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  • Why is measles on the rise?
    2026/01/28

    For some of us, measles might sound like a childhood disease from the past that our grandparents worried about. But it can have a severe effect on your health if you catch it as an adult and in some regions, infections are rising. Indonesia, Pakistan and South Africa have all dealt with recent outbreaks. And in the countries like US - that were previously recognised as having eliminated the disease - there’s been a rise in cases as well. So - why is the virus on the rise and what does vaccine hesitancy have to do with it?

    BBC Health reporter Nick Triggle explains what the virus is, where it’s most prevalent and why we’re seeing a downturn in vaccination rates in some regions. Canada lost its measles elimination status late last year - Nadine Yousif, a BBC reporter in Toronto, explains how anti-vax content on social media may have contributed to this.

    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

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    11 分
  • Why are we all so stressed?
    2026/01/27

    Nonstop notifications, exam stress, the fear of being left behind. These are just some of the things which can increase our anxiety levels. We’ve all been there. Stress is something most of us experience. But sometimes that stress can tip over into feeling overwhelmed or even burnout. So - what can you do about it?

    BBC presenter and psychologist Claudia Hammond has just written a book all about overwhelm. She breaks down the data on stress, explains what triggers it and gives us her tips on how to deal with it when it all gets too much. And we hear from listeners across the world who share what’s overwhelming them right now - from social media to exams - and get some advice from Claudia on how they can feel less stressed.

    Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Mora Morrison, Chelsea Coates, Adam Chowdhury and Natalia Makohon Video producer: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Julia Ross-Roy

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    13 分
  • ICE explained: What powers do its agents have?
    2026/01/26

    Protesters have taken to the streets and tensions are running high in the city of Minneapolis in the US, after ICE agents shot and killed a 37-year-old man named Alex Pretti on Saturday. This comes just weeks after another ICE agent shot and killed US citizen Renee Nicole Good in the same city.

    Kristi Noem, the head of the US Department of Homeland Security, accused both Alex and Renee of ‘domestic terrorism’. But some lawmakers - and protesters - have said the killings raise concerns about ICE’s operations across the country.

    BBC journalist Kayla Epstein, who’s based in New York, joins us to explain how much power ICE has, why they’re being deployed and why some people say they’re controversial.

    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 Chelsea Coates Editor: Verity Wilde

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    9 分
  • Why does Donald Trump want Greenland?
    2026/01/23

    Donald Trump can’t stop talking about Greenland. He spent a big chunk of his speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos talking about the island, saying he wouldn’t use force but threatening consequences if it wasn’t handed over.

    Later that day, he said discussions with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte had been fruitful, but Denmark and Greenland said only they can negotiate with the US over Greenland.

    We break down why exactly Donald Trump is paying so much attention to this Arctic island and what that might mean for the rest of the world.

    Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Emily Horler and Emilia Jansson Editor: Verity Wilde

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    9 分
  • The 'forever chemicals' lurking in our water and clothes
    2026/01/22

    Do you know there could be chemicals in your clothes, food packaging and even your make-up which can take hundreds or even thousands of years to break down?

    They’re called PFAS - or “forever chemicals” - and they are everywhere. They're in our drinking water, at harmful levels in some areas, and they’re inside our bodies, our brains and our blood. They’ve been found on the top of Mount Everest, too.

    BBC climate and science reporter Esme Stallard explains what these chemicals are and how they get into our bodies. Stephanie Metzger from the Royal Society of Chemistry in the UK tells us the effect they can have on our health. And podcast host Robin Laird tells us what she does to try to avoid PFAS.

    France has just brought in a ban on cosmetics and clothing that contain these chemicals - they can’t be produced, imported or sold there now. We hear about the steps some countries are taking to try to limit their use. Gittemarie Johansen, a Danish environmental and sustainability advocate, gives us her view on what governments and manufacturers should do.

    Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Chelsea Coates and Julia Ross-Roy Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

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    13 分
  • Is IShowSpeed changing perceptions of Africa?
    2026/01/21

    One of the biggest internet personalities in the world, IShowSpeed has gone viral countless times for his ‘irl’ streams from countries all over the globe. His latest tour of Africa has taken him to a bunch of countries so far, including Zambia, Ethiopia and even the newly-crowned AFCON winners Senegal. But the tour has also turned heads for how people have been reacting to it on social media, with some saying it’s completely changed how they look at the continent.

    So - is IShowSpeed changing perceptions? Or is he just boosting his personal brand?

    The BBC’s West Africa reporter Makuochi Okafor joins us to explain what Speed has got up to so far in Africa, why he’s so popular and the impact his tour is having. And we hear from loads of you across the continent who have been telling us what they think.

    Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Emily Horler and Chelsea Coates Editor: Verity Wilde

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    12 分
  • Should women be included in conscription?
    2026/01/20

    In most countries around the world where there is mandatory military service, it largely applies to just men. Denmark, Sweden and Norway have all brought in conscription laws for women in recent years. Experts say more countries are hoping to strengthen their armies and respond to geopolitical changes or conflict through these new conscription laws. Others say that it reflects a broader discussion and exploration of gender equality across cultures.

    BBC reporter Emilia Jansson tells which countries are shifting their focus towards getting women in the army, and explains the reasons why in full.

    Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Imogen James, Benita Barden and Emilia Jansson Video producer: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde and Julia Ross Roy

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    9 分
  • Where’s the worst place you’ve ever gotten sick?
    2026/01/19

    Where’s the worst place you’ve ever gotten sick? Bet you cant beat space!

    For the first time since it launched in 1998, astronauts have been evacuated from the International Space Station because of a health problem. They are now back on Earth, but the rare incident has put the spotlight on just how much preparation goes into space flight - and what happens when things don’t go to plan. So - what can you do if you get sick in space?

    BBC science correspondent Georgina Rannard explains how astronauts treat illnesses in space and what it’s like being on the ISS (spoiler: it’s actually VERY hard to keep clean).

    Dr Na’im Merchant, an infectious diseases doctor interested in astro-microbiology, explains what kind of illnesses astronauts get in space. And we hear from a former astronaut about staying healthy before and after take-off.

    Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Emily Horler, William Lee Adams and Chelsea Coates Editor: Verity Wilde

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    12 分