

Sensemaker
The Observer
The Sensemaker from The Observer - one story every day to make sense of the world.Subscribe to The Observer and use the code AUDIO50 to get 50% off your annual subscription:Early access, bonus content and ad-free listening to our podcastsA daily edition, curated by our editors 7 days a weekPuzzles from the inventors of the cryptic crosswordRecipes for every occasionFree tickets to join Observer events in our newsroom or online Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 19, 2023 • 7min
Ep 600: The United Nations in Afghanistan
Why the UN is under fire from some of its own staff in Afghanistan for its treatment of women staff.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 to live events. Just go to tortoisemedia.com/slowdown.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.

May 17, 2023 • 7min
Ep 599: Sam Altman testifies
The man behind ChatGPT has warned the US Senate that there is an “urgent” need for AI regulation. What might that look like?Listen to the Truth Tellers podcast: https://podfollow.com/truth-tellersTortoise 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 to live events. Just go to tortoisemedia.com/slowdown.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.

May 17, 2023 • 6min
Ep 598: Scotland’s juryless rape trials
The Scottish government has announced plans to hold trials for serious sexual offences without a jury. Why have defence lawyers said they'll boycott the scheme?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 to live events. Just go to tortoisemedia.com/slowdown.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.

May 16, 2023 • 6min
Ep 597: Zelensky’s European tour
Ukraine’s president has been visiting European capitals in an attempt to secure more support ahead of a renewed fightback against Russia. What is President Zelensky asking for and will it be 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 to live events. Just go to tortoisemedia.com/slowdown.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.

May 15, 2023 • 7min
Ep 596: The case of Simon Case
The country’s most senior civil servant has a habit of attracting the wrong kind of headlines. Could his time as Cabinet Secretary be drawing to a close?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 to live events. Just go to tortoisemedia.com/slowdown.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.

May 12, 2023 • 6min
Ep 595: Ed Sheeran's legal victory
A court has ruled that the British musician did not copy a Marvin Gaye song when he wrote the 2014 hit Thinking Out Loud. What does the verdict mean for the music industry?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 to live events. Just go to tortoisemedia.com/slowdown.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.

May 11, 2023 • 6min
Ep 594: The Coronation arrests
The Metropolitan Police says it regrets arresting six anti-monarchy protesters on the morning of the Coronation. It raises questions about new laws designed to stop disruptive protests.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 to live events. Just go to tortoisemedia.com/slowdown.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.

May 10, 2023 • 7min
Ep 593: Tackling online abuse
Content showing the most extreme online sexual abuse of children has doubled since 2020. What’s being done to stop it?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 to live events. Just go to tortoisemedia.com/slowdown.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.

May 9, 2023 • 6min
Ep 592: The godfather of AI quits with a warning
One of the pioneers of artificial intelligence has quit his job at Google and warned about the dangers of the technology. What does Geoffrey Hinton’s departure tell us about the future of AI?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 to live events. Just go to tortoisemedia.com/slowdown. 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.

May 5, 2023 • 6min
Ep 591: King Charles' Coronation
Nearly 70 years after his mother's coronation, King Charles will be officially crowned this weekend. What could the future look like for the monarchy?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 to live events. Just go to tortoisemedia.com/slowdown.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.


