Sensemaker

Nicotine pouches are flying off the shelves across the UK – and increasingly, it’s teenagers buying them.Host: Tomini BabsWriter & Producer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Sofia FentonExecutive producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marjorie Taylor Greene, the ultra-Trumpian Republican congresswoman from Georgia, is one of the four Republican dissenters who support the full release of the Epstein files.Listen to Alexi Mostrous discuss the Epstein emails in more detail on The News Meeting podcast.Host: Tomini BabsWriter & Producer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Sofia FentonExecutive producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trump’s lawyers demanded that the BBC apologise for an edited clip of him in a Panorama documentary or face a $1 billion lawsuit.Writer: Poppy BullardProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Ada Barume  Episode photography: Sofia FentonExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Young people are moving on from online influencer Andrew Tate.Host: Ada BaruméWriter & Producer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Joe MeeExecutive producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The government has criminalised the depiction of choking and suffocation in online porn.Writer: Poppy BullardProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Casey MagloireEpisode photography: Sophia FentonExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Trump wants America to resume nuclear testing for the first time in 33 years. President Vladimir Putin hinted Russia might follow suit.Host: Tomini BabsWriter & Producer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Sofia FentonExecutive producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The renters rights act is the most momentous change to housing law since the 1980's, but what will it mean for the UK's 11 million renters? Writer: Ada BaruméProducer: Ada BaruméHost: Casey Magloire Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The young, charismatic socialist has swept to victory in the New York Mayoral election.Writer: Poppy BullardProducer: Amalie SortlandHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Chancellor Rachel Reeves gave an unexpected and unprecedented speech just three weeks before the government’s annual Budget.Writer: Poppy BullardReporter: Rachel SylvesterProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Casey MagloireEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2026, the UK government will decide whether to end terrestrial TV.Host: Katie GunningWriter: Stephen ArmstrongProducer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Joe MeeExecutive producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

OpenAI launched Sora and Meta released Vibes - apps that turn text prompts into videos, inspiring creations from Ronald McDonald on Love Island to a skydiving dog.Writer: Poppy BullardReporter: Bex SanderHost: Casey MagloireEpisode photography: Michael WhitakerExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Sunday rebel forces in Sudan captured the key city of el-Fasher. Reports suggest that tens of thousands of people were killed in a matter of days.Writer: Fred Harter.Producer: Casey MagloireHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The exceptional Category 5 hurricane that struck Jamaica was made four times more likely by human-induced climate change.Host: Ada BarumeWriter: Jeevan Vasagar Producer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Sophia FentonExecutive producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US President Donald Trump’s peace plan says Gaza will be for the Gazans, but a few miles from the strip’s border, a small number of Israeli settlers are waiting to move in. Writer: Poppy BullardProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Ada Barume Episode photography: Sofia FentonExecutive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) make up more than half of all the food we eat in the UK and there are increasing fears about the implications for our health. Host: Ada BaruméWriter & Producer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Sofia FentonExecutive producer: Katie Gunning Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Donald Trump tried to buy Greenland, he forced Denmark to tackle longstanding grievances. Reporter: Isabel Coles Writer: Casey MagloireProducer: Amalie SortlandHost: Casey MagloireEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In one of the most audacious art crimes in history, masked thieves raided the Louvre and escaped with France’s crown jewels.Host: Casey MagloireWriter & Producer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Joe MeeExecutive producer: Rebecca MooreTo 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 journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

