Sensemaker

The Observer

The Sensemaker from The Observer - one story every day to make sense of the world.

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1,388 episodes
Updated June 19

Episodes1388

Newest first

June 19 · 6 min
Why did a Russian warship fire at a British yacht?
A Russian military vessel fired warning shots near a British couple as they sailed across the English channel. Why did it happen and does it matter? Host and writer: Madeleine Parr Producer: Katie Gunning Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 18 · 7 min
Will the UK’s social media ban work?
On Monday the Prime Minister announced that the government will be banning social media for all under 16s in the UK. But what does that really mean? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 17 · 9 min
What’s in the US-Iran deal and will it work?
On Sunday evening, a framework deal between the US and Iran was signed to end the four-month war. Will the deal last? Host: Madeleine Parr Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland and Poppy Bullard Episode Photography: Joe Mee Executive producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 16 · 6 min
How social media is fuelling far-right riots
The UK has seen far-right riots in the wake of two attacks in recent weeks - in Southampton and Belfast. Writer: Poppy Bullard Producer: Poppy Bullard Host: Ada Barume Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 15 · 8 min
Who’s behind the Nigel Farage crypto scam?
Last week, X users were flooded with images of Reform UK leader Nigel Farage fighting Andrew Bailey, the Governor of the Bank of England. The images were fake, but what were they trying to achieve? Host: Andrew Butler Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland Reporter: Patricia Clarke Episode Photography: Joe Mee Executive producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 12 · 7 min
The business of climbing Everest
An Everest guide was discovered close to death after surviving on the mountainside for six day, after he was left by the rest of his climbing party. What can the incident tells us about safety precautions on the world's tallest mountain? Writer: Ada Barumé Producer: Ada Barumé Host: Ada Barumé Clips: Instagram@chris.thrall, BBC news Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 11 · 8 min
What’s behind the protests against the Kushner-Trump luxury development in Albania?
Protests in Albania against a planned luxury resort development linked to Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner may be evolving into a broader political movement. Host: Ada Barumé Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode Photography: Sofia Fenton Executive producer: Jasper Corbett Clip credits: Reuters, David Senra Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 10 · 5 min
Why are football World Cup tickets so expensive?
Despite assurances that the men's football World Cup would sell out, thousands of tickets are still available on resale sites, at hugely inflated prices. Writer: Poppy Bullard Producer: Poppy Bullard Host: Ada Barume Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 9 · 6 min
Why is Ghana criminalising LGBTQ+ people?
In recent years, several African countries have rowed back on LGBTQ+ rights, the latest being Ghana. Writer: Ada Barumé Producer: Amalie Sortland Host: Jonathan Lewis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 8 · 7 min
Why is Gen Z increasingly discontent with AI?
Booing AI at graduation ceremonies in the US is becoming a trend. What’s behind it? Host: Madeleine Parr Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode Photography: Sofia Fenton Executive producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 5 · 7 min
The fallout from the Henry Nowak case
The police’s treatment of Henry Nowak, who was handcuffed after he had been stabbed, has prompted riots in Southampton, and allegations of a two-tier policing system. Writer: Poppy Bullard Producer: Poppy Bullard Host: Madeleine Parr Episode photography: Sofia Fenton Executive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 4 · 7 min
What is Trump’s endgame in Cuba?
As Donald Trump ramps up pressure on Cuba, the island is facing fuel shortages, economic collapse and mass emigration. But will these threats form the US president back fire? Host: Ada Barumé Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode Photography: Joe Mee Executive producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 3 · 6 min
Why can cold water be so dangerous?
More than a dozen people have died trying to cool off during the May heatwave. When does swimming in cold water become fatal? Writer: Ada Barumé Producer: Ada Barumé Host: Ada Barumé Episode photography: Joe Mee Editor: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 2 · 7 min
The Pope’s AI warning
Last week Pope Leo chose to focus on the dangers of artificial intelligence during his first major teaching. Why did he decide to concentrate on AI? Writer: Jonathan Lewis Producer: Jonathan Lewis Host: Jonathan Lewis Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 1 · 6 min
Will an El Niño event cause even hotter summers?
There are reports of a super El Niño on the way. But what would that mean for the UK and the world's weather? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 29 · 7 min
Peter Murrell’s embezzlement scandal
This week Peter Murrell, the estranged husband of former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, admitted to embezzling £400,000 from the Scottish National Party. Writer: Poppy Bullard Producer: Poppy Bullard Host: Madeleine Parr Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 28 · 8 min
Why is the government pushing for price caps?
Last week, reports emerged that the UK Treasury had discussed with supermarkets the idea of capping prices on staple foods like bread, eggs and milk. But supermarkets pushed back. Host: Jonathan Lewis Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland and Poppy Bullard Episode Photography: Joe Mee Executive producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 27 · 9 min
Will the UK rejoin the EU?
A decade after Britain voted to leave the European Union, Brexit is again part of the political debate. Host: Ada Barumé Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode Photography: Joe Mee Executive producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 26 · 7 min
Is social media damaging London’s tourist trade?
AI videos depicting London rife with gangs, violence, and crime may be driving overseas tourists away from the capital. Writer: April McLennan Producer: Amalie Sortland Host: Andrew Butler Episode photography: Lizzie Tucker Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Clips: BBC Panorama, NBC News, LBC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 22 · 7 min
Could the Married at First Sight allegations change the TV industry?
What the Married at First Sight allegations could mean for Channel 4 and the future of reality TV. Writer: Ada Barume Producer: Katie Gunning Host: Madeleine Parr Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.