Sensemaker

The foreign secretary suggested LGBTQ football fans should “flex and compromise” when visiting the Qatar World Cup. His comments reveal a truth about relations with strategically important countries that don’t respect human rights. Tortoise is a news start-up devoted to slow journalism. We take our time to tell stories that really matter. If you want more slow and considered journalism, you can be...

Orders to keep all captive birds and poultry indoors will be extended across the whole of England to try to contain a virulent strain of bird flu that is threatening to wipe out some wild species. Tortoise is a news start-up devoted to slow journalism. We take our time to tell stories that really matter. If you want more slow and considered journalism, you can become a member of Tortoise to get ac...

The price of wholesale gas is falling but that doesn’t necessarily mean energy bills will go down. Why? Listen to Tortoise series Hoaxed here: https://podfollow.com/hoaxed Tortoise is a news start-up devoted to slow journalism. We take our time to tell stories that really matter. If you want more slow and considered journalism, you can become a member of Tortoise to get access to more of our stori...

The former president of China was publicly hauled out of an important political meeting last week. The Chinese government says he’d fallen ill, but was it actually a power play by Xi Jinping? Listen to Tortoise series Hoaxed here: https://podfollow.com/hoaxed Tortoise is a news start-up devoted to slow journalism. We take our time to tell stories that really matter. If you want more slow and consi...

Single-use vapes are increasingly popular with young people. But what about their impact on the environment? Listen to Tortoise's new series Hoaxed here: https://podfollow.com/hoaxed Tortoise is a news start-up devoted to slow journalism. We take our time to tell stories that really matter. If you want more slow and considered journalism, you can become a member of Tortoise to get access to more o...

A new report has exposed how the Metropolitan Police deals with wrongdoing within its ranks. Who is the woman holding a mirror up to the Met and what has she found? Listen to Tortoise's new series "Pig Iron" here: podfollow.com/pigiron Tortoise is a news start-up devoted to slow journalism. We take our time to tell stories that really matter. If you want more slow and considered journalism, you ca...

The second Conservative leadership contest of the year was conducted with almost no discussion of actual policy, so what kind of prime minister might Rishi Sunak be? Listen to Tortoise's new series "Pig Iron" here: podfollow.com/pigiron Tortoise is a news start-up devoted to slow journalism. We take our time to tell stories that really matter. If you want more slow and considered journalism, you c...

The US snow crab harvest has been cancelled after billions of them went missing from the waters around Alaska. The industry is normally worth $132 million a year. What caused them to vanish? Tortoise is a news start-up devoted to slow journalism. We take our time to tell stories that really matter. If you want more slow and considered journalism, you can become a member of Tortoise to get access t...

Liz Truss will go down in history as Britain’s shortest serving prime minister. How did we get here and what happens next? Tortoise is a news start-up devoted to slow journalism. We take our time to tell stories that really matter. If you want more slow and considered journalism, you can become a member of Tortoise to get access to more of our stories, contribute to our journalism and join exclusi...

In yet another sign of China’s disrespect for human rights, Hong Kong pro-democracy protestors were dragged into the grounds of the Chinese consulate in Manchester and beaten up. What does it mean for UK-China relations? Tortoise is a news start-up devoted to slow journalism. We take our time to tell stories that really matter. If you want more slow and considered journalism, you can become a memb...

Vladimir Putin has appointed a man with a ruthless reputation to command his war in Ukraine. What does Sergei Surovikin tell us about the state of Russia’s invasion? Tortoise is a news start-up devoted to slow journalism. We take our time to tell stories that really matter. If you want more slow and considered journalism, you can become a member of Tortoise to get access to more of our stories, co...

A cabinet minister insisted that "there hasn't been a coup" and that Liz Truss “is not under a desk”. But you wouldn’t have blamed the prime minister if she was after her new chancellor dismantled the mini budget and with it, her political project. Tortoise is a news start-up devoted to slow journalism. We take our time to tell stories that really matter. If you want more slow and considered journ...