London has earned a reputation as Europe’s phone theft capital. A record 80,000 phones were stolen last year. Yet data shows a twist – while devices are at risk, people themselves are safer than they’ve been in decades.Host: Casey MagloireWriter & Producer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Joe MeeExecutive producer: Katie Gunning 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 journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Madagascar to Nepal, young people are leading protest movements that are shaking the foundations of power. What’s fuelling this global wave of unrest – and can it lead to lasting change?Writer: Jonathan LewisProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Andrew ButlerEpisode photography: Sofia FentonExecutive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week, Prince Andrew announced he will no longer use his title or honours. But why has the prince lost his titles now?Writer: Madeleine ParrProducer: Madeleine ParrHost: Casey MagloireEpisode photography: Sofia FentonExecutive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump has threatened to move football World Cup games from liberal US cities. Could his friendship with FIFA’s President Gianni Infantino make it happen?Writer: Poppy Bullard and Jessy Parker Humphreys Producer: Poppy BullardHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Sofia FentonExecutive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Soon after winning 10 councils, Reform UK set up a Trump-inspired DOGE department that would cut unnecessary spending.Host: Tomini BabsWriter: Poppy Bullard with reporting from Jon Ungoed-ThomasProducer: Amalie SortlandEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca MooreTo 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 journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week, President Trump hosted a roundtable with conservative influencers - but notably absent were manosphere podcasters Joe Rogan and Theo Von.Writer: Ada BarumeProducer: Amalie SortlandHost: Casey MagloireTo 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 journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the past five years, more than 800 late night venues have shut their doors. At this rate there are warnings that there could be no nightclubs left by 2029. If you want to listen to more about the struggles facing UK nightlife, listen to The Observer’s podcast We Have Notes HERE.Writer: Serena CesareoProducer: Serena CesareoHost: Ada BaruméExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The current ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas is phase one of the peace deal: a downing of arms to allow the exchange of prisoners and hostages in a set timeframe. But phase two of the plan remains vague. Writer: Poppy BullardProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Casey MagloreEpisode photography: Sofia FentonExecutive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A wave of new graduates has taken to social media to complain that entry-level roles are disappearing as AI takes over. The Observer’s team analysed the data.Host: Claudia WilliamsWriter & Producer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Joe MeeExecutive producer: Rebecca MooreTo 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 journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After just over two years of devastating war, a ceasefire has finally been announced in Gaza.Host: Ada BaruméWriter & Producer: Amalie Sortland, with reporting by Lilly Cheslaw and Steve BloomfieldEpisode Photography: Joe MeeExecutive producer: Rebecca MooreTo 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 journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After his speech to a room of US generals last week, some experts are beginning to worry about the 79-year-old.Writer: Ada BaruméProducer: Amalie SortlandHost: Casey MagloireTo 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 journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Talks are underway in Egypt to try and secure an end to Israel’s war on Gaza. For the first time in two years the sides might agree to end the conflict. Under a US proposal former British PM, Tony Blair, who is a divisive figure in the region, would have a major role overseeing the peace process. Writer: Rachel Sylvester and Poppy BullardProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Ada BaruméEpisode photography: Sophia FentonExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since Donald Trump’s return to office, trans Americans are facing unprecedented legal and social threats - with some now seeking asylum abroad. But for those living in fear, the options for escape are limited.Writer: Jonathan LewisProducer: Jonathan LewisHost: Ada BaruméEpisode photography: Sofia FentonExecutive Producer: Rebecca MooreTo 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 journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A cyber attack on the government’s Legal Aid Agency has resulted in vulnerable people’s data stolen and lawyers without pay.Writer: Poppy BullardProducer: Amalie SortlandHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca MooreTo 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 journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Wednesday, European leaders gathered in Copenhagen to confront a growing threat: Russian drone incursions in European airspace. Writer & Producer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Joe MeeExecutive producer: Rebecca MooreTo 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 journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Jimmy Carr and Jack Whitehall join a bill of top comedians performing at the Riyadh Comedy Festival. This is despite human rights abuses in the country.Writer: Rachael HealyProducer: Ada BarumeHost: Casey MagloireEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New hope for sufferers of Huntington’s disease after the discovery of a treatment which could radically slow the disease. Writer: James TapperProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Ada BarumeEpisode photography: Sophia FentonExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s easy to write off the launch of Your Party as a side-show, away from the centre of politics in Westminster. But, according to Zarah Sultana, 750,000 people have registered interest in the party. Writer: Poppy BullardProducer: Amalie SortlandHost: Casey MagloireEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore 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 journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An investigation from The Observer has found there’s a financial link between RFK Jr. and supplement companies that market alternatives to Tylenol.Host: Tomini BabsWriter & Producer: Amalie Sortland, with reporting by Alexi MostrousEpisode Photography: Sophia FentonExecutive producer: Rebecca MooreTo 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 journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The US government says it has agreed a deal which would see a portion of TikTok owned by US investors. Writer: Stephen ArmstrongProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Ada BarumeEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Girl group members turned solo artists have traditionally struggled to find success in Britain. Has Jade Thirlwall from Little Mix finally broken the curse?To listen to this story and more, listen to The Observer's brand new culture podcast We Have Notes - HEREWriter: Casey MagloireProducer: Casey MagloireHost: Casey Magloire Episode photography: Sofia FentonExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of the iconic ice cream brand, resigned after he claimed the company had been “silenced” on issues like Gaza.Host: Tomini BabsWriter & Producer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Sophia FentonExecutive producer: Rebecca MooreTo 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 journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jimmy Kimmel’s show might be returning but his cancellation reveals the way the Trump administration is wielding power.Writer & Producer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Sophia FentonExecutive producer: Rebecca MooreTo 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 journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tommy Robinson has transformed from a scrappy activist, to a slick media performer at the heart of the UK’s far-right movement. Writer: John SimpsonProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Andrew ButlerEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump was asked if he had sympathy for Peter Mandelson - the former UK ambassador to Washington - who was recently sacked for his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. Writer: Cat NeilanProducer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca MooreTo 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 journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since returning to the White House in January, President Trump has issued more than 200 executive orders. Yet so far, only 20 proposed bills have become law.Writer: Bex SanderProducer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Joe MeeExecutive producer: Rebecca MooreTo 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 journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The announcement of a major Israeli ground offensive came within minutes of a UN report which states that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians.Writer: Poppy BullardProducer: Amalie Sortland Host: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Sofia FentonExecutive Producer: Rebecca MooreTo 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 journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Messages on unfired bullet casings left by Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old accused of shooting Charlie Kirk, appear linked to online alt-right movements.  Writer: Jess Swinburne, with reporting from Nicky WoolfProducer: Amalie SortlandHost: Casey MagloireEpisode photography: Sofia FentonExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore & Jasper CorbettTo 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 journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For decades, the pyramids, mummies, and hieroglyphs of Ancient Egypt have been reduced to clichés in textbooks and pop culture. A new exhibition seeks to change that.Writer: Amalie Sortland, with reporting from Laura CummingProducer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Joe MeeExecutive producer: Rebecca MooreTo 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 journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Scientists are increasingly concerned about the impact Donald Trump’s policies and rhetoric are having on the environment. So how are those on the front line in the fight against climate change coping against a backdrop of rising scepticism?  Writer: Casey MagloireProducer: Amalie SortlandHost: Ada BaruméEpisode photography: Sofia FentonExecutive Producer: Katie GunningTo 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 journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Early on Wednesday morning Poland announced that for the first time Nato jets  had shot down Russian drones in its airspace.Writer: Poppy BullardProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Ada BarumeEpisode photography: Sofia FentonExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Colonel Hassan Ali Nur Shuute is giving Somali social media users a unique insight into the country’s war on terror. Writer: Layla Mahmood and Poppy BullardProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Casey MagloireEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does the recent cabinet reshuffle tell us about the new direction of the Labour party and the government?Writer: Casey MagloireProducer: Casey MagloireHost: Ada BaruméEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.