Today on the Sensemaker podcast, Poppy Bullard asks why it won’t stop raining

After the deadly mass shooting at a school in British Columbia last week, gun control in Canada is under scrutiny.   Host: Casey Magloire Writer: Amalie Sortland Producer: Jess Swinburne Episode Photography: Joe Mee Executive producer: Poppy Bullard

To the delight of film crews, the 40-year-old has completed the highest urban free solo, but some call the stunt reckless

Some areas of the UK have faced their wettest winters on record.    Writer: Poppy Bullard   Producer: Poppy Bullard   Host: Ada Barumé    Episode photography: Sofia Fenton   Executive Producer: Matt Russell  

On Friday, the superstar climber will attempt to climb the “cursed” Taipei building without assistance

The Epstein Files are wreaking havoc across British institutions; first the Royal family and now, the government. Peter Mandelson was sacked as US Ambassador in September over his links to the billionaire paedophile, but the latest tranche of documents show the pair were closer than anyone previously knew. What did their relationship look like? And did it give Jeffrey Epstein access to the heart of the British government?   Reporters: Ada Barume and Poppy Bullard   Producer: Poppy Bullard   Sound design: Dominic Delargy   Editor: Jasper Corbett  

Hack of government agency has left lawyers with hours of extra red tape and forced them to turn down clients

The fallout from Peter Mandelson's friendship with Jeffrey Epstein is putting Prime Minister Keir Starmer under increasing pressure. Host: Ada Barumé  Writer & Producer: Matt Russell Episode Photography: Joe Mee  

Pub-owners and Landlords have been campaigning for more action from the government since last November's budget  when changes to business rates were announced.    Writer: Poppy Bullard   Producer: Poppy Bullard   Host: Ada Barume   Episode photography: Joe Mee   Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett  

Some 60 countries have been invited to join the Board, and each would have to pay a billion dollars if they want to become permanent members. Trump will be its inaugural Chairman, a position he can hold for life.    Writer: Poppy Bullard   Producer: Poppy Bullard   Host: Casey Magloire   Episode photography: Sofia Fenton    Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett  

How is the Trump administration defending the killing of Alex Pretti by federal agents? Why was Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham blocked from running as MP? And what role will Trump's new Board of Peace play in Gaza?   Jasper Corbett is joined by The Observer reporters Stephen Armstrong and Serena Cesareo, and producer Poppy Bullard to battle out who can pitch the story that should lead the news.   Please come and see us at the next The News Meeting Live on Thursday, the 2 9th of January: https://observer.co.uk/our-events/the-news-meeting-live-7    **We want to hear what you think! Email us at: newsmeeting@observer.co.uk  Follow us on Social Media:  @ObserverUK on X  @theobserveruk on Instagram and TikTok @theobserveruk.bsky.social‬ on bluesky    Host: Jasper Corbett   Producer: Amalie Sortland   Executive Producer: Matt Russell   To find out more about The Observer:   Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Head to our website observer.co.uk  Download the Observer app – for a listening experience curated by our journalist

Hundreds have reportedly been killed in violent clashes with police as protests demanding regime change erupt across Iran.   Host: Casey Magloire Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland and Poppy Bullard Episode Photography: Joe Mee Executive producer: Jasper Corbett  

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 Magloire Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode Photography: Joe Mee Executive producer: Poppy Bullard

Will captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro get a fair trial in the US? Who is driving American foreign policy? How would Trump's supporters view a military campaign?   Jasper Corbett is joined by The Observer's Washington Correspondent Hugh Tomlinson, Reporter Phoebe Davis, and lawyer Robert McWhirter as they give their assessment on the situation in Venezuela.    **We want to hear what you think! Email us at: newsmeeting@observer.co.uk  Follow us on Social Media:  @ObserverUK on X  @theobserveruk on Instagram and TikTok @theobserveruk.bsky.social‬ on bluesky    Host: Jasper Corbett   Producer: Poppy Bullard   Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett   To find out more about The Observer:   Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Head to our website observer.co.uk  Download the Observer app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists  

Now into her 52nd day of refusing to eat, the jailed Palestine Action protester Qesser Zuhrah is in mortal danger   Reporter: John Simpson   Writer: Poppy Bullard   Producer: Poppy Bullard   Host: Ada Barume   Episode photography: Joe Mee   Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore  

It has been a busy year! The Epstein files were released, Prince Andrew is no longer a prince, The Lionesses won the Euros and Ozempic has taken hold of Hollywood. And they are just a few non-Donald Trump related headlines.   Giles Whittell is joined by The Observer's Jeevan Vasagar, Poppy Bullard and Jessy Parker Humphreys, as they battle it out and pitch the top stories of the year.    **We want to hear what you think! Email us at: newsmeeting@observer.co.uk  Follow us on Social Media:  @ObserverUK on X  @theobserveruk on Instagram and TikTok @theobserveruk.bsky.social‬ on bluesky    Host: Giles Whittell     Producer: Casey Magloire    Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore    To find out more about The Observer:   Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Head to our website observer.co.uk  Download the Observer app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists  

China has started construction of what will become the world's largest hydropower dam in Tibetan territory.    Writer: Jonathan Lewis   Producer: Poppy Bullard   Host: Andrew Butler   Episode photography: Joe Mee   Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore  

Will European countries decide to give billions of frozen Russian assets to Ukraine? What did we learn about Trump's White House from Vanity Fair's 11 months of reporting? How should the government respond to the Palestine Action hunger strikers?   Giles Whittell is joined by The Observer's Senior Producer Katie Gunning, Data and Graphics Editor Katie Riley, and Data Reporter Hannah Schuller as they battle it out for the top story of the day.    Find the team's must reads: All Cock, No Wok   **We want to hear what you think! Email us at: newsmeeting@observer.co.uk  Follow us on Social Media:  @ObserverUK on X  @theobserveruk on Instagram and TikTok @theobserveruk.bsky.social‬ on bluesky    Host: Giles Whittell   Producer: Poppy Bullard   Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore   To find out more about The Observer:   Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Head to our website observer.co.uk  Download the Observer app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists  

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 Bullard   Host: Ada Barume   Episode photography: Joe Mee   Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore  

At least 15 people have been killed after two men opened fire on a crowd gathered for Chanukah celebrations, near Bondi Beach in Australia.

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 Bullard   Producer: Poppy Bullard   Host: Ada Barume   Episode photography: Joe Mee   Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore  

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 Clarke   Writer: Poppy Bullard   Producer: Poppy Bullard   Host: Casey Magloire   Episode photography: Joe Mee   Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore  

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 Bullard   Producer: Poppy Bullard   Host: Ada Barume    Episode photography: Sofia Fenton   Executive Producer: Matt Russell  

Vantara claims to house more than 150,000 animals - that's 15 times the size of London Zoo.   Writer: Jonathan Lewis   Producer: Poppy Bullard   Host: Casey Magloire   Episode photography: Sofia Fenton   Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore