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Sensemaker

The Observerobserver.co.uk

The Sensemaker from The Observer - one story every day to make sense of the world.


To find out more about The Observer:

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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

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Episodes

Ep 753: Hostage deaths put pressure on Netanyahu

The recent deaths of hostages in Gaza has heaped more pressure on Israel’s prime minister. Could it lead to another pause in fighting? To find out more about Tortoise: Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the s...

Dec 21, 20236 minSeason 1Ep. 753

Ep 752: Prince Harry hacked

The Duke of Sussex has won £140,000 pounds in damages in his phone hacking case against Mirror Group Newspapers. It’s the first victory in his battle against the British press. Click here to listen to ' The prince against the press'. To find out more about Tortoise: Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerin...

Dec 20, 20238 minSeason 1Ep. 752

Ep 751: Zelensky’s fight for funding

As the war in Ukraine approaches its two-year anniversary and with ammunition running out, the country’s leader has been flying from Washington DC to Europe in a desperate bid to persuade world leaders to give him the funding he needs to win the war against Russia. To find out more about Tortoise: Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Become a member and get access to all of ...

Dec 19, 20237 minSeason 1Ep. 751

Ep 750: Physician associates: what are they and why do we need them?

By 2037, the NHS hopes to have 10,000 physician associates. Now the government is beginning a legal process to set new rules around NHS staff in non-doctor associate roles. To find out more about Tortoise: Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more If you want to get in touch with us directly abou...

Dec 18, 20236 minSeason 1Ep. 750

Ep 749: The end of fossil fuels?

For the first time in three decades of UN climate talks, nearly 200 countries have agreed a deal to transition away from fossil fuels, including oil and gas. Is it really a turning point in efforts to tackle climate change? To find out more about Tortoise: Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and mor...

Dec 15, 20236 minSeason 1Ep. 749

Ep 748: Rishi Sunak’s hollow victory

The prime minister has won a crucial vote in parliament on his government’s plan to send some asylum seekers to Rwanda. What does it tell us about the state of the Conservative Party and the future of the Rwanda deal? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 14, 20239 minSeason 1Ep. 748

Ep 747: El loco: Argentina’s chainsaw-wielding president

He was nicknamed “the mad man” in school. But can Javier Milei actually follow through on any of his controversial election promises? To find out more about Tortoise: Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the st...

Dec 13, 20237 minSeason 1Ep. 747

Ep 746: Infected blood scandal: a government defeat

Last week, parliament passed an amendment to speed up compensation for victims of the infected blood scandal. What happens next? To find out more about Tortoise: Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories...

Dec 12, 20236 minSeason 1Ep. 746

Ep 745: Boris Johnson at the Covid inquiry

Boris Johnson spent two days last week being cross-examined by the Covid inquiry. What did we learn from his evidence? To find out more about Tortoise: Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want ...

Dec 11, 20239 minSeason 1Ep. 745

Ep 744: A revolting week for Rishi Sunak

It began with a government defeat in the House of Commons and ended with a resignation and revolt on the right of Rishi Sunak’s party. Where does it leave his premiership? To find out more about Tortoise: Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more If you want to get in touch with us directly about...

Dec 08, 20238 minSeason 1Ep. 744

Ep 743: India implicated in New York assassination attempt

US investigators say they’ve foiled an alleged plot by Indian officials to assassinate an American citizen who was critical of the government in New Delhi To find out more about Tortoise: Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell...

Dec 07, 20236 minSeason 1Ep. 743

Ep 742: A new era for women’s football in England

The Women's Super League and Championship will break away from the Football Association after the top two tiers unanimously agreed to be governed by a new independent body from next season. To find out more about Tortoise: - Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists - Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and exclusive content - Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more If you want to get in to...

Dec 06, 20236 minSeason 1Ep. 742

Ep 741: Attacks in the Red Sea

The weeklong truce between Israel and Hamas ended on Friday. Two days later, a US warship came under attack in the Red Sea. Is this a sign that the conflict is escalating? To find out more about Tortoise: - Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists - Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and exclusive content - Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more If you want to get in touch with us direct...

Dec 05, 20236 minSeason 1Ep. 741

Ep 740: Green air travel: how close are we?

The first transatlantic flight using 100% sustainable jet fuel took off last week, but it drew criticism from campaigners and climate experts. How “green” was its journey? To find out more about Tortoise: Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more If you want to get in touch with us directly about...

Dec 04, 20239 minSeason 1Ep. 740

Ep 739: Edinburgh’s pandas head home

Tian Tian and Yang Guang, the UK’s only giant pandas, are leaving Edinburgh Zoo to return to China after ten years on loan. How have things changed during that time? To find out more about Tortoise: - Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists - Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and exclusive content - Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more If you want to get in touch with us directly abo...

Dec 01, 20237 minSeason 1Ep. 739

Ep 738: Paying the bill for climate change

Countries vulnerable to climate change want billions of dollars in compensation. It’s going to be one of the big fights at COP28. Sign up to Tortoise's free, daily Sensemaker newsletter here . To find out more about Tortoise: - Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists - Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and exclusive content - Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more If you want to get in...

Nov 30, 20237 minSeason 1Ep. 738

Ep 737: Should the Conservatives be concerned about Reform UK?

Conservative party deputy chairman Lee Anderson claims he was offered money to defect to Reform UK. Its leader has denied it, but what do we know about its influence on British politics? For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists, download the free Tortoise audio app. For early and ad-free access, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts. If you’d like to further support slow journalism and help us build a different kind of newsroom, do consider donating to Tortois...

Nov 29, 20237 minSeason 1Ep. 737

Ep 736: Gaza truce: what is Qatar’s role?

Qatar has announced that the pause in fighting has been extended by two days. Why does the Gulf State have so much influence? For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists, download the free Tortoise audio app. For early and ad-free access, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts. If you’d like to further support slow journalism and help us build a different kind of newsroom, do consider donating to Tortoise at tortoisemedia.com/support-us . Your contributions allow ...

Nov 28, 20236 minSeason 1Ep. 736

Ep 735: Covid inquiry: how Rishi Sunak ‘handled the scientists’

What we’ve learned about his record as chancellor during the pandemic. For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists, download the free Tortoise audio app. For early and ad-free access, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts. If you’d like to further support slow journalism and help us build a different kind of newsroom, do consider donating to Tortoise at tortoisemedia.com/support-us . Your contributions allow us to investigate, campaign and explore, and to build a...

Nov 27, 20238 minSeason 1Ep. 735

Ep 734: Five-inch heels: the rise and rise of Nikki Haley

Why the former governor of South Carolina could pose a threat to Donald Trump in the race to become the Republican presidential nominee. For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists, download the free Tortoise audio app. For early and ad-free access, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts. If you’d like to further support slow journalism and help us build a different kind of newsroom, do consider donating to Tortoise at tortoisemedia.com/support-us . Your contribut...

Nov 24, 20239 minSeason 1Ep. 734

Ep 733: Autumn statement: inflation down, but what about taxes?

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt claims he’s announced “the biggest package of tax cuts since the 1980s” after lower than expected government borrowing and a significant fall in inflation. For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists, download the free Tortoise audio app. For early and ad-free access, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts. If you’d like to further support slow journalism and help us build a different kind of newsroom, do consider donating to Tortoise at tor...

Nov 23, 20237 minSeason 1Ep. 733

Ep 732: Crispr world first: UK approves gene-editing drug

UK regulators have approved the world’s first gene editing therapy for human use. Could it be the start of a healthcare revolution? For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists, download the free Tortoise audio app. For early and ad-free access, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts. If you’d like to further support slow journalism and help us build a different kind of newsroom, do consider donating to Tortoise at tortoisemedia.com/support-us . Your contributions ...

Nov 22, 20238 minSeason 1Ep. 732

Ep 731: What is going on at Gaza’s al-Shifa hospital?

Gaza’s largest hospital is currently at the centre of Israel’s war against Hamas. But what’s actually happening there? You can listen to Tortoise's new investigative series Walter's War here . For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists, download the free Tortoise audio app. For early and ad-free access, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts. If you’d like to further support slow journalism and help us build a different kind of newsroom, do consider donating to T...

Nov 21, 202310 minSeason 1Ep. 731

Ep 730: Rwanda asylum plan: what is the ECHR?

The UK’s Supreme Court has ruled that the government’s policy to send asylum seekers to Rwanda is unlawful. But some politicians, including the prime minister, are once again blaming a court in Strasbourg for its troubles. What is the ECHR and the convention it upholds? For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists, download the free Tortoise audio app. For early and ad-free access, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts. If you’d like to further support slow journa...

Nov 20, 20236 minSeason 1Ep. 730

Ep 729: The Captain Tom saga

From pandemic heroes to tabloid fodder... what’s going on with Captain Tom’s family and his charitable foundation? For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists, download the free Tortoise audio app. For early and ad-free access, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts. If you’d like to further support slow journalism and help us build a different kind of newsroom, do consider donating to Tortoise at tortoisemedia.com/support-us . Your contributions allow us to inves...

Nov 17, 20238 minSeason 1Ep. 179

Ep 728: Is there a stalemate in Ukraine?

What a rift between the Ukrainian president and the country’s top military commander tells us about the state of war with Russia. For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists, download the free Tortoise audio app. For early and ad-free access, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts. If you’d like to further support slow journalism and help us build a different kind of newsroom, do consider donating to Tortoise at tortoisemedia.com/support-us . Your contributions al...

Nov 16, 20238 minSeason 1Ep. 728

Ep 727: Rishi's reshuffle

In a dramatic cabinet reshuffle, Rishi Sunak sacked his Home Secretary and appointed former prime minister, David Cameron, as Foreign Secretary. What does the reshuffle tell us about where the Conservative party is heading? For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists, download the free Tortoise audio app. For early and ad-free access, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts. If you’d like to further support slow journalism and help us build a different kind of news...

Nov 15, 20238 minSeason 1Ep. 727

Ep 726: What happens to Gaza after the war?

Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas after its attack on October 7th. But what will happen to Gaza once the war is over? For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists, download the free Tortoise audio app. For early and ad-free access, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts. If you’d like to further support slow journalism and help us build a different kind of newsroom, do consider donating to Tortoise at tortoisemedia.com/support-us . Your contributions allow us to in...

Nov 14, 20236 minSeason 1Ep. 726

Ep 725: Michelle Mone admits involvement in PPE company

Conservative peer Michelle Mone has acknowledged being involved in a company awarded government contracts to supply PPE during the Covid pandemic. For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists, download the free Tortoise audio app. For early and ad-free access, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts. If you’d like to further support slow journalism and help us build a different kind of newsroom, do consider donating to Tortoise at tortoisemedia.com/support-us . Your...

Nov 13, 20237 minSeason 1Ep. 725

Ep 724: Israel-Hamas war: what’s happening in the West Bank?

Palestinians in the West Bank face violence from Jewish settlers as war rages in Gaza. For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists, download the free Tortoise audio app. For early and ad-free access, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts. If you’d like to further support slow journalism and help us build a different kind of newsroom, do consider donating to Tortoise at tortoisemedia.com/support-us . Your contributions allow us to investigate, campaign and explore...

Nov 10, 20238 minSeason 1Ep. 724
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