Each year, world leaders meet for the Climate Change Conference to discuss what action the world can agree on. This year, they are meeting in a resort city on the southern tip of Egypt’s Sinai peninsula. With African countries facing the worst effects of climate change, it makes sense. But there is another side to this. Egypt’s human rights record under its current leader, President Sisi, is worrying. There are violent crackdowns, repressions and no freedom for protest. By providing them with a platform to host the biggest act of diplomacy in the calendar, are we allowing Egypt to greenwash its reputation? Does the need for solutions to climate change trump all other concerns? And, in fact, is it even possible to achieve climate targets without a strong track record on human rights? Through the story of a dual-national Alaa Abd El-Fattah, we look at the uneasy pact the world is making with itself.
Writer and journalist Liv Little and Observer critic Miranda Sawyer get notes from editors all the time – now it’s their turn to hand them out. Every Wednesday morning, Liv and Miranda weigh in on the latest cultural happenings, from reality TV meltdowns and art house films, to gallery openings and TikTok trends. Smart, funny, and full of sharp observations. We Have Notes is culture with commentary.
Welcome to Tortoise Investigates, where we curate the best of our chart-topping investigative series in one place. Over the last three years we’ve covered everything from extraordinary tales of deception to suspicious deaths to one mother’s decades-long fight against the police. There's Sweet Bobby, Hoaxed, Pig Iron and more. Keep an eye on the feed, we’ll be updating it regularly with all of our best and most ambitious stories.