Ep 213: Where did all the doctors go?
Lots of GPs are leaving the profession, and we can't recruit or train new ones fast enough to fill the gaps. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 09, 2021•8 min•Ep. 213
Sensemaker
The Sensemaker from The Observer - one story every day to make sense of the world.
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 Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists
If 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 hello@tortoisemedia.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Last refreshed: ⓘ
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more
Episodes
Ep 212: A peace prize winner goes to war
Abiy Ahmed, prime minister of Ethiopia, won the Nobel Peace Prize two years ago. How has he ended up accused of war crimes? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 08, 2021•8 min•Ep. 212
Ep 211: A sleazy fiasco
Boris Johnson tried to save his colleague Owen Paterson from accusations of sleaze. He failed, but by trying he's damaged himself and the reputation of Parliament. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 05, 2021•7 min•Ep. 211
Ep 210: Coal and climate
In Cumbria, there's a plan for a new coal mine. Should we say no to it for the sake of the planet? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 04, 2021•6 min•Ep. 210
Ep 209: Russia's HIV epidemic
In much of the world, rates of HIV infection are falling. In Russia, they're going through the roof. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 03, 2021•7 min•Ep. 209
Ep 208: Handing back stolen treasures
France has decided to return some artefacts from one of its museums which were looted from Benin more than a century ago. Might museums in other western countries have to follow suit? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 02, 2021•6 min•Ep. 208
Ep 207: How to police a COP
The United Nations’ Climate Change Conference is underway in Glasgow. Whatever it agrees, how do we measure it? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 01, 2021•7 min•Ep. 207
Ep 206: The endemic equilibrium
The government is under increasing pressure to reintroduce Covid restrictions. Why are they holding off? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 29, 2021•6 min•Ep. 206
Ep 205: A bullish budget?
Inflation is on the rise, and Rishi Sunak’s high-spending budget could push it up further. Will the Bank of England step in and draw the purse strings? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 27, 2021•7 min•Ep. 205
Ep 204: Not so golden
For a reported £150m, David Beckham has agreed to become the face of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar – and an ambassador for the country. It's a move that might put his reputation at risk... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 27, 2021•6 min
Ep 203: Britain's tumbling birth rate
In the UK, we're having fewer children than ever before. What's going on? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 26, 2021•7 min•Ep. 203
Ep 202: Masters of the metaverse
Facebook has just announced that it is creating 10,000 jobs to make a metaverse. A what? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 25, 2021•8 min•Ep. 202
Ep 201: Time for Covid Plan B
Covid cases are rising fast in the UK, and the government is under pressure to take steps to slow them down. Is it time for the government to to turn to Plan B? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 22, 2021•7 min•Ep. 201
Ep 200: The great resignation
More workers than ever before are quitting their jobs. Why? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 21, 2021•7 min•Ep. 200
Ep 199: Does 'Prevent' prevent extremism?
Prevent is the British government's first line of defence against radicalisation and extremism. How does it work? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 20, 2021•6 min•Ep. 199
Ep 198: Marooned: the shipping crisis
Outside every huge shipping port in the world there's a queue of ships waiting to unload. What's holding everything up? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 19, 2021•5 min•Ep. 198
Ep 197: The return of inflation
Inflation - a rise in the cost of living - used to be a huge problem in the UK. Is it about to become one again? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 18, 2021•7 min•Ep. 197
Ep 196: Vaccinating for two?
How did an overabundance of caution help cause a Covid crisis among pregnant women? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 15, 2021•6 min•Ep. 196
Ep 195: A frosty relationship
The UK has left the European Union. Why is trying now to renegotiate the way it left? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 14, 2021•7 min•Ep. 195
Ep 194: The Middle East's golden girl
Last week, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund took a controlling stake of Newcastle United for £300m. It’s the most controversial Premier League takeover to date. But who’s pulling all the strings? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 13, 2021•7 min•Ep. 194
Ep 193: The priceless price cap
Gas bills are rocketing - but there's supposed to be a 'price cap' on them to protect consumers. Why isn't it working? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 12, 2021•6 min•Ep. 193
Ep 192: The sheikh who spied on his family
A British court ruled last week that Sheikh Mohammed, the ruler of Dubai, had used one of the most powerful surveillance tools available to security services to spy on his ex-wife in the middle of a custody case. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 11, 2021•6 min•Ep. 192
Ep 191: A movie star in space
A Russian actor and director are about to become the first to film a movie in space. Why are they doing it? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 08, 2021•6 min•Ep. 191
Ep 190: Breaking open shell companies
The leak of financial documents known as the Pandora Papers shines a light on 'shell companies' which allow people to hide their wealth. Has the time come for tax authorities to clamp down on them? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 07, 2021•8 min•Ep. 190
Ep 189: Changing a police force for good
After Sarah Everard's murder, there are now going to be two separate inquiries into the culture of the Metropolitan Police. What chance do they have of bringing about real change? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 06, 2021•8 min•Ep. 189
Ep 188: The pandemic that stole Christmas
Last year Boris Johnson announced a lockdown and Christmas was cancelled. This time round, things are looking up. But as food, fuel and toy shortages worsen, will Christmas be cancelled again? You can get the Sensemaker newsletter as an email delivered to your inbox once a day. It’s our editors’ pick of the stories that matter most right now, and why, in brief. You can sign up here for free . Or, if you’d like to join Tortoise as a fully-fledged member , activate your 30-day free trial to access...
Oct 05, 2021•5 min•Ep. 188
Ep 187: A long way from home
After the Taliban took over in Afghanistan, the UK agreed to take thousands of refugees. What's happening to them? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 04, 2021•6 min•Ep. 187
Ep 186: The far right's favourite currency
Right wing extremists have started to turn to cryptocurrencies as they've been sidelined by big financial institutions. But they might prosper in the shadows. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 01, 2021•6 min•Ep. 186
Ep 185: The vaccine war
Pfizer makes one of the most important vaccines against Covid-19. Did it go beyond supporting its own vaccine and start undermining others? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 30, 2021•7 min•Ep. 185
Ep 184: The Huawei hostage
After almost three years, a tit-for-tat row over the arrest of a Huawei executive for fraud has finally come to an end. Two men called Michael paid a heavy price. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 29, 2021•7 min•Ep. 184
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android