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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
  • Sep 3, 2024 · 7 min

    Why Oasis used dynamic ticket pricing

    The UK government will investigate the use of dynamic pricing by ticket websites after some Oasis fans paid more than advertised for the band’s reunion tour

  • Sep 2, 2024 · 8 min

    Afghanistan’s new ‘vice and virtue’ laws

    After banning a UN official from Afghanistan the Taliban introduced draconian new laws that further restrict the rights of women and girls. What is the world doing about human rights abuses in the country?

  • Aug 28, 2024 · 5 min

    Could Labour’s pay deals backfire?

    Keir Starmer has blamed the previous Conservative government for the difficult decisions ahead whilst also touting his achievements so far. One of them was ​​negotiating to end strikes, but could those deals lead to further pay demands?

  • Aug 27, 2024 · 9 min

    What is ketamine infusion therapy?

    In the months before he died, actor Matthew Perry was undergoing ketamine infusion therapy for depression. Was a man with known addiction issues a good candidate for the treatment?

  • Aug 23, 2024 · 6 min

    Indonesia moves its sinking capital

    What do you do when your capital city starts to sink? Indonesia decided to build a new one, but it isn't going to plan What do you do when your capital city starts to sink? Indonesia decided to build a new one, but it isn't going to plan

  • Aug 21, 2024 · 6 min

    New York’s war on rats

    New York mayor Eric Adams has made it his mission to rid the city of rats. But after several failed attempts, can he win the war?

  • Aug 20, 2024 · 8 min

    The world of MrBeast

    Allegations about conditions on the set of MrBeast’s reality TV show are just the latest in a series of controversies surrounding the world’s biggest YouTuber. How did he build a media empire and could this mark the start of its downfall?

  • Aug 16, 2024 · 5 min

    London (Taylor’s Version)

    Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour has returned to Wembley Stadium for another five nights, which means she will have performed the show in London more than any other city in the world. Why does London mean so much to the self-styled Miss Americana?

  • Aug 15, 2024 · 6 min

    Ukraine advances into Russia

    Why did Kyiv launch its surprise offensive and does it plan to hold onto the territory that it’s taken?

  • Aug 13, 2024 · 6 min

    Why GPs are taking industrial action

    GPs in England are taking industrial action for the first time in 60 years. What are their demands and are they likely to be met?

  • Aug 12, 2024 · 6 min

    How do you solve a problem like Elon Musk?

    The owner of X has shared disinformation and used far-right talking points that are designed to stoke division in the UK. Can the government do anything about it?

  • Aug 9, 2024 · 7 min

    The mystery of Akon City

    In 2020 the singer Akon promised to build a real-life Wakanda in his home country of Senegal, but four years later development has barely started.