Sensemaker
The Observer
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 website observer.co.uk Download 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 contact hello@tortoisemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 1, 2024 • 8min
A generational Budget
The dust on Rachel Reeves’s plans for the British economy is beginning to settle. Does her Budget leave young people better or worse off? Writer: Barney MacintyreProducer: Patricia ClarkeHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Jon JonesExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 31, 2024 • 6min
The battle of the sexes in the US election
More than any other time in history, American men and women have found themselves supporting opposing presidential candidates. But what is driving the battle between the sexes that may decide the next US president? Writer: Casey MagloireProducer: Eleanor BiggsHost: Tomini BabsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 30, 2024 • 7min
Why doesn’t prison work for women?
The UK’s new justice secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has pledged to radically reduce the number of women going to prison in England and Wales.Writer: Phoebe Davis Producer: Gary MarshallHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Jon JonesExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 29, 2024 • 8min
Rachel Reeves changes the rules
Britain’s chancellor has announced a big change to the way the country will measure debt. She hopes this will enable more spending for things like hospitals, roads and schools but has she made the right move for the country?Writer: Cat Neilan Producer: Eleanor BiggsHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Jon JonesExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 28, 2024 • 8min
North Korean troops join Russia’s fight in Ukraine
Kim Jong Un has sent thousands of military personnel to Russia as part of a deal with Vladimir Putin. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called it a “clear escalation” of the war.Writer: Nina KuryataProducer: Rebecca MooreHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Jon JonesExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 25, 2024 • 7min
The press frenzy over Liam Payne’s death
The world was shocked last week by the news of pop star Liam Payne's death. What does the lurid media coverage that followed tell us about the press’s relationship with celebrities? Writers: Eleanor Biggs and Tomini BabsProducer: Eleanor BiggsHost: Tomini BabsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 24, 2024 • 8min
AI goes nuclear
Big tech is hunting away for new sources of power to supply the boom in generative artificial intelligence. Recently, both Google and Microsoft revealed plans to purchase electricity from nuclear power plants. But what impact could this have on the planet? Writer: Barney MacintyreProducer: Casey MagloireHost: Tomini BabsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 23, 2024 • 9min
Just Stop Oil protest laws
Two Just Stop Oil protestors were arrested after throwing a can of Heinz tomato soup over Van Gogh’s Sunflowers. What do their lengthy prison sentences tell us about the changing laws around protest in the UK? Writer: Jess SwinburneProducer: Casey MagloireHost: Tomini BabsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 22, 2024 • 8min
Why is Israel clashing with peacekeeping forces in Lebanon?
Israel and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon remain in a standoff, with the safety of UN peacekeepers on the line. What could happen next? Writer: Xavier GreenwoodProducer: Xavier GreenwoodHost: Tomini BabsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 21, 2024 • 8min
Assisted dying: how could the law change in England and Wales?
Assisted dying could become law in England and Wales for terminally ill adults. But opponents fear it could lead to a “slippery slope”. What is being proposed, and what has happened in other countries that have adopted similar laws?Writer: Elaine McCalligProducer: Katie GunningHost: Claudia WilliamsExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
