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

Jun 14, 2021 · 6 min
Ep 108: When a billion isn't enough
The world's richest countries have promised a billion vaccine doses to poorer nations. It sounds a lot. Is it?
Jun 11, 2021 · 7 min
Ep 107: A big, blocked pipe
The Keystone XL oil pipeline was supposed to run all the way from Canada to Texas. But it looks like it's not going ahead. Is it time for climate campaigners to celebrate?
Jun 10, 2021 · 6 min
Ep 106: The app that trapped criminals
A mobile phone app and an Aussie crime boss gave the FBI one of their biggest breakthroughs
Jun 9, 2021 · 7 min
Ep 105: Not quite a miracle
A new drug has been hailed as a breakthrough treatment for Alzheimer's. So why are so many people worried about it?
Jun 8, 2021 · 6 min
Ep 104: A crypto carnival
What a Miami convention hall packed with 12,000 Bitcoin enthusiasts tells us about the cult of crypto. 
Jun 7, 2021 · 5 min
Ep 103: Waiting at the bar
British pubs and restaurants have reopened after a long lockdown. But can they find anyone to serve us?
Jun 4, 2021 · 6 min
Ep 102: Bad marks for the Covid recovery plan
Boris Johnson's government announced its plans to help school children catch up on what they've missed because of Covid. It went straight to the back of the class.
Jun 3, 2021 · 8 min
Ep 101: The risk of reopening
The last Covid restrictions in England are supposed to be lifted in about three weeks. Is it safe to lift them?
Jun 2, 2021 · 7 min
Ep 100: Naomi Osaka serves up a challenge to tennis
The argument between tennis star Naomi Osaka and the tennis authorities is about much more than post-match press conferences
Jun 1, 2021 · 6 min
Ep 99: Fever pitch
How one country may have tried to buy their way to a win at the Eurovision song contest...
May 28, 2021 · 8 min
Ep 98: A political assassination attempt
Dominic Cummings, Boris Johnson's old adviser, tried to finish off the health secretary's career this week. Will he succeed?
May 27, 2021 · 5 min
Ep 97: A coma, a car crash and a president
Syria's president is about to 'win' another election. He became president almost accidentally, but he seems to be in power for life
May 26, 2021 · 7 min
Ep 96: Ready, steady...stop? The Tokyo Olypmics
The Tokyo Olympic Games are supposed to start in July. They've already been postponed from last year because of Covid. Could it happen again?
May 25, 2021 · 7 min
Ep 95: Belarusian roulette
The dictator who rules Belarus wanted to get his hands on an opponent - enough to force down a plane he was travelling on
May 24, 2021 · 7 min
Ep 94: The teenager who filmed George Floyd
Darnella Frazier was just 17 and on her way to the shop when she stumbled across a tragedy: the murder of George Floyd
May 21, 2021 · 6 min
Ep 93: The forever war: abortion in the USA
Presidents come and go, but the fight over abortion continues regardless in the United States
May 20, 2021 · 8 min
Ep 92: The Middle East misinformation war
Pressure is growing on Israel and Hamas to announce a ceasefire. Is online misinformation making peace less likely?
May 19, 2021 · 7 min
Ep 91: Bill Gates's halo slips
Bill Gates is one of the world's greatest philanthropists. But since we learned that he's getting divorced there's been nothing but bad news about him.
May 18, 2021 · 6 min
Ep 90: The new variant
Has the government made the right call on the 'Indian' variant, otherwise known as B1617?
May 17, 2021 · 7 min
Ep 89: The end of Ellen
Ellen DeGeneres has been one of the biggest stars on US television. Why is her show coming to an end?