The News Meeting

Could Europe unlock frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine’s fight against Putin? Why Elon Musk’s DOGE remains a mystery despite promises of transparency. And how climate change is reshaping Alaska’s iconic dog sled race. Jasper Corbett is joined by Tortoise’s Chloe Hadjimatheou, Patricia Clarke and Katie Riley as they each pitch a story they think should lead the news.  **Join us at the ne...

After a frantic weekend of diplomatic chess, has Sir Keir Starmer emerged as the new leader of Europe? Will Israel agree to enact the second stage of the ceasefire deal and pull troops out of Gaza? Why is the government spending £100m on a bat cave for HS2?  Giles Whittell is joined by Tortoise’s Stephen Armstrong, Chloe Hadjimatheou and Hashi Mohamed as they each pitch a story they think sho...

Will Keir Starmer’s meeting with Donald Trump cement him as the pragmatic leader the UK left has been missing? With the TV industry struggling, are we witnessing the end of our beloved British TV dramas?  Giles Whittell is joined by comedian Matt Forde, critic Scott Bryan and Tortoise’s Cat Neilan as they each pitch a story they think should lead the news.  **Join us at the next edition...

Germany’s Friedrich Merz has vowed to secure “independence” from the United States following his party’s victory in parliamentary elections.  In 2023 the Crown Prosecution Service found black people are 16 times more likely than white people to face prosecution under joint enterprise laws, so why is a review only happening now?  For the first time, Apple has agreed to withdraw its highes...

Why is it so hard for journalists to report on Trump’s blatant lies? Tens of thousands have died and been displaced in the Democratic Republic of Congo - so why is the war missing from the front pages? And what does the conversation between Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch and controversial podcaster Jordan Peterson reveal about the UK’s political right? Giles Whittell is joined by journali...

As Trump and Putin negotiate a peace deal without Europe or Ukraine, where does this leave Nato members? Can Keir Starmer establish himself as a key figure in European defence? And as the US and Russia meet in Saudi Arabia this week, what does that tell us about the  future of geopolitics?  Giles Whittell is joined by Tortoise’s Jasper Corbett, Stephen Armstrong and Cat Neilan, as they p...

With a single 90-minute phone call has Donald Trump sidelined Europe in the Ukraine discussion? Why is Donald Trump criticising South Africa’s land laws and what does Elon Musk have to do with it? With Cardiff University announcing major departmental cuts, will other institutions follow suit to save higher education in Wales?  Giles Whittell is joined by the former opposition leader of South...

What are the ethical dilemmas  of publishing a writer's private works after their death?  A new poll reveals that Nigel Farage’s Reform Party may be the UK’s most popular political party. How have Labour and the Conservatives responded to the news? What does the latest round of Trump tariffs tell us about the President’s negotiating tactics? Jeevan Vasagar is joined by Tortoise’s Cat Nei...

A gang of young officials from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency targeted the US Agency for International Development. What does that tell us about his loyalty to Trump? Despite overseeing the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, Trump now demands the Taliban return 78 aircraft, 40,000 vehicles and 300,000 weapons left behind. As the US steps back  from a key NATO committee, is this...

What are the 180-year-old rules that prevent MPs from debating issues about the Royal Family? As Donald Trump floats the idea of “clearing out” Gaza, what lies ahead for Palestinians returning home? And President Trump promised tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China - but how will this affect foreign relations with the US’ closest neighbours?  Giles Whittell is joined by NPR’s International Corr...

Why were priceless ancient Romanian artefacts stolen from a Dutch museum and what does this tell us about the global black market in stolen art? Will the government’s latest plans to expand Heathrow airport bring the growth Rachel Reeves has been promising? And why did Donald Trump offer federal government employees money to quit their jobs? Giles Whittell is joined by Tortoise’s Katie Riley, Clau...

How much is tech guru Bryan Johnson willing to put his 19-year-old son through in his quest to avoid dying? Why 33% of surveyed Gen Z-ers say they prefer the army to run the country? What happens to the West Bank during a Trump administration? Basia Cummings is joined by scientist and broadcaster Adam Rutherford, plus Tortoise’s Cat Neilan and Stephen Armstrong, as they battle to pitch the top sto...

Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde’s direct plea to Donald Trump has led a Republican congressman to demand her deportation. Should Democrats buy Trump’s meme coins? And what’s the point of Davos? Giles Whittell is joined by Tortoise’s James Harding, Patricia Clarke and Katie Riley as they battle it out to see who can pitch the top story of the day. **Get tickets for our next News Meeting live on Wednesda...

How Tortoise first reported on the allegations made against author Neil Gaiman. Does a ceasefire in Gaza mean peace? And what are Donald Trump’s plans for day one in the White House? Jeevan Vasagar is joined by Tortoise’s Cat Neilan, Katie Gunning and Chloe Hadjimatheou as they battle it out to see who can pitch the top story of the day. Listen to Master: The Allegations Against Neil Gaiman here:&...

As the world gears up for a second Donald Trump presidency, how will newsrooms handle the whirlwind this time around? What lessons will they take from the missteps and chaos of his first term?  Tortoise’s deputy editor Giles Whittell is joined by Pulitzer prize-winning American journalists Mary Jordan and Kevin Sullivan and Tortoise’s data editor, Katie Riley. **Get tickets for our next News...

What should politicians do about allegations of poor treatment for workers at Shein’s factories in China? Will Keir Starmer back the chancellor amid the UK’s economic woes? And is allowing supervised drug use the solution to Scotland’s drug death crisis? Giles Whittell is joined by Tortoise’s Cat Neilan, Patricia Clarke and Stephen Armstrong as they battle it out to see who can pitch the top story...

How will climate events like fires and hurricanes affect America’s home insurance market? Why is the Silicon Valley tech boss scrapping fact-checking ahead of Trump 2.0? And what should happen to two french orca whales now their marine park is set to close?  Jess Winch is joined by Tortoise’s Giles Whittell, Claudia Williams and Patricia Clarke as they battle it out to see who can pitch the t...

Giles Whittell is joined by Tortoise’s Alexi Mostrous, Jeevan Vasagar and Cat Neilan as they battle it out to see who can pitch the top story of the day. They discuss the allegations levelled by the It Ends With Us co-stars, how journalists should respond to Elon Musk's remarks on grooming gangs in England, and President Biden blocking a $15 billion deal. Listen to Alexi’s series Who Trolled Amber...

Despite Silicon Valley promising Artificial Intelligence would revolutionise our daily lives, the reality has been slower to unfold.  Writer: Patricia Clarke Producer: Rebecca Moore Host: Casey Magloire  Executive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Giles Whittell and Tortoise journalists predict what stories will make the headlines in 2025. They discuss possible political shifts in the UK, reconciliation attempts in Syria and much needed local council reform. Guests: Katie Riley, data editor at Tortoise  Chloe Hadjimatheou, narrative editor at Tortoise  Cat Neilan, political editor at Tortoise  Host: Giles Whittell, deputy edi...

2024 was weight-loss injections such as Ozempic and WeGovy went global. What does that mean for Novo Nordisk, the Danish company making them? And can it live up to the hype? Writer: Claudia Williams Producer: Claudia Williams Photography: Joe Mee Executive producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The King's first full year on the throne has been marked by his illness. Along with that of his daughter-in-law, Catherine, Princess of Wales. What does this year tell us about the state of the royal family? Writer: Xavier Greenwood Producer: Xavier Greenwood Photography: Lola Williams Executive producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How England cricket’s greatest batter got even better in 2024. Writer: Andrew Butler Producer: Katie Gunning Photography: Lola Williams Executive producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The tradwife movement, led by influencers like Nara Smith, sparked intense online debate throughout 2024, particularly following Donald Trump's presidential election victory. What does it tell us about the year? Writer: Jess Swinburne Producer: Jess Swinburne Host: Casey Magloire  Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Belfast rap trio has taken the world by storm. But who are they and how have they managed to capture the zeitgeist? Writer: Elaine McCallig Producer: Casey Magloire Photography: Jon Jones Executive producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.