Sensemaker

With a vote of support in the house of Lords, the government is under increasing pressure to ban social media for under 16s. But will Keir Starmer back a ban?Writer: Ada BaruméProducer:  Ada BaruméHost: Casey Magloire :  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Smithsonian is the world’s largest museum. It has been in Donald Trump's cross-hairs since the start of his second term, as he vows to kill off ‘woke’. How far will Donald Trump go in using the Smithsonian to rewrite American history?Writer: Jess SwinburneProducer: Amalie Sortland Photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Diary of CEO host Steven Bartlett faced backlash online following an interview with Christopher Williamson where they hypothesise the reason for the declining birth rate. Is the birth rate declining and should we be concerned?Writer: Casey MagloireProducer: Ada BaruméHost: Ada BaruméEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Gary Marshall Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Donald Trump’s push to acquire Greenland is part of a growing quest for influence in the Arctic, the planet’s coldest frontier, where Russia has interests in Norwegian archipelago Svalbard.Host: Casey MagloireWriter and Producer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Joe MeeExecutive producer: Gary Marshall Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, the government is expected to decide whether to approve plans for a new Chinese embassy in London. Critics warn it could be used for cyber attacks or as a base for espionage. Could it pose a threat to national security?Writer: Jonathan LewisProducer: Jonathan LewisHost: Ada BaruméEpisode photography: Sofia FentonExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tens of thousands of people in South East England have been without water for days. What’s gone wrong and how much is the water company South East Water, to blame? Host: Casey MagloireWriter: Ada BaruméProducer:  Amalie SortlandExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A year into Donald Trump’s second term, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement has become America’s most powerful – and in some quarters most feared – federal agency. Writer: Serena CesareoProducer: Serena CesareoHost: Casey MagloireExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the 8th of January, the Metropolitan Police released a report into failures in vetting and recruitment of officers involved in misconduct or criminal offences. Host: Ada BarumeWriter: Amalie SortlandProducer: Casey MagloireAdditional reporting: Madeleine Parr Episode Photography: Sofia Fenton Executive producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week the US inverted its food pyramid, placing high protein foods like meat and dairy at the top. How did we get here and is this good food guidance?Writer: Jonathan LewisProducer: Jonathan LewisHost: Ada BarumeEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Gary Marshall Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hundreds have reportedly been killed in violent clashes with police as protests demanding regime change erupt across Iran.Host: Casey MagloireWriter & Producer: Amalie Sortland and Poppy BullardEpisode Photography: Joe MeeExecutive producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok has been generating sexualised images of women and children on X. Can anything be done about it? Writer: Jonathan LewisProducer: Jonathan LewisHost: Casey MagloireEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Wednesday, the US seized a Russian-flagged tanker in the Atlantic on the grounds that it threatened the “security and stability of the Western Hemisphere”.Host: Casey MagloireWriter & Producer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Joe MeeExecutive producer: Poppy Bullard Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Conservative and Reform MPs are calling for the British-Egyptian activist Alaa Abd El-Fattah to be stripped of his citizenship. At the same time Shamima Begum, who joined Islamic State, is fighting to have hers reinstated. How and why does the government revoke citizenship? Writer: Casey MagloireProducer: Casey MagloireHost: Casey Magloire Reporters: John Simpson and Casey Magloire Episode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After attacking Venezuela Donald Trump has suggested he might target Colombia and Cuba, and he wants to get his hands on Greenland too. Host: Andrew ButlerWriter & Producer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Joe MeeExecutive producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For years, local authorities in England have found it difficult to stop the spread of slot machine arcades. But that could be about to change.Host: Ada BaruméWriter & Producer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Sofia FentonExecutive producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Saturday morning, the United States of America bombed Venezuela and captured its President, Nicolás Maduro. What happened and why? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With AI-generated videos and images spreading online, platforms are stepping up efforts to identify and label them.Writer: Casey MagloireProducer: Amalie SortlandHost: Ada BarumeEpisode photography: Sofia FentonExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can ChatGPT replace my therapist?As people are turning to AI for mental health support and relationship advice, could chatbots replace the role of a trusted friend, or even a therapist?Writer: Ada BarumeProducer: Amalie SortlandHost: Tomini Babs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Weight loss drugs can be transformative for people who have struggled with obesity. But with a spike in hospital admissions experiencing adverse reactions to the drugs, should we be doing more to regulate this growing market? Writer: James TapperProducer: Ada BaruméHost: Tomini Babs Executive producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 100ft wave is a big wave surfing milestone that was supposed to be impossible. Now, a young surfer from California is rumoured to have achieved it, breaking the official world record at the same time. The problem? Nobody can agree how big the wave was. Writer: Claudia Williams, with additional reporting by Ada BaruméProducer: Casey MagloireHost: Claudia WilliamsSecure your privacy with Surfshark! Go to https://surfshark.com/sensemaker for 4 extra months of Surfshark. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A group of climbers has sparked debate over cheating in mountaineering after scaling Everest and returning to London in just 5 days - with the help of xenon gas.Writer: Jess SwinburneProducer: Serena CesareoHost: Casey MagloirePhotography: Alex JonesExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A recent survey suggests Gen Z is fuelling a resurgence in church attendance, especially among Catholics. Why? Writer: Jess SwinburneProducer: Ada BaruméHost: Claudia Williams Photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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?Reporter: Barney MacintyreWriter/ Producer: Patricia Clarke Host: Claudia Williams Photography: Roisin Savage Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bumble received more than 20,000 legal threats alleging that the app discriminated against men by not allowing them to make the first move.Writer: Casey MagloireProducer: Casey MagloireHost: Casey MagloireEpisode photography: Sofia FentonExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Now into her 52nd day of refusing to eat, the jailed Palestine Action protester Qesser Zuhrah is in mortal dangerReporter: John SimpsonWriter: Poppy BullardProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Ada BarumeEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

