Bernadette Keogh

Coming up, modified mice that mimic mammoths.

Coming up, modified mice that mimic mammoths.

Our science correspondent explains.

Our science correspondent explains.

This is the Global News Podcast. For years now, the World Health Organization has warned that obesity is a global epidemic, but a new study covering more than 200 countries predicts obesity levels will accelerate rapidly over the rest of this decade. The report in the Lancet Journal found that by 2050, more than half of adults around the world are predicted to be overweight or obese.

This is the Global News Podcast. For years now, the World Health Organization has warned that obesity is a global epidemic, but a new study covering more than 200 countries predicts obesity levels will accelerate rapidly over the rest of this decade. The report in the Lancet Journal found that by 2050, more than half of adults around the world are predicted to be overweight or obese.

So what's driving this worsening problem? I spoke to our health correspondent, Dominic Hughes.

So what's driving this worsening problem? I spoke to our health correspondent, Dominic Hughes.

And it's mainly developing countries that are affected, Dominic?

And it's mainly developing countries that are affected, Dominic?

Dominic Hughes. Russians who sign up to fight in Ukraine earn big money in salaries and bonuses, and the money paid out by the Kremlin to the families of those killed in battle is even higher. Average compensation packages are worth about $130,000. Arseny Sokolov went to meet family members of men Russia has lost in the war and finds out how they spent their money.

Dominic Hughes. Russians who sign up to fight in Ukraine earn big money in salaries and bonuses, and the money paid out by the Kremlin to the families of those killed in battle is even higher. Average compensation packages are worth about $130,000. Arseny Sokolov went to meet family members of men Russia has lost in the war and finds out how they spent their money.

That report from Arseniy Sokolov. Could a modern-day version of the woolly mammoth soon be walking the Earth? That's what the US company Colossal Biosciences claim. They're experimenting on genetically modified mice that they claim have mammoth-like traits. And that will pave the way, they say, for hairy elephants with increased body fat to survive in cold environments.

That report from Arseniy Sokolov. Could a modern-day version of the woolly mammoth soon be walking the Earth? That's what the US company Colossal Biosciences claim. They're experimenting on genetically modified mice that they claim have mammoth-like traits. And that will pave the way, they say, for hairy elephants with increased body fat to survive in cold environments.

The aim is to repopulate the Arctic tundra with these creatures. Ben Lamb, founder and CEO of the firm, spoke to the BBC.

The aim is to repopulate the Arctic tundra with these creatures. Ben Lamb, founder and CEO of the firm, spoke to the BBC.

So what's going on and how will it all work? I asked our science correspondent Pallab Ghosh to tell me more.

So what's going on and how will it all work? I asked our science correspondent Pallab Ghosh to tell me more.

Tell me more about the concern, because there have been critics of this project.

Tell me more about the concern, because there have been critics of this project.