What in the World

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

Abina Issa Bakofi, a recent graduate in Accra who voices Ghanaian youth views, and Daniel Dadzie, BBC Africa journalist and analyst. They discuss the UN vote recognising the transatlantic slave trade as the gravest crime against humanity. Conversations cover Ghana's reparations push, why some states opposed or abstained, and what this recognition could mean for diplomacy, memory and future calls for redress.

Joe Tidy, BBC technology correspondent known for clear analysis of social media and tech law, breaks down a landmark US verdict against Meta and Google. He explains the trial’s focus on app design, the features that drive endless scrolling, and potential legal and regulatory ripple effects. Listeners weigh in on whether apps are truly addictive.

Emma Middleton, BBC Sport reporter who covers football ownership, explains why celebrities are snapping up lower-league clubs. She discusses KSI’s Dagenham & Redbridge move and the surge of star investments. Short takes cover global examples, fan reactions, how much power minority investors really hold, and the risks when fame meets football.

Azadeh Moshiri, BBC Dubai correspondent who covers local life and security in the UAE. Nick Marsh, Asia business correspondent who tracks energy and economic trends. They discuss how the Iran war is reshaping Dubai’s image, local safety and tourism. They also cover rising fuel prices, regional economic effects and shifting security alignments.

Mayeni Jones, BBC Africa correspondent reporting from Johannesburg, gives on-the-ground analysis of South Africa’s worsening water shortages and alleged 'water mafias'. She outlines how aging infrastructure and climate change strain supplies. She describes water tankers, accusations of theft and collusion, and how shortages hit daily life and deepen inequality.

Yuna Koo, an on-site Seoul reporter who covered the Gwanghwamun Square comeback, gives an eyewitness account and local context. She describes the show's blend of traditional and modern staging. She discusses tightened security and lower turnout, mixed South Korean reactions to Arirang, BTS’s economic boost to tourism, and their role as a symbol of national soft power.

Sander van der Linden, Cambridge social psychology professor explaining how gamified hype can distance viewers. Anthony Zurcher, BBC North America correspondent reporting on the White House’s social media strategy and its precedents. They discuss viral meme-style videos, targeting young gamers, comparisons to past wartime media, and the ethical backlash and public reactions.

Trevor Larcom, an actor and social creator sharing his looksmaxing journey, and Thomas Morgan, a BBC journalist who traced the trend's roots. They discuss extreme self-improvement, online communities and ranking culture. Conversation covers origins in manosphere forums, harmful practices like bonesmashing, and the pressure-versus-mental-health trade-offs.