The Sensemaker from The Observer - one story every day to make sense of the world.
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President Xi Jinping has said his friendship with Vladimir Putin has "no limits". So what does he make of Russia's invasion of Ukraine? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A 40-mile column of Russian trucks, tanks and armoured vehicles was a symbol of its military might. But then it got stuck. What does it tell us about the invasion of Ukraine? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The frozen seascape just off Antarctica, home to a sunken ship for 106 years, is one of the most scientifically important ecosystems on the planet. What can it teach us about climate change? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In Lviv, Halyna feels quite far from the invasion. But for her parents, who live near the border with Russia, it is very real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Two weeks on from Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the UK has only granted 760 visas to Ukrainian refugees. Why? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Accused of committing war crimes, Russia is being investigated by the international criminal court. But prosecuting those responsible will not be easy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ousted in 2014, the corrupt former president could be Vladimir Putin’s pick to replace Volodymyr Zelensky in Ukraine. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ukrainian activist Daria Kaleniuk made an impassioned plea to Boris Johnson for a no-fly zone over Ukraine, but NATO doesn’t want to risk a direct confrontation with Russia. She tells Tortoise why she thinks it is the wrong decision. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Just a few days ago, Halyna was a young woman living a peaceful life in Ukraine's capital. Now she has been forced to flee because of the war. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Flash flooding in Sydney comes in the same week a major report offered the ‘bleakest warning yet’ on the impacts of climate breakdown, but it's not entirely out of our control yet. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Germany has overturned decades-old security and foreign policy doctrines in the face of Russia’s aggression in eastern Europe. How did it happen? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
There have been protests and high profile Russians have criticised the invasion of Ukraine. But how do you work out the true extent of opposition to Putin’s war? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Before Russia’s invasion, Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky faced criticism at home. Now he is a wartime leader rising to the moment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A Ukrainian woman describes the day her country was invaded by Russia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Last autumn, reports of women being spiked with needles in clubs or at parties began to circulate. But months on, no confirmed cases have been found. So what happened? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The case of a couple accused of attempting to launder $4.5 billion worth of bitcoin teaches us a lot about cryptocurrency and its place in the economy. You can read more about this case in Tortoise's Sensemaker newsletter: https://www.tortoisemedia.com/2022/02/17/sensemaker-220217/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tributes have flooded in for music entrepreneur Jamal Edwards, who has died at the age of 31, a Youtube star who helped propel British rap and grime into the mainstream. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The UK expelled everyone who lived on the Chagos Islands more than 50 years ago. Why are they still being blocked from returning? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
15-year-old Kamila Valieva’s doping scandal has made headlines around the world. But she’s just a child. What about the team of adults surrounding her? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Inflation has hit a 30-year high as energy, fuel and food costs continue to soar. A humble bag of pasta can tell us why the prices of supermarket basics are rising. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Germany’s new chancellor was initially criticised for his slow and awkward response to the Ukraine crisis, but he has now met Vladimir Putin. What does it tell us about his policy towards Russia? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
More Insulate Britain activists were jailed last week. Since their protests began in September global energy prices have risen dramatically and British households face a 54% increase in their fuel bills. It might strengthen their case. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Former Conservative Prime Minister Sir John Major launched a scathing attack on Boris Johnson over Partygate last week. He is known to be a critic of the prime minister, so will it make any difference? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
French president Emmanuel Macron met his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin this week. It was an attempt to de-escalate tensions over Ukraine, but Macron had another aim too. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Academy Awards is improving diversity seven years after a hashtag criticising the Oscars went viral, but progress is slow. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ryan Kaji is one of the highest paid ‘child influencers’ on the planet, but internet success stories like his pose a challenge to regulators. Sign up to the Tech States newsletter here: https://torto.se/3HA5XNS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Last week the Isis leader was killed during a raid on his hideout in Syria. What will his death do to the strength of the terrorist group he once led? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Much is made of Carrie Johnson's apparent influence over policy in Number 10, but her power tells us something about her husband too. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
When a mega iceberg melted it released 152 billion tonnes of fresh water into the ocean, but that is not what is worrying scientists most. It represents a bigger problem for our planet. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The government has hinged its success on its ability to "level up" the country. A mayor and former rugby player provides the blueprint for how the Tories can do it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
