Dugongs are grey sea mammals, also called “sea cows”, partly because of how they look and because they graze on seagrass. The dugong can be found off the coast of 48 countries between East Africa and Vanuatu in Oceania. They are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

There used to be common sightings off the coast of Thailand but now, at least 70 dugongs have been found dead along the southern coast of the Andaman Sea over a period of 22 months. In October 2024 alone, 30 dugongs were reported dead in Thailand. What’s behind this?

Panisa Aemocha from BBC Thai, explains the importance of dugongs to local eco-systems and why their numbers are declining. We also hear what the Thai government is trying to do to save them.

Numbers have also gone down in East Africa. Evan Trotzuk from the African Parks NGO, explains why and tells us about the measures being taken to protect dugong in Bazaruto Archipelago National Park, Mozambique.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Julia Ross-Roy and Maria Clara Montoya Video Journalist: Tim Hodges Editor: Verity Wilde

There are about 12 million Uyghurs, mostly Muslim, living in Xinjiang. China has been accused of committing crimes against humanity and possibly genocide against them. This includes the use of ‘re-education camps’ to eradicate Uyghur identity and culture. China denies any human rights abuses.

Many Uyghurs have fled to countries including Turkey and Thailand. But once they get there they face new challenges. Shawn Yuan, a journalist from the BBC’s Global China Unit, joins us to explain why. We also hear why some Uyghurs in Thailand could face being sent back to China.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Mora Morrison Editor: Verity Wilde

People who live in remote areas of the world often lack access to basic healthcare. Their difficulties are magnified during disasters. But around the world doctors are turning to drones to helping deliver medicine, vaccines, and other much-needed supplies. Paediatrician Heidi Sampang has run medical clinics in remote areas of several countries, including China, Costa Rica, Haiti, Mozambique and the Philippines. She tells us about her work at FlyingLabs Philippines, which has used drones to deliver medical supplies to people who live in difficult-to-reach communities in mountains and on distant islands. She also discusses the impact isolation

Data signals help drones reach their final destination. But connectivity can be a major problem in remote areas and disaster zones. Patrick McKay — the data operations manager for the United Nations World Food Programme — explains some of the workarounds.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producer: Josh Jenkins and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde

TikTok officially went offline in the US on Saturday - only to come back online the following day. The comeback was due to President Donald Trump saying he would issue an executive order to delay the implementation of a ban.

The BBC’s Cyber correspondent Joe Tidy explains exactly what happened and what Trump’s Presidency may mean for the future of the app.

Plus, BBC World reporter Koh Ewe tells us more about RedNote - another Chinese app that US “TikTok refugees” have been flocking to.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee Adams Producers: Emily Horler, Emilia Jansson and Maria Clara Montoya Editor: Verity Wilde

On Monday, Donald Trump will become the 47th President of the United States of America. 76 days after winning the election back in November last year, he will be appointed in an inauguration ceremony in Washington DC. But what actually happens at an inauguration?

The BBC’s Nathalia Jimenez tells us all you need to know about the ceremony and why it takes so long to become President of the United States after winning the election.

This is not the first time Donald Trump has become President; he was also in charge between 2016 and 2020. Nathalia explains how his second term could be different from his first and what his priorities are when he sits down at his desk.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Josh Jenkins and Emilia Jansson Editor: Julia Ross-Roy

WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) and UFC (Ultimate Fighting Champion) both started off as niche TV and at small events, but are now thoroughly mainstream. The two companies merged in 2023 under TKO Holdings in a multi-billion dollar deal and now Netflix has signed a deal to pay more than $5bn for rights to show WWE programming.

President-elect Donald Trump has had ties to both WWE and UFC for decades; hosting events and even taking part in storylines. UFC President Dana White first publicly endorsed Trump at the 2016 Republican National Convention and he was on stage during Trump's election victory speech after he won the Presidential election again in 2024. Donald Trump has appeared at many WWE and UFC events - did this encourage fans to vote for him?

BBC journalist Lola Schroer (using her wrestling stage name Lola the Loyal) breaks down what WWE and UFC are and explains Trump’s relationship with each. And we also hear from UFC fans Andrew, Jordan, Max and UFC content creator Kennedy Louise.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Julia Ross-Roy and Lola Schroer Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Simon Peeks

After 15 months of war and long negotiations, the leaders of Israel and Hamas have reached a deal to stop fighting in Gaza and to release prisoners and hostages.

Full details haven’t been released, but the first phase of the deal is due to come into effect on Sunday - as long as it’s approved by the Israeli cabinet and government - a decision that’s been delayed. The health ministry in Gaza says dozens of Palestinians have been killed since the announcement of the deal on Wednesday evening.

We explain what we know about the deal and why it’s taken so long to get to this point. We hear from people in Gaza and Israel and a whole host of BBC journalists, including Lyse Doucet, Shaina Oppenheimer and Jeremy Bowen.

This episode was recorded on Thursday 16th January 2025 at 1430GMT.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee Adams Producers: Emily Horler and Maria Clara Montoya Editor: Julia Ross-Roy

The fast fashion giant Shein has taken the world by storm and is now worth an estimated $66billion. But have you ever wondered where their clothes come from? The BBC’s China correspondent Laura Bicker has been to Panyu, in the city of Guangzhou in China, to find out. She tells us how Shein became so successful, why some people in their factories are working 75 hours a week, and what Shein is doing to try to improve its manufacturing practices.

Many people choose fast fashion because of cost. We also speak to fashion blogger 17 year old Onyeka Idiaghe about why she eventually decided to seek alternatives.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Josh Jenkins and Mora Morrison Editor: Julia Ross-Roy

The Darién Gap is one of the most dangerous migration routes in the world but thousands attempt the journey with hopes to reach the US. It’s a 96km stretch of rainforest across the Colombia-Panama border and it’s the only land bridge between South and Central America. According to official statistics over 50 people died crossing the region last year. But the treacherous conditions makes it difficult to know exactly how many people lost their lives trying to make the crossing.

The BBC’s Mimi Swaby has been following one young Venezuelan woman’s journey crossing the Darién gap. She tells us about the dangers and risk of death that migrants face along the way.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Emilia Jansson and Maria Clara Montoya Editor: Emily Horler

Haiti has been engulfed in a wave of gang violence since the assassination of the then-president, in 2021. Now an estimated 85% of the capital, Port au Prince is under gang control. The UN says in 2024, 5000 people died in the violence, which has left the country on the verge of collapse.

To combat the violence, the UN Security Council authorised a Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) in October 2023. Funded primarily by the US, the Kenyan-led force deployed to Haiti six months ago has been tasked with restoring law and order. But there are questions over its effectiveness.

Nawal Al-Maghafi, a BBC investigations correspondent who has recently been embedded with the Kenyan police in Haiti, explains the situation there and how the country got to this point. Widlore Mérancourt, a reporter for the Washington Post and Editor-in-Chief of the Haitian publication Ayibo, describes how Haitians view outside intervention, after years of UN peacekeeping missions.

And we hear from young Haitian women, who tell us how their lives have been affected and what hopes they have for the future.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Nathalia Jimenez Producers: Julia Ross-Roy and Josh Jenkins Editor: Emily Horler

Wildfires in Los Angeles have killed at least 10 people and destroyed thousands of homes. Officials are worried more high winds could make the flames spread even further.

At the same time, new data shows that 2024 was the world's hottest year on record. So is climate change making these types of fires worse?

Esme Stallard, a BBC Climate and Science journalist, takes us through the conditions that contributed to the fire and why the flames are so hard to contain.

We also hear from people in LA about what it’s all been like for them, losing their homes and having to evacuate.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Emily Horler and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde