Sensemaker

For the first time in decades, American Vogue, the leading fashion publication, has a new editorial head succeeding Anna Wintour, often regarded as the most powerful woman in the industry. Who is the new woman in charge? Writer: Stephen ArmstrongProducer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Joe MeeExecutive producer: 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.

The St George’s cross is flying from lamposts and motorway bridges across England.Writer: Poppy BullardProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Humanitarian payloads from planes are costly and largely ineffective but they remain one of few ways to ease people’s suffering in Gaza.Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland, with additional reporting by Oliver MarsdenEpisode Photography: Oliver Marsden and Alex JonesExecutive 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 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 [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More than 1.5 million people in the UK now use weight-loss injections like Mounjaro. But as official prices rise by as much as 140%, illegal trade is growing too.Writer: James Tapper and Jessica HaydenProducer: Amalie SortlandHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Alex JonesExecutive 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 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 [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Comedy game show Taskmaster is about to air its 20th UK series and has spawned versions all over the world. We discover its secrets.Writer: Rachael HealyProducer: Amalie SortlandHost: Casey MagloireEpisode 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 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 [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Computer chip company Nvidia’s revenue is soaring to record highs, but an MIT report found 95% of companies investing in generative AI haven’t made money from it.Writer: Poppy BullardProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Claudia WilliamsEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new wave of influencers are urging their followers to go outside in the hottest part of the day, skip SPF and even lie on towels that attract sunlight.Writer: Ada BaruméProducer: Ada BaruméHost: Andrew ButlerEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

3D printing technology is used to re-construct the faces of injured Ukrainian soldiers and civilians.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 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 [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does one transfer window influencers tell us about the growing power of digital natives and our relationship with the truth?  Writer: Rory SmithProducer: Casey MagloireHost: Claudia WilliamsEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A High Court injunction, granted to Epping Forest District Council, will mean the end of asylum seekers being housed in a local hotel. Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland with additional reporting from Xavier GreenwoodEpisode 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 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 [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Millions of Afghans who fled decades ago are now being returned from neighbouring Pakistan and Iran as part of one of the largest deportations in recent history.Writer: Serena CesareoProducer: Serena CesareoHost: Tomini BabsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One region in western Ukraine has become a key sticking point in President Trump’s attempts to bring the war to an end.Writer: Casey MagloireProducer: Casey MagloireHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ADHD prescriptions have risen 18% year on year in England since the end of the Covid-19 pandemic. Writer: Jonathan LewisProducer: Amalie SortlandHost: Casey MagloireEpisode 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 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 [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nepal’s Department for Tourism says it hopes that by waiving permit fees for the 97 lesser-climbed Himalayan peaks it can ease overcrowding on Everest and stimulate the local economy.Writer: Poppy BullardProducer: Jonathan Lewis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trump and Putin met in Alaska for a high-stakes summit discussing how to end the war in Ukraine.Writer & Producer: Amalie SortlandExecutive producer: Matt RussellPhotography: Joe Mee Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A recent outbreak of tuberculosis on Jeremy Clarkson’s farm is an all too familiar story for British farmers. How does this silent disease wreak havoc and can it be eradicated?Writer: Jess SwinburneProducer: Jess SwinburneHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Alex JonesExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The world is finally coming together to try and deal with the problem of plastic pollution. But can they succeed? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Palestinian activist, shot by an Israeli settler, filmed his own death. The Israeli authorities have said the settler, who runs an outpost in the occupied West Bank, will not face charges.Host: Casey Magloire Producer: Casey Magloire Photography: Alex JonesExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has called on the police to release more information about alleged criminals, such as their immigration status and ethnicity.Writer: Rachel SylvesterProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Lynda LairdExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The renowned Oloffson Hotel in Port-au-Prince, that attracted artists, celebrities and journalists for more than a century has been burned to the ground by criminal gangs. Writer, producer and host: Casey MagloireEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore and Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How did a baseless claim that the first lady of France is a man become one of the world’s biggest conspiracy theories?Writer: Phoebe Davis Host: Claudia WilliamsPhotography: Producer: Casey MagloireExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Online Safety Act requires users to hand over detailed personal information but there’s a lack of transparency about what happens to this data afterwards.Host: Tomini BabsWriter: Bex SanderProducer: Poppy BullardPhotography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Work permits are controlled by a migrant’s employer and holders can only stay on the island for nine months at a time. To listen to Ada Barumé and Orlando Crowcroft’s Slow Newscast investigation into migrant workers on the island click HERE.Writer: Ada Barumé Producer: Serena CesareoHost: Casey MagloireExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Palestine Action was proscribed on 5 July, putting the direct action group in the same legal category as groups such as al-Qaida and Islamic State. Since then, around 200 people have been arrested for supporting the group.To read Jon’s interview with Deborah Hinton click HERE.Writer: Jon Ungoed-ThomasProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matthew Drapper was subjected to an exorcism to rid him of the “demonic possession” of homosexuality. Writer: Phoebe Davis Host: Tomini Babs Photography: Sofia FentonProducer: Casey MagloireExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hundreds of thousands of games have disappeared from platforms in a crackdown, raising questions about who should be making decisions about content moderation.Host: Tomini BabsWriter: Bex SanderProducer: Casey MagloireExecutive Producer: Rebecca MooreEpisodic Artwork by Darling Demon Eclipse Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

