What in the World

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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/w3ct73y0Instagram: @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