Sensemaker

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 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 newsroom that is responsible and sustainable. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 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 newsroom that is responsible and sustainable. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Tortoise at tortoisemedia.com/support-us. Your contributions allow us to investigate, campaign and explore, and to build a newsroom that is responsible and sustainable. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 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 newsroom that is responsible and sustainable.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 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 newsroom that is responsible and sustainable.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 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 newsroom that is responsible and sustainable.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 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 newsroom that is responsible and sustainable.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 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 newsroom that is responsible and sustainable.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 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 newsroom that is responsible and sustainable. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 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 newsroom that is responsible and sustainable. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.