According to the world’s biggest bird survey, clearing rainforest to make way for cattle farms is even more harmful to biodiversity than we thought.Writer: James TapperProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Ada BaruméEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Israel has initiated daily pauses in its military operations - to allow more aid to get into Gaza.  But how much aid is getting through and will it be enough for the Palestinians who rely on it?Writer: Poppy BullardProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Casey MagloireEpisode photography: Sofia FentonExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

The England women’s football team won the Euros for a second time, after they defeated Spain 3-1 on penalties in the final, having drawn 1-1 after extra time, two years after they lost to the same opponent in the World Cup final.Writer: Jessy Parker HumphreysProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Sofia Fenton  Executive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The pharmaceutical industry is pursuing what some consider to be the holy grail: developing and licensing the first drug that slows the body's natural aging process.Writer: Jon Ungoed-ThomasProducer: Casey Magloire Host: Tomini Babs Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Trump administration is setting the stage for what might become the largest deportation of illegal immigrants in US history. Can it succeed? Writer: Stephen ArmstrongProducer: 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 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 [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Ukraine’s president, Volodomyr Zelensky, sparked a $200 million dollar crypto bet and an online rebellion through his choice of clothing.  Writer: Bex SanderProducer: Katie GunningHost: Ada BarumeEditor: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2022, a UK Special Forces official accidentally leaked the names of over 18,000 Afghan nationals, British special forces operatives and MI6 agents, putting thousands of lives at risk if the information fell into the wrong hands.Writer: James Tapper Producer:  Jonathan LewisHost:  Ada Barume Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Women’s sports stars are receiving more abuse than men, but can’t afford to leave social media.The interview with Katie Boulter is from BBC Sports.Writer: Jessica HaydenProducer: Amalie SortlandExecutive producer: Rebecca MoorePhotography: Alex Jones Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Trump has spent his political career promoting conspiracy theories for electoral gain, now he’s trying to shut down one of the most enduring of the lot.Writer: Fred HarterProducer: Jonathan LewisHost: Casey MagloireEpisode photography: Alex JonesExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since the government proscribed Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation, dozens of people across the country have been arrested on suspicion of terror offences, for allegedly supporting the group.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hundreds of victims and witnesses are walking away from rape cases before they reach trial.Writer: Jon Simpson Producer: Ada Barumé Host: Casey Magloire Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

X’s, formerly Twitter, chatbot Grok has been churning far-right sentiments. Writer: Stephen ArmstrongProducer: Amalie SortlandExecutive producer: Matt Russell  Photography: Joe Mee Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Scientists in Hawaii are using drones to drop millions of genetically modified mosquitoes across the archipelago, with the hope that it will help protect animals on the brink of extinction.Read Benji Jones' article on why mosquitoes are being dropped from drones in Hawaii HERERead more about the charity - Birds, Not Mosquitoes - HERE Writer: Casey MagloireProducer: Casey MagloireExecutive producer: Rebecca MoorePhotography: Joe Mee  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Formula One’s longest serving team principal has been sacked.Writer: Casey MagloireProducer: Casey MagloireExecutive producer: Rebecca Moore Photography: Joe Mee Additional Production: Poppy Bullard and Amalie Sortland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After unexpectedly pausing military aid to Ukraine last week, the US administration has once again reversed its decision.Writer: Nina KuryataProducer: Ada BaruméExecutive producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Europe’s top human rights court ruled that French police unfairly targeted a French citizen of African descent during a stop and search.Writer: Serena CesareoProducer: Serena CasareoHost: Casey MagloireExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The NHS is undergoing a revolution, with health secretary Wes Streeting determined that his new 10-year plan launched last week will shift NHS care from hospitals to neighborhood health centres.Writer: Jon Ungoed-thomasProducer: Matt RussellHost: Ada BarumeEpisode photography: Alex JonesExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Penniless and homeless, the Winns found fame and fortune with the story of their 630-mile walk to salvation. We can reveal that the truth behind it is very differentWriter: Rebecca Moore with reporting from Chloe Hadjimatheou. Producer: Rebecca MooreHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Ceri Thomas Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 8-week trial has concluded and the former media mogul has been found guilty of two federal charges and is now facing time in prison.  Writer and producer: Casey MagloireWith reporting from Stephen Armstrong. Executive producer: Rebecca Moore Photography: Joe Mee Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week the government passed its planned welfare reforms in the House of Commons, despite a sizable backbench rebellion.Writer: Poppy BullardProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Alex JonesExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Around 200,000 people attended Budapest pride, defying Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s ban on the event. Why did Pride become the focus of anti-government protests?Writer: Phoebe Davis Host: Casey Magloire Photography: Alex JonesProducer: Casey Magloire Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week, a six-hour livestream hosted by an AI-generated influencer drew 13 million views and generated $7.5 million in sales for Baidu- a Chinese tech company. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The founder of the gossip website is now known. Is this a victory for those targeted by the site? Writer: Rachael HealyProducer: Ada BaruméHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.