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Episodes from What in the World
Is the manosphere growing in Kenya and Mexico?
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 an...
Why more women in China are buying men’s clothes
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...
Why are more young people being diagnosed with cancer?
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 wi...
Why India's Cockroach Janta Party has got people talking
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 accoun...
How Asia is adapting to getting less oil from Iran
The war in Iran is doing something years of climate summits haven’t managed to - pushing some countries towards renewable energy, fast.That’s because ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz have been pretty much blocked for months, since the war began. Thousands of oil tankers are stranded near the Strait, which is one of the world’s most important channels.And it’s particularly affecting Asia. The majority of the crude oil passing through the Strait is headed to Asian markets. Energy prices there are soaring and there are fears of shortages and blac...
Trump says yes to psychedelic drug research
President Trump has issued an executive order to speed up reviews into psychedelic drugs like psilocybin, LSD, and Ibogaine. Psychedelics are banned in the US in the vast majority of circumstances, but scientists are looking at the drugs and their possible therapeutic benefits for serious mental health conditions. Ibogaine comes from a shrub native to west Africa and is used ceremonially in Gabon. Trials have reported benefits from the drugs in conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder and opioid addiction. But experts say that it’s been difficult to study because it can cause heart problems.BB...
Wish you weren’t here! How tourism is impacting Caribbean beaches
Tourism is a vital part of the economy for many Caribbean nations, from Jamaica to Grenada to the Bahamas. In fact, the United Nations says the Caribbean is the region of the world that’s most dependent on tourists. The sector supports millions of jobs — from barmen and waiters to cab drivers and chefs — and many of these roles go to women and young people. But what happens when developers close off beaches to locals? BBC reporter Chelsea Coates, who has visited several Caribbean islands, explains the growing tensions across the region as countries try to balance touris...
Should people be allowed to bet on war?
Prediction markets Kalshi and Polymarket allow people to make trades against future events - which can range from when the US and Iran might sign a permanent peace deal and sports results, to whether a politician will mention a certain phrase in a speech. These sites have surged in popularity over the past year, hosting more than $44 billion in trades.But they bring up all sorts of ethical questions. Not just war profiteering, but also insider trading. Recently a US soldier was arrested for allegedly using classified information to place bets on the capture of Venezuelan president...
Ebola outbreak: How dangerous is the new strain in DR Congo?
The World Health Organisation has declared an outbreak of the Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo a public health emergency of international concern. Officials say there are now over 600 suspected cases, and over 139 suspected deaths. This latest outbreak presents a series of difficulties for health officials. The outbreak is driven by a new strain of the virus called Bundibugyo, for which there is no vaccine. The epicentre of the outbreak is in the remote eastern province of Ituri, which is an active conflict zone. And local superstitions and beliefs frequently lead people to seek help...
Meet the call centre workers dealing with your complaints
Most of the world’s call centres are based in India and the Philippines, but major hubs are also on the rise in other regions - especially in Latin America. In countries like Colombia, Brazil and Mexico, thousands of young people work in this industry to earn money while they’re studying. They mainly answer customer services calls coming from the US, trying to solve their problems and dealing with a lot of frustrated customers - all in their second language.BBC Mundo reporter Santiago Vanegas Maldonado, who’s based in Miami, explains why this industry is growin...
Why did Drake release three albums at the same time?
After an explosive public feud with Kendrick Lamar, Drake is back with a triple-solo album release. The three albums - Iceman, Habibti and Maid of Honour - contain a blend of music genres across 43 different songs. The albums have sparked a mixed reaction from fans and critics, but they have already helped Drake become the most streamed Spotify artist of 2026. BBC Newsbeat’s Peter Gillibrand explains why Drake decided to publish so much music all at once and discusses how it reflects on and reignites Drake’s beef with Kendrick Lamar. He also touches on Drak...
President Trump in China: Deal or no deal?
For the last few days, international headlines have been dominated by stories about Donald Trump's visit to China, to meet Xi Jinping. The trip featured marching bands, red carpets, photocalls, big smiles and many, many handshakes. Now that President Trump has left the country, we ask what actually happened below the surface level. Was it all just superficial pageantry or did the leaders of the world’s two largest economies make any real agreements or deals?People expected talks on trade deals, the war in Iran and Taiwan. President Trump didn't travel alone; he was joined by so...