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75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

Sensemaker

The Sensemaker from The Observer - one story every day to make sense of the world.To find out more about The Observer:Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free contentHead to our websiteobserver.co.ukDownload the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalistsIf you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contacthello@tortoisemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for

news news commentary

All Episodes

8:57

What's Behind the Rise of Thin-Fluencers?

Sensemaker ·

2025/04/22

If your ‘for you page’ is suddenly full of dieting tips and before and after pictures, you might be on the receiving end of a resurgence of ‘thin-spiration’ on social media. But what’s behind this comeback? And who is being impacted?Writer: Ada BaruméProducer: Casey MagloirePhotography: Roisin SavageExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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8:12

What’s behind Birmingham’s bin strikes?

Sensemaker ·

2025/04/17

The standoff between Birmingham’s bin workers and the council is entering its fifth week as the latest pay offer was rejected. The Unite union says the dispute could spread to other areas of the country. .Writer: Jess SwinburneProducer: Casey MagloirePhotography: Roisin SavageExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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8:21

Why did the UK government rush to save the last...

Sensemaker ·

2025/04/16

MPs were recalled to Westminster early on Saturday and passed an emergency legislation that allowed the UK government to seize control of British Steel, after its Chinese owner appeared to threaten closure. How did we get here? And why has steel-making in the UK become an issue of national security?Writer: Serena CesareoProducer: Casey MagloireHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography:Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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7:23

Will Donald Trump save the iPhone?

Sensemaker ·

2025/04/14

The President has imposed a 145 per cent tariff on Chinese imports to America but has hinted smartphones could be exempt.Writer: Xavier GreenwoodProducer: Patricia ClarkeHost: Claudia WilliamsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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8:25

Why are your allergies worse this year?

Sensemaker ·

2025/04/14

This weekend the Met Office declared the south of England experienced what it called a ‘pollen bomb.’ Why is hay fever season starting earlier, lasting longer and the symptoms are becoming more intense?Writer: Jonathan LewisProducer: Jonathan LewisHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Alex JonesExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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9:20

Why are American politicians defending anti-abortion...

Sensemaker ·

2025/04/11

When a 64-year-old woman was fined for holding a sign outside a UK abortion clinic, it sparked international backlash - including from organised, Christian activists in America and the US government.Writer: Phoebe DavisProducer: Serena CesareoHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Alex JonesExecutive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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8:01

Why do climate change sceptics care about a volcano...

Sensemaker ·

2025/04/10

Tortoise has identified almost 300 influencers who are spreading misleading content about climate change that ranges from scepticism to misinformation. One of their false claims is that global warming is caused by an underwater volcano that erupted off the coast of TongaTo read more about Tortoise’s Hot Air project click here.Writer: Bex SanderProducer: Casey MagloireHost: Claudia WilliamsEpisode photography: Alex Jones and Pununu Tukuafu, Tonga Geological Services.Executive Producer: Rebecca

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8:42

What does Trump's tariff mean for your personal...

Sensemaker ·

2025/04/09

Donald Trump's tariffs have caused chaos across international markets, but how does this impact your personal pensions and savings?Writer: Barney MacintyreHost: Tomini BabsProducer: Casey Magloire Executive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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8:36

What do we know about the killing of paramedics in Gaza?

Sensemaker ·

2025/04/08

The United Nations has accused Israel of killing 15 rescue workers in Gaza. How has a video uncovered this weekend discredited the Israeli military’s version of events?Writer: Chloe HadjimatheouProducer: Ada BarumeHost: Claudia WilliamsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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8:55

Have you ever fallen for a fake, AI-generated movie...

Sensemaker ·

2025/04/07

AI-generated movie trailers are tricking fans into thinking they’re the real deal. How are some studios balancing the free publicity with debates over content created by artificial intelligence?To read more about Jake Kanter’s investigation into AI trailers in Hollywood for Deadline, click here.Writer: Aleena AugustineProducer: Gary MarshallHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Roisin SavageExecutive Producer: Rebecca MooreTo find out more about Tortoise:Download the Tortoise app – for a listening

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8:06

Who is the man behind Donald Trump’s war on DEI?

Sensemaker ·

2025/04/04

President Trump has ordered the federal government to scrap its diversity, equity and inclusion policies. One man in the White House has been plotting this for years.Writer: Stephen ArmstrongAdditional reporting: Ada BaruméProducer: Patricia ClarkeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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8:46

What is life like for children and aid workers in...

Sensemaker ·

2025/04/03

Since Israel resumed its military offensive in Gaza, hundreds of children have been killed. Israeli airstrikes have also killed aid workers and a new siege has been blocking all humanitarian and commercial goods entering the Strip.Writer: Serena CesareoProducer: Serena CasareoHost: Casey MagloireExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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6:15

What does the earthquake mean for Myanmar?

Sensemaker ·

2025/04/02

Myanmar is reeling from the aftershocks of a 7.7 magnitude earthquake and the death toll keeps rising. With a civil war still raging alongside the devastation, how is the violence hampering the recovery effort?Writer: Ada BarumeProducer: Casey MagloireHost: Tomini BabsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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6:53

What happens when life at an Antarctic base turns...

Sensemaker ·

2025/04/01

A group of researchers at a remote Antarctic base faces unexpected conflict. With conditions meaning rescue is near impossible, how did things go so wrong?Writer: Gary MarshallProducer: Rebecca MooreHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Roisin SavageExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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9:17

Has buy now, pay later gone too far?

Sensemaker ·

2025/03/31

Buy now, pay later platforms like Klarna have become a go-to payment option for millions, offering flexibility in tough economic times. But as debt piles up and regulation looms, is this convenience coming at too high a cost? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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8:12

Why does Netflix’s Adolescence hit a nerve?

Sensemaker ·

2025/03/28

Stephen Graham’s new four-part series has sparked a national conversation about the crisis facing young men, social media and the manosphere.Writer: Elaine McCalligHost: Tomini BabsEpisode Photography: Roisin SavageExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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9:39

The chancellor’s choices

Sensemaker ·

2025/03/27

Rachel Reeves has set out her plans for the UK’s economy in her spring statement. What state are the country’s finances in? And was cutting welfare benefits the only way of balancing the books?Writer: Barney MacintyreProducer: Xavier GreenwoodHost: Claudia WilliamsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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9:14

Why does Donald Trump care so much about South Africa?

Sensemaker ·

2025/03/26

The US President’s actions towards South Africa seem driven by more than land laws. Could they be part of a broader narrative about race, power, and fear?Writer: Ada BaruméProducer: Ada BaruméHost: Claudia WilliamsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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8:31

Why is there a measles outbreak in Texas?

Sensemaker ·

2025/03/25

Measles is spreading in Texas and shows no signs of slowing down. What does this outbreak tell us about the state of public health in the US and where does it go from here?Writer: Jess SwinburneProducer: Jess SwinburnePhotography: Roisin SavageExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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9:04

What is life like in Gaza since the ceasefire collapsed?

Sensemaker ·

2025/03/24

Israel has resumed its military offensive in Gaza, killing hundreds of people following the collapse of the ceasefire deal with Hamas. Already suffering from food and medical shortages, how are Gazans surviving?Why has Israel started bombing Gaza again? Click here to listen to our previous episode: lnk.to/QsqUkGWriter: Chloe HadjimatheouHost: Tomini BabsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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1,232 results

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