Ai-Da made history when she became the first robot to give evidence to the House of Lords. The hearing was an important examination of the role of artificial intelligence in the arts.  Tortoise is a news start-up devoted to slow journalism. We take our time to tell stories that really matter. If you want more slow and considered journalism, you can become a member of Tortoise to get access to...

Anti-government protests have taken place on Iran’s streets, at universities and schools, and oil refineries. Could it become a movement that eventually topples the regime? Tortoise is a news start-up devoted to slow journalism. We take our time to tell stories that really matter. If you want more slow and considered journalism, you can become a member of Tortoise to get access to more of our stor...

Last month’s mini-budget has thrown the property market into crisis. Where does that leave first-time buyers? Tortoise is a news start-up devoted to slow journalism. We take our time to tell stories that really matter. If you want more slow and considered journalism, you can become a member of Tortoise to get access to more of our stories, contribute to our journalism and join exclusive events. Ju...

A huge explosion has damaged a bridge linking Russia and Crimea. Why has it triggered such a furious response from the Kremlin? Tortoise is a news start-up devoted to slow journalism. We take our time to tell stories that really matter. If you want more slow and considered journalism, you can become a member of Tortoise to get access to more of our stories, contribute to our journalism and join ex...

Michael Gove ignited the first rebellion against Liz Truss last week, and fanned the flames of others. Now, as MPs return to Parliament, the prime minister must win back a fractious and conflicted party if she is to retain power. Tortoise is a news start-up devoted to slow journalism. We take our time to tell stories that really matter. If you want more slow and considered journalism, you can beco...

A secret mission by the Australian government has paved the way for 16 women and 42 children currently held in a Syrian detention camp to be repatriated. Why is the policy shift so significant for the UK? Tortoise is a news start-up devoted to slow journalism. We take our time to tell stories that really matter. If you want more slow and considered journalism, you can become a member of Tortoise t...

Youtuber Ned Fulmer has fallen from grace after it was revealed that he was having an affair with one of his employees. What does the scandal tell us about the world of internet stars and the stories they tell about themselves? Tortoise is a news start-up devoted to slow journalism. We take our time to tell stories that really matter. If you want more slow and considered journalism, you can become...

  After a first round of voting, Brazilians will head back to the polls at the end of the month to choose their next president. Why is this election so important? Tortoise is a news start-up devoted to slow journalism. We take our time to tell stories that really matter. If you want more slow and considered journalism, you can become a member of Tortoise to get access to more of our stories,...

The game’s greatest player has accused his opponent of cheating, throwing the world of chess into turmoil. What does it mean for its future? Tortoise is a news start-up devoted to slow journalism. We take our time to tell stories that really matter. If you want more slow and considered journalism, you can become a member of Tortoise to get access to more of our stories, contribute to our journalis...

There have been reports that some hedge-fund bosses made huge profits by betting that the pound would fall. They did it by shorting the market. How does it work? Tortoise is a news start-up devoted to slow journalism. We take our time to tell stories that really matter. If you want more slow and considered journalism, you can become a member of Tortoise to get access to more of our stories, contri...

14 year old Molly Russell viewed images of self harm and suicide on social media in the months before she died. A coroner has now concluded that the content was “unsafe” and it contributed to her death. Tortoise is a news start-up devoted to slow journalism. We take our time to tell stories that really matter. If you want more slow and considered journalism, you can become a member of Tortoise to...

The markets are in turmoil, the International Monetary Fund has openly criticised the government and the Bank of England has been forced to take emergency action. But the government is sticking to its plan, so how could it deliver growth? Tortoise is a news start-up devoted to slow journalism. We take our time to tell stories that really matter. If you want more slow and considered journalism, you...

Geology, public opinion and even some of her own MPs are opposed to Liz Truss’s plan to lift the ban on fracking for gas. Will it ever happen? Tortoise is a news start-up devoted to slow journalism. We take our time to tell stories that really matter. If you want more slow and considered journalism, you can become a member of Tortoise to get access to more of our stories, contribute to our journal...