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

Dec 23, 2024 · 7 min
2024: The year of the sequel
For the first time ever, the top ten grossing films of the year are all sequels. What does this tell us about the film industry? Has Hollywood run out of new ideas?
Dec 20, 2024 · 5 min
Luigi Mangione’s alleged 3D-printed gun
Investigators allege that the man accused of killing the UnitedHealthcare CEO, Brian Thompson, used an untraceable 3D-printed firearm. What is that and why is it so controversial?
Dec 19, 2024 · 9 min
Why does Lucy Letby’s new lawyer think she should be released?
This week, Mark McDonald announced he is trying to bring Lucy Letby’s case back to the Court of Appeal. What reasons does he give for believing the circumstances have changed since her initial trial?
Dec 18, 2024 · 6 min
Why has Saudi Arabia been awarded the 2034 World Cup?
Saudi Arabia has been awarded the tournament despite widespread concerns about human rights violations and environmental issues. What does this tell us about the changing face of global football?
Dec 17, 2024 · 8 min
The rise of memecoins
A new cryptocurrency linked to the identity of Luigi Mangione, the suspected killer of Brian Thompson, has reached a market value of $76 million.
Dec 16, 2024 · 10 min
Who is the lawyer suing Jay-Z?
Billionaire rapper Jay-Z is the first celebrity to be named as a co-defendent in an allegation concerning Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs. Jay-Z vehemently denies the allegation. So who is the lawyer bringing multiple lawsuits against Sean Combs and his associates?
Dec 13, 2024 · 7 min
Syria's prisons
The ousting of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad has revealed the full scale of how he used the prison system to lock up, torture and execute his opponents. What do we now know about what went on?
Dec 12, 2024 · 7 min
Could Nigel Farage’s Reform party be backed by mega donors?
Tech billionaire Elon Musk and property tycoon Nick Candy have been named as considering multi-million-pound contributions, which could change the face of British politics forever. Reform could become the best-funded political party in the UK.
Dec 11, 2024 · 7 min
France’s political tailspin
France’s government has been toppled, making Michel Bernier the shortest serving prime minister in the history of the modern French Republic. What does it mean for France – and the rest of Europe?
Dec 10, 2024 · 6 min
How did Syrian rebels overthrow Bashar al-Assad?
For more than half a century, the Assad family ruled Syria with brutality and repression. It took less than two weeks for rebels to bring that rule to an end. What does this mean for Syria and the region?
Dec 9, 2024 · 7 min
The assisted dying bill has passed its first House of Commons hurdle, what happens next?
MPs voted in favour of proposals to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales. The bill has many more stages to pass before it becomes law. So what happens next?
Dec 6, 2024 · 6 min
Are targets for the rollout of electric vehicles too high?
The carmaker behind Fiat, Jeep, and Citroën says the closure of its Vauxhall factory in Luton is due to new zero-emission policies. But is that the full story?
Dec 5, 2024 · 7 min
Syrian rebels take back Aleppo
In just 24 hours President Assad’s forces just “melted away” in Syria’s second biggest city. How did the rebels seize control and what might Assad do in response?
Dec 4, 2024 · 7 min
Banana Art
A banana taped to the wall with duct tape sold at a Christie’s auction for $6.2 million to a cryptobillionaire. At the same auction, a Henri Matisse remained unsold. What does this sale tell us about the state of the art market?
Dec 3, 2024 · 6 min
Russia’s new experimental ballistic missile
Vladimir Putin has threatened to deploy more Oreshnik missiles against Ukraine. He boasted that they’re equipped with multiple warheads and have destructive power comparable to a nuclear strike.
Dec 2, 2024 · 7 min
Why has Kate Nash started an OnlyFans?
Singer-songwriter Kate Nash has hit the headlines for starting an OnlyFans account to pay for her tour. She says that selling pictures of her butt online is the only way she can make money in an economic landscape that squeezes musicians.
Nov 29, 2024 · 6 min
Who do the Lords work for?
The House of Lords rarely gets much scrutiny, either by the media or the public. A team of Tortoise journalists has put a spotlight on the UK’s second chamber and asks whether some of its members are working for us or themselves?
Nov 28, 2024 · 8 min
The crisis in women’s healthcare
Gynaecology waiting lists are at a record high in England and Wales, with over three-quarters of a million people waiting to be treated. How did it get this bad?
Nov 27, 2024 · 10 min
Can an AI chatbot cure loneliness?
30 million people have signed up to use Replika, “the AI companion who cares”. The chatbot can text you, flirt with you, and promises to love you unconditionally. But what are the risks that come with loving an AI?
Nov 26, 2024 · 8 min
What are Israel’s plans for northern Gaza?
For nearly two months, the Israeli army has encircled cities in the north of the Gaza Strip. Experts warn Israeli settlements could be established there within the next few weeks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.