What in the World

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
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Presenter: Iqra Farooq
Producers: Imogen James, Benita Barden and Emilia Jansson
Video producer: Baldeep Chahal
Editor: Verity Wilde and Julia Ross Roy

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: [email protected]
WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6
Presenter: Iqra Farooq
Producers: Emily Horler, William Lee Adams and Chelsea Coates
Editor: Verity Wilde

K-pop megastars BTS have announced their long-awaited comeback, after their military service for the South Korean army took them out of the game for four years.
There’s gonna be a new album, a world tour AND an extravagant 360 degree stage, meaning tickets sales can be maxed out, allowing more fans into stadiums. Experts think it will all net the band over $1 billion.
We hear from the BTS Army about how excited they are.
But four years is a long time in K-pop, so how can BTS hold onto their crowns? BBC reporter Rachel Lee in Seoul joins us to explain why the band is so important to the South Korean music industry and how they can continue to dominate it.
Latin America, Europe and the US are some of the places where dates have been announced but the ‘world tour’ has skipped over the continent of Africa again. More dates are due to be announced, but how are fans feeling there?
Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6
Presenter: Iqra Farooq
Producers: Emily Horler and Emilia Jansson
Editor: Julia Ross-Roy

Ultra-processed food - things like biscuits and crisps - are making up more and more of our diets globally. In the US and the UK, ultra-processed food actually make up half the calories we eat. New research is calling for more action to reduce this intake because of its potential threat to our health. But what is ultra-processed food and how does it impact the body?
We’re joined by the BBC health reporter Annabel Rackham and Priscila Machado, a nutritionist from Deakin’s Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition in Australia, to talk through everything we need to know. We discuss what ultra-processed food is, what it contains, how to spot it, and if we need to worry about eating it.
Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6
Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
Producers: Mora Morrison and Benita Barden
Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal
Editor: Verity Wilde

The AI tool Grok has caused controversy and shock around the world, after it was revealed that the chatbot can generate images of real people without clothes on. These fake nudes are then posted publicly on X, causing immense distress for the victims. There are also reports of underage victims.
BBC technology reporter Laura Cress joins us to explain what has happened with Grok, how governments worldwide are reacting, and how Grok’s owner Elon Musk has responded to the backlash.
We hear from Daisy in the UK, whose gym photo was edited without her consent and BBC business reporter Osmond Chia, who’s been speaking to victims of these deepfakes in Indonesia, which has just banned Grok.
Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6
Presenter: Iqra Farooq
Producers: William Lee Adams and Emilia Jansson
Editor: Julia Ross-Roy and Emily Horler