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

February 23 · 6 min
Is the one-in-one-out asylum policy with France working?
The UK one-in-one-out deal with France to deter migrants from crossing the Channel on small boats entered into force last year. Since then, the deal has faced a number of legal challenges. Has the scheme been a success? Writer: Serena Cesareo Producer: Serena Cesareo Host: Casey Magloire Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 20 · 8 min
What does Andrew’s arrest mean for the royal family?
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as prince Andrew, has become the first member of the royal family since Charles I. Host: Ada Barumé Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland and Ada Barumé Episode Photography: Joe Mee Executive producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 19 · 8 min
Is Canada doing enough to stop gun violence?
After the deadly mass shooting at a school in British Columbia last week, gun control in Canada is under scrutiny. Host: Ada Barumé Writer: Amalie Sortland Producer: Jess Swinburne Episode Photography: Joe Mee Executive producer: Poppy Bullard Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 18 · 6 min
The drug 500 times as strong as heroin
According to a King’s College London report published last week the UK has been underreporting nitazene-related deaths by up to a third. Why has the UK become a hotspot for the extremely potent opioid? Writer: Jonathan Lewis Producer: Jonathan Lewis Host: Ada Barumé Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 17 · 6 min
Why won’t it stop raining?
Some areas of the UK have faced their wettest winters on record. Writer: Poppy Bullard Producer: Poppy Bullard Host: Ada Barumé Episode photography: Sofia Fenton Executive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 16 · 9 min
China’s new wave of crackdowns on pro-democracy activists
The recent sentencing of activist Jimmy Lai and the conviction of the father of activist Anna Kwok in the same week marks a new phase in China’s crackdown on activists. How far is Beijing prepared to go to silence dissent? Writer: Jess Swinburne Producer: Jess Swinburne Photography: Sofia Fenton Executive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 13 · 8 min
Can the royals distance themselves from Andrew?
The recent release of Epstein files has sparked a fresh crisis over former Prince Andrew’s links to Jeffrey Epstein. Host: Casey Magloire Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode Photography: Sofia Fenton Executive producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 12 · 8 min
The UK’s million pound illegal waste problem
Last week an illegal waste dump was found on the outskirts of Liverpool. It’s believed to be one of the biggest of its kind ever found in the UK. But who is behind it? Writer: Jonathan Lewis Producer: Amalie Sortland Host: Ada Barumé Episode photography: Sofia Fenton Executive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 11 · 9 min
Why are so many people trapped by student debt?
Why the rising cost of repaying student debt could become a big problem for the government? Host: Casey Magloire Writer: Amalie Sortland Producer: Jonathan Lewis Episode Photography: Joe Mee Executive producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 10 · 10 min
The politics behind Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance
On Sunday night, one of the biggest stars in the world took over the Super Bowl Halftime show, but why was it so controversial? Writer: Casey Magloire Producer: Jess Swinburne Host: Ada Barume Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 9 · 9 min
Why are the social media giants on trial?
Top social media companies are facing allegations of designing their websites to be addictive. As the first case goes to trial, what is at stake? Host: Ada Barumé Writer & Producer: Madeleine Parr Episode Photography: Joe Mee Executive producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 6 · 7 min
Why does the Peter Mandelson scandal threaten to bring down Starmer?
The fallout from Peter Mandelson's friendship with Jeffrey Epstein is putting Prime Minister Keir Starmer under increasing pressure. Host: Ada Barumé Writer & Producer: Matt Russell Episode Photography: Joe Mee Executive producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 5 · 10 min
Why is surrogacy controversial?
There is a growing demand for surrogacy despite debates surrounding the ethics of it. Host: Casey Magloire Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode Photography: Joe Mee Executive producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 4 · 7 min
Will we see driverless cars on the streets of London this year?
Waymo plans to roll out its driverless taxi service in London by the end of this year. But there are still obstacles the company needs to overcome to put autonomous vehicles on the road. Writer: Jonathan Lewis Producer: Amalie Sortland Host: Casey Magloire Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 3 · 8 min
What’s holding up the assisted dying bill?
The assisted dying bill could be thrown out if it is not passed in the House of Lords by the end of this parliamentary session. Why is it taking so long to be voted through? Writer: Ada Barumé Producer: Jonathan Lewis Host: Casey Magloire Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 2 · 5 min
Are British pubs dying?
Pub-owners and Landlords have been campaigning for more action from the government since last November’s budget when changes to business rates were announced. 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.
January 30 · 7 min
The battle for the heart of chess
Since the pandemic, online chess has seen an unprecedented rise in popularity. Now tensions are rising between new personalities and an old guard who want to protect the game’s traditional format. Writer & Producer: Jonathan Lewis Host: Ada Barume Episode photography: Sofia Fenton Executive Producer: Gary Marshall Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
January 29 · 7 min
Is Trump scaling back ICE’s operations in Minnesota?
After a second civilian is killed by ICE agents in Minneapolis, pressure is mounting for a formal investigation into the shooting. Trump has recalled the senior border patrol commander in charge of the operation in Minneapolis, but does this represent a real scaling back of immigration enforcement in Minnesota? Writer: Madeleine Parr Producer: Madeleine Parr Host: Ada Barumé Episode photography: Sofia Fenton Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
January 28 · 9 min
Will the Iranian regime survive?
After widespread protests in Iran, the regime has reasserted control. Now, evidence showing the scale of the violence is starting to emerge. With America threatening military attack, will the Iranian regime be able to survive? Writer: Serena Cesareo Producer: Amalie Sortland Host: Ada Barumé Executive Producer: Gary Marshall Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
January 27 · 7 min
Will Donald Trump’s Board of Peace bring stability to Gaza?
Some 60 countries have been invited to join the Board, and each would have to pay a billion dollars if they want to become permanent members. Trump will be its inaugural Chairman, a position he can hold for life. Writer: Poppy Bullard Producer: Poppy Bullard Host: Casey Magloire Episode photography: Sofia Fenton Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.