China has started construction of what will become the world’s largest hydropower dam in Tibetan territory. Writer: Jonathan LewisProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Andrew ButlerEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Resident doctors make up about half of all NHS doctors so NHS leaders are anxious about how the service will cope.Host: Casey MagloireWriter & Producer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Joe MeeExecutive producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Tuesday the government passed a bill which it’s calling the biggest overhaul of workers’ rights in decades.Writer: Poppy Bullard with additional reporting from Ada Barume Producer: Poppy BullardHost: Ada BarumeEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yesterday the US military carried out strikes against three boats in the Pacific, which it claims were engaged in drug trafficking.Host: Casey MagloireWriter & Producer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Michael WhitakerExecutive producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At least 15 people have been killed after two men opened fire on a crowd gathered for Chanukah celebrations, near Bondi Beach in Australia.Writer: Poppy BullardProducer: Casey MagloireHost: Casey MagloireEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Once Hollywood’s best-paid actor, Johnny Depp was cast out as a #MeToo villain, now he’s making his comeback.Listen to Alexi Mostrous' Who Trolled Amber series here: https://observer.co.uk/listen/who-trolled-amberHost: Casey MagloireWriter & Producer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Joe MeeExecutive producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week the Health Secretary announced a review into the rising rates of ADHD and Autism, as well as other mental health conditions. Writer: Poppy BullardProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Ada BarumeEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Netflix and Paramount are in a bidding war to buy Warner Bros. What would they be buying and what might that mean for the entertainment industry? Writer: Jess SwinburneProducer: Amalie Sortland Photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As of yesterday, millions of Australian children under the age of 16 are now banned from using the social media platforms including X, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.Reporter: Patricia ClarkeWriter: Poppy BullardProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Casey MagloireEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the Ukrainian President meets European leaders, Russia has ramped up its attacks on major infrastructure, and last week it claimed it had captured the key strategic city of Pokrovsk. Writer: Poppy BullardProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Ada Barume Episode photography: Sofia FentonExecutive Producer: Matt Russell  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vantara claims to house more than 150,000 animals - that’s 15 times the size of London Zoo.Writer: Jonathan LewisProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Casey MagloireEpisode photography: Sofia FentonExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bad Bunny, Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish are still dominating streams globally, but what about smaller artists? Writer: Casey MagloireProducer: Casey MagloireHost: Casey Magloire Episode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Observer’s data team has found that the United Arab Emirates  is vying to position itself as a key player in the industry, by looking towards the developing world. Reporter: Hannah SchullerWriter: Poppy BullardProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Ada BarumeEpisode photography: Sofia Fenton Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Justice Secretary David Lammy wants to introduce reforms to the justice system as part of a wider plan to tackle unprecedented delays in the court system. Host: Ada BaruméWriter: Poppy BullardProducer: Amalie SortlandEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A recent survey by the Key Cities group found that 60% of their member councils - which include places like Bath, Hull and Medway in Kent - were planning on selling off things like shopping arcades and social clubs to pay for the rising costs of social care.Host: Ada BarumeWriter: Becky Pinnington and Poppy BullardProducer: Madeleine ParrEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TikTok may glamorise the FIFO lifestyle in the outback, but what happens when the reality doesn’t quite match?Host: Tomini BabsWriter: Casey MagloireProducer: Amalie Sortland Reporter: Niamh Rowe Episode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The army is recruiting gamers to fly drones, raising questions about whether war is becoming more like a game.Host: Casey MagloireWriter & Producer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Sofia Fenton Executive producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the budget Chancellor Rachel Reeves outlined a series of measures aimed at bringing living costs down. But each of those measures must be paid for by taxes elsewhere. Writer: Poppy BullardProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Ada BarumeEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the weeks since the ceasefire was agreed, more than 300 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, and more than 600 injured, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Host: Ada BaruméWriter: Poppy BullardProducer: Amalie SortlandEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This weekend, European leaders were scrambling to prevent US President Donald Trump from forcing Ukraine to sign a peace deal widely viewed as favourable to Russia.Host: Casey Magloire Writer & Producer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Sofia FentonExecutive producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 Last week, a major report from the independent inquiry into the government’s handling of the Coronavirus pandemic was published. Writer: Poppy BullardProducer: Poppy Bullard Host: Casey MagloireEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Jackson has become the first artist to achieve a top 10 hit single in six different decades, right as the trailer for his new biopic has been released. How do fans of the star reconcile the allegations when interacting with his work?’To listen to Liv and Miranda on We Have Notes visit: lnk.to/wehavenotesWriter: Casey MagloireProducer: Casey MagloireHost: Casey MagloireEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As COP30 wraps up in Brazil, climate change experts warn that not only have we missed the 1.5 degree target for global average temperature increase, but we are now on a path to 2.6 degrees.Writer: Casey MagloireProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Qian Zhimin has been dubbed the cryptoqueen after UK Police discovered she had approximately £5 billion of stolen investments. But how was she caught? Host: Ada BaruméWriter: Casey MagloireProducer: Amalie Sortland Reporters: Poppy Sebag-Montefiore and Phoebe Davis Episode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Sunday, America announced that it had moved the world’s biggest aircraft carrier within striking distance of Venezuela. Its addition to an already sizable fleet marks the biggest US military build up in the Caribbean since the Cold War.Writer: Jonathan LewisProducer: Jonathan LewisHost: Ada BaruméEpisode photography: Sofia FentonExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.