Sensemaker

The British Virgin Islands has been beset by scandals. The premier was arrested on charges of drug trafficking and money laundering, and a separate inquiry found evidence of state corruption. How did it come to this?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. Just go to tortoisemedia.com/friend and use the code Claudia50 to get a year's digital membership for £50. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bumper profits posted by the world’s biggest oil and gas producers have reinvigorated calls in the UK for a windfall tax. Could it solve the cost of living crisis?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. Just go to tortoisemedia.com/friend and use the code Tomini50 to get a year's digital membership for £50. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A leaked opinion by the US Supreme Court suggests that it could reverse an historic ruling that gives women the right to have an abortion. What impact would that have?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. Just go to tortoisemedia.com/friend and use the code Claudia50 to get a year's digital membership for £50. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The rotten culture at Westminster has been exposed once again. Has anything changed since allegations of sexual misconduct and bullying first emerged in 2017?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. Just go to tortoisemedia.com/friend and use the code Tomini50 to get a year's digital membership for £50. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A congressional committee is investigating what happened on January 6th 2021 and in the days leading up to the attack on the Capitol. This is what it has uncovered so far.Listen to The Backstory with Andrew Neil here: https://torto.se/3xVAYcXTortoise 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. Just go to tortoisemedia.com/friend and use the code Tomini50 to get a year's digital membership for £50. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Russian forces have reduced Mariupol to ruins. But they are still meeting fierce resistance at the city’s steel plant, where Ukrainian fighters are deep underground. Halyna’s cousin is one of them.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. Just go to tortoisemedia.com/friend and use the code Tomini50 to get a year's digital membership for £50. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Minister for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency wants to get civil servants back in the office. Why is he so bothered about it?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. Just go to tortoisemedia.com/friend and use the code Tomini50 to get a year's digital membership for £50. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Twitter's board has accepted Elon Musk's offer to buy the social media company for around $44 billion. But what's he going to do with it?Sign up for the Tech States newsletter here: https://torto.se/3vJcmRVTortoise 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. Just go to tortoisemedia.com/friend and use the code Claudia50 to get a year's digital membership for £50. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 China is powering on with its zero-Covid policy as cases rise, more cities go into lockdown, and thousands are moved into special quarantine facilities. What does this mean for the people living there?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. Just go to tortoisemedia.com/friend and use the code Claudia50 to get a year's digital membership for £50. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Voters in Northern Ireland will elect a new assembly on 5th May. Polls suggest Sinn Fein could for the first time defeat unionists to become the largest party.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. Just go to tortoisemedia.com/friend and use the code Claudia50 to get a year's digital membership for £50. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marine Le Pen is running Emmanuel Macron closer than before in the French presidential race. What’s behind her popularity? 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. Just go to tortoisemedia.com/friend and use the code Claudia50 to get a year's digital membership for £50. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK government's plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda has raised both ethical and legal questions. Why is it still pressing ahead?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. Just go to tortoisemedia.com/friend and use the code Claudia50 to get a year's digital membership for £50. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new phase of Russia’s invasion has begun and Vladimir Putin has put a new general in charge. What do we know about him and what does it mean for the war in Ukraine? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elon Musk’s relationship with Twitter has gone from prolific tweeter to becoming its largest shareholder, nearly joining its board and then launching a hostile takeover bid. What is he trying to do? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Boris Johnson and chancellor Rishi Sunak have been fined for breaking lockdown rules in Downing Street. A couple of months ago it could have led to the Prime Minister’s resignation, but things are different now. What’s changed? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

