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

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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

6:31

Why is Romantasy so popular?

Sensemaker ·

2025/03/12

More and more people are obsessed with books about love stories set in fantasy worlds. What's the appeal?Writer: Aleena AugustineProducer: Xavier GreenwoodHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography:Roisín SavageExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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7:36

What are the consequences of Trump’s foreign aid cuts?

Sensemaker ·

2025/03/11

Donald Trump froze most of America’s foreign aid funding and is dismantling the US Agency for International Development. How is this affecting the millions of people who rely on USAID to survive?Writer: Serena CesareoProducer: Serena CesareoHost: Tomini BabsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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6:59

Can Trump fix America’s eggflation?

Sensemaker ·

2025/03/10

The price of eggs has skyrocketed. While Trump made them a central issue during his campaign, the problem runs deeper than inflation. Why could eggs spark a political crisis for the president?Writer: Phoebe DavisProducer: Gary MarshallHost: Claudia WilliamsEpisode photography: Roisín SavageExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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7:32

Musk, Trump, and the secretive government overhaul

Sensemaker ·

2025/03/07

Elon Musk has called the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, which he runs, “maximally transparent”. But it’s taking entire teams of reporters to piece together what is really happening inside The White House.Writer: Patricia ClarkeProducer: Patricia ClarkeHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Roisín SavageExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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7:29

The ceasefire deadlock: What comes next for Israel...

Sensemaker ·

2025/03/06

The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has expired, and hopes for a second phase are fading fast. With hostages still held in Gaza and political tensions rising in Israel, is renewed war now inevitable?To listen to Chloe Hadjimatheou on The News Meeting click here: lnk.to/2JnIOkWriter: Xavier Greenwood with additional reporting from Lilly Cheslaw.Producer: Casey MagloireHost: Casey MagloirePhotography: Roisin SavageExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for

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8:43

Ukrainian fears following the Trump-Zelensky clash

Sensemaker ·

2025/03/05

Donald Trump’s explosive press conference with Volodymyr Zelensky didn’t just strain US-Ukraine relations, it upended the established post-WWII world order.Writer: Phoebe DavisAdditional reporting: Cecily AtkinsonProducer: Ada BaruméHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Roisín SavageExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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8:00

Is the music industry ready for AI?

Sensemaker ·

2025/03/04

More than 1,000 musicians have released a silent album in protest against new UK government proposals to change copyright law. Will the silence be too deafening for the government to ignore?Writer: Jess SwinburneProducer: Katie GunningExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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8:44

How Nasa is tracking the “city-killer” asteroid

Sensemaker ·

2025/03/03

The risk of a large asteroid hitting Earth in 2032 has dropped to nearly zero – but it could still hit the moon. Nasa’s Acting Planetary Defense Officer explains how her team is assessing the risk.Reporter: Patricia ClarkeProducer: Patricia ClarkeHost: Claudia WilliamsExecutive Producer: Rebecca MoorePhotography: Joe Mee Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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8:10

Is Anora the most radical film at this year’s Oscars?

Sensemaker ·

2025/02/28

This year’s Oscars are more political than ever, with Anora being the critics’ favorite for Best Picture. But could its portrayal of sex work signal a real shift in Hollywood’s attitude, or is it just another fleeting moment?Writer: Stephen ArmstrongProducer: Ada BaruméHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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8:19

Trump’s purge of the military

Sensemaker ·

2025/02/27

In a massive shake-up of the US armed forces, the Trump administration has fired the country’s most senior military officer, the admiral leading the navy and several other senior figures. Why? And what does that mean for the world’s most powerful military?Writer: Jasper CorbettProducer: Xavier GreenwoodHost: Casey MagloireExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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7:51

Is the rise of Germany’s far-right a wake-up call for...

Sensemaker ·

2025/02/26

Germany’s far-right party, Alternative für Deutschland, secured second place in the weekend’s election, doubling its previous vote share. With concerns that the long-standing “firewall” against the AfD is weakening, can incoming Chancellor Friedrich Merz navigate domestic and global challenges to stop its rise?Writer: Cat NeilanProducer: Casey MagloireHost: Claudia WilliamsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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8:38

Is Trump trading peace for Ukraine’s minerals?

Sensemaker ·

2025/02/25

Ukraine’s rare earth minerals have become a bargaining chip in high-stakes negotiations with the US. As President Trump pushes for access to half of Ukraine’s deposits, we explore what’s at stake—and why Kyiv is under pressure to strike a deal.Writer and producer: Katie GunningArt work: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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8:32

How are M23 rebels and mineral smuggling driving...

Sensemaker ·

2025/02/24

The rebel group, M23 have taken control of a second city in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. What do they want? And is there anything that can be done to bring peace to a country after three decades of conflict?Writer: Ada BaruméProducer: Ada BaruméHost: Tomini BabsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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6:42

Melania Trump v Anna Wintour: Who Really Holds the...

Sensemaker ·

2025/02/21

For the second time Vogue has broken with tradition and excluded the First Lady from the front cover. What does this snub tell us about the changing media and political landscape in the US?Writer and producer: Jess SwinburneHost: Claudia WilliamsEpisode Photography: Lola WilliamsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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9:03

Are Elon Musk’s politics hurting Tesla?

Sensemaker ·

2025/02/20

Tesla sales are plummeting across Europe. Elon Musk's political antics might have something to do with it.Writer: Patricia ClarkeProducer: Patricia ClarkeHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Lola Williams Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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7:56

Why are at-home rape kits being offered to university...

Sensemaker ·

2025/02/19

Self-test rape kits are being promoted as a way to empower survivors, but experts warn they could undermine prosecutions. This debate raises a bigger question: how can we balance support for survivors with the need for justice?Writer: Phoebe DavisProducer: Casey MagloireHost: Casey MagloireEpisode photography: Lola WilliamsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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7:05

Is America changing course on Ukraine?

Sensemaker ·

2025/02/18

Donald Trump’s new defense secretary has signaled a dramatic shift in US policy on Ukraine, raising alarms across Europe. As fears of appeasement grow and Western alliances are tested, what does this mean for the future of European security?Writer: Cat NeilanProducer: Ada BaruméHost: Tomini BabsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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9:03

Should a writer’s intimate diary be published after...

Sensemaker ·

2025/02/17

After she died three of Joan Didion’s trustees found the writer’s 25-year-old diary and took the decision to publish her entries in full.Writer: Elaine McCalligProducer: Casey MagloirePhotography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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7:00

Why is Labour taking a harder line on immigration?

Sensemaker ·

2025/02/14

This week the British government released footage of authorities arresting migrants who, it says, are in the UK illegally. With a new security-focused immigration bill currently under debate in Parliament, is Labour taking a page from the White House’s playbook on immigration?Writer: Serena CesareoProducer: Serena CasareoHost: Tomini BabsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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8:57

Who stole ancient treasures from the Drents Museum?

Sensemaker ·

2025/02/13

In the dead of night, thieves raid a Dutch museum, making off with priceless Romanian artefacts. As the hunt for the stolen treasures continues, what does this art heist tell us about the future of cultural heritage?Writer: Claudia WilliamsProducer: Casey MagloireHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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1,245 results

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