०२६ अप्रिल १० · १० मिनेट
India has passed a controversial bill that seeks to change how transgender people are legally recognised and their right to self-identify. The government says this legislation is meant to protect vulnerable groups from being exploited. But it’s caused protests by opposition parties and members of the LGBTQ community. In this episode the BBC’s Anahita Sachdev, based in Delhi, breaks down everything we need to know about the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Act 2026, including how this law could impact India’s ‘third gender’. We also hear from trans-rights activist Don Hasar who shares why some people are worried. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producer: Mora Morrison Editor: Harriet Oliver
२०२६ अप्रिल ९ · १३ मिनेट
Four astronauts have travelled further from Earth than anyone ever before. It's part of the Artemis II mission - which saw humans go to the Moon for the first time in over 50 years. You’ve been sending us your questions - and in this episode we put them to two former Nasa astronauts, Steve Swanson and Nicole Stott. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Mora Morrison, Chelsea Coates and Julia Ross-Roy Video producer: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ अप्रिल ८ · ९ मिनेट
The US and Iran have agreed to a conditional two-week ceasefire, hours after President Trump threatened that "a whole civilisation” would die if the Strait of Hormuz did not reopen. Iran has agreed to open the key shipping route while the US stops its strikes— but it’s also put forward a 10-point plan with several other demands, including compensation for the damage caused by the war. Pakistan has been acting as a mediator between the two countries and it will host talks between the US and Iran this Friday - so what can we expect from the negotiations? In this episode we look at the terms of this ceasefire, what it means for the countries involved in the conflict and what could happen next. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Mora Morrison and Chelsea Coates Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ अप्रिल ७ · १२ मिनेट
There’s a growing trend of young people taking to social media to share their Christian faith with the world. These influencers include Bryce Crawford, Redeemed Zoomer and @BreakingInTheHabit. We chat to Adeline in Australia and IBQuake in Nigeria, who both make Christian content online. We hear why they do it and find out why they think faith-based content is becoming more popular. And Chelsea from the What in the World team explains why we’re seeing more of this content right now. You might have seen some headlines about Gen-Z being the most Christian generation yet - but is it true? We get the facts from Conrad Hackett at Pew Research Center, a US think tank. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Mora Morrison, Chelsea Coates and Julia Ross-Roy Video producer: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ अप्रिल ६ · १० मिनेट
Israel has intensified its attacks on Lebanon this week. It’s as the US-Israel war with Iran also continues. A new front in the war opened in Lebanon on 2nd March when the Iran-backed group Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel. This was in retaliation to the death of Iran’s supreme leader and ceasefire violations. More than a million people in Lebanon - roughly one in every six - have been displaced from their homes. And more than 1,400 people have been killed. We chat to the BBC's Middle East correspondent Hugo Bachega, who’s based in Beirut. He walks us through what’s happening in Lebanon, the background to Hezbollah, and when the war might come to an end. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Mora Morrison, Julia Ross-Roy and Benita Barden Editor: Harriet Oliver
२०२६ अप्रिल ३ · ९ मिनेट
Lebanon, Kenya and Jamaica are among the handful of countries that have gotten rid of the ‘period tax’ - the additional charge the government adds to the retail price of sanitary products like pads or tampons. Now, a new campaign has started to scrap the tax in Pakistan. According to UNICEF, the tax can add up to 40% to the retail price of sanitary pads in the country, making them out of reach for many women and girls, especially in impoverished communities. Mahnoor Omer, the 25-year-old lawyer from Pakistan who has started a legal case to cut the tax, talks us through attitudes to periods in her home country and explains why this campaign is so important to her. And we hear from young women in Pakistan who tell us what they think of the tax. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producer: Chelsea Coates and Julia Ross-Roy Editor: Harriet Oliver
२०२६ अप्रिल २ · ९ मिनेट
From boosting muscle mass to improving metabolism and skin, there’s now tonnes of claims about what peptides can do on social media. Peptides are short amino acids produced by our bodies naturally, and they aren’t a new concept, they’ve been used in medicine for centuries, Insulin, used to treat diabetes being the most common one. But the peptide wellness shot craze has led to growing amount of people buying ‘research peptides’ which are unregulated and not approved for human use. BBC’s health and wellbeing reporter, Ruth Clegg tells us all about the grey market of research peptide drugs, the health risks of taking them and why people are opting to become peptide ‘lab-rats’ despite this. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Emily Horler, Benita Barden and Mora Morrison Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ अप्रिल १ · १२ मिनेट
For the first time in more than 50 years, NASA is taking humanity back to the moon with its Artemis II mission. The crew is made up of four astronauts, including the first woman astronaut and the first black astronaut to travel to the moon. They will blast off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, in a spacecraft never used by humans before, and begin their journey to orbit around the moon. The launch is expected to happen on 1 April - but NASA are keeping their options open, and have named six other potential dates. So - when will the launch take place? And once it does, how long will it take the mission to reach the Moon? The BBC’s science correspondent Georgina Rannard unpacks it all for us — and tells us everything we need to know about this historic mission. And we hear from two members of the Cosmic Girls Foundation - Vanessa from Finland and Ximena from Venezuela - who share their reaction to the mission and their hopes for how it could push the boundaries of science. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: William Lee Adams and Chelsea Coates Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ मार्च ३१ · ११ मिनेट
Imagine being able to understand what animals are saying - and potentially even talking back. Animal-to-human communication is a subject which has garnered a lot of attention in recent years. And now artificial intelligence (AI) is turbo charging the conversation. The BBC’s Caroline Steel chats us through the basics of animal communication, how technological advancements have helped humans understand them, and what the next phase of this could look like. David Gruber from Project CETI also shares his team’s pioneering efforts to understand sperm whales. Plus, vet Haehyun Shin shares how her work would be impacted if she could understand her pet patients. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Mora Morrison and Chelsea Coates Video producer: Tim Hodges Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ मार्च ३० · १० मिनेट
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
२०२६ मार्च २७ · ११ मिनेट
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
२०२६ मार्च २६ · १३ मिनेट
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
२०२६ मार्च २५ · १२ मिनेट
The war in Iran isn't just affecting people in countries directly involved in the conflict. It has driven up oil prices around the world, impacting the lives of people from the Philippines and India to Nigeria. Nick Marsh, our Asia business correspondent, explains how some governments are reacting. Plus we hear from Azadeh Moshiri, our correspondent in Dubai. She explains how Iran’s strikes on the UAE have impacted its reputation. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: William Lee Adams and Ash Mohamed Editor: Julia Ross-Roy
२०२६ मार्च २४ · १० मिनेट
South Africa is facing a water crisis. South Africa is one of the driest countries in the world. It relies on its rainwater, levels of which are unpredictable, unevenly distributed, and decreasing as a result of global warming. But the main issue contributing to water shortages is ageing infrastructure; rusting pipes that break and leak. And there are also allegations of theft by “water tanker mafias”. The BBC’s Mayeni Jones has been to a part of South Africa that’s been badly affected by droughts and water shortages to investigate these groups. She explains how they operate and what the government is doing to try to tackle the water mafia. And we hear from young South Africans who are affected by the water shortages. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Emily Horler, Mora Morrison, Chelsea Coates and Ash Mohamed Video producer: Tim Hodges Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ मार्च २३ · ९ मिनेट
BTS are back! It’s the first time all seven members have been together since completing mandatory military service in South Korea. They’ve returned with a 14-track album titled Arirang and an 82-date world tour. Fans in South Korea were treated with the opportunity to see them for free in a huge opening night show in Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. BBC Korean’s Yuna Ku tells us what it was like be at the comeback show. Plus we hear from those who watched the concert on Netflix from across the globe. Music journalists Clint Edwards and Chase Karng also give us their first impressions of Arirang. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: William Lee Adams, Julia Ross-Roy and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ मार्च २० · १२ मिनेट
The White House is stepping up their social media promotion on the war in Iran... with memes. Clips from the NFL, Spongebob Squarepants and Call of Duty have all been spliced together with scenes military strike footage from the Iran war, racking up millions of views on TikTok. President Trump’s team say it’s a modern way to get their message across to young audiences and show their military successes, but the comments show that not everyone agrees, and some argue that it trivialises the human cost of war. Anthony Zurcher, the BBC’s North America correspondent, explains it all - and tells us how this compares to the tactics previous US governments have used to depict conflicts. And social psychology Professor Sander van der Linden, who’s from Cambridge University, tells us how these hype videos can affect our perception of the war. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Emily Horler, Chelsea Coates and Mora Morrison Editors: Verity Wilde
२०२६ मार्च १९ · १४ मिनेट
Looksmaxxing has been all over the internet lately - this is the trend aimed at young men and it’s based on the idea of self-improvement, maximising your physical attractiveness and increasing your sexual market value. It's been part of fringe reddit forums for years now but recently it’s become mainstream, with the hashtag going viral on TikTok, X and Instagram. The trend promotes extreme dieting, obsessive body ranking and pseudo-scientific cosmetic advice - including a recent "bonesmashing" trend which has been condemned by doctors. And it has links to incel and manosphere networks. BBC journalist Thomas Morgan explains looksmaxxing and why it’s become popular with young men, as well as some of the real life consequences. We speak to 22 year old actor Trevor Larcom about his own looksmaxxing journey and find out what he makes of the accusations of misogyny and toxic culture. And Stephen Imeh, who wanted to become the “first black looksmaxxer”, tells us about his experience. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Mora Morrison, Emilia Jansson and Julia Ross-Roy Video producer: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde and Harriet Oliver
२०२६ मार्च १८ · १२ मिनेट
Senegal has been stripped of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title. Senegal beat Morocco 1-0 in January's final but Caf (the Confederation of African Football) has changed the result. It’s because Senegal's players walked off the pitch in protest when Morocco was given a penalty. We LOVE a bit of drama on What in the World and this truly feels like something out of our fave reality TV shows (think Big Brother, Traitors and America’s Next Top Model). Isaac Fanin, the guy with all the sports intel, was there on the night it happened and takes us through it - how are Africans feeling and what’s next? Will the Senegalese have to give up their medals?! Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Emily Horler and Mora Morrison Editors: Verity Wilde and Harriet Oliver
२०२६ मार्च १७ · ११ मिनेट
LED technology has been used to address a number of skin issues, such as eczema, mild to moderate acne and psoriasis in a medical setting. But now you can buy your own LED mask or device for use at home. Adverts are everywhere on social media, with lots of influencers promoting them. Mask developers make big claims that at-home LED masks can be used to treat acne scars, sun damage and fine lines - but what does the evidence show? BBC journalist Imogen James explains the trend and takes us through how and if these at-home LED masks work. Rio Rennalls from the What in the World team tells us why he uses one. Some dermatologists and experts have raised concerns about the efficacy of these masks. David Robert Grimes, a scientist and author in Ireland, gives us his views on the technology. And we hear from dermatologist Dr. Montserrat Fernández-Guarino. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Julia Ross-Roy, Benita Barden and William Lee Adams Video producer: Baldeep Chahal Editors: Verity Wilde and Harriet Oliver
२०२६ मार्च १६ · १० मिनेट
The 2026 Oscars are over, the red carpet has been rolled up and celebrities are polishing their golden awards at home in the quiet. The big winner of the night was political thriller One Battle After Another, which took home six wins including best picture. Other winners included Sinners star Michael B Jordan, who beat Timothée Chalamet to the best actor award, and Irish actress Jessie Buckley for her role in Hamnet. We’re sad the 98th Academy Awards are finished for another year, so we’re gonna dish out our own awards. Think ‘biggest flop’, ‘best roast’ and ‘woman of the year’. BBC Entertainment Reporter, Yasmin Rufo, announces our (not so) prestigious awards and gives us her ‘ins and outs’ for next year’s Oscars ceremony. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Emily Horler and Benita Barden Editor: Harriet Oliver
२०२६ मार्च १३ · ११ मिनेट
The US and Israel first launched strikes on Iran two weeks ago. In response, Iran has launched more than 2,000 drones at targets across the Middle East, towards Israel and Gulf countries with US military bases. We’ve seen attacks on oil tankers, airports, and even luxury hotels and banks. The drones are causing considerable damage across the region considering they have a simple design and are relatively cheap to produce. The Shahed 136 long-range drone, which is manufactured in Iran, is estimated to cost between $20,000 to $50,000. Iran is thought to have mass-produced tens of thousands of the Shahed drones before the war, but we don’t know how much of that stockpile remains intact after days of US and Israeli strikes. The BBC’s Bernd Debusmann Jr explains why Iran is using these drones and why they are expensive to counter. We look to Ukraine, which has developed its own cheap drones to down Russian ones. And we discuss how Iran’s stockpiles of these drones could play a big factor in how long the war lasts. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Julia Ross-Roy and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ मार्च १२ · १३ मिनेट
Timothée Chalamet has come for ballet and opera. In an interview with Matthew McConaughey ahead of the Oscars he said… “I don’t want to be working in ballet or opera or things where it’s like, ‘Hey, keep this thing alive even though it’s like, no one cares about this anymore.’” And, well, it turns out he was wrong, because lots and lots of people have been defending the industries with tons of passion. And it did get us thinking - how do ballet and opera sales compare to how they have done in the past? Do many people watch them? What are people in the industry, like Misty Copeland, doing to get more people into theatres? We get into it with Chelsea from the What in the World team (she’s also a ballet dancer, but sadly has never made it to a professional stage). And we hear from people who love ballet and opera, including two professional ballet dancers for The Australian Ballet and The National Ballet of Canada. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Emily Horler, Chelsea Coates and Ash Mohamed Video producer: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ मार्च ११ · १० मिनेट
Last week, during their opening match of the AFC Asia Cup football tournament, Iran’s women’s football team refused to sing the national anthem. The move was seen as an act of defiance, as it came shortly after American and Israeli strikes had killed Iran’s supreme leader. The players were subsequently called “wartime traitors” on Iranian state television. After being knocked out of the tournament on Sunday, several players decided to stay in Australia. Despite heavy surveillance from Iranian authorities, they escaped their hotel and were issued humanitarian visas by the Australian government. BBC Persian reporter Ghoncheh Habibiazad explains why the players took this action and the consequences the decision may have for them and their families. We also find out more about the significance of football to Iran’s leaders. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: William Lee Adams and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ मार्च १० · १२ मिनेट
Military-style weight loss camps in China are getting popular. You sign up voluntarily for a month and follow a strict daily routine, with intense exercises, mandatory trips to the scales and rules on snacking. Some people have called them “fat prisons”. So what’s it like to go to one? TL Huang from Australia tells us about her experience. We hear about the downsides of these kinds of “fat camps” from British nutritionist and personal trainer Luke Hanna. And Wanqing Zhang from the BBC’s Global China Unit explains why more people in China are signing up to them. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Mora Morrison, Chelsea Coates and Julia Ross-Roy Video producer: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ मार्च ९ · ९ मिनेट
Iran’s state media has announced that Mojtaba Khamenei will be the country’s new supreme leader. He’ll replace his father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a joint American and Israeli strike last week. The 56-year-old has largely kept a low profile. He has never held government office and only a limited number of photos and videos of him have ever been published. In this episode, you’ll hear what we know about Iran’s new supreme leader, and what this change in leadership could mean for the future of the war between Iran, Israel and the US. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: William Lee Adams and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ मार्च ६ · ९ मिनेट
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow gap of water in the Middle East between Iran and the Arabian peninsula. About 3,000 or so ships sail through the Strait each month - that’s about 80 ships a day. About 20% of the world’s oil and gas passes through it. But now, it’s an active war zone. As the US and Israel continue strikes on Iran, and Iran launches missiles at Israel and nearby Gulf states in retaliation, key shipping routes are being disrupted as well as oil and gas production in the region. Iran says it has complete control of the Strait of Hormuz, and that it would "set fire" to any ships trying to pass through it. In this episode we explain how this war could affect the wider world and why closing the Strait of Hormuz could lead to higher prices for petrol, food and electronics for us all. Kayleen Devlin from BBC Verify tells us what’s happening to ships in the Strait of Hormuz and BBC business reporter Nick Marsh describes why parts of Asia are already feeling the effects. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Julia Ross-Roy, Maria Clara Montoya and Ash Mohamed Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ मार्च ५ · १२ मिनेट
Wild bee species at risk of extinction in Europe have more than doubled in the last decade. And that matters more than you might think. Bees pollinate 75% of the crops we eat, from apples and tomatoes to carrots and raspberries. So if bee populations decline, our food system feels it too. So what’s actually driving the drop in wild bees? BBC climate & science correspondent Georgina Rannard breaks it down for us. We also hear from a beekeeper in Sierra Leone about protecting bees on the ground – and what simple changes could help them thrive closer to home. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Baldeep Chahal, Chelsea Coates, Emily Horler Video producer: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde Audio for this episode was updated on 30 March 2026.
२०२६ मार्च ४ · १३ मिनेट
The conflict between Israel and the US against Iran continues to escalate. At least one thousand civilians have been killed in Iran since the US-Israeli attacks began on Saturday, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. There is uncertainty about what happens next. As Iran enters its fifth day into the conflict, how do Iranians feel about it? Ghoncheh Habibiazad, who is a journalist for the BBC Persian Service, tells us how people who she’s spoken to in Iran are feeling. And we hear from Iranians outside the country for their hopes for Iran. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Emily Horler, Chelsea Coates and Maria Clara Montoya Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ मार्च ३ · १० मिनेट
For centuries, people have lived side by side with animals in harmony. But with habitats shrinking, animals such as lions and elephants are having to travel further to find food, sometimes stumbling into human territory. Crops and property are destroyed as farmers lose their livelihoods. And when their path crosses with humans it can get violent - even leading to death. As humans are killed by the animals, their communities go out to get revenge on the species. The BBC’s reporter Shingai Nyoka in Zimbabwe tells us about the situation in her country, and what governments across Africa are doing to ensure communities can live in harmony with the animals. Plus, we hear from WWF, an independent conservation organisation, and find out how it is dealing with human-wildlife conflict in Tanzania. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Emily Horler, Benita Barden and Emilia Jansson Video producer: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ मार्च २ · ११ मिनेट
The US and Israel have launched a massive military operation in Iran, carrying out a series of strikes that have killed the country’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as well as hundreds of Iranians. Iran has also launched strikes in response, targeting Israel, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and other countries and killing several civilians - and American military personnel - in the process. In this episode we answer some of your most searched questions on this developing conflict - including why the US and Israel have attacked Iran, who Iran has attacked in response, whether petrol prices will go up and how long this conflict could last. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Emily Horler and Chelsea Coates Editor: Harriet Oliver
२०२६ फेब्रुअरी २७ · १० मिनेट
Emperor penguins are icons of the penguin world. They are only found in the wild in Antarctica and breed and raise their babies on the ice. Because the Antarctic is so massive and difficult to explore, scientists rely on satellite images to detect colonies and the penguins’ activities. Once a year penguins shed all their feathers on the ice and replace them with new ones. The feathers they leave behind can also be seen on satellites - but now scientists are worried. Recently they haven’t seen much evidence of this “mega moult”. BBC climate and science correspondent Georgina Rannard explains what this could mean for the Emperor penguin populations. And finally, Ash from the What in the World team brings a few more animal stories she’s spotted this week, including an update on viral sensation Punch the Monkey, in Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Julia Ross-Roy, William Lee Adams and Ash Mohamed Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ फेब्रुअरी २६ · ९ मिनेट
Vogue and Business Insider have declared 2026 the ‘year of the cabbage’. The vegetable has gone viral amid the rise of ‘fibremaxxing’ - with young people posting reels praising it for its versatility and trying to glamourise it with healthy gourmet-style meals. So, why has the humble vegetable had a rebrand? And what does it tell us about Gen Z finances? BBC reporter Basma El-Atti explains the trend - and tells us about the fibre gap. And Zara Hiridjee, a nutritionist in the UK explains how much fibre we need, whether you can have too much and the different types of fibre you need in your diet. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Benita Barden, Chelsea Coates and Emilia Jansson Video producer: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ फेब्रुअरी २५ · १३ मिनेट
On Sunday Mexican security forces killed El Mencho, one of the country’s most wanted drug lords and the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). In response, members of the feared cartel have unleashed a wave of violence across 20 Mexican states. Jack Burgess, a BBC reporter who covers international affairs, explains what’s been happening. And Laura Garcia, a BBC reporter from Mexico, explains how cartels recruit young people and how everyday Mexicans have had to adapt to the threat of cartel violence. The uptick in violence comes as Mexico prepares to host the World Cup, alongside the U.S. and Canada, between 11 June and 19 July. BBC Sport reporter Daniel Austin tells us how fans have been reacting and what it might mean for the football tournament. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: William Lee Adams and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ फेब्रुअरी २४ · १२ मिनेट
The gig economy is booming. This is where people get paid per job - and use an app to get their work. Most commonly it’s used for food delivery and taxis. India's gig workforce is 12 million strong and expected to double to 24 million by 2030. But recently thousands of gig workers in Delhi led massive protests over their pay and working conditions. They were also upset about the pressures of having to deliver products within 10 minutes - a guarantee some companies had initiated to try to get an edge in a very competitive market. Meghna Kanwar, a Brut journalist in India, explains some of their complaints - and how the government and companies responded. And it’s not just India; there have been gig worker protests all over the world in the last few years, including in the US, UK, Brazil, South Africa, China and Indonesia. Nathalia Jimenez, our BBC business reporter in New York, tells us what some of them were about - and whether they made a difference. We also hear from Mu'nisah Ujima, a food delivery driver in Atlanta, USA, on some of the upsides and downsides she experiences. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Julia Ross Roy, Benita Barden, Ash Mohamed and Chelsea Coates Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ फेब्रुअरी २३ · ११ मिनेट
The Winter Olympics are over and aren’t back until 2030. Some of the athletic highlights include the first Winter Olympic gold medal won by a South American nation, thanks to Brazil's Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, and also American figure skater Alysa Liu’s comeback. But then there’s some more dramatic moments like the public confessions of cheating and a condom shortage… William and Chelsea from the What in the World team tell us their Winter Olympics highlights. And we speak to BBC sports reporters Sarah Mulkerrins and Emma Smith, who’ve been following the games in Italy to get a good debrief of it all. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: William Lee Adams, Chelsea Coates and Benita Barden Editor: Emily Horler
२०२६ फेब्रुअरी २० · ९ मिनेट
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor - formerly known as Prince Andrew - has now been released under investigation, after he was arrested on Thursday (on his birthday!) on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Police are looking into allegations that the former prince shared official documents with the late American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Police have been searching his properties, but this arrest is not related to any sexual offences and Andrew has always denied all wrongdoing. It’s still a significant moment, as the first time in modern history that a senior member of the British Royal Family has been arrested. His brother, King Charles, has said in a statement, “the law must take its course”. In this episode, we explain what Andrew is being investigated for, what it might mean for the future of the British Royal Family - and the effect it could have on the ongoing calls for accountability for people with links to Epstein. We also have two past episodes you might want to listen to. One where we explain why why Andrew was stripped of his title: The Andrew Formerly Known as Prince https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct73mj And another all about the final drop of the Epstein files: Who and what are in the Epstein files https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct73y0 Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Emily Horler and Chelsea Coates Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ फेब्रुअरी १९ · १२ मिनेट
What’s going on with the price of gold? The precious yellow metal is super important to lots of cultures across the world. In China, its a big part of the Lunar New Year, while in India, gold gifts are linked to marriage traditions. And of course - most of us have dreams of getting our hands on some gold jewellery! So in this episode, William Lee Adams, from the What in the World team and former host of Marketplace Morning Report, will give us all the deets on those rising rates. We’ll chat the changing value of gold, spot price vs bullion, what’s behind it and why you should care. Plus, Anahita Sachdev, a reporter in the US, takes us through India’s relationship with gold. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Emily Horler, Benita Barden and Emilia Jansson Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ फेब्रुअरी १८ · १३ मिनेट
We’re talking about Lunar New Year - it’s the year of the fire horse and it’s the first time this particular combination of Chinese zodiac sign and element has rolled around in 60 years, and the hype is real. The story, myth and legend of the animals of the Chinese New Year calendar comes from an ancient Chinese poem telling the story of 12 mythical animals who ended up racing each other to decide which order they would appear in the Chinese zodiac. We’re gonna get into how the Lunar New Year is celebrated across the world, hear from some BBC pals about how they’re celebrating and also from some of you guys about your traditions and why this year is special. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Emily Horler and Chelsea Coates Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ फेब्रुअरी १७ · १३ मिनेट
We’ve spotted some of you on your socials talking about eldest sibling vs youngest sibling behaviour. It got us wondering if when you’re born can affect personality, relationships and outlook on life. We all know the stereotypes; the eldest child is more conscientious and responsible. The middle child gets overlooked and craves attention. The youngest is indulged and a risk-taker. Personality psychologist Julia Rohrer, from Leipzig University in Germany breaks down what’s science and what’s fiction. We hear the experiences from three of our BBC pals; Faith Oshoko in Nigeria, Santiago Vanegas Maldonado from Colombia and Jacob Evans in the UK. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq (eldest) Producers: Julia Ross Roy (only child), Benita Barden (middle) and Mora Morrison (youngest) Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal (youngest) Editor: Verity Wilde (eldest)
२०२६ फेब्रुअरी १६ · १२ मिनेट
President Trump isn’t a big believer in climate change - he’s called it a ‘hoax’ and ‘con job’ in the past. But last week saw one of his boldest moves against US climate policy since becoming president - the termination of the endangerment finding. It’s a ruling that was made in 2009, when Barack Obama was in the White House, and it’s served as the legal basis for lots of other regulations aiming to cut pollution since then. So, it looks like Trump is locked in a showdown with climate policy… but what could this hold for the future? In this episode, we explain exactly what the ruling is, why Trump has decided to revoke it, and what this could mean for you. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Emily Horler and Chelsea Coates Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ फेब्रुअरी १३ · १२ मिनेट
“Wuthering Heights” is back and so is Bridgerton. Period dramas are having a moment. Why are we loving them so much right now? We hear from fans around the world; Tasha in Canada, Gracie in the US and Radhika in India. Chelsea from the What in the World team explains some of the reasons, like wanting more slow burn romance and courtship in our modern dating, and more accountability when it comes to ghosting. Faye Woods from the University of Reading in the UK tells us how female representation plays a role too. We also discuss whether some of the relationships in these period dramas should be something we aspire to… Heathcliff and Cathy we’re looking at you. Happy Galentine’s Day to all our listeners! Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Chelsea Coates, Julia Ross Roy, and Ash Mohamed Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ फेब्रुअरी १२ · १२ मिनेट
As usual, we have been spending far too much time on social media, watching endless videos and scrolling for days. One thing that keeps on coming up is people talking about ‘Chinamaxxing’. This all about Gen Z celebrating and recognising their Chinese technology and Chinese brands…and then choosing to use more of these Chinese-made products than they have before. But it’s going further than that. It’s now a trend to embody a supposed ‘Chinese’ lifestyle. We chat with Shawn Yuan from our Global China Unit and BBC reporter Nathalie Jimenez to hear about how this trend is going down with the Chinese community around the world. Plus two content creators share their thoughts with us - Chao Ban and Yunyun Gu. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Emily Horler, Julia Ross Roy, Chelsea Coates and Emilia Jansson Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde
२०२६ फेब्रुअरी ११ · ११ मिनेट
A landmark trial is underway in California that examines the mental health effects of Instagram and YouTube. Lawyers for the plaintiff, referred to as K.G.M., will argue that she suffered from mental health issues as a result of social media addiction. Her team claims that the named social media companies deliberately built “addiction machines” that use the algorithm to keep young people hooked. K.G.M.’s lawyers also argue that Meta and YouTube failed to warn of the dangers to young users posed by the design of their platforms. Instagram and YouTube deny the allegations and argue that they can’t be held liable for users’ behaviour. Lily Jamali, the BBC’s North America Technology correspondent, is in Los Angeles for the case. She explains the arguments on both sides, previews who we will hear from and discusses the potential implications. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: William Lee Adams, Benita Barden and Ash Mohamed Editor: Verity Wilde
पछिल्लो १०० एपिसोड देखाइएको।
