Sensemaker

It’s thought that Hamas gunmen took at least 222 hostages into the Gaza Strip. Who is trying to free them? 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...

Ministers have announced a new police taskforce to tackle a rise in shoplifting. But what’s causing it? 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 consid...

Israel is stepping up strikes on Gaza ahead of a possible ground invasion, but there’s a risk that could open up a second front with another militant group in Lebanon. What is Hezbollah and how could it escalate the war in the Middle East? For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists, download the free Tortoise audio app. For early and ad-free access, subscribe to Tort...

The government has announced it will let some prisoners out early in England and Wales due to overcrowding. Is that enough to solve a growing crisis? 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 buil...

What caused the explosion at Al-Ahli Arab hospital is disputed, but it has provoked a fierce reaction. Why is it so difficult to independently verify what happened? 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 a...

How the biggest deal the industry has ever seen could change gaming. 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...

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been trying to stop the conflict between Israel and Hamas from spreading whilst also trying to secure the release of hostages and address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. How successful has he been so far? For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists, download the free Tortoise audio app. For early and ad-free access, subscribe...

A few days ago Inbar Heiman was at a festival in southern Israel, celebrating peace and unity. Then she was kidnapped. 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,...

An estimated 150,000 people are being affected by a UK-wide shortage of ADHD medication. What does running out of pills mean for people with ADHD – and why is there a shortage? 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...

Israel’s prime minister has vowed to take “mighty vengeance” after the deadliest attack in Israel for 50 years. But the security failure happened on his watch. What does it mean for him and the politics of Israel? 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. I...

After Hamas's unprecedented attack, Israel announced a "siege" of Gaza. Together with the West Bank it forms the Palestinian territories. 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 differen...

Gunmen from the Palestinian group crossed over the border from Gaza and killed hundreds of Israeli civilians. What do we know about Hamas? 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 differe...

Israel has declared war against the Palestinian armed group after it launched a violent, surprise attack on the country. Why did Hamas do it and what might happen next? 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 journali...

When a right-wing faction toppled the speaker of the US House of Representatives they handed Donald Trump a victory and also helped Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine. 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 a...

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pitched himself as the candidate of change, despite leading the party that has been in power for 13 years. Will it work? 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 bu...

Bed bug paranoia has swept across France as infestations rise. Is the panic justified? 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...

Elon Musk’s secretive biotech startup, Neuralink, is recruiting participants for its first human trials. Why has the news been so controversial? 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 d...

When the Ukrainian’s destroyed Russia’s Black Sea Fleet headquarters they also claimed they’d killed its commander. The Russians dispute that but what does the attack tell us about Ukraine’s strategy in a region that’s been annexed by Russia since 2014?   For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists, download the free Tortoise audio app. For early and ad-free...

After five months on the picket line, the Hollywood writers' strike could be over – but actors still haven’t agreed to a deal. What impact is the walkout having on the UK film industry? 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 supp...

Passengers had to get a taxi from Preston to Edinburgh after a train carrying hundreds of people was cancelled part way through its journey. What does it tell us about the state of Britain's rail network?  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 y...

When Rupert Murdoch announced that he was stepping down as chairman of News Corp and Fox he appointed his eldest son as his successor. Who is Lachlan Murdoch and how much power will he actually have? 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 t...

Last week, over 11,000 people seeking refuge in Europe crossed the Mediterranean Sea and arrived on the small Italian island of Lampedusa. But is the EU’s plan to stop the boats from leaving Tunisia in the first place the solution? 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...

Opponents have accused Labour of wanting to “unpick Brexit” and preparing the case for the UK to rejoin the EU. But is that fair? And what does Starmer’s stance in the past tell us about his likely approach in the future? 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 Pod...

Why India and Canada are lashing out at each other 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 ....

Rishi Sunak has announced a major U-turn on net zero policies including delaying the ban on new petrol and diesel cars by five years. But what has caused this change of heart – and will voters back it at the polls?  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 Podc...