

Sensemaker
The Observer
The Sensemaker from The Observer - one story every day to make sense of the world.Subscribe to The Observer today and get access to: Our podcasts before anyone else A daily edition, curated by our editors 7 days a week Puzzles from the inventors of the cryptic crossword Recipes for every occasionFree tickets to join Observer events in our newsroom or onlineClick here to subscribe today for just £1 for your first month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 11, 2023 • 8min
Ep 702: What is Hamas?
Gunmen from the Palestinian group crossed over the border from Gaza and killed hundreds of Israeli civilians. What do we know about Hamas?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.

Oct 10, 2023 • 8min
Ep 701: Israel and Hamas at war
Israel has declared war against the Palestinian armed group after it launched a violent, surprise attack on the country. Why did Hamas do it and what might happen next?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.

Oct 9, 2023 • 7min
Ep 700: Why the removal of the US speaker is a win for Trump and Putin
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.

Oct 6, 2023 • 8min
Ep 699: Rishi Sunak and the winds of change
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.

Oct 5, 2023 • 5min
Ep 698: Don't let the bed bugs bite
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.

Oct 4, 2023 • 8min
Ep 697: Musk’s brainchild: Neuralink recruits for human trials
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.

Oct 3, 2023 • 6min
Ep 696: A ‘death’ in Crimea
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.

Oct 2, 2023 • 8min
Ep 695: How the Hollywood strikes have hit the UK
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.

Sep 29, 2023 • 8min
Ep 694: Cancelled: one train and a 186-mile taxi ride
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.

Sep 28, 2023 • 6min
Ep 693: Murdoch’s succession: how much power will Lachlan have?
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.