History was made last week when Ketanji Brown Jackson was confirmed as the first ever Black woman to serve as a United States Supreme Court judge. But her confirmation hearings were marred by baseless verbal attacks from Republican Senators. Why did they do it? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Revelations that Rishi Sunak's wife chose to avoid paying UK income tax through her non-dom status have created a political storm for the Chancellor. But were they in the wrong? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Like many Ukrainians, Halyna and her parents are returning to homes they fled just a few weeks ago. But the carnage left behind is beginning to emerge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The government’s conversion therapy ban is going ahead, but will not cover trans people. Why? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The United Nations is stuck. Russia wields the power of its veto to block any Security Council resolutions condemning its invasion of Ukraine. How did it come to this?The Sensemaker from Tortoise - one story every day to make sense of the world.Tortoise is a news start-up devoted to slow journalism. We take news slowly. We tell stories that really matter, and take time to see the full picture.We also have a daily Sensemaker email delivered to your inbox once a day. It’s our editors’ pick of the stories that matter most right now, and why, in brief. To read the Sensemaker, get access to more of our stories, contribute to our journalism and join us at events in our newsroom, in person and online, you can join Tortoise as a member. Just go to tortoisemedia.com/friend and use the code Claudia50 for membership for just £50 per year.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Russia invaded Ukraine, the country's currency tumbled. More than a month on, it looks like it's bounced back. But has it? The Sensemaker from Tortoise - one story every day to make sense of the world.Tortoise is a news start-up devoted to slow journalism. We take news slowly. We tell stories that really matter, and take time to see the full picture.We also have a daily Sensemaker email delivered to your inbox once a day. It’s our editors’ pick of the stories that matter most right now, and why, in brief. To read the Sensemaker, get access to more of our stories, contribute to our journalism and join us at events in our newsroom, in person and online, you can join Tortoise as a member. Just go to tortoisemedia.com/friend and use the code Claudia50 to get a year's membership for just £50. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On International Women's Day, a Twitter bot drew attention to the gender pay gap in Britain's biggest companies. But does the data they report tell them full story?The Sensemaker from Tortoise - one story every day to make sense of the world.Tortoise is a news start-up devoted to slow journalism. We take news slowly. We tell stories that really matter, and take time to see the full picture.We also have a daily Sensemaker email delivered to your inbox once a day. It’s our editors’ pick of the stories that matter most right now, and why, in brief. To read the Sensemaker, get access to more of our stories, contribute to our journalism and join us at events in our newsroom, in person and online, you can join Tortoise as a member. Just go to tortoisemedia.com/friend and use the code Claudia50 to get a year's membership for just £50. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When a T-Rex fossil was sold to an anonymous buyer in 2020, palaeontologists worried that the skeleton could be lost to science. Eighteen months later, the fossil has reappeared. But is it good news for researchers?The Sensemaker from Tortoise - one story every day to make sense of the world.Tortoise is a news start-up devoted to slow journalism. We take news slowly. We tell stories that really matter, and take time to see the full picture.We also have a daily Sensemaker email delivered to your inbox once a day. It’s our editors’ pick of the stories that matter most right now, and why, in brief. To read the Sensemaker, get access to more of our stories, contribute to our journalism and join us at events in our newsroom, in person and online, you can join Tortoise as a member. Just go to tortoisemedia.com/friend and use the code Claudia50 to get a year's membership for just £50. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Twenty fines have been handed out to people in government who breached lockdown rules by going to parties in Number 10 and elsewhere across Whitehall. Throughout this saga the government has ducked and dived, but can it continue to deny laws were broken?The Sensemaker from Tortoise - one story every day to make sense of the world.Tortoise is a news start-up devoted to slow journalism. We take news slowly. We tell stories that really matter, and take time to see the full picture.We also have a daily Sensemaker email delivered to your inbox once a day. It’s our editors’ pick of the stories that matter most right now, and why, in brief. To read the Sensemaker, get access to more of our stories, contribute to our journalism and join us at events in our newsroom, in person and online, you can join Tortoise as a member. Just go to tortoisemedia.com/friend and use the code Claudia50 to get a year's membership for just £50. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the world's largest yachts is currently in the Tuscan resort of Marina di Carrara. Who it belongs to is disputed but there are suspicions it could be owned by Russian president Vladimir Putin.The Sensemaker from Tortoise - one story every day to make sense of the world.Tortoise is a news start-up devoted to slow journalism. We take news slowly. We tell stories that really matter, and take time to see the full picture.We also have a daily Sensemaker email delivered to your inbox once a day. It’s our editors’ pick of the stories that matter most right now, and why, in brief. To read the Sensemaker, get access to more of our stories, contribute to our journalism and join us at events in our newsroom, in person and online, you can join Tortoise as a member. Just go to tortoisemedia.com/friend and use the code Claudia50 to get a year's membership for just £50. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A 15-year-old black school girl who was suspected of carrying cannabis was strip searched by police officers at her school. How unusual is this?The Sensemaker from Tortoise - one story every day to make sense of the world.Tortoise is a news start-up devoted to slow journalism. We take news slowly. We tell stories that really matter, and take time to see the full picture.We also have a daily Sensemaker email delivered to your inbox once a day. It’s our editors’ pick of the stories that matter most right now, and why, in brief. To read the Sensemaker, get access to more of our stories, contribute to our journalism and join us at events in our newsroom, in person and online, you can join Tortoise as a member. Just go to tortoisemedia.com/friend and use the code Claudia50 to get a year's membership for just £50. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nigeria’s growing population keeps facing fuel shortages despite it being Africa’s largest oil producer. Why?The Sensemaker from Tortoise - one story every day to make sense of the world.Tortoise is a news start-up devoted to slow journalism. We take news slowly. We tell stories that really matter, and take time to see the full picture.We also have a daily Sensemaker email delivered to your inbox once a day. It’s our editors’ pick of the stories that matter most right now, and why, in brief. To read the Sensemaker, get access to more of our stories, contribute to our journalism and join us at events in our newsroom, in person and online, you can join Tortoise as a member. Just go to tortoisemedia.com/friend and use the code Claudia50 to get a year's membership for just £50. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The decision to sack 800 staff via Zoom and replace them with cheaper agency workers seemed to surprise many. But there were signs of what was to come.The Sensemaker from Tortoise - one story every day to make sense of the world.Tortoise is a news start-up devoted to slow journalism. We take news slowly. We tell stories that really matter, and take time to see the full picture.We also have a daily Sensemaker email delivered to your inbox once a day. It’s our editors’ pick of the stories that matter most right now, and why, in brief. To read the Sensemaker, get access to more of our stories, contribute to our journalism and join us at events in our newsroom, in person and online, you can join Tortoise as a member. Just go to tortoisemedia.com/friend and use the code Claudia50 to get a year's membership for just £50. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After Tony Sewell chaired the controversial Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities the University of Nottingham decided to revoke their offer of an honorary degree. Was it justified?The Sensemaker from Tortoise - one story every day to make sense of the world.Tortoise is a news start-up devoted to slow journalism. We take news slowly. We tell stories that really matter, and take time to see the full picture.We also have a daily Sensemaker email delivered to your inbox once a day. It’s our editors’ pick of the stories that matter most right now, and why, in brief. To read the Sensemaker, get access to more of our stories, contribute to our journalism and join us at events in our newsroom, in person and online, you can join Tortoise as a member. Just go to tortoisemedia.com/friend and use the code Claudia50 to get a year's membership for just £50. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yesterday’s economic update was not a Budget, but with the cost of living soaring Rishi Sunak was facing calls to ease the squeeze. Did the chancellor rise to the challenge? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When a 40-year-old debt was settled between Britain and Iran last week, two British hostages were allowed to return home. So why was Morad Tahbaz, also a British hostage, left behind?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Kremlin has near total control over the media in Russia, so when one woman demonstrated against the Ukraine war live on air, she disrupted the narrative. What do we know about the protestor and the presenter she interrupted? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Western leaders are trying to predict the Russian president's next move. Some believe he has become isolated. What do we know about Vladimir Putin's life? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Halyna’s parents attempt to escape their hometown in eastern Ukraine. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

British-Iranian national Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has returned home to the UK after being held hostage by Iran for nearly six years. What do we know about why she was finally released? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.