Sensemaker

30 million people have signed up to use Replika, “the AI companion who cares”. The chatbot can text you, flirt with you, and promises to love you unconditionally. But what are the risks that come with loving an AI?This story was supported by the Pulitzer Center. Writer and producer: Patricia ClarkeEpisode photography: Jon JonesExecutive producer: Rebecca MooreTo find out more about Tortoise:Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalistsSubscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free contentBecome a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and moreIf you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com

For nearly two months, the Israeli army has encircled cities in the north of the Gaza Strip. Experts warn Israeli settlements could be established there within the next few weeks.

A proposed new bill has prompted one of New Zealand’s biggest protests of all time. Why is it so controversial? And what does it seek to change?Writer and producer: Claudia WilliamsEpisode photography: Jon JonesExecutive producer: Jasper CorbettTo find out more about Tortoise:Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalistsSubscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free contentBecome a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and moreIf you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com

The UK was one of the first countries to adopt 5G but now it has one of the worst networks in the world. Why is it so difficult to get a decent phone signal in the UK? Writer: Sophie FentonProducer: Tomini BabsHost: Claudia WilliamsExecutive Producer: Rebecca MooreTo find out more about Tortoise:Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalistsSubscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free contentBecome a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and moreIf you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com

While national debate raged in Spain over who should be held accountable for the deadliest floods in decades, heavy rainfall flooded parts of Southern Italy. Extreme floods are likely to increase as a consequence of climate change: is Europe ready to deal with them?Writer: Serena CesareoProducer: Casey MagloireHost: Tomini BabsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore

Robert F. Kennedy Jr has a long record of criticising vaccines and spreading medical misinformation. President-elect Donald Trump has chosen him to be the secretary of Health and Human Service in his upcoming administration. To listen to Basia’s interview with RFK Jr click here: https://www.tortoisemedia.com/audio/what-the-rfk-jr/ Writer: Rebecca Moore with additional reporting from Alexi Mostrous. Producer: Claudia Williams Host: Claudia WilliamsPhotography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Jasper CorbettTo find out more about Tortoise:Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalistsSubscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free contentBecome a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and moreIf you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com

An emperor penguin has turned up on a surfers beach in southwestern Australia, more than 2000 miles away from its natural habitat in the Antarctic. How did it end up so far off course? Writer and producer: Claudia WilliamsEpisode photography: Jon JonesExecutive producer: Rebecca MooreWith thanks to Jazz Bailey for her videos.To find out more about Tortoise:Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalistsSubscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free contentBecome a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and moreIf you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com

Justin Welby is the first Archbishop of Canterbury to resign. He stood down following a report into a decades long abuse scandal. Why did it take the CofE more than forty years to get to the bottom of it? Writer: Phoebe DavisProducer: Eleanor BiggsPhotography: Jon JonesExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore