What in the World

The Pyramids of Giza are among Egypt's most famous landmarks. The Great Pyramid is made up of 2.3 million stone blocks, weighing five million tonnes in total. For centuries no one has known precisely how they were built, or how the stones were transported.Using radar satellite imagery, historical maps and geophysical surveys, a research team has mapped a long-lost, ancient branch of the River Nile - which they believe was buried by a major drought and sandstorms thousands of years ago. They think this waterway was used for the transportation of heavier blocks, equipment and people and finally explains how the Pyramids were constructed. So is this mystery finally wrapped up?Rehab Ismail, a BBC journalist in Cairo, describes what it’s like to visit the Pyramids of Giza and explains what the Egyptian authorities are doing to preserve the area from over-tourism. Egyptologist Yossra Ibrahim tells us which mysteries have been solved and which still remain. Archive courtesy of British Pathé. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee Adams Producers: Baldeep Chahal, Julia Ross-Roy and Abiona Boja Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

In South Korea, what presidential candidates are wearing is a hot topic.People use fashion to express themselves. Many of us think carefully about what we put on and how others will view our outfits, whether we choose an iconic hat or a monochrome look. But for politicians and their spouses, every look is carefully calculated to send a specific message.South Korea is having a snap election which means that image consultants are quietly shaping the new public faces of leadership, from tie colours to jumpers to hairstyles. Yoon Suk Yeol was removed from office for putting the country under martial law for six hours in December. Polls have placed Lee Jae-myung of the main opposition Democratic Party as the frontrunner among six candidates, followed by Kim Moon-soo from the ruling PPP.We chat with Rachel Lee from our team in Seoul - she’s been speaking to some of those image consultants about what they do. Also, Stacy Wasiche, a fashion blogger from Kenya, runs us through the latest political fashion trends and how it’s different depending on what country you look at.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Mora Morrison and Emily Horler Editor: Harriet Oliver

From Taylor Swift to Michael Jackson, there’s been countless superstar musicians who have called out their record labels for how much they’re being paid for their music. For musicians at the start of their careers it can be even more challenging to make money. The emergence of streaming sites like Spotify has made understanding publishing a bit more complicated. So how does it all really work?BBC Newsbeat reporter Riyah Collins talks us through how musicians make their money - from royalties, touring and streaming. Mary Spender, a singer-songwriter here in the U.K. shares her experience with earning money from her music.Plus we also hear from Kenyan TV host, KenRelBis, who’s launched a free music distribution platform to help local artists.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Emily Horler and Maria Clara Montoya Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

US president Donald Trump has claimed that white farmers in South Africa are being executed en masse. But this is simply not true. South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa and his delegation went to Washington last week hoping for a boost and a reset after months of bitterness with the Donald Trump administration. Instead they got brutal, high-stakes diplomacy, peppered with insults, which played out to millions across the world in real time. This included Trump showing a video which supposedly proved ‘genocide’ was taking place against white farmers. BBC journalist Nomsa Maseko breaks down where this false claim came from, how people in South Africa have responded to it, and what impact it could have on the future of relations between the two countries. We also hear why some white Afrikaners are taking up the offer of refugee status in the US. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee Adams Producers: Mora Morrison and Emilia Jansson Editor: Verity Wilde

After cutting off the supply of aid to Gaza for more than two months, Israeli officials have allowed some trucks to enter. But despite over a hundred aid trucks carrying essential products like flour and baby food into Gaza, the United Nations says it’s only a “drop in the ocean”. There have also been significant delays to distributing the aid, lasting days in some cases. The UN estimates that one in five Gazans face starvation and that an average of 600 trucks a day are needed to start tackling the humanitarian crisis there.From Jerusalem, the BBC’s Middle East Correspondent Yolande Knell explains why Israel has started to allow aid into Gaza and how much has got through so far. We hear what it’s like in Gaza right now and aid workers from Médecins Sans Frontières and the International Committee of the Red Cross tell us about the challenges they are facing when distributing aid to Palestinians on the ground.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee Adams Producers: Julia Ross-Roy, Chelsea Coates and Emily Horler Editor: Verity Wilde

If so, President Trump thinks you’re a “stupid person“.The royal family of Qatar wants to gift America a private jet. Critics say the gift is essentially a bribe to give Qatar influence with the U.S. And they’ve pointed out that, during his first term, President Trump accused Qatar of funding terror groups. On 21st April, it was formally announced that the US Defence Secretary had accepted the plane. BBC reporter, Nathalie Jimenez breaks it all down for us.It also got us thinking, what are the rules surrounding gift giving to politicians in other countries around the world? We’ll hear from five BBC reporters about what the rules are like in the countries they report on.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee Adams Producers: Emily Horler and Benita Barden Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Julia Ross-Roy

One of the biggest unions in the world representing a diverse range of creative professionals, including actors and voice artists, has filed a complaint against the makers of the video game Fortnite over its Darth Vader character. Epic Games used generative AI to recreate the voice of the Star Wars villain, after the late actor who played him in the film franchise signed over the rights in 2022. But Sag-Aftra says the gaming company should have negotiated with them first - and is worried the rise in AI could lead to job losses.BBC tech reporter Liv McMahon tells us more about the row between the union and Epic Games and explains why the growing use of generative AI is being met with backlash in the entertainment industry. We also hear from Larry Cutler, the co-founder of Baobab Studios, a multiple Emmy-award-winning animation studio that has worked on games like Roblox and Fortnite, to find out how voice cloning technology works.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee Adams Producers: Mora Morrison and Chelsea Coates Editor: Verity Wilde

Skin-lightening is a multi-billion-dollar industry and impacts many women, and men, around the world. Within the African context, women in Nigeria use skin-whitening products the most: according to the World Health Organization 77% of women use them regularly. The situation is so bad that Nigeria's National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (Nafdac) declared a state of emergency in 2023. The BBC’s Madina Maishanu has been speaking to a mother who has used skin-whitening products on all six of her children. Madina shares her story, and talks us through the cultural context of why people use these products. We also hear from aesthetician Zainab Bashir about the risks involved with skin-bleaching.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Mora Morrison, Maria Clara Montoya and Elena Angelides Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

Hundreds of thousands of students in Nigeria have been told they can retake their JAMB university entrance exam. That’s after nearly 80 per cent of them failed the test in March amid power cuts and computer glitches during the exams. The low pass rate sparked a national outcry, especially after the Minister of Education initially claimed it was caused by students cheating. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has now apologised - but what does the incident say about Nigeria’s digital infrastructure?The BBC’s Madina Maishanu explains what caused the technical issues, and why the exam board has now decided to allow retakes. We also hear from students across Nigeria about the impact the glitches have had on their hopes of getting into university.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams, Chelsea Coates and Julia Ross-Roy Editor: Verity Wilde

You might have seen videos on TikTok of guys with shaved heads and black sweatbands walking round Turkish airports, or sitting on planes on the way home. Turkey is becoming one of the most popular destinations to get a hair transplant. Turkish officials estimate the hair transplant market was worth $1billion in 2024. People travel there from all around the world, but especially the US and Europe, because it’s so much cheaper than getting it done in their home country. Christopher Mizzoni, 22 (@chrishairjourney), travelled to Turkey in 2024 to get the first of two planned hair transplants. He explains what it was like and what difference it’s made to him. Özge Özdemir from BBC Turkish explains why prices are so much lower in Turkey than other countries and sets out some concerns about the industry.And Chris D’Souza, a hair transplant surgeon and President of the British Association of Hair Restoration Surgery tells us what the procedure involves. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Julia Ross-Roy, Mora Morrison and Emilia Jansson Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

More and more people are using snus. Maybe you’ve noticed this where you live: people walking around with circular plastic tubs in their pockets and slipping small white parcels into their gums? There are two types: brown snus and white snus. Brown snus has been around for a while, and contains tobacco, whereas white snus is newer and tobacco-free; it’s a nicotine pouch. Some of the biggest brands are Zyn, Velo and On! and they’re made by the big tobacco companies. White snus is a booming market with “Zynfluencers” promoting it on social media. But it’s not only young people who are into it. According to one study in England, almost one in five professional male football players are using snus too. BBC Health reporter Elena Bailey talks us through snus’s health impacts. Sweden has particularly high snus use among teenagers. According to Swedish government data, 27% of 15-year-old girls and 31% of 15-year-old boys have used it. Swedish radio journalist Matilda Skarehag explains why it’s so popular there. We also hear from Fanna Ndow Norrby who got addicted to snus. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Julia Ross-Roy and Mora Morrison Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

One of the world’s biggest sporting stars, Virat Kohli, has announced his immediate retirement from Test cricket via an Instagram post to his 270 million followers. It’s got people talking about his impact and many tributes to his career have been shared online. But what does this mean for Indian cricket?The BBC’s Luke Wolstenholme talks us through why Virat Kohli is such a big deal and the legacy he leaves behind. We also hear from Virat Kohli fans Anwaya Mane and Tanisha Crasto, who played Badminton for Team India in the Olympics.Plus Baldeep Chahal from the What in the World team gives us a crash course in the history and rules of cricket.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Adam Chowdhury, Emily Horler, Benita Barden and Julia Ross-Roy Editor: Verity Wilde

Big Ocean are the world’s first K-Pop boy band with hearing loss. Each of the three members; Jiseok, PJ and Chanyeon, has a different level of hearing. They use hearing aids and cochlear implants to hear sounds and use lip reading for communication. The band use metronomes that display lights and smartwatches that communicate the beat through vibrations to help them when dancing. And they have used AI technology trained with the members' voice data to help them hit the correct pitch. As part of their first European tour, they came into the What in the World studio to chat to us about the challenges they’ve faced and overcome and how the deaf community has responded to them. We also hear from Big Ocean fan or PADO (which means wave in Korean) Jade Dunne who is a musician and has progressive hearing loss, on how the band has inspired her. Big Ocean incorporate Korean Sign Language, American Sign Language and International Sign into their choreography. Gavin Songer from the UK charity the National Deaf Children’s Society explains what other tech there is to help people with hearing loss experience music.You can also watch the video of this interview on YouTube - search for What in the World or click here for our playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLz_B0PFGIn4eMOlGZclzdcHmv7s8BFQE6Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Benita Barden and Julia Ross-Roy Video Journalist: Beatrice Guzzardi Editor: Verity Wilde

India and Pakistan have largely seen each other as rivals since they got their independence from Britain in 1947. Recently, tensions have erupted there again, and over the past week both sides have launched cross-border military strikes. It’s been over Kashmir - a Himalayan region which both India and Pakistan claim as theirs. Each administers part of it, and they’ve fought wars over it before. With this latest flare up, many are worried it could lead to another- and both sides have nuclear weapons.Now, India and Pakistan have agreed to a ceasefire.What’s the background to it all? We ask a load of BBC journalists, like Lyse Doucet and Arunoday Mukharji, to break down the history of it all.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Julia Ross-Roy, Adam Chowdhury, Rosabel Crean, Emily Horler, Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde

White smoke from the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City on Thursday 8th May announced that a new Pope had been elected. Pope Leo XIV is the 267th Pope to be exact and the first American. He also has Peruvian citizenship.In this episode we’re going to explain what we know about the new Pope, Robert Prevost, and his views. We find out what a Pope actually does. Also why are people so surprised that an American Pope has been elected?And we hear from young Catholics around the world - who tell us what they want to see from Pope Leo XIV. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Julia Ross-Roy, Emily Horler, Maria Clara Montoya and Adam Chowdhury Editor: Verity Wilde

True crime series are hugely popular around the world. These are non-fiction TV shows and podcasts which look at victims of crimes and investigate the motives of the perpetrator, often covering grim topics like assault and murder. You might have heard of some of them like Serial, American Manhunt: OJ Simpson, The Menendez Brothers, Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes and My Lover My Killer. Why are they so popular? And what positive and negative effects can they have on the cases they’re covering - and the people involved? Jacqui Wakefield from the BBC’s Global Disinformation Unit explains. And Dr Julia Shaw, criminal psychologist and host of the BBC podcast Bad People, talks to us about how true crime might affect our brain and behaviour.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee-Adams Producers: Emily Horler, Josh Jenkins and Benita Barden Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

Election season in Australia is drawing to a close with the re-election of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Labor Party. Around 18 million people in the country are eligible to vote, and many of them turned up to the polls as it is a legal obligation to do so. If you fail to turn up, you can face a fine. So what’s it like to vote in an election, when you have to? And how is enforced? BBC’s Australia correspondent Katy Watson tells us how it all works.Compulsory voting is popular across many countries in Latin America, with 13 out of the 33 countries in the region enforcing it. BBC reporter Maria Clara Montoya gives us the details.We also hear from Shane Singh, a professor at the University of Georgia in the US, about the advantages and disadvantages of compulsory voting.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Mora Morrison, Emily Horler and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde

When you picture Bali, you might think of sandy beaches, laid-back surfers, ancient temples and lush green rice paddies. As a tourist hotspot, single-use plastic is common and it has a problem with disposing of plastic waste. A study from 2021 ranked Indonesia as the fifth biggest contributor of marine waste in the world.Now, Bali’s governor has set an ambitious goal: to make the island waste-free by 2027. But how realistic is that? And what would it actually take to make it happen? Hanna Samosir, a reporter for the BBC in Jakarta, takes us through the story.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Adam Chowdhury Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

Shea butter, a rich silky fat loved for its versatility, is under threat. It’s a key ingredient in everything from moisturisers to pharmaceuticals, and it has a huge global market. The shea trees where it’s extracted from grow from West to East Africa in a vast strip known as the "shea belt". BBC Africa’s Anne Okumu has been to visit the Mount Kei Central Forest Reserve in Uganda, an area which used to be lush with wild shea trees, but has now been turned into a near-barren expanse dotted with stumps. She tells us why people have been cutting them down, and what this has to do with climate change. We also hear about what is being done to protect shea trees. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Mora Morrison, Adam Chowdhury and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde

Axolotls are only found in the wild in one place in the world; an area of wetland just outside Mexico City. They are one of the world’s most endangered, and arguably most adorable, amphibians. Not just meme-worthy, they are also scientifically fascinating - they don’t really age and they can regrow body parts, including their brains. Very few are left in the wild, but now scientists have released captive-bred axolotls back into the wetlands and found that they not only survived, but even put on a bit of weight. BBC science correspondent Victoria Gill talks us through the study and explains what scientists can learn from these amazing creatures. And Assistant Professor Prayag Murawala from the MDI Biological Laboratory in the US, describes what we know about how axolotls regenerate their own body parts. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Chelsea Coates, Emily Horler and Julia Ross-Roy Editor: Harriet Oliver

Sean "Diddy" Combs is one of the most successful music moguls in the history of rap. He has been arrested and charged with sex trafficking and racketeering. Prosecutors allege that he “abused, threatened, and coerced women” and that he created “a criminal enterprise” involving forced labour, kidnapping and bribery. Mr. Combs denies the charges and has pleaded not guilty.Ahead of the trial later this month, Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty, host of the BBC podcast, Diddy on Trial, explains the charges and shares Diddy’s response. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producer: William Lee Adams and Mora Morrison Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

Two Belgian teenagers have plead guilty to trying to smuggle thousands of giant African harvester ants out of Kenya. The authorities said they were allegedly planning to sell the ants on the growing exotic pet market in Europe and Asia, where ant keepers put the insects in special habitats and watch them build their colonies. BBC reporter Akisa Wandera talks us through this landmark case.We also hear from two ant keepers, Kaden (Ender Ants) and Mauro (Bruma Ants) on why they love their pets.And finally, a quick question for you, how many ants do you think there are for every person on earth? A) 10 ants B) 67 thousand ants C) 980 thousand ants D) 2.5 million antsListen to the episode for the answer!Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Chelsea Coates Editor: Verity Wilde

Nasa astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams recently returned to Earth after a longer-than-expected nine months on the International Space Station (ISS). And when the astronauts emerged from their space craft they were helped on to a stretcher, which is standard practice after spending so long in a weightless environment.The BBC’s Caroline Steel has been looking into how going into space impacts the body. She talks us through how muscles, bones and even vision are affected, and how astronauts can limit any long-term damage. Peggy Whitson holds the world record for the woman who has spent most time in space - 675 days. She explains the challenges of lifting weights while in zero gravity. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Mora Morrison and Emilia Jansson Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal and Kesewaa Browne Editor: Verity Wilde

China’s cosmetic surgery industry has exploded over the past decade and in turn, put even more pressure on young women to conform to unrealistic beauty standards. On Chinese social media there are hundreds of filtered faces, extreme weight-loss hacks, and even apps that scan your face and let you book cosmetic surgery as easily as ordering a taxi. BBC reporter Natalia Zuo, takes us through the culture in China and what she found out when working on a documentary for the BBC about the boom.You can watch the documentary on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaYSEWlHrGwInstagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Benita Barden Editor: Harriet Oliver

Many economists have warned that the world is poised for an economic downturn. The warnings come after President Trump's recent changes to America’s tariff policies. Changes in consumer spending — including their fashion choices — are one potential “recession indicator.”Erin Delmore, the BBC’s North America business correspondent, explains what a recession is and discusses how people’s purchasing decisions — regarding everything from clothes to salon visits — offer clues to what’s going on with the economy. We also hear from Caroline Stevenson from the London College of Fashion. She explains how trends come about and unpacks recent trends like the “clean girl” look and the “office siren”. Plus content creator Leah Holme discusses how she makes mindful purchasing decisions based on the long-term. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams, Benita Barden, Abiona Boja, Maria Clara Montoya Editor: Verity Wilde

Finding the right shade of makeup can be a struggle, especially if you have really fair or dark skin. But things are changing. Some brands, including Korean ones are looking at their shade ranges and making them more inclusive. Soo Min Kim, a BBC reporter, takes us through the K-beauty industry and what’s changing.We also hear from two beauty influencers - May Akhtar and Oceanne Comtois. Have they seen much change and could K-beauty be what the market needs?Gloria Achieng is a BBC reporter in Kenya - how popular are products there?And Adam Triantis from Dcypher walks us through why brands having a huge shade range can be hard logistically and whether AI could help. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Benita Barden Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

The title of Ed Sheeran’s new single ‘Azizam’ means ‘my love’ in the Persian language. The track and accompanying music video includes references to Persian culture and features famous Iranian pop star Googoosh. She’s been banned from singing in Iran since the 1970s.The song has received an outpouring of support from Iranian communities worldwide for its positive and heartfelt representation of Iran. But Googoosh’s featuring role has also shed light on the restrictions that women face in Iran, including a ban on singing in public places. We speak to Ghoncheh Habibiazad from BBC Persian about what inspired the song and what it tells us about music culture in Iran.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde

Pope Francis led the Catholic church for more than a decade. He was the first Latin American pope, and the first non-European in more than a thousand years.Many saw him as a more liberal pope than his predecessors - he talked about things like climate change, migration and LGBTQ rights but there are also those who felt he should have been more progressive.After his funeral, a conclave will begin and his successor will be chosen. We explain what this process involves and we hear young voices from around the world speaking about the death of Pope Francis and their hopes for the future of the Catholic Church.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Maria Clara Montoya Editor: Verity Wilde

Over the past few weeks social media has been flooded with TikTok videos of people claiming that expensive European designer goods are actually made in China, and that you can buy the same luxury handbags and clothes for a fraction of the usual price. Many of these videos have since been taken down, but it’s led many to wonder if any of these claims are true. Are consumers being ripped off? And does President Donald Trump’s increased tariffs on Chinese imports have anything to do with these videos?We speak to Jake Horton, a reporter at BBC Verify, who’s been analysing these viral Chinese supplier videos. He’s reached out to both designers and copyright law experts.Plus: we hear from Blythe Milligan, a supply chain expert and the host of the Everything is Logistics podcast, about why some products are manufactured in Asia. She also explains how supply chains work. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee Adams Producers: Benita Barden and Maria Clara Montoya Editor: Emily Horler

It’s 2025 and Katy Perry has officially gone to space. On Monday 14th April, she strapped herself into the Blue Origin rocket and blasted off like a “Firework” with five other well-known women. The rocket is owned by Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos and his fiancé Lauren Sanchez was also on board. The women claimed this all-female mission was to “take up space” but the reaction to the trip has been “Hot N Cold“. Some argue this wasn’t a win for feminism, only for the “Roar“ of capitalism.But what is space tourism? And are regular people going to start flying to space and become “‘E.T.“?The BBC’s Science correspondent Victoria Gill explains what the reaction has been and the impact space travel can have on the environment.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee-Adams Producers: Emily Horler and Emilia Jansson Editor: Julia Ross-Roy

‘Tell Your Papa’ by Eedris Abdulkareem is an Afrobeats song which criticises Nigeria’s president Bola Tinubu and calls on his son, Seyi Tinubu, to let his father know that "people are dying" because of hardship and insecurity, and that there is "hunger" in the country. After its release, Nigeria’s National Broadcast Commission (NBC) ordered TV and radio stations not to play the track. They classed it as "inappropriate for broadcast due to its objectionable nature", adding that it falls short of public decency standards.Neither Nigeria’s president nor his son have commented on the song or the ban. The BBC’s Makuochi Okafor explains the reaction to the song’s ban and describes what life is like for Nigerians right now.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Mimi Swaby Producers: Maria Clara Montoya, Josh Jenkins and Adam Chowdhury Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Julia Ross-Roy

A pet can bring so much joy to a person’s life. Usually, the owner will outlive their pet. But advances in modern veterinary care has made more treatments available to keep animals alive for longer. It can be expensive, with owners spending thousands of dollars to keep their beloved pet alive. But are these treatments worth it? And when does medical care for pets cross a line?BBC Brasil journalist Julia Braun joins us in the studio to discuss animal euthanasia and why pet owners face such difficult choices. We also speak to Springer Svenja, a veterinary medicine professor at the University of Vienna and we hear from a vet in California, Sarah Cortright, on the work veterinarians do in navigating people through these sad times.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee Adams Producers: Julia Braun, Emily Horler and Emilia Jansson Editor: Julia Ross-Roy

An enormous fifty-year-old ocean liner, the SS United States, is set to be sunk and become the world’s biggest artificial reef, off the coast of Florida in the US. The area already has over 500 artificial reefs. These are manmade structures that may mimic some of the characteristics of a natural reef. The people behind it say it’ll improve biodiversity, local tourism and fishing.And it’s not just old ships; people have sunk oil rigs and subway carriages. They don’t always have a positive effect; in the 1970s two million tyres were dropped into the ocean to try to create an artificial reef (also off the coast of Florida), but they released lots of toxins. Climate and science reporter Georgina Rannard explains how ships like this get turned into artificial reefs and whether old ships are good for marine life. We talk about other kinds of artificial reefs and ask what benefits they can have for our oceans.Archive courtesy of British Pathé and CBS News. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Julia Ross-Roy and Mora Morrison Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

East of India is a small island called North Sentinel Island. It’s home to the Sentinelese people. But no one else is welcome to visit, and if they try, they may face death. The Sentinelese have made it clear they don’t want to be contacted and prefer to be alone. But recently, a 24-year-old American tourist allegedly managed to sneak onto the island and leave a can of coke and coconut as an offering. So who are these uncontactable groups and why do people keep trying to visit?The BBC’s global population correspondent Stephanie Hegarty tells us more about the uncontactable tribes. And Jonathan Mazower from Survival International, a charity which supports the Indigenous, tribal and uncontacted peoples, explains why social media is putting these groups in further danger.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Mimi Swaby Producers: Mora Morrison, Benita Barden and Emilia Jansson Assistant Editor: Emily Horler

The US company Colossal claim to have brought back the dire wolf from extinction after 12,000 years through genetic engineering. The three pups, called Romulus, Remus and Khaleesi, are now living in an undisclosed nature preserve, unaware that their existence has made headlines around the world. But Colossal aren’t finished yet, they want to continue to “de-extinct” other animals, such as the woolly mammoth. BBC Science Correspondent Victoria Gill explains how the experiment was done. How realistic is “de-extinction”? And are these actually dire wolves?Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee Adams Producers: Josh Jenkins and Emilia Jansson Editor: Emily Horler

Tensions in South Sudan are rising, threatening an already fragile peace deal between President Salva Kiir and his rival First Vice-President Riek Machar.They signed the peace agreement in 2018 to end a five-year civil war that killed nearly 400,000 people. But now, many are worried that South Sudan could be on the brink of another civil war.Ashley Lime, a BBC reporter in Nairobi, explains why this latest violence has escalated and outlines the relationship between these two leaders.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde

Taiwan’s government recently deported Liu Zhenya, a Chinese national who goes by “Yaya in Taiwan” on social media. It’s after Liu posted comments on Douyin — the Chinese version of TikTok — that Taiwan’s government described as threats to national security. Since then Taiwan has deported two other “mainland wives” (Chinese citizens with Taiwanese husbands) over similar concerns about their social media posts. It’s also investigating several others. Benny Lu from BBC Chinese explains why Taiwan’s government is concerned about what it calls “Chinese propaganda.” He also discusses how people in China and Taiwan have reacted to the deportations.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams and Josh Jenkins Editor: Verity Wilde

The International Criminal Court has been in the spotlight recently after it issued several arrest warrants for both Hamas and Israeli officials involved in the Israel-Gaza war. Following this, US President Donald Trump announced sanctions against the court and Hungary also accused them of being ‘politically biased”.Based in the Dutch city of The Hague, the court was established in 2002 and has the power to bring prosecutions for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. But how does it all work? And what powers does the ICC have? Anna Holligan, a BBC correspondent, based in the Netherlands tells us all the information you need to know to understand what’s happening with the ICC.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler, Benita Barden and Julia Ross-Roy Editor: Verity Wilde

Donald Trump has introduced tariffs on imports to the US. This has caused a huge reaction across the world with many major stock markets in free fall ever since. Are you confused by all the different words being thrown around? What actually is a tariff? Don’t worry - we’re joined by BBC business presenter Will Bain to explain everything you need to know about tariffs and how they can impact your life.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Josh Jenkins, Mora Morrison and Emilia Jansson Editor: Verity Wilde

Rhinos are at extreme risk of extinction because of poaching and habitat loss. The work of conservationists has made sure that their numbers have continued to rise, but poaching is still a major threat to their existence. Most of the global rhino population lives in South Africa, where the government has taken big steps to prevent the killings, but recent data shows criminal poachers are still targeting the animalSo scientists are getting experimental with how to protect them!We hear from the BBC Africa’s Ayanda Charlie who has speaking to scientists in South Africa coming up with ways to prevent poaching, including using radioactive material in horns as a deterrent. Plus, we get the story behind why there’s videos of rhinos hanging upside down from helicopters. Riley Farrell from BBC Future tells us about how choppers are being used in rhino conservation. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde

The average person who menstruates has their period for 2,535 days (nearly seven years) of their life, according to the UN. That’s A LOT of tampons and pads. But the World Bank says 500 million women don’t have access to menstrual products. Period poverty - when women and girls can’t afford or access sanitary products - is a global problem, affecting lots of countries in Africa as well as the US, UK, India and New Zealand. Gloria Achieng, a BBC journalist in Kenya, talks us through the causes of period poverty and some of the reusable products available. Patricia Kajumba, founder of Glow Up Pads in Uganda, explains how her reusable pads are making a difference and Geena Dunne from the Cova Project in Australia tells us about their menstrual cups. BBC Health reporter Michelle Roberts breaks down some of the myths surrounding period products.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Julia Ross-Roy, Mora Morrison and Hayley Clarke Video Journalists: Gabriel Purcell-Davis and Adam Chowdhury Editor: Verity Wilde

President Trump and his administration is cracking down on international students who have been active in protests against Israel on university campuses.Last week, the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said at least 300 students had their student visas revoked.Trump officials said the Immigration and Nationality Act allows the State Department to deport non-citizens who are "adversarial to the foreign policy and national security interests" of the US.The arrests are a part of Trump's pledge to combat what the administration has classified as antisemitism on university campuses, which was written into an executive order in January.Nathalie Jimenez, our reporter in the US, takes us through what we know about two of the most prominent cases. And Jake Horton from BBC Verify, explains some of the key terms you need to know.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde

In this episode we’re tracing the route of a shadow ship. These ships are part of a network carrying Russian oil around the world - in violation of international sanctions. And some of them have been accused of sabotage, severing undersea cables that connect European countries. The “shadow fleet” is growing in size and posing a risk to other ships and the environment. BBC journalist Emilia Jansson explains what shadow ships are and what some Scandinavian countries are trying to do about them. And we hear from BBC journalist Tim Whewell who travelled to the Laconian Sea, where shadow ships frequently carry out ship-to-ship transfers of cargo. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee Adams Producers: Emilia Jansson and Julia Ross-Roy Editor: Verity Wilde

Myanmar is reeling following a powerful earthquake on Friday. The epicentre was near the second largest city Mandalay, home to about 1.5 million people. According to the government, more than 2,000 people have been killed. The country is already in the midst of a worsening humanitarian crisis and civil war. It’s also ruled by a military junta who control almost all the media. We hear from Soe Win Than, the editor of the BBC’s Burmese service, about why it’s difficult to get all the information.Tremors were also felt in Thailand - where thousands were evacuated from cracked buildings and at least 20 people have died.Myanmar is considered one of the world’s most geologically active areas and prone to serious natural disasters. We speak to Stephen Hicks, a seismologist and research at University College London, about why earthquakes are so hard to predict.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde

US Vice-President JD Vance and his wife Usha are scheduled to land in Greenland on Friday afternoon. Their visit comes as President Donald Trump continues his threats to take over the world’s largest island, which is a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark. But the planned visit has been scaled back following protests. Rather than visiting a dog sled race and cultural sites, the Vances will instead tour an American space facility. BBC journalist Laura Gozzi explains the basics of what the United States would gain if Greenland became part of the U.S. And we also hear reaction from two 26-year-old Greenlanders, as we try to understand how local people feel about the latest developments.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Mora Morrison and Elena Angelides Editor: Verity Wilde

The global hair wig and extension market was valued at $7.5billion in 2024. Hair is big business - especially in India, which is the world’s biggest exporter of human hair, supplying 85% of global demand. Some comes from temples, where people shave off their hair as an act of devotion to the gods. It is then sold at auction. The rest comes from hair pickers who collect it from women’s combs, salons and even rubbish dumps. Priti Gupta, a journalist in Mumbai, talks us through the Indian hair industry. We ask why Indian hair is so sought after - and why it’s China that’s leading the wig export market, instead of India. BBC journalist Nadia Gyane explains where this hair ends up - and if customers know or care where their hair comes from? And drag artist Zeeshan Ali in Mumbai tells us why wigs are so important to their act. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Mora Morrison, Elena Angelides and Julia Ross-Roy Video Journalists: Baldeep Chahal and Kesewaa Browne Editor: Verity Wilde

Thousands of people in Turkey turned out for a seventh night of protests which have so far seen more than 1,400 people detained, including students, journalists and lawyers. Demonstrations began in Istanbul on 19 March, when the city's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu - who is seen as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's main political rival - was arrested on corruption charges.In this episode we bring you the background to the protests. Nihan Kalle, a reporter for BBC Monitoring in Istanbul, tells us why President Erdogan is still popular after 22 years in power and why Ekrem Imamoglu is seen as a threat to him. BBC Turkish reporter Özge Özdemir explains the state of democracy in Turkey right now. And we hear directly from some of the student protestors - what changes do they want to see in Turkey?Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Mora Morrison, Julia Ross-Roy and Maria Clara Montoya Editor: Verity Wilde

Fluoride has been in most American tap water for decades. It’s there to help to prevent tooth decay, especially in children. Scientists and health officials say it’s one of the biggest public health wins of the 20th century. But lately, fluoride has found itself at the centre of a heated debate, with some people concerned about side effects. Robert F Kennedy Jr, the US Health Secretary, is one of those, but he has long expressed views that conflict with scientific evidence.We break down the facts about fluoride, explain how the quantities of it in water is safe and tell you what you need to know with Phoebe Hopson, a BBC reporter, and Michelle Roberts, a doctor and health reporter.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Julia Ross-Roy and Emily Horler Editor: Verity Wilde

Over 500 schools and universities in South Korea are dealing with a deepfake porn crisis. Explicit images and videos of classmates and teachers are being shared. The perpetrators are often students themselves. In fact, 80 per cent of those arrested for creating and distributing deepfakes are teenagers.Hyojung Kim from the BBC’s Korean Service explains what’s happening and what’s being done to stop it.Plus, presenter and campaigner Jess Davies gives us tips on what to do if you have been deepfaked.If you’ve been affected by any of the issues raised in this episode and you are based in the UK, you can get support from relevant organisations through the BBC Action Line website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/22VVM5LPrf3pjYdKqctmMXn/information-and-support-sexual-abuse-and-violence.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee Adams Producers: Julia Ross-Roy, Elena Angelides, Benita Barden and Adam Chowdhury Editor: Verity Wilde

The annual World Happiness Report is out and Finland has been named the happiest country for the eighth year in a row. What makes the Finns so joyful? Emilia Jansson from the What in the World team breaks it down for you. But, is happiness just a fleeting emotion or is there more to it? Sarah Jelbert, a lecturer who teaches courses on the science of happiness explains how you can improve your life satisfaction. And we hear from Sweden and Costa Rica, two countries that rank in the top ten. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Maria Clara Montoya Editor: Julia Ross-Roy