a tortoise file
The vaccine
Trudging through the latest lockdown is made easier by the fact that there is now light at the end of the tunnel. The vaccine’s extra quick development has been something of a miracle; but the rollout could be something different altogether. For our latest File, we’ve investigated how some decisions taken by the government could end up delaying the delivery, and prolonging our agony.
opinion
A paean to untruth
It was just another rant to his supporters. Until it wasn’t. This is the speech that got Trump impeached for a second time.
creative sensemaker
History and ice cream
One Night in Miami features in our latest selection of recommended films, books, albums, and more.
catch up
Covid’s lost children
We asked experts about the children who dropped off the radar during lockdown, and what we can do about it.
the vaccine
Further reading
From the history of vaccines to polling data on anti-vaxxers, we’ve compiled some extra information for you to get stuck into.
sensemaker: our daily roundup of the news that matters
The race is on
15 January 2021
- Bobi Wine claimed victory in Uganda’s historic election after voters in some parts of the country stayed to watch the count after polls closed. President Museveni claimed an early lead; final results are due tomorrow.
- Xi Jinping used a letter to the founder of Starbucks to call for a reset in US-China trade relations.
- A new study estimated that more foreign-born residents left Britain last year than in any other year since the Second World War.
The race is on, not just between the virus and the vaccines but between nations desperate for herd immunity. So far the competition seems to take the form of governments striving to do better because of positive headlines from elsewhere (Israel, UK, early hiccups notwithstanding). The risk is that the competition turns into a beggar-thy-neighbour scramble for supply…
Our members say
This week, we’re seeking your views on our Covid Inquiry
The Tortoise approach has really shone in respect of covid reporting throughout. To hear this timeline of simple reality – of what it’s been like for those of us managing the pandemic – was profoundly moving.
Simon, member since November 2020
Excellent program, very informative, hard hitting and candid. Did a good job of separating the obvious complexity of the pandemic from the poor performance of the UK government representatives.
Michael Eliastam, member since June 2020
Our members like
Slow Views
Philip Collins: Trump’s paean to untruth
It was just another rambling Trump speech to his supporters. Except it wasn’t. This was the speech that got the president impeached for a second time.
Jonathan Cake: Drama out of real lives
The director of the remarkable Up series, Michael Apted, died last week. His casts had more to thank him for than just the work.
Liz Moseley: Shops are culture
The demise of the ‘Big Topshop’ in London will leave a gap in our Saturday afternoons – and our lives
Jane Martinson: The BBC is being dragged back into 2016
A new rival and a new Brexit-supporting chair could force the Beeb into a culture war it shouldn’t need to fight
21 january 2021
Global Health Summit
The six major health challenges now
Watch
Sensemaker Live: The great forgotten story of Brexit – what’s really happening with trade?
Make sense of this week’s major news stories in a live editorial conference with Tortoise editors
What are the glaciers telling us?
Join us for the first ThinkIn of our year long conversation on ‘Accelerating Net Zero’
Finding Covid’s lost children: how do we bring them back?
We ask experts what happened to the lost of children of Covid, and what we can do about it.
Veganuary CookIn
Cauliflower steak or bean burger? Join us to cook up a veganuary feast
Book
Trans kids: what has been happening inside the Tavistock?
Join us to take a deep dive into what has really been happening inside the Tavistock
Open News
Add your voice to the Tortoise editors’ weekly news conference. Bring story ideas and perspectives. Have your say.
Global Health Summit
The six challenges after Covid
Sensemaker Live
Make sense of this week’s major news stories in a live editorial conference with Tortoise editors
Edith
We’re building a different type of newsroom, for a slower, wiser news.
Members are at the heart of what we do
Our members bring a diverse range of voices into our newsroom to inform our journalism.
Taking the time to get it right
News has become noise. We sort through it all and crunch the data to call out what really matters.
A fresh approach to journalism
We use infographics, absorbing audio and stunning photography to make complex stories clear and enjoyable.
