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What in the World

BBC World Service
What in the World
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746 episodes

  • What in the World

    What Is El Niño? And why it could cause chaos this year

    02/06/2026 | 10 mins.
    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: [email protected]
    WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6
    Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
    Producers: William Lee Adams and Adam Chowdhury
    Video Producer: Baldeep Chahal
    Editor: Emily Horler
  • What in the World

    Is the manosphere growing in Kenya and Mexico?

    01/06/2026 | 11 mins.
    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: [email protected]
    WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6
    Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
    Producers: William Lee Adams and Ash Mohamed
    Editor: Emily Horler
  • What in the World

    Why more women in China are buying men’s clothes

    29/05/2026 | 10 mins.
    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: [email protected]
    WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6
    Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
    Producer: Benita Barden and Adam Chowdhury
    Editor: Emily Horler
  • What in the World

    Why are more young people being diagnosed with cancer?

    28/05/2026 | 13 mins.
    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: [email protected]
    WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6
    Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
    Producer: Emily Horler, Chelsea Coates and Ash Mohamed
    Editor: Verity Wilde
  • What in the World

    Why India's Cockroach Janta Party has got people talking

    27/05/2026 | 8 mins.
    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: [email protected]
    WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6
    Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
    Producer: Emily Horler, William Lee Adams and Benita Barden
    Editor: Verity Wilde
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About What in the World
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.
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