Sensemaker

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 Babs Episode photography: Roisín Savage Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 more information.

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 Davis Additional reporting: Cecily AtkinsonProducer: Ada Barumé Host: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Roisín SavageExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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.

 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.

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 Greenwood Host: Casey MagloireExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Magloire Host: Claudia WilliamsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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.