Sensemaker

Just Stop Oil has switched from holding up traffic on roads to disrupting sporting events like Wimbledon. Why have they changed what they target? 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...

After an aborted rebellion against Russia's military leaders, the head of the Wagner Group was thought to be in Belarus. But new reports suggest Yevgeny Prigozhin is in Russia. Where is he and why does it matter? 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...

The story about a BBC presenter who was alleged to have paid for sexually explicit photographs of a teenager has been thrown into doubt by a statement from the young person's lawyer. What does this latest revelation change about the story? Listen to The News Meeting: https://pod.fo/e/18b0c2 For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists, download the free Tortoise audio...

The US government has called xylazine an “emerging threat” after the sedative started being mixed with opioids. What makes it so dangerous? 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 differ...

Meta has launched a new "text based conversation app" that's a direct challenge to Twitter. Could it bring down the bird? 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 newsro...

Problems at the UK’s biggest water company have raised questions for the whole industry. What brought Thames Water to the brink of collapse? 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 diffe...

Three members of the Marylebone Cricket Club have been suspended after an altercation with the Australian team. It happened after a controversy over a wicket during the second Ashes Test between England and Australia. What happened and why were the fans so angry? For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists, download the free Tortoise audio app. For early and ad-free a...

The killing of a teenager by police has sparked riots across France. Why did it cause so much unrest? 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 dona...

The US has approved the sale of lab-grown chicken to consumers. As global meat consumption keeps rising, is this a kinder and more sustainable way to be a carnivore? 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 2021 recording of Donald Trump discussing what he called a “highly confidential” document reveals why he's in so much trouble over his handling of sensitive government papers. To listen to our new series, search for "Into the Dirt" or follow this link: https://podfollow.com/into-the-dirt For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists, download the free Tortoise audio a...

The Belarusian president has been hailed as a hero by some Russians after brokering a deal that ended a rebellion by the Wagner mercenary group. What is his relationship with Vladimir Putin? To listen to our new series, search for "Into the Dirt" or click here . For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists, download the free Tortoise audio app. For early and ad-free ac...

Rising interest rates mean people with mortgages are facing a financial squeeze, but why are rents also rising? To listen to our new series, search for "Into the Dirt" or click 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 suppor...

The rebellion by Wagner mercenaries lasted little more than than 24 hours but it could still have far reaching consequences for Russia and its 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 and hel...

One of the banks that helped protect the paedophile financier has settled a lawsuit brought by a survivor of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse. 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...

Manchester’s Parklife festival didn't have on-site drug testing this year. It says the Home Office effectively blocked it, but the government says its policy hasn’t changed. What’s going on? 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 Po...

It has been revealed that Western allies were warned about a Ukrainian plot months before three explosions caused leaks in the Nord Stream gas pipelines. Will we ever know who did 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....

Hundreds are still missing a week after a boat carrying migrants capsized off the coast of Greece. 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...

From his honours list to attacking the committee of MPs that concluded he lied to the Commons over Partygate. What damage has he done to his party and Britain’s institutions? 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...

Mining the ocean floor for rare minerals could help the world shift away from fossil fuels. But conservationists fear the consequences for a fragile ecosystem. 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 furthe...

Crispin Odey, one of Britain’s richest men and a powerful political donor, has been accused of sexual misconduct by thirteen women. 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 an...

The first black man to lead the world’s biggest fashion magazine is standing down as the editor of British Vogue . What does this tell us about  the magazine 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 l...

An intense battle in professional golf came to an abrupt end after it was announced LIV Golf and the PGA Tour would merge. What does it tell us about the future of sport? 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 lik...

Scotland’s former first minister has been questioned by police as part of a major investigation into SNP finances. What does this mean for the party? 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...

After repeated calls to set up an inquiry into its response to Covid the government eventually appointed a judge called Baroness Heather Hallett to lead one. Why is it now taking its own inquiry to court? 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...

After the controversy around changes made to Roald Dahl’s stories, Tortoise speaks to author Frank Cottrell-Boyce about whether children’s books are taken seriously enough.  Tortoise is a newsroom devoted to slow journalism. For early access and ad-free listening subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts or join Tortoise for £60 a year. As a member you’ll also get our newsletters and tickets t...