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

Oct 12, 2022 · 5 min
Ep 448: A bridge too far
A huge explosion has damaged a bridge linking Russia and Crimea. Why has it triggered such a furious response from the Kremlin?
Oct 11, 2022 · 7 min
Ep 447: Little fires everywhere
Michael Gove ignited the first rebellion against Liz Truss last week, and fanned the flames of others. Now, as MPs return to Parliament, the prime minister must win back a fractious and conflicted party if she is to retain power.
Oct 10, 2022 · 6 min
Ep 446: Australia's ISIS brides
A secret mission by the Australian government has paved the way for 16 women and 42 children currently held in a Syrian detention camp to be repatriated. Why is the policy shift so significant for the UK?
Oct 7, 2022 · 5 min
Ep 445: Bye Bye Try Guy
Youtuber Ned Fulmer has fallen from grace after it was revealed that he was having an affair with one of his employees. What does the scandal tell us about the world of internet stars and the stories they tell about themselves?
Oct 6, 2022 · 6 min
Ep 444: Brazil's next president
After a first round of voting, Brazilians will head back to the polls at the end of the month to choose their next president. Why is this election so important?
Oct 5, 2022 · 6 min
Ep 443: A mess in chess
The game’s greatest player has accused his opponent of cheating, throwing the world of chess into turmoil. What does it mean for its future?
Oct 4, 2022 · 5 min
Ep 442: Shorting the pound
There have been reports that some hedge-fund bosses made huge profits by betting that the pound would fall. They did it by shorting the market. How does it work?
Oct 3, 2022 · 6 min
Ep 441: The death of Molly Russell
14 year old Molly Russell viewed images of self harm and suicide on social media in the months before she died. A coroner has now concluded that the content was “unsafe” and it contributed to her death.
Sep 30, 2022 · 5 min
Ep 440: Growth gamble
The markets are in turmoil, the International Monetary Fund has openly criticised the government and the Bank of England has been forced to take emergency action. But the government is sticking to its plan, so how could it deliver growth?
Sep 29, 2022 · 6 min
Ep 439: Take frack control
Geology, public opinion and even some of her own MPs are opposed to Liz Truss’s plan to lift the ban on fracking for gas. Will it ever happen?
Sep 28, 2022 · 7 min
Ep 438: Cornered rat
Vladimir Putin is backed into a corner. His war in Ukraine isn’t going to plan and he’s losing the support of allies.
Sep 27, 2022 · 5 min
Ep 437: Maxi budget
Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng set out the government’s economic plans in a so-called mini budget. But his tax cuts and plans for government borrowing are some of the biggest in living memory.
Sep 26, 2022 · 8 min
Ep 436: Starmer’s big pitch
With a new prime minister to oppose and a general election less than two years away, what’s the Labour leader’s new message to voters?
Sep 23, 2022 · 6 min
Ep 435: Unrest in Iran
The death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman, has sparked anti-government protests across Iran. Could they be a tipping point for the Islamic Republic?
Sep 22, 2022 · 5 min
Ep 434: Mini budget, big money
Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng will set out the government’s economic plans in a mini budget. The focus will be on growing the economy. This is how he will try to do it and who will benefit.
Sep 21, 2022 · 6 min
Ep 433: Italy’s far-right firebrand
Giorgia Meloni is on course to become Italy’s next prime minister. If elected she would be the first woman to hold the position and the country’s first far-right leader since Benito Mussolini.
Sep 20, 2022 · 5 min
Ep 432: Could there be blackouts?
Prices have been frozen but Britain could still experience energy shortages. How likely is it that we'll see blackouts this winter?
Sep 18, 2022 · 6 min
Ep 431: The Queen’s funeral
Ten official days of mourning for Queen Elizabeth II end with a state funeral at Westminster Abbey and a burial at St George’s Chapel in Windsor. This is what to expect.
Sep 16, 2022 · 6 min
Ep 430: William and Harry: divided in grief
Princes William and Harry have stood side-by-side to remember their grandmother, the Queen. Will their public displays of solidarity lead to an improvement in their relationship?
Sep 15, 2022 · 5 min
Ep 429: The killing of Chris Kaba
A firearms officer has been suspended after Chris Kaba was shot dead whilst driving a car that had been flagged by number plate recognition cameras. He was unarmed. His case will be the first challenge for the new Metropolitan Police Commissioner.