About this podcast
The Inquiry gets beyond the headlines to explore the trends, forces and ideas shaping the world.
Episodes
The newest 50 of 617 episodes
- How do we decide which species to save? · 24 minFour years ago, a landmark deal was signed by participating nations to ‘halt and reverse’ overall biodiversity loss by 2030, that included plants animals and fungi. However…
- What’s behind the rise of ‘influencer speak’? · 24 minIf you spend time scrolling through social media, you may notice that many influencers sound remarkably similar. Whether promoting skincare, vitamins or home renovation products…
- Have national museums had their day? · 24 minThe concept of the national museum which developed during the 18th and 19th Centuries coincided with the age of exploration, emerging science and empire building. The grand stone…
- What can a new UN secretary-general achieve? · 24 minIn January 2027, a new secretary-general will take the helm of the United Nations, an organisation founded on the principle of international cooperation. The role will involve…
- Is a deal on the Kuril Islands ever possible? · 24 minFor decades Russia and Japan have been locked in a dispute over the Kuril Islands, which sit between Hokkaido in Northern Japan and Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. At the end of…
- Can middle powers reshape the world? · 24 minThe balance of power in the world is changing. The United States and China continue to be the dominant forces in international affairs, but other countries are looking for new…
- How can Nepal’s economy rebuild after floods? · 24 minNepal is still reeling from the devastation caused by recent flash floods. More than a thousand people are reported to have lost their lives and thousands more are still missing…
- How did Italian politics become stable? · 24 minItaly has long been associated with political instability, with governments on average lasting just over a year. Current Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has broken that pattern…
- Can China’s polar silk road change global trade? · 24 minConflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt global shipping routes including the Strait of Hormuz and the Strait of Malacca. China is now turning to Russia for support in…
- Can Africa take control of its digital future? · 24 minJust under 20 years ago Kenya pioneered the use of mobile money. Since then, other countries in Africa have carved out a share of the digital market for themselves, from gaming…
- Should rivers have personhood? · 23 minRiver systems around the world are under stress from various factors ranging from pollution, to agriculture, to extractive industries. In some parts of the world there are…
- How has the Cockroach Janta Party changed India’s politics? · 24 minIn July 2026, tens of thousands of students took to the streets in India’s capital, demanding reforms to education. The protests followed the leak of medical entrance exam papers…
- Can elections restore Moroccans’ faith in their country? · 24 minIn September, Morocco’s citizens will go to the polls for the country’s general election. Morocco is a constitutional monarchy, with a multi-party-political system. A new head of…
- Is daylight saving time working? · 25 minThe House of Representatives has voted to make daylight saving time permanent in the United States. If the measure is approved by the Senate and becomes law, most Americans would…
- Is Indigenous education at risk? · 24 minNew Zealand’s government is making big changes to its education system. The aim is to reverse declining student achievement and give more opportunities to disadvantaged children…
- Can we live with extreme heat? · 24 minExtreme heatwaves are becoming more frequent across the globe, not only in countries used to cooler climates, but also in those already familiar with significantly hotter…
- Can the illicit gold trade be stopped? · 25 minGold has been prized throughout history for its value and its beauty, which has also made it attractive to those prepared to exploit this precious metal for their own ends. The…
- Are we closer to gene therapy for sickle cell disease being accessible? · 24 minGene therapy has changed what is possible for people living with sickle cell disease. New treatments have shown that the condition can be successfully treated. But the therapy is…
- Is Kenya serious about ending femicide? · 24 minLast year Kenya’s President William Ruto established a task force to investigate the escalating cases of gender-based violence including femicide. The task force travelled around…
- Can the New World Screwworm be stopped? · 24 minFlesh-eating parasitic flies have been found in the US state of Texas for the first time in decades. Known as the New World Screwworm, officials have now put plans in place to…
- Is technology ruining sport? · 23 minThis year, technology has more influence in officiating sports than ever before. At the men's World Cup, the role of video assistant referee technology (VAR) has been extended to…
- Can Brussels crack the gender pay gap? · 23 minA new directive strives to narrow the 11% hourly wage gap between men and women in the EU. Around the world, the gender pay gap has been shrinking as women gain access to higher…
- Why does Ebola keep coming back? · 25 minIn May 2026, the World Health Organization declared an Ebola outbreak in western Africa a public health emergency of international concern. Within days, hundreds of cases had…
- Is Portugal’s drugs policy in need of reform? · 23 minIn 2001, Portugal decriminalised the possession and use of all illicit drugs. It was a move designed to mitigate the country’s public health crisis, which at the time meant…
- What’s the future for monetary unions? · 23 minAt the beginning of this year Bulgaria, considered as one of the poorest countries in the European Union, became the latest to officially join the eurozone. Bulgaria’s legal…
- Are the Himalayan glaciers at a tipping point? · 25 minThe Himalayan glaciers are melting more rapidly as global temperatures rise, raising concerns about the future of ecosystems and communities across the Himalayan mountain range…
- What is the future of the European Union? · 24 minThe recent election result in Hungary has been seen as a welcome relief within the European Union. The bloc of 27 nations has, at times, felt frustrated with the country for…
- Are countries really running out of jet fuel? · 24 minGlobal oil markets have been affected by the US Israel war with Iran, leading to higher jet fuel prices and increased attention on supply risks. But how serious is the situation?…
- Should we mine the Moon? · 24 minThe recent Nasa Artemis II crewed mission to the far side of the Moon is a further step towards a long-term return to the lunar surface and future missions to Mars. The plan is…
- Cycling: Is it time to swap four wheels for two? · 25 minConflict in the Middle East has led to volatility in global oil prices, pushing up fuel costs worldwide. Previous oil shocks prompted some countries to reconsider their reliance…
- How will countries boycotting Eurovision affect the contest? · 24 minBroadcasters from The Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland, Spain and Slovenia are all boycotting May’s Eurovision Song Contest because Israel is participating. Sources within Israel’s…
- Is it time to scrap the Commonwealth Games? · 24 minFor the second time in 12 years Glasgow is preparing to host the Commonwealth Games after Australia’s Victoria state pulled out because of increased costs. Victoria’s withdrawal…
- Why is basic income being debated? · 24 minIreland has a new permanent government scheme providing regular cash transfers to 2,000 artists. The people who can access it range from circus performers to opera singers. It…
- Is the revolution in Cuba over? · 24 minCuba is facing one of its most severe humanitarian crises in decades. For years, Cuba relied heavily on oil from Venezuela. Those supplies have largely stopped, contributing to…
- How can rewilding help combat climate change? · 24 minRewilding, or letting nature take care of itself, can restore stability to damaged ecosystem components which support life on earth, like fungi, bacteria, vegetation, insects and…
- Why is Poland’s economy booming? · 24 minIn February, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk posted a social media video celebrating new figures from the International Monetary Fund suggesting that the average person in…
- How will Spain’s migrant amnesty work? · 24 minHalf a million people are in Spain without official permission. They come mainly from Colombia, Peru, Honduras, Paraguay, and Argentina. It’s thought that most outstay their…
- Can the world catch China in the rare earths race? · 24 minControl of critical minerals is becoming a source of geopolitical tension. They are essential to modern technology and industries around the world, and China currently dominates…
- Is the 2026 World Cup an own goal? · 24 minThe 2026 men’s football World Cup will be the biggest ever staged. For the first time, 48 teams will compete, playing more than 100 matches across North America. But the expanded…
- Why are our taps running dry? · 24 minChennai, São Paulo, Mexico City, Tehran, Cape Town - these cities have all faced the threat of a ‘Zero Day’, or, having no fresh water left in their taps. The UN says we’re…
- What does the national election mean for the future of Bangladesh? · 24 minBangladesh will hold a national election in February, after years of political turmoil and the ousting of long-time leader Sheikh Hasina. Her rule of more than a decade delivered…
- What's behind the rise in shoplifting? · 24 minBoosting, swiping or the five finger discount - many countries around the world are seeing a rise in retail theft. From Japan to the UK, the USA to Germany, retailers are…
- Is history repeating itself in Iran? · 24 minIran has been shaken by protests on a scale not seen since its 1979 revolution. Demonstrations that began in the country’s capital over the state of the economy have spread to…
- Is nuclear disarmament set to self-destruct? · 24 minIn February 2026, the last remaining nuclear arms control treaty bilateral between Russia and the United States is set to expire. The aim of the New START agreement was to reduce…
- Can Kenya answer the call for employment? · 24 minKenya is facing rising public discontent over allegations of political corruption, economic stagnation and a shortage of good quality jobs, particularly for the country’s Gen Z…
- How did music megatours become such a money spinner? · 24 minTaylor Swift’s Eras Tour shattered records, becoming the highest-grossing concert tour of all time, redefining what’s possible and confirming a new era in the business of…
- Will there ever be a single global language? · 24 minChristmas is a time of year when many families and friends come together for a period of joy, peace and goodwill. The story of the birth of Jesus Christ has been translated into…
- How can Nigeria stop its kidnap crisis? · 24 minIn November gunmen seized more than 300 pupils and a dozen teachers from a Catholic school in northern Nigeria. While authorities have rescued around 100 children, many remain…
- Is it last orders for the wine industry? · 24 minChanging tastes, climatic conditions, health warnings, economic factors are all creating a perfect storm for the global wine industry. The origins of wine-making date back to…
- Will Australia’s social media ban start a global trend? · 24 minOn 10 December 2025, Australia will become the first country in the world to ban under-16s from using social media apps. Children will have their accounts deactivated on most…
