Some women with afro and curly textured hair use chemicals to straighten their hair. But using these products can lead to burns and skin irritation. And some of the ingredients, like formaldehyde, are carcinogens. Some studies have shown a link between their use and higher rates of some cancers.  Kate Holden, a hair and scalp expert, tells us how chemical straighteners work. Dorcas Wangira, the BBC’s Africa Health correspondent, explains the health effects of using these products. Mary Isokariari from the What in the World team discusses why some women feel pressure to straighten their hair. Chinenye Ézémbu in Nigeria tells us why she chemically relaxes her hair and Deborah William shares her health issues, which she thinks are linked to her use of chemical hair straighteners.  Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk
WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6
Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
Producers: Mary Isokariari, Emily Horler and Adam Chowdhury
Researcher: Jaidaa Taha
Editor: Julia Ross-Roy

How dangerous are chemical hair straighteners and relaxers?

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Nuclear power counts for just ten percent of the world’s total power supply and only 33 countries currently have nuclear power stations. But those numbers could soon change as China rushes to build new nuclear facilities and as African countries consider building their own.  Jordan Dunbar from the BBC podcast The Climate Question explains how nuclear power works, describes its benefits and drawbacks, and assesses whether it could ever be seen as a green form of energy.  Many people are nervous about leveraging nuclear power, partly because of the infamous disasters at nuclear sites like Three Mile Island and Fukushima. Alex from the What in the World team runs us through what happened at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine in 1986.  South Africa is the only country in Africa with a nuclear power plant — the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station near Cape Town. But ten other African countries — including Nigeria and Uganda— are looking into getting a plant of their own. Kevyah from the What in the World team explains why some African nations are considering a nuclear future.  Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld
WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6
Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk
Presenter: William Lee Adams 
Producer: Alex Rhodes and Kevyah Cardoso
Editor: Emily Horler

Could nuclear be the answer to our power problems?

South Korea’s Buldak noodles are super spicy - and Denmark’s food regulator has now recalled some types of them, saying they could cause "acute poisoning". The company behind the noodles says there are no quality issues. They’re used in extreme food challenges that often go viral online. So we decided to try them ourselves and they were FIERY! The BBC’s Health and Science Correspondent, James Gallagher, explains why spicy food can make us feel all hot and bothered, how to combat the side effects, and takes us through some common myths about spice. And one of our BBC colleagues, Akwasi Sarpong, tells us how a tiny bit of extremely hot sauce caused some drama at work. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld
WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6
Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk
Presenter: William Lee Adams with Benita Barden
Producer: Emily Horler
Editor: Julia Ross-Roy

Feel the burn: Why does spicy food hurt so much?

She may be one of music's biggest stars, but it turns out even Billie Eilish is not immune to being ghosted. The ‘Bad Guy’ singer recently opened up about her experience on a BBC podcast, and it got us thinking about why ghosting feels so pervasive and hurtful.  So, in this episode, we’re chatting about all things ghosting: where the term came from, what it means, and why it makes us feel so bad. We hear from listeners in Colombia, Nigeria, the United States and France who have been ghosted - or done the ghosting. And Sylvia Anim - a psychosexual therapist in London - shares tips on how to look out for yourself if it happens to you.  Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld
WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6
Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk
Presenter: Hannah Gelbart with William Lee Adams 
Producer: Mora Morrison
Editor: Julia Ross-Roy

Have you ever been ghosted like Billie Eilish?

Despite the latest data showing fewer women are dying in childbirth globally, maternal mortality remains a huge issue for women across Africa. The World Health Organization says that more than two thirds of maternal deaths across the world happen in the continent. Chad and South Sudan rank the highest for maternal mortality, followed by Nigeria, one of the richest countries in Africa. Dorcas Wangira, the BBC’s Africa Health Correspondent, explains the major causes of maternal death and what efforts are being made towards prevention and reducing rates. She also tells us about the specific issues faced by Nigeria and Kenya. Plus, we speak to Isata Dumbuya, a trained midwife who moved back to Sierra Leone from the UK to improve maternal healthcare. Sierra Leone successfully reduced their maternal mortality rate by 60% and she describes exactly how they achieved this. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld
WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6
Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk
Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
Producers: Emily Horler and Benita Barden
Editor: Julia Ross-Roy

Why is pregnancy so dangerous in Nigeria?

Being a feminist in South Korea is often associated with being a man-hater. And people who are thought to look like feminists - by for example having short hair or not wearing makeup - can be ridiculed, or even attacked.  Rachel Lee, a journalist based in Seoul, explains why anti-feminist sentiment is growing among young men, how this plays out online, and what the government is doing to protect women. Investigative journalist Chloe Hadjimatheou talks us through the Burning Sun scandal - which saw some K-pop stars imprisoned for crimes against women.  And we unpack the 4B movement, which is currently doing the rounds on TikTok.  Note: This episode mentions sexual abuse. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld
WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6
Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk
Presenter: Hannah Gelbart 
Producers: Mora Morrison and Kevyah Cardoso
Editor: Emily Horler

How dangerous are chemical hair straighteners and relaxers?

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