What in the World

The Venn diagram of technology, geopolitics and national security = the Nvidia scandal.
Something we didn’t have on our bingo cards for 2026: The boss of the AI firm Nvidia is being investigated by his own company after being caught having an affair with a woman alleged to be a Chinese spy.
Jensen Huang’s admitted the affair with Alice Huang (no relation) and China’s denied that she’s a spy. Jensen Huang’s friend, the US President Donald Trump, has backed him. So, where does this leave one of the most powerful men in the world? And what does this all mean for US national security? We break it all down with Shawn Yuan from the BBC’s Global China Unit.
Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld
Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk
WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6
Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
Producer: Emilia Jansson and Mollie Perella
Editor: Verity Wilde

Ash Dykes has five Guinness World Records. He’s trekked through some of the world’s toughest environments. And he just can’t stop. The extreme adventurer has recently completed a 700km (434 mile) journey through the Congo Basin in central Africa by inflatable kayak. It was the first of six expeditions he’s doing back-to-back. The journey was documented ‘live’ on his socials.
So how do you prepare for challenges like this? Why do they seem to get tougher and tougher? Where is the limit? Ash joins us in the What in the World studio to talk about his mission, why he keeps raising the bar, and what he says to those who criticise him.
Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld
Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk
WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6
Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
Producers: Mollie Perella
Video Producer: Chelsea Coates
Editor: Verity Wilde

Have you ever watched a film, and wondered: has this been made with AI? From AI animals to face swapping, it’s getting harder to tell.
When Director Danny Boyle’s upcoming movie Ink premiered at film festivals this autumn, many viewers noticed the tell-tale signs of AI. But the director said that he made sure no actors lost out on work and that AI-generated animals could be an ethical solution to using real ones.
BBC Journalist Kesewaa Browne joins Hannah to talk about whether AI is becoming another regular film making tool and if it’s something we should be excited or worried about in cinema.
Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld
Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk
WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6
Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
Producers: Chelsea Coates, Elena Angelides and Emily Horler
Editor: Verity Wilde

Russell Brand started off as a comedian and presenter in the UK, known for his back-brushed hair and self-proclaimed sex addiction. After fame in the US and a short marriage to Katy Perry, he’s now a big religious influencer.
He’s also now been found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault in a big trial in London. He was found not guilty on three other counts. We will find out how long his sentence is on Monday.
In today’s episode we’re going to answer: who is he, what happened and how does this fits into a wider industry issue?
Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld
Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk
WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6
Presenter and Producer: Emily Horler
Editor: Verity Wilde

You might’ve seen lots of chat online about ‘ferritin face’ alongside zoomed in before and after pics of people’s faces. Some claim that changes in their appearance, like pale skin and hair loss, are down to having low ferritin levels.
But what even is ferritin? It’s the protein responsible for storing iron in the body. Iron is important for creating red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body. It’s needed for things like your energy levels, skin and hair health. So, can you tell if your ferritin levels are low just by your face? We break it down with the BBC’s Zara Salaria and Dr Aziza Sesay, who specialises in female health.
Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld
Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk
WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6
Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
Producers: Mollie Perella and Zara Salaria
Editor: Verity Wilde