What has caused Birmingham’s bin strikes?

MAGATok is on the cards

The US government says it has agreed a deal which would see a portion of TikTok owned by US investors.    Writer: Stephen Armstrong Producer: Poppy Bullard Host: Ada Barume Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore  

Has JADE broken the girl group curse?

Girl group members turned solo artists have traditionally struggled to find success in Britain.  Has Jade Thirlwall from Little Mix  finally broken the curse? Listen to the Observer’s new culture podcast - We Have Notes - HERE  

Ben & Jerry’s without Jerry

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 Babs Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode Photography: Sophia Fenton Executive producer: Rebecca Moore

Jimmy Kimmel and Project 2025

Jimmy Kimmel’s show might be returning but his cancellation reveals the way the Trump administration is wielding power – and the influence of a controversial plan from the right-wing Heritage Foundation.    Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode Photography: Sophia Fenton Executive producer: Rebecca Moore

Tommy Robinson’s US backers

Tommy Robinson has transformed from a scrappy activist, to a slick media performer at the heart of the UK’s far-right movement.

Trump and Starmer’s Epstein question

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 Neilan Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode Photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore

How Trump rules like a king

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 Sander Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode Photography: Joe Mee Executive producer: Rebecca Moore

Israel launches Gaza City offensive

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 Bullard
Producer: Amalie Sortland 
Host: Tomini Babs
Episode photography: Sofia Fenton
Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore

Meme culture’s link to Charlie Kirk’s death

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 Woolf
Producer: Amalie Sortland
Host: Casey Magloire
Episode photography: Sofia Fenton
Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore & Jasper Corbett

The lost artists of Ancient Egypt

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 Cumming Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode Photography: Joe Mee Executive producer: Rebecca